Today’s Post by Joe Farace
Like Rodney Dangerfield, this is the only Leica that seems to get “no respect”—Anatomy Films
Last year I photographed a Cars & Coffee event at the Vehicle Vault using my limited edition Jaguar-themed Leica Z2X loaded with my favorite Kodak Gold 200 film.
Even on the best weather days, the lighting conditions at the Vehicle Vault during these car shows can be challenging and are typically contrasty. On this particular day, it was hazy with partially cloudy skies producing streaky uneven lighting during the entire time I was at the show. Mostly the lighting was flat and boring and so the images you see here were slightly—I repeat, slightly—enhanced in Photoshop.
Here’s what the scans from The Darkroom, who also processed the film, showed: The most important thing I learned was after sitting unused and unloved since 1999, the Leica Z2X worked—up to a point. It’s been called The Most Hated Leica? And since this is only the second time I’ve used it since1999, I now know why. For starters, I find it difficult to place my eye in a place in the viewfinder to achieve precise image framing. The photos you see had to be slightly cropped to match my original intentions.
The shutter release is somewhat stiff and more pressure is required that I prefer; it’s unlike any Leica I’ve ever used. You might think all Leica point-and-shoots are like this but I doubt it. Users of the Leica Minilux all seem to love their camera. The Casual Photophile said this, “I can’t recommend the Minilux enough. It’s an incredibly well-built camera that’s super fun to use. It’s gorgeous, compact, and feels like quality in the hands.” The Z2X does not feel like “quality” in mine. And maybe that why a used Minilux costs three to four times more than what a Z2X sells for.
The images were not universally sharp, although many were. Here’s my thoughts on why:
It could possibly be camera movement and maybe it’s me. I’ll take some responsibility here in my, perhaps unsuccessful, attempts at getting a smooth, shake-free experience. I could test this theory further by shooting the Z2X while it’s on a tripod, but to be honest, I think the whole experience tells me why I haven’t shot the camera in 23 years.- It’s always possible that after all these years the camera’s auto focusing isn’t working as well as it could. One of my photographer friends says all old cameras always need a CLA to get them working properly but after my experience with my Seagull TLR, I’m not willing to throw hundreds of dollars at this particular problem
- I once had a small problem with scans from The Darkroom but they were minor so this seems like the most unlikely reason. If I run out of film projects to work on, I may ask my friend Cliff Lawson to shoot/scan one of the negatives using his unique setup to, you know, see what happens.
If you would like to send a roll of film for me to review or other stuff for these posts and my videos you can mail it to: Joe Farace, PO BOX 2081, PARKER, CO 80134