Fuji X-E3 vs. Sony A7II + manual focus lenses

taken by an Olympus E-P1 + Voigtlander Nokton 50mm f1.5 LTM 

I've said this before but would like to reiterate that for my intents and purposes, digital photography is mainly about instant gratification. I haven't ventured much into handling RAW files and mostly shoot JPEGs using old lenses via adapters. I'd much rather spend time developing and scanning film rather than manipulating images in front of a monitor. Whether handling film or pixels, I also prefer minimum post processing. 

Olympus E-P1 + Voigtlander Color Skopar 21mm f 4 LTM

Except for a couple of digital point and shoot devices, my digital camera history only encompasses mirrorless interchangeable lens bodies starting with an Olympus E-P1 that I acquired in late 2009. This camera documented my trips to Shanghai and Bangkok.

Fuji X-E1 + Canon 35mm f2 LTM

The Olympus (RIP) E-P1 was succeeded by a Fuji X-E1 in late 2013, which was a much better camera technically and ergonomically. I would've soldiered on with the X-E1 if it didn't die unexpectedly in NYC in the summer of 2019. I still miss this camera since it recorded wonderful memories of our visits to Guam, Hong Kong/Macau and Tokyo!

Sony A7II + Leitz Summicron 35mm 8 elements

I acquired the Sony A7II mainly to experience a full-frame sensor. I'm aware that anything wider than a 35mm focal length lens will have color fringing issues.

 But it's what I could afford for testing my collection of classic glass. For a mirrorless interchangeable lens body, this is bulky and heavy. 

Sony A7II + Chiyoko Super Rokkor 45mm f2.8 LTM

Even if I got used to the controls, ergonomically, it still feels like I'm handling a device rather than a camera.

Sony A7II + Canon 50mm f1.8 LTM

In spite of the lukewarm feedback on the quality of its Out Of Camera (OOC) JPEGs, after a bit of post processing effort, I don't find the A7II images inferior to those from my dearly departed Fuji X-E1. 

I actually welcome the greater depth-of-field and superior dynamic range from the full-frame sensor.

Sony A7II + Industar 61L/Z Macro

Because of the form factor and heft, I've used this camera mostly for taking glamour shots of gear I post on this blog attached to the fine optics of the Industar 61L/Z macro lens. But I should really take this camera out for photo adventures.

Fuji X-E3 + Industar 69

Tish probably noticed my love/hate relationship with the Sony device. Before 2019 ended, she surprised me with a Fuji X-E3. The X-E3 is even slightly smaller and leaner than my beloved X-E1. Except for the touch screen, which manages to occasionally screw up my default settings, its rangefinder-like handling instantly felt familiar.

Fuji X-E3 + Meike 28mm f2.8, Provia film simulation

Fuji X-E3 + Meike 28mm f2.8
Velvia film simulation

The film simulations render beautiful OOC images, Acros and Velvia being my two favorites.

Fuji X-E3 + Industar 69, Acros film simulation

Even if I spend a tad less time post processing files from its cropped APS-C sensor, it still can't surpass the Sony full-frame sensor's depth, detail and dynamic range. 

Fuji X-E3 + 7Artisans 25mm f1.8, Velvia film simulation

However, I can easily slip this camera in my Domke F-5XB along with a Leica or similar RF for a photo expedition. 

Fuji X-E3 + Meike 28mm f2.8 pancake

After all is said and done, I'm still waiting for a full-frame Leica M digital body with a Fuji or Sony price tag. 😆

Fuji X-E1 R.I.P. (Oct. 2013 - Aug. 2019)

After 6 years of great service, my beloved Fuji X-E1 died during our NYC trip. 😞

I miss its real camera ergonomics. Ideally, I'd like to have Fujifilm RF aesthetics, ergonomics + a full frame sensor. Perhaps a digital Leica M? 🤔

But my reality is a compromise. 😜

I'm just beginning to appreciate the benefits of a full frame sensor from this Sony device. 😊

XtremPro X1 USB DAC

I was too wound up after playing a gig one winter Sunday evening. Watching episodes of the Grand Tour over a couple shots of Ballantine Scotch Whiskey was not enough to relax my mind. So I ended up "window" shopping on Amazon. 

This tiny USB DAC piqued my interest and I thought I could use it for my Lenovo laptop. Given that the above specs were very similar to my current AQ Dragonfly Black at less than 1/3rd the price, I bought it and called it a night.

 A shootout with the AQ Dragonfly Black was inevitable. I will just admit outright that this $29.39 USB DAC blew away the Dragonfly Black! The XtremPro X1 is more dynamic, transparent across the audio band and extended at both frequency extremes. Although I'm just a casual headphone listener, the healthier output voltage of the X1 was also an advantage through my 90s vintage Grado SR60 cans. 

Unfortunately, the XtremPro X1 does NOT work with iOS devices as-is (see update below) but there were no issues with the aforementioned Lenovo and my 2013 MacBook Pro. 

Apparently, this USB DAC has had quite a following in Europe. 

