Theater District, NYC (April 2013)
Leica M6 + Voigtlander Ultron 28mm f/2 + Kodak 5230 500T Motion Picture Film.

Toronto, Ontario
Leica M6 + Voigtlander Ultron 28mm f/2 + Kodak 5230 500T Motion Picture Film.

I recently sold my Sony NEX-7 simply because it wasn’t being used enough for me to justify keeping it. I primarily shoot film now-a-days and figured it’s best I find a pocketable digital point and shoot to compliment my Leica M6. Through my research I narrowed the list down to two camera’s. The Sony RX1 and the Fuji X100S.

I was leaning more to the Sony, since I have had positive experiences with their cameras. Thankfully my good friend Ashok, who works at the Sony Store in Downtown Toronto, happened to have one I could borrow. I went by the store and took the camera for a spin.

The first thing I noticed with the camera is the build quality is absolutely spectacular. Sony really put thought into the camera design. They wanted the premium feel of a Leica and they definitely achieved it with the RX1. It’s all metal body screams durability and it’s design is clean and classic. So far so good for the Sony.

I started to head south on Yonge street and began to shoot as I do on any other lunch photo walk. Right at that second I started to miss having a viewfinder, and immediately felt like a squinting tourist holding the camera 3 feet away from my body trying to see what i was focusing on.

Autofocus is decent. I would say it’s on par with the NEX-7. But it’s extremely reliable. Everything I focused on was tack sharp and none of my shot’s missed focus.

Image quality out of this camera is something out of this world. Razor sharp images with fantastic out of focus area’s and that signature Zeiss 3D pop. Sony was smart having Zeiss design the lens. I believe if Sony were to sell that lens separately you’re probably looking at around $1500 for the lens alone. I would also say this lens easily out resolves the Zeiss ZM Biogon 35mm f/2 for Leica.

The RX1 is definitely a game changing camera. It packs a full frame sensor and pairs it with a STUNNING 35mm f/2 Zeiss lens that’s RAZOR sharp. I guarantee Nikon and Fuji are threatened by this camera and scrambling to create their own full frame point and shoot. I personally would not get this camera. The lack of a viewfinder brings me back to when I had a Sony NEX-5n. Great camera but don’t want to be spending another $500 on an optical finder or EVF. The EVF sticks out like a wart from the camera, which I would be incredibly paranoid that I would snap it off by accident while the camera is fastened to my blackrapid strap. The OVF is interesting but you have zero confirmation telling you whether you’ve hit focus or what you’re focusing on, not only that but you’ll be facing parallax differences between what the camera see’s and what your optical finder see’s. Some people may not find this an issue, and if so I say BUY IT! It’s a spectacular camera that will give you amazing images.

When the Sony RX2 comes out with an optical/EVF/Hybrid viewfinder built into the body. I’ll be at the Sony Store with my wallet out. In the meantime I’ll pick up a Fuji X100S and see how that treat’s me.

PS. If you live in Toronto and are looking to purchase any Sony gear I highly recommend you head over to the Sony Store in the Eaton’s Center, on Yonge and Queen, and speak to Ashok. He is by far the friendliest, most knowledgeable, and non-pushy salesman I have ever had the pleasure of dealing with.

-D

Theater District, NYC (April 2013)

Leica M6 + Voigtlander Ultron 28mm f/2 + Kodak 5230 500T Motion Picture Film.

Flatiron District, NYC (April 2013)
Leica M6 + Voigtlander Ultron 28mm f/2 + Kodak 5230 500T Motion Picture Film.

York Street Station, Brooklyn NYC (April 2013)

Leica M6 + Voigtlander Ultron 28mm f/2 + Kodak 5230 500T Motion Picture Film.

Old Havana, Cuba (April 2013)

Leica M6 + Zeiss ZM 28mm f/2.8 + Kodak Vision3 5207 250D Motion Picture Film.

Theater District, NYC (April 2013)

Leica M6 + Voigtlander Ultron 28mm f/2 + Kodak 5230 500T Motion Picture Film.

Times Square, NYC (April 2013)

Leica M6 + Voigtlander Ultron 28mm f/2 + Kodak 5230 500T Motion Picture Film.

Theatre District, NYC (April 2013)

Leica M6 + Voigtlander Ultron 28mm f/2 + Kodak 5230 500T Motion Picture Film