Leica M (Typ 262) - Always Carry

Leica M Typ 262 – This has pretty much become my EDC camera that is always with me. Yes, I am the guy in the grocery store checkout line, or at the restaurant, or running errands during the day or night that always has a camera over his shoulder. You’re probably thinking, “Man, what a goofball.” Yep, that’s me.

Leica M Typ 262… It Used to Be My M6

So why did I change? If you’ve been watching any of my recent videos or podcast episodes you’ll know that I’ve recently moved back to the N.W. and am currently living with my brother and his family while I get settled.

Living in this kind of situation, in someone else’s house, I needed something that was a little more convenient to shoot with. Plus, I didn’t have everything setup to start developing and scanning film yet. That’s been remedied, but you know what? Since I’ve been shooting so much with the 262 I’ve really learned how to get what I really want from that camera, especially when it comes to post production.

Note: I have set things up to start developing film again, so I’ll be carrying my trusty M6 with me again more often.

Why Always Carry? Isn’t My Phone Good Enough?

For many people, it doesn’t really matter to them if they have a dedicated camera with them all the time. And let’s face it, these days the cameras on our smartphones are so fantastic, that can easily suffice.

For me… I’m the photographer who just needs to look through a viewfinder with the way I like to shoot. Yeah, I will often use my phone’s camera for many things these days. But I never want to come across a situation where I can’t use my proper camera to potentially get a better shot with my Leica.

This Weekend

It happened this weekend. I left the house to drive around the area to get some B Roll footage for my most recent video. At one point I noticed this locomotive situation, and I’m a sucker for trains, tracks…. all things train-related.

I loved the way the train engine looked. Just beautiful. And the surrounds? Gorgeous clouds with the Lewis & Clarke bridge looming in the background.

I parked, got out with the camera and got a handful of shots that made me really glad I had the camera with me.

Lesson?

If you’re like me; you still feel like you get your best images when you use a dedicated (real) camera… Always keep one with you. When you come across one of those situations like I did this weekend, you’ll be so glad you’ve got your camera with you!