Billingham Stowaway Pola Review:

We live in great times because nowadays, more and more manufacturers are churning out compact cameras that produce first rate image quality.  Cameras that come to my mind right now are the Leica X, the Fuji X100, and some of the micro four thirds offerings.  The Sigma Quattro dp2 also intrigues me.  If you’re using a camera with a permanently attached lens, you might not even need to bring along a bag with you but there are days when you might need to carry a little more than just the camera.  Maybe you need to bring a flash or even an extra lens if you’re using an interchangeable compact camera like the Panasonic GM5.  What happens if you’re traveling?  Maybe you need a small bag for a camera, travel papers like a passport and an iPod.  If any of this describes your needs, then you might be interested in the Billingham Stowaway Pola. [continue reading…]

Note from Admin: Here is part 2 of Jed Orme’s GUEST POST about various M mount lenses!  Part one, where he discusses using the Leica 90mm F2.8 Tele-Elmarit on his Fuji X-E2, can be found here.  In this part he gives us a highly detailed look at how the Zeiss 50mm F2 Planar ZM lens performs on the X-E2.  Definitely a very enjoyable and informative read.  Enjoy!

A Tale of Two M Lenses (Part 2 of 2 Parts)

This is the second part of my write-up about two recently acquired Leica M rangefinder type lenses.  The first part dealt with adapting a Leica 90mm f2.8 Tele-Elmarit lens on my Fuji X-E2 camera.  My goal was to create a rangefinder style system, without the resources needed for a Leica centric one.  Following my getting the Leica 90mm, I set out to add something in between my Fuji XF35mm & the Leica 90mm.  As they say, here is the rest of the story. [continue reading…]

↑ Leica M9 and Zeiss Distagon 35 1.4 ZM – click on image to enlarge

Note from Admin: Today, we have an excellent guest review of the brand new Zeiss Distagon 35 1.4 ZM written by Markus Gerhards.  I’m sure many of you have been waiting for a lens like this from Zeiss, and I’m just glad and thankful that Markus has decided to share his experience with it here.  He is a great photographer and he also has his own website, http://gerhardsphoto.com/, which I urge all of you to visit!  Enjoy!

Zeiss Distagon 35 1.4 ZM Review (on Leica M9)

I was lucky to get the chance to test the all new Zeiss Distagon 35mm f1.4 ZM for a couple of days. While it is not officially released, it will be available pretty soon and it is eagerly awaited. Mind you, the images shown here are not made with any aesthetic claim in mind. They are just examples to show the optical characteristics. I also express my personal opinions here solely. Your experience might be different. With that out of the way, lets get started…

Introduction

I have to admit that I love the rendering of Leica lenses on my M9 camera and I never owned or even shot a Zeiss lens before. I even decided against an upgrade to the M type 240 because of its cmos sensor and the more modern look this camera produces. But the hype for this new lens model is tremendous and so I was very excited to see how I would like it. Leica lenses are famous for their optical quality. They are almost flawless in actual use and very well build. They render images with great detail, nice color and contrast. Especially some older Leica glass adds some kind of glow that many people love. Pictures also appear to be very vibrant with great transition from focus to out of focus parts. But Leica lenses are also famous for being pricey, especially when its fast glass. The latest Leica 35mm Summilux with its floating elements costs 4200 Euro. This Zeiss alternative is expected to cost around 2000 Euro. That is not even half the money. So how good is it ? [continue reading…]

Note from Admin: Thinking of adding a 90mm to your Fuji X Series system?  Well, you’re in luck today because we have an excellent two part GUEST ARTICLE written by Jed Orme.  He shares with us his experience using M mount lenses on his Fuji X-E2.  Here in part one, he gives us his analysis of one of my personal favorites: the Leica 90mm F2.8 Tele-Elmarit.  Enjoy!

A Tale of Two M Lenses (Part 1 of 2 Parts):

This is the first part of a two-part article discussing my experience with two Leica M rangefinder type lenses that I recently acquired.

In one of our many email exchanges, Patrick asked me if I would be willing to provide a guest contribution to his quite excellent blog. First let me state that he & I actually have never even met, my living about as far away from where he lives as is possible while still residing in the same country. We have, however, for quite some time now shared our mutual interest in rangefinders, including the varied lens options available. (He also has integrated some Fuji X system bodies & lenses into his work, & that is what first caught my attention.) And I should acknowledge straightaway that I possess no Leica branded cameras. Rather I have attempted to mimic the RF system using a Fuji X-E2. For lenses, I use a fairly small kit, consisting of a Fuji XF 14mm, a Fuji XF 35mm, a Zeiss 50mm Planar, & finally a Leica 90mm Tele-Elmarit. With respect to these last two prime lenses (the Leica & the Zeiss), Patrick thought it might be interesting to get my views as to how they have integrated into my Fuji world. The larger Fuji universe also has excellent lens choices in these same focal lengths, had I been so inclined to use them. So initially I might mention certain of my reasons for not employing the Fuji counterparts to these two adapted primes. [continue reading…]