One could approach the topic of swimming from the popular stereotype of the sports photographer in which case I'd be auditioning fast as fast can be cameras like the Sony Alpha One or the Nikon Z9. In that case I'd also have a bunch of fast 100-600mm f2.8 sports lenses to try out --- even though, to my knowledge, no one even makes such a beast. I could take a page from David Burnett and try shooting moving athletes with a Speed Graphic or something like that. Or I could channel my inner Annie Leibovitz and set up a bunch of lighting at the pool with which to make black and white portraits of swimmers (while praying no one gets electrocuted....) but I think I'll stick to the way I like to shoot and just be.....leisurely about it.
After a total immersion year of nothing but Leica, Leica, Leica I'm suddenly interested in a much more basic and unwieldy camera; the Sigma fp. Which I have coupled with some of those Zeiss ZM lenses I picked up a few weeks ago, along with some of those Voigtlander lenses I bought more recently. The camera is slow to use, slow to focus and I have the choice between Scylla and Charybdis of either using the back screen in dirty baby diaper hold or using the huge and ungainly optical loupe that Sigma makes for the camera. Haven't decided just yet.
There are many detractions to using the fp. I'd start with fruit fly level battery life. Then go to sloooow AF. Segue to a boxy and uncomfortable set of haptics when not using a bunch of add-on prosthetics and finish up with eccentric menus. But on the plus side the camera is painfully cute, has wonderful, amazing colors and one of the lowest noise sensors I've ever played with. So, not all bad. Not at all.
I've owned one since they were introduced and for the life of me I can't seem to get rid of it or sell it or just leave it in a sock drawer. It's an addictive package. And an antithetical choice for a month of swim articles which is probably why I am so interested in using it for that.
Male model above holding the Sigma fp complete with an ancient Canon 50mm f1.8 FD manual focus lens. Might just be the perfect lens for an artistic project comprised of swimmers and swimming pools. Expanded, maybe, to even include lakes.
Translation for the the nuance deprived: Not really going to do a month of swim articles. Just annoyed in the moment. It'll pass.
9 comments:
"In that case I'd also have a bunch of fast 100-600mm f2.8 sports lenses to try out --- even though, to my knowledge, no one even makes such a beast."
Sigma, 200-500mm, F 2,8 EX Apo DG, 16kg, ca. 20.000 $
i look forward to your swim photos! don't care what camera. love your selfies!
Anonymous ---- thanks but I'd really miss that 100 to 200mm range. The 16kg would really help with my strength training though!
Roland, Thanks! By the way....the passport arrived in the mail today. Hooray.
I was working outdoors all morning (New England temperatures) with my fp L. But I'd be lost without the accessory EVF tilting viewfinder. It's not cheap but, after all, compared to another Leica, it's chump change.
Greg, I keep thinking I should get one. Is it really good?
Hi, the Sigma evf is very good quality and high magnification but it makes for a funny shaped camera and manually switching between the evf and the lcd becomes surprisingly annoying over time, every other camera has an automatic switch.
Oh and mine comes slightly loose occasionally which is a worry.
I would still recommend it, the biggest problem is how awkward and large it makes the camera, better with bigger lenses.
All the best, Mark
Changes everything for me. I leave it attached all the time. It has a switch to turn it on or to leave the rear screen on, but it’s not eye-sensitive. It has a tendency to loosen; you have to get in the habit of tightening it every so often. But I love being able to change the angle and mostly shoot with it not in the straight-ahead position but at 45 or 90 degrees. There’s also a menu setting wherein the viewfinder operates when shooting but when reviewing or changing settings the rear screen operates. I’ve taken the Sigma straight magnifier and attached it to a lanyard to use it as a posh loupe.
Kirk, I think my earlier response disappeared. I leave the EVF attached all the time. It is not eye-sensitive; you turn it on and off with a sliding switch. When it’s on, the rear screen is off. But there is a menu setting wherein the rear screen turns on for image review and when you view settings with the OS button. The EVF has a tendency to loosen and one has to get in the habit of tightening it every so often. I’ve taken the straight-on Sigma viewer and attached it to a lanyard to use it as a posh loupe. I would say that most of my shooting is with the viewfinder in a 45 or 90 degree position. Love it.
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