Birding - Leica 8 x 42 Binoculars

August 23, 2017

Yes, I have interests other than photography. I also love to go Birding. My current list is 412 different species of birds. Not a large list by any means but even though my count is not that high I make up with enthusiasm. Birding can be a lonely adventure but is more fun with other enthusiasts. I have met some great people over the years when taking a break from staring up into trees.

I started Birding in my early teens with a pair of Bushnell 7 x 35 binoculars. They were kinda in focus in the center and the sharpness fell off quite a bit on the edges. They did the job and got me started on a path that I enjoy to this day. One thing that I have never done is take photos of the birds. I have always keep photography separate. Birds are so fascinating, I can watch their behavior for hours. Wherever I travel to for my photography I try to make some time to go Birding.

I purchased a pair of Leica Trinovid 7 x 35 BA binoculars in the mid 80's as new old stock. They were great binoculars. The rubber armored finish makes them rugged but they are small and light so that they are easy to carry everywhere. I'm a big owl fan and it is with these that I have seen all of the owls on my life list. I have taken them to the beach, to marshes, country fields, deserts, and high up in the mountains.

Being an optical connoisseur the choice of Leica binoculars was an easy choice. Leica has been making binoculars since 1907, long before the introduction of their line of cameras. I have tried other peoples binoculars over the years, and yes some are very good, I have chosen to stay with my Leicas.

About 10 years ago I decided to treat myself with a new pair of binoculars. I tried the big 3 and was happy with all of them but I decided to stay with Leica's. Something about their glass that just speaks to me. I also like the finish on the new models. My old Trinovids were getting slick from years of wear. I chose the Leica 8 x 42 Ultravid model. Leica binoculars are an investment that lasts a lifetime and I plan on passing mine on down to my daughter.

Leica 8 x 42 Ultravid and 7 x 35 Trinovid

Maybe someday I will teach a birding workshop. I love talking about Birding and with my photography background there would be some great possibilities for an educational and fun time.

Photo Stamps

August 8, 2017

The Postal Services is always issuing commemorative and. special edition stamps. Back in 2002 the United States Postal Service introduced some stamps that had some appeal to photographers. It was called the Masters of American Photography.

The photographers are mostly Documentary and Fine Art photographers. Included are the following: Albert Southworth and Josiah Hawes, Timothy O'Sullivan, Carleton Watkins, Gertrude Kasebier, Lewis Hine, Alvin Langdon Coburn, Edward Steichen, Alfred Stieglitz, Man Ray, Edward Weston, James VanDerZee, Dorothea Lange, Walker Evans, W. Eugene Smith, Paul Strand, Ansel Adams, Imogen Cunningham, Andre Kertesz, Garry Winogrand, and Minor White.

Pretty impressive list. Although he is not American I would have include Robert Frank because of his work "The Americans".

Chris Killip's 'In Flagrante' At the Getty Museum

July 31, 2017

Now Then: Chris Killip and the Making of In Flagrante

May 23–August 13, 2017

GETTY CENTER, LOS ANGLES, CALIFORNIA

Although there is no connection to Leica's the exhibit of Chris Killips work at the Getty is a must see. It is some excellent documentary work of England in the early 1980's.Much of the work was done with a large format camera which is quite an achievement. Lots of strong composition and a viewpoint that tells a story. Both qualities sadly missing in much of todays photography.

This image is so strong, nothing extra and nothing missing.

Graphic but actually says something. So many photographers today find the graphic in an image and stop there. You have to have something to say.

Perfect image. Subject looking off the image and horse mimicking the gesture in the opposite direction.

Classic image. I just admire how Killip built this image in layers.

You can just feel the cold and the solitude.

Get into the action. So often the image is taken from behind the spectators.

If you really want to learn photography looking at proof sheets is one of the best teachers you can get. Seeing how a photographer works a scene and later edits the images is pure gold. Seeing the misses next to the final image is so educational.

Leica M6 Disassembly

June 15, 2017

Is your Leica M6 giving you problems. Here's the Leica M6 repair manual.

I acquired a whole set of Leica repair manuals on microfiche about 25 years ago when a camera repair shop went out of business. I also have the manuals for a M4-2, M4-P, MD-2, Leica M lenses, R3 MOT, R4, R lenses, Trinovid Binoculars, and the US Army technical repair manual for the M3.

Speaking of the Army version of the M3, I was actually issued a body and the 35mm and 50mm lenses to use as a backup for my Nikon system. The body was called a Leica KE-7A. I used it for a couple of years until we turned all of our film cameras in to go digital. That was in 1995.

Street Photography Inspiration - Magnum Photography

June 6, 2017

I was in Laguna Beach for a photography exhibit recently and stopped in to the Laguna Beach Bookstore. It's a nice little store. Great to go to an independent bookstore. I came across a great item from Magnum Photos. It is a set of 36 postcards of Paris taken by Magnum photographers. They are printed on high quality card stock and come in a presentation case. The following photographers are represented.

