About 50’Lux

While I’ve been taking pictures all my life, the move I made three years ago to Leica camera equipment was both the culmination of a life-long dream and also a life and photography changing moment for me personally. Everything about photography is different for me now.

Not all of the pictures you will see here were taken with a Leica camera or lens. I have a photographic back story which I hope to delve deeply into on this, my newest online presence here at 50’lux. But this blog was created primarily to document the future of my photographic life using Leica M Rangfinder cameras and the incredible lenses that really are the true motivation and inspiration that brings so many photographers around to using Leica equipment at some point in their lives.

It is one of those lenses that gives this blog its name. The 50mm f1.4 Summilux-M ASPH

The date of this writing is June 2nd, 2012. Just three weeks ago I couldn’t, in good conscience, have titled my blog 50’lux or registered the domain 50lux.com. The thought had never entered my mind, actually, prior to just a few days ago. That was because I didn’t own this lens nor did I ever think I would. All that has changed, however, thanks to my friends at the local camera shop, and I plan to cover these pages with the very best shots I can make with the 50’lux and the other fantastic Leica lenses in my camera bag.

Thank you for visiting,

donald barnat
barnat@gmail.com
los angeles

P.S

Creativity is something that needs to be supported, especially mine. I’m kidding there, of course, but not about the need for financial support for every endeavor that seeks to contribute to the enrichment of our world through things like creative photography and shared information.

Artists and even writers used to depend on grants or endowments that allowed them to concentrate their life’s efforts on the contributions that they could only make if allowed to put financial considerations on the back-burner. Those grants also depend on the generous contributions of benefactors of the various arts.

We’re not likely to ever put my financial considerations on the back-burner through a call for donations directly to 50lux.com, yet it’s true that every little bit does help.

It also adds an element of further responsibility to the efforts I will make here. This is something I have wanted to do for a long time and I will always do the best that I can and will continue to do so as long as I can. But knowing that there are people out there who believe in both me and what 50lux.com is all about certainly would bring the level of my own commitment here to the forefront of the things I’m currently pursuing in my creative life.

Thank you again,

db

74 comments

    1. Thank you so much! I hope I can provide enough good stuff to keep you coming back. Have a great weekend and thanks again.

      Reply

  8. I moved away from all the social networks a few days ago to focus more on real websites and blogs. This is how I got here. And I found a very attracting selection of photos and also a nice read. You now have one regular visitor more! Will start my 365 (or maybe 365 Plan B 2.0… will see how much I can deliver) at Jan 1st, 2014. Greetings from Germany!

    Reply

  11. You. Should’ve. Seen. My face. When I realized the pictures on your blog were taken by yourself. (O.O <—It was something along those lines. I had a mini heart attack, and became slightly envious because it's photography like yours that makes me wish I were a photographer. 😀 )

    You. Are. AMAZING.

    Wow.

    WOW.

    WOOOOOOW.

    Did I say wow?

    Seriously. Double thumbs up.

    Oh, and nice to meet you! I'm glad you've found something that brings you so much happiness and that you can be so passionate about, db; it's so great, really.

    I'll see you around! I'm off to explore your blog now~ 😀

    ✘Ⓐ

    Reply

    1. Now I’m saying wow. Wow. WOW!

      Thank you SO much for taking the time to express your feelings about my photography. You have put a smile on my face that will only broaden as I get to work on this bottle of Argentinian malbec. Much love, misstrie, and THANK YOU again.

      db

      Reply

  12. Hey Don, I want to tell you…I just got a Minox 111s (ca1940) “spy camera”. I have no idea how to use it, but the thing is in mint (brand new) condition and all the booklets, flash exposure meter, etc. are with it. Even the brand new film rolls. They are really tiny. I inherited it. I don’t think its ever been used. Even has the price tag $139.50 which was a lot of dough in ’40. I went online and saw the company is still in business! I can’t see myself using it…the film would probably be very hard thing to have processed. Can you recommend any pointers or a reputable camera shop that might be interested in buying it? Or if I kept it, could you tell me how I might find someone in the L.A. area who would know how to develop pics and find film? Thanks for any help. CJ

    Reply

    1. That is quite a find. The only resource I know of for selling camera equipment in Los Angeles is Bel Air camera. But they are, obviously, in it for themselves, so they give you next to nothing in relation to the actual value of your gear. On the other hand, has this tasteful and problematic as it can be, I just sold a bunch of stuff on eBay, and had really good luck.

