Neon City

Voigtlander Color-Skopar 21mm f/4 @ f/8.0, originally uploaded by benny ng.

One nice thing about cities like Hong Kong, Tokyo and Taipei is that there are many pockets of bright lights at night which makes it fun for night photography.

Looking at what's happening at Orchard Road and Clarke Quay, I think Singapore is slowly moving towards that direction. But it's so darned crowed during the festive season to get any good pictures!

Voigtlander Color-Skopar 21mm f/4 @ f/8.0

Lazy Saturday evening....

Lazy Saturday evening...., originally uploaded by benny ng.

..with no spectacular sunset.

Sunsets in our part of the world is so short! And if there are thick clouds, you can forget about it.

I always enjoy sunrise and sunsets in temperate climates. Being in countries on a higher lattitude, the duration of these beautiful moments are also much longer than the 15 minutes we get over here. I will always remember trying to wait for the sunset in Scotland during July 1996 at the Loch Ness. We started at 6pm and left at 12.30am when we ran out of food and water. And it was still bright and the sun was far from reaching the horizon.

All's not lost, we do get a good 12 to 13 hours of daylight year round. Great for outdoor fun.

Cheers,

So we went to Changi again...

The roll from the Voigtlander Bessa R4A is finally developed. No spectacular sunset from the Changi trip. On well....

Anyway, here's a few shots from the lazy afternoon..







The overall feel of the camera is good, and the rangefinder coupled viewfinder at 21mm is certainly convenient. I think on a bright, sunny day, this combo will be great for a street shoot.

Anyway, ended up at Charlie's for Western Dinner. Yum Yum!



Cheers,

Leitz Summicron 50mm f/2 Dual Range!!

Leica M3 + Leitz Summicron 50mm f/2 Dual Range, originally uploaded by benny ng.

Recently acquired the famed Leica Summicron-M 50mm f/2.0 Dual Range.

This is a really interesting lens and it's basically a Rigid Summicron (which is known for it's resolution) with close focusing capabilities! As we all know, macro photography and rangefinder cameras aren't exactly the best match.

The 'spectecles' are actually removable. Without it, the lens works just like a regular Summicron lens. Once you clip it on, it can go below the usual 1m minimum focusing distance, in this case, to about 48cm. Also interesting to note is that this setup allows parallax corrected viewing in the close focus range! The way the whole setup comes together is amazing and the quality of the construction is top notch.

However, do take note that to mount or remove the lens, you have to remove the 'specs' first. If you don't have any where to put it, it might just end up missing sometime later or be damaged when it falls out of your hands accidentally. There was some like of a carrying case for the lens and spec setup, but it's bulky. There's also a leather holder for the spec alone, but it's not easy to find.

Whilst the len was made for the M3, the close focusing function also works on most of the other Leica cameras (except some M6 with a different film chamber). It won't work on M mount cameras from other brands with the exception of the Konica Hexar. Of course the lens on its own works just fine on any M mount cameras.

Anyway, let's see how this lens performs!

Cheers,

Wide Angle Fun!!

Voigtlander Bessa R4A + Color-Skopar 21mm f/4, originally uploaded by benny ng.

Voigtlander Bessa R4A + Color-Skopar 21mm f/4

Decided to take some of the lesser used gear out for a spin. So the R4A with the 21mm wide angle lens was the pick of the day.

Originally, the bunch of us was going to shoot sunset in Changi, but it was quite a washout. Ended up goofing around the broadwalk and took a few snaps of each other. As usual.

Shots from this set should be up soon. Hope they'll turn up alright.

Cheers,

What in the world is a MOOK?

Epson R-D1 World, originally uploaded by benny ng.

I think this word only exist in Japan. It's a cross between Magazine and bOOK.

Similarly, the content is much more substantial than a magazine, but less 'heavy' compared to a full fledge reference book. And of course, like magazines, it's plastered with loads of pictures. In Japan, you can find MOOKs for just about anything. Watches, Luxury Brands, Cars, and of course cameras!

I think this must be the only publication on Epson R-D1.

Cheers,

Here comes the rain again...

Here comes the rain again..., originally uploaded by benny ng.

This was also taken in France when I was there in October. Played with the image a bit and changed it to monochrome for the dark gloomy effect.

