Leica DMR ?or Canon EOS5 with lens adaptor????

[surgiblade]

With an R8 and SLs have accumulated Leica R lenses- would like to use them with digital, DMR is $4K-6K used, Canon 5 with lens adaptor is $2K or less -which would you recommend ??

Thanks,


Mike

[carstenw]

The DMR will give the nicer results almost everywhere, except at higher ISO. The Canon 5D still gives good results though, but you will have to get a focusing screen suited to manual focusing, and you will have to stop down yourself. With the DMR, the aperture is automatic.

[glenerrolrd]

I use both the DMR and the 5D with my Leica R lenses. The DMR produces noticably better images and if maximum image quality is your priority ..then that is the way to go. The 5D provides greater flexibility ..high ISO , flash and the ability to use Canon L zooms (with autofocus) etc make this a excellent choice as well. A lot will depend on the type of photography you do. Sports for example are better with the 5D . Also keep in mind that using R lenses on a 5D requires some effort and that some lenses will not work without modifying the mirror on the camera. There is a lot written on this on the Fred Miranda Alternative systems forum.

[carstenw]

I don't know if size and weight are important, but the DMR with an R8 or R9 is noticeably larger and heavier as well. On the other hand, Canon plays games with their warranty, as I had to find out the hard way myself.

[stunsworth]

The Canon is an excellent camera - I own one and only use it with Leica lenses. When I bought it I didn't have the R8 that I now have. If I was buying an SLR now - having an R8 - I'd go for the DMR.

The DMR produces beautiful images and was made to be a manual focus camera. Plus there are no issues with mirror clearance.

[mgcd]

For someone with an R8 and accumulated R lenses, the DMR is really the only viable option in order to fully exploit the marvellous qualities of R lenses IMO. In addition, the file quality of the DMR is clearly superior (native 16 bit A/D), even better now with firmware v. 1.3. As other stated, the 5D has excellent high ISO performance (especially at 1600), whereas the DMR file is only usable at that speed. However, this point may be rendered moot to some extent by your priorities, and by the use of high speed prime R lenses.

Since I got my DMR, I never looked back.

Cheers,

[marcello]

I have been shooting my R9/DMR for more han a year.
My 5d very extensively for a month, using Canon L, Zeiss and Leica lenses with adapters.

I indeed experienced exactly what most user told allready.
The images made with the DMR have more magic and need hardly any post processing.
Sharpness and dynamic range is excellent. And you can use some of Leica's best lenses like the 35-70 f/2.8 or the 15mm and 19mm W.A's.
It is heavy and the lenses are heavy too.

The 5d's main advantage is shooting at high ISO.
Which I really enjoyed using a lot.
Full Frame of course.
For me, less dynamic range especially visible in strong shadows is a negative.
I needed a lot of time altering the camera settings and correction in Photoshop to
get a rsult that is closer to the DMR.

Marcel

[surgiblade]

I thank you one and all for your opinions- based on them have bought a demo DMR package. Any accessories you'd recommend like extra batteries etc ?

Will probably post dumb questions later on how to best use it.

Thanks so much again !!

Mike

[mgcd]

Congratulations on your new purchase. Indeed an extra battery is essential, if you really plan to shoot alot, then 2 extra ones will be fine.

I am sure others can add other suggestions but that's all I can think at this late hour... Oh yes, Capture One Pro or LE essential for RAW processing with the DMR. The LE is the "light" package.

Cheers,

[surgiblade]

How does one acquire Capture 1 pro or LE ?

Thanks,

Mike

[pascal_meheut]

Originally Posted by surgiblade

How does one acquire Capture 1 pro or LE ?

Phase One - Digital Backs - Digital RAW Software - Capture One

[surgiblade]

Thank you very much- it is a real pleasure to have this forum as a resource !!


Mike