Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Photography
  3. News

Leica targets street photographers with a pricey camera bundle

Add as a preferred source on Google
The Leica CL Street Kit

If shooting urban scenes is your thing and you’re on the lookout for a new camera kit, then you might want to consider this just-released bundle from Leica that’s aimed squarely at street photographers.

Recommended Videos

The Leica CL Street Kit comprises a Leica CL camera body, a Leica Summicron-TL 23mm (35mm full-frame equivalent) F2 ASPH lens, two batteries, a black handgrip, and a Leica-branded black leather carrying strap.

Taking a closer look at the Leica CL, which launched last year, we see that it has a 24-megapixel APS-C sensor and a 49-point autofocus system. The camera shoots at 10 frames per second, so there’s really no excuse for missing the decisive moment when you’re out and about. Two dials on the top of the Leica CL provide access to the aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and exposure compensation settings, with buttons atop each dial allowing you to switch quickly between the various settings. A small LCD display next to the dials show the various exposure parameters.

A 3-inch LCD touchscreen on the rear lets you review your shots, while the overall build quality of the device is as solid as you’d expect from Leica.

For a more detailed look at the Leica CL, drop by the Digital Trends article that hit the site toward the end of 2017 when the camera was announced.

No, it’s not cheap

OK, we need to talk about the price. This is a Leica product, so you’ll need a hefty chunk of spare cash knocking around if you go for the Street Kit. We’re talking $4,195, though if you bought each item by itself you’d end up paying around $5,000 in all.

Leica describes the kit as “the best way to start your photographic journey through the urban jungle,” though if you really are setting out on your very first street photo shoot, you might want to kick off with a camera that won’t wreck your bank account, just in case the hobby turns out not to be a hobby.

Looking for some tips for your street photography? Then cast your eyes upon these useful pointers, or, if you’re already well into it but need some motivation, take a look at our guide on how to get back out onto the streets.

For some inspiration from two talented street shooters who both use Leica cameras for their work, check out Digital Trends’ profiles of Tokyo-based Lee Chapman and New York City-based Jonathan Higbee.

Trevor Mogg
Contributing Editor
Not so many moons ago, Trevor moved from one tea-loving island nation that drives on the left (Britain) to another (Japan)…
RAMmageddon is coming for cameras, and your dream setup is in the crosshairs
Fujifilm's camera price hikes are just the latest sign of a DRAM crisis reshaping costs beyond smartphones and laptops.
Fujifilm's X100VI camera, released in 2024.

If you've been saving up for a new camera, I've got some bad news for you. Waiting until fall just got a lot more expensive. And this isn't some isolated issue troubling the camera industry. 

It's the same global chip crisis coming for basically everything with a processor and memory inside it.

Read more
Fujifilm Instax Mini 13 review: This instant camera won me over with its no-frills retro charm
From printing instant memories to rediscovering the fading charm of polaroids, Fujifilm's camera offers a budget route to a simple indulgence.
Fujifilm Instax mini 13 camera.

See at Amazon

Quick review

Read more
Want to try film photography? Kodak’s new $35 camera is a great place to start
This retro inspired Kodak EC35 camera keeps film photography refreshingly simple.
Kodak-EC35

If you've been curious about film photography but didn't want to spend a fortune, Kodak has a new camera worth checking out. The new Kodak EC35 is a reusable 35mm point-and-shoot camera that costs just $34.99, making it one of the most affordable ways to try shooting on film.

Developed by Reto Project under the Kodak brand, the EC35 keeps things simple with a lightweight design, automatic flash, and a pocket-friendly body. It also arrives as interest in analog photography continues to grow, offering beginners an inexpensive alternative to disposable film cameras.

Read more