GAS GAS: Please Share your Latest Desires Big and Small

[John King]

More politically correct?

edit - better sound IMHO

I can 'hear' my tinnitus through both those sounds.

 

[Matero]

I hear silent whispers guiding me towards Leica, SL Typ 601
I believe I know where this is going to end...

Oh no I've got offer of my 5D IV and have visibility for Leica SL. Now I need to seriously think what to do…

Nikon Df could serve as my OVF camera and SL as mirrorless, I've lost my OM-D E-M5.2 for my wife anyway. With adapter I could still shoot with EF 50 f1.2L and on top of that use my M-lenses also with middle hump camera. My M8 is too fragile for everyday use, IMO.

Aaarghh!

 

[JensM]

I could branch out to not one, but two lenses that would be new to me: the 17/1.8 and 45/1.8. That would probably be a fine kit. But I am sentimentally attached to the 20mm, and know my track record for reacquiring it so I should just hold onto it! Maybe I will just get the 45mm and see how well I can make the 20mm and 45mm work, with the GRIII as my wide angle backup. That seems reasonable.

I see others have been through the 14mm recommendation, so the obvious solution would be to hog the PL15mm...

To be fair, I ran the Oly 17 f:1.8 for quite a while, and liked it a lot. Got the PL and some comparison shots later, the Oly was in the classifieds, no worries.

I have wrangled back and forth over the prime lenses, and so far have accumulated the P14mm, PL15mm, O15mm BCL, the P20, the P25, the P42,5, the O45 and the O60. I plan to off-load the O45 and the P25, and may spring for the PL25, time will show. What I will get another one of is the O9mm BCL.

The P42,5 is to substitute the Oly, and mainly due to the ILS of the Panasonic offering, and that I seem to have accumulated a lot of old Panasonic houses, the 14mm came without the back lens cap, but in its place was a GF2 and other such dealings have me fancying getting ILS in the lenses for the moment.

A proper outlier in your Prime shennanigans could be to go for one of the miniscule pancake zooms, and keep the 20mm for low-light stuff. Both the P12-32 and the P14-42 PZ are very fine pieces of gear.

 

[mike3996]

Oh no I've got offer of my 5D IV and have visibility for Leica SL. Now I need to seriously think what to do…

Nikon Df could serve as my OVF camera and SL as mirrorless, I've lost my OM-D E-M5.2 for my wife anyway. With adapter I could still shoot with EF 50 f1.2L and on top of that use my M-lenses also with middle hump camera. My M8 is too fragile for everyday use, IMO.

Aaarghh!

This is exactly along the lines what I'm thinking. Retire the Nikon Df, get the SL or SL2S with an adapter. Get the nice character of those cheap Nikkors, with Leica colors.

But I have my reservations. Too expensive to try it out. Please get the camera and then let's meet?

 

[gordo]

I can 'hear' my tinnitus through both those sounds.

Missed this - mostly just gives me soothing sounds for my brain to focus on instead of the weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee..., still there but I just notice it less.

And...

This site is filled with enablers. Bad, bad people to hang around with.

All this Leica SL and SL2-S talk. I'm kinda glad they haven't released an SL2 or SL2-S Monochrom...

The more I use the 70-300 and 100-400 the more I realize I have a lot of work to do to rebuild my body, and my new-to-me tremors may make long lens use un-possible without support (which isn't allowed at most airshows here). I've noticed issues with my X100F and slow shutter speeds on occasion. One more reason there may have to be a major shift in gear and photo subjects. I can't see myself using anything without stabilization for handheld going forward, as well as increasing the use of tripods.

Q2 or Q2M, or GFX 50SII and a lens or two...

 

[drd1135]

Missed this - mostly just gives me soothing sounds for my brain to focus on instead of the weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee..., still there but I just notice it less.

And...

This site is filled with enablers. Bad, bad people to hang around with.

All this Leica SL and SL2-S talk. I'm kinda glad they haven't released an SL2 or SL2-S Monochrom...

The more I use the 70-300 and 100-400 the more I realize I have a lot of work to do to rebuild my body, and my new-to-me tremors may make long lens use un-possible without support (which isn't allowed at most airshows here). I've noticed issues with my X100F and slow shutter speeds on occasion. One more reason there may have to be a major shift in gear and photo subjects. I can't see myself using anything without stabilization for handheld going forward, as well as increasing the use of tripods.

