I headed over to Ginza this morning to run a few errands. I was surprised it was reasonably fast from Jiyugaoka to Ginza if you get the express train to Nakameguro. Today’s Configuration: Leica M9 with a Summilux 21mm f/1.4 and a Leica SF 24-D and a Noctilux 50mm f/0.95 with ND64 with a 1.4x magnifier. I also used my FujiFilm x100.

今日のカメラ：私のライカM９をつかいます。レンズはNoctilux 50mm f/0.95とND64とSummilux 21mm f/1.4とライカSF 24-Dをつかいました。FujiFilmx100もつかました。

I had to stop by the Leica Shop as it has been a tough week for my gear. First my 35mm Summilux started rattling a few weeks ago. I googled and it seems people viewed the lens as a bit noisy so I figured it was normal but it kept getting worse. Next I noticed my Noctilux wasn't focusing to infinity anymore. I know others who have had this problem and had to send it back to Germany. This can take up to 3 months so I was hoping it was something simplier to fix. Next I pulled the rubber eye piece on my 21mm viewfinder somehow and it ripped. With a stroke of genius I figured I could just cut it off and it would be fixed. Turns out it is extremely well attached and I now have a very silly looking $800 eye piece. Next I somehow pulled my 1.4x magnifier rubber eye piece as well. I was smart enough this time not to try to cut it off.

I dropped my gear off at the service center and had a look around the store while they looked at my gear. Much to my surprise Naoki at Leica Customer Service was familiar with and a reader of ShootTokyo.

I had a look at the Leica M9-P while I waited. This is the new professional series M9s Leica just announced in Paris last week. It has a few cosmetic changes to the stand M9. You will notice the top plate is different with no 'M9' or 'Leica' Red Dot. The top plate it has the traditional Leica logo. It has a scratch-proof sapphire LCD screen cover which I think is a great addition as I really hate putting the little piece of clear film on mine to protect from scratches. It also has an supposedly easier-to-grip leatherette finish. I think this steel finish looks excellent. Perhaps I'll get it when the M10 comes out...

Naoki and his team made quick work of my Leica and had everything sorted in only a few minutes. My 35mm lens had a screw that had come lose that needed to be tighten. My Noctilux is fine it turned out that my M9's focusing ring needed to be adjusted so it could focus to infinity. They replaced the eye piece on my 1.4x and removed the remains on my 21mm. All done in about 15 minutes. I love their service. Great job Leica!

Naoki also helped me figured out a feature I couldn't figure out. Here is a great Leica Shooting Tip: If you shoot in A mode, with your shutter release set to normal, if you find your subject and half press the shutter you can lock exposure so if you recompose your exposure stays locked. You can tell when it has locked as a little red dot will appear next to the shutter speed number. It is very handy but takes a little while to get the hang of it as the shutter is pretty sensitive. Since I focus and recompose a lot this will be super helpful and much quicker than manual mode but achieving the same thing.

I am thinking about picking up another lens down the road a little bit. I haven't decided yet but maybe either a 28mm or a longer lens like a 90mm. I hear the 135 is just too long in a range finder but I haven't been able to try it out yet. I imagine focusing would be pretty hard on that lens. It would be nice to have a longer focal length to shoot so you can really engage your subject.

Now that my focusing ring has been adjusted I am going to practice more of these f/0.95 shots from afar. I love how it picks the subject out and makes them 3D.

Bike Parking Enforcement under control in Ginza...I think I might need to start a heat map to track this across Tokyo...what a great use of time and a good public service.