efix:photography - News. Thoughts. Pictures.

The smallest 28mm M-mount lens

efix — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 07:52:23 +0000

Japanese optics manufacturer MS Optical has been renowned for quite some time for their conversions of all kinds of lenses from and to all kinds of different mounts. A while ago, they created the smallest ever 35mm lens for Leica M-mount, the MS Optical Super Triplet Perar 35mm f/3.5, a lens which was instantaneously recognized for its optical qualities. After the original version of the 35mm Perar had sold out, MS Optical introduced version II with slight modifications. This lens is recognized as one of the best 35mm lenses for Leica M-mount ever.

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Hot stuff in stock and for pre-order at B&H!

efix — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 08:56:30 +0000

B&H currently has a number of interesting items either in stock or available for pre-order. For those into mirrorless cameras, and Micro Four Thirds and Leica M in particular, read on!

Currently in stock at B&H

–> Panasonic Lumix GX1 Micro Four Thirds camera (black) + X 14-42mm kit lens — $ 949.– –> silver body only $ 699.– –> Olympus M.Zuiko 12-50mm for Micro Four Tirds (black) — $ 499.00 –> silver version $499.99 –> Voigtländer “knock-your-socks-off” Nokton 50mm f/1.1 for Leica M — $ 1049.–

Available for [...]

Hardware issues

efix — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 10:59:57 +0000

It’s been quiet around here the last weeks, as regular visitors may have noticed. This is partly due to the fact that I am mostly busy with work and family, and rarely take the time to actively work in this site. I also started to post links to interesting news and articles to my facebook page almost exclusively, except for those which I find very important.

The other reason for the more recent silence is that my trusted Dell Latitude E5400 laptop, which I have been using both for work and private for the past two years, [...]

SLR Magic 50mm T0.95 for Leica M

efix — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 09:12:13 +0000

Just recently, Hongkong-based lens manufacturer SLR Magic, best known for their affordable alternative manual lens options for Micro Four Thirds and Sony NEX, have announced production of a new super fast 50mm T0.95 lens for Leica M mount. The lens is thus a direct competitor to the crazy expensive yet legendary Leica Noctilux 50mm f/0.95.

The new SLR Magic 50mm T0.95 lens for Leica M

The “T” designation means that the lens’ actual maximum light transmission is that of a theoretical f/0.95 aperture opening with now light loss. In a typical [...]

Thinking out loud …

efix — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 08:49:02 +0000

… about my PAD project. I am not sure if it’s the right thing for me. I started it because I was looking for motivation. And while it does motivate to me to shoot stuff I would otherwise ignore, it also gives me a feeling of being forced to take pictures, which takes the fun out of photography for me.

I started a thread over at rangefinderforum.com, hoping to get some input from other photographers. Do you have any thoughts on this?

Dear Leica, (UPDATED)

efix — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 08:03:07 +0000

I am aware that you are in the middle of restructuring and expanding your business. Mr Kaufmann put a lot of money into you, and I do not believe he did so without expecting compensation. Lisa Holding Germany has acquired most of your stocks by now, and just recently Blackstone started investing in your company. On the other hand, you are about to expand your production facilities, building a completely new complex in your old home, Wetzlar.

Being a big fan of your products and your philosophy, I welcome all this. I welcome the fact that Mr Kaufmann saved [...]

Camera news: Canon G1X, Fuji X-Pro1, Sigma lenses

efix — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 07:30:34 +0000

Only a quick update, as I’m currently at work and don’t have time to write a full article. Two interesting new cameras have just been announced, one that has long been rumored, another one that comes as a surprise. Also, Sigma has announced two interesting new lenses.

Canon G1 X

The Canon G1 X

The Can0n G1 X is the latest iteration of Canons acclaimed G-series enthusiast’s compacts that started with the G1 back in 2000. Traditionally, the G-series models have been advanced point-and-shoot cameras with small sensors, medium-fast lenses, a complete range of [...]

PADs #104–108

efix — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 21:47:20 +0000

This week was a week of crazy skies and beautiful light.

PAD #104 | “Sunrise” | Around 8:30 a.m. at my office, I saw the sun rise above the hills surrounding Marburg. Recently, sunrises have been extraordinarily beautiful around here.

Olympus E-P1 + Lumix 20/1.7 @ f/4, 1/200 sec, ISO 200

PAD #105 | “Morning light on the city” | As the title says. Morning light, shortly after sunrise, diffused by a slightly overcast sky, hitting the historical upper city of Marburg.

Olympus E-P1 + [...]

PAD #103 | “Exit this way”

efix — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 08:16:17 +0000

In the car park.

Olympus E-P1 + Lumix 20/1.7 @ f/4, 1/30 sec, ISO 2000

Hm. I seem to be in black-and-white mode lately …

PADs #100–102

efix — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 18:16:32 +0000

PAD #100 | “Prized” | When he was younger, my grandfather was a passionate hunter. This is the head of the first elk he ever shot, back in the sixties.

Olympus E-P1 + Lumix 20/1.7 @ f/1.7, 1/25 sec, ISO 400

PAD #101 | “On the road …” | … leaving 2011 behind.

Olympus E-P1 + Lumix 20/1.7 @ f/1.7, 1/100 sec, ISO 1250

PAD #102 | “Happy New Year 2012!” | Somebody seems to have used this “Robby Bubble” [...]