Q2 or Q2M, or GFX 50SII and a lens or two...

Monopod?

 

[gordo]

Monopod?

Most I've attended wouldn't allow those either (too much like a stick/ weapon). They allow camp chairs. And walkers, canes, crutches etc... for those with mobility issues. No coolers. No backpacks.

You also can't carry a "large" camera bag, but they never define what size is considered "large". You just show up and if the people inspecting stuff at the entry think it's too big, you have to take it back to your vehicle. I had a sling bag with similar capacity to a waist pack I have, the sling wasn't allowed in but I got in with the waist pack. The sling bag "looked" larger. Large purses are usually prohibited as well, and again no definition of what "large" is.

Now if there is a photography group/ club attending as a group, with dedicated space on the line and access before/ after public show hours and the accompanying higher-priced tickets, the pass gets you in with larger bag, monopods, tripods, chairs and more access to locations to shoot and escorts, etc... Me showing up as Joe Schmuckatelli with a camera doesn't get that kind of access.

Usually airshows at mil bases are the most restrictive. Small local municipal airports have been a bit more relaxed in the past. Not sure about the small locales these days, it's been 5 years since I've been able to get to an airshow.

 

[drd1135]

Most I've attended wouldn't allow those either (too much like a stick/ weapon). They allow camp chairs. And walkers, canes, crutches etc... for those with mobility issues. No coolers. No backpacks.

You also can't carry a "large" camera bag, but they never define what size is considered "large". You just show up and if the people inspecting stuff at the entry think it's too big, you have to take it back to your vehicle. I had a sling bag with similar capacity to a waist pack I have, the sling wasn't allowed in but I got in with the waist pack. The sling bag "looked" larger. Large purses are usually prohibited as well, and again no definition of what "large" is.

Now if there is a photography group/ club attending as a group, with dedicated space on the line and access before/ after public show hours and the accompanying higher-priced tickets, the pass gets you in with larger bag, monopods, tripods, chairs and more access to locations to shoot and escorts, etc... Me showing up as Joe Schmuckatelli with a camera doesn't get that kind of access.

Usually airshows at mil bases are the most restrictive. Small local municipal airports have been a bit more relaxed in the past. Not sure about the small locales these days, it's been 5 years since I've been able to get to an airshow.

Neat. I remember an air show from when I was very young, Blue Angels or Thunderbirds. I’d probably really enjoy one now.

 

[gordo]

Neat. I remember an air show from when I was very young, Blue Angels or Thunderbirds. I’d probably really enjoy one now.

I really enjoy them, especially the ones with the old prop warbirds. Last smaller venue with all props I was able to visit: Central Texas Airshow 2016 by Gordon

I'll see how things go by Nov, and I'll make it if I can.

Otherwise, it'll be the next season before I try again. Might get a better setup if I can get back into the groove.

Since this is the desires thread, if I can get back to dedicated airshow shooting, dreaming big (as of today's available stuff) would be a Canon R3 +RF100-500L combo.

 

[JensM]

The LX7 came in yesterday, a chunky little camera with 1111 shutter actuations on it. Barebones delivery, battery+ charger, a 32Mp trancend card and the camera with lens cover and thats it. Will check the transfer cable that came with the TZ10 to see if its compatible and add a PD anchor(or two) for the wrist strap and leash.

All in all, quite pleased.

 

[MiguelATF]

The LX7 came in yesterday, a chunky little camera with 1111 shutter actuations on it. Barebones delivery, battery+ charger, a 32Mp trancend card and the camera with lens cover and thats it. Will check the transfer cable that came with the TZ10 to see if its compatible and add a PD anchor(or two) for the wrist strap and leash.

All in all, quite pleased.

Wow! Hey, Jens - I hadn't realized you were acquiring an LX7 - CONGRATULATIONS!

I think probably the LX7 may still be one of my two all-time favorite small semi-pocketable zoom-lens-equipped cameras. EVER. The lens is seriously underrated. Its macro capabilities are cool. There are so many things it does so well - and I am certain you will put yours to good and interesting use/s.

