If I follow through on my new idea, this could be the last fresh black-and-white photo I will ever take with my excellent Leica monochrome.

I love my monochrome, a camera that took me to another level of photography and allowed me to explore black and white pictures, which I love. But I plan on sending it to Boston to a Leica camera center tomorrow to estimate what they might pay me for it in exchange for a mirrorless used Leica camera.

I can’t have everything, and I am determined to keep growing and learning.

A mirrorless camera is a type of camera that works without a reflex mirror. Light passes through the lens directly to the digital sensor, which displays the image on the camera’s LCD screen, allowing the photographer to adjust settings and preview the picture before the shot.

Mirrorless cameras offer several advantages over SLRs, including smaller sizes, faster shooting speed, and better video capabilities. I can use all kinds of non-Leica lenses on them, some as low as $200.

They also have some disadvantages, such as shorter battery life and higher cost. The picture detail and depth of field are said to be extraordinary.

I’ve never used one,  so it’s a chance to grow, learn, and do exciting and different kinds of photos. I will still have the Iphone camera, which I have used for most of my flower photos, and my Leica 2, which is a great camera I use much of the time with excellent results. I would keep that also.

I can’t afford to buy a new mirrorless Leica, but there is a sale on a used mirrorless camera – $1300 off the sale price.  I spotted it online. Getting a good enough price for the monochrome will make it affordable without borrowing money, which I’m not about to do.

It’s not a simple decision, but I use the monochrome less frequently – a lot less often – than the other Leica or Iphone. I think that’s the only way to judge which one to barter with.

Bartering is how I got my first Leica and traded in my Canon and 14 lenses. This will be simpler; Leica cameras have a very high re-sale value. It might not be high enough. I never imagined owning a Leica, but where there’s a will, there is a way.

If not, they’ll return the monochrome to me, and I’ll return to the status quo, which is fine. I’ve asked myself a dozen times why I can’t just be content with what I’m doing and skip the need to learn more and try new things. I think it is essential for my health and creativity.

I feel it’s essential for me to keep growing and learning. Maria fully supports the idea if it works.

Photography has challenged me and become as important to me as writing.  I want to keep working hard at this. I’ll know this week if this is possible. A part of me dreads learning how to use a different camera style, but also is excited at the chance to get to another level with my pictures.

I almost gave up on the Leicas when I first got them; they terrified me. It was months before I felt confident using them. This one would be harder.

I don’t want to go through that trauma again, so I’m researching mirrorless cameras, talking to photographers who use them, and watching YouTube videos about them. I’m doing a lot of homework.

I took this photo of Fate afternoon in the bright and beautiful sun. I do get emotionally attached to my cameras. I can still do black-and-white photographs with my cameras; we’ll see how that goes. I’ve tried a few, and they are good.

The idea of sending the monochrome off makes me pretty sad. The idea of learning something new and different makes me happy.