New York April NYC Meet-Up

[Calzone]

All these choices Cal, I think the Leica CL or the Fuji X100F are both winner's!

Bob,

The GAS is killing me. The TL2 is a very different camera.

So one of my favorite lenses is the 28 Cron ASPH, and for looks I was smart enough to buy that limited edition scalloped vented hood made by Leica that set me back $359.00. Jean-Marc tried to secure one and told me that they sell now for crazy money like $1K. This hood fits the 35 Lux ASPH pre-FLE also.

So my 28 Cron using my M to TL mount adapter gives me a very useful 42mm FOV. Also I have a black Canon 28/3.5, and a 35/1.8 Nikkor in LTM for 42mm and 52mm FOV's, and since these lenses are small and compact a TL mount is kinda important to me.

Don't tell Maggie about the Fuji's. I need her to buy a Leica with a TL mount. I can even mount a 50 Lux-R "E60" because I have both "M" and "R" adapters.

Cal

 

[ptpdprinter]

Don't tell Maggie about the Fuji's. I need her to buy a Leica with a TL mount. I can even mount a 50 Lux-R "E60" because I have both "M" and "R" adapters.

Why don't you just buy the camera that's best for her. Then buy whatever you want. Honesty is always the best policy in a relationship. I speak from experience.

 

[Calzone]

Why don't you just buy the camera that's best for her. Then buy whatever you want. Honesty is always the best policy in a relationship.

PTP,

We have been together for over 20 years, living in sin (unmarried). LOL.

Of course I want to buy the best camera for her. The truth is I don't need another camera. Also that is another problem is that I do buy what I want. That is why I have so many cameras, why I shoot both digital and film, and why I have all this gear.

In my joking around I am also being honest in that my gal often cheats herself, and at this point in our lives I want her to have the best and be happy.

These earlier jabs at buying stuff that does not get used I'm trying to prevent. She too has the marks/scars of poverty and many times makes short sighted decisions. She is avoiding spending the money like we/she is still poor. I offered $2.5K as a gift so she can get something she will use, instead of compromise.

As far as me using her camera, I have no need because I already own the gear I need, but just in case it becomes another unused camera... LOL.

Cal

 

[jsrockit]

All these choices Cal, I think the Leica CL or the Fuji X100F are both winner's!

I think Cal might be afraid of the Fuji because he might end up liking it. 😉 It's come a long way since the first one I had many years ago.

 

[Calzone]

I think Cal might be afraid of the Fuji because he might end up liking it. 😉 It's come a long way since the first one I had many years ago.

John,

How true. I do admire the Fuji's.

If you owned lots of different TL adapters, LTM glass, M-glass, R-glass and even Visoflex glass it does kinda make sense not to invite yet another system with a different lens mount.

So to annoy you, how about mounting my 50 Lux-SL, which is likely the largest small format 50 ever made, mounting it on a APS-C Leica. A true "monster." LOL.

Cal

 

[jsrockit]

So to annoy you, how about mounting my 50 Lux-SL, which is likely the largest small format 50 ever made, mounting it on a APS-C Leica. A true "monster." LOL.

Cal

Awesome... I'd arrange a visit to see that. I really like the CL a lot. To me it is the first true digital barrack. If they ever make a small 50mm equivalent, I will want one. The 35mm 1.4 is HUGE!

Anybody bring a digital CL to a meet up yet?

 

[Calzone]

Awesome... I'd arrange a visit to see that. I really like the CL a lot. To me it is the first true digital barrack. If they ever make a small 50mm equivalent, I will want one. The 35mm 1.4 is HUGE!

Anybody bring a digital CL to a meet up yet?

John,

I might be the first if Maggie lets me borrow hers. LOL.

Seriously I'm considering a CL for myself. I'm at a point in life where I want to do a "John." Always carrying a camera and wearing it like a watch is a serious idea.

With certain lenses like my 28 cron, and especially my black 28 Canon or 35/1.8 Nikkor in LTM it would very much be like a digital barnack. The 18mm for AF and 28mm FOV is a no brainer.

The TL2 that Robert recommends is even smaller. For Maggie this might suit her.

After work today I'm meeting her at the Leica Store Soho. No real comparision the V-Lux to the CL or TL2.

Cal

 

[Range-rover]

John,

I might be the first if Maggie lets me borrow hers. LOL.

Seriously I'm considering a CL for myself. I'm at a point in life where I want to do a "John." Always carrying a camera and wearing it like a watch is a serious idea.

With certain lenses like my 28 cron, and especially my black 28 Canon or 35/1.8 Nikkor in LTM it would very much be like a digital barnack. The 18mm for AF and 28mm FOV is a no brainer.

