Thoughts on the sidelines of the release of the new Leica M6

I want to have my say on this news.

From my work on assignment for Leica Camera AG “People of Chapultepec” - 2013

The photo news of the week is on the “new” Leica M6. First of all, let me say that many film lovers gloat, who in very fake times, between artificial intelligence and iPhone bards, are given a pat on the back with this old new addition to the market.

He is delighted by Joe Greer given how much Leica pays photographers (I speak from direct experience).

I admit, I am happy for a brand like Leica but at the same time I remain detached: this coldness of mine is only motivated by the fact that given the prices of the film I am currently dedicating myself to digital only. I am a barrio photographer, I remain poor, and I am aware that certain toys are not within reach of my pockets. I don't care.

Indeed, I feel I represent many photographers who are not cool.

Leica is not for everyone. It probably wasn't for me even at the time I made the assignment for them, and this despite my Leica being "only" an X2.

Now I have already read the complaints about the price. Come on, don't do that and accept it sportingly. And don't bullshit: Fujifilm is not Leica and never will be. They play in different leagues. I can say this since I have worked with both of them professionally.

I have seen in these days how they attacked the photographers to whom Leica sent this new Leica M6. You know haters gonna hate, because photography community is like that: they support you until you get results, then if you get them they take it as an affront. The case of Joe Greer in this case is emblematic. There is also a video explaining it:

Instead, I included him in the list of the best contemporary street photographers, as you can read here.

This haters thing, just because Leica considers you and makes you work, I know it well because I went through it too in 2013, just because I worked on commission for Leica. The haters grow like mushrooms after a rainy day when you get a result.

When I worked for them I received a 10K compensation (in Euro), I was interviewed in Mexico City by their team arrived from NYC, my work has been published in the Leica X catalog distributed worldwide. But the haters couldn’t know these details when they started to attack me. The problem of the envious is always the same: they feel that they deserve what you have. It is sad…for them.

Returning to the Leica M6: of course this is a smart move on Leica's part. A Leica M7 had already been produced, but in these last 3 pandemic years the quotations of the M6 in the used market went crazy, thanks to the many videos made by influencer photographers who sang their praises, with a lot of footage in which we saw films load non-stop on the Leica M6.

A winning market move by Leica. But we have to read about people complaining about the price and then I ask: what did you expect from Leica? One piece of advice: stop complaining. Be happy with your camera just like I am happy with my cameras. For 5 years I have owned a Leica which many claim is not a real Leica, I mean the X2. To have it I kept it after the work done on commission to work professionally. Part of my payment was withdrawn as a camera payment but it was a well thought out investment. With the camera I made some important works like MEXICANA and I worked with the Leica X2 making books for models. A 16.2-megapixel CMOS APS-C sensor in a compact camera with a fixed lens: I can assure you the files are great and you know I shoot always JPG. The result is close to film, especially using certain settings and in black and white.

I decided to sell it a little to make up for the expenses of a trip but a lot because I was ambassador of another brand at that time and had little chance of continuing to use it. In hindsight and being able to go back I would not have sold it. Because even a small Leica remains a Leica.

I think Leica raises up a fact: photographers, real photographers, ask for real things. No AI bullshits and hypes on technology. Photography needs a human eye and brain that can intepretate the world around us and the feelings inside us.

Talking about me I canm say that currently film is too expensive to the point is a game for rich guys. I guess my 35mm cameras will eat dust for a while. Lucky because I still enjoy my DSLR cameras that allow me to frame through an OVF. Not even in need of expensive gear.

Meanwhile Joe Greer andf the other photographers posing with the new Leica are criticized:

I do’t like this rage against them, but as I said I know how are the dynamics. I just limit to say: this reminds me a friend asking me why I was using with a rangefinder my left eye on the viewfinder: he said me that way I was not taking full advantage of the camera experience. I guess rangefinders are not to me. I guess I am not a cool guy. I am a better photographer, anyway.

My friend will be not happy but is true.

Anyway, My dominant eye is the left one so I can't frame with both eyes open. And the most of us is like me. Rangefinder cameras are not for anyone.

I am a photographer. I am a professional photographer. But, yes there is a great but at this point, BUT I can't afford to spend a lot on cameras. I don't even see the sense of it, but I'm talking about myself. If I can achieve better results than you with an old 2011 DSLR camera, what is the point? I am not wearing a camera, I use the cameras. To work. For pleasure.

Of course I would be happy with a Leica, but at this point I am not even sure what Leica. In this situation, certainly not an M6.

Guys, I can’t shoot by having 2 eyes open with a rangefinder…this is one of the reason why rangefinders are not for anyone, at least for using that technique. More and more I feel myself a SLR/DSLR guy. And this is not a problem. I shoot mirrorless too, but I have a pleasure that is working counting with an optical viewfinder with my Rebels.

I don’t look that cool like other photographers with their vintage cameras (what is vintage at this point? Maybe next vintage is DSLR) but you know what? There is only one thing that really matters: photography. And with photography I mean the photographs. How good is your work? How many keepers are you able to do in 1 year? How many good photos are in your portfolio?

This and only this brings everyone back down to earth.