      So, unfortunately, eBay I think is still one of the best solutions available. Especially so when you have a unique item such as you have which might create interest far and wide. Good luck.

      I have absolutely no help for you on getting that film developed. wow. that could be tough. Again, best of luck.

      Reply

  13. Wow. You just have amazing stuff in your gallery. I’m looking forward to following you! Oh… yeah… and I’m pretty jealous of your Leica gear. But honestly – who wouldn’t be?! 😉

    Take care! Greets from Germany

    Reply

    1. Well, first thank you. I’m not exactly a young dude and I pined to shoot Leica for a painfully long time. I don’t know if that makes you feel any better but I had to try. 😉

      Reply

      2. Thank you! I would be very happy to own a D800 right now. Except I sold the last of my beloved Nikon glass. That was tough. I hung onto to the 85 1.4 D and the 50 1.4 G two years after Selling my last Nikon digital. Just in case. Anyway, thank you.

      3. If you search for someone you can swap your Leica gear with – I’m your man, haha! Were you totally satisfied with your 85mm 1.4 D?! Actually I’m thinking about going for the G…

      4. I can say I was totally satisfied with my 85 1.4 and the 50 1.4 G was, to my mind and eye, stellar. I’m a 50 guy, obviously and I couldn’t be any higher on that Nikon G 50.

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      1. Might have been! I was a Sue B., and teased by my childhood pals as SueBee referring to the spreadable honey that was advertised on tv back then. 🙂

  32. hi. good luck to your work. i wonder if there is any difference b/w m9 and m-e regarding the color-rendering of the photos taken. one of my friends said he found m9 produced better color than m-e did. i just dont believe in him, as they both have the same sensor. is the software inside different?
    nice blog.

    Reply

    1. they are allegedly identical cameras. I had an M9, and now the ME. But I have to say, contrary to your friends experience, that I found the ME color to be exactly what I liked and I despised the M9’s color. But I attribute that to firmware updates and software. The sensors are supposed to be identical. I could not recommend the ME any stronger. it is a perfect camera IMO. but it is Just a camera. does one thing. don’t shoot it above 800 ISO. still my favorite thing.

      Reply

      1. thanks donald. that means my friend is correct no matter which camera performs more pleasant color. Can they update to the same firmware then there will be no color difference?
        anyway, i am glad that you like your ME better. enjoy your photography. good luck.

      2. Thank you! Yes, M9 owners can update their firmware. Not an expert on the process at this point but googling it should turn up links to the download page. Thank you again!

    1. Ah, not an expert on that, Edward. Sorry. The Leica forum on DPReview or SteveHuffPhoto.com should be the place to find an answer to your question. I’ve never suffered for wanting more dynamic range with this camera. That was a surprise because I had a problem with blowing highlights on my M9. Whether the change was due to camera firmware or better processing software is something I never even tried to determine. I just enjoyed my camera and the results.

      Thanks and good luck!

      db

      Reply

  34. Just finished your “review” of the Nikkor 58mm f/1.4 lens. Outstanding! Something so personal isn’t common in the world of gear reviews. Your copy spoke to me because I was the newbie photographer who always walked up to some flower, faucet or person and shot them with a 24mm or 28mm to separate them from the surroundings. I just love that separation and you’ve hit it on the head! Every shot in that review had me gazing mouth wide open. Wow. I’ve already ordered it. Maybe I’ll go back to 1972 and start over again too….

    Thank You, Good Luck!
    Frank

    Reply

    1. Thank you so much, Frank. It is so nice to see that this piece still resonates and that it inspires you to grab one of these 58s. Still my favorite lens of all time. This coming from a Leica shooter. This lens is magic. Takes some getting to know but it’s really a unique gift to photographers. Thank you again and enjoy your 58!

      Reply

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