The Leica M: Digital vs Film For My Workflow

When do I shoot film, and why? Is film better than digital for specific types of photography? Is it worth the expense of shooting with film when you can use a digital camera? I get these types of questions all the time, so I decided to make this video, specifically about shooting with either my film or digital Leica M bodies. Since I share the same lenses between digital and analogue, the decision to shoot between these two different formats are nuanced and personal. I have my own reasons when to shoot film or digital, you might have your own. In this video I talk about when I decide to grab my Leica M10-R vs my M7, or M11-P vs my M4. Let me know in the comments why or when you decide to shoot film. 

In the video I have attached various accessories on my camera bodies. Here are some of the links down below:

Kamerakraft M Grips: https://www.kamerakraft.com

Oberwerth TagCase (use code BHT10 of 10% off): https://us.oberwerth.com/products/leica-m11-tagcase

KEKs Light Meter: https://www.kekscameras.com/#/

COOPH Rope Strap:  https://bit.ly/3KMoMkK

Photofinishing from my partners:

CameraFilmPhoto: https://camerafilmphoto.com/collections/film-processing

Retro Photo Reading: https://retrophotoreading.com/collections/film-processing

The Darkroom Lab: https://thedarkroom.com

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***Thank you for your continued support of my YouTube channel, Instagram account, and website. There is a cost to reviewing and producing videos and articles. Currently, I do not make enough money to maintain or grow the quality and content I want to continue creating. For those who wish to donate, please visit PAYPAL. My account is info@bigheadtaco.com. I appreciate every donation and I personally write back a thank-you email. For those who wish to collaborate or participate in a sponsored video, please contact me: info@bigheadtaco.com. Thanks again for all your support and happy shooting!

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Unboxing and 1st Look: The Oberwerth Q Backpack

Oberwerth is a German manufacturer of premium bags and accessories just south west of Leica headquarters in Germany. Like many German brands, they care about design, quality, and durability. I've had the opportunity to review a couple of their bags. I travelled with the Nelson M Weekender bag as my carry-on all over Europe, and the backpack sling is one of the most unique sling bags I've reviewed. 

In this latest video I get to unbox and have my first look at the compact Q Backpack in addition to the TagCase for the Leica M11-P. My initial thoughts are positive, but please watch the video for more details. Please use code BHT10 to receive 10% off when you place an order at Oberwerth's website. Thanks for watching and let me know down below if you have any questions. 

Oberwerth Q Backpack (use code BHT10 for 10% off): https://us.oberwerth.com/products/q-backpack

Check out my previous video on the Oberwerth Backpack Sling: https://youtu.be/4d7sfZ7RLRA?si=ZPacirxgpRIWjSJp

Check out my initial unboxing video of the Oberwerth Weekender and Backpack Sling: https://youtu.be/om7CGPDvoH8?si=kwGdXiKWR_3spGmT

Links to products mentioned in video (both affiliate and non-affiliate):

Oberwerth Backpack Sling: https://us.oberwerth.com/products/photo-backpack-sling

Oberwerth M11 TagCase: https://us.oberwerth.com/products/leica-m11-tagcase

Wotancraft Parashooter Neck Strap: https://bit.ly/4b4SfRq

Squarehood Soft Shutter Button: https://squarehood.se/products/mini-soft-shutter-button

WESN Henry Knife: https://wesn.com/products/henry

Plotter Horse Hair Leather Journal: https://plotterusa.com/products/horse-hair-ii-6-ring-leather-binder-plt5016-bible-size/

Plotter Mini 5 Leather Journal: https://plotterusa.com/products/bridle-5-ring-leather-binder-plt5015-mini-5-size/

Peak Design Wash Pouch Small: https://peak-design.pxf.io/Or6q1P

Wotancraft Passport Folio: https://bit.ly/3boMUHP

COOPH Focus Bottle: https://bit.ly/4eZqqw8

New EDC Backpack from Wotancraft: EasyPack 15L

For the past couple of years, I've been asking Wotancraft to make an everyday backpack, and they told me it was in the works. Finally, I had a chance to see it in Taiwan a few months ago during my visit to their retail store and factory. Albert was testing it out as his everyday backpack, and I really liked it. I also asked if they could make optional camera inserts, for those of us who want to carry some gear, alongside our regular daily carry items. 

