Monthly Wrap-up, December 2022
New old camera, new old lens, supply chain, Capture One 23, etc.
Leica Shooters, Have Any Thoughts?
I know this is not brand new news but for those well-heeled film shooters out there that didn’t see it, Leica has re-released the venerable M6. Yes, a film camera. The re-released M6 has a few differences, namely a brass top and bottom, a slightly revised meter display, and of course an eye-popping price tag. More interestingly to me they’ve also re-released the 35mm f1.4 Summilux, a very compact, very unperfect lens dating back to 1961.
I’m a fan of Leica, and film on occasion. I guess that’s because I am a fan of simplicity in photography. I get my Leica 35mm film kicks with a less pricey bit of kit. Are any Leica shooters out there that had either of these pieces show up in your stocking this year?
Capture One 23
If you’re a Capture One user you probably know that Capture One 23 was released with a bunch of new features centered around automation of workflow. Both Les and I are Capture One users. I’ve been on board since the early days due to the software's prowess when it comes to tethered shooting. I think Les’s move came around the same time he fully committed to the Fuji GFX system.
I’ve been purchasing the version I need and deciding if I need an “upgrade” before paying more. Les has been a subscription customer. There’s something that rubs me the wrong way about software subscriptions but it looks like people like me will be forced into the rental model with Capture One, just as we were with Adobe based on the ominous email I received along with the Capture One 23 release.
If you’re a Capture One user let us know what you think of the new features. Neither Les nor I have spent a ton of time exploring them yet. Anything you feel is a game-changer?
Endless Supply Chain Issues?
The last few years have been strange when it comes to camera gear. I assume everyone has noticed “new gear” from most manufacturers can be classified as unobtainium. Cameras that are allegedly available for months are constantly out-of-stock, even ”old cameras” like the Fuji X100v are nowhere to be found.
The good news is slowing down on purchases that won’t make any material difference to your work. Heck, my workhorse camera is from 2015, and my most used lenses were released way back in 2005 or thereabouts. Never found a good reason to upgrade.
Of course, I’m sure a few of you are in dire need of something you absolutely have to have due to new system purchases, broken gear, or other well-defined requirements. What shortages are plaguing you? Are you on any wait lists? I was waiting for months for two extra batteries I desperately needed. There was a time those specific batteries were being sold used for 50% more than the MSRP.
What Are Your Goals For 2023
While Les and I have plenty of goals photographically, the stand-out goal related to prints has to be the physical production of the mile-long list of creative display ideas we’ve accumulated over the last few years. Stay tuned as we cannot wait to discuss them here in the Paper Arts newsletter.
Leica cameras are expensive, always have been, and it's worth noting that this re-release of the M6 is actually less expensive than the M-A and M-P film cameras also in the Leica catalog, while retaining all the good bits and superb build quality of those two. It's a new, substantively hand-built film camera in 2022 .. you want it cheap too? So don't harp on the price so much. It is what it is, you/we want Leica to stay in business, and it's not cheap to manufacture and make a profit on a fine camera like an M6. AND, btw, it improves upon the classic M6 in a number of ways, mostly internal and not obvious to the eye.
No I don't own one ... yet. I have a perfectly excellent 1978 Leica M4-2 that I use often and suffices for my film photography. But if the M4-2 needs to go in for an overhaul, I might just buy a new M6 as well. It's a bit of money, but it's a "buy once, use forever" kind of camera so the price isn't really that absurd when amortized over the decades of useful photography that you can do with it.
Yes. I've never stopped using film cameras, although more of my photography happens with digital cameras nowadays. In film, I work with formats ranging from Minox 8x11 mm to 6x6 cm.