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Zeiss 35mm F1.4 ZM Distagon lens review
Intro Although marketed for the maker’s M-mount Zeiss Ikon rangefinder, the range of ZM lenses is rightly popular with Leica M users. All are accessibly priced compared with their Leica equivalents and optical performance is often on a par, if not sometimes regarded as being technically superior. With the Zeiss Ikon camera now retired, this new high-speed 35mm model is aimed squarely at Leica’s core users. Compared to the latest iteration from Wetzlar, the Zeiss is priced somewhat modestly at around £1680 inc VAT. It’s supplied without a case or hood, but there’s no mistaking the quality. Build Externally, the design is reminiscent of previous models, complete with click click-stopped…
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Leica Summilux-M 50mm F1.4 ASPH Close Focus 2023 model: First impressions
The new Leica Summilux-M 50mm F1.4 ASPH Close Focus 2023 (11728) model follows the recent update to the Summilux-M 35mm F1.4 ASPH CF last year and adopts the built-in rangefinder decoupling or “double-cam” feature for the focus ring. This enables focusing down to 0.45m from the usual 0.7m – the former is the typical minimum focus of DSLR/mirrorless lenses of this focal length (50mm). The double-cam feature was first introduced on the Leica Summilux 35mm F2.0 APO and was quite stiff on the model I tried. To disengage rangefinder focusing, you push the focus ring through some slight resistance at the minimum focus distance marked at 0.7m in orange-coloured paint…
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Zeiss 35mm F1.4 ZM Distagon lens review
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Phase One announces Phase One XC fixed-lens camera
Phase One has introduced the Phase One XC, a fixed-lens camera with a Rodenstock HR Digaron-S 23mm f/5.6 lens and a choice of IQ4 150 colour or Achromatic (monochrome) digital back. The camera retails at $62,500, or £48,689, plus Tax. In the past, the IQ4 150 Achromatic has always been priced above the “standard” colour IQ4 150 digital back, so it’s unclear at this time whether that’s offered as an extra incentive or if there will be a price adjustment later. The Rodenstock HR Digaron-S 23mm f/5.6 is a 15mm equivalent (with an equivalent F3.5 DOF) so it’s ideal for interiors and architecture, albeit without the shift movements of the…
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Nikon Z8 and Z9 firmware out of sync
Reading about the Nikon Z8 and Z9 firmware being out of sync reminded me of how camera companies are set up in Japan. In the West, we tend to think of them as run top-down, working as one, but that’s not the case in Japan. Factories there are mostly autonomous with head offices having only limited control over them. Ironically perhaps, the bigger the companies are the more autonomy each factory has. And each in turn is run competitively against the other. Nikon hasn’t made it clear if both models are made in the same factory or not but, even if they are, it’s likely that they have different software…
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Leica SL2 silver version announced
Leica has released the Leica SL2 in a chrome version, or what Leica call a “silver” anodised finish. With a £280 increase over the black body, taking the price to £6,200 (body only), it’s quite a premium. Nevertheless, the consensus here is that it looks good. What’s more, like most chrome bodies the finish will likely be more durable over the long term than the black option. Curiously the US press release states that only 1000 silver chrome bodies will be made, making it a limited edition. If anything says the SL2 is about to be replaced with the SL3 this is it. I’ve been hugely tempted to buy into…
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Sigma announce 14mm F1.4 DG DN Art series lens for Sony E- and L-mount cameras
Sigma has announced a new high-grade Art series 14mm F1.4 DG DN lens for Sony E (FE) and Leica L-mount cameras. It is available from the 23rd June at £1399 inc VAT or $1599 in the US. Preorder WEX (Sony FE mount/ Leica L-Mount) B&H Photo US Sigma says the lens has been “optically optimised” for astrophotography and it’s described as the World’s fastest lens for this kind of work and thus should be highly corrected for coma at infinity focus. However, it’s important to stress the lens also is corrected through profiling in-camera as well; through the use of what’s now being euphemistically called “digital or mathematical elements”.…
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Sony A7R V sensor review online at DXOMARK
My write-up of the sensor performance of the Sony A7R V is online at DXOMARK. The sensor is similar in performance to the 45.7 MP BSI sensors, but with a small increase in resolution (pixel count) this is an improvement all things considered. Resolution isn’t measured, for that, you would need to look at a lens review to get some idea.
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Leica Q3 announced: 60MP BSI CMOS sensor and Tilting Screen
Update: Read my review of the Leica Q3 here. The Leica Q3 has been announced with a similar (but not identical) 60MP BSI CMOS sensor as the Leica M11 (and Sony A7 IV and V). The new model also features a fold-out LCD, which is the first significant departure in design for the Q. The price is £5,300 inc VAT. The new Leica Q3 features the triple-resolution feature (pixel binning from the native 60MP, giving a choice of 18MP and 36MP options) seen in the Leica M11. Leica says RAW files are around 70 MB, depending on the ISO/content, which appears to be lossless compressed RAW (DNG). In any case,…
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Billingham 307 camera bag review
This was one of the most popular reviews from the old site, and so I’ve decided to re-publish it here with up-to-date links for those trying to buy – thank you for your continued support. Introduction to the Billingham 307 Billingham camera bags need little introduction, they’ve been the choice of professional photographers since the mid-’70s and the Billingham 307 typifies all that’s great about them. There have been one or two imitators, most notably the well-regarded Classic range from the sadly defunct CCS (Camera Care Systems) and the hand-made range of bags from FOGG; probably the closest in terms of quality and materials, if not in design (FOGG were…
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Leica M11 review
Leica M11 – what came before? The Leica M11 is the successor to the Leica M10, indeed to the uninitiated it looks practically identical. This is just as well as the Leica M10 was in effect a refinement of the Leica M (Typ 240), particularly with the larger, more durable rangefinder, more logical button layout, and improved menu operation. However, while there were some slight gains in noise and DR the M10 sensor’s similar pixel count likely hindered sales. Still, it wasn’t until the introduction of the M10-R some 18 months or so ago that we saw the real successor to the Leica M (Typ 240) models. As good as…
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