A Visit to Leica Wetzlar: Why I Fell in Love with My Camera All Over Again
There’s a story here and it starts with a dream camera and a very patient husband.
Falling for Leica: A Love Story in Lenses
Ever since the release of the Leica Q3, I have dreamt of owning one. My love affair with Leica actually began earlier- when I first tried the Leica Q2, which belonged to my husband. He’s a true Leica enthusiast, and living with someone so passionate about the brand only deepened my curiosity (and, admittedly, my obsession). Over the years I have watched him transition from the Leica SL2 to the SL3, then to the Q2, and most recently to the Leica M11 Monochrome. Each time, I stood witness to the stunning images he created with them - timeless frames filled with light, character, and soul. Naturally, it was impossible not to fall in love with the Leica legacy myself.
Fast forward to April 2024 - I found myself feeling creatively stagnant. In search of something new, I turned to photography as an outlet for self-expression. With my husband already a seasoned photographer, I had the perfect mentor by my side. We decided that I should start with a camera that wouldn’t overwhelm me and I wanted something lightweight, intuitive, travel-friendly, and ideally with a vintage aesthetic.
Enter: the Fujifilm X-T5 paired with the Fujinon 23mm lens. I vividly remember walking into Leistenschneider camera store in Frankfurt am Main, where Denis, the warm and knowledgeable sales manager, patiently guided this novice photographer-to-be in finding the right fit. I left that day holding my very first camera - unaware of just how special this little Fujifilm would become to me.
Three months into my photography journey, I found myself effortlessly creating images that sparked a sense of pride and joy I hadn’t felt in a while. The experience felt natural, almost like I had rediscovered a part of myself through the lens. Yet, despite my growing bond with the X-T5, I couldn’t quite shake the thought of the Leica Q3. It lingered quietly in the background - a beautiful dream that hadn’t quite let go of me.
We finally took a trip to Leica Wetzlar, the Mecca for photography lovers, and the plan was simple: test the Leica Q3, see how it feels, and if I truly love it-well, it might just be coming home with us. A bold gesture from my husband: ‘‘if you like it, we can buy it.’’
My heart skipped a beat. It’s finally happening!
Fifteen minutes into testing, I walked around the Leica store, cradling the sleek and mighty Q3 in my hands, absorbing every click of the shutter, every elegant detail in the design. But strangely enough… something didn’t click.
I thanked the staff, gently returned the Leica Q3, stepped outside, and instinctively reached for my Fujifilm X-T5. That moment of reunion with my Fujinon XF 23mm felt oddly comforting- familiar, effortless, me.
And then something magical happened.
As we strolled around Wetzlar, I started to see light differently. Lines, reflections, shadows-all dancing in perfect harmony. With my Fujifilm in hand, I captured some of the most proud and honest images I’ve taken in a long time.
And the twist?
We drove home without a new camera. My husband, quietly relieved, saved €6000. I, unexpectedly, gained a whole new appreciation for the tool I already owned.
Lesson of the Day?
It is not always about having the most expensive gear. It is how you connect with what you already have.
The best camera is the one that speaks your language - the one that understands your vision, your rhythm, your quirks. You don’t need the most elite name in photography to create work you’re proud of. You just need the right connection.
Final Notes
Some stories don’t begin with a grand revelation - they begin quietly, in curiosity, or perhaps, in longing. My journey into photography started as a gentle nudge to explore something new, something creatively fulfilling. What I didn’t expect was how a simple visit to the Leica headquarters in Wetzlar would become a full-circle moment in my evolving relationship with photography and the gear I use to tell visual stories.
As someone who stood firmly in the modeling and creative direction world, I wasn’t always fascinated by the tools behind the lens. That was more my husband’s terrain - a dedicated Leica lover whose collection of cameras reads like a timeline of photographic excellence. But in April 2024, when I picked up the Fujifilm X-T5 for the first time, something shifted. Photography wasn’t just his passion anymore; it became my personal journey too.
Visiting the Leica Wetzlar was supposed to be a test - a trial run with the legendary Leica Q3. But what I left with wasn’t a new camera. It was a deeper appreciation for the one I already had. That day reminded me that it’s not always about the brand or the price tag - it’s about how you connect with your gear. And more importantly, how it helps you connect with yourself.
All images captured on the Fujifilm X-T5 + Fujinon XF 23mm lens.
“Trust your instincts, Respect your craft. And sometimes... listen to your spouse.”