Introducing Wotancraft's new EasyPack 15L backpack in both khaki and charcoal black. It's a simple and clean design, perfect for the urban environment, either in the office or while you're out and about the city doing your thing. I used it as both a camera bag as well as my studio/office bag, and it worked out perfectly. I like the full-zip open design so I can organize the bag the way I want, and also so I can see exactly what's inside without having to dig through the bag from the top. This isn't a rigid design bag like many of Wotancraft's backpacks, so it might take some getting used to. 

I highly recommend the camera inserts, although you can easily use any of Wotancraft's other modules and attachments (links down below to other modules). In the video, I refer to the larger insert as Large, but Wotancraft decided to rename it Medium. I hope this means they plan to make a Large insert that can convert the entire main section into a camera cube. In addition, Albert is thinking about offering optional zipper pull sets. Stay tuned...

Wotancraft EasyPack 15L: https://bit.ly/3Mj9NPs

Wotancraft Pilot 10L: https://bit.ly/3BuwrMB

Medium (formally Large) Camera Insert: https://bit.ly/3TozGBp

Small Camera Insert: https://bit.ly/3Xf1Ukh

Interior Modules: https://bit.ly/37RkBmX

Exterior Modules: https://bit.ly/3ELOFP7

Parashooter Strap: https://bit.ly/4b4SfRq

Large Camera Pouch: https://bit.ly/4c95wbX

Cordura Shopping Bag 18L: https://bit.ly/3jIoxt6

Cordura Shopping Bag 5L: https://bit.ly/3Y6xcIL

COOPH Official Leica Double Rope Strap: https://bit.ly/3ITpgE6

Light Lens Lab L-M Helicoid Adapter: https://lightlenslab.co/products/light-lens-lab-m-l-marco-focus-adapter

Hobolite Iris (use code BHT5 and get 10% off): https://www.hobolite.com/products/iris-small-continuous-led-light-for-photographers

Check out my Hobolite Iris video: https://youtu.be/0DS9h1pDusI?si=_-xaYw6XE8fd9-HA

My 3-Week Travel Gear for Italy 2024. Guess How Many Cameras?

This is my second year teaching for the British Columbia Institute of Technology's Summer Field School program in Italy, and I appreciate the opportunity to be an instructor for the BCIT Faculty of Business + Media. Since I would be gone for 3 weeks, I made sure I had the right amount of gear, as well as the right gear. Thanks to the many brands that partnered with me on this trip, including Leica, Camera West, Wotancraft, COOPH, Squarehood, Hobolight, Sigma Canada, VAER, and Bulova. I appreciate their support. Below are links to the gear mentioned in the video (in the order mentioned in the video):

Leica SL2 from Camera West: https://bit.ly/3T2pwoN

Sigma 24mm f/2 Contemporary: https://bhpho.to/3zP98Ck

Light Lens Lab M to L Mount helicoid adapter: https://lightlenslab.co/products/light-lens-lab-m-l-marco-focus-adapter

COOPH Leica Double Rope Strap: https://bit.ly/3ITpgE6

Wotancraft 7L Pilot: https://bit.ly/3bjfjPh

Leica D-Lux 8: https://bhpho.to/4d6hCDf

Leica M11-P: https://bhpho.to/3y47MDe

Leica 35mm APO Summicron-M: https://bhpho.to/3xYE5Dv

DJI Osmo Pocket 3: https://bhpho.to/4bQBTMe

Ulanzi iPhone Stand: https://bit.ly/3SaHhm8

Hobolite Iris Creator Kit: https://bit.ly/3LtO7Q3 (BHT5 for 5% off)

Wotancraft Canteener 2L and 3.5L: https://bit.ly/3xsjC9Z

Wotancraft 5L + 18L Reusable shopping bag: https://bit.ly/3Y6xcIL

Wotancraft Parashooter strap: https://bit.ly/4b4SfRq

Squarehood Mini Soft Shutter Button: https://bit.ly/4f4mQBf

COOPH Leica Parachord strap: https://bit.ly/3W6K5C9

COOPH duo tone strap: https://shorturl.at/pHZ0f

VAER C3 Dirty Dozen 36mm: https://www.vaerwatches.com/products/c3-dirty-dozen-36mm-ameriquartz

Bulova Oceanographer GMT Diver: https://www.bulova.com/ca/en/product/98B407.html

The Leica SL2 vs SL3. Why I Choose the SL2 in 2024

I had the opportunity to spend some time with the brand-new Leica SL3. It's a great all-in-one solution for Leica-centric professional content creators who need a camera to capture both video and stills. However, there is still a great value proposition in getting the SL2. Check out my latest video as I go over just some of the reasons why you would choose the SL2 over the new SL3. Thanks  @chrismeetschris  for helping me shoot this video, and  @CameraWestTV  for the loan on the SL2. It's a great camera! 

