Created an unconventional Nikon-Leica hybrid camera, boasting its charmingly flawed character, which I find utterly captivating!
In the world of photography, Sebastian Oakley stands out with his unique approach. An internationally published writer, Oakley has worked with some of the biggest names in the equestrian industry, including The Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), The Jockey Club, and Horse & Hound, to name a few.
Oakley's accomplishments extend beyond the equine realm. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, holds a Foundation Degree in Equitation Science, and a Master of Arts in Publishing. His passion for photography is evident in his diverse portfolio, which spans various advertising campaigns, books, and pre/post-event highlights.
One aspect of Oakley's photography that sets him apart is his use of the so-called "Franken-Leica" setup. This refers to using lenses from different manufacturers on a Leica camera system they weren't originally designed for. A prime example of this is his current setup, which consists of a Leica M-E camera and a 1960s Nikon Nikkor-H 50mm f/2 lens.
The Nikkor-H lens, designed for Nikon F-mount cameras, is not natively compatible with Leica M-mount cameras like the M-E. To use it, Oakley needs a lens adapter that converts the Nikon F-mount to Leica M-mount. This adapter may introduce some limitations, such as potential vignetting or loss of electronic features like autofocus and aperture control.
Another lens Oakley uses in his Franken-Leica setup is the Tamron SP 300mm f/2.8 lens. Like the Nikkor-H lens, this Tamron lens is also likely designed for SLR mounts rather than Leica M-mount. It would require a similar adapter to fit a Leica M-E, but given its larger size and design, it might not be practical for a Leica M setup, as it would likely balance poorly and may not fit the usual Leica M lens profile.
Despite these challenges, Oakley finds beauty in this setup. The lack of precision in zone focusing keeps him present and forces him to work within limits, where he believes magic often lives. Zone focusing suits his style of shooting, providing freedom to use the Leica CCD sensor and incorporating a piece of his Nikon past.
The Nikkor-H lens, with its sharp, beautifully rendered images and unique, 3D pop, has become a trusted companion for Oakley. The lens has a soft, cinematic look from f/2 to f/2.8 and becomes crisp but retains a dreamy quality when stopped down to f/4 or f/5.6.
Oakley's passion for photography extends beyond the Leica M-E. He is familiar with and shows great interest in 35mm, medium, and large-format photography, using products by Leica, Phase One, Hasselblad, Alpa, and Sinar. Despite his switch from Nikon to Leica, he remains a member of Nikon NPS.
In his spare time, Oakley can be found using his trusted Leica M-E or Leica M2, shooting Street/Documentary photography as he sees it, usually in Black and White. The Leica M-E camera does not have live view, making focus confirmation in real-time impossible, but this challenge only adds to the adventure of his photography journey.
- Sebastian Oakley, with his unique approach to photography, uses a combination of lenses from different manufacturers on a Leica camera system, a setup commonly referred to as a "Franken-Leica."
- Oakley's current Franken-Leica setup includes a Leica M-E camera and a 1960s Nikon Nikkor-H 50mm f/2 lens, which he pairs with a lens adapter to overcome the native incompatibility.
- Another lens Oakley uses in his Franken-Leica setup is the Tamron SP 300mm f/2.8 lens, which also requires a similar adapter to fit a Leica M-E but may not be practical due to its large size and design.
- The Nikkor-H lens, despite potential limitations from using an adapter, has become a trusted companion for Oakley, known for its sharp, beautiful images, unique 3D pop, and cinematic look.
- Beyond his Leica M-E camera, Oakley is also interested in various formats of photography, such as medium and large-format, using products from brands like Leica, Phase One, Hasselblad, Alpa, and Sinar.
- Oakley's passion for photography extends to Street/Documentary photography, which he usually captures in Black and White with either his Leica M-E or Leica M2, even though the Leica M-E lacks live view, making focus confirmation in real-time impossible.
