Inspiration

My Current Equipment (updated).

Inspiration, Leica 24mm Summilux ASPH f/1.4, Leica 50mm Summilux ASPH f/1.4, Leica M Monochrom (CCD Lives!), Q&A

Having sold my Leica M240, I have been trying to re-build my kit with my preferred rangefinder — the Leica M9.

Here is my current equipment list.

It’s short.

—Peter.

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Leica M9P:

Found one with only 305 shutter actuations.  I’ve never owned a “P” version of the M9 before (I didn’t want to pay the premium for cosmetic differences), but this one was in like-new condition and was functioning perfectly — which is important to me — so I grabbed it without hesitation.

Prosophos-Leica M9P Silver

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–Leica M9:

This M9 had 2037 shutter actuations and was in mint(-) condition.  Unfortunately, when it arrived I discovered that it was front-focusing by about 6 cm!  This was a problem, since I had ordered it from the US and it would be a hassle to return it (reclaiming customs fees, loss of some of the refund money in the currency conversion, etc.).  So, I ended up adjusting the rangefinder myself, and after much trial-and-error it is focusing beautifully.

Prosophos - Leica M9 Black

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Leica 50mm Summilux ASPH:

I had purchased this after selling off the black version I had.  That black version was the best-performing 50mm Summilux ASPH I’ve ever used, and I’ve used about 8 of them (yes, there is sample variation).  This particular silver copy is not bad, but it’s not quite as sharp at f/1.4 as my previous lens (I’m kicking myself for selling that one…).

prosophos-leica-50-summilux-asph-silver1
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Leica 24mm Summilux ASPH:

This is the exact 24mm Summilux ASPH lens I previously owned, and subsequently sold.  I was lucky to get it back.  It’s one of the best wide-angles I’ve ever used, and is currently my favourite M wide angle lens (and I’ve pretty much tried them all).

Prosophos - Leica 24mm Summilux

That’s it!

If I’m discussing gear, you know the light has been poor here and I’ve barely had a chance to photograph.  I should probably “shut down” Prosophos.com for the winter, but I’ll try to keep things moving.

—Peter.

Guest Post: Luiz Paulo.

Guest Post, Inspiration, Life's Little Moments

Editor’s Note:  I have a great affinity for Luiz‘s work.  He skillfully captures his Muse — his daughter — in the midst of what I like to call Life’s Little Moments, and he does it with great sensitivity.  Luiz is a true artist and I feel privileged to present his work here today.

—Peter.

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Luiz Paulo writes:

“May I collaborate with your blog and your “little” and precious community (I guess not so little as you’ve stated).

During my brief and so wanted moments that I can spend with my daughter (as you know she doesn’t live with me) I try to capture what I see and feel. Sometimes I’m lucky enough to the get one moment, a record, that will left into my hearth.

In the last few months I could take some photos that, just by chance, can somehow be as part of a series:

Lines and frames. Not a really novelty. But it just what is… Lines and frames…

Hope you enjoy them!

Thank you so much for the honour!! — again. 🙂 “

—Luiz Paulo

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“Turn Around”:

01-turned-around

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“Old Friend”:

02-old-friend

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“No Name 1”:

03-no-name-1

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“No Name 2”:

04-no-name-2

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“Looking at Me 1”:

05-looking-at-me-1

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“Looking at Me 2”:

06-looking-at-me-2

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“Jump”:

07-jump

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Thank you Luiz, for allowing me to share these images on Prosophos.com.

—Peter.

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More of Luiz’s work may be viewed here.

Please also re-visit Luiz’s previous work on this site.

 

Pure Honey.

Inspiration, Leica 24mm Summilux ASPH f/1.4, Life's Little Moments, Portrait, Teaching point

A simple image of our family pet, Honey.

A cliché sort of a thing to do, taking a photo of your pet (in photography circles anyway).

Yet this image illustrates perfectly why I hold the Leica M9 in such high regard: the rendering here is exquisite — the tonal gradations are so pleasing that we are left with the sweet illusion of viewing a live scene, as opposed to a static photograph.

It’s pure honey.

Pure Honey

↑Leica M9 and Leica 24mm Summilux @ f/1.4.

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If you haven’t already done so, please consider signing my open letter to Leica.

—Peter.

An open letter to Leica…

Inspiration

Prosophos - Dear Leica

Dear Leica,

We, the undersigned, are passionate about photography.

