The Photographer’s Buyer’s Guide
Start with the problem, not the product. Each pick below says what it solves, what I’ve actually used, and what I haven’t tested yet.
Disclosure: I’m an ambassador or affiliate for the brands marked on this site and earn a commission when you buy through my links. It never costs you extra. I decide what to list by what fits the work, and I say so when I haven’t tested something yet.
Oberwerth Q Bag
Buy the bag that disappears on your shoulder. The Q Bag is the one I own, carry and film with.
Oberwerth Q Backpack
Oberwerth’s leather backpack, for the days a camera plus everything else has to come along. Same German workmanship as the Q Bag, in a form that spreads the weight across both shoulders.
Oberwerth Half Case
A leather half case for a Leica M body. Shown here on my Leica MP: it protects the camera and gives you something to hold, while staying slim enough that the camera still feels like a Leica.
A magnetic variable ND / polarizer
A hybrid VND/CPL covers the useful range with one filter. Freewell’s V2 Magnetic Hybrid VND/CPL runs 3–7 stops and was listed from $149.99 in October 2026. Learn the technique first.
Shoten Tribute 01 50mm f/1.1
A new 50mm f/1.1 for Leica M and L39, built to render like the 1953 Zunow. I pick up the black version in Japan on October 16. No affiliate link.
The K64 presets
Lightroom presets and a DNG camera profile built from measured colour, not guesswork.
Canon PIXMA PRO
The printer I use for fine-art prints. No affiliate link here — it’s simply what I use. Prefer not to print? Order mine through the print shop.
Calibrite
I use Calibrite measurements to build camera profiles, which is how The K64 profile was made.
What I shoot with
The cameras behind the pictures on this site, and what I reach for each one to do.
| Camera | Used for |
|---|---|
| Leica M11 Monochrom | Infrared, long exposure and black-and-white |
| Leica MP | Film |
| Leica M9 | The Kodachrome-style colour work |
| Leica M11 | Colour and street, including the Tokyo work |
Also in the bag: a Leica Q3 43 and a Q2 Monochrom.