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. 😆

M42 camera bodies and lenses

A quartet of M42 SLRs

Between 2016-2017 I acquainted myself with these mechanical M42 SLR cameras and lenses. These four camera bodies left a lasting impression on me for personal, historical and sheer shooting pleasure along with the lenses I used them with. Aside from shooting film, I also adapted the lenses to my trusty Fuji X-E1.

Yashica Penta J + Yashinon 5cm  f2

I have a special affinity for the Yashica Penta J since my dad taught me how to take pictures using this camera. This was the first M42 mount body produced by Yashica. It doesn't have a light meter and the shutter speeds are limited from 1/2-1/500 + B but the viewfinder is fairly bright (at par with the Pentax Spotmatic) assisted by a split image focusing screen. The standard Yashinon 5cm f2 lens is rather special and has caught the attention of aficionados which has driven its value up recently.

Pentax Spotmatic SP + Super Takumar 50mm f1.4

This is the camera most closely associated with the M42 mount. It gets more credit for popularizing the M42 screw mount than the much earlier Zeiss-developed Contax S later known as the Pentacon SLR, shown below. It is similar in size to the Yashica above with a similar spec'ed viewfinder but equipped with more comprehensive shutter speeds from 1s-1/1000 + B. The built-in light meter is broken on this flea market find. I bought this camera primarily because of the sought after Super Takumar 50mm f1.4. 

Pentacon ZI + Isco-Gottingen Westagon 50mm f2
Pentacon F + CZJ Tessar 50mm f3.5

These two immediate descendants of the Contax S were manufactured in the former East Germany by Pentacon in the 1950s. They have a rather interesting shutter speed selector arrangement. There's a switch in the back which selects between slow (B-1/20) and fast (1/50-1/1000) shutter speeds. The shutter speed indicator wheel located behind a plastic window spins when the shutter is released. A very neat feature! Handling this camera is reminiscent of Leica screw mount bodies including the knob wind film advance. However, the compact and light body is ultimately let down by a rudimentary ground glass focusing viewfinder (tip: best used on a sunny day) and there's no instant mirror return. It was a time capsule shooting experience with these two cameras.

More info on Contax/Pentacon 35mm SLRs.

Fujica ST801 + Zeiss Jena Tessar 50mm f2.8

A very sophisticated mechanical M42 camera, the Fujica ST801 was very much ahead of its time. It sports a compact body, bright viewfinder fitted with a split image prism, 1s-1/2000 (!) shutter speeds + B with a built-in light meter which uses a 6V battery that is still readily available. This is my pick of the lot!

Lesser Fujica siblings

The Fujica ST701 has a top speed of 1/1000 and the light meter requires the obsolete Mercury cell. While the entry level ST605's light meter works with modern batteries, the top shutter speed is only 1/750. Nevertheless, these two cameras share the same compact body and bright viewfinder with its top of the line brother - ST801.

M42 lenses

Fujinon 28mm f3.5

Quantaray 28mm f2.8

Vivitar 28mm f2.8
+
Fujinon 55mm f1.8

Soligor 35mm f2.8

Mir 1B
+

Helios 44M-4

Carl Zeiss Jena Pancolar 50mm f1.8

Carl Zeiss Jena Pancolar 50mm f2

Fujinon EBC 55mm f1.8

Mamiya Sekor 50mm f2

Pentacon 50mm f1.8

Yashinon 50mm f1.7

Good Light!

Dad's camera...

...acquired in Tokyo in 1963 while on a concert tour of Asia. 

Featured in Manila Camera Style - thanks Johann!

My parents were expecting their first brat...

...me.

The camera originally came with a tripod, self timer and light meter. Apparently this little brat destroyed the light meter which eventually got lost.. 

Family picture ca. '68

 ca. '79 

Dad taught me the basics of photography on his Penta J with the aid of a Sunny 16 guide found in film boxes.

More pictures taken by my dad

My parents on their 50th Anniversary, December '08

Leica M6 + Summicron 35/2-1
Acros 100/Diafine