I only have one suggestion to make - acquiring one of those little lens caps which automatically open when one powers the camera on. I found it a useful accessory after possibly the 2nd time I lost my lens cap, but even if I hadn't been misplacing lens caps, they are useful little accessories. (The one possible 'downside' is that they appear to add a bit of bulk to what is a tiny camera when in the open position - but, honestly, that never bothered me.)

Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

 

[JensM]

@MiguelATF, having stuffed the camera in the pocket today, and been blessed with the dangling bit I see very well what you mean and I will get one of those in some shopping basket ASAP.

 

[Matero]

Oh no I've got offer of my 5D IV and have visibility for Leica SL. Now I need to seriously think what to do…

Nikon Df could serve as my OVF camera and SL as mirrorless, I've lost my OM-D E-M5.2 for my wife anyway. With adapter I could still shoot with EF 50 f1.2L and on top of that use my M-lenses also with middle hump camera. My M8 is too fragile for everyday use, IMO.

Aaarghh!

This is exactly along the lines what I'm thinking. Retire the Nikon Df, get the SL or SL2S with an adapter. Get the nice character of those cheap Nikkors, with Leica colors.

But I have my reservations. Too expensive to try it out. Please get the camera and then let's meet?

I've been waiting my problem to disappear (someone buying the SL). Not happened, so I need to bite the bullet, again

 

[mike3996]

I am eyeing the Leica Summilux 28mm f/1.4 that costs a whopping 6270 €. It is probably the finest ultrafast 28mm ever made. My failures with Nikon and SLR focusing are driving me towards this expensive lens even though I can manage the 35 mm lens as my wide angle.

At the same time I can't help thinking that perhaps I could squeeze better/great/superb performance out of my Nikkor 28mm f/2 by adapting it on a Leica. So Leica SL or SL2S is again on the table?!

But why don't I start with what I own -- Mount the Nikkor on my M and take a stroll using the pluggable EVF. It won't be that pleasant to operate but at least I could see if there's IQ to be squeezed from the old lens.

Besides, the SL2S deal ended, the one where you'd get a free (value 410 €) Leica M-adapter-L. So I am not in a rush.

People speculate that the next M11 will be revealed November 11, which is in five weeks' time. That camera is rumored to have a better accessory EVF; the body and sensor hopefully supporting high refresh rates and big resolutions. If that's so then M11 could be the ultimate camera for me, turning it into an "SL" by attaching a hand grip and the EVF on it.

 

[mike3996]

So Leica SL or SL2S is again on the table?!

To my likely detriment I have started to browse again the usual sites of gear trade. I see all sorts of interesting gear pop up, something for film Olympus, something for Nikon F mount, things like that.

The wealth of mounts and lenses sure kindles the old flame about a mirrorless host camera somewhat. I just have to be careful about my expectations and whatnot. I sure would like to go for brand new SL2S because the old SL typ 601 shares some crap I get on my M240 also (banding at moderately low ISOs) but the purchase-resale value of SL 601 makes it almost a free experiment whereas with SL2S I'll be practically guaranteed a four-figure resale loss the moment I swipe the card...

But can I wait for that M11 announcement?

 

[mike3996]

I thought I was recovering from the gear madness and the insanity of all. Why exactly do I need thousands' worth of gear to do what I do just for fun?

The interesting Leica full-frame mirrorless cameras come in roughly three price categories, which I have split into four:

• 1800-2200 €
  Used SL typ 601 from a private entity. No returns or warranties.
  
  
• 2400-2800 €
  Used SL typ 601 from a store, with some limited tryout period or warranty. Leica Store Vienna goes very far and is offering Leica-checked preowned SLs a whopping 24 months of warranty!
  
  
• 4500 €
  SL2S brand spanking new.
  
  
• 8000-9000 €
  M10R or M11

Any camera needs a couple of extra batteries so budget an extra 300 €. The SL cameras need adapters, and the M should be coupled with the best available EVF. Probably very pricey.

If I lay my potential options out on the table like this, frankly it's the M10R or M11 that really draws my attention. The sheer fun factor of an M when shot with native lenses. The "problem" here is that when I use native lenses, my current M240-P has probably 95-99% of the fun factor of a much more expensive M model.