I wonder if I'll like the place better in summer. Then again, I probably can't afford to be here in summer given the ridiculous prices they charge here. There are many other places I rather be anyway.

Cheers,

They just don't make them like they used to..

Vintage Leica M3 set, originally uploaded by benny ng.

Despite the fact that some of these gear are made more than 50 years ago, they will outlast some of the recently produced cameras.

There was once a time when manufacturers will present products that represent their best efforts, made with the finest materials and was built to last. Whilst some of these items may seem bulky and heavy by today's standards, it does not change the fact that corporations then used to have a philosophy to produce products that last. And this extends beyond Leica, and beyond cameras.

These days, product life cycles are so short. In most industries, lower cost to maximise profit is the corporate axiom. "Acceptable" has become the defecto standard instead of "best". Nothing needs to last forever, or even ten years, customers would have junk it for something else by then.

It's such a bloody shame.....

Cheers,

Jean Sarkozy + scooter

Jean Sarkozy + scooter, originally uploaded by benny ng.

Was walking back from the Palais and the weather was so crap. Anyway, took the camera out for a few snaps, but nothing interesting. I really dread coming to Cannes in October.

Actually, I dread coming to Cannes. Period.

Can't wait to leave tomorrow!

Jaguar E Type (XKE) @ Frankfurt

Jaguar E Type (XKE), originally uploaded by benny ng.

Saw this at the Frankfurt airport whilst in transit. Part of some rental car advertising campaign by SIXT. Actually, there are other cars on display as well. Seems like it's quite popular to use airports for automobile presentations in Europe, or at least Germany.

Anyway, this is a classic and I just love the lines on it. We don't see too many of these in my part of the world.

Taken with the M mount Voigtlander 15mm f/4.5 Aspherical lens.

Cheers,

Formula 1 is in town!

WZ4R9089E, originally uploaded by benny ng.

What a drag!

The traffic is messed up, the prices go up, the noise level goes up. For the man on the street, it's an inconvenience.

Why do we even borther with this... I wish they will take it somewhere else instead of holding it right in the middle of town. Perhaps somewhere like Changi or Sentosa will be ideal.

Cheers,

p.s. this is not taken with a rangefinder. Even though we are so close to the track rangefinders are not the best options for walkabout and grandstand seats.

Untitled

Untitled, originally uploaded by benny ng.

Horsing around at John's house and shot this with the Nikkor-P.C. 10.5cm f/2.5 LTM lens.

I like the meaningless simpilicity of this shot.

Cheers,

Month of the Hungry Ghost....

The seventh month of the Lunar calander is also the month of the hungry ghost. The temples are a riot of color and buzzing with activities to honor the departed.


Burning slowly, originally uploaded by benny ng.


Soul Food, originally uploaded by benny ng.


Looking up, originally uploaded by benny ng.

Went out with the boys to the 'Tua Pek Kong' temple in Loyang. It was so darn far away. And super crowded too. I think next time, I'll pick a smaller temple to explore.

Cheers,

Are you taking my picture?

Are you taking my picture?, originally uploaded by benny ng.

Tried some scale focusing shots without bring up the camera to the eye. Tough man!

Estimated the distance, set the camera on the table and fired away. Missed slightly and had to crop and level the horizon on this image. Oh well..

Composition is usually hit and miss if you don't look through the viewfinder. But, your subject won't realise that the camera is loaded and will think that you are just messing around with your gear. 25mm is about the longest you can do that effectively and still get something usable in the frame. Wider options like 21mm, 18mm, 15mm and 12mm will be even better given their huge depth of field, but your subjects might be too small or distorted if placed at the edge. Besides, on the really wide angles, vignetting can be an issue and careful composition needs to be considered, either to emphasize or hide it.

Cheers,

Fujifilm GA645Zi + GA645Wi

Fujifilm GA645Zi + GA645Wi, originally uploaded by benny ng.

Two recently acquired compact medium format rangefinder cameras. For a medium format camera, these are extremely small form factor options. They even come with Auto Focus and flash! From various user reports, the GA645 series seems to be a winner, but being obsolete electronic cameras, their service life may be severely limited.

The GA645Wi is a wide angle version of the GA645i. It has a 45mm f/4 lens unlike the GA645i, which has a 60mm f/4 lens. The earlier version of these two cameras are without the i designation at the end of the model number. Basically, the difference between the newer models are the introduction of Auto DX funtion on Fuji films and a second shutter release.

