Time for updates

I sold my X100S and now i'm missing the X100 series. Now i'm GASing for X100T. Why not? the X100S was after all my all time favourite camera. Its simple. One focal length to rule them all. Of course it cant do all types of photography. but for my type of photography, eg. portraits, landscapes, streets, the X100 series is great enough. With the new T model, i hope it fixes and improves all the niggles of the S series. To be honest, i sold the S so i could upgrade to the T. or should i wait for the F series? YOu may wonder why F? because F stands for Fourth but also stands for Five, i'm not sure whats the next naming convention. I'm sure you know that T stands for third? You dont? i dont blame you.... nobody cares what it actually calls. Anyway, i'm not sure if the T is sold here locally. i guess my best next bet is Singapore. but i'm not going to Singapore anytime soon.

I knew i'm gonna get the X100 series again because i kept the wide converter lens. I just love that camera. Awesome IQ, classic looks, although at times i wanna smash it to the ground because it keeps back focus (focus the background instead of subject). But now with face detection available, i hope it does what it does and be good at it. What else is there to be GASing about the T? Wifi implementation.... at first i thought of it as a good feature but not important but then i realised i loved transferring my recently took photos to my tablet and phones and upload it to instagram or just for viewing. I always do that with my Sony Rx100iii. it was indeed convenient! Large LCD is always a good thing. although non tilt, i dont think thats a deal breaker though.

As a taking still pictures tool, the T IS GREAT. but for video? based on reviews its bad although i wont probably noticed because i dun really know wat to look for in video quality. as long its not choppy i'm alright.

I brought the X100S for a trip to Italy last year. and i loved all the thousands of images that i took but i have to admit i kinda tired lugging it around. but the images taken was worth it.

I can also take pictures like above because the X100S is so damn quiet. Thats what i like about the X100 series. Suddenly i have guts to take candid photos. just because i'm stealthy. Because its basically mute. No sound! You cant do this with a Leica. unless you have balls. I dont. I also respect people's privacy. unlike certain Eric K.  but that's just me, different people different thinking. whatever to get your pictures.

I love this picture. This is how useful and stealthy the X100S can be. I was sitting on the opposite side when i noticed this man reading a book and at times looking out of the window. His face has got that character, the lines, the age, what is he thinking? is he heading home to his loved ones? is he going to work? thinking of the grand children? its a mystery. but from his face you can see he is definitely thinking of something.

Some people may not understand why i took pictures of strangers or why photograhers take pictures of strangers but thats what street/candid photography is all about, they were never your friends or families, just strangers running their daily business, their emotions, just characters, subject of a picture. Its like questioning why Monalisa?

What i dislike about Fujifilm is their aggressive noise reduction. if only we can control the NR manually. Its great to have noise free images but sometimes skins looked like mannequins and thats bad.

Why not X-T10 you say? Sure, its new, classic SLR looks, interchangeable lens, something about the X100 series is just so simple. no need to worry about focal lengths. and size wise the X100 is shorter? the lenses on X-T10 will be bulkier and longer.

I put up my two Leicas for sale. My M8 and M9. and i sell them cheap. especially the M9. too cheap. i think i wanna upped the price a bit. actually i felt a bit of regret selling those. Its a Leica. and i might never owned one of these again. I'm selling my M8 with Voigtlander 15mm about SGD$3000. and my M9 with Voigtlander 40mm at SGD$4200. Actually i'm having second thoughts about selling them but i believe i needed the money. SO far no buyer and i'm not desperate selling.

I love Leica, its like owning a Ferrari. but owning a Ferrari is over the top? not justified? i cant find the words here. any car can go from point A to B, just like a camera, it just take pictures. Leica is too expensive. i can get 3 or 4 Fujifilm and have one Leica.

One reason of selling it is i'm not really good at that rangefinder focusing. i'm just too slow. trying to aligned the patch sometimes it took me a while and the photo opportunity just gone. especially taking pictures of them kids. You cant ask them to stand still. and if you can its not natural. i like candid and natural expression. not created. i'm better off with a camera that can do fast autofocus just like a X100S. Shooting wide open at 1.4 with the M9 is harder for me. if i didnt get the eye to focus the pictures will become blurry or at least the nose is sharp. thats a bad photo in my book. With the M8 is okay because of the smaller aperture at 4.5.

But but but, this Leica M9 that i purchased has a very low mileage. the last picture i took was only at 473 shutter actuations!!!! its a steal! Its in pristine condition. I want to keep it for collection but then i might need money too. Confusing times. I wanna sold off just the M8 but the pictures it took was amazing too. super sharp. although need to put IR cut filter or else all black shirts becomes purple. uweeekkkk... and the M8 is in silver. its super sexy retro look!