Elliott Erwitt

Martin Parr

Burt Glinn

Chris Steele-Perkins

Dennis Stock

Paolo Pellegrin

Guy Le Querrec

Henri Cartier-Bresson

Henry Gruyaert

Richard Kalvar

John Vink

Mark Power

Bruce Barbey

Patrick Zachmann

Bruce Gilden

Raghu Rai

David Alan Harvey

Jean Gaumy

Gueorgui Pinkhassov

Herbert List

Alex Majoli

Abbas

Alec Soth

Leonard Freed

Ferdinando Scianna

Marc Riboud

Raymond Depardon

Sergio Larrain

Robert Capa

Bruce Davidson

David Hurn

Inge Morath

Rene Burri

I plan on displaying these on my desk and rotating the images weekly. They are great inspiration. Images on my monitor just don't satisfy me anymore, I find that my office is getting more printed photographs on the walls.

Attn. Since posting this I have been apprised of the City of Laguna Beach's ordinance of a $100 fee for ANY photography in the city. I no longer recommend Laguna Beach Books or visiting Laguna Beach California.

Nikon 100 Anniversary - Nikon Professional Services

June 5, 2017

I had a small but bulky package appear in my mail box the other day. The return address was Nikon Professional Services. To small for my free Nikon D5. Maybe tomorrow. Once I got it opened I discovered my Nikon 100th Anniversary gift inside.

I have been a NPS member for about twenty years. Whenever a new top of the line pro body is introduced Nikon sends out promo packets. I still have mine from the introduction of the F6. I have only used the services that NPS offers a few times but when the need arises it's nice to know that Nikon will take care of me quickly and professionally.

So I must say I was surprised when out slid my gifts. Nikon had sent me a nice NPS Anniversary pin and Notebook with attached Nikon NPS pen. The pin will go nicely with the 100th Anniversary pin set that they are releasing latter this year. The notebook is spiral bound with a Moleskine like band with silver embossing. Camera geeks will love the first couple of pages of the notebook because there are four pages of color photos of all of the SLR’s that Nikon has produced. From rangefinders to the current DSLR’s. The book then has about 100 pages for notes followed by a multi-year calendar. An elastic band keeps the pen in place.

Aquarium of the Pacific - Leica Noctilux

April 24, 2017

I recently felt like doing a tourist day so we decided to visit the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach. It is a well done attraction with lots to see and numerous interactive exhibits. I hadn't shot with my Noctilux in a little while so I switched lenses to try my luck. What a mistake that was. It was difficult photographing the fish as they swam around with a 1.0 aperture. It was simple with my iPhone but I was up for a challenge. After taking some shots of the little fish and not being happy with the results I settled on shooting Jellyfish. Shooting at the minimum focus distance so there was basically no depth of field. I tried Live view with my Leica M (240) as well using the rangefinder. Moving the camera froward and back while looking through the rangefinder seemed to give the best results. I really earned those images, and must say that I liked how they turned out. Using the iPhone with it's 28mm lens and auto everything gives great results but shooting with my Leica gave me more of a sense of accomplishment.

Sad day in the Photography World

March 7, 2017

Popular Photography magazine is stopping production.

I'm really sad to read that they are no longer publishing their magazine. Way back in the 70's I read every issue that came out. Before leaving to get my degree in photography I learned so much from every issue of Popular Photography. I started subscribing again a few years ago because it was so cheap and I enjoyed the nostalgia factor. Good bye old friend.

Peak Design Field Pouch Review

January 4, 2017

The Peak Design Field Pouch is my new walk around carry bag for my Leica and no one is more surprised than I am. My system carry bag is an Ona Prince Street leather bag. How could this little pouch carry all of my street shooting equipment you ask. Well the answer is found when you re-read the previous sentence. The Ona bag carries my complete Leica system and the Peak Design just carries the essentials. It is so freeing to walk around shooting with just my M240 and a small pouch attached to my belt.

Now for the little secret. The Field Pouch actually carries everything I need while shooting. Inside this little case I have a Noctilux 1.0, 35mm Summicron, extra battery, lens pen, Think Tank Photo Pixel Pocket Rocket for SD cards, and a Leica Tabletop Tripod with Large Ball-head. Yes all of that equipment in that little pouch. The only compromise is that the tripod is disassembled into 2 parts. It only takes a minute to screw the tripod back together.

I store my equipment in the Ona bag and transfer items to the Field Pouch when I have arrived at my shooting location. With a camera and what appears to be a fanny pack I feel that I draw less attention to myself while walking around shooting. That is always a good thing. Carrying a small amount of equipment also allows me to focus more on seeing and less on gadgets. And that is the reason for owning a nice camera.

