I remember when I bought my Leica M6 from a Sony Artisan. Immediately after purchasing it, I loaded it with film and took a photograph of the Norwood Club, where we did the transaction. The fine gentleman who sold it to me was touched emotionally because he realized that he was a part of the process of my making my first image with that camera. That statement didn’t strike me all that much back then, but as time has gone on, it resonates with me so much. I still own it, and only once did I ever consider selling it when Phoblographer was in a very bad spot financially. The price of my Leica M6 has gone up and down. After getting a CLA last year, it still feels and runs like it did so many years ago. This, honestly, is what separates Leica from every other camera brand on the market.
A few days ago, Mirrorless Rumors reported that Leica’s majority share could be sold to a Chinese company. To that, folks apparently panicked in many ways, because it’s not going to be held by a European company anymore. And it could also mean that the Kauffmans will make an exit from the brand.
Leica camera owners are probably scared that the value of their products are going to go down. But after almost 20 years of reporting on this industry, I really don’t believe that this will be the case. After all, it’s nice to know that your investment into a brand will pay off in more than just giving you nice photographs.
I decided to buy a Leica SL2-S and a 28mm f2 APO SL a few years ago, directly from Leica. I still use that camera — it’s my main, actually. In fact, I used it just yesterday as I braved one of the worst snowstorms that NYC has had in a very long time. It worked perfectly fine, and it’s currently right next to me as I write this article. The good thing about Leica cameras is really just that — their durability.
Here’s where I put this all into perspective for you.
Leica, today in 2026, will still fix the legendary Leica M9 if you send it in for repair. In contrast, Canon won’t fix a 5D Mk II from the same era. Nor will Nikon service the Nikon D700, also from the same era. Sony will simply just laugh at me if I asked to get the Sony a900 fixed at all. That’s one of the biggest differences between Leica and others. While everyone says that I’m getting more technology with all the other camera brands for the price, I’m buying into a buy-it-for-life style mentality with Leica that solidifies the fact that I don’t need to rely on technology to make better photographs because I have done the work on myself to become so skilled. And that personally suits me so much more because a brand can never take your education away from you. I turn 39 next month, and I’ve gotten really sick of constantly needing to buy new things — so I’ve started spending my money on better quality things that last for longer. It’s like buying Barbour, Orvis, or American-Made Filson products instead of going to Target to get similar clothing.
And if it means that Leica is doing this move so that they can keep on surviving, then I’m all for it.
I don’t think that this mentality is going to change just because a Chinese brand buys them. If it did, I know that that brand is smart enough to understand that they’d destroy Leica. They’re in the business of profit.
Look at it this way: why did no one complain that Sony destroyed Minolta when they bought them? Nearly 20 years later, you could arguably say that Sony indeed destroyed Minolta in most ways except for the Alpha nomenclature.
Folks also still complain that they’re renting their software from Adobe instead of actually owning it. Did this move also not majorly change Adobe in a way that many photographers are still angry about?
So no, just because a Chinese company might buy Leica isn’t going to make the camera brand lose its value. What will make it lose its value is if the company completely abandons its identity and its history. But truly, that’s what makes the company so valuable and rich.
Keep in mind that China is making a lot of stuff for the Japanese camera manufacturers. On top of that, many of their own brands are doing a great job these days.
Most importantly, the valuable time that I’ve had with my Leica cameras still won’t disappear.
I think we should all just relax about this possible purchase.