Hello.
The evolution of digital cameras has been remarkable, making it possible for anyone to easily take beautiful photos. Perhaps that's why we dare to seek out that "extra effort."
This time, I brought out a digital camera that embodies modern minimalism and an old lens that vividly captured Showa-era Japan. This seemingly unlikely combination transformed my familiar city into an entirely new world.
The camera I chose was the SIGMA fp.
"The smallest box with a full-frame sensor." The beauty born from this uncompromising concept is captivating every time I see it. Its solid body, devoid of any unnecessary embellishments, is full of the capacity to embrace any lens.
And the companion I chose for it this time is the NIKKOR-S.C 50mm f1.4 (S-mount).
It's a historic large-aperture standard lens that was once immensely popular for Nikon's rangefinder cameras, the "Nikon S series." The "C" in the lens name indicates that it was treated with advanced coating, which was cutting-edge at the time.
Through a mount adapter, the old and new philosophies merge into one. Since the NIKKOR-S.C 5cm F1.4 uses the body-side helicoid system unique to Nikon S-mounts, an adapter with a helicoid is essential for use with the SIGMA fp.
With this slightly unbalanced but supremely cool companion hanging around my neck, I set out into the early summer streets of Shinjuku.
Stepping off the train at Shinjuku Station, the area was, as always, a concentrated mass of energy. Especially now, the area around the station is undergoing major changes for the future.
Looking up, a large crane pierced straight into the blue sky. Beyond it, I could see the unchanging Lumine Est sign. The straightforward color reproduction of the SIGMA fp blended with the somewhat nostalgic lines of the NIKKOR-S.C. The moment I turned the focus ring, the city's hustle and bustle faded, and my own private time began to flow.
Lowering my gaze slightly from the dynamism of the large-scale redevelopment, I found a quiet yet vibrant natural world at the city's feet.
A flower blooming in the shade, in the gap between buildings. Opening the aperture and pressing the shutter, the background melted away into a smooth bokeh. While it lacks the crisp sharpness of modern lenses, the gentle quality of the in-focus area and the nuanced expression of light are unique to old lenses. It felt as if the moist air of early summer was captured within the photograph.
With this lens attached, my eyes are drawn to the "details of the city" that I would normally just pass by.
The vivid yellow of a heavy machine parked at a construction site, and the connected fire hydrant and two red traffic cones standing in a back alley. These are ordinary city scenes. However, the light passing through the lens took on dramatic shadows, like a scene from a movie. The soft bleed of the highlights and the gentle gradation towards the shadows. You can see that the rich dynamic range of the SIGMA fp is bringing out 100% of the lens's character.
Stopping my steps and glancing around, I saw rows of well-worn gashapon machines.
The light reflecting off the plastic. The time spent carefully focusing manually is like the quiet excitement of childhood, similar to choosing one of these capsules. Especially in an era that values efficiency, this "extra effort" of focusing deepens my affection for photography.
Eventually, as the sun began to set and deep shadows fell over Shinjuku, the neon lights came back to life.
Details of a red neon sign on a building. The sensual quality of the red light emerging from the darkness must be the magic of the NIKKOR-S.C's coating. A modern lens might capture it more uniformly. However, the slightly nostalgic and passionate red shown by this old lens felt as if the memories of this lens capturing the night streets of the Showa era were being revived.
After the shoot
Shinjuku, walked with the SIGMA fp and NIKKOR-S.C 50mm f1.4. It looked a little gentler and more emotional than usual.
In an age where ultra-high-resolution, flawless photos can be taken, using an old lens to manually focus and enjoy its unique "quirks" isn't a backward-looking nostalgia. Rather, it might be the freshest way to luxuriously enjoy the act of photography itself.
With a full-frame camera small enough to fit in your pocket, paired with a renowned lens that has lived through history. Why not awaken your dormant old lenses and weave new memories of the city?
- SIGMA fp
Released in 2019, it is the world's smallest and lightest (at the time of release) full-frame mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera. Equipped with an approximately 24.6-megapixel back-illuminated CMOS sensor, it achieves both high portability and excellent image quality.
Its appeal also lies in its sophisticated design with a square aluminum body, diverse color modes, and a silent, vibration-free full electronic shutter. It is a versatile camera that excels in everything from snapshots to video production.
Width, Height, Depth: Approximately 112.6mm x 69.9mm x 45.3mm
Weight: Approximately 422g (including battery and SD memory card) / Approximately 370g (body only)
- NIKKOR-S.C 50mm f/1.4 (S-mount)
A large-aperture standard lens for Nikon S series that appeared in the 1950s. With its bright F1.4 aperture, it was highly acclaimed for photojournalism and snapshots at the time.
The "C" stands for Coating, and its appeal lies in its rich color reproduction and the soft rendering unique to old lenses. It is a popular lens even with modern mirrorless cameras.
Click here for a list of SIGMA fp products
Click here for a list of NIKKOR-S.C 50mm f1.4 (S-mount) products
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