Faisal is a San Francisco based lifestyle photographer who currently shoots with a Leica M 240 rangefinder camera. These are his thoughts.
Manhattan During The Quarantine
Some recent photographs taken during some strolls while quarantining in Manhattan during the Coronavirus pandemic.
All photos shot on the Leica Q-P.
Watch Photography
Horology is another interest of mine and I’ve been inspired by HODINKEE’s magazine to experiment with watch photography. Here are some shots over the past several months. They were shot with the Leica Q-P and Canon EOS R.
Leica Q2
Leica was kind enough to send me a Q2 to play with for a couple weeks. The Q2 is their followup to the cult classic 28mm fixed-frame Q that launched back in 2015. I remember being in London the day the original Q was announced and I rushed over to Leica Mayfair to check it out. I ended up purchasing one for myself a few months later once they were able to be purchased through the stores after being sold out for months.
Fast forward to 2019 when Leica announced the highly anticipated Q2. How does one make something so great even greater? Leica decided to develop a new sensor with a higher resolution sensor, add better weather sealing, and a host of other practical enhancements that make the camera even more pleasant to use. As soon as I received the Q2 in the mail, I took it out to a Porsche event I frequent to capture some of the cool classics that make their way through it. Despite being a wide angle lens at 28mm, the Q2 also excels at macro photography which you can see in some of the photographs of watches towards the end.
Canon EOS R – Two Months Later
It’s now been a little over two months since I received the EOS R with the RF 24-105 F4L lens. I wrote some initial thoughts after my first outing with the camera and posted a couple more updates with some of the photos I created with it. In the time I’ve had it, I’ve shot in my hometown of San Francisco, and I’ve taken the camera on trips to Charlottesville, New York, Palm Springs, and Joshua Tree National Park; all locations where the camera performed up to my liking.
2018 has now come to an end. It was a weird year. One that I’m glad is behind us. One highlight late in the year was Canon announcing the EOS R. I had been shooting with my Leica M 240, one of my favorite cameras of all time, and my Fuji X-Pro, a camera I absolutely love with a sensor design that causes me grief (X-Trans). I was excited to hear both Nikon and Canon announce their entry into the full-frame mirrorless market, and ultimately I decided to go with Canon’s offering.
It’s now been a little over two months since I received the Canon EOS R with the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM lens. I wrote some initial thoughts after my first outing with the camera and posted a couple more updates with some of the photos I created with it. In the time I’ve had it, I’ve shot in my hometown of San Francisco, and I’ve taken the camera on trips to Charlottesville, New York, Palm Springs, and Joshua Tree National Park; all locations where the camera performed up to my liking.
I’ve gotten several questions and inquiries asking for my thoughts on the camera, especially since the early reviews have been so polarizing. Everyone I’ve met in person who owns the camera has loved it, including a couple of my close friends and coworkers who have switched from other systems back to Canon. I’m including a few thoughts now that I’ve spent more time with the camera, along with a few photos I’ve created with it. I hope you enjoy them.
Gear
Canon EOS R
Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM Lens
Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM Lens
Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM Lens
Thoughts
Great lens lineup. I bought the camera as a kit with the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM lens which I took on my trip to Joshua Tree and Palm Springs. It’s an optically stunning lens and one that is versatile as well. Coming from a Leica M with a Voigtlander Nokton 50mm f/1.5 Aspherical lens, which is my favorite lens I’ve ever owned, I was missing some unique character from the RF 24-105. I picked up a Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM lens for a decent price and felt a bit more comfortable shooting with a fast 50mm. Once again, this was closer to what I was looking for, but it still didn’t feel all that special. I then began searching for the Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM lens which I’ve been lusting after for years now. I finally picked one up a few days, and it hasn’t left my camera since. I love the way it renders images. A bit soft but with so much character.
Fantastic ergonomics. It’s sometimes amusing to see the EOS R next to its mirrorless rivals and wonder why it’s larger than the rest (especially since it doesn’t have IBIS), but once I pick it up and start shooting with it I remember why — it feels perfect in the hands.
Image quality is great. It's always a pleasure processing Canon RAW files. The Sony RAW files used to be challenging because of the colors, and the FUJI RAW files were difficult for me because of the X-Trans sensor. The Leica RAW files were always great, but the additional resolution is a nice benefit.
Endless customizability. This is one of the most customizable cameras I’ve ever owned. I’m still getting used to all the different configurations and setups, but I’m enjoying the process of trial and error. The menu systems are a joy to use (especially compared to that of the Sony A7 series).
After shooting Fuji X and Leica M for the past two to three years, I still feel a bit uncomfortable in some situations carrying around a camera that more similar resembles a traditional DSLR. Part of me feels like the camera makes me look too much like a tourist compared to the sleuth design and size of both Fuji and Leica’s cameras. This is purely psychological, and I’m sure other folks won’t have this concern at all.
Battery life is great. USB-C charging and data transferring is a game changer for traveling light, especially with the USB-C Apple MacBook Pro.
Images
Final Words
The past couple of months with this new system have been a joy. I’m excited for the RF lenses and the new mount. The EOS R is the vector for the new technology that Canon is introducing in their lenses and I get the sense they have come exciting products in the pipeline. I’m looking forward to this raveling in 2019 with the EOS R. I already have a trip to Spain and Italy booked and am in the process of a couple more where I’m sure I will be putting the camera to use. If you have any specific questions that I can help answer, feel free to leave a comment or shoot me a message and I’ll do my best to get back to you. You can also find me on Instagram. Thanks and happy new year!
Canon EOS R – First Thoughts
I've had the EOS R with the RF 24-105 F4 lens for a few days now and I got a chance to shoot with it over this weekend. I'm most recently coming from a Leica M system, but have owned a Fuji X and Sony FE system in the past, along with a Canon 6D. Because I've been shooting with mostly a rangefinder over the past two years, the EVF is taking some getting used to. I also started wearing eyeglasses during this time, which is proving to be less than ideal with any type of viewfinder.
I've had the EOS R with the RF 24-105 F4 lens for a few days now and I got a chance to shoot with it over this weekend. I'm most recently coming from a Leica M system, but have owned a Fuji X and Sony FE system in the past, along with a Canon 6D. Because I've been shooting with mostly a rangefinder over the past two years, the EVF is taking some getting used to. I also started wearing eyeglasses during this time, which is proving to be less than ideal with any type of viewfinder.
Ergonomics are fantastic. I have rather large hands. My pinky is right on the border of fitting, but I think it works.
The touchscreen is super responsive. Impressive for a camera company.
Image quality is great. It's always a pleasure processing Canon RAW files. The Sony RAW files used to be challenging because of the colors, and the FUJI RAW files were difficult for me because of the X-Trans sensor. The Leica RAW files were always great.
Battery life is great. USB-C charging and data transferring is a game changer for traveling light, especially with the new Apple MBP.
Less sex appeal compared to the Leica, but that's expected going back to a traditional camera company/system.
All shots taken with Canon EOS R and Canon RF 24-105 F4 lens. Edited with Lightroom CC. Please keep in mind that these photos are heavily compressed for web viewing.