I bought my case at Samys camera in Orange County. They had a nice display of Peak Design products. I have read all over the internet about how Peak Design got started and how everyone seems to like there bags but I had never seen them in real life. The longer I checked out the Field Pouch the more I liked it but almost decided against it when I discovered that the front inside pocket had stitching down the middle to make it two little pockets. I felt that if that pocket extended the full length it would be perfect for my SD card holder. Deal breaker for me so I passed. As I was talking to my wife next door I commented on the stitching and she said “just use a seam ripper”. I was stunned. That was so obvious. I went back into Samys and sure enough, there was just some simple stitching that separated the little pouch into two parts. I bought the bag, went home and borrowed her seam ripper and in two minutes had the perfect little carry bag that I was looking for. Thanks Hun. ( This is another reason to support your local camera store. You don’t get to touch online products )

Now I carry two bags for my Leica system and I couldn’t be happier. I just carry the combination of equipment that I want for each shooting situation. Sometimes more, sometimes less. Take a look at the Peak Design Field Pouch, at less that $50, it is a handy little bag.

Peak Design Field Pouch with Leica Equipment

UPDATE to Peak Design products here.

Leica Sofort Review

January 3, 2017

In 2016 Leica introduced the Sofort camera that uses Fuji’s Instax film and I couldn't be happier. I have been shooting the Impossible Project film for a couple of years and I have been reasonably happy with the results but have longed for higher quality images.

Having used Polaroid products for over 20 years I was saddened when they discontinued their instant film. I have a Spectra, SX-70 models, and still have my 545 sheet film holder for 4 X 5 cameras. Before digital there were a lot of uses for Polaroid film. From passport photos to vacation snaps and exposure tests instant film was always in demand.

My daughter was the deciding factor for adding the Instax line. She is attending University and those little prints have been a big hit. In our digital world analog really is a conversation starter. She has a Mini camera and recently added a Wide model. I purchased an Instax SP-2 printer last summer to print photos from my iPhone and have been really enjoying my mini printer.

I went to the Leica store to look at the Leica Q and decided against it because of the 28mm lens but while there the Sofort caught my eye. The Fuji instant cameras are kind of ugly but the Sofort is one nice looking camera. I chose the Mint color, white is too plain and Orange is gaudy. So much for fashion.

The Sofort has a lens that is equivalent to 34mm on a 35mm camera. Since that is the most popular Leica lens for street shooters it is very familiar to me. It is smaller than I anticipated which is a nice surprise. I am looking forward to trying the Bub, Macro, and Double Exposure modes. I’m not much of a selfie person but it will be a popular feature. There is even a mirror on the front of the camera to assist with selfies which is a nice touch.

The image quality seems to be the same as the Fuji models. When the Sofort was first released it was implied that the lens was made by Leica but that was refuted after the cameras release. It is easy to use and the images are usually well exposed and in focus. But the reason for shooting this camera is not for quality but to have unique keepsakes and the camera excels for this use. I just love this camera. It is so much fun to shoot “Polaroids” again. As much as I like the Impossible Project film it just feels to experimental. The Sofort and Instax line is just plain fun.

The camera is square and boxy looking. I prefer this to the Fuji cameras that can be best described as puffy. The Sofort is a cousin of the Fuji Instax Mini 90 camera. Both cameras have similar features. You can use both Leica’s and Fuji’s film which both come in color and black and white. The only difference I could see was that with the Leica film the white border around the image was a little gray. Other than that the images were identical. I have really enjoyed shooting black and white film. The prints are 62 x 46 mm so they are smaller than the old polaroids that we remember. A pack of ten shots is about $10 if buying the Fuji film and a couple dollars more if buying Leica’s film. Surprise, Surprise.

The front of the camera is pretty basic. It just has a viewfinder window, mirror for selfies, and the flash which is good to about 10 feet. The innermost ring around the lens is to set the lens to normal focusing distances or close-up which is 3 - 10 feet. The focus mode is shown on the LCD on the back. The back has the chamber for the battery and the film pack. The battery is rated for 100 shots. A little birdy told me that the Fuji battery can be used instead of the Leica battery if you need a spare. Your mileage may vary. The buttons on the back are for setting the camera functions. They are Power, Mode, Flash, Self Timer, and Exposure Compensation.

The shutter button is of course on the top and is slightly recessed. The viewfinder is clear and bright and is perfectly usable for eyeglasses. The tripod mount is offset to the side. The included strap is acceptable and Leica sells colored straps to match the camera. Would be nice if this would have been included as a standard accessory.

Yes the Leica is more money than the Fuji. Of course. This doesn't even matter. I am really enjoying my new Leica Sofort. It seems so long ago that I stopped shooting Polaroid film. Having an analog product in a digital world kind of gives you a warm feeling inside. Cost $300. Go get one.