Leica Me NOT

Fellow bloggers, ever prepare a draft that was never completed and later found ? 
That's what happened with this post. It was written several months ago and just updated.

Most of us heard the age-old expression, things are not always what they seem. Sometimes that's true and, in many some cases it's not.

Take the images of this camera. To some photography buffs it look just like a vintage 35mm camera, perhaps a Leica, or similar rangefinder camera. Other more savy photography fans may recognize it right away, despite no manufacturer/model ID visible (unless enlarged).

This is a high-end and rather unique digital camera. Yes, it has a viewfinder. More about its features later in this post. But first, I digress, which isn't unusual for me.

Internet source

I've been a long-time photography fan, ever since receiving my first camera, an Imperial Mark XII flash camera, a gift from my parents. It was a sea green color and was manufactured by the Herbert George Company of Chicago Illinois, circa 1950s. 

The Imperial Mark XII Flash took 6x6 images on 620 film. The camera came in a variety of bright colors including red, blue, grey, black, green, tan and black to spur sales of a very basic design. This popular snapshot camera was constructed of a sturdy plastic, called bakelite. It featured a built-in eye-level view finder, fixed focus lens, film winding knob, simple shutter and detachable synchronized flash. A wrist strap was riveted to the side of the camera body. 

I remember photographing backyard family get-togethers and, at the time, the photos were all B&W. I'm unsure if color film was available for it. The camera, flash and original box are long gone, and I suspect my parents paid less than $10 for it. It can still be purchased at online sites and prices range from $25-$50 depending on condition.

In the many years since that first camera, I've used/owned a number of others. My first serious camera, and long-time favorite, was a Pentax Spotmatic 35mm SLR which was purchased new for $200 at a local camera store near my NJ hometown. Like many other film cameras of its era, it can now be found online for much less. This camera had a "standard" 50mm lens and featured a screw-thread lens mount. Eventually, I purchased telephoto and wide angle lenses and used that equipment for years, mainly as a part-time photographer for a local weekly newspaper.

Years later, I progressed to digital cameras and my first ones were Canon and Fuji model point & shoot ones with a fixed lens. Later, I bought a Canon Digital Rebel, which was one of the first digitals that featured interchangeable lens capability. The camera had a so-called "standard" 18-55mm lens; additional lenses, including a telephoto and macro, were purchased later. All the Canon equipment was sold when my favorite camera, Pentax, got into digital cameras with interchangeable lenses. That brand was my first "camera love" and I invested in a couple of camera bodies and new lenses after selling the Canon camera and lenses. Why two bodies? They were very compact and it was handy to have a different lens on each, but not always practical.

Also, carrying around a couple of digital SLR camera bodies, several lenses, and assorted other items in a large bag became tiring after a while. Once again, I sold all and switched to "hybrid" digital cameras, these all-in-one models had built-in zoom lenses which, admittedly, could be challenging to handhold at the longest zoom. I owned a couple of Nikon and Canon cameras. The last one, a Canon PowerShot SX500, featured a 30X super zoom. While lighter than a digital SLR, it too became cumbersome to lug around and was definitely not pocket-sized. I then tried a smaller Olympus mirrorless digital camera with interchangeable lenses. That equipment was only used a short-time. The construction seemed flimsy compared to many other cameras I've owned. Thankfully, it found a new home thanks to online selling.
  

Fujifilm X100F

After much some thought and after once again selling all the other equipment, I opted for a "back-to-basics"  camera. This meant no zoom capability, manual controls, also auto features. It's the mystery one shown in the photos ↑ above and to the left.

That's not to say, this camera is low-priced. In fact, quite the opposite as the price was higher than some digital SLRs with a lens or two. My add-on accessories for this camera were a half case that covers the camera bottom, braided camera strap, UV protector filter, lens shade, thumb rest and extra battery. The X100f is the fourth iteration of Fujifilm's highly regarded X100 camera line. Its selling points are the traditional exposure controls, a lens aperture ring with f-stop settings, and shutter speed dial on top of the camera and it has a viewfinder (optical and electronic). Harking back to retro 35 mm film cameras, the shutter speed dial lifts and turns to change ISO settings, much like on my earlier (beloved) Pentax Spotmatic.

In a nod to earlier rangefinders, the X100F has been called a "street shooters" camera. That's because it looks less intimidating and draws less attention to the photographer and the camera, both important points for candid captures. 

The camera's "prime" lens is a 23 mm/f2 equivalent to a 35 mm focal length that's great for everyday shooting. This wide-angle lens is non-interchangeable and non-collapsible. The rear screen is fixed, doesn't tilt, and isn't touch-sensitive. It’s definitely a different sort of camera, not a high speed jack-of-all trades, but one to be appreciated for the simplicity of a fixed prime lens and external exposure controls. (A new model released earlier this year includes a tilt screen and other updates, of course, at a higher price. I have no plans to upgrade.)

Overall, the X100F is striking to see, hold and use. Although bought well over a year ago, it hasn't been used much because of my inability to see distances before cataract surgery. That's been corrected and I'm (very) slowly getting familiar with its functions and capabilities. It may look basic, but there's quite a few menus to get through.

While the camera doesn't feature lens interchangeability, add-on wide-angle and telephoto conversion lenses can be bought to provide both 28 mm and 50 mm equivalent focal lengths. These are rather very pricey and not in my purchase plans. The camera and accessories were a gift to myself and that's enough. Do you buy yourself a gift every now and then? If not, you definitely should try it.

During these stay-at-home months, the camera hasn't seen much use. The only excuse is that my cellphone is the camera always with me. Some time soon, I'll photograph local places, and those photos could be the subject of a future post.

How about you — bought anything recently that hasn't seen much (if any) use?