Today is a memorable day.
Monday 31 October 2011
Sunday 30 October 2011
GXR lens bug
So yesterday I asked the question: Can one own too many lenses? I got a slight pause and the answer was 'no' :). The next question I need to ask is: Can own own too many 50mm lenses...
Yesterday I has a go using the Voigtlander 50mm 1.1 and was very impressed, in fact so impressed I decided I had to get one.
Saturday 29 October 2011
Ricoh meetup
Well today was the Ricoh meetup with the usual table filled with camera parts and lenses. Was really a great day and we managed to do the usual camera shop routine and stop for coffee at camera cafe to buy some glass...
Friday 28 October 2011
Thursday 27 October 2011
Wednesday 26 October 2011
Tuesday 25 October 2011
Sunday 23 October 2011
Sunday
My reasons on selling my X100.
This camera will always leave me a sour taste. It's possibly the worst camera I have ever owned and I really wanted to like it.
I bought the camera based on the reasoning my favorite camera of all time was the Epson R-D1s. I owned and used one for around 3 years. On the last 2 years of ownership, I acquired a Ricoh GR28mm f2.8 lens LTM on ebay to fit on it. The lens was expensive and stayed on my camera pretty much 90% of the time. Based on this, I thought the X100 with it's fixed 35mm f2.0 would not really be a problem.
Anyway, I think X100 is rubbish.
- It cannot be relied on. Yes the OVF is really cool, but it's very inaccurate to a degree you cannot trust it. I ended up using the EVF most of the time in order to ensure I get a usable picture.
- The MF is basically unusable. When you compare using the MF on the X100 with a GXR-M you suddenly wonder why on earth would someone want to suffer with an X100. It would have been so easy to not have a focus by wire and provide distance markings on the lens. The distance markings are available on via the LCD screen and OVF but I don't find that very useful.
- It's slooooow. So slow by the time you turn it on, view the settings, take the shot. What's more frustrating is when you realize after taking the shot that a setting was wrong. You need to wait a long moment before any settings can be changed. You can't even switch between OVF/EVF while the picture is being written to the card and this is just one of many things you will find you cannot do.
- Only one function key? Well it's going to either be ISO or ND. My experience of the Auto ISO was that it was random and could not be trusted. Then of course you find the setting for Auto-ISO is not even on the ISO menu.
- Lack of care and firmware updates. Should I say more?
- Should I mention the centre menu button was designed to be pushed with your nail?
Anyway, I really wanted to like this camera, I learnt to be patient with it and work with it the way it likes to be worked with. I even had a number of arguments with fellow photographers about this camera and defending the virtues of the x100. I even invested in what I thought to be the nicest leather case and the nicest leather neck strap. I even got an addon lens hood and painted it black to make it look cooler. I put so much energy into wanting to like this camera, but in the end I was just waiting for Fuji to release a firmware update to make it really a joy to use and not always pain and annoyance.
The camera nevertheless has some appeal: the picture quality is great, really.. but honestly no better, if not worse than the Ricoh GXR-M with a half decent lens or one of Ricoh's lensors (ok they don't make a 35mm f2 lensor). I really did wish before selling it that the X100 would do something the GXR wasn't able to do in order to justify owning 2 cameras but also to not appear to be foolish buy bushing a useless camera. The difference is that unlike the X100, the GXR will be reliable and responsive, you will love using it due to the solid build, perfect intuitive and logical interface, the speed of operation and the possibility of choosing the lens you want to go with it.
In terms of looks, the X100 is fantastic, it looks like an old Leica, but it's not. It's really not. Really really not. On the other hand, you will be able to appear like you have a Leica (if that's what you want) Honestly, if you can't afford a Leica (or even if you can), and you want better than a modern Leica (yes, better than a M8 or M9) and even better than the Epson RD1, get a GXR-M and a good lens (why not from Leica, CV, CZ..etc). You will have the perfect tool for the job with a mix of modern features alongside an amazing lens that will stay with you forever.
Enough of that...
Well today was probably my last sunday stroll around Avery hill park. Next week it's the Ricoh Meetup in London. The location will be confirmed on Christian's blog.
Ricoh GXR
Ricoh GXR
This camera will always leave me a sour taste. It's possibly the worst camera I have ever owned and I really wanted to like it.
I bought the camera based on the reasoning my favorite camera of all time was the Epson R-D1s. I owned and used one for around 3 years. On the last 2 years of ownership, I acquired a Ricoh GR28mm f2.8 lens LTM on ebay to fit on it. The lens was expensive and stayed on my camera pretty much 90% of the time. Based on this, I thought the X100 with it's fixed 35mm f2.0 would not really be a problem.
Anyway, I think X100 is rubbish.
- It cannot be relied on. Yes the OVF is really cool, but it's very inaccurate to a degree you cannot trust it. I ended up using the EVF most of the time in order to ensure I get a usable picture.
- The MF is basically unusable. When you compare using the MF on the X100 with a GXR-M you suddenly wonder why on earth would someone want to suffer with an X100. It would have been so easy to not have a focus by wire and provide distance markings on the lens. The distance markings are available on via the LCD screen and OVF but I don't find that very useful.
- It's slooooow. So slow by the time you turn it on, view the settings, take the shot. What's more frustrating is when you realize after taking the shot that a setting was wrong. You need to wait a long moment before any settings can be changed. You can't even switch between OVF/EVF while the picture is being written to the card and this is just one of many things you will find you cannot do.
