What is it about Leica rangefinders that inspire countless photographers to create wonderful images?
Inspiration
The future’s so bright.
Inspiration, Nikon, Nikon Df, Portrait, Q&A, Street, Voigtländer 40mm f/2 SL-IIDream.
2014, Favourite, Film, Inspiration, Kodak Tri-X 400, Leica M3, Life's Little Moments, Portrait, Scanner - Plustek 120, Sports, Voigtländer 40mm f/1.4 NoktonDark Honey.
Inspiration, Nikon Df, Portrait, Voigtländer 40mm f/2 SL-IIThe Alzheimer Society Fundraising Gang.
Film, Inspiration, Kodak Tri-X 400, Mamiya 7/7II, Mamiya 80mm, Portrait, Scanner - Plustek 120Nikon Df and Voigtlander 40mm @ f/2 – 100% magnification.
Inspiration, Nikon, Nikon Df, Q&A, Teaching point, Voigtländer 40mm f/2 SL-IIModern Classic.
Inspiration, Nikon, Nikon Df, Portrait, Voigtländer 40mm f/2 SL-IIThe Nikon Df sensor.
Inspiration, Nikon, Nikon Df, Q&A, Teaching point, Voigtländer 40mm f/2 SL-IIAfter about a week of photographing with the Nikon Df, I am pleased to say that its CMOS sensor appears to come the closest to behaving like the CCD sensor I’ve long respected in the Leica M9.
I can actually pull more shadow detail out of the files (which came as a complete surprise) and the highlight recovery is also superior (not a surprise).
Of course, the Df is not a rangefinder (so if you’re like me, and like to manually focus, that makes things more difficult… also, I miss seeing the scene “outside of the frame” that a rangefinder offers) and the stable of lenses for the Nikon F-mount are larger and generally not as well corrected as the Leica equivalents (having said that, the Voigtländer 40mm f/2 SL-II I’m using is very competent and compact).
For micro-contrast and tonality, CCD wins every time.
On the other hand, the Df has rock-solid reliable electronic guts (with robust processing power), does not feel like a beta product, and has an external ISO dial (I love this).
More photos to follow…
—Peter.
Soccer Girl.
Inspiration, Nikon, Nikon Df, Portrait, Sports, The Beautiful Game, Voigtländer 40mm f/2 SL-IIThe beautiful game.
2014, Favourite, Film, Inspiration, Kodak Tri-X 400, Leica M3, Portrait, Scanner - Plustek 120, Sports, Street, The Beautiful Game, Voigtländer 40mm f/1.4 NoktonLuiz Paulo featured in British Journal of Photography.
Inspiration, Q&AI am pleased to announce that Luiz Paulo, who’s outstanding photography has been shared on this very site, has been featured in the British Journal of Photography.
It’s a very poignant interview and the images on display do not include Luiz‘s beloved muse: his daughter. To find out why, and to view his images, please have a look here.
—Peter.
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Related articles:
Guest Post (2014): Luiz Paulo.
Featured Photographer (2013): Luiz Paulo.
Guest Post (2013): Luiz Paulo (Part 2).
Guest Post (2013): Luiz Paulo (Part 1).
Guest Post (2012): Luiz Paulo.
















