The Lens Mount

I've been waiting for a Leica like, digital rangefinder camera with smaller than DSLR size, but with equal or better image quality than a midrange DSLR.  Finally the Fujifilm X-Pro1 has arrived. (yes I realize it isn't a rangefinder) It seemed like an obvious market gap to me.  What I wanted was a camera that provided some of the benefits of owning a Leica M9 , but at a more reachable price point.  I used to dream about voigtlander  coming out with a digital version of one of their rangefinders in the sub $2k price range.  Again not a Leica, but also not $7k. The high ISO performance of the X-Pro1 seems amazing along with image sharpness, and the bokeh provided by its 35mm f1.4 lens . It does have some drawbacks, but none that I couldn't live with (given my shooting style).  Hopefully there will be enough interest in this photographer's camera that can sustain a market for it. Its always fun to have that next piece of equipment to ...

So I bought myself a new lens.  The AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G. Here are some of my first images using it.  All were taken on a D90 handheld with no flash and no filter (not even UV).

Looks like SoFoBoMo.org is closing its doors after four years of Solo Photo Book Month.

My Nikon 18-200mm lens has finally begun to show signs of the commonly reported loose zoom grip defect. Essentially the zoom grip appears to stretch over time and begin to lift up over prolonged use. I've owned my lens for three years and the problem is only beginning for me. So here is a cheap and seemingly effective fix. Cover the grip with two rubber party bracelets available from the dollar store (at least in Canada) for only $3. The bracelets seem to be the perfect size to maintain a tight fit, and they are made of a soft rubber which makes for a nice non-slip grip. How long will they last? Who knows, but given they are $3 for 12 of them, I'm not too worried about the cost :) .

Camera technologies and features can sometimes distract beginning photographers from what is really important. I was always comforted in knowing that there were really only a few things, that actually affected the appearance of pictures made in my film camera. This is why manual film cameras with only five adjustments or choices (shutter speed, aperture, focal length, focus, and film choice) can make a picture equal in quality to a camera with a multitude of automated features. Automated features automate the setting of these primary camera adjustments (e.g. auto focus and auto exposure modes) but they will only technically improve your pictures to the degree that they increase your chances of getting the shot you want. So given an equally sharp lens and the same film, you can potentially make equivalent pictures with either a fully manual camera like the Nikon FM10 ($320) or a fully automated camera like the Nikon F6 ($2450). Knowing all of this, beginning film photographers on a budg...

There is much truth in Ken Rockwell's recent post on simplicity . In brief summary he is suggesting that bringing less gear will translate into making better pictures. This past September I went on a trip to Italy and brought a D70 camera body, a 50mm f1.8 lens, a polarizing filter, and .... nothing else. Here are some of the pictures that I brought back with only that single fixed focal length lens which costs only $124.95 at bhphoto.com . http://www.thelensmount.com/2009/09/slide-show-from-italy.html