The irritations I have with EVF cameras are great. That's another point towards an M. The daytime is long and then I can be shooting adapted lenses, and when the day turns to night I can just pop a cheap Voigtländer 50/1.5 on the camera and shoot through the ever-fluid OVF.

The rumors promise a new EVF with better resolution. And that EVF should be apparently compatible with M10 series as well. That leaves some room for concern but of course I am extremely hopeful.

 

[MoonMind]

If I lay my potential options out on the table like this, frankly it's the M10R or M11 that really draws my attention. The sheer fun factor of an M when shot with native lenses. The "problem" here is that when I use native lenses, my current M240-P has probably 95-99% of the fun factor of a much more expensive M model.

Another thing most people don't appreciate enough is that high-megapixel cameras need considerably better shot discipline if there's no image stabilisation - or you'll never see their full potential in the images. I'm pretty stable, but I always had to draw the line at FF 24MP - before FF bodies with I.B.I.S. became available. The M10R, enticing though it is, conjures up serious doubts about my ability to get really good, sharp shots with it. That's why I'm so happy with my Z 7 II - the I.B.I.S. is a great equalizer even if I sometimes fail to be as consciencious as the camera would demand. So, if it needs to be a Leica, the SL2 (not the S) would be on my list.

That said, I see your point - the M10 is my best camera, i.e. the one I'm able to do my most satisfying work with. But it's also a frame of mind that seriously comes into play here - the "lowly" Z fc with 28mm SE almost gets me there as well. Thus, it's neither a price/value nor a FF thing ...

However, all the talk in this thread made me look at a used Df again - especially after the experience with the Z fc. Maybe I've been missing out on something ... maybe not. Still too early to tell what'll become of this thought ... That said, used prices are becoming pretty darn attractive.

M.

 

[mike3996]

I'm pretty stable, but I always had to draw the line at FF 24MP - before FF bodies with I.B.I.S. became available. The M10R, enticing though it is, conjures up serious doubts about my ability to get really good, sharp shots with it.

Plenty of people report the same issue when they upgraded to M10R. Some even went back to M10P because they couldn't cope with the issue.

The funnysad thing is that it's entirely a psychological problem.

If the M11 has a high-megapixel sensor (60+ MP has been rumored but I certainly don't believe in this rumor) and I "have" to make my choice between M10R and M11 I am certainly considering making some automated stuff to remove that psychological problem.

The easy solution: upon importing the raw files from the card to the computer -- demosaic them into TIFFs or whatever and resize them to 24 megapixels or less. Then zip the original raw files away.

An easier, alternative solution would be to patch darktable to prevent it ever going to 100% magnification.

Now I only ever "see" the downsampled files and in theory should be as happy and casual and worry-free as before.

 

[mike3996]

Argh. A new rumor was just reported yesterday that the announcement of M11 might be postponed to next year.

A good thing since this leaves me with several months more time to save up. But what shall I buy on impulse, today?!!!!


Addendum

I channeled my buying powers towards a new phone. Got off cheap!

 

[Matero]

Speaking of Leica SL, just traded in my Canon 5D Mark IV and bought mint Typ601.
So far after just very few test shots, seems what I was looking for. I 'needed' (read: wanted) good mirrorless to my arsenal. Oly OM-D E-M5.2 is reserved by my wife all the time
SL is Q incarnation in middle hump mode, so feels natural to use, short learning curve ahead. I bought Sigma 45mm f2.8 SG SN C for casual AF purposes, and seems excellent in quality/price sense. And it's so small and light, means good casual.
I really liked the easiness shooting with Canon 5D. Guaranteed results, even. But that eventually turned against it. No joy owning and using whatsoever, a quite important factor in a dear and expensive hobby.
my plans using 50mm f1.2L got huge drawback, though. I didn't do my background job thoroughly enough. Seems that Sigma MC-21 adapter stopped working with Typ601 during the years. It was first supported but something changed and not anymore. SL2 is working fine. So, options to store the 50mm f1.2L gem until enough money to go up for SL2 or just forget it and continue with the plan with couple of M lenses and save money for SL allrounder eventually (but I don't fancy zooms)