Choosing a Canon over a Nikon, an Olympus over a Pentax, or any other combination, comes down to matters of brand preference, feature comparisons, and personal whim. They all pretty much do the same thing, but of course with some differences in user interface, control placement and specific features, which may or may not appeal to any one individual. In addition there are a wide range of models (with new ones introduced every few months) to satisfy just about any budget. That’s fine. That’s the nature of the mass market and it means that we have some amazing cameras available to us at ever decreasing prices.
But for some the camera that they use is about more than being a tool for getting a certain task done – whether its a feature magazine assignment or simply recording a family vacation. For these photographers the camera becomes an extension of their ability to see and record, a tool for actualizing that process. The tool and the process become inseparable. It is for photographers that approach their work in this manner, and who have developed an appreciation for a minimalist esthetic that the M Leica appeals.
