My Camera Gear: A Love Story (or a Cautionary Tale)

It all began when I was 15 and fell headlong into the world of photography, clutching a Pentax KM my dad snagged duty-free in Amsterdam. It was love at first shutter click. From there, I flirted with Minolta and Agfa before committing to Nikon—a relationship that spanned decades and enough camera bodies to fill a modest museum. My Nikon FM, FE, and F3 were trusty companions, and I transitioned smoothly into the digital age with a D70, D200, D700 and finally, the D850—arguably the pinnacle of DSLR glory.

But then came Leica.

It started innocently enough with a pocket-sized D-Lux 4, whose tiny sensor somehow produced images richer than my bank account after I bought it. Next, a dealer tempted me with an M9 demo. Cue violins and Kodak CCD sensor magic—I was smitten. Soon, I was forking over every spare cent for my own Leica Q-P, a masterpiece of design and function. A pilgrimage to the Leica factory in Wetzlar sealed my fate. Goodbye, self-control. Hello, Leica obsession.

Fast-forward to today and my collection has grown more ambitious (and alarmingly expensive). There’s the M10-R, a nostalgic M6, and a curated trio of M lenses: the 135mm f4, the 90mm APO Summicron, and the compact 50mm f2.5. Naturally, I added the SL2-S for its sublime colours, paired it with Sigma L glass (because kidneys are not yet accepted as payment), and upgraded my M10-R with a Visoflex for my aging eyes. Thanks to Marc and Vincent at Leica Marseille for enabling my addiction.

Of course, it didn’t stop there. A Q2 Ghost caught my eye with its limited-edition allure, practically whispering, “Chase me.” A ferry ride to Vancouver and an impulsive swipe of my AmEx later, it was mine—possibly the last Q2 Ghost in Canada.

But wait, there’s more! Andorra’s duty-free status lured me into another Leica boutique, where I emerged victorious (and broke) with the SL 24-90mm lens. Back home, a friend traded his CL and 18mm for my Sigma glass, further complicating my growing gear dilemma. A few months later, the Q2 Ghost was sacrificed for the Q3 because, honestly, who can resist autofocus that’s actually fast?

When the SL3 launched, I was a walking Leica encyclopedia (or cautionary tale). I dabbled with its impressive specs but found its weight—and its zoom lenses—better suited to gym training than travel. My heart returned to the lighter Q3 and, inevitably, the Q3-43, whose APO lens blew me away. Add to that a shiny M11 Black Paint, a 50mm Summilux close-focus, and a 28mm Elmarit, and my camera bag has become both a source of joy and a lesson in minimalism.

Currently on the shelf or in the Billingham. (No further need for a Sherpa)

Leica Q3-43

https://leica-camera.com/en-int/photography/cameras/q/q3-43-black

Leica M11 Black Paint

https://leica-camera.com/en-int/photography/cameras/m/m11-glossy-black-paint-finish

Leica 50mm Summilux f1.4 Close Focus

https://leica-camera.com/en-int/photography/lenses/m/leica-summilux-m-50-f14-asph-black

Leica 28mm Elmarit f2.8

https://leica-camera.com/en-int/photography/lenses/m/elmarit-m-28mm-f2-8-asph-black

Leica SF 40 TTL Flash

https://leica-camera.com/en-int/photography/accessories/flashes/flash-sf-40-black

Some people collect stamps. I collect Leicas. Which hobby is more expensive? Let’s just say my wallet has filed for emancipation.