Gear Archives - Page 7 of 12

Leica Elmarit-M 135mm f2.8

You don’t see 135mm lenses on Leica M cameras that often, and not many people use them. Those who do use it are usually looking for lightweight and inconspicuous equipment, or they’re after large apertures and extreme blurring. The 135mm really shines in this last area. The choice between 135mm and other lenses has nothing to do with whether you use a rangefinder camera. Leica’s most affordable way to achieve blur is right there, and it’s a good deal.

Leica M135 2.8:

I was surprised to see someone using an M9 with an M135 2.8 while window shopping in a camera store. I gave it a try and, since my glasses magnify things, focusing was easy. The eyeglass version with a 90mm frame magnifying by 1.4 times made framing even more comfortable than the 90mm lens.

Leica design:

This lens was designed by Mandel and produced in Germany and Canada. It was first available in the S7 mount, and later in the E55 mount. Word is that there isn’t much difference between the two. I’ve always thought that Leica design is the most cost-effective, no matter the cost, and the origin isn’t that important.

The workmanship and materials used in this lens are top-notch, and it feels like a Leica. Even though it’s on the cheaper side, there’s no sign of cutting corners. When I say “cheap,” I’m talking about the used price, because it’s still pretty expensive when you buy it new.

Weight:

The Leica M135 2.8, when used with an eyepiece, is quite heavy at 775g, which is comparable to the 700g of the Noctilux 50/0.95. If you hang it around your neck, it’ll probably cause you some neck problems, so, like the Noctilux, it’s best to hang it around your neck and hold the lens with your left arm.

Focusability:

There are two things to think about when it comes to the claim that 135mm is difficult to focus.

First, the focus travel is long, and the framing range is small, so it’s easy to lose sight of the subject when trying to capture a candid moment.

Second, the yellow spot focus of the non-eyepiece 135mm 2.8 is small, and since it’s in a shallow depth of field, it’s easy to miss focus. With the eyepiece version, there’s no such problem because of the magnifying glass.

The long focus travel means it always takes too much time to focus, which makes it unsuitable for capturing candid moments. The tripod mount hole on the M135 2.8 suggests that this lens is better suited to still photography or fixed-point photography, such as landscape photography.

Brand Name: LEICA
Filter Size: SERIES VII RETAINING RING
Focus Type: MANUAL FOCUS (ONLY)
Lens Mount: LEICA M
Lens Type: TELEPHOTO / LONG
Max Focal Length: 135MM
Min Focal Length: 135MM

Pages: 12

Minox MB (ML) 35mm Film Camera

Compact Camera, Gear

Minox MB (ML) 35mm Film Camera

I have always considered the Minox 35mm camera to be a younger version of the Leica.

Leica Youth Edition

I have always considered the Minox 35mm camera to be a younger version of the Leica. It operates similarly to a Leica, with adjustments to the aperture, distance settings, picture composition, and shutter pressing. I have used it with ease since childhood, and even decades later, I still find it easy to use.Once you master its operation, like the Leica camera, you never forget it.In contrast, I always forget how to use the Rollei 35.

Plastic

Minox was originally known for producing spy cameras and designing excellent small pocket cameras. However, the Minox 35 has a special plastic body. Similarly, smaller cameras such as the Contax TVS III and the Minolta TC-1 use a higher grade of titanium. Minox’s greatest strengths are their affordable prices and excellent German lenses. I don’t dislike plastic bodies; the lightness of plastic is a plus. The Minox MB is very durable and can be used in any harsh environment.

Backlight

However, in my opinion, the Minox mb does not have good image quality in backlight. Its anti-glare capability is not as good as the Leica CM and Contax TVS. The later Minox gt-e and gt-x models used more advanced coatings, resulting in improved backlighting performance. In fact, I rarely use the Minox for backlit photos. Early morning sunlight is dramatic. I turned around, found a good angle, pressed the shutter, and took an early morning street photo. I felt great.

carrying it in my dream

Is it possible to develop photos taken in a dream? In my dream, I was a child taking pictures with my Minox camera. When I woke up, I found a Minox MB next to my pillow, which I had been holding in my dream.

