Leica X-Vario Images

Image Source: http://us.leica-camera.com/photography/compact_cameras/x_vario/

 

Let's face it. Most purchases of Leica equipment, mine included, have little to do with logic.

 

The new Leica X-Vario camera is generating a lot of conversation, and proving that art and logic don't always go together. What's all the conversation about?

 

Well, the new X-Vario is a compact camera with a zoom lens, not interchangeable. It has a nice big APS-C sensor, but the lens aperture is pretty small (f3.5-f6.4), meaning it's not designed for low level existing light photography, which is where Leica is legendary. It's also very expensive compared to other options, but that's Leica, folks.

 

Some people are actually using the camera. The results I've seen look pretty exciting. I found an image post on getdpi forums.

 

Once they get over picking on each other and commenting on the camera, some of the images are really quite impressive.

 

(Click Here) to read the comments, and more importantly, see some real images from the X-Vario.

 

In my opinion, the only thing Leica did wrong with the X-Vario was to advertise it as the "mini-M." I'm positive that it's a very capable little camera; it's just designed for something quite different than the M, in my opinion.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

 

Skeletons From The Closet Results For June - Konica Auto S1.6 35mm Rangefinder

I've had a blast shooting my Konica Auto S1.6 this month. So much so, I'm convinced that this camera could be my one and only Japanese fixed-lens rangefinder.

 

(Click Here) to read about the camera.

 

Let me show you why I'm so impressed with this camera.

 

The Kid, by Reed A. George

Konica Auto S1.6, 45mm f1.6 Lens

 

The 45mm f1.6 lens on the Auto S1.6 is awesome. Sharp as a tack, it also has excellent color representation. As I've said in the past, when looking at modern fixed lens large chip cameras like the Fuji X100S, I prefer a lens closer to 50mm than 35mm if I'm going to buy a fixed lens camera. The 45mm focal length on the Konica is just about perfect for me.

 

Shenandoah Sunset, Color, by Reed A. George

Konica Auto S1.6, 45mm f1.6 Lens

 

 

Shenandoah Sunset, Monochrome, by Reed A. George

Konica Auto S1.6, 45mm f1.6 Lens

 

This camera is a little bigger than most Japanese rangefinders of its day, but not too large by any means. It's solid, quiet, fast. A minor complaint is that while the shutter is extremely quiet, the film advance is ratcheted, so it clicks rather loudly as you wind on to the next frame.

 

Stageside, by Reed A. George

Konica Auto S1.6, 45mm f1.6 Lens

 

Bubbles, Diptych, by Reed A. George

Konica Auto S1.6, 45mm f1.6 Lens

 

Friends, by Reed A. George

Konica Auto S1.6, 45mm f1.6 Lens

 

Mind Boggler, by Reed A. George

Konica Auto S1.6, 45mm f1.6 Lens

 

Can you figure out the image above? Shot inside a restaurant bar, it's a mirrored ceiling.

 

Modern Youth, Diptych, by Reed A. George

Konica Auto S1.6, 45mm f1.6 Lens

Rangefinder focusing on the S1.6 is easy and accurate. This is really one capable little camera.

 

I read online that the f1.6 lens was soft compared to the f2 lens on the later Auto S2. I simply can't believe that to be the case. Even wide open, I find the f1.6 lens to be astonishingly sharp. And I'm comparing to world-class glass from Leica, Zeiss, and others.

 

As I mentioned in my original post on this camera, I did send it off to Greg Weber for service a couple of years back, tested it, and put it away in the closet. I am happy to report that the Skeletons From The Closet effort motivated me to get it back out and shoot it. This is one little camera that won't sit idle again for a while. I'm not likely to consolidate my camera collection anytime soon, but if I did, as I said above, the Konica S1.6 could be the best and sole representative of an entire class of cameras that I love.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

 

Am I the Only One Who Wants My Fixed Lens to be 50mm?

 

Nikon Coolpix A

Image Source:http://www.nikonusa.com/en/Nikon-Products/Product/Compact-Digital-Cameras/26423/COOLPIX-A.html

 

I like where the digital camera leaders are going - almost. I love the idea of a dedicated, fixed lens compact camera with a large sensor and great image quality. The good news is that many camera manufacturers are making them now. My favorites so far are the Leica X2 and Fujifilm X100S. Others include offerings from Sigma, Sony, and now Nikon and Ricoh.

 

When I think of these types of cameras, my thoughts go to the excellent Olympus, Canon, and Konica fixed lens rangefinders of the past. I would really love to see something equivalent to an Olympus SP, for example.

 

(Click Here) to see what the Olympus SP film rangefinder camera was like on Andrew Yue's site.

 

Now here's the rub, for me. All of the new fixed lens cameras have wide angle lenses, 35mm equivalent field of view, or wider. For me, the 42mm lens on the old Olympus SP was a bit wide, but actually a very good compromise between what I think of as a "standard" focal length of 50mm, and the admittedely popular 35mm lens. In fact, my 40mm Minolta Rokkor lens for Leica M mount cameras is one of my favorites.

 

If I'm going to buy a fixed lens camera, the lens really needs to serve most of my purposes. For me, and yes, it's personal preference, a 50mm lens would be best. I'm willing to be open-minded and take something as wide as 40mm, and actually would embrace that focal length.

 

When I saw the first announcement of the Nikon Coolpix A, I was excited. In my experience, Nikon does a great job of handling sensor noise (my Nikon D700 DSLR is the best low light camera I have), and I'm familiar with the menus. When I read that the A has an APS-C sensor and 28mm f2.8 lens, I got excited. I thought, hmm - 28mm X ~1.5 crop factor = 42mm equivalent. Great! Then I saw that it's actually an 18.5mm lens, and 28mm equivalent field of view. Really? I remember when 28mm was a rather extreme wide angle lens, one that was probably in your bag but sure didn't get the usage that a 35mm or especially 50mm lens did. This is way too wide to be a general purpose, fixed lens camera, at least for me.

 

Ricoh has also just come out with a new GR digital model - again 28mm equivalent field of view.

 

I think part of what's driving this trend is lens size. While the camera companies are trying to provide large sensors for their compacts (which is great news), they want to keep the lens size as small as is practical. I understand that. I also think this may be why some are stopping at a maximum aperture of f2.8, which I think is a little slow for a fixed lens camera. But, I still really want a litle longer lens, and fast, please.

 

I mean, let's face it, I never could really fit that Konica S1.6 with 45mm f1.6 lens (a 1970s fixed lens film rangefinder that produces incredible images) in my pocket.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com