The Fuji X100:

Yes, this is my Fuji X100 user review.  This is the camera that I have grown to love.  Admittedly, while some may think that this review came a bit late (the X100 came out over a year ago), I respectfully disagree.  Why?  First off, many people were hoping that Leica would announce their EVIL camera or at least do some more revolutionary upgrades as oppose to evolutionary upgrades with the X2.  While this is no dig to Leica, the fact is, some were hoping that Leica would make some more worthwhile upgrades to the X2.  As a result, many prospective buyers that were waiting for Leica’s May announcement might be considering the X100 as even more of a real alternative right now. [continue reading…]

Problems with firmware version 1.196 for the Leica M9:

Does anyone have any problems or issues with the new firmware version 1.196 update for the Leica M9?  I think I might be having an issue with it.  I have my M9 set to “discreet mode”, and when I depress the shutter and let it go, the shutter won’t re-cock right away.  It takes quite some time to re-cock it preventing me from taking my next picture.  It seems as if it is almost stuck, and acts like I still have my finger on the shutter button.  It occurs randomly but it is consistent.

One thing that I should mention is this problem does not occur when I turn the “discreet mode” off in my M9, which makes me think it’s a firmware issue and not hardware.  Also, if anyone wants to repeat this process, so far, I’ve tested my M9 with a 50 Summicron that is not 6 bit encoded although I don’t really think that makes much of a difference.  My camera is in excellent condition, and it was just back from Leica for a sensor replacement, and calibration.  I’m not 100% sure that it is a firmware issue but this shutter problem only started after I installed firmware version 1.196.

Is anyone else having any issues with the new firmware 1.196 update for the Leica M9?  I really hope my M9 is not broken.  As I said before, I just brought it in to Leica NJ for calibration right before my trip to Bermuda.  I haven’t even really had a chance to use my M9 since my trip to Bermuda in June, so I can’t see how it can be a hardware issue, especially since I only started having this problem as soon as I upgraded the firmware.  Please feel free to comment below.  Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated.  I would love to hear from fellow Leica M9 owners out there.  Also, I would greatly appreciate anyone sending me the older firmware if they still have it.

I never had any issues with the Leica M9 firmware updates ever, and the purpose of this post is not to discredit the new firmware in any way.  Who knows, maybe I just have to bring my M9 back to Leica NJ again.  I’m just trying to get to the bottom of this, and the purpose of this post is just to reach out, and see if anyone else is having a similar problem with the new firmware.  For the most part, my M9 still works.  It just has the re-cocking issue that occurs from time to time.  Thanks for reading this, and thanks for stopping by!

One More Shot With The Fuji X-Pro1 And XF 18mm F2.0 R Lens:

I’m finally finding the time to finish up my Bermuda photos.  I know, it’s been a while but this has been a busy summer.  Here’s one more from the Fuji X-Pro1 and the XF 18mm F2.0 R lens.  I was on the cruise ship, which was being prepared to leave Hamilton on a very VERY rainy day (well, the rain was clearing up at this point).  The X-Pro1 did get a little wet but there were no problems.  The tug boat in this photo was coming to us to help us move along.

I’m looking forward to this weekend because I actually have some time to go out shooting.  I will be shooting with my Fuji X100 mostly but I will also throw in a little M9, and even my M6 for some film action.  Lastly, I will also have a chance to try out the Olympus OM-D E-M5.  Why so many different cameras?  No, it does not make me a better photographer lol.  I’m shooting with the X100 because I want to review it, and I’m shooting with the M9 because after shooting with the X-Pro1 for quite some time, I really miss it.  Nothing shoots or feels like an M9, and to this day, it’s still the camera that I prefer most.  I’m shooting with my M6 because I’ve been shooting with Kodak Ektar, and I’ve been very eager to see the results!  Finally, I have a chance to play with an OM-D, so I decided to take it, and of course, I will be writing a review of it in the near future.

Whatever I get this weekend, I will be sure to post here on findingrange.com, especially the film.  For now, I hope everyone stays cool in this hot weather.  Stay tune for some more reviews, some surprises, and photos.  Thanks for taking the time out and stopping by!

Leica M9 And 16-18-21 F4.0 Tri-Elmar ASPH:

Here’s a Leica M9 shot for you all since I haven’t posted any M9 shots in quite a while.  The M9 is still to this day my favorite camera to use.  I absolutely love how it feels, and handles.  Plus…the image quality is amazing!  Anyway, I had a go at the 16-18-21 F4.0 Tri-Elmar ASPH thanks to Bergen County Camera, and if I had this kind of cash to spend on a wide angle, this would probably be the lens for me.  Yes, it’s priced around the incredible 21 Summilux ASPH, yes, it’s only an F4.0 lens but for me, I don’t really care because I actually get to use a Leica made 16mm lens on my Leica M9.  Even though it’s not exactly a fixed focal length lens, you can be sure that this lens definitely delivers the goods in terms of image quality.  Who knows, maybe I can review this in the future.

But this is not a review so I hope all of you are doing well, and for those of you in the New York area: watch out for those crazy thunderstorms!  More stuff will be coming soon, It’s just been a very busy summer for me.  I’m getting a chance to play with an Olympus OM-D, I will have some more photos coming, and maybe a few lens reviews from Leica.  Oh yeah, I will be having a cool comparison with the Fuji X-Pro1.  Stay cool and keep on shooting whether it be with an M9, X-Pro1 or a D3200.  Take care, and thanks for stopping by!