The TL2 that Robert recommends is even smaller. For Maggie this might suit her.

After work today I'm meeting her at the Leica Store Soho. No real comparision the V-Lux to the CL or TL2.

Cal

Let us know what she picks out, I think she'll go for the CL.

 

[ptpdprinter]

Let us know what see picks, I think she'll go for the CL.

The choice is now a foregone conclusion.

 

[jsrockit]

Let us know what happens... though I know I do not need to tell you this...

 

[jszokoli]

I really like the CL a lot.

John,

It's the first non-M Leica that made me think of purchasing one. The rest have zero appeal. Not 100% sure why I had that reaction.

But then I realized with all the M mount stuff I have, both film and digital, I have less than no need for a CL.

But if I lost everything, and was starting over I think I might just go for one.

Or maybe Fuji...

Joe

P.S. MY MONOCHROM IS BACK !!

 

[jsrockit]

I could see that being of interest to you Joe. What's one more camera? Yeah, you have a lot. While right now I'm very happy with my Fuji... one day I think I'll try the CL used.

Congrats on the Monochrom!

 

[Range-rover]

John,

It's the first non-M Leica that made me think of purchasing one. The rest have zero appeal. Not 100% sure why I had that reaction.

But then I realized with all the M mount stuff I have, both film and digital, I have less than no need for a CL.

But if I lost everything, and was starting over I think I might just go for one.

Or maybe Fuji...

Joe

P.S. MY MONOCHROM IS BACK !!

Wow finally and how is it?

 

[Calzone]

SMUT UPDATE: So "Maggie" bought a new V-Lux at the Leica Store in SoHo, even though I repeated the opportunity to contribute my "camera stash" of $2.5K towards a CL.

So at the Leica Store I tried the CL, and now I have "John Disease." This disease in my case looks to be fatal, and I'm waiting for 9:00 AM Pacific Time to place my order with my dealer to save on New York sales tax.

After obsessing last night I discovered many reasons why the CL would be a better camera for me. Because I own a SL I already own the Leica adapters for M to TL and R to M. I even own a Novoflex F mount to M adapter.

I have mucho vintage LTM glass: rare black Canon 28/3.5: 45/2.8 Rokkor; silver 43/1.9 Pentax-L (bonus is a tab and short focus throw); 35/1.8 Nikkor in LTM (only 1.5K ever made in LTM). I can play that digital Barnack game very well as far as compactness. Sweet spotting the single coated glass (All but the Pentax-L) should make this glass look more updated. The soft corners and light rolloff will get cropped.

My 28 Cron is a 42mm on the CL, and it is mucho evil with the vented scalloped hood. This is a very useful focal length for me.

My 50 Lux-R "E60" is a legendary/perfect 50 that renders like a Noctilux without the light falloff in the corners and becomes a 75 Lux with the crop factor. Pretty much perfection made even more perfect. This is a magic lens.

My 58/1.2 Noct-Nikkor becomes an 87mm/F1.2 that sweet spots a wonderfully dreamy lens optimized for night shooting. I imagine ultra dreamy. I imagine very novel rendering and great bokeh that resembles large format.

So even though a true "monster" my 50 Lux-SL is a fast autofocus 75 Lux. Many hate this lens, but this lens renders the perfect balance and blend of resolution and smooth out of focus. Really useful instead of buying a 75 Cron-SL for my SL.

So I should have a CL to bring to the April 8th Meet-Up. PTP predicted the outcome: Maggie got the camera she wanted; and basically I'm getting the CL.

Pretty much I based my decision on just using all the glass I already own. No disrespect to Fuji, but being loyal to Leica, LTM, and Nikon glass worked for me in an expanding way.

So the idea of being a "Digital Barnack" rings true. Very few buttons and minimalist elegant design that is very intuitive for me. The camera was hyper-responsive.

I even liked the 17 to 56 zoom I tried, and this surprised me because I'm a fast prime snob. Still kinda small. The 11-23 3.5/4.5 (17mm-35mm in 35mm FOV) is an interesting lens to me, but 67mm filter...

I can even see mounting a fast prime AF lens and lending the camera to Maggie. Seems like in the future we will be traveling a lot. Next month is Mad-Rid. In the summer Iceland...

Also will likely be able to tote two fully rigged cameras again to avoid lens changing. that is why the 11-23 TL is worth considering. Also thinking about the 16-35 F3.5/4.5-SL which would be a 24-52.5mm on a CL but a 16-35mm on my SL. Hmmm.

