Now the big decision… what lens to purchase for the Leica M (Type 240)? Do I purchase a Leica Summilux or maybe a Zeiss 35mm f/1.4 Distagon lens? Well I decided to get the faster 35mm rangefinder lens on the market, the Voigtlander Nokton Aspherical 35mm f/1.2 Lens II. And let me tell you, I’m blown away at the versatility of the lens both for low light and landscape photography. Wide open at f/1.2, the sharpness and depth of field are outstanding. And at f/11, the edge-to-edge sharpness is ideal for my landscape photography. In addition, the lenses bokeh is very smooth and flare is minimum shooting into the sun.

The Voigtlander Nokton Aspherical 35mm f/1.2 Lens II cost $999.00, which is a bargain, based on the outstanding image quality the lens produces on the Leica M (Type 240). The Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 ASPH Lens is currently priced at $4,532.00 so the cost savings by purchasing the Voigtländer Nokton is $3,500.00. I might just rent the Leica Summilux lens to do a comparison with the Voigtländer Nokton. I have a funny feeling the Voigtländer Nokton will give the Leica Summilux a run for it’s money.

The images below were captured using the Voigtlander Nokton Aspherical 35mm f/1.2 Lens II and Leica M (Type 240). The RAW files were processed using Capture One Pro 8.

Downtown Sacramento’s Crest Theater – Leica M (Type 240) with the Voigtlander Nokton Aspherical 35mm f/1.2 Lens II @ f/1.2

American Canyon Trail outside Cool, California – Leica M (Type 240) with the Voigtlander Nokton Aspherical 35mm f/1.2 Lens II @ f/1.2

American Canyon Trail outside Cool, California – Leica M (Type 240) with the Voigtlander Nokton Aspherical 35mm f/1.2 Lens II @ f/1.2

I’m looking forward to using both the Leica M (Type 240) and Voigtlander Nokton Aspherical 35mm f/1.2 Lens II in 2016. The California snowpack is above average for 2016 so our hiking trips in the Desolation Wilderness will provide us with excellent landscape photography opportunities.

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I love the Leica T’s image quality especially with the Leica Summicron-T 23mm f/2 ASPH lens on the camera. Been using the camera and lens combination for a couple of months mainly on hiking trips and commercial photography gigs. Carrying a Leica T with three lenses (Summicron-T 23mm, Super-Vario-Elmar-T 11-23mm, and 50mm Summicron-M DR) in a Leica Nylon System Case with a Gitzo GT1545T Tripod to a commercial photo shoot is lightweight indeed. Also, going on strenuous hikes with only the Leica T and Summicron-T 23mm f/2 ASPH in my backpack and capturing amazing images (see below) minimizes the amount of camera gear needed for landscape photography trips.

Here are my first impressions using the Leica Summicron-T 23mm f/2 ASPH lens on the Leica T (Typ 107):

• “edge to edge” biting sharp images
• images captured with the lens have the classic Leica three dimensional look
• using hyperfocal distance techniques, you can easily obtain a depth of field from 3 feet to infinity
• warm and vivid color palette similar to slide film
• buttery smooth bokeh

Excellent image quality, simplicity, and innovation makes the Leica T camera system a joy to use. Combined with the Leica Summicron-T 23mm f/2 ASPH lens, the pair will satisfy any photojournalist. All I need now is for Leica to produce a Noctilux-T 50mm f/0.95 ASPH lens and my camera system will be complete.

The images below were captured using the Leica Summicron-T 23mm f/2 ASPH and Leica T (Typ 107). The RAW files were processed using Capture One Pro 8.

Round Top Summit (10,381′) – Leica T (Typ 701) with Summicron T 23mm, @ f/8, ISO 100

Rio City Cafe – Leica T (Typ 701) with Summicron T 23mm, @ f/4, ISO 100

The post Leica Summicron-T 23mm f/2 ASPH Lens Review appeared first on Aperture Consultant.

Images captured using the Leica Super-Vario-Elmar-T 11-23mm and Leica T (Typ 107). The RAW files were processed using Adobe Lightroom CC 2015.

The post Bayview Trail – Leica T (Typ 107) appeared first on Aperture Consultant.

“The California Poppy (Eschscholzia Californica) was designated the state flower of California in 1903. Also known as the flame flower, la amapola, and copa de oro (cup of gold), the poppy grows wild throughout California. California Indians valued the poppy as a food source and for the oil extracted from the plant.” State Symbols USA

California Dogwood

“Cornus nuttallii is a species of dogwood native to western North America from the lowlands of southern British Columbia to the mountains of southern California, with an inland population in central Idaho. Cultivated examples are found as far north as Haida Gwaii. It is a small to medium-sized deciduous tree, reaching 10–25 m tall.” Wikipedia

Images captured using the Leica X (Typ 113). The RAW files were processed using Capture One Pro 8 and the black and white images with Silver Efex Pro.

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