GEAR TALK - June '21 Wrap-Up

LEICA 280MM F2.8 MODULAR EXITS

I have obsessive-compulsive tendencies with trying to use super telephoto lenses on Leica M cameras. Despite my hopes and wishes... the attempts are mostly in vane because the Leica M10's do not have electronic first curtain shutter. Shutter shock is my nemesis. But I persist.

The 300mm Lens Club with their respective Teleconverters

The Leica 280mm F2.8 Telyt-R APO Modular is the latest manifestation of my telephoto obsession. The 280mm Modular joins the two incumbents, the Leica 280mm F4 Telyt-R APO and Mamiya 645M 300mm F2.8 APO. Adding a third 300mm lens does not make much sense... but lust clouds one's better judgement.

The 280/400/560mm Head + 1X Focus Module quickly proved to be a sharp combination - no doubt about that. But the Leica 280mm F4 Telyt-R APO is as good (at F4) and looks sharper at F5.6 and F8. And at F2.8, the Mamiya 645M 300mm F2.8 APO is 97% as good as the Modular. The Modular is better than the Mamiya at F2.8, but the degree of betterment is very slight. On top of all this, the 280mm F4 APO performs significantly better (vs the 280mm Modular) with Leica's 1.4x APO and 2x APO teleconverters.

Lust concedes to common sense. The Leica 280mm F4 Telyt-R APO is much easier carry and manage in the field. And the 280mm F4 APO uses standard 77mm filters (very important consideration with the Leica M10 Monochrom). There was not much need to pine over this decision, the Modular has moved on and its money repurposed elsewhere.

LEICA 50MM NOCTILUX-M ASPH RETURNS

And where could that money go? Hmmm... The last time I owned the Leica 50mm F.95 Noctilux-M ASPH was in 2013. Whether my opinion and tastes have changed since then... the only way to find out is to give the lens another try and see how it goes. And here we are.

Leica M10-R in silver with a silver Leica 50mm F.95 Noctilux-M ASPH

The Noctilux arrived in early June and has had a couple outings with the Leica M10 Monochrom and Leica M10-R. Thus far, no complaints. The Leica 50mm F.95 Noctilux-M ASPH review got a healthy update and we will see how the rest unfolds over the next 2-3 months.

ADDING COLOR INTO THE MIX

Now for some context for these lens changes. As North Texas grows (and grows and grows), many many of my old stomping grounds are now new houses, mixed use developments, office parks or whole new cities. As a result, I am driving further and further in search of new content. The increased windshield time translates into less time taking pictures.

So I am reexamining some closer destinations and trying to come up with some new perspective - maybe color instead of black & white, maybe an ultra fast prime instead of a stopped down landscape (hence the Noctilux). This summer is looking to be hot-hot-hot, so that means carrying less gear and being more proficient in the heat with all those vampire-like mosquitos.