For me the CL and SL opens up a lot of versatility. Love that they both use the TL mount.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

I am now vacinated from "John Disease." CL incoming.

Cal

 

[jsrockit]

SMUT UPDATE: So "Maggie" bought a new V-Lux at the Leica Store in SoHo, even though I repeated the opportunity to contribute my "camera stash" of $2.5K towards a CL.

Booooo! 😉

So at the Leica Store I tried the CL, and now I have "John Disease." This disease in my case looks to be fatal, and I'm waiting for 9:00 AM Pacific Time to place my order with my dealer to save on New York sales tax.

After obsessing last night I discovered many reasons why the CL would be a better camera for me. Because I own a SL I already own the Leica adapters for M to TL and R to M. I even own a Novoflex F mount to M adapter.

I'm a little jealous... but I can't buy one yet. Too into 50mm right now and the TL 35mm 1.4 is too huge. If they make a smaller summicron version, I'll want to have this camera. I guess similar to my dream of a 50mm Q. In the meantime, Fuji makes what I want, so I use that.

Seems like in the future we will be traveling a lot. Next month is Mad-Rid. In the summer Iceland...

Perfect travel camera for you!

 

[ptpdprinter]

So "Maggie" bought a new V-Lux at the Leica Store in SoHo, even though I repeated the opportunity to contribute my "camera stash" of $2.5K towards a CL.

I'm shocked she went with the bulky V-Lux rather than the svelte CL. Absolutely shocked.

 

[Calzone]

Booooo! 😉



I'm a little jealous... but I can't buy one yet. Too into 50mm right now and the TL 35mm 1.4 is too huge. If they make a smaller summicron version, I'll want to have this camera. I guess similar to my dream of a 50mm Q.



Perfect travel camera for you!

John,

Last night we spent lot's of time setting up her V-Lux. "Maggie" although 64 is taking baby steps. Sadly over the decades she has no concept of DOF or exposure, but it breaks my heart on how eager she now is ready.

I feel reassured that this V-Lux will not be like the other gear and will get used. When we got to the point where I was trying to explain the differences between Program, Aperture, Shutter, and Manual modes her response was, "I thought this was a point and shoot." LOL.

How tender and helpless is that? This is a woman who does poorly in math, but she does have a good eye.

For a 50 FOV I think I will resort to MF and use my 35/1.8 Nikkor in LTM. I love the rendering of this lens and although retro it does really surprisingly well on digital. Nothing wrong with a bit of retro funk.

I agree the 35 Lux TL is mucho big. I already have a huge 50 Lux-SL for AF.

The 50 Lux-SL is a great lens. I find it really funny how the remarkable sharpness and smooth rendering never gets mentioned. Despite the shortcomings I agree with about size, bulk and weight that I all agree with, I still think it is likely one of the finest 50's ever made as far as rendering.

Know that I owned a 50 Lux-M ASPH, I still own a Noct-Nikkor (which got cleaned and serviced recently), and I have a 50 Lux "E60" (which was serviced by Leica New Jersey right before I bought it) which I say deserves its legendary reputation for color, rendering, and perfect blend of sharpness and OOF wide open that strongly resembles a Noctilux, except without the light falloff in the corners.

The CL I really bought to be used as a "Digital Barnack" as a compact stripped down camera that I can wear like a watch every day. I will even utilize LTM glass. If I need modern then I'll use my 28 Cron.

There is a fresh spin on exploiting the crop factor of 1.5X on the 50 Lux "E60," the 50 Lux-SL, and the 58/1.2 Noct-Nikkor. I know the CL will be a distasteful "Monster" but the rendering will be crazy good. Hyper fast telephoto's are mucho expensive, and with riding the sweet spots and cropping out the corners and edges the performance should be rather exceptional.

As far as travel goes, I might be compelled to now carry two cameras.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

I shocked she went with the bulky V-Lux rather than the svelte CL. Absolutely shocked.

PTP,

"Woman Factor." LOL.

Evidently she did mucho research and really investigated what other bloggers use.

She also knew about the Fuji's and also the Canon EOS.

I was shocked and even mortified that the zoom goes to 400mm. Really the same as the perhaps three year old Panasonic Lumix that is buried somewhere I don't know that was the previous camera that was "rebranded" into an earlier Leica V-Lux.

Oh-well.

Anyways I think she broke the pattern already with creating shelf queens. She now really wants to learn photography and make art.

Another reason why I bought the CL: so she can use it and enjoy it too. True love...

Cal

 

[Calzone]

John,

Kinda funny how you returned to enjoying shooting a 50. Remember when we went shooting and because I shot with a 28 how inadvertently jumped into your shots all the time. LOL.

Cal