Emails: You'd think I'd get nothing but photography-related emails. But no.
Just for curiosity, I tallied up the last 300 emails I received to see where they're coming from. Nothing had been deleted. The oldest one was almost exactly four days old, meaning I received an average of 75 emails a day. Only four of them were personal messages (three photo-related and one about music), meaning I got an average of one personal email per day.
Here's how they stack up:
- Political: 171
- Newspaper or magazine: 34
- Flickr: 27
- Photo-related: 9
- Misc. ads: 9
- Associations or organizations: 7
- From a museum or gallery but not photo-related: 6
- Music and audio: 6
- Facebook: 5 (I don't participate on Facebook)
- LinkedIn: 5 (don't participate there either)
- Amazon: 4
- Zillow: 4
- Shopping: 2
- Computer: 2
- Misc.: 2
- Gas Company, Medical, Bank, Zoom, Patreon, Tennis, and Keyboards: 1 each
Granted, I don't discourage the political emails (I do when they come in over the phone). But I'll be unsubscribing from a lot of them once the election's over.
Leica old: To commemorate the 70th anniversary of the M camera, Leica is selling a film M-A gussied up with platinum plating, a matching 50mm Summicron, and a matching Leicavit, all for $23k. The thing is, it's not that much more expensive than a regular ol' black M-A and 50mm Summicron. That's not including the Leicavit, which will be coming in the first half of 2025 as a new-old accessory in black-painted, glossy black-painted, and silver-chromed versions. To encourage customers to buy them, they will cost only $79*. A Leicavit, for those of you born in the past 40 years, is a manual rapid-winder you attach to the bottom of the camera where the baseplate goes. It has a little flip-out handle that you pull with your left hand to advance the film and cock the shutter. It's only a little faster than using the regular wind lever; if you practice you can get up to two frames a second. Always a minority preference, but a few people liked them. True Leicaphiles will remember Tom's, which some people liked better.
More interestingly, there's a 70th anniversary book called Leica M due out next month, with a cover that is mostly a funereal black. It's possible it will only be available at Leica Stores, although there will be both English and German editions; there doesn't seem to be a pre-order page on Amazon unless I missed it. It will include pictures taken with the cameras.
Dumbest thing ever: Old computing devices aren't generally collectible, but some are. The most collectible item of all, allegedly, is the original 2007 iPhone. The most collectible original 2007 iPhone is one in its original box that has never been opened. One of these sold recently for $63,000 and another for $55,000—proving, as if proof were needed, that some people have too much money. A third guy, a YouTube reviewer, found one for $40,000. (Apparently it was such a bargain [?!?] because it had a little slit in the shrink-wrap.) He bought it. It arrived in a stout wooden crate that could have held a kitchen sink, with "Glass" stickers on it. He opened the big box and, amid much bubble-wrap, found a little box made of Plexiglas or something similar. Inside that was more bubble-wrap, and another box—the original iPhone packaging, still shrink-wrapped. And he opened that in a video, presumably removing thousands of dollars of "value" from the collectible. That was the video: he opened the box. Oh, be still, my beating heart**.
This strikes me as the all-around dumbest thing I have ever seen. Every part of it is inane: people wanting old iPhones; old iPhones costing up to $63,000; a sane guy actually buying one; the same guy making a video of himself opening the box for people's entertainment; and, people being entertained. It's hard to say what part of that is the dumbest.
Oddly enough, though, the YouTuber himself might have been being smart. He presumably knows how much he will earn from the video (9.2 million views as of this writing), how much his sponsor(s) will pay him for the attention, and how much residual value is left in the old iPhone after it's been opened, because it's still an LN original iPhone and must be worth a lot to collectors even though it isn't in its box any more. I'm sure he calculates that he'll come out ahead. So there's a good chance he's being sensible, like that guy who bought a simple lens hood for an old Nikon lens for $5,500 and increased the value of his old lens by $10,000. It's all a game, right?
Clearly, though, I should have stopped writing blog posts and started making YouTube videos when everyone else did.
