This winter, camera manufacturers release one new model after another and digital camera industry is an arena of rival warlords. Our Photo Yodobashi crew test new models almost on a daily basis. When they release a new model, we go out to check the feel of operation as well as the special features. And when the new model is so unique and like no one has ever seen, we cudgel our brains to figure out how effectively we can use it. And then, when the sample shots are ready, we criticize them (no, my samples get criticized). So, I had been busy with locations in the east and west. Of course, I have never forgotten about My Debut with Leica column, not even for a moment. It’s been 4 months since the last one and there’s a good and deep reason… I’ve been thinking of getting an old lens for the topic. However, I had to buy a zoom lens first, my car broke, and I suffer from gout. So, I needed to take care of them and couldn’t get the old lens. Does this make an excuse? No? I see. The chief editor didn’t accept it, either. I know I can’t post my gout diary, so let me talk about some of my photos.

Still, I have a long way to go.

So, I haven’t bought the old lens yet. Expecting my wife would place it next to my pillow around Christmas, I walk with my Leica when I’m off duty. Anyway, these days I learned how great my Summarit is by using the Nokton 35mm that I got the other day.

I bought the Summarit 50mm F2.5 not really knowing how it performs but it is an excellent lens. When I say it’s “normal,” it may not sound interesting. Maybe “disciplined” sounds better. It’s like a combination of suit and tie, whereas the Nokton is like a combination of a pair of shorts and beach sandals (sorry!). These two lenses are clearly different from each other in terms of depiction and I learned why there’re many lenses and why people are obsessed with them. I still stand at the abyss of the deep lens swamp and I can’t deny my desire to step into it. Anyway, let’s check how the two lenses draw differently.

I shot with the Nokton 35mm wide open. Lens character becomes most salient wide open and I’m sure everyone can see the large bokeh. This may also because of the red cloth of the boy in focus, but look how clearly he is isolated from background. I tend to shoot wide open just because I like this extreme depiction and it’s fun to simulate the scenes I can best use the potential of this lens.

This one was shot with the Summarit 50mm. He is the master of a famous sushi restaurant Shirahata located in Shiogama, Miyagi Pref. This picture speaks about his confidence as a top professional. Because it faithfully draws the restaurant’s atmosphere and the texture of white clothing, I even remember his strong Shiogama dialect. Leica is perfectly sized for shooting in this kind of situation and for some reason the pictures prod my memory easily. Is it just me who feels this way?

There’re my daughters who have been starred in my sample shots. I never get tired of looking at children running around. Sometimes they touch or unsurely carry my precious Leica when I’m taking my eyes off them. But, I’d like to keep photographing their ordinary scenes through my eyes as a father. I wonder if my skin used to be this smooth.

went to shoot an artist Katayama who has been cheering me up with his profession. It’s very difficult to follow his unpredictable movement, but I think I have become better at rangefinder manual focusing and moving my body following the subject. A rangefinder makes me become aware of where to place the focus more than SLR cameras do.

Enjoying Leica at my pace

It’s already been 1 year since I bought my Leica. Many things happened to me and I haven’t been able to post as many columns as I wanted, but it was a fun year. As I carry it whenever I’m off duty, I think my Leica suits me better. When I need best results, I pick up my Summarit. It’s my first lens and I trust its performance. When I want to be a little more playful, I choose my Nokton 35mm. A lens changes my feeling, so honestly I want to try other lenses. I’m still at the abyss of the swamp, but my diving will be a long journey and I’ll add more lenses to my collection little by little. Still, this Summarit will always be a road sign for me and I’m glad I bought it!

By the way, the other day I consulted with my commissioner of finance about the Christmas, and she said to me, “It’s you who said we don’t celebrate Christmas because we believe in Shinto.” Did I say that? Maybe I did. Out of the mouth comes evil. Be careful!

（Photo・Text：Z II）

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