Should i sell or should i keep?

I brought my M8 to New Orleans with the 15mm. 

This is where Nicholas Cage is heading when he'll rest peacefully. He's not dead yet. but very much owned this part of the cemetery. 

Jackson square New Orleans taken by Liam Neeson...Not... by Leica M8

The only thing Fuji cant take is sunstar. Correct me if i'm wrong. but i never got the light to burst into a sunstar with my Fujifilm X100S but with the Voigtlander there she is....

And just look at that color noise on the M8. but why peep when you can just watch and look at the picture of the alley.

Oh.... such tough times. 

To sell or not to sell the Leicas.... 

To buy or not to buy the FUjifilm X100T.

GAS comes and goes.

Leica M8 or M9? .... First chapter, New Orleans.

So New Orleans is in line, its job related but also a chance to start my Leica adventure. I wont have much free time, its dusk and dawn travelling but its once in a lifetime journey, i'll take my Leica chances. I only have the 15mm Voigtlander and most of my free time will be at night so crossed my fingers and hope the street lights will be enough for my Leica.

So the question is which Leica should i bring, my M8 or my M9? As of now i'm almost certain to bring my M8. Why? Because its the 'cheaper' Leica, its still expensive but the M9 is much more expensive. I'm talking about security. Ok, this is a negativity side part of me, i'm worried of being mugged! I am pretty much a "too much worry" person so its normal that i get too negative way much but thats a habit i try to lose. Upon hearing New Orleans, Katrina came up, a lil bit of googling, you come across words like warning, danger, shooting and murder, my negativity level just shot up the ceiling. But i try to calm myself, everywhere in the world there will be crimes and dangers, i've been to Washington and Vegas, both have its own crimes and dangers, its common sense, avoid dodgy places at all cost and follow all safety rules and tips. I'd be fine. Anyway, I'm with 2 other guys so we'll be fine.

One thing that planted in my head is i believe everyone knows what a Leica is and how expensive it is. That is of course false but its auto planted in my brain. So i have the tendency to leave my Leica in my bag because i dont want to be seen with a Leica. If i hang the camera over my neck, i feel like its screaming "LEICA!!!!!". I feel that the Leica is an attention seeker and as if i'm walking naked. I'm so over but yes thats how i feel. its my mindset. I need to lose that mindset. Its no good, it made my Leica useless. Why its my mindset because thats how i would react when i see someone with a Leica. I'd go "Wow a Leica". So my negative mindset also tells me that thieves would think just like what i'd think. "Wow a Leica, target acquired". Now i'd understand why people would gaffer tape the red dot, i'm sure a syndicate out there knows about the red dot.

Ok enough negativity, so M8 it is. First, its about the cost. At the moment, these Leicas are new to me, so i will baby them, trying not to scratch it etc, etc, so with the M8 i'm trying to be rough with it, (as a worry person, i care too much and it kills me). At the moment, i cant do that to my Leica M9. It is just so expensive. When i look back on Ebay, and seeing the M9 prices, i realised i cant afford it now but with the M8, its pretty much doable. M8 is getting cheaper and cheaper. in other words, if i want to buy an M8, i could, but not the M9, not now just yet. I cant justify spending another $3000 on my wish list all black M9-P.

Second, the crop factor of the M8 made the 15mm to almost 21mm. and i prefer the 21mm. I dont have to deal with Cornerfix as i like the slight cool vignette.

Third, the RAW files will be smaller. but this is not an issue as i bring along my laptop, i can just transfer the files at the hotel.

Basically, its about survival.

Will my M8 survive? I'm willing and ready. but not with my M9 yet.

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So what's in New Orleans?

These are the list that i have in mind.

1) Cafe Du Monde
2) Bourbon Street
3) French Quarters
4) Preservation Hall
5) Beignet
6) Jazz
7) Riverwalk Outlet Mall
8) Famous Cat Meow Karaoke
9) And if i'm lucky girls flashing their boobs!

That is so far i have in mind.

My first few minutes with my Leica M8 in 2015

Ok, to be honest. its been hours now. If you remember what i wrote in my previous post, i was being a little bit biased towards the M9 as it is full frame, younger, a better version of the M8. I even had the thought of selling the M8 as i already own the M9, not even testing it. But now after testing and using the M8, i just cant let it go.

