Got me another Voigtlander mini finder!

Since I got a few screwmount cameras, I wanted to get another Voigtlander 28/35 mini finder. I already have a black one, but the chrome one will be perfect for the Leica IIIg and IIIf as well as the Canon IID and IVSB2. Got Chii Fei to bring it down for me today and it looks great on my cameras. I've always loved the classic chrome look. It' all Michael's fault.

Unfortunately, I should have got it earlier as the recent screw up in the exchange rates resulted in a very unfavorable rate. The tiny little thing with no moving parts now retails at S$250 a piece. The price for vanity. Oh well....

Cheers,

Epson R-D1x launched!

There were rumours about a successor to the defunct Epson R-D1/R-D1s. But nothing concrete.

Then out of the blue.....



The new Epson R-D1x!

Epson has announced a new version of the R-D1 rangefinder on its Japanese website on 27 Feb 2009. The new R-D1x model is a minor upgrade from the R-D1s. It still maintains most of the features of the previous camera including a 6Mp APS-C sensor. Upgraded features includes:

1. A larger 2.5" fix position LCD screen
2. Support for the higher-capacity SD-HC card format (up to 32GB)
3. Improved shutter release button
4. Removable handgrip accessory (marketed together as R-D1xG)

The swivel LCD screen has been replaced by a fix position LCD screen. Battery (EPALB1) and leather case from Epson R-D1/R-D1s remains compatible with R-D1x.

Epson will retail the new rangefinder from 09 April 2009 in Japan, at a price to be confirmed.

After the initial euphoria, it seems like Epson basically took the old camera and slap on a bigger screen. The small screen on the R-D1 will definitely not find favor with consumers used to the current large screen offerings. Other than that, a minor software upgrade to take bigger capacity SD cards. However, there is reason to suspect that R-D1x's battery life remains as miserable as it's predecessor. Same old 6 megapixel APS-C size (1.53X) sensor too.

All in all, an excuses of a minor upgrade rebranded as a new product. Perhaps to clear inventory of old parts? Nevertheless, it's still nice to know the cult camera is not dead and there is an alternative to the lemon they call Leica M8.

Cheers,

A380 - the double decker!

A380 - the double decker!, originally uploaded by benny ng.

Nope. I'm not on this flight. I'm actually on the much smaller plane next to it. It's overwhelming presence never fails to impress. Was on it a few times last year, but it's really nothing to shout about. A ride's a ride. Perhaps the airlines can configure it differently as Airbus originally touted. Then again, in this economic climate, who would pay the premium?

Anyway, took the Epson R-D1, the Voigtlander Nokton Classic 40mm f/1.4 S.C and the Leica Summicron-M 28mm f/2.0 ASPH on this trip. BUT I FORGOT THE BATTERY!!! How stupid can I be. Good thing that's still one fully charged inside the camera.

Cheers,

Together

Together, originally uploaded by benny ng.

Took the Carl Zeiss Sonnar 85mm f/2 out for a spin at the Esplanade and the results are quite promising. On the Epson R-D1, it's not too difficult to focus and the images across for focusing distance seems quite good.

An interesting point about this lens is that it's actually not a true Sonnar design, but a double gauss design. I wonder why did Zeiss still market it as a Sonnar. Besides this, the only other lens made in Germany by Zeiss will be the 15mm f/2.8. All others are made in Japan by Cosina.

Cheers,

p.s. I didn't get the Nikkor-P.C 10.5cm f/2.5 LTM. Got out bided. Oh well....

Nikkor-P.C 10.5cm f/2.5 LTM

Carl Zeiss Sonnar 85mm f/2.0 on Epson R-D1, originally uploaded by benny ng.

I'm seriously considering this lens. Not that I need it, just nice to have. Goh let me play with it and seems quite nice. Then again, I'm such a gear head that everything seems nice. The one here is actually a Nikon RF mount or sometimes referred to as S mount. You'll need a Nikon RF to M adaptor to use it. Not cheap, about US$250 for one. If I were to get one, I'll go straight for a LTM version. In fact, there's one ending on ebay tomorrow. Let's see if I get lucky.

Cheers,

p.s. This was shot with the new Carl Zeiss Sonnar 85mm f/2.0, which is no slouch either!

Canon Rangefinder Lens update

So... I must admit it got a bit out of hand..

I never thought of myself as a gear collector but I do know that I'm a bit of a horder. In any case, I am very much drawn to these obsolete (but no less functional) rangefinder offering from Canon.

The list so far...

19mm f/3.5

25mm f/3.5

28mm f/2.8 (Chrome)

35mm f/1.5
35mm f/1.8
35mm f/2.0
35mm f/2.8 (Chrome)
35mm f/3.2
35mm f/3.5

50mm f/0.95
50mm f/1.2
50mm f/1.4
50mm f/1.5
50mm f/1.8 (Chrome)
50mm f/1.8 (Black)
50mm f/2.2
50mm f/2.8 (black/chrome)

85mm f/1.5 (Black/chrome)
85mm f/1.8
85mm f/1.9 (Chrome)
85mm f/2.0

100mm f/2.0
100mm f/3.5 (Black/Chrome)
100mm f/3.5 (Black)
100mm f/4.0

135mm f/3.5 (Black)
135mm f/4.0

There about 9 more lens to complete the range of lenses, but actually a lot more if we are talking about a comprehensive collection.

Let's see how long it takes to hunt down the remaining lenses.