A friend recently asked for a photography bag recommendation for their commute—something simple, elegant, and versatile enough to hold a camera, laptop, iPad, or phone. Without hesitation, I pointed them to the Billingham Hadley Pro. I’ve been using mine for over ten years. It’s worn at the edges, but that’s a badge of trust—I’ll keep using it.
Crafted in England, this bag boasts a three-layer waterproof canvas with a butyl rubber core, shrugging off rain like it’s nothing. At 8.75 liters, it swallows my DSLR (no grip), two lenses, a 13-inch MacBook, and phone with room to spare. The removable padded insert (foam-lined, Velcro-adjustable) keeps gear safe, while the Quick Release System—brass buckles and leather straps—lets me grab my camera in seconds. I know its quirks like an old friend.
It’s not just a bag; it’s a quiet companion for the daily grind.
Buying old Leica lenses is a lot of fun. By the number we can locate the year of its production and by the year we can know its value. Examples are rarity, state of preservation, and how Leica operated during that period, the quality of the lens, and the history of the world during the same period as the lens. It’s a bit of a mystery how it has anything to do with world history, it does, and old Leica lenses have documented an entire century.
Many people believe in the theory of 10,000 hours, but I used to suspect that photography does not exist this theory, photography is the need for talent, is the need for inspiration. But after 10,000 hours it feels as if the understanding of photography is completely different from the initial period, no longer pursuing good looks, no longer pursuing image quality, and even no longer pursuing the feel of the hand ……. However, if I believe in the 10,000 hours theory at the beginning, I can’t stick to it. So, beginners, don’t believe in the theory of 10,000 hours in photography, believe in their own talent, believe in their own inspiration, is the driving force of photography.
Amidst the endless dance of light and shade,
The seasoned lensman delves in yesteryear's cascade,
Through old photographs,
a surreal reverie,
Where time feels but a breath away,
tender and near.
Photographers,
souls of romance and verse,
Capturing tales of life,
blessings and a curse,
Embracing the mystical,
the unseen, I, too, embrace this truth,
a poet's dream.
When using Leica M rangefinder cameras, focusing off-center is actually quite simple. Just focus on the off-center object first, then keep the focus ring in position and shift the camera left or right to recompose the image. If you can estimate the distance to the object, you can also use the distance scale on the lens focus ring, a technique commonly known as zone focusing.
However, with SLR cameras, focusing off-center is more complicated. It typically involves using a focus point selector to find the focus point on the screen. Some SLR users opt to lock focus as an effective alternative method.
However, there’s one thing to keep in mind – don’t just praise Leica for its 50mm lens. Leica’s off-center focusing method may not always be accurate due to the potential error introduced when shifting the camera after focusing. Nevertheless, what sets Leica lenses apart is their ability to produce stunning images even when there is a margin of error. Hehe.
LR44 and SR44 are both button cell batteries with a similar size and shape, but they have some differences in their chemical composition and performance.
LR44 batteries are alkaline batteries, while SR44 batteries are silver oxide batteries. Alkaline batteries have a higher energy density and a longer shelf life, but their voltage output drops more quickly over time compared to silver oxide batteries. Silver oxide batteries have a more stable voltage output, which makes them more suitable for devices that require a consistent power supply.
In terms of performance, SR44 batteries typically last longer and provide more consistent power than LR44 batteries. However, LR44 batteries are more widely available and cheaper than SR44 batteries.
In summary, the main difference between LR44 and SR44 batteries is their chemical composition, which affects their voltage output and overall performance.
There are numerous versions of the Leica M3, and over time, many people have shared their experiences with them. Some enthusiasts have even published books on the subject. However, there are sometimes discrepancies in how people differentiate between the various models, and I have personally encountered versions that are not covered in their collective experiences. With so many versions available, it can be challenging to determine which information is accurate. Nevertheless, the identifying features of these models still serve as useful reference points.
Leica M3 single-stroke and double-stroke models have distinctive serial number features.