The GA645Zi on the other hand, is a totally different camera. It has a 4 step zoom from 55 to 90mm! Aperture rating at f/4.5-6.9. And it even has a 'lens cap on' warning feature! Cool!

Anyway, I was intending to take it along for the African trip, but in the end, thought it was better to leave unfamiliar gear back home. Still, took the GA645Zi along and came back with some blurred shots. Oh well...

Here's some interesting reads on these cameras.

Fuji GA645wi review on American Peyote

Dan Stella's review on Fuji GA645 series

Cheers,

The fascination with Leica Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4

Lots have been said about this lens from Leica. Many aspire to own one for the sharp image and creamy bokeh that it produces.


This image is shot with the earliest version, commonly known as Version 1. This is also available in screw mount, albeit in very limited numbers.


This image is shot with the third version, also commonly known as the "pre-ASPH" version.

Both images taken with Epson R-D1 digital rangefinder camera.

However, are there no lenses that matches up in performance? Actually, if you look around there are plenty of options available, and often at much cheaper price points too. Here are some common alternatives:

Modern
Zeiss Sonnar 50mm f/1.5
Voigtlander Nokton 50mm f/1.5 LTM

Vintage
Canon 50mm f/1.4 LTM

To be honest, how many can differentiate the prints from any of these lenses or those from the various Summilux?

However, in terms of construction and handling, there is of course no doubt that Leica lenses are superbly finished and feels worthy of it's price when held in your hand. The rest don't even come close.

Cheers,

Stock Billed Kingfisher

Stock Billed Kingfisher, originally uploaded by benny ng.

Stock-billed Kingfisher (Pelargopsis capensis)

Lucky shot of this Kingfisher at the Zoo. Just thought I'll share this as well.

Cheers,

Lion-tailed Macaque

Lion-tailed Macaque, originally uploaded by benny ng.

Ok. Doing slightly better on this trip, but the keep rate is still very low. Shooting with long telephoto lenses seems so difficult when you've shot with little rangefinder systems. But rangefinders don't have reach....

Oh well. Another few chances to practice before the trip. Let's see if I get better.

Cheers,

Black or Chrome

P1010019E, originally uploaded by benny ng.

Before I used Rangefinders, colors of gear were usually never an issue. For some strange reason, there is a tendency to try to match the RF gear with the appropriate finishing. So there's the usual chrome, then there's black chrome, and then there's even painted finish like black, olive or other exotic colors.

I've decided to be vain and trade out this beautiful black chrome Leica Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4 pre-ASPH for a chrome version. Basically, they are the same lens that produces the same images.

Shallow. I know. Shallow. But it's so pretty!.... Shallow...

Cheers,

Chimpanzee

Chimpanzee Portrait, originally uploaded by benny ng.

With the upcoming trip to Africa, decided to take out my SLR gear to refresh my skills with these gear.

Boy! Do I need a refresher. Anyway, one of the few decent pictures from the session at the zoo.

Hope I get up to speed before I leave for the African Safari.

(Canon 7 Rangefinder + 50mm f/0.95) X 2!

(Canon 7 Rangefinder + 50mm f/0.95) X 2!, originally uploaded by benny ng.

So Yiming got seduced. Ended up with one of these speed monster instead of the Voigtlander Nokton 50mm f/1.1.

Check out the serial numbers of this pair of "brudder" lens!

Let's see how long he last with this. Focusing on the rangefinder ain't forgiving. Especially at f/0.95!

I give him 6 months.... Ha Ha!

Looking up

Looking up, originally uploaded by benny ng.

Hanging out with the guys again at the usual spot.

I think the patrons of Isle Cafe must be sick of being shot to death by the hordes of photographers that hang out there. Here I was trying to create a perception of depth with the use of the 'sandwich' effect. Obviously not very successful.

Shot with the Voigtlander Nokton 50mm f/1.1 wide open on Zeiss Ikon on Kodak Portra VC.

Film is so much more challenging as there is no second chance...

Fooled me once, shame on you...

Fooled me once, shame on you..., originally uploaded by benny ng.

These three asked if they could share our table and I agreed.

Seems like the old man got conned of his money. What a shame. "Never again!" he vowed! "Fool me once, shame on you! Fool me twice, shame on me!"

