Quote:
Originally Posted by Mauribix
I'm tryin' to make up my mind, so I'm looking for opinions... directed my mind towards an E3.... and that 14-35 F2.0 zoom + the 50-200 SWD seems to be a nice combo... What you think?
Thanks as always,
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I've been using a E3 since Christmas. I bought it
instead of a M8.
The Leica D summilux 25 f/1.4 was the lens that tipped balance away from the Nikon/Canon/Pentax/Sony offerings.
No one else could offer a non full frame image stabilized quality fast standard lens.
( see what Erwin Puts says about IS and the E3 :
Vibration Reduction compared with handholding (April 2, 2008)
Up to that point, I had used a pair of M6s equipped with ( after years of gradual upgrading ) the fastest 28/35/50 ASPH M lenses.
Indoors the E-3 at ISO 800 is far superior to the M6 and Fuji800 neg film in all aspects bar dynamic range. ( 14mm f/2 image below )
However above 800 is not recommended and banding will show if the shadows are pushed.
After the 25mm, I've added the 7-14,50,150 and 14-35 lenses all of which are absolutely first class, almost beyond reproach.
If I was being picky lens reflections are the only down side with the 7-14 and 14-35 with so many lens elements - but I would doubt Nikon or Canon are any better. ( below is a deliberate reflection test)
see here for more examples : . But then my 35 Summilux produces far more dramatic flare under such conditions
E3 +M6 gives me a very versatile and portable all weather outfit - ultra-wide, fast, macro and tele not possible with just Leica.
Your planned M8/E3 combo should be great.
Remember, the 'top-pro' lenses are massive lenses compared to Leica M. The E3 plus 14-35 weighs more than a Hasselblad, but about the same as 2xM6s and 28+50 lenses.
My M6s now just get used for B&W work, as does my 501c Hasselblad.
In choosing Olympus and Leica, but holding out for the M9 , I've accepted that as niche players both Leica and Olympus will always be a couple of years behind leading edge sensor performance of the top Canon and Nikon bodies.
If that trade off is acceptable, Olympus and Leica will offer advantages that you would not find elsewhere.