Every shot can’t be artistic.
Sometimes, you need to photograph your son performing in the school show.
Sometimes he’s placed in the back row, behind bigger kids.
Often the gym is dark.
I’m happy to note my Leica gear did the job… even if not the “art” 🙂 .
—Peter.
Stefan Daniel has responded to concerns regarding the corrosion issue on the IR filter cover glass of CCD sensor Leica cameras (M9, M-E, Monochrom) by issuing this statement:
“We have been closely following debates on the CCD sensor issue in forums and blogs and take the opinions and criticism we read very seriously. For us, it is important that we offer only technically faultless products. We are therefore particularly sorry if the imaging quality of your camera should be adversely affected by corrosion effects on the IR filter cover glass. We would also like to express our sincerest regrets to all customers who may have encountered this problem.
We have now identified the problem and are currently concentrating our efforts on finding a permanent technical solution. Our response to this problem is a full goodwill arrangement offering free replacement of affected CCD sensors. This goodwill arrangement applies regardless of the age of the camera and also covers sensors that have already been replaced in the past. Customers who have already been charged for the replacement of a sensor affected by this problem will receive a refund.
The effect does not affect the CMOS sensor of the Leica M (Typ 240). Should you, as an M customer, be considering an upgrade from your camera to a Leica M or M-P (Typ 240), Customer Care would be pleased to make you an attractive offer following a check of your camera and under consideration of the model and its age.
We have posted the details of the problem and the terms and conditions of our goodwill arrangement in the News section of our corporate Web site at Important Information Concerning the CCD Sensors // Global // About Leica News // Leica News // World of Leica – Leica Camera AG an have provided a link to the currently available Leica M Monochrom and M-E models. We will also be notifying our distributors regarding the new terms and conditions.
We are aware that Leica’s reputation for superior quality and endurance was the driving factor for your decision for Leica. We profoundly regret that we have been unable to completely fulfil our promise to you and our own standards from the outset. We are now making every effort to find a permanent and satisfactory technical solution for this problem and hope that our goodwill arrangement is able to rebuild and maintain your trust in the Leica brand!
Best regards,
Stefan Daniel
Director
Product Management Photo”
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To this day, the Leica M9/M-E provides superior image quality, at base ISO, and the best shooting experience of any digital 35mm camera.
As most of you know, I’ve tried several of the latest-and-greatest-cameras and keep coming back to the M9/M-E for its unique image quality and ergonomic experience.
(The runner up is the Leica M8.)
What will 2015 bring?
Hopefully not sensor corrosion or cracking.
No, hopefully we will get what I’ve asked for in My Open a Letter to Leica.
—Peter.
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2013: Leica M9
2012: Leica M9
2011: Leica M9
2010: Leica M9
2009: Leica M9
—Peter.
Everything except love.
(Nothing to do with photography, but everything to do with photography for me.)
—Peter.
As many of you know, I’ve been experimenting with — and immensely enjoying — the Sony A7S.
The images from the CMOS sensor in the A7S come closest to the look I get with the CCD sensor(s) found in the Leica M8 and M9/M-E vs any other CMOS sensor camera I’ve tried to date (that list includes the Nikon D800E, the Leica M240, the Sony RX1R, the Nikon Df, and — whatever else I left out).
The CMOS-on-steroids A7S also allows me to photograph at amazingly high ISO levels. And does video too.
Frankly, the A7S is a fun camera to use.
On the other hand, the M8/M9/M-E cameras produce superior images at base ISO.
But Leica doesn’t appear to want to make any more CCD-based M cameras in the future, unless of course a million of you sign My Open Letter to Leica (by the way, only 999,660 signatures to go…). And the CCD Leica cameras are clunky and dated with respect to technology (they were dated, in fact, at the time of their introduction!).
Then again, Michael Jordan was considered over-the-hill when he returned to the NBA for the second half of his career, and look what he accomplished.
The point of all of this?
I’m a minimalist. Keeping things simple helps me produce better images.
I mentioned previously that I don’t function well juggling different camera platforms, as added variables (like differences in ergonomics, the way of “seeing” (through the viewfinder), menus, etc.) just get in the way.
Variables are the enemy. They are to avoided. They create convoluted paths between you and your images.
So of course, one of these camera platforms is destined to go.
But you already knew that.
—Peter.
Traditional and modern converge for the upcoming holidays.
It’s time for the annual culling of my images down to only a few that I consider my favourites.
I had to be ruthless this year, given I was determined to list only “14 of 2014”.
On another note, it is striking that although I shot with film only about 5% of the time, 50% of these images were produced with that venerable medium.
It is also humbling to know that I no longer own a film camera.
Lastly, I’m not sure that I learned as much as I did in previous years, photographically speaking. I believe part of that was secondary to frequent cycling through new gear, but a large part of it was secondary to having a lot less time to photograph.
Unfortunately, my photography time constraints will continue to increase in the new year.
Thank you for taking the time to visit the site.
Sincerely,
—Peter.
P.S. The images below are dedicated to my family who continually inspire me.
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Related posts:
31 of my favourites from 2013.
21 of my favourites from 2012.
11 of my favourites from 2011.
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Please show your appreciation!
If you’ve been inspired by these images, or any of my articles, please consider making a contribution to help me run this site. Whether it’s $5, $10, or $15… it all helps.
This site is a labour of love, but any help I receive will help me devote more time to running it.
Thanks,
—Peter.
This image was taken with the Sony (Alpha) a7S.
I wish to thank my good friend Ashwin Rao who was absolutely correct about three things with respect to this camera:
Additional notes:
—Peter.
Every so often, I ask them to smile for the camera.
They have been kind to me so far, probably because I don’t bother them the rest of the time.
(oh yeah, and also because they’re great kids)
—Peter.
Why?
And,
Does it matter?
—Peter.
Photographically speaking, I live for these moments:
In actuality, he was reaching down to pick up a fallen football.
As I saw the scene unfold, I shifted myself slightly to the left, in an attempt to “fill” the photographic frame by expanding the spacing between the two subjects. This further enhanced the image by creating a more pleasing composition.
(In the past, I’ve discussed the importance of filling the photographic frame — see here, here, and here.)
The actual mirroring of his posture, though he was engaged in a completely different activity from our little chalk messenger, is the sort of happenstance occurrence that a photography geek like myself is thrilled to capture.
A second later, he stood. Â The moment had passed.
—Peter.
Prosophos 