Apple Watch Update

Over the weekend there was another Apple Watch update.  Apple have been really on the ball recently with the updates, even my old laptop running OS X 10.11 has been getting updates and it is ten years old now.

Cold Brew Coffee

Cold brew coffee has become really fashionable recently so I decided to brew some up myself.

There are various recipes on the internet so I have tired several of the last couple of weeks before coming to one I prefer.  As for brewing I have just been using a Kilner jar.  Poor in the coffee grounds and iced water, then leave for sixteen hours, decant into a Chemex then in to jar to keep in the fridge for up to two weeks.  Easy.   Server over ice with milk or even better with cream, and if your feeling really decadent with Tennessee whiskey.

What mirrorless would I buy today

So I said in my last post that mirrorless is definitely coming, but if I was to buy a mirrorless camera today what would it be.

Well I have actually been shooting mirrorless for a while with the Nikon V1 a very under appreciated camera and my Leica M8 and M10.  On a photography trip to the Scottish islands I shot wildlife with my DSLR’s, landscape with Hasselblad and Ebony medium and large format, but for everyday, I wanted something small light and something I really enjoyed using, so the Leica M8 was always in my hand, taking quick little grab shots like that of the harbour above from on board ship.

The big advantage of mirrorless is size but if your talking full frame then physics gets in the way, you still need big lens, so for a small camera I would buy a Olympus Pen-F, and likely add an Olympus OM-D E-M1 at some point to partner it.

I would also be tempted to replace my current Hasselblad and PhaseOne back with the Hasselblad mirrorless camera.

 

Mirrorless is the Future?

Olympus Pen F

For a number of years now people have been predicting that mirrorless will take over.  I think this year of 2018 will be the big test.

Digital SLR sales continue to drop.  Mirrorless continues to grow.  With the growing restrictions on carry on luggage on airplanes a smaller lighter camera makes a lot of sense.

A little Canon EOS M5 now makes a better camera in all regards to the most basic model DSLR, and is smaller and lighter.  Olympus have proven with their OM-D E-M1 that mirrorless can be professional, and if you want to have the full frame verses small frame argument, then try a Leica SL mirrorless full frame camera with a viewfinder thats the best in the world for EVF.  If your wanting big you can now even go medium format with a small light mirrorless body.

If Nikon and Canon do release real mirrorless contenders this year then within two years its game over for the DSLR, and it will be come a niche player like the rangefinder and TLR (Twin Lens Reflex) before it.

Monday Morning Feeling

Its going to be a very quiet week, Timmy the Greyhound has sprained his right wrist and cannot walk, I am full of cold and working from home, and so far this year have not managed to get out and do a single personal photographic shoot.  Heres hopping things get better from now on.

New Years resolutions and projects

I did not make any real new year resolutions but there are a few things I am intending to do.

I want to get more studio photography done and I want to try and make sure that I get out to Hartsholme Park and Whisby Nature reserve a bit more often for some wildlife photograph.

This year will be spent trying to figure out what are the main types of photography I want to do and which focal length lens I prefer to do those types of photographs.  Then next year i’ll be undertaking a bit of a photographic prune of equipment and setting my self up with just what I really want.

When and and about with the Leica I have proven to myself how few focal lengths you actually need.

On a more personal note I want to continue with my diet and weight loss, I am just about there now despite Christmas but want to ensure  I do not slip back into old ways.

Lastly I want to get my music a lot better this year.  I found last year with everything that happened it was far too easy to let a couple of months slip past and I had not picked up a banjo or sat and played at our piano.  So January will be a month where I start gently but ensure I get down at least a couple of practice sessions each week.

Leica fill out the SL Lens Range 75 and 90mm

Long awaited mid length telephotographs and many portrait photographers favourite, the 75mm and the 90mm were finally officially announced by Leica yesterday.  With the 75mm just under £4000 and the 90mm just over £4000, its going to be professionals only or rich semi-pros and amateur till a few start to appear on the second hand market in a few years.

We only now need Leica to release a prime wide angle and we have most areas covered.

Snows Coming

Leica M4 – Fuji Film

The weather forecast is not looking good the next few days and as someone who commutes by motorcycle, i’ll be digging out my electrically heated waist coat.  Generally here in Lincolnshire, unless you live out over the wolds we do not see much snow and as most motorists in the UK do not like switching from their summer or general purpose tires its a good job.  You do not need much of a coating of snow to bring the UK to a halt.