One Of Our New Members -Philip Rigby - Introduction
11th July 2025
Philip A Rigby - Introductory Article 11/07/2025
My first introduction to Leica came over twenty or so years ago upon purchasing the D2. That subsequently led to a Panasonic / Leica. An R8 followed, including the DMR attachment, then two M’s, Q Type 116 (the switch occasioned occasioned by eyesight difficulties in manually focusing the M). Then a D3 and to finally land upon the CL with TL 18mm, TL 35mm, TL 60mm and finally SL 24-70mm.
For me, the body is not the be all and end all with their ever evolving bells and whistles, it is the glass. It is the lenses that Leica excel; at to me you can look at their images and spot them at twenty yards away.
The CL gives me everything l need for my set up, the body looks like a traditional Leica, it fits nicely in the hand, controls are few and not too complicated, it gives me the TL range of lenses, the SL range and thereafter access to M and R lenses. The whole kit is light (until l put the SL 24-70mm on it) and flexible, easy to carry and performs above expectations with any task l set it.
Why oh why did Leica discontinue it; surely there would have been a market for a full frame CL2.
Carting the whole kit and caboodle around with me is not a problem, for l do not do so. One of my quirks is that on going out with camera in hand, l deliberately choose to take only one lens and that lens has to be made to work for the whole day. I actually enjoy the challenge, and that enjoyment outweighs the odd shot that l will miss.
So what do l take. Generally l’m about flora, candid portraiture and a bit of street. I’m not good with landscapes, and l’m not really a wide shooter. I also shoot Square 1 : 1. It is a format that l am really comfortable with and which l put down to having restricted peripheral vision, so a square representation is what l am used to seeing. It just feels natural to me. Square is how l see the world.
Attached you will find a small selection of my images. Hope you enjoy
Philip.
My first introduction to Leica came over twenty or so years ago upon purchasing the D2. That subsequently led to a Panasonic / Leica. An R8 followed, including the DMR attachment, then two M’s, Q Type 116 (the switch occasioned occasioned by eyesight difficulties in manually focusing the M). Then a D3 and to finally land upon the CL with TL 18mm, TL 35mm, TL 60mm and finally SL 24-70mm.
For me, the body is not the be all and end all with their ever evolving bells and whistles, it is the glass. It is the lenses that Leica excel; at to me you can look at their images and spot them at twenty yards away.
The CL gives me everything l need for my set up, the body looks like a traditional Leica, it fits nicely in the hand, controls are few and not too complicated, it gives me the TL range of lenses, the SL range and thereafter access to M and R lenses. The whole kit is light (until l put the SL 24-70mm on it) and flexible, easy to carry and performs above expectations with any task l set it.
Why oh why did Leica discontinue it; surely there would have been a market for a full frame CL2.
Carting the whole kit and caboodle around with me is not a problem, for l do not do so. One of my quirks is that on going out with camera in hand, l deliberately choose to take only one lens and that lens has to be made to work for the whole day. I actually enjoy the challenge, and that enjoyment outweighs the odd shot that l will miss.
So what do l take. Generally l’m about flora, candid portraiture and a bit of street. I’m not good with landscapes, and l’m not really a wide shooter. I also shoot Square 1 : 1. It is a format that l am really comfortable with and which l put down to having restricted peripheral vision, so a square representation is what l am used to seeing. It just feels natural to me. Square is how l see the world.
Attached you will find a small selection of my images. Hope you enjoy
Philip.
Comments
By Dennis Steel: Welcome to the Fellowship Phillip. l am a CL user and think it is a great system. It would be nice to meet you at the next LF at Worksop By Alan Humphries: Welcome on board Phillip.
I really like your flower images, that colours ar absolutely stunning.
For me one of the greatest benefits of belonging to the LF has been the friendships I have made over the year. I hope you have the same experience. By David Askham: Philip, I wish you a warm welcome to The Leica Fellowship. Thank you also for an outline of your photographic interests. One camera and one lens also appeals to me. As do your lovely botanical studies.
You have set a remarkable precedent. Within two weeks you have not only become a paid up member of The Leica Fellowship, but you have introduced yourself to a global readership of our Leica Fellowship website. We'll done! By Pam: Welcome Philip. I too used to use an R8/9 with the DMR
But now am Panasonic/Leica and my interests are very similar to yours. I am not good with landscapes but I do enjoy flora
Lovely images and look forward to meeting you and seeing some more images in due course By Philip Rigby: Thank you Dennis, Alan and David for your kind comments. Even in these very early days l have been made to feel very welcome within LF, and it is a shame that l will not be able to attend Worksop, due to a pre planned holiday in the Lake District. At least that break will give me the opportunity to work on my scratchy Landscape skills. By Ken Davis: Welcome to The Fellowship Philip and thanks for you excellent introductory article. If you want to write other articles please let me know.
Best Wishes
Ken Davis