First, aesthetically, the silver is much more sexier and retro looking. It looked like a toy camera. Film camera? definitely! The 15mm Voigtlander is much better on the crop sensor of the M8. It converts to around 21mm, pretty wide but not so wide like on the full frame M9. I didn't even had to deal with the cyan corners issues. There's a slight vignetting and darken bluish corners but it did not really bothers me up to the level of fixing it in CornerFix program. The exposure of the M8 is pretty much spot on. a bit on the overexposed side but not so much, i find that i need to lower the exposure during post processing in Lightroom. like i said not so much, maybe around -0.2. And somehow this made the LCD looked much better than the one i had on the M9. Now i feel like i made a fool of myself. On previous post i really bashed that LCD on the M9, its still bad on the M8, still a low quality LCD, but i can see my composition and exposure better. On the M9 it was underexposed so much that i pretty much cant see a thing. Like a dimly lit screen. I need to try it again on the M9. See if overexposing brightens up the LCD or maybe it was a lens coding setting issue. But thats the thing, i didnt even code it on the M8, i did not use a UV/IR Cut filter and i dont think i need it. But of course there's the problem with black clothing. i dont need to go on details, pretty much a M8 issue.

I used Auto ISO max on 640 like i did on my M9. Its a bit grainy, the M9 is cleaner but again not so much. ISO640 is usable. I think its enough for normal indoor lighting in most situations. I find it amusing that my Fujifilms used higher ISO in the same indoor lighting albeit at fast shutter speeds. The M8 and the M9 uses shutter speed at 1/8 - 1/15 at ISO 640 and amazingly can capture sharp pictures at those speed, not on the X100S. And again, remind you its at f4.5 on the Voigtlander 15mm, on faster lens probably on a much faster shutter.

Didn't really notice the difference in shutter speed sound, probably a bit louder than the M9 but honestly, unnoticeable. I didn't do a side by side comparison though. But that Leica's shutter sound serenades me. It felt good to press the shutter and hearing the sound it made. It mimics those film days, at least thats how it sounded to me. It makes me want to take more pictures. I've tried the discreet feature, while it's nice the shutter rewinds? or recock after you release the button but the initial click sound is loud to be discreet me thinks, unless its a loud place. My M8 had the Leica grip on it which improves on the handling. At first i'm not really into those with grips look but now it grows on me. i keep on glancing the M8. Wow she's a beauty, just like lady in red!

And i got this baby only at 1196 shutter actuations!

Wide? Yes. Distort? Of course. Slight Vignetting? Definitely.

As seen on the above picture, slight bluish/greenish vignetting can be seen. but like i said it didn't bother me that much. I'm not into accurate colours and what not, i'd love false colour!

On occasion, there are times when the bluish vignette is more obvious like the one pictured below.

So here comes CornerFix to rescue things!

Perfect! Fix the bluish vignetting. Comparing them side by side in lightroom, the fixed picture looked like it had white vignetting put on. It also corrects the overall bluish look to a more neutral slash natural look! But i prefer the darken vignetting picture. Individual taste i suppose.

So is the M8 still worth it in 2015? You bet! Sure it has its quirks and weaknesses but no camera is perfect. It all depends on the user.

Inferior? Never. It compliments the M9 very well.

The only question begs how long will the shutter last me?

Finally my Voigtlander is here! Unboxing kinda.

I was hoping for the 40mm 1.4 because thats the first lens i bought but the super wide heliar 15mm came in the mail. Uh Oh, so what happen to the 40mm? The thing with our post office is that they kept missent the delivery card (which is needed to collect the item). I hope my 40mm will reach me ASAP!

So here's the unboxing kinda pictures.

its really a small lens! its perfect size on the M9. Too bad the lens hood is not detachable. if only all the leica M mount lenses are this tiny. Sample images will be post soon.

Look what i got for my Happy Meal!!

My M9 is here! Just one week after i got my M8. Where the hell are my frikkin lens? i need to shoot now! Should have ordered my lens from the US rather than Hong Kong. So close and yet so far.

Should have taken out the orange label. its super distracting! looks like the M8 is sexier than the black M9. but something about the black and its vulacanite that just look super gorgeous. i just need to have both colors. lol

Happy new year.

Look what Santa put under the tree!

My Leica M8 is here! in 2014!
Now i just need a lens to go with it.
Funny, my Leica came first, flew all the way from the US instead of my Voigtlander lens that i bought (which the seller is based in Hong Kong). I mean i'm in Asia, literally i'm like 3 hours apart from HK but the stuff from US came first? and i bought the lens first before i bought the M8. talk about world's apart standard.

Oh man, i'm so eager to take my first shot with the M8. I can feel my passion is switch ON mode again!

