Billingham Hadley Pro Small + Leica II Half Case

None of these camera accessories will enhance anyone's picture taking abilities, but talking about camera gear is a pleasant respite from audio.😉

My Olive Billingham Hadley Original has been a loyal companion since the mid-90s. Due to its larger size, it encourages me to bring more gear than necessary. Recently, I got this navy canvas/chocolate leather Hadley Pro Small for moments when I want to travel light. 

A Leica M3 + 35mm and 50mm lens, Fuji X-E3 + lens, a 5 roll film case + other accessories and gadgets easily fit in the small Hadley Pro.

Billingham has tastefully updated a classic!

Leica II half-case

Ever since I restored my Leica II, it's been cradled in a Fed/Zorki half case. Not the most elegant, but it served me well for over 15 years.

Half cases for early Barnack bodies (Leica 0, I + II) sans strap lugs aren't common. I was happy to find a nice one at the Martinduke Shop on Etsy.  

It took about a month for the package to arrive but it was well worth the wait!

All set for a photo expedition!

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. 😆

Austin Mini Seen Through Voigtlander Perkeo I

All photos were taken by my Voigtlander Perkeo I folding camera with a Vaskar 75mm f3.5 lens loaded with Fuji Acros developed in Rodinal 1+50

more Voigtlander Perkeo I pics

Fotofox Contax (Kiev) RF to Leica Thread Mount Adapter

While shopping for a Contax RF inner-bayonet type > Sony E/NEX-mount adapter, I came across this Fotofox adapter which claimed RF coupling on Leica Thread Mount (LTM) compatible camera bodies. 

The Good

Canon P + Fotofox CRF + Zeiss Opton Sonnar

At about $60 landed in the USA, the Fotofox is a lot more affordable compared to the more deluxe Amedeo or Kipon equivalents. I'm glad to report that my gamble paid off. My Contax/Kiev RF mount 50mm lenses - Zeiss-Opton Sonnar, Jupiter 8M & Helios 103 - mounted successfully on my Bessa R, Canon P and 7s bodies.

Bessa R + Fotofox CRF  adapter + Jupiter 8M

LTM>M + Fotofox CRF adapter + Helios 103

 By adding an LTM to M adapter, the Fotofox adapter functioned just as well on my Leica M6 below.

Leica M6 + LTM>M + Fotofox CRF adapter + Helios 103

Using the appropriate adapter, the Fotofox also mounted the aforementioned Contax and Kiev 50mm RF lenses to my Fuji X-E3 and Sony A7II.👍

The Bad

Left: Jupiter 12 + Right: Zeiss Sonnar 135mm f4

Sadly, my efforts to make it work with my Kiev RF mount Jupiter 12 and Contax RF mount Zeiss Sonnar 135mm f4, were all in vain. 😔

The Ugly

Zone focusing is out of the question since there's no distance scale and no infinity lock/stop either. 😏

Sample Pics

Canon P + Zeiss Opton Sonnar 50mm f2
Ilford FP4+ in Rodinal 

Canon P + Zeiss Opton Sonnar 50mm f2
Ilford FP4+ in Rodinal 

Canon P + Zeiss Opton Sonnar 50mm f2
Ilford FP4+ in Rodinal 

Bessa R + Helios 103
Ultrafine eXtreme 100 in Rodinal + HC110

Bessa R + Helios 103
Ultrafine eXtreme 100 in Rodinal + HC110

Leica M6 + Jupiter 8M
Fuji Neopan 400 in Kodak HC110

Canon 7s + Helios 103
Ultrafine eXtreme 100 in Rodinal + HC110

Canon 7s + Helios 103
Ultrafine eXtreme 100 in Rodinal + HC110

Click here for more samples. 

 Is it worth 60 something bucks? Let your eyes decide.😊

Preview for 2020

 I've become so busy the last few months and wasn't able to upload as much as I intended to. So here's what's in the pipeline for the coming year.

My one and only...

The JP757A - a John Piro (re)creation, amongst others...

Revisit MM/MI phono cartridges

American Classics 

Japanese Idler Drive(s)

'68 G401

DIY tube DAC

Tonearms are like violin bows

my camera adventures

Happy Holidays and a Great New Year to Everyone!