Important Update!

As suggested by a kind reader, Miguel (see comment below), 

this issue

can be by-passed through a generic 2 port USB 2.0 Hub. This Eyeboot model from Amazon did the job for $5.99. 

How to:

Plug the 2 port USB hub wall wart to an AC source,  

XtremPro X1 DAC > 2 port USB hub > iOS camera adapter > iOS device, plug your headphones to the 3.5mm socket or connect to your preamp or integrated amp, happy listening!

XtremPro X1 + Eyeboot 2 port USB Hub = great value for the money!

Line Transformers Redux + Art Dudley + AQ Dragonfly Black

My boring digital life

Tascam DA-P1
courtesy of pgr.tv

Probably the most significant digital audio gear I ever owned was the Tascam DA-P1 DAT recorder. This machine recorded my recitals, chamber music performances and served as a back-up and playback deck for my CD projects from the mid 90s until the early 2000s. It was rendered obsolete when HD based recording became the industry standard.

DAC in the Box
courtesy of Wiki Commons

I never invested in a high-end CD player. The most I ever did for CD playback was get an Audio Alchemy DAC in the Box fed by the digital output of a consumer grade Philips CD player. When the Philips CD player conked out in the early 2000s, it was replaced by a Sony DVD/SACD player.

Line transformers as Digital Sound Processors

Tamura line transformers

Ever since I inserted a pair of Tamura 600:600 line transformers as a digital sound processor (DSP) between the CD player/DAC and my preamp line inputs, I didn't see the necessity of upgrading the Audio Alchemy DitB. I don't know if this holds water but my empirical rational for this is, magnetic coupling filters digital artifacts and RFI noise from the DAC output, which is manifested as harshness to my ears.

Art Dudley Listening

If I don't consider the few issues of Stereo Sound Tube Kingdom and MJ I picked up in Tokyo in 2015, it's been a long while since I subscribed to, let alone bought, a single issue of Stereophile, The Absolute Sound or any audio magazine. After the demise of Sound Practices in the late 90s, the only audio magazine I read was Art Dudley's Listener.

Although I've never had a chance to meet Art personally, I know he is a fine gentleman. I've been following his Stereophile column online and he has given credit to my musings on the open baffle as well as the Altec 755A. He even sent me a private message when my father passed away earlier this year. I was looking forward to meeting him at the Capital Audio Fest 2017 but missed the event because it coincided with the Harrisburg Symphony's November Masterworks.

iPad mini + UTC A20 line transformers

Due to my current location, access to quality FM programming is practically nil. I've relied mainly on digital streaming via iPad mini + DSP to widen my choice of free music. 😜

USB DAC

Audioquest Dragonfly Black V1.5

When I realized that the iPad mini's internal DAC can be by-passed through an Audioquest Dragonfly USB DAC, I searched the archives of Art Dudley's Listening to see if he had anything to say about the AQ Dragonfly USB DACs. After getting Art's stamp of approval, I placed an order for the cheaper Black.

Stereo > Mono

Whether I was listening in mono or stereo, this was the best $100 (ok, + $38 for the Lightning to USB 3 Camera cable adapter) investment I ever made in digital audio. The degree of improvement was at least as significant, if not greater than, when I started playing with transformer DSP(s) between the digital source and my line preamp input(s).

Stereo set up =
AQ Dragonfly Black > a pair of UTC A20 wired 1:1
> preamp line stage

The combination of the iPad mini + AQ Dragonfly Black + DSP = smooth analog-like detail across the audio bandwidth. So I take back my word, I need this USB DAC. 😎

Thank you Art and here's to us meeting some time soon. Cheers! 🍻

NATO'ed Vostoks

Vostok Amphibia 420432 

Lug width = 18mm

Vostok Amphibia 110640

Lug width = 22mm

SJ4000 + Kingone K5

Don't worry folks, JE Labs has not ditched retro tech.

I just needed a cheap video cam to capture my treks in the Mini + a cheap bluetooth speaker which disappears in the dashboard and prevents road rage in Manila traffic, even on weekends ;)

 SJ4000 factory default settings at 1080p 30fps

At less than half the price of an entry level Go Pro Hero, the video quality is good enough for my purpose. As I get to know the menu and settings, I might tweak it a bit later. 

Original 720p 30 fps color video converted to B&W

I've paired CD quality tracks from my iPhone with Bose, Braven, JBL and other touted/branded bluetooth speakers in showrooms but could never justify their cost to sound value. Just like the others, the Kingone K5 has a built-in EQ network which aids the tweeter-sized drivers in fooling the ears to hear a bigger than actual sound by boosting the frequency extremes. Kudos to Kingone engineers for designing an EQ curve which does not muddy the midrange, renders clean bass overtone clues and is rid of tinnitus inducing highs. 

Default settings @ 720p 30fps

The savings from buying cheap clones can be appropriated for retro tech projects ;)

HMT Pilot + Leatherman Squirt ES4

HMT

Mechanical watches from India

HMT Jawan

HMT Janata