Fuji new: All things considered, the most interesting camera brand of the past decade—to me, anyway—has been Fuji. I love the compromise "crop sensor" size and the no-compromise "medium"-format cameras; the highly sensible and high-performing XF lens line; the retro-themed cameras in a variety of form-factors, all appealing, none particularly cynical; and the out-of-step, "think different" way that Fuji charts its own course rather than copying/echoing/shadowing its nearest rival.
Another thing I like is that Fuji is still introducing actual new cameras—meaning, something that isn't merely a refresh of an existing model. Somehow, I missed the advent of the X-T50, which is an interesting little camera indeed. It descends from the amateur-level X-T30, but adds image stabilization and the 40-MP sensor from the X-T5 and the X-H2. It has the same processor as the X-T5 as well. And still it's noticeably smaller in size. There are a few telltales of it being targeted to "amateurs": the film simulation modes now get their own dial on the left side of the camera, and there's a pop-up flash.
I don't get the film-simulation dial. They're there in other Fujis, and do they expect you to change film-simulation modes picture to picture? Maybe they're just trying to remind people that, hey, these exist. Re the flash, I've never been a flash user, and I haven't used a pop-up flash in years, but it seems to me that this handy little feature beloved of family-documenting shutterbugs might be especially useful now that high ISOs are prevalent. A built-in flash was always pretty woeful as a primary source of light (some wag once referred to them as "picture-ruiners," and that might or might not have been me), but ISO 3200 and a little puff of flash might be just the thing to fill shadows, for tough lighting situations, or to provide a catchlight on eyeballs.
The X-T50 comes in silver with black lettering, black with white lettering, and charcoal gray with white lettering (above), which I think is the handsomest.
Anyway, if I were looking for a carry-around APS-C camera, I'd be shopping this against the X-T5, the Sony A6700, the Nikon Z50, and any other competitors. It's a pleasure to be able to write about a new camera that's new and not just refresh-number-whatever of a camera we all already know***.
Mike
*I'm kidding.
**You might think that's Shakespeare, but no. "The earliest instance of the full 'be still, my beating heart' appears in William Mountfort's Zelmane, 1705: 'Ha! hold my brain; be still my beating Heart.'" (nosweatshakespeare.com)
***When I say that I'm not referring to the Leica M Edition 70, which is a commemorative and a collectible.
Original contents copyright 2024 by Michael C. Johnston and/or the bylined author. All Rights Reserved. Links in this post may be to our affiliates; sales through affiliate links may benefit this site. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. (To see all the comments, click on the "Comments" link below or on the title of this post.)
Featured Comments from:
Ben: "Probably easy enough to shrink wrap the iPhone box again and come out ahead, no?"
Mike replies: I'm not up on it, but apparently several YouTubers have bought supposedly NIB original iPhones and opened them while being videoed, only to find that it's an obviously used phone in a shrink-wrapped box and that they've been scammed. But they still make enough money on the video to cover their loss.
Jeff: "From Leica Press Release: 'The "Leica M" book will be available globally in Leica Stores, the Leica Online Store, the LFI (Leica Fotografie International) Online Store, and select authorized dealers starting on November 5th, 2024. The retail price is $50.00.'"
Mike replies: Thanks Jeff. And by "select authorized dealers" I take it they mean not bookstores or online behemoths whose name starts with "Amaz," but select authorized Leica camera dealers?
Herman Krieger: "The Leica M3 that I purchased in 1964 for about $600."
Mike replies: Beats $23k any day! More personal history and connection.
ChrisC: "Pop-up flashes aren’t necessarily a bad thing, it’s the slow sync speed that’s the problem. I had a Nikon D50, which had a 1/500 sync speed (as did the D70) and the little pop-up flash provided great fill on a bright sunny day, adding an extra little sparkle to the picture. Never managed to get quite the same results with later cameras that reverted to more conventional sync speeds."
Mike replies: And the X-T50's sync speed is a mere 1/180th. So it might be pretty limited. On the other hand, it isn't meant to be a pro camera and doesn't pretend to be. Of course, I'm pretty sure the X-H2 doesn't have a pop-flash at all...although I asked Google if it did, and the "A[rtificial un-] I[ntelligence] Overview" said, "Yes, the Fujifilm X-H2 camera has a pop-up flash." In any event the X-H2's sync speed is 1/250th.