- Only one function key? Well it's going to either be ISO or ND. My experience of the Auto ISO was that it was random and could not be trusted. Then of course you find the setting for Auto-ISO is not even on the ISO menu.
- Lack of care and firmware updates. Should I say more?
- Should I mention the centre menu button was designed to be pushed with your nail?
Anyway, I really wanted to like this camera, I learnt to be patient with it and work with it the way it likes to be worked with. I even had a number of arguments with fellow photographers about this camera and defending the virtues of the x100. I even invested in what I thought to be the nicest leather case and the nicest leather neck strap. I even got an addon lens hood and painted it black to make it look cooler. I put so much energy into wanting to like this camera, but in the end I was just waiting for Fuji to release a firmware update to make it really a joy to use and not always pain and annoyance.
The camera nevertheless has some appeal: the picture quality is great, really.. but honestly no better, if not worse than the Ricoh GXR-M with a half decent lens or one of Ricoh's lensors (ok they don't make a 35mm f2 lensor). I really did wish before selling it that the X100 would do something the GXR wasn't able to do in order to justify owning 2 cameras but also to not appear to be foolish buy bushing a useless camera. The difference is that unlike the X100, the GXR will be reliable and responsive, you will love using it due to the solid build, perfect intuitive and logical interface, the speed of operation and the possibility of choosing the lens you want to go with it.
In terms of looks, the X100 is fantastic, it looks like an old Leica, but it's not. It's really not. Really really not. On the other hand, you will be able to appear like you have a Leica (if that's what you want) Honestly, if you can't afford a Leica (or even if you can), and you want better than a modern Leica (yes, better than a M8 or M9) and even better than the Epson RD1, get a GXR-M and a good lens (why not from Leica, CV, CZ..etc). You will have the perfect tool for the job with a mix of modern features alongside an amazing lens that will stay with you forever.
Enough of that...
Well today was probably my last sunday stroll around Avery hill park. Next week it's the Ricoh Meetup in London. The location will be confirmed on Christian's blog.
Ricoh GXR
Ricoh GXR
Saturday
Not much time for photography. Trying to find a flat to move into.
Thursday 20 October 2011
Wednesday 19 October 2011
Wednesday
Tuesday 18 October 2011
Monday 17 October 2011
Monday....
Ricoh GXR, Zeiss Biogon ZMT 28mm f2.8
Well today I've exchaged contracts on my house. It's very sad to see something that took so much love and dedication be taken away from you. This has been a very hard year but I keep myself busy taking pics. This pic was taken in one of my favorite areas in London, Lincoln's Inn. I enjoy having my lunch here.
Saturday 15 October 2011
Thursday 13 October 2011
Wednesday 12 October 2011
Tuesday 11 October 2011
Tuesday
Ricoh GXR, Leitz Summicron 5cm f2
Ricoh GXR, Leitz Summicron 5cm f2
Ricoh GXR, Leitz Summicron 5cm f2
Monday 10 October 2011
Monday
Ricoh GXR, Leitz Summicron 5cm f2
Again the Summicron and me taking a picture while waiting for the glazers to fix my broken window.
Ricoh GXR, Leitz Summicron 5cm f2
Taken after work...
And finally to keep the routine, a station pic :)
Ricoh GXR, Leitz Summicron 5cm f2
Sunday 9 October 2011
Sunday
Ricoh GXR, Leitz Summicron 5cm f2
Ricoh GXR, Leitz Summicron 5cm f2
Ricoh GXR, Leitz Summicron 5cm f2
Ricoh GXR, Leitz Summicron 5cm f2
Spent all day moving my stuff into boxes so no time for photography except for breakfast.
Saturday 8 October 2011
Radioactive summicron 5cm f2
Ricoh GXR, Leitz Summicron 5cm f2
This is actually my main phone. From the 50's I'm pretty sure...
Ricoh GXR, Leitz Summicron 5cm f2
This was a test to do some cheap vignetting using a toilet roll tube around the lens.
Iphone 4
Well I got my leather wrist strap to work on the GXR so I was quite chuffed.
Ricoh GXR, Leitz Summicron 5cm f2
Took this on the way to the pub in Blackheath. The lens really matches the car.
Friday 7 October 2011
Radioactive
Today I bought a new old lens. I wanted a 50mm that would give me something very different to what I'm used to using. Some quirky character and this lens so far is delivering.
The only problem is that it's slightly radioactive. Only a tiny bit :)
Ricoh GXR, Leitz Summicron 5cm f2
Ricoh GXR, Leitz Summicron 5cm f2
I don't drink lager. Prefer a good ale.
Ricoh GXR, Leitz Summicron 5cm f2
This is my friend's Industar 53mm f2 lens mounted on a GXR-M. His lens is probably worth 2 coffees at starbucks :D
Summicron 5cm f2
The only problem is that it's slightly radioactive. Only a tiny bit :)
Ricoh GXR, Leitz Summicron 5cm f2
Ricoh GXR, Leitz Summicron 5cm f2
I don't drink lager. Prefer a good ale.
Ricoh GXR, Leitz Summicron 5cm f2
This is my friend's Industar 53mm f2 lens mounted on a GXR-M. His lens is probably worth 2 coffees at starbucks :D
Summicron 5cm f2
Thursday 6 October 2011
Wednesday 5 October 2011
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