We have a strong affinity for the Leica M system, which is comprised of compact and ergonomically superior 35mm rangefinder cameras and lenses capable of producing unparalleled image quality.  We appreciate the heritage, craftsmanship and attention to detail involved in the manufacturing of Leica M products.  And we are aware that Leica is steadfast and unwavering in its pursuit of excellence.

We are humbly writing to you with a request:

 

Please consider placing an updated CCD sensor in a future Leica M camera.

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We believe that this would be in keeping with the principles mentioned above, and would be consistent with the ethos of the Leica M as a unique image-creating device.

We believe the CCD sensor, at low ISO values, offers superior performance with respect to micro-contrast and tonal transition rendering.   We have little need for high ISO performance, because we understand that — for the documentary photography most rangefinder photographers practice — a CCD sensor coupled to a fast aperture lens will produce superior results.  We’ve reached this conclusion by trusting our eyes.

We place an emphasis on high quality still image photography, and therefore have little interest in video.  We value the intuitive, quick, and precise rangefinder focusing mechanism, and therefore have little interest in Live View.

In our photographic and artistic pursuits, we believe that less is more.

Since we have a vested interest in the Leica brand, we wish for Leica to succeed.  We therefore hope that a future M model with a CCD sensor would help Leica further differentiate itself, in an environment where CMOS sensor-based cameras abound, and where the digital output amongst the leading camera manufactures appears similar, and similarly inferior.

Finally, we notice and applaud the ergonomic improvements of the new Leica M240 model, and would welcome similar improvements in processor speed, shutter quietness, LCD quality, and weather resistance in a CCD based M model.  But we place these considerations secondary to image quality.

Leica has always done things a little differently, by placing simplicity and quality above all other considerations.  As a consequence, Leica has traditionally wisely avoided making decisions based on a “focus group” philosophy.

We are requesting for this fierce independence in thinking and product differentiation to continue.

Sincerely,

WE THE UNDERSIGNED PASSIONATE LEICA SUPPORTERS, PHOTOGRAPHERS, AND CUSTOMERS.–

(those wishing to sign, please do so in the comments section)

—Peter.

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Announcement: All November profits at SBG to go to Philippines relief.

Inspiration, Q&A

SBG Relief

The Stephen Bartels Gallery, will be donating all of its profits from print sales in November to aid individuals devastated by the recent massive storm in the Philippines.

And, if anybody purchases one of my prints at SBG, I’ll donate all of my proceeds too.

—Peter.

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UPDATE:  We are getting some sales: 

Prosophos Print for Typhoon Relief

Remember:  100% of the profit will be donated to the relief fund.

Thank you,

—Peter.

Guest Post: M240, M9 sample images.

Guest Post, Inspiration, Leica M Type 240, Q&A, Teaching point

A reader, Marc H., has provided the sample images below.

[Please note:  This is not a scientifically rigorous comparison.  Marc has generously provided these for your benefit.  Any disrespectful comments will automatically be deleted.]

Marc writes:

“While I still had both bodies (M9 and M240), I took a walk around Frankfurt and shot random stuff, just to see how they both render and how the color translates. I set both to the same ISO values,  f stop, white balance is auto.  The pics themselves are nothing special, but interesting to see how they render.  Both used 50mm asph lenses. “

Here are Marc’s samples

(please click on the image to view at MAXIMUM size)

Comparison 1:

M9 vs M240 - 1

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Comparison 2:

M9 vs M240 - 2

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Thank you Marc, for providing these.

—Peter.

Unscientific (M240 vs. M9).

Inspiration, Leica 35mm Summicron ASPH f/2, Leica M Type 240, Portrait, Q&A, Teaching point, Voigtländer 40mm f/1.4 Nokton

Please don’t write to me and tell me this comparison is not scientifically valid —  I’ve named this post Unscientific for a reason.

I will, however, acknowledge that the M240 was at a significant ISO disadvantage vs. the M9.

However, low light shooting is the main reason I bought the M240.

Perhaps those with better post-processing skills could have done better with the M240 file.

Despite my best efforts, I couldn’t.

—Peter.

Unscientific (M240 vs. M9 Prosophos comparison)

About the M240… the image quality is a step down.

Inspiration, Q&A, Teaching point

Yes, the image quality of the Leica M (type 240) is a step down from the Leica M9.

You have to ask yourself, why did I buy it in the first place, given all my rants about CCD vs. CMOS (and how I prefer the former)?

If you haven’t already done so, please consider signing my open letter to Leica.

Prosophos Open Letter to Leica

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