If you’ve been eyeing the M10 series of Leica cameras and you want to save yourself a huge chunk of change, act fast and beat the price hikes.
If you missed the recent news about the upcoming price hikes on certain Leica cameras and lenses, we will fill you in. Thanks to a U.S. imposed 25% import tax on products from Germany that go into effect on January 1st, 2020, certain Leica cameras and lenses will see a significant price bump. Leica cameras aren’t cheap to begin with, but if you have been eyeing the M10 series, you might want to grab your wallet and buy one now. After the break, we will share our thoughts on three Leica cameras that seriously impress, but that will fall victim to the upcoming import tax.
The full list of Leica cameras and lenses that will see a price increase of around 10% (Leica are swallowing up the additional 15%) can be found here in our original report of the price increases. That aside, just because you could save a chunk of change isn’t the only reason to take a look at these timeless Leica cameras.
The M10 series is revered by many for good reason. The quality and craftsmanship of Leica cameras are unmatched. The classic Rangefinder design will make head turns when you’re out, and the image quality is fantastic. The overall user experience is what makes Leica cameras shine. If you’ve never experienced the joy of using Leica cameras, we recommend you hunt one down and take it for a spin. Check out our thoughts on three M10 series Leica cameras below.
Leica M10
Here are the pros and cons from our full review:
Pros
- Very good high ISO output
- Lots of information recovered from the shadows and fairly cleanly too
- Feels incredible in the hand
- New ISO dial
- WiFi integration
- Weather sealing
- Smallest digital M mount camera to date
- Fewer buttons which actually is nice
- Absolutely fantastic battery life even in NYC’s cold
Cons
- Kind of pricey for a Leica, but also makes sense at this point. If they didn’t put video features in it, we would’ve dropped the price by about $750 or so.
- Color depth doesn’t seem as deep as we’d like.
- The ISO dial is a nice addition, but we think Leica could have implemented it in a better way. However, in real-life use, this still isn’t that bad.
- Rangefinder seems a bit dark. We’ve seen brighter viewfinders in other Leicas.
Buy now: $7,295
Pro Tip: If you decide to pick up the classic Leica M10, we highly recommend taking the time to become acquainted with it. This Leica camera may look like a simple device, but there are many layers to it, and you need to know how to get the most out of it. If you want to fast track your understanding of the camera, you should pick up this fast-start guide. It’s easy to follow, very affordable, and will help you get the most out of your new camera.
Leica M10-D
Here are the pros and cons from our full review:
Pros
- Quiet shutter
- A bit of an improvement in battery life
- Leica Fotos integration is very nice
- Same great image quality as the Leica M10
- Looks and feels like a film camera
- Very low profile
Cons
- Pricey
- We really, really wish this were a true mechanical shutter.
Buy now: $7,995
Pro Tip: Buying a Leica represents a serious investment in yourself and your craft, and if you want to keep your gorgeous new Leica in immaculate condition, you’re going to need to clean and take care of it regularly. We highly recommend you clean the camera after each use, or at a minimum of once weekly. Cleaning will ensure that the camera keeps its stunning looks, and, more importantly, functions as it is supposed to. You don’t need to spend a fortune on a cleaning kit either. This one will be just fine.
Leica M10P
Here are the pros and cons from our full review:
Pros
- Very quiet shutter
- Nice look
- Lightweight
- Smallish
- The same good color output from the Leica M10
- It’s possible to make big prints from the sensor even at higher ISOs
Cons
- We’re not sure why it’s a few hundred dollars more expensive than the Leica M10.
Buy now: $7,995