Ever since I moved to mirrorless in 2009 (17 years ago!) I ditched my Canon DSLR and its accompanying zoom lens forever.

Suddenly fixed primes became the norm to me. This was the industry’s new direction. Mirrorless cameras were rolling out not only with a typical kit-zoom now, but also the option of a fixed prime lens.

A fast, sharp and portable fixed prime became everybody’s preference.

I lost count on the number of cameras and lenses I bought and sold over this period.

But one thing I know: in this mirrorless journey I bought one zoom lens only. The Fuji XF 18-55 f/2.8-4 R LM OIS.

Yet this lens is never attached to my X-Pro 3.

Couldn’t care less.

In fact, I sort of forgot about its existence.

Primes only

I’ve been shooting with fixed primes only.

All my interchangeable lens cameras, I couple them with fixed primes: Leica M-E, Epson R-D1, Fuji X-Pro 3, Nikon Df, Hasselblad 907x 100c, you name it.

Then I have fixed lens cameras like the Leica Q2, Sony Rx1Rii or the recently acquired Fuji GFX100rf.

Yes, I have the Leica V-Lux 4 Typ 114 superzoom camera. Very useful. But, mind me, that’s more a tool for me, not a camera.

It’s a useful Swiss Army knife that I bring with me on specific occasions. Besides, I find most uninspiring the motorized zoom that is activated by a W-T collar switch. Feels like a video cam.

Zooms? Thanks, but no thanks.

But

Recently I took my Lumix DMC LC1 for a spin. And it reminded me of the practicality and fun shooting with a good, well calibrated, mechanical zoom ring lens.

It triggered my interest and all of a sudden I realized I missed shooting with good ol’ zoom lenses.

I needed more of that feel, so I dig out the vintage Sony DSC R1, which has a brilliant Zeiss 24-120mm zoom lens.

Then I even coupled the Fuji X-Pro 3 to the aforementioned Fuji kit-zoom, notwithstanding the fact it looks so incoherent in a rangefinder style camera.

I got hungry for zooms, my hands got itchy.

Gear acquisition syndrome was hitting me hard, but I wasn’t into buying a new zoom lens for any of my mirrorless cameras.

After much thought, I bought this second-hand Leica X-Vario from Japan.

Seriously?

Yes I know, this is a 13 year old camera that was announced in 2013. It’s old technology. And it has an external EVF, which is soooo yesteryear.

Still, this is a solid, one-of-a-kind Leica. It was hated by most when it came out, which makes it even more special to me.

Things get easier as time goes by. From what I read now, I found several reviews actually praising this camera, its build and image quality across the entire zoom range.

So I got curious and decided to get one.

This will be my everyday camera in the upcoming days.