Brand: MINOX
Series: Minox 35 MB
Type: Rangefinder
Format: 35 mm
Focus Type: Manual
Color: Black
Model: Minox 35
Features: Auto Exposure
Country/Region of Manufacture: Japan

Minox 35 wiki

Minox 35 manual

Pages: 12

leica summilux 50mm 1.4 pre-asph e46

Large aperture

Leica’s Summicron 50 f2 lens is already perfect, but its premium version, the Summilux 50 1.4, has a wider aperture that not only lets in more light, but also creates pleasing bokeh. If you want to take beautiful photos with a wide aperture, the Leica Summilux is undoubtedly a good choice. For many photographers, wide-aperture lenses offer many creative possibilities that narrow-aperture lenses cannot.

Old lens life

Old Leica lenses retain their value and don’t age. If you buy a Leica Summilux 50mm f/1.4 E46 lens and find that you don’t use it much, you can resell it and get most of your money back. Not only has the price of this lens not gone down in recent years, it has actually gone up.

street photography

The Leica Noctilux 50mm f/0.95 ASPH is a large and expensive lens that’s sure to attract attention and put a strain on your neck when you walk around with it. Although it is an excellent lens, I rarely use the Noctilux for street photography. I would rather use the Summilux 50 e46, which is too small, smaller than the Summilux 50 1.4 asph and close to the size of the Summicron 50 f2, which is very hidden in street photography and does not easily cause a feeling of oppression.

Version

The pre-ASPH E46 is the version between the early Summilux E43 and the current ASPH. The E43 and E46 share the same optical design by Walter Mandler. However, the minimum focusing distance of the E43 version is 1 meter, while that of the E46 is 0.7 meters. summilux 50 1.4 ASPH version designed by Peter Karbe.

In the end

When someone asks me to recommend a Leica lens, I usually start by asking about their budget. Some are buying their first Leica lens, some already have a Leica Summicron and want to upgrade. I usually don’t recommend this lens, because only someone who really knows Leica lenses can realize how good the E46 is, it’s the last non-apsh lens in the summilux lens line, it’s a premium version of the summilux E43, Leica gave it a Gorgeous exit.

Production period: 1962-2004   Code: 11114(black) bayonet, 11868   (black anodised), 11856(silver chrome),   11869(titanium) from 1995,   1 1621 V-Summilux, screw mount
Serial#:1,844,001-n/a
Total production: na   
Maximum aperture: 1: 1. 4   
Focal length(nominal): 50mm
Angle: 45   
Minimum distance: 100cm. later 70cm   
Weight: 360-275/380 grams
Filter: E43. later E46

Summilux (I) f= 5 cm 1:1.4

50mm f/1.4 Summilux-M II

50mm f/1.4 Summilux-M III e46

Contax TVS III 35mm Point & Shoot Film Camera

Top point and shoot cameras

The Contax TVS III camera is a point-and-shoot film camera with rugged construction, compact size and professional features. It comes with a Zeiss 30mm-60mm zoom lens. When you touch the Contax TVS III, you can tell it is a top-notch camera. The TVS III is elegant and luxurious. This is one of the highest quality cameras I have ever seen.

cheap price

TVS III is Contax’s last top-grade film camera. It has exquisite craftsmanship and is one level higher than T2 and T3. It uses a very cool electric lens cover design, which feels a bit like a Porsche concept car. It’s perfect for carrying in your pocket and taking photos at any time. There’s something exciting about not even taking a picture, but just admiring the camera itself. Some singing stars use Contax T3, causing the price of this camera to rise a lot. So, I would rather choose the cheap tvs iii than the expensive T3.

auto focus, manual focus

TVS III has many functions. In addition to autofocus, it also has the function of manually setting the focus. The distance scale is set just above the lens cover, which is particularly interesting. But what I use most is autofocus, which is more convenient than manual focus.