Anyway, got this shot as I was fooling around with the LX3 and it's not obvious that I was actually taking a picture. Quite a handy little happy snappy. I think I'll going to like this compact very much.

Cheers,

3 Ladies

3 Ladies, originally uploaded by benny ng.

So I took the new speed king for a spin in Hong Kong. This was actually shot at the airport as I didn't get much shooting opportunities.

This is shot wide open at f/1.1. In the original size image, you can even see the text/brail on the two little aluminum plates!

The more I play with this lens, the more I like it.

Cheers,

What's with the old crap?

So some friends asked, after looking at some of these vintage photo gear that I've been accumulating over the last twelve to fifteen months. I think to a lot of folks, especially in Singapore, where efficiency and productively is valued, old analog technology is discarded as fast as what new gadget/gizmo the big companies can dish out.

So... What's with the old crap?

My first camera was actually a small little 110 Kodak that my mum bought for me when I was about ten. It's a tiny, all manual, no frills camera and I was so proud of it. Being the sentimental fool that I am, I still have it today. When I was about twenty one or so, my dad let me played with his Canon AE-1 and that's when I got a bit more serious about photography, albeit that it's all film those days. Without the internet or money for books, I was pretty much a self taught one camera, one lens guy. Photography as a hobby phased in and out of my life, switched to digital in 2002 and at one point, almost dumped all my old film gear as I simply don't use them anymore.

Of course, the recent interest in rangefinder gear took me back into film photography as there's only really two digital RF option, the Epson R-D1 and Leica M8. Being the gear geek that I am, the foray into vintage M39 mount optics was a progressive development, and subsequently the old bottom loading cameras.

These old crap today are no less than what they were built for during their hey days. Some of them still produces fantastic images that rivals the lastest gizmo. But what exactly is their appeal? It's subjective of course, but to me, it's a system that takes time to achieve results. No Auto focus, no auto exposure, no exposure compensation. Full manual. If you don't know your basics, you don't get decent pictures. Period. That being said, the process as well as the final result are equally as enjoyable when you use these antique equipment.

So, one thing lead to another and now, I have a box full of old Canon Rangefinder gear. Junk to many, but to me, its a celebration of the photographic process as well as a reminder of a time where things were made to last and instant gratification weren't the order of the day.

Cheers,

Oh no! The bokeh balls are coming!

Oh no! The bokeh balls are coming!, originally uploaded by benny ng.

Horsing around the coffee shop as usual and Yiming took this with the new lens. I quite like the out of focus bits.

I think this new lens will be great for evening/night outings and will be a favorite for quite a while.

Cheers,

All hail the new speed king!

Voigtlander Nokton 50mm f/1.1 + Leica M6, originally uploaded by benny ng.

Yup. The new Voigtlander Nokton 50mm f/1.1 is finally out!

Due to geographic proximity, Chii Fei was the first to get it outside of Japan and I'm sure this lens will be a hot seller for sometime.

The initial impression was that it seems slightly smaller (but loads lighter) than Leica's Noctilux 50mm f/1.0, but bigger than Canon's 50mm f/1.2 LTM. I'm not sure what the form factor for the new Leica Noctilux 50mm f/0.95 ASPH will be like, but I doubt it will be as compact.

A screw on hood is supplied, together with a 58mm pinch cap. I would have prefered a push on cap like the Voigtlander Nokton 35mm f/1.2. However, the pinch cap can be used on the lens without the hood, which makes it slightly more compact. You win some, you lose some.

Overall built quality seems quite good. Focusing is smooth and aperture click stops are crispy. The black finishing is decent, like the lighter Voigtlander Nokton 50mm f/1.5 LTM. The absence of an infinity lock is not an issue for a lens of this size. Besides, some folks absolutely hate it!

By the way, there's an even bigger vented hood available for those who like their gear to be visually imposing. I'm sure the hood will intrude into most of the cameras viewfinder, especially those with lifesize magnification.

Image quality is usually subjective, especially when there are legions of Leica diehards defending the reputation of the Noctilux in their collection. In any case, as a modern lens, this lens produce sharp and contrasty images of good resolution. Color film/slide users will surely like the output from this lens. Although I think the out of focus redition is great, but I shall not go into bokeh discussions. It's either you like it or you don't.

