Leica makes wonderful rangefinder cameras. I have been a fan of the Leica 'M' approach ever since I bought my first Leica, the Leica MP film camera. The MP's 'mechanical perfection' combined with a Leica Summicron 35 mm f/2 ASPH lens treated me to many wonderful photographs. I replaced my Leica MP with the full-frame digital Leica... Read More »

While I was looking at Danny Bar's superb photos it occurred to me what a lousy job I've been doing at posting my own photos over the last few years. I've taken thousands of photos all over the world but it seems like I'm always running so short on time that I don't get my... Read More »

Danny Bar has been traveling in Greece and snapping photos with his Leica M9 camera with Leica Summilux-M 35 mm f/1.4 ASPH lens combination, and has captured some wonderful black & white images that really reflect the mood of what it's like to be in Greece right now. Enjoy! Many thanks, Danny, for sharing your fantastic... Read More »

After I outed Pete Riggle's new Out Our Way audio diary webpage on his VTAF/Woody web site in my July 6th post, I sent Pete a message saying: "If you have time, I think it'd be fun to hear your system (it's been ages!), shoot some photos, hear what you've been up to lately, and if it's... Read More »

Photographer Danny Bar is on the road again, and this time is checking in from Paris with some wonderful black & white photos. (Click on the images for larger versions.) Danny used his Leica M9 with the new Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 ASPH lens to capture these beautiful B&W images. I'm a big fan of the Leica... Read More »

Fellow photography enthusiast and world traveler, Danny Bar, sent me some absolutely awesome photos of his recent trip to Vietnam and Georgia, which really makes me want to get out on travel and shoot some photos. Danny shot all of the photos below using his Leica M9 and the new Leica Summilux 35/1.4 II ASPH. I... Read More »

I just got home from a couple of weeks of traveling in France, and I'm still severely jet-lagged, with my body feeling about 9 hours out of sync from the clock-time here in the Pacific Northwest of the US where I live. Now I'm thinking about trying to get caught  back up on everything -... Read More »

Fellow photography (and Leica!) enthusiast, Danny Bar, sent me some absolutely awesome photos of his recent trip to Cuba, which really makes me wish travel to Cuba from the US was a whole lot easier politically. Thanks for sharing your photos with us, Danny, they are awesome - wow! If you click on the photos... Read More »

The last time I traveled to Long Island, New York, it was to visit Harry Pearson at his home in Sea Cliff for The Absolute Sound celebration party Harry hosted to celebrate the continuation of his magazine, which had been purchased by new owners, and whose influx of money helped rescue the magazine which had... Read More »

Yoshi Hontani, the Leben and Acoustic Revive exporter in Japan, is a kindred spirit to yours truly. Yoshi San enjoys fine music, audio, and photography, and I was delighted when I received an e-mail sharing some photos he took of the Japanese Fall during a recent hike he and his family went on in Nara.... Read More »

Istanbul is really an amazing city to visit with its kaleidoscopic display of culture and sights. Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey, with current estimates putting the population at approximately 17 million, making it one of the largest cities in the world. It is located on the Bosporus Strait and covers both the European... Read More »

It seems like almost everyone in the Pacific Northwest of the USA has heard about Washington State's Rick Steves' Europe Through The Back Door due to his entertaining travel shows on public television. I have been wanting to go on one of Rick's tours for a while, but the timing always seemed to conflict with... Read More »

I've been traveling through Turkey the last few weeks and so haven't been able to answer any of your messages, but now that I'm back home I'll get caught back up with everyone as soon as I get over the nasty case of jet lag I've got going. I started my trip through Turkey in... Read More »

Recently I visited the small western town of Pendleton, Oregon, known primarily for the historic Pendleton Woolen Mills, renowned maker of fine Indian blankets and men's plaid shirts since 1893 (several of their Indian blankets adorn my living room walls). I used the visit to get some experience shooting with the Leica SEM 18/3.8 lens... Read More »

Those of you who have been reading the Acoustic Revive Chronicles, and the articles about the Leben Hi-Fi Company electronics from Japan (see the links page), will recognize the name of Yoshi Hontani, who exports both of these fine product lines from Japan around the world to eagerly awaiting customers. In fact Yoshi San is... Read More »

After doing the North Cascades Highway drive in Washington State, I stopped in at the Sun Mountain Lodge for the night. The Sun Mountain Lodge is located high in the mountains outside of Winthrop, Washington State, and I have to say it was a nice find. Photo below Leica M9 with 50/2 Summicron. The lodge... Read More »

I signed up for the Seattle stop of Leica's North American Road Show so I could get a look at all the Leica lenses, the new Noctilux in particular, and learn some tips from the pros that would be there, Justin Staley and Chris Weeks. Below is a view of the city of Seattle with... Read More »

The North Cascade Highway (SR 20) from the Skagit Valley to the village of Winthrop in the North Cascade Mountains of Washington State is considered to be one of the most scenic drives in the USA. SR 20 is usually closed from November to April due to heavy snowfall, but I was able to do... Read More »

The Skagit Valley of Washington State is one of the most beautiful areas of the Pacific Northwest. In the Spring the Skagit Valley has acres and acres of tulips as far as the eye can see. I arrived a little late so a lot of the fields were put to rest, but there was still... Read More »

It's always nice to get out and listen to some live music to recalibrate your expectations for home Hi-Fi listening. While staying at the La Conner Channel Lodge in Washington State I was able to listen to some nice jazz piano playing by a local musician, whose name I unfortunately did not catch. Even though... Read More »