Contax G28 f/2.8 biogon

28mm street photography

Along with the Contax G1, there are three lenses: G28/2.8, G45/2 and G90/2.8. Photographers these days prefer wide-angle lenses, especially young photographers. Street photography has evolved from the earliest 50mm lens to the 35mm lens and then to the 28mm lens. So I recently found that more and more people are using Contax G1 with g28 lens. It is equivalent to a film version of the Leica Q. 28mm has become a lens that takes into account both humanities and landscapes. The popular 28mm lens of the Leica Q is an example.

Optical quality

The optical quality of Contax’s G28 2.8 is really great, and Zeiss’ wide-angle design is truly extraordinary. This Biogon design can achieve very extreme imaging and is compact in size. Biogon barrel distortion is extremely small, reaching 0.3%, close to 0, which is 0.1% smaller than the Leica elmarit 28 2.8 asph. It is very sharp when the aperture is wide open. For film, I can no longer tell the difference between the sharpness of f2.8 and f5.6.

T* coating

Zeiss’ top-grade T* coating has never been surpassed, and the color is transparent and fast. In the case of backlighting, there will be no obvious glare. Contax G series UV is simply awesome, G28/2.8 uses 46mm uv. This UV is much cheaper than the Leica E46 UV, and the coating is better than the Leica.

Price

This is so affordable that I don’t even know what to say. There are so many g28s out there and G28s are so cheap. Although Leica’s Elmarit m28 f2.8 asph has better optical performance, it is too expensive.

Leica CM a Compact Camera

Compact Leica M

The Leica CM camera is an absolute gem of a camera! Released in 2003, it’s a top-of-the-line compact film camera that has become a high-end pocket camera thanks to its excellent quality and features. The Leica CM camera is so small and lightweight that you can easily fit it in your pocket! This lovely little camera is equipped with a 40mm F2.4 Leica SUMMARIT lens, which gives it very high contrast and excellent resolution even at full open aperture.

40mm lens

Leica has a long history with 40mm lenses! The compact and portable film camera Leica CL of the 1970s was equipped with the Summicron-C 40mm f/2. While the Leica Summicron-C 40mm f/2 lens and the 40mm f/2.4 lens on Leica CM cameras are similar in focal length, they belong to separate camera systems and product lines.

Why is the 40mm lens always included with compact cameras, and why is it so popular with photographers? Simply put, it produces images that look like what we see with our own eyes, especially natural and real. It’s not as wide as a super wide-angle lens, and it’s not as narrow as a telephoto lens. It’s just right for everyday use and for photographing people.

This 40mm lens is small, lightweight, and has a compact design, making it a great match for a portable camera. It’s perfect for traveling, shopping, or capturing life on the go. You can easily stow it in your pocket or bag and shoot when the moment strikes. For photographers who love to capture travel photos, street scenes, or human stories, the convenience of being able to shoot anywhere, anytime is a huge advantage.

Manual Focus

In manual mode, the Leica CM is similar to the Leica M system. If you’re an experienced shooter, you can estimate the focal length, which is great! But since it’s a point-and-shoot camera, I think it’s more convenient to use the automatic mode.

Fluorite Lenses

If you’re looking for something truly special, look no further than the CM! Its Summarit lens is a real game-changer. Using fluorite lenses, it delivers outstanding image quality that’ll take your breath away. Someone had the great idea of modifying this 40mm lens to resemble the Leica M mount and using it on a Leica M camera! It’s still absolutely amazing!

E02 error

I’m really sorry to say that the Leica Minilux has a few issues with focusing. You might see an E02 error on the screen, but don’t worry! I’m happy to say that I didn’t notice this problem when I reviewed the CM! Don’t fret! In most cases, these issues are caused by a minor problem with the lens cable. If you’re lucky enough to have a repairman in your area, you can solve this problem by replacing the cable. Just be sure to factor in the cost of the repair, as it’ll likely require a fee.