Even in Fuji land, things never seem to slow down. Since the X-T50, we now have the diminutive X-M5 with no viewfinder but sporting the 40 Mpixel sensor from the bigger siblings. Looks like a fine place to put a film-simulation dial.
Posted by: AndrewH | Thursday, 24 October 2024 at 12:50 PM
$23k for the Leica and another $23k for a years worth of slide film and processing. See, the camera isn’t that expensive after all!
Posted by: Dan | Thursday, 24 October 2024 at 01:08 PM
Maybe that dial would help me because I do forget about film simulations, or at least that I can change them easily. There seems to be a limit to how many picture variables I can consistently keep in mind on the fly. Add ISO to the classic pre-digital controls and that's pretty much it. Especially processing variables like NR, DR, filters, etc. tend to get set for the session and forgotten (as if I'm using film, now that I think of it).
On-camera flash is a godsend for people shots on sunny days, especially when the sun is high and harsh.
I've probably used Fujifilm digital cameras as much as any other, but I've never owned one--they were all rented or on loan. Might be a good time to change that as there seems to be a rich used inventory. I'm sure it'll only take me a year and a half dozen or so rentals to choose one.
[
Made me laugh! --Mike]
Posted by: robert e | Thursday, 24 October 2024 at 01:36 PM
Don't care much about the new Fuji, seems like its aimed at video shooters and bloggers, plus no eye level finder, so it a non-starter. Fuji has however got my attention by updating their flagship normal zoom, the 16-55mm f/2.8. The first edition won praise for its optical output, but its size and weight was way too much for an APS-C format. DP Review has a very nice sample gallery from the new lens and with the smaller, lighter package and supposedly better performance, I might have to buy one.
[
The X-T50 certainly does have an eye-level finder. You're probably thinking of the also-new X-M5. And thanks for your thoughts on the new kit zoom. Just being better than the old one means it's probably very good. --Mike]
Posted by: Albert Smith | Thursday, 24 October 2024 at 01:51 PM
Amaz.. is not an authorized Leica dealer, but B&H is. That said, I have no information on this.
Posted by: Jeff | Thursday, 24 October 2024 at 02:14 PM
171? For goodness sake unsubscribe to all (or at least 95%) of them right now!
Posted by: Andrew B | Thursday, 24 October 2024 at 02:44 PM
That iphone story reminded me of another, about the crash in the high end art market.
https://news.artnet.com/market/art-market-reset-riding-the-waves-of-change-2533656
Fascinating article. Many factors cited, including sanctions on Russian oligarchs. But these quotes from an "art addict" jumped out at me: “The world is so precarious right now that one wants to focus on what’s really important. To accumulate art for the sake of accumulating art is just so five years ago.” and “We are being much more selective,” Lari said. “It’s less about the buying and more about the experience. We don’t want to be hoarders anymore.”
I don't know whether to laugh or cry.
Posted by: robert e | Thursday, 24 October 2024 at 03:02 PM
Youtube economics escape me.
9.2 million views / 1000 x $0.02 ~ $0.12 = between $184 ~ $1104.
I don't get how that recoups the cost of the purchase or the drop in value from the great un-boxing?
Clearly I am missing something or have an error in my maths.
[More likely an error in MY maths. I actually don't know how much YouTube videos make. I deleted that bit from the post. --Mike]
Posted by: George | Thursday, 24 October 2024 at 05:40 PM
That YouTuber is a smart fella. Great reviews of tech and cars. Even his stunt with the iPhone was fun to watch. Check out his other videos. Marques Brownlee.
Posted by: Chris Koerner | Thursday, 24 October 2024 at 06:48 PM
Personal safety when using your Leica in public?
Aren't you making yourself a significant target for theft and/or a beating, if you wear a Rolex (or nicer watch) and display a Leica?
I'm assuming something so easily sold 2nd hand for so much money must be like honey to a criminally minded bear.
