As of Spring 2020, I mainly photograph with:
DIGITAL – Leica M10p // Voigtlander Nokton Classic 35mm f1.4 – Sony A7RIII // Tamron 28-75mm f2.8 | Sony 28mm f2.0 – Iphone XR
FILM – Nikon FM3A // Nikkor 50mm f1.8 – Contax T2 – Kodak Portra 160 or 400
Digital – my journey
My camera journey started with the Micro four thirds (m4/3) system (cameras and lenses in left two columns in the image above) – in 2010 m4/3 brought an amazing combination of: portability, image resolution, low light performance, dynamic range, single point autofocus and in camera image stabilisation, which for a while was unbeatable. I purchased: the Panasonic GF1 in 2010, the Olympus EM5 Mark 1 in 2012 and the panasonic GM1 in 2014 (originally for my mother who found it too small).
M4/3 were my only digital cameras from 2010 to 2017 and i think fundamentally changed the industry – pushed the world away from Single Lens Relfex (i.e. cameras which use a mirror and prism) to mirrorless cameras, which can be made smaller, and provide (electronic) view finders which provide a view of the image that will be captured by the sensor – otherwise known as What You See is What You Get (WYSIWYG). M4/3 is still a great system with a complete line up of lenses, but the sensor technology (resolution, dynamic range) hasn’t seem to have improved since 2014, while competitors have surpassed the m4/3 system in almost all technical areas.
In January 2018, I purchased the Sony A7RIII. In terms of technical specifications – resolution (47mp), dynamic range (14.7 EV), and autofocus speed (single, continuous, eye detect) – this camera and its successors are amazing. The Sony’s are also relatively small and portable with ever improving ergonomics. If I ever have to shoot professionally, this is my go-to, but I’ve never really bonded with the camera. The menus are extremely complex and all-in-all the experience of shooting with it feel to digital – like shooting with a computer – maybe photography is too easy with this camera. In short, while i love the technical specs with this camera I lost the love of photography, and eventually realised i had stopped carrying a camera with me.
In summer 2019, I bought a camera which seem ridiculous on paper – the Leica M10p. It doesn’t have autofocus and worse relies on a rangefinder focus mechanism unchanged since 1925. The sensor has good dynamic range but relatively low resolution (24mp), and the feature set is limited feature set. It’s also horrifically expensive. But…. i love it! The draws are as follows:
- Haptics and looks: feels amazing in the hands and is, dare i say it, a beautiful object. Both these factors mean i am way more likely to bring this camera with me when i ‘pop’ out of the house.
- Simplicity: the menus are so simple and intuitive as are the controls. Which leaves you to really focus on capturing the scene and nothing else. There is a purity to the process you don’t get with other modern cameras.
- Portability: fast (f1.4 or lower f stop) range finder lenses are much more compact than the equivalent for other formats – this is because they don’t need a motor or to clear a flapping mirror, and the manufacturers focus on size reduction to minimise viewfinder obstructions.
- People’s reactions to be photographed with the camera: i think this is an overlooked factor in camera choice for anyone who likes to take candid portraits. You really notice how much more resistant people are to being photographed when you pull out a big full frame camera (SLR or mirrorless) and large lens, versus a Leica, or smaller formate mirrorless or film camera. Negative reactions in turn make you more reticent to shoot, or result in images which are not so natural.
FILM/ANALOG
Since 2014 I’ve also been experimenting with analog – i brought on ebay:
- two high end SLRs – the Nikon FM3A and the Pentax LX
- two high end compact film cameras – the Contax T2 and Ricoh GR1V
The inspiration from this article by Ming Thien – a Malaysian based photographer who is also an amazing writer – check out his website.
I’m mainly using Kodak Portra 160 or 400. Film is not cheap (c. HKD 60 – 110), neither is developing and scanning (HKD 60 – 80 per film) for me in Hong Kong. But the process is really fun. I love the surprise factor as usually when the images come back i have forgotten most of what i took, and for some reason there is a depth to analog images (even when digitally scanned) which i can’t seem to recreate with digital. I also enjoy the colour consistency it enforces.
FILM SLRs
Nikon FM3A
I prefer the FM3A over over the Pentax LX, it has: faster quieter shutter (1/4000s v 1/2000s), better quality build and better viewfinder (the bright rangefinder like split screen focus system works really well). In addition the film door has a small window so you can see what film is inside – unlike the LX – so you don’t end up in a dilemma where you don’t know what kind (colour v black and white) and speed of film you have in the camera – a bigger issue than it perhaps sounds.
Overall the FM3A feels very Leica like in design and construction ethos – the top and bottom body covers are each made from a sheet of brass. The shutter and film advance actions are smoothed by oil-free, self-lubricating bearings. The film transport mechanisms are made of high-strength hardened metal gearing. You get exactly the controls you need. The view finder gives all the critical information you need to take a shot – no more and no less.
Pentax LX
The advantages of the LX over the FM3A are:
(a) Cheaper body
(b) Cheaper and possibly better glass
HIGH END COMPACTS
Contax T2
I really like this camera. It’s beautifully constructed, looks amazing and has a brilliantly clear view-finder.
GR1V
Smaller than the Contax T2. I’ve been throwing this into my bike bag for the commute. See here for a review.
ACCESSORIES
STRAPS
Footprint wrist strap
The UK alternative to the Gordy straps – handmade and sold direct on ebay. Great value for money.
BAGS
Billingham Hadley Pro, Khaki Canvas
Billingham Large Pro, Black Fibernite
These handmade in Britain bags are awesome. I also use them as work bags.
