Tag: Summilux

THE LEICA SL: THE BEST WORST MIRRORLESS CAMERA EVER?

In the mirrorless camera world smaller, lighter and packed with buttons is the trend. But with their pro end mirrorless camera, the SL, Leica decided to provide fewer buttons and go bigger and heavier than any other mirrorless camera in the 35mm format on the market. Milled from a solid block of aluminum, featuring as few buttons as possible with no labeling on any of them and an awkward power switch, the Leica SL seems to kick to the curb any feature commonplace or desired in a mirrorless system, with one exception. The EVF. DSLR users flock to Sony or Fuji for a smaller lighter system that is packed with features but doesn’t force them to make huge compromises in quality.

Some users regret the move and some users are quite happy, but one thing they all agree on is lighter is better and they love the EVF. I even made the jump from DSLR to mirrorless in part to cut weight. So why do I now find myself using the absolute heaviest mirrorless 35mm format option out there? Because of the EVF.

More on that in a moment, lets first take a broader look at the Leica SL…

Continue reading “THE LEICA SL: THE BEST WORST MIRRORLESS CAMERA EVER?”

THE LEICA M240 RETROSPECTIVE

Titled simply the M at the time of its release, it became known as the M240 and by a defiant few the M10. Of course Leica has since released their follow up to the “M” – the actual M10. We’d like to take this moment to express our annoyance over Leica’s numbering of the M system and that we feel the M10 is really the M11. There’s a lot of M240 reviews out there, filled with tech data and camera specs, so we’re going to get right into a retrospective on the M240. With now three full frame digital M platforms (the newest being the much praised, yet still unable to obtain M10) is the M240 still a viable option for the discerning photographer? Continue reading “THE LEICA M240 RETROSPECTIVE”

NIKON LTM 50mm ƒF1.4

The 50mm is still and always has been a staple of mine. Over 20+ years, I’ve never been without a decently fast 50mm. To say I was excited getting my hands on a mint Nikon LTM 50mm f1.4 without any flaws or dust, fungus etc in the glass, well excited would be an understatement.  Continue reading “NIKON LTM 50mm ƒF1.4”

LEICA M SUMMILUX 50/F1.4 VS VOIGTLANDER M NOKTON 50mm ƒ1.1 AT F1.4

My Godson Henry. Leica M-Monochrome (CCD/M9 version), 50/f1.1 Nokton lens.

Very early on after trading around for a digital Leica M body, I found a great deal on the Voigtlander M Nokton 50/f1.1. It’s big, heavy, the focus isn’t very smooth and it’s not built very well… But it’s fast at f1.1! And at less than a grand, it’s much cheaper than anything anyone else offers at that speed. Continue reading “LEICA M SUMMILUX 50/F1.4 VS VOIGTLANDER M NOKTON 50mm ƒ1.1 AT F1.4”