Being the only other fast 50mm rangefinder lens in production besides the Leica Noctilux and at only a fraction of the price, Cosina really have a winner on their hands. Whilst the Fujinon 50mm f/1.2 LTM, Zunow 50mm f/1.1 LTM and the Nikkor 5cm f/1.1 may not lose any value due to their cult/collector status, the desirability of the Canon 50mm f/1.2 LTM, Konica Hexanon 50mm f/1.2 M may be impacted with the availability of the new speed king.

Cheers,

I know what you did last night....

I know what you did last night...., originally uploaded by benny ng.

Well.... I wasn't taking a picture of anyone in particular, but was struggling with the lighting condition on the platform with the strong natural on the right. The knee jerk reaction from this Caucasian man attracted my attention. He must have mistaken that I was trying to get a picture of him and his very young female Thai companion in tight jeans and skimpy tank top. Camera shy for obvious reasons, he shook off the girl's hand and tried to use the back of his torso to prevent any compromising images.

What he doesn't know is that I was shooting the structure before he got there and have pictures of both him and his companion hand in hand from the earlier shots as they walked into my frame. Out of respect for his privacy, I'll not be showing those pictures.

Bangkok is full of camera toting tourists everywhere. If you value your privacy, you should take a Taxi or travel without the evidence of your amorous union from last night hanging on your arms.

Cheers,

Traffic!

Traffic!, originally uploaded by benny ng.

Got a chance to spend a few days in Bangkok, a city which I never get tired of visitng. Friendly people, great food, and there's always something happening.

This is a typical traffic situation in Bangkok during peak hours. It's choc a block and almost impossible to get anywhere in a jiffy. We learned this the hard way as we wanted to go watch the sunset from one of the sky lounges that's peppered the Bangkok cityscape recently. We were trying to get from Siam Square to Breeze, which is located the Lebua at State Tower. Normally, this journey should take no more than 20 to 30 minutes by cab, but that will be in the middle of the night.

Obviously, we watched the bits of the setting sun in between buildings as our transport was crawling there. So... moral of the story is to plan ahead and give plenty of time or to avoid travelling during the peak hours.

Anyway, although we missed the sunset, the view was still spectacular.

Bangkok Skyline, originally uploaded by benny ng.

Cheers,

It's such a hassle sometimes...

London Heathrow Terminal 3, originally uploaded by benny ng.

Whilst Britian is a great place to visit, entering or leaving the UK is always such a hassle. As the first and last contact point for tourists and business travelers, the airport experience certainly drops the UK experience by quite a few notches. I wonder why they spend bucket loads of money promoting UK as a great destination instead of upgrading the facilities at the airports. Strange....

In addition, photographers are treated with less respect and often with suspicion by the security staff. If there's a load of folks with happy snappies shooting away in a public place and one chap with an SLR/DSLR, this chap will probably be the one who gets questioned. Photography in public places has become such a difficult and unpleasant experience. I should think that if terrorists are really trying to get pictures, they will be as inconspicious as possible. And these days, even the smaller compact camera or mobile phone can produce great pictures.

I was led to believe that in UK, photogrphers have less rights that those in the US.

I suppose if you leave the camera at home or just bring a small compact like the Panasonic LX3, you'll still have a great time.

Cheers,

My gosh!! It sure is big and long alright!

Canon IIB Rangefinder + Serenar f/4 100mm, originally uploaded by benny ng.

The Canon IIB is one of the earlier models amongst those I have.

Whilst I was organizing the mess with the addition of the 2 new dry cabinets, I thought I'll take this one out for a happy snappy. Mated with with the Serenar f/4 100mm lens and it sure is heavy!! Add the camera holder and it makes a brick seem so much lighter.

The camera holder is really a weird accessory. Although the camera itself has an off center tripod screw, this accessory allows for the camera to be mounted both horizontally and vertically, in the center of the lens axis. There is also a spirit level included as well. I suppose this is for panoramic landscape pictures more than anything else.

I would hate to imagine what a vintage leather bag, with 2 cameras, 3 to 5 lens and their respective finders, the camera holder and loads of film, would weigh.....

Don't you just love the vintage look!

Cheers,

The Serenar 5cm f/2.0 LTM!!!

Chiif X Canon IIF2 X Serenar 5cm f/2.0 LTM, originally uploaded by benny ng.