Titanium

It’s so sad! Today’s digital machines are updated so quickly that their workmanship is no longer so refined. In the film era, Leica in particular made the most exquisite and beautiful cameras. They were truly works of art! It’s so sad – using titanium, which is only used in top-end cameras, is no longer a standard feature in most cameras.

Camera, Artwork

I have a number of small pocket cameras, and there’s no doubt that this Leica cm is one of the most luxurious of them all. I don’t use it very often, though, and I think it’s probably more appropriate to enjoy it as an artifact rather than as a photographic tool. Of course, this is just my personal opinion, but I love it either way!

Voigtlander Bessa II

rangefinder medium format

Leica has brought the rangefinder rangefinder system into the camera world. Decades later, Voigtlander introduced the rangefinder rangefinder system into medium-format cameras. Among them, Bessa II is such an excellent camera.

lens

Bessas II was equipped with a Color-Skopar 3.5/10.5 cm or Color-Heliar 3.5/10.5 cm lens from 1954 onwards. Also available is the rare and popular Apo-Lanthar 4.5/10.5 cm lens.

shutter

The Compur-Rapid shutter installed on early models was replaced by the Synchro-Compur shutter from 1951 onwards. Accessory boots only started appearing in 1954.

more info

Rollei Rolleiflex 3.5 MX EVS Medium Format TLR Camera

It seems that many Leica users also have a Rollei twin-lens reflex camera. And I own a Rollei Rolleiflex 3.5 MX EVS. This is a model with a non-replaceable focusing screen and no built-in light meter. But I really like this kind of fully manual, fully mechanical camera. Moreover, it is smaller than later models.

Any Rollei camera is a high-end camera

Rolleiflex mx-evs uses Tessar lens 75mm f/3.5. Later Rollei used more advanced Zeiss and Schneider f/2.8 lenses. However, in fact, Rollei TLR lenses are very good, and any Rollei is a high-end camera. Also, the quality of early Rollei models was excellent, and since there were no more complex electronic components, it rarely failed. Rollei cameras are as refined as Leica cameras, very good.

Street photography with a Rolleiflex camera

I love the street photography of Robert Doisneau, who uses a Rollei TLR for street photography. There is an interesting story from that year. One day the newspaper published an article by Henri Cartier Bresson about the lightness and portability of the Leica. The next day, the newspaper published an article by Robert Doisneau praising the Rollei camera for being good at capturing photos. Vivian Maier from the United States, she took a lot of street photos using Rollei TLR, which is very amazing. And I like them all.

So, I also picked up Rolleiflex mx-evs and tried street photography. Then I found it really interesting. The image in the viewfinder is opposite to reality, and there is a feeling of being separated from reality and entering a parallel universe.

Medium Format TLR Camera

Square composition and shallow depth of field are the characteristics of 120-frame cameras. Also, 120-frame film is four times larger than 135-frame film, making it easier to scan high-quality photos. It’s easy to get nice bokeh with TLR cameras, and especially with people, there’s a charming kind of bokeh.

Samsung Vega 140S

Award-winning

The Samsung Vega 140S is a small zoom compact camera. A Samsung film camera using Schneider lenses won many awards in Europe that year. You know, the 20th century was the era of film, and people at that time preferred zoom cameras, and this 4x zoom lens is outstanding. This portable camera is equipped with both active and passive focusing systems, allowing it to focus quickly.

Brand new and cheap

It’s easy to find a Samsung 140S in almost new condition these days, and the price is very low. Probably because of the all-plastic body and the fact that modern people prefer fixed-focus lenses, its price has always been cheap.

Film is an experience

In today’s era of 2023, when mobile phone photography is already good, using a film camera is an experience. In fact, the happiness that photos give you is not measured by quantity. The happiness of 36 film photos is greater than 360 digital photos. Moreover, to experience this kind of fun, you don’t need an expensive Leica CM, just a Samsung point-and-shoot machine.