Random Neural Firing: Some M mount & Sony Nerd Housekeeping.
Warning: This is a long winded mind dump ramble fest. No conclusions to be had. Just jotting this down in an effort to stop it from running around in my head. You have been warned.
RNF 1: Leica ramblings.
It is about the rangefinder.
On my last visit to my local camera shop a discussion came up about Leica. We discussed how a mutual friend had picked up a Leica D-Lux model. I was happy for them, but expressed how consideration of that Leica camera line ended up with me going a different way. The “logic” path.
- That D-Lux is nice.
- But it is a rebadged Panasonic in a Leica frock, no?
- Why not get an older Panasonic version?
- What about even older?
- But if I get an old MFT Panasonic version why not get one where I can change the lenses?
And that ladies and gentlemen is how I ended up here…
…and here.
That is a long winded way of saying that it was about the camera and not the name on the camera. So why did I bother getting a Leica?
Easy. It was about the rangefinder.
Not the name on the camera.
The main issue. The D-Lux is a beautiful thing and I would not fault anyone for purchasing one. Whatever floats your boat. But for me personally the added price of admission for what appears to be a bit of color science tweaking and more attractive livery all covered with Leica branding dust is not worth it.
For me the same applies, even if the build and such are a step above, to the SL line up. If I were so inclined to go with the L mount the S5II would be my preference. In the end neither of those wonderful Leica branded image capturing implements scratches this one itch for me.
I wanted a rangefinder.
Again, not to simply use rangefinder lenses. I could adapt those to any number of mirrorless cameras as I have done in the past.
Could even have autofocus or at least a close approximation of such. Have done that also. Still have the TECHart adapter…
…but I never use it. Why not?
Rangefinder please.
Pixii answered the full frame rangefinder call recently…
…and I am glad they did. But…
- I would prefer a back screen.
- I much prefer a mechanical shutter.
- At the going price, I could get a used M10 and I would prefer a used Leica M Type 240.
Were it not for the last bullet, I might be able to look over the first two. Worth it? Yes. Am I willing to pay that much? No. Your mileage may vary. One could argue that the Pixii is new so it brings a warranty, but Leica is known for its stellar robustness so I am not that concerned. Aside from the initial rangefinder calibration issue on arrival that KEH performed under warranty I have not had a single issue in the couple of years I have had mine.
So, the Leica name alone is not enough. For me it has to be an M. Same applied for their film offerings as well.
But interestingly enough my form factor over Leica name adherence theory was proved out by the analog M mount solution I went with.
And I have not looked at another analog M mount camera since.
RNF 2: It is about the lens part 3.
A couple of years ago I wrote a post…
…in which I opined:
It is mostly about the lens, isn’t it?
That post was an update of an earlier post on the same subject.
I bring this up because of a recent lens that I have been prattling on about.
In these posts I have mostly been talking about the price and optical performance. But there is another feature that I have talked about that has more weight the more I think about it.
Feel.
And I am not just talking about the build quality. That is part of it but there is something more. Courtesy of the film era-ish aesthetic, the metal build, focus throw feel, and aperture ring combined with an A7C’s rangefinder-ish form factor it… <fights back a wretch>… has a Sony image capturing device feeling like an actual camera.
Do not get me wrong. I like Sony cameras. A lot.
But this has been a technical competence transaction more than an emotional one. There is some emotion involved. But it is rooted in how their cameras have always been there when I wanted them reliably churning out some of my favorite images when it matters most. To me and those who have been captured.
So the prevailing emotion is gratitude. Not passion.
When I go out and capture images on my time I pivot to other solutions. The reason why is simple, if nonsensical.
How they make me feel.
Did I mention rangefinders? Yes, I did. But any number of oddball or vintage analog solutions are reached for first.
But not only feel in hand. The images they create. Less sterile and a bit messy at times, but they make me feel some kind of way as well. The unique colors and insanely crisp details rendered by a Foveon sensor.
Well, this is a lens that renders in a way that puts me in the mind of a vintage analog solution or more unique digital solutions.
A wonderful rendering that still retains a great amount of detail. A center crop of the same image below.
These are not the typical perfectly pleasant images for a Sony captures.
Great colors. Dare I say that I see a 3D pop? Sharp. I am pleased.
The difference here? The lens.
So. Add the pleasant feel in hand with pleasing IQ… with the aforementioned technical competence and price?
It provides the Sony mount with an experience that goes beyond the usual offerings.
A winner.
I am hoping there are more of these to come.
A 21mm to 28mm AF relatively small and fast with a similar build and lens at a reasonable price?
That sounds like a winner to me.
A “normal” lens? Sure. But 7ARtisans may have beat them to the punch on that one. More to come on that soon.
Anyhoo.
That is enough of a mind dump at this time.
Again, well done TTArtisan.
Happy capturing.
-ELW
Eric L. Woods 