Chiif X Canon IIF2 X Serenar 5cm f/2.0 LTM

Chi Fei came by for coffee and so I showed him part of the stuff that landed the week before. Amongst the stash was the Canon IIF2 rangefinder camera. It's one of the last few type of bottom loading version and this particular model has less than 3000 pieces ever made.

What is of interest is the lens, which is the Serenar 5cm f/2.0 LTM. This particular variant is one of less than 350 produced! Finally, I'm now down to one last lens for the LTM line up.

Now let's focus on finding the black Canon 85mm f/1.9.

Cheers,

The top gadget of all time!

Leica M3 + Leitz Elmar 5cm f/3.5, originally uploaded by benny ng.

Leica M3 + Leitz Collapsible Elmar 5cm f/3.5 lens.

This is one all time classic that just goes on ticking and ticking. Although there's more than a million units out there, it's just nice to own a piece of photographic history that part of the 35mm photography revolution.

On November 20th, 2006 the Leica M3 was even voted "the top gadget of all time" by ebay.co.uk and Stuff Magazine! Quoting David Bell, Leica UK's Managing director:

"Leica is very proud that the original Leica M3, the oldest gadget in the running, beat more modern day gadget wonders such as the Apple iPod, Sony Walkman and the Game Boy — a true testament to Leica's longevity and iconic status."

So... here's my user copy of the all time classic, together with a matching lens and a quirky soft release!

Cheers,

Vintage classic: Canon 100mm f/3.5 LTM

Vintage classic: Canon 100mm f/3.5 LTM, originally uploaded by benny ng.

Some of the classic Canon 100mm f/3.5 screw mount lenses amongst the stash.... small form factor and spectacular performer.

In total, there's 7 variations with 2 distinctively different barrels. I'm missing type 5, although type 2 is also not shown in the picture.

Collecting variations of a single lens type must surely be signs of a sick mind.

Cheers,

Voigtlander Heliar 50mm f/3.5 LTM

6 X Voigtlander Heliar 50mm f/3.5 LTM, originally uploaded by benny ng.

Was trying to organize the dry cabinet and realized that I have 6 of these! Some history behind the strange numbers..

The lens is part of the limited edition Bessa T Heliar 101 Anniversary Edition which I like very much. I got the blue set initially and was very happy with it. Then I realized that that there is actually a matching trigger winder with it! So I got another blue set that came with the winder. But the black paint version was also very pretty and I gave in to temptation. Logged in 2 bids and hoping to land one, I ended up with 2 black paint editions instead. But the one that I really wanted was the Olive version, which I finally got. According to Cosina, they only released 500 set of each color and probably about 100 to 200 trigger winders in matching color.

So.... the lenses came with the pretty bodies and it's a consolation that it's a great performer in a little quirky package. I may trim down on the collection and just keep one of each color instead.

Cheers,

Voigtlander Nokton 50mm f/1.1 in M mount released!

Was trolling the Japanese sites and came across Asahi Camera's page on their upcoming June issue. Seems like Cosina will be releasing a new M mount 50mm with an aperture of f/1.1!!! Priced at around JPY 125,000, it's about 10 to 15% of the new Leica Noctilux 50mm f/0.95 ASPH!!

I think with this and the new Noctilux, the older Noctilux prices will be impacted. As will the recent insane prices of the Canon 50mm f/0.95 and f/1.2.

Styled like the Voigtlander Nokton 50mm f/1.5, the new lens will have a screw on hood and an optional vented clip on hood. Minimum focusing distance of 1m.

Focal length: 50mm
Aperture range: f/1.1 to f/16
Lens construction: 7 elements in 6 groups
Angle of view: 45.9 °
Number of diaphragm blades: 10
Minimum focusing distance: 1m
Integration range in range / ∞ ~ 1m
Dimension (diameter X length): 69.6 × 57.2mm
Filter size: 58mm
Weight: 428g

Good to know they've added a red mounting mark on the barrel, which they missed on the Voigtlander Nokton 35mm f/1.2 Aspherical.

Shipping from July 2009. Can't wait!

http://www.cosina.co.jp/seihin/voigt/v-lens/v-l-m/50-1.1/index.html

Cheers,

p.s. This won't be the only 50mn lens that Voigtlander is releasing! Watch for the rest soon!

Myself!

Epson R-D1 digital rangefinder camera!, originally uploaded by benny ng.

