VSF Submariner 126610LN Review & Macros

[UnluckyXIII]

I don't have any real camera knowledge to be honest, so that's good to know, might be able to get a cheaper camera and a higher quality lens then. Been wanting something to take great macro shots for a while now

If you do go down the camera route and are specifically looking for a lens to shoot watches make sure to consider minimal focal distance and reproduction ratio (1:1) to get the best lens for the job.

I can't really switch due to the many FourThird lenses lying around here. If I could choose anew, I'd probably go for the Canon 100/2.8 macro (old version, no need to spend money on the Mk2).

The Canon 100/2.8 is fantastic (Mk1 or Mk2), I’ve only got an entry level Nikon 40/2.8 but would love something like the Canon, to be honest I’m hoping to move to a mirrorless Z series body in the next 18 months but I’ll have to postpone some watch buying activity to do so - I think you’re getting great results with the Panasonic GX9 & Olympus 60mm though.

 

[StreetFighter]

I really feel that I should be buying one of these, but I just can't justify another black sub in the box along with the 2 I have already, I mean who needs 3 very similar black SS Subs? So I think maybe I should pick up the LV, but I have a Hulk and prefer that to the 12'LV so it wouldn't get any wrist.. though, I really should have a 5 digit and 11' and 12' LN Subs.. but I also intend to pick up the wrapped VSF TT and if they do a 18YG Sub I'll need that too.. and the Smurf as well..

 

[stufuse]

I really feel that I should be buying one of these, but I just can't justify another black sub in the box along with the 2 I have already, I mean who needs 3 very similar black SS Subs? So I think maybe I should pick up the LV, but I have a Hulk and prefer that to the 12'LV so it wouldn't get any wrist.. though, I really should have a 5 digit and 11' and 12' LN Subs.. but I also intend to pick up the wrapped VSF TT and if they do a 18YG Sub I'll need that too.. and the Smurf as well..

As [mention]p0pperini [/mention] will tell you, you can never have to many subs!


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[Duckber]

I really feel that I should be buying one of these, but I just can't justify another black sub in the box along with the 2 I have already, I mean who needs 3 very similar black SS Subs? So I think maybe I should pick up the LV, but I have a Hulk and prefer that to the 12'LV so it wouldn't get any wrist.. though, I really should have a 5 digit and 11' and 12' LN Subs.. but I also intend to pick up the wrapped VSF TT and if they do a 18YG Sub I'll need that too.. and the Smurf as well..

You can wait for the no-date or the blueberry for enough differentiation, it's what I'm doing since I have the 116 myself.

 

[Futzorr]

If you do go down the camera route and are specifically looking for a lens to shoot watches make sure to consider minimal focal distance and reproduction ratio (1:1) to get the best lens for the job.



The Canon 100/2.8 is fantastic (Mk1 or Mk2), I’ve only got an entry level Nikon 40/2.8 but would love something like the Canon, to be honest I’m hoping to move to a mirrorless Z series body in the next 18 months but I’ll have to postpone some watch buying activity to do so - I think you’re getting great results with the Panasonic GX9 & Olympus 60mm though.

Thanks for the tips.
I was wondering; Do you have any experience with lenses for Iphones? Seems like a very cheap option for taking macro shots of watches

 

[madedo]

Thanks, bro. Don't worry, you'll have tons of these scratches after wearing a watch for a few months. I know guys that got the lugs scratched by the AD when the bracelet was shortened. The markers aren't 1000% perfect, but neither are gen ones. Those are hand finished at R factory and never match specs to the micrometer. If someone's taking your the watch in his hand and holds it so the light reflections make the engraving visible, he might notice the unaligned serial number. You should wear it for yourself, not to trick anyone. The biggest tell of VSF's 126610 is the cyclops IMHO.

Regarding the batch BS that's repeated over and over by certain members: don't believe every theory on the Internet. The manufacturing tolerances of the reps are far bigger than most would assume. Not every thicker/thinner detail, change of SEL recess depth or different clasp gap is a "new batch". Most guys telling these stories are Internet warriors who never held a gen in their hands.

Thank you for your detailed answer and the helpful information. I am new to the replica hobby and do not have that much experience in this area and I am learning daily through this forum and the many helpful and committed members. I still have little information about R-factory itself. therefore i found it interesting to learn from you that R-factory produces the indices by hand and also has certain manufacturing tolerances. i also think that R-factory has manufacturing tolerances in some areas. not as strong as the replicas but still. But I also think that the vsf subs in particular deliver very good quality for a price of 400-500 dollars / euros, and even more so if you look at them separately and not side by side to a gen. certain small imperfections and little flaws are certainly normal at such a price. I even believe that the replica enthusiasts go more into detail and pay attention to details than some owners of a gen. I think one should consider vsf and other very good reps as what they are: very well made replicas at a rfaction of cost compared to the gen that can hardly be distinguished from the original by many people. What I also like is that they even clone the movement an the funktion and even the power reserve! I even think that vsf will improve the 126610 a little bit in one place or another. As a layperson, however, I cannot say, for example, how good or not so good the lugs or cg of the vsf are compared to the gen. Personally, I think it's very well done, which I just can judge using comparative photos. I've never had a gen in my hands.
enjoy your beautifil vsf 126610 ln and wear it in good health!
best regards madedo