[I always found that people tended to ignore Leicas, although it's been a while since I've owned one. On the other hand, it tended to make me nervous to be carrying that much money around on a strap. Only because I'm not the most careful person in the world, and I've lost just enough cameras over the years that I have not infrequent anxiety dreams about it.... --Mike]
Posted by: Kye Wood | Thursday, 24 October 2024 at 07:53 PM
Fujifilm would like everyone to use their proper name. This is because hundreds of companies use Fuji in their name.
Fujifilm. OK?
Posted by: John Krill | Thursday, 24 October 2024 at 09:57 PM
I never paid much attention to how much money "youtube influencers" can make, and am still a bit astonished that they do at all. But if you need over 9 million views to make $1104, it's not exactly easy money. They must have to spit out several videos per week, every week.
I wonder how many failed influencers there are out there, you know, people with only 1 or maybe 3 million views. They probably have to get second jobs to make ends meet.
Posted by: Robert Roaldi | Thursday, 24 October 2024 at 10:00 PM
business savvy is what I called it. Recently, in my country, somebody bought a popular old 2 stroke bike (production started in 1985), non registered, still spanking new for $140,000. Pretty much everybody is howling what a dumbass to buy something costing probably 5% of that value.
Well, she (the buyer) held a lucky draw for that bike for anybody who buys her packaged coffee and made reportedly a million dollars from that. Dumbass indeed.
Posted by: cheechai | Thursday, 24 October 2024 at 10:31 PM
Now I wonder what a Mac Cube, complete with the big cinema display monitor, all still functional, is worth.
Posted by: Keith | Thursday, 24 October 2024 at 11:53 PM
You-tubers. Sheesh. This is apparently a new way to make a living that I don't care to know about. I'm also irked that people call themselves "creatives." We'll be the judge of that, thank you.
Posted by: Gary | Friday, 25 October 2024 at 04:12 AM
I hear that Leica is having big discounts for the 70th anniversary.
Sorry for this sad joke.
I held an m-leica only once. it was a film m6 I think.
It was very uncomfortable to hold. Very heavy and slippery. I was quite scared of what would happen if it falls on my foot.
Ahh, I guess i’m just jealous that I will never have one.
Posted by: Yoram Nevo | Friday, 25 October 2024 at 10:16 AM
Handy film simulation guide for the Fujifilm X-T50:
Starting with the "V" and going counter-clockwise (aka "anti-clockwise") on the dial (as seen here: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1827214-REG/fujifilm_16828686_x_t50_mirrorless_camera_with.html )
Vista Plus, Superia, Cibachrome, Royal Gold, Negrachrome, Neopan, Agfacolor
(I tried to get as many obsolete names as I could, with some (lots) of help from wikipedia.)
Note: Only works with the charcoal gray. :>)
Posted by: Dave | Friday, 25 October 2024 at 11:46 AM
A whole dial for film presets? I just do this in Lightroom (if I'm feeling inclined). Won't work if you are shooting jpegs of course. I'd rather stick with the ISO dial
[Probably aimed at people who don't use Lightroom and might not delve too deeply into the menus. Nothing wrong with that necessarily; it's a decision. But I'd rather have the ISO dial too. Still looks like a neat little camera, with high horsepower where it counts, in the pixel count, IBIS, and the processor. --Mike]
Posted by: Richard Tugwell | Friday, 25 October 2024 at 01:44 PM
Fear of losing cameras? That’s what insurance is for. I wouldn’t be without it , considering Leica gear, etc. In the US, options are greater than elsewhere, and relatively inexpensive. Mine covers replacement value under virtually all circumstances, including my own stupidity.
Posted by: Jeff | Friday, 25 October 2024 at 01:52 PM
"Clearly, though, I should have stopped writing blog posts and started making YouTube videos when everyone else did."
I don't know if you are being sarcastic, but I think this is true. You may have made enough money 12 years ago (at photography's height) not to have to worry about money ever again, and it would have been easier to transition a bit to keep up with the times. You would have been great. But I kind of like the way you did it. I am a reader more than a watcher.
