Updated: March 8, 2026
Why I Use Leica M Rangefinders (and Q3 43) for Weddings
All images: philipthomas.com
Letting the Day Unfold Naturally
When I think about the weddings I’ve photographed over the years, the moments I remember most aren’t the big, posed portraits. They’re the small, genuine ones — the bride quietly standing in a shaft of window light while her mother fastens the last button on her dress… the groom laughing mid-sentence, utterly unaware of my camera… the flower girl spinning in her little world, oblivious to the adults around her.
You can’t stage those moments. They happen on their own, and my job is to be there — close enough to see them, far enough not to disturb them. That’s why I’ve leaned on the Leica M system for so long, and why I now mix it with the Leica SL3-S and the M EV-1. Between them, I have everything I need to work quietly, move freely, and tell a couple’s story without getting in the way.
And just to be clear — I’m not a Leica fanboy. I’m not in it for the red dot, bragging rights, or to look cool at a camera club. These cameras happen to be the right tools for how I work, and for that reason, I’ve trusted them for over 15 years.
The Leica M: My Invisible Companion
The Leica M is different from any other camera I’ve used. It’s small, almost humble-looking, and whisper-quiet. Most wedding guests don’t even realize I’m holding a professional camera. That’s a gift because it means I can blend in.
People don’t stiffen up or put on their “camera face.” They stay relaxed, carry on talking, laughing, and living their day. And because the M is so light, I can carry it for 12 hours straight without feeling like I’ve been hauling bricks.
Seeing Differently with a Rangefinder
The M uses a rangefinder focusing system that lets you see around the camera, not through it, unlike an EVF. You feel more involved with your subject than with the camera. No autofocus. No blackouts when I press the shutter. No mirror slap. Just a clear, bright window into the world that lets me see exactly what’s happening before, during, and after the shot.
It’s a slower way of working, yes — but that’s the point. Manual focus makes me pause, anticipate, and commit to the moment. It’s the same way I learned to see back in my street photography days, and it’s still the way I see now.
Simplicity at Its Best
The M’s controls are beautifully simple — shutter speed, aperture, ISO, that’s it. There’s nothing between me and the picture. I’m not scrolling menus or fumbling through modes. I’m reading the light, feeling the energy, and pressing the shutter when it all comes together.
That’s where the magic happens.
Where the SL3-S + Q3 43 Fits In
As much as I adore the M, there are times when weddings demand something faster. That’s where the Leica SL3-S and the Q3 43 come into play.
They’re mirrorless powerhouses with autofocus that can lock on in the dark, high ISO performance that lets me shoot on a candlelit dance floor, and the flexibility to mount almost any lens I want — including my M lenses via an adapter.
I love that I can use M lenses, like the 28mm or 35mm Summilux, or, one could argue, the 50mm Noctilux, which to me is an even better fit on an SL body. The M-L adapter enables me to maintain the signature Leica look while taking advantage of focus peaking and image stabilization to capture shots in challenging lighting conditions.
A Familiar Look, New Capabilities
Using M lenses on the SL bodies is like hearing a favorite song through a better set of speakers — the same soul, but with extra clarity and control. I’m also making in roads with the new Leica EV-1, an EVF in an M body.
I still get the character I love from my M glass, but now I can push it further in moments where the rangefinder might struggle — like when the couple is walking toward me quickly in fading light.
The Leica Summicron-SL 35mm f/2 ASPH: My Secret Weapon
I also keep an AF Leica Summicron-SL 35mm f/2 ASPH in my SL kit. The 35mm focal length is storytelling gold for me, and the Summicron brings fast, accurate autofocus and sharpness from edge to edge.
It’s not about replacing my manual M lenses like the 28mm f1.4 Summilux or the 50mm 0.95 Noctilux — all of which work wonderfully well on the SL series cameras, it’s about having another option for fast-paced moments: the bride and groom’s entrance, guests breaking into spontaneous dance, or that blink-and-you-miss-it kiss under the confetti.
The Glass That Shapes My Storytelling
Across my kit, every lens has a purpose:
Leica M Lenses — a 28mm Summilux f1.4, a 50mm Noctilux for dreamy depth, 21mm Elmar for sweeping architectural shots.
Leica Summicron-SL 35mm f/2 ASPH mount on the SL3-S — for those moments when autofocus speed matters more than anything.
It’s not about collecting lenses — it’s about knowing exactly when and why to use each one.
Pacing Myself for the Long Haul
Weddings are marathons, not sprints. The M’s lightweight build means I can keep moving all day without feeling like my shoulders are on fire. The SL bodies are bigger, but they’re comfortable and well-balanced, and I only reach for them when I need their specific strengths.
Most of the time, I’m working with two M bodies on my shoulders, one SL body close by, and a mental plan for when each will take the lead.
Digital Meets Film
I still shoot film for certain parts of the day — an M6 loaded with black-and-white for quiet moments, alongside an M10-R, M11 and a EV-1 for the rest. The SL3-S is always ready for low-light bursts or quick action.
Even though these cameras are different animals, the files and frames feel like they belong together because the vision — and often the lenses — remain the same.
Trust Built on Discretion
One of the best compliments I get from couples is, “We hardly noticed you were there.” That’s intentional. The M helps me melt into the background. The SL, even though larger, still has a clean, understated look that doesn’t scream “pro camera” across the room.
By the time I’m deep into the day, people forget I have a camera in my hands. That’s when the most authentic moments unfold.
That Leica Look
Leicas — whether M or SL — have a warmth and depth to their files that’s hard to put into words. It’s in the way they handle skin tones, the way highlights roll off gently, the way an image feels alive without being overly polished.
Paired with the right lenses, the images have a soul. And that’s what I’m chasing.
Not About Gear, But About Philosophy
I can’t stress this enough — I’m not a Leica fanboy. I don’t use these cameras to brag, to show off, or to collect gear for the sake of it. The Leica M, the SL3-S, are simply the right tools for me and the way I work. For that reason, I’ve trusted Leica for over 15 years, and I’ve never felt the pull to switch to the Nikons or Sonys of this world.
Leicas have a warmth and a soul I haven’t found anywhere else. It’s not just about sharpness or specs — it’s about how they see light, how they render skin, and how they let me work without distraction. My loyalty isn’t to the red dot itself; it’s to the way these cameras help me stay true to my vision: quiet, honest, and always focused on the real moments.
What This Means for My Couples
Discreet presence: You enjoy your day without feeling watched.
Emotional, authentic imagery: Your gallery fills with moments that happened naturally.
Timeless visual style: Leica optics give your images a classic, cinematic quality.
Why This Combination Works
The Leica M and SL systems are opposites in some ways — one slow and deliberate, the other fast and responsive — but together, they give me everything I need. Add in a few carefully chosen lenses, and I can handle anything a wedding throws at me.
I don’t use them because they have the red dot. I use them because they help me do my job the way it should be done — in service of the story, not the gear.
A Final Word
Every wedding is different — the pace, the light, the emotions. The Leica M helps me be invisible when I need to be. The SL2-S and SL3-S help me react instantly when things move fast. Using my M lenses across both systems — and occasionally the Leica Summicron-SL 35mm f/2 ASPH— keeps my look consistent and my options open.
For me, that balance is everything. It’s why I’ve stuck with Leica for so many years, and why these cameras will always be part of how I tell a wedding story.