 

[p0pperini]

I really feel that I should be buying one of these, but I just can't justify another black sub in the box along with the 2 I have already, I mean who needs 3 very similar black SS Subs? So I think maybe I should pick up the LV, but I have a Hulk and prefer that to the 12'LV so it wouldn't get any wrist.. though, I really should have a 5 digit and 11' and 12' LN Subs.. but I also intend to pick up the wrapped VSF TT and if they do a 18YG Sub I'll need that too.. and the Smurf as well..

I find all this dithering over whether or not to buy another Sub very hard to understand...

The important part is a macro lens with long focal length, almost any camera built after 2016 on the back will do the job.

I don't have any real camera knowledge to be honest, so that's good to know, might be able to get a cheaper camera and a higher quality lens then.

I happen to have the same camera setup as Yellowfin, and it's a particularly able combo. And while I agree that any modern digital camera will do the same job, there's a world of difference between digital cameras - in particular, their UI and menu systems - that can make a big difference to their ease of use, particularly for someone coming to it with limited understanding. In the same way as we all obsess about the tiny details of watches, I'd say it's worth doing a lot of background reading and getting a sense of what sort of features are important to you before jumping into buying a decent camera/lenses. I find DPReview to be an excellent site for reviews and forum chat about cameras.

My, haven't we thread hijacked this nicely! Sorry OP!

 

[YellowFin]

modernclassic Go for it, the build quality and feel on the wrist is awesome. Plus: your wife will spend the money for some handbag or... you know... food.

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And while I agree that any modern digital camera will do the same job, there's a world of difference between digital cameras - in particular, their UI and menu systems - that can make a big difference to their ease of use, particularly for someone coming to it with limited understanding. In the same way as we all obsess about the tiny details of watches, I'd say it's worth doing a lot of background reading and getting a sense of what sort of features are important to you before jumping into buying a decent camera/lenses. I find DPReview to be an excellent site for reviews and forum chat about cameras.

My, haven't we thread hijacked this nicely! Sorry OP!

Don't worry, after all this thread is also about photography (in a way). Fully agree that UIs can make a world of difference in working speed and comfort. The GX9 was more of a quick buy actually and I'm not perfectly happy with it. I came from the Oly EM5 and had a hard time adjusting to the whole Panasonic concept. Looking back, I should have gone for the G9. Might get that ad an update one fine day.

 

[p0pperini]

The GX9 was more of a quick buy actually and I'm not perfectly happy with it. I came from the Oly EM5 and had a hard time adjusting to the whole Panasonic concept. Looking back, I should have gone for the G9. Might get that ad an update one fine day.

Whoops - I realised after posting that my Panny is the GX8. I decided not to “upgrade” to the 9, because it dropped features I value - in particular the fully articulated screen - for the sake of a smaller footprint. I’m completely happy with the 8, it’s got a perfect feature set IMO. I had an Olympus Pen for a while, and I couldn’t stand the menu system on it - stuff buried away at random all over the place!

 

[Qatar974]

 

[StreetFighter]

modernclassic Go for it, the build quality and feel on the wrist is awesome. Plus: your wife will spend the money for some handbag or... you know... food.

.

My rep budget this month is blown having just bought three GMF DD40's. I think next on my list is Smurf followed by 116613LN/B if the wrapped VSF's turn out to be good.

 

[fatarms]

Remember that the AR on the underside of the crystal is meant to diminish the reflection of light from the polished dial on to the bottom of the crystal (and then the reflection back and forth afterwards, think of standing between two mirrors) making the dial more legible in bright light. Not sure if it plays any role in the black hole effect.

 

[stufuse]

My rep budget this month is blown having just bought three GMF DD40's. I think next on my list is Smurf followed by 116613LN/B if the wrapped VSF's turn out to be good.

3 haha!


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[stufuse]

My rep budget this month is blown having just bought three GMF DD40's. I think next on my list is Smurf followed by 116613LN/B if the wrapped VSF's turn out to be good.

3 haha!


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[Repmaster1337]

oh my gaaaadd... just me or this looking better than hulk? SICK watch!

 

[YellowFin]

Nice, mate! Might have to get that one as well. And the 124060 at some point, of course.

 

[tribal]

Mine says hello.

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[jiro]

Mine says hello.

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This picture is great example how good vsf’s halo effect is...

Looks awesome mate. Wear it in good health!


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[Hazing]

Very nice pics. Very nice.

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[UnluckyXIII]

This picture is great example how good vsf’s halo effect is...

Looks awesome mate. Wear it in good health!


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What is the “halo effect”? I’m guessing something to do with how the watch reacts with light but I’m not familiar with the term myself?