[I'm afraid I'm like the silent movie star with the high, squeaky voice who couldn't make the transition to the talkies. I'm just not a talker/presenter/personality. I'm a writer. To quote my favorite sailor-man from when I was four, I yam what I yam and that's all what I yam. Hyuck-yuck-yuck-yuck-yuck. --Mike]
Posted by: Edward Taylor | Friday, 25 October 2024 at 06:45 PM
One way to get the Leica M book for free...
https://site.picter.com/70-years-of-leica-m
Posted by: Stan B. | Friday, 25 October 2024 at 11:04 PM
Unboxing videos is the tame end of internet videos. I first heard about it from the youngsters at work. Then it was mukbang.
I looked at a couple, and at that point, I gave up. I’m still with you in terms of “to each, their own”, so long as it is consensual and not harming others against their will. I won’t ridicule or demean others for something I don’t understand. But if it’s anything like that, I just don’t want to know what else is out there - ignorance is bliss.
[Mukbang to me is some sort of mysterious psychological illness, like hoarding, alien hand syndrome, or Capgras syndrome. I don't pretend to understand it, but IMO it's on that level of weird. Seems likely there will be a psychiatric diagnosis for it sooner rather than later. --Mike]
Posted by: Not THAT Ross Cameron | Friday, 25 October 2024 at 11:14 PM
I have a X-T5 and a X-T30 II. When I heard rumors about the X-T50, I was ready to get it to replace the X-T30 but I changed my mind when I saw the specs and the price. It's $500 more than X-T30 and only $300 less than X-T5, which makes it seem more like a new tier model rather than an update of the X-T30. Its only significant improvements over the X-T30 are subject recognition AF, IBIS, 40mp sensor (which might not be considered an improvement for some), and a more powerful processor. I don't think those are worth the $500 price difference.
It still has the small, low-resolution EVF from the X-T30, battery, and single card slot. And the film simulation dial was an odd choice. It seems like something that belongs on a much more entry-level or niche model. Even then it seems like waste of space where an ISO dial could've been because it's not programmable. Even if you like film simulations and like the idea of having a dedicated dial for it, there's a good chance that the simulations you like/want are not on that dial.
If this were priced about $250 higher than the X-T30 or had more specs similar to the X-T5 (such as the higher-res EVF, larger-capacity battery, ISO dial, etc. but no weather sealing, slower continuous shooting, one card slot), it would've been worth consideration. At its current price, I don't know if it'd appeal to anyone who's thinking of replacing or adding to their current Fuji gear or is considering buying a Fuji camera for the first time.
Posted by: Keith S | Friday, 25 October 2024 at 11:49 PM
If the new "Leica M" book celebrates 70 years of M photography, that must mean that I've had my "50 Years of Leica M" book for 20 years. Goodness me - where did they go?
Posted by: Tom Burke | Saturday, 26 October 2024 at 02:40 AM
Re my comment about applying the film simulation presets in Lghtroom - I meant the Fuji simulation presets which are avaiable in Lightroom as a one-click option if your are using Fuji RAW files (or DNG). Not fiddling around with your own adjustments
Posted by: Richard Tugwell | Saturday, 26 October 2024 at 02:46 AM
Agreed, Edward Taylor, I find videos on equipment boring because it takes them 5 minutes to explain things that a written review you could learn in a few seconds. Written reviews seem more considered too, more information, less "look at me" fluff!
Posted by: Nick Davis | Saturday, 26 October 2024 at 04:33 AM
Depending on the flash, the Fuji X100VI can synchronize up to 1/4000 despite the documentation saying 1/2000.
The Vivitar 285 for example works well.
Some other flashes no more than 1/1000.
It turns out that my radio triggers are too slow for the higher speeds which is a disappointment.
Anyway, it’s pretty wonderful.
Posted by: hugh crawford | Sunday, 27 October 2024 at 05:56 PM
Regarding Old computing devices aren't generally collectible,..., you are sure missing out on a whole different rabbit hole at YouTube. There are a lot of people making a living on buying, showing, building, repairing and playing around with old computers and software. From old 'minicomputers' the size of refrigerators to Commodore 64's and Apple II's and up to 486's and even early Pentiums.
Posted by: Lars Jansen | Monday, 28 October 2024 at 05:13 AM