A quick shot of me with my Epson R-D1!

This was taken at the bathroom in the Ritz Carlton. They have nice light surrounding the mirrors so the overall effect is quite pleasing. My next bathroom shall have lights like that too! I'm sure the wifey will approve..

Cheers,

I shot Roger!

Leica Noctilux-M 50mm f/1.0 @ f/2.0, originally uploaded by benny ng.

Got a chance to test out the late version of the famed Leica Noctilux-M 50mm f/1.0 on Roger. It's the one with the built in hood. The shots at f/1.0 was soft and exhibit a lot of veiling glare when you have reflective surfaces or white color in your image.

As you can see, once you stop down to 1.4 or 2.0, it's all gone and there's general improvement in the overall contrast and resolution.

But why buy a big, huge, expensive monster to use it at f/1.4 or f/2.0 when a Summilux or Summicron will suffice?

Tempting, but it's not tugging at my heart strings.... We'll have to see.

Cheers,

Leica still makes film cameras!?

Surprise, Surprise! It seems that they still make about a measly 100 to 150 film cameras (mainly M7 and MP) each month to restock their inventory. Everything seems to be shipped in from Portugal and only assembled in Germany. Anyway, at that kind of volume, it's no wonder prices keep going up. With Japan as their biggest market and the fact that Leica has a cult status, how many more Leicas can they sell before the market eventually saturate....

It will be interesting to see if Leica Camera can survive another ten years.

Cheers,

Bernard contemplating on the Summilux

Bernard contemplating on the Summilux, originally uploaded by benny ng.

Was fooling around Peninsular Shopping Center as usual. Tried the Leica Elmarit-M 28mm f/2.8 ASPH on the M7. Small, snappy and quite a handy little package.

Bernard's happy with his recently acquired chrome M6 classic which I must agree is a really handsome package. Glad to see him coming back to film photography after a quick fling with digital SLR. The Artisan & Artist leather case that he shelled out good money for really adds to the luxurious feel of the camera.

So the next question is which Summilux? Chrome or Black? Ha Ha!!!!

Cheers,

At the end of the day....

At the end of the day...., originally uploaded by benny ng.

Taken 3 days ago with the famed Canon 50mm f/0.95 when the usual gang when to Labrador park. Shooting almost directly into the sun. A bit of lens flare across the frame if you can see it.

Not an easy lens to use, but the nice dreamy effect is something that a lot of the modern gear can't seem to deliver. Maybe it's just a hazy lens! Ha Ha!

Cheers,

Yo Mon! Check dis out!

Yo Mon! Check dis out!, originally uploaded by benny ng.

Shot on my brand new Panasonic LX3!!! Got it last week and took it out for a spin this week.

Anyway, we went down to Peninsula today as John was going to pick up his Xpan! Yup. He's going to give rangefinders a shot. Chii Fel returned me the Canon 7s with the 50mm f/0.95. Yiming 'inherited' the monster for the day and had some fun with it when we went to Labrador Park.

Oh, the image is cropped in Xpan format (65:24) in commemoration of John's new camera.

Cheers,

Leica camera - Made in China?

Leica camera - Made in China?, originally uploaded by benny ng.

Almost everything is made in China these day. When will Leica be made in China as well?

My new book - Leica Copies!

Leica Copies + Canon P + 35mm f/2.8 LTM, originally uploaded by benny ng.

Leica Copies by HPR, shot together with Canon P and 35mm f/2.8 LTM.

Got a copy of the out of print Leica Copies by HPR with the help of Michael. Quite an interesting read as it contains a lot of information about the other cameras that 'referenced' the old Leica screw mount barnacks. Usually, information about these cameras are pretty hard to come by.

Cheers,

What a mess!!!!

What a mess!!!!, originally uploaded by benny ng.

We were suppose to go shooting. John was late and it was going to rain. So it's Coke, Cookies and Cameras instead. Oh what a mess!!!

Leica Fashion!

You might have the Leica bag, the Leica cap, the Leica T Shirt, or even the Leica keyring...but do you have this!?



Seems to be a Leica USA commerative issue for some event. Interesting, but I don't think I'll be sporting it even if it was given to me. But I might hang a D-Lux 4 around my neck if Leica is so kind enough to give me one... Ha!

Cheers,

p.s. Not an April Fools Joke. This buckle really exist!