New year’s resolutions are tough (like the one I made to keep our blog current in 2020). But in the spirit of making a go of it, here’s what we’ve published since our last email to you.
Leica M10 Monochrom
We were fortunate to spend a couple of hours in New York City with the just-announced and long-awaited Leica M10 Monochrom. You can check out our first impressions of it here:
It’s a black & white-only camera, a stills-only camera and — when you add in the ONE must-have lens for it (the APO Summicron-M 50mm f/2 Black Chrome Edition, though the regular one is a bit less expensive with the IDENTICAL optics )— a $19,000 proposition. Which means it is an exceptionally rare person who will find this compelling.
But oh, man: for that person, it will be incredibly appealing.
For now, Claudia and I are more than happy with the Leica CL ( hers) and SL2 (mine), although she already has the glass she wants (Summilux-TL 35mm f/1.4 ASPH and Summicron-TL 23mm f/2 ASPH), while I continue to wait for a Summicron-SL 35 or 50.
Registration is Now Open for Our 2020 Streets of New York Workshops!
Photo by Hugh Brownstone. Shot on Leica M10 Monochrom with APO Summicron-M 50mm f/2, Black Chrome Edition.
As you’ll have seen if you watched our M10 Monochrom video, we’re once again delighted to partner with Hasselblad in 2020 at their wonderful New York Experience Studio to bring you street photography workshops in March, June, and October.
Now, yes: we love our gear. But it’s important to know that we don’t care what gear you bring because it’s not about that! As we say on our workshop page, it’s:
“…a three-day experience in New York City where you will grow your street photography skills in one of the most iconic settings for this genre of photography anywhere in the world.
And have a blast doing it.
We’ll delve into the history of street photography; go broad and deep on gear choices and techniques; teach you how to expose and compose effectively; perhaps even challenge you on the meaning of your work and help you refine or develop your unique photographic “voice.”
But most importantly: we’ll get you on the streets of New York with like-minded photographers!”
If past is prelude, it has to be said: our attendees have been absolutely wonderful, unique, accomplished and just plain nice - whether work-a-day pros, enthusiasts or anywhere in-between. Claudia and I feel privileged to have met them, a number of whom have become friends (there is a discount for previous attendees, and we already have two of them joining us again this year)!
“One of the most emotionally beneficial experiences in my life.”
”Convivial, encouraging and had depth from approach to editing and composition… I discovered my “why” as to my motivation for enjoying the photographic process.”
”I learned so much about street photography but I feel like I learned a lot about myself as well. I cannot thank you enough.”
”Your ability to show your compassion, interest, and intelligence served as a magnet for likeminded people. I couldn’t have asked for a better group. “
”[T]hree and a half days away from work, family, friends, obligations, just doing something you love with people whose work you are astonished by, is very special.”
“A great learning experience.”
”Seriously one of the best things I’ve ever done for my photography!
”An unexpected bonding experience.”
”A privilege and an honor to roam the streets of lower Manhattan in such good company. What a group! What an experience! What a life! “
”We absolutely loved being there.”
”[A] wonderful experience meeting folk I’d love to see again one day. How about a re-union sometime?? “
”Priceless.”
Registration opened a little over a week ago, but to our astonishment and delight we’re already one-third full (we keep class sizes small). So if you’re interested and want to learn more, please check it out here.
We’re looking forward to seeing you there!
Sigma’s 35mm f/1.2 and 45mm f/2.8
I think the L-Mount Alliance - a partnership among Leica, Panasonic and Sigma — was the most significant announcement at the last Photokina in 2018. We got our Leica CL and then the SL2 predicated upon it. While I wait for one of those APO Summicron-SL primes to arrive (it seems they aren’t available ANYWHERE these days), at least there are now other options.
First up, Sigma’s GIGANTOR $1,500 35mm f/1.2 DG DN Art Lens in Leica L-Mount, which in my book is already legendary. Check out our video review here:
Just from the thumbnail alone you can see how big it is. The flip side is that it has the fastest 35mm aperture out there, and image quality is superb. Then again…autofocus is dicey wide-open or in low light…or low contrast… and Sigma’s own 35/1.4 is not far off the mark (darned close, in fact) while being smaller, lighter AND less expensive. For now, I’m still holding out for either Leica’s APO Summicron-SL 35 or APO Summicron-SL 50.
On the other hand, the little $550 Sigma 45/2.8 DG DN Contemporary Lens in L-Mount — an odd “neither fish nor foul” focal length and by today’s standard slow — is delightfully small and well-built; has lovely image quality; and is an absolute bargain. Check out our video review:
A sharp-eyed YouTube viewer alerted me to this piece on the concept behind the 45, and I personally find it compelling. This little guy might have to be the first lens I buy for my SL2 — and that’s saying something!
That’s It for Now
I’m happy - it didn’t take a year for me to get this out!