Check out Camera West's weekly pre-owned drop of high-quality used camera gear here (non-affiliate link): https://bit.ly/3T2pwoN

Featured products in the video:

Wotancraft Parashooter strap: https://bit.ly/4b4SfRq

COOPH Double Rope strap: https://bit.ly/3ITpgE6

Wotancraft Lightning Rider sling bag: https://bit.ly/3Qow9RR

My Favourite Camera Straps for The Leica SL2 / SL3

Since I switched to the mighty Leica SL2 as my main mirrorless camera, I had to figure out which camera strap system would work best for me and my workflow. I prefer to have cameras around my neck most of the time, so they have to be comfortable, but also sturdy. I also use my cameras on tripods and transport them back and forth between home and my studio. I don't really like doing camera strap reviews since it is very subject, but here are the two main camera straps that I've been using on the Leica SL2.

COOPH Double Rope Strap: https://bit.ly/3ITpgE6

Wotancraft Full Leather PD Strap: https://bit.ly/3ZmL95C

These are the other straps and bags mentioned in the video:

COOPH Adjustable Rope Strap: https://bit.ly/3PGNyF5

Wotancraft Parashooter Camera Strap: https://bit.ly/4b4SfRq

Pilot Travel Camera Bag 7L: https://bit.ly/3bjfjPh

Pilot Travel Camera Bag 10L: https://bit.ly/3BuwrMB

Thanks to Camera West for the long term loan on the Leica SL2. Please check out their weekly pre-owned camera sales drop: https://bit.ly/3T2pwoN

I also featured the currently sold-out Light Lens Lab 50mm f/1.2 ASPH 1966: https://lightlenslab.co/products/light-lens-lab-50mm-1-2-asph-1966-pre-order

Awesome Retail Store For Camera + Lifestyle Products: Wotancraft in Taiwan

I had the opportunity to visit Taipei, Taiwan to spend a week with the Wotancraft team. I have always loved their bags and straps, but I also wanted to meet the team behind the brand. For my first video, I decided to check out their retail store in the Da'an District in Taipei, Taiwan. Rick let me into the store before opening so I could walk around without having to dodge customers or employees while recording. I purposely kept this video reasonably short, as I could have spent over an hour going through each product and reviewing it. If you ever have the opportunity, please visit their retail store in Taiwan. Below is the link to their address via Google Maps, as well as links to some of the products I  mentioned in the video. Thanks to the entire Wotancraft team for your hospitality. More videos to come soon so don't forget to subscribe, and thanks for watching!

Wotancraft Store Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/5s2ZM7ipDF312LNU7

Main Affiliate link to their official online store: https://bit.ly/3Gq63Y2

Wotancraft's New Camera Pouches (for those who don't use camera bags)

Wotancraft has just released two new compact camera pouches in both small and medium sizes. Check out the video to see what cameras can fit inside. In addition, you can use these pouches as mini dopp kits, to hold your daily essentials. Affiliate links down below:

Wotancraft Camera Pouch Small: https://bit.ly/3UrvlOI

Wotancraft Camera Pouch Medium: https://bit.ly/3W6yQLu

Cordura foldable shopping bag: https://bit.ly/3Y6xcIL

Parashooter wrist strap: https://bit.ly/3RfGvVf

Parashooter neck strap: https://bit.ly/4b4SfRq

Wotancraft Mini Rider sling bag: https://bit.ly/3yNnhMR

Wotancraft Internal modules: https://bit.ly/37RkBmX

Wotancraft add-on modules: https://bit.ly/3ELOFP7

Talking Cameras at LEICA HQ in Wetzlar, Germany.

My latest Talking Cameras episode, this time at Leica HQ in Wetzlar, Germany. Enjoy the video!

Talking Cameras: X Summit + Fujikina Stockholm 2023