But as we speak, a certain Leica M9 is on its way here! Gulp!

I'm still on a quest to own the Leica M9? Am i stupid?

So the seller of the Leica M9-P that i put a bid on has cancelled the bid and ended the listing altogether. His reasons? Because of the Leica statement made yesterday, the sensor corrosion issue! I respect and appreciate his generosity, a very responsible seller. He said that he needed to send it to Leica first for a repair or replacement and put it back on sale. See? he is nice. Some seller would just get rid their stuffs to the next buyer. i was so ready to win the bidding war but when he ended the sale abruptly, i kinda see it as a sign, not to get the M9. More money for a BMW! but GAS works in a mysterious way. One minute i'm thinking of the M9, the next im thinking of the BMW, the other i was thinking of customising my Sportster which is so due.... but instead this morning i just place a bid on a low use Leica M9. I was already in love with the all black M9-P and the black M8.2, so why not i just get the M9 and make the red dot black? thats what i set in my mind and thus placing the bid is the next best thing. Corrosion issue? what corrosion issue?
i'm still in my unbelievably idiot mode and bid a Leica M9, i still want the M9 even after Leica officially stated the corrosion sensor issues. because i'm just plain stupid, stupid, stupid! GAS is running circles over me. whatever that means.

Heres a few Leica M9 in stealth mode as they say, i'm in my Leica lust mode....

 Hello there sexy!

taken at www.ffffound.com

Just look at those Leicas, all lying around. I feel like looking at Top3 Maxim hotties.

same jaw dropping, mouth watering effect. 

taken at www.teknopunk.com

rangefinder with square hood is mouth watering drooling.

 taken at www.tokyo75.exblog.jp

Even the M8.2 looks handsome in black. very handsome indeed

taken at www.gopixpic.com

My problem is, when i'm in GAS mode, a certain GAS mode, i tend to buy more than one. Thats the problem. As if i have a million dollars in my bank account. trust me. i dont have that much money. i always think i have that much but it all credit cards maxed out in the end. I have an M8, I also want the M8.2 in all black. and i want the M9 too. crazy.

Once upon a time, when i had that certain GAS, i owned like more than 10 guitars, most of it collecting dust, i have more than 3 motorcycles, a lot of distortion and other effects pedals, more than 10 mics, i had 2 classic cars, i have 3 Fujifilms, i had an Olympus, i still have my Sony. but all of them are collecting dust, under utilise and i have yet to learn my lesson. Now i'm collecting Leicas....rest assured my bank account will be crying out for help. The only thing that can stop me is someone challenging my bid. I really want the Leica M9 but deep in my heart i want someone to outbid me too!

Feliz NaVidad.

Ahhh shitt...

I've set my mind to really win the bid war of the Leica M9-P, i mean why not, i think its the ultimate digital M. (not the M240, from what i've read, its too SLR like) while i still have my dough i might just gonna get it but then this came out....

http://www.dpreview.com/articles/8752612172/leica-m9-users-report-sensor-corrosion-issue

i know, i know i've read it somewhere in a blog la vida leica, but i thought its just a batch of M9s and i was ready to take a gamble and just buy the M9 but after seeing it coming from Leica's own mouth, its official, i started to have 2nd thoughts. God damn! i'm nearly close on buying the M9. i know there is a sensor issue but i still want the M9-P. But now its official coming out from Leica. 2nd thoughts. By the way, Leica offered to repair it free of charge but from where i come from, there's no Leica dealer and its a hassle + cost to shipped it overseas for repair. The closest i can go is Singapore but i doubt if they do repairs there. i'm not sure. i haven't ask around. i hope they do. then its easier since i like to travel to Singapore every year or so.

But its not a surprised, the Leica M8 was full of sh*t issues but i still took a gamble. i still bought it. but at least it was cheaper than the M9. The M9 can cost me a BMW. Yea that's right. I'm still deciding whether i go camera nuts/nutcase or i should buy a used 1990 BMW. Both have pros and cons, both need maintenance in the future, both take me from point A to B but in different scheme of things. my wise brain say i should get the BMW, my GAS say buy the M9. My conscience say dont buy anything at all. Or i could custom my Harley Sportster and it still cost less than the M9. Godamn you Leica, u messed me up.

Josh Groban, please sing and dedicate this to Leica...

You messed me up, so i can stand on mountains.....of debt..
You messed me up, to walk on stormy seas............of debt..
Leica is strong, now i'm on your shoulder
You messed me up, i haven't even start on your lenses..

Its official, i'm a Leica nutcase.