1） Boundary between single-stroke and double-stroke models. Leica M3 cameras with serial number 919251 and later were produced as single-stroke models, whereas earlier models were double-stroke. The lever on the double-stroke models is shorter than that of the single-stroke models. Early Leica M3 cameras had a single red dot in the center of the film rewind knob, which was primarily found on single-stroke bodies. Later on, the film rewind knob was modified to include two red dots and can be found on both single-stroke and double-stroke models.
2）Depth-of-field preview diagram. The Leica M3 single-stroke version’s viewfinder is equipped with a depth-of-field preview diagram, which is indicated by two raised bumps located above and below the center focusing spot. These bumps represent the depth of field at f/16 and f/5.6 （50mm lens）, respectively, and any overlapping images within this range can be viewed clearly.
Sure, I can help you polish the translation. Here’s the refined version:
These days, capturing photos of flowers and plants with a smartphone is no longer a challenge. Achieving background blur is also not a difficult feat, thanks to the advancements in chip algorithms. Additionally, smartphones have made significant progress in HDR capabilities. The Xiaomi 13 Pro is undoubtedly among the top performers in these aspects. As a street photographer, my focus is on the user experience when capturing photos in this setting.
In street photography, lighting conditions tend to be variable, and contrasts are often high. As a result, relying solely on the metering function is not sufficient, and the photographer must rely on their judgment. Experienced Leica players often use full manual settings for aperture and shutter speed, while SLR and mirrorless camera players will typically use aperture priority or shutter priority modes and adjust the exposure compensation accordingly.
I discovered that if the Xiaomi 13 Pro is exposed normally, the resulting photos tend to resemble the style of Sony mirrorless cameras. The color palette reminds me of Sony’s first APS mirrorless camera, the Nex5. However, by setting the exposure compensation to around -1.3 stops, the “leica taste” (a Leica term referring to the unique and subtle aesthetic quality of Leica cameras) is evident in the resulting photos.
It’s unfair to compare the Xiaomi 13 Pro to a Leica M, but finding “leica taste” in a smartphone camera is a rarity. Xiaomi’s collaboration with Leica has produced remarkable results, including a stylized master lens option in the software, allowing for quick and easy switching between the 35mm black and white, 50mm focusing, 75mm portrait, and 90mm soft focus lenses. This design is very user-friendly for photography veterans who prefer fixed focus styles and is a valuable educational tool for beginners.
Despite these features, I prefer to use the professional mode when shooting street photography, with the wide-angle lens, EV -1.3, and all other settings on auto. I shoot everything in color and convert to black and white during post-processing on the computer.
In terms of image clarity, smartphones have made great strides, particularly when paired with the Leica-certified vario-summicron 14mm-75mm lens. The Xiaomi smartphone’s clarity surpasses that of many early APS-C format SLRs with kit lenses. Moreover, the backlit CMOS sensor performs exceptionally well in low light conditions. These two features alone are enough to render many older cameras obsolete.
Moreover, I have found that the Xiaomi 13 Pro’s display screen enhances the vibrancy of photos, particularly when viewed on the phone itself. The colors appear more vivid compared to viewing them on an Apple computer. I attribute this to the high level of color space matching between the phone’s color correction process and the display screen.
Typically, I am able to capture the same emotive power with any camera – the photo feels like it’s coming right at you. Even with a smartphone, that feeling is present, and you can get up close and personal. I used a wide-angle lens at a distance of about 1.5 meters. I have noticed that many people do not mind when you get close with a smartphone, and some don’t even notice. However, the phone does emit a “click” sound when taking a photo, which often prompts a smile from the subject. It wasn’t until later that I discovered that there is no shutter sound in silent mode, but I still prefer the sound, as it lets me know which moment I captured and gives me a sense of accomplishment.
Typically, smartphone cameras have slow response times when it comes to capturing photos, be it focusing or shutter response speed. However, the Xiaomi Pro3 is very fast and boasts a high success rate.
Occasionally, I still enjoy listening to CDs, and when it comes to selecting which one to play, it’s strange how often the decision is based on visual appeal. Rather than suggesting that photography is a component of music, it’s more apt to say that “music is also photography.” This particular CD is from 2017 and I purchased it solely due to its captivating cover art. Visually stimulating and equally captivating in sound, Eternal Stories is a delightful fusion of jazz and classical music.
