Thinking of swapping one of my M8s for a DSLR

[DaveEP]

I have a pair of M8s, (one chrome and one black) and I love the small size and the great lenses as much as any one else, but some times, just some times, I really need a DSLR for the zoom and the accurate framing.

So, I am thinking of letting one of my M8s go, and picking up a D300 + a couple of nikon lenses. Any one done this? Any regrets ?

[andybarton]

Do a search here for D300

There are lots of threads on this, and the D3

Maybe worth waiting until September?

[DaveEP]

Originally Posted by andybarton

Do a search here for D300

There are lots of threads on this, and the D3

Maybe worth waiting until September?

Andy, thanks. Did a search a little earlier, and people seem to like it - but I was wondering if any one had really regretted going for a D300 as a companion to the M8.

It's really a framing + long telephoto thing - plus some of the things I shoot just don't fit neatly in to 75/90/135 anyway.

[Baxter]

I went for a D300 and it works really well alongside the M8. I refer to it as my 'easy' camera. It produces the goods effortlessly and is a very versatile tool.

[marknorton]

I'm a big fan of the D3, no experience of the D300, but it certainly delivers the goods. So too will the R10, I feel sure, but sadly it is coming too late for me. My investment in the Nikon system (cameras, lenses, flashes, accessories) precludes any possibility of me buying an R10.

[DaveEP]

Originally Posted by marknorton

I'm a big fan of the D3, no experience of the D300, but it certainly delivers the goods. So too will the R10, I feel sure, but sadly it is coming too late for me. My investment in the Nikon system (cameras, lenses, flashes, accessories) precludes any possibility of me buying an R10.

Given that I have no R lenses, I fear that I will not be able to afford an R10 system any time soon either..... besides as my eyes get older - and for some other applications where I am not actually able to look through the view finder (don't ask!) auto focus seems to be another minor detail that I do miss from time to time.....

[dseelig]

Go to your local camera store pick up a d300 and a canon d40 and try them One note of caution both dp review and digilloyd have bad things to say about the nikon 70-200 zoom

[RobertW]

I've got that set up. I went thru the route of selling off my Canon 5D and all the lenses for an M8 last year. I found that I really "missed" the DSLR for its many complimentary uses at longer focal lengths. About a month ago, after looking at the E3 and A700 I decided on the D300.
There's an adjustment setting to compensate for back or front focus for up to 10 or so different lenses (no need to send lenses & body in for FF or BF adjustments). You'll enjoy the 6 fps or 8 fps with the grip for action series...
I still mainly use the M8.

[bokelley]

Originally Posted by dseelig

Go to your local camera store pick up a d300 and a canon d40 and try them One note of caution both dp review and digilloyd have bad things to say about the nikon 70-200 zoom

Actually, in the context of your recommendation, the 70-200 on the D300 is a superlative lens. DPReview does point out the shortcomings with it mated to the new D3 however.

I have been shooting Nikons for years and just recently made a move opposite to the one DaveEP is considering in that I have joined the rangefinder ranks with my recent purchase of an M8 coupled to a 35mm Summicron M f2 ASPH and an Elmarit M 21mm f2.8 pre-ASPH. It now seems that I have complete freedom to choose the system and lenses for the application. The DSLR is great for "heavy handed" applications like sporting events and nature/landscape photography while the M8 seems to me to be a camera much more at home in an "intimate" setting.

As an unabashed lover of camera equipment, I am now in f/stop heaven and would not abandon one system for the other. Glad I took the plunge, and glad to be here as well.

Brock

[rwfreund]

I recently added a D3 alongside my pair of M8s (not to mention the MP).
No regrets so far, but it has been not too long since the acquisition.
I really prefer the M8 cum Leica glass IQ, but also like the D8's high iso performance as well as the facility of macro work and the nikon flash system. The 80-400 is a nice complement and pretty good for birding.
I would think it wise if Leica would consider, in a future camera, compatibility with Nikon flash.
The M8 is still my preferred camera for slinging around the neck and walking about, but the D3 is very nice. I considered waiting or the V.next version of the D3, but unless Nikon does something very impressive with new glass, then the fat pixels on the D3 seem a perfect fit to their lenses.
-bob

[robsteve]

Originally Posted by marknorton

I'm a big fan of the D3, no experience of the D300, but it certainly delivers the goods. So too will the R10, I feel sure, but sadly it is coming too late for me. My investment in the Nikon system (cameras, lenses, flashes, accessories) precludes any possibility of me buying an R10.

Can I quote this post the day you post you bought a R10

[marknorton]

Originally Posted by robsteve

Can I quote this post the day you post you bought a R10

Yes you can. never say never...

The Nikon 70-200 is flawed on a D3, but excellent on a D300; the lens should really be though of as a DX lens but it's interesting that nobody found this out on a film camera before the D3 came out. I think there was a period in their recent history when they though FF was never going to happen, so why engineer for it?

[vieri]

I got both the D3 and the D300 for those jobs that need it, and I can say they are both proving to be fantastic cameras so far. You can't go wrong with either, IMHO - the D3 of course has the bonus of having amazing low ISO capabilities, but the D300 is no slouch either - especially compared to the M8 and it's very good up to 1600.

Good luck with your choice!

[benroy]

Add the Zeiss ZF 50 macro and 100 macro to the 14-24, 24-70, and 70-200 with the D300 and the M8 has been spending more time in the dresser drawer lately...although the 90/3.5 APO Lanthar has been providing some serious competition.

[stevelap]

I've also recently bought a D300 to complement my M8. It's a very fine camera, imho, and a great choice if you don't want or need full-frame and/or ultra high iso and/or the bulk of the (superb) D3.

[woodda]

I bought the Nikon D3 and a few lenses lst week. Great camera and not big if you use a 50 1.4 . Lenses not as good as M8 but they have benefits. Zeiss are great but manual so might defeat benefit of D3 AF.

I did consider the upcoming D3 24meg? model but could not justify the extra cost bearing in mind that in 4-5 years the price will be the same as the D3 as I can upgrade then.

I am waiting for the replacement of the 80-400 and or the 70-200 and some new fast primes due this June-sept.


Regards

[ChrisC]

Dave - If you go here:

http://forum.getdpi.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=6

You will find some M8 owners who are also Nikon users, you will likely recognise some of their names as 'moonlighters' from this forum.

................. Chris

[ohnri]

You won't be let down by high end Nikon glass. I have found my 14-24 f/2.8 to be the best ultra-wide I have ever used. My 85 f/1.4 is a superb portrait lens and my 24-70 f/2.8 is outstanding. My 200-400 f/4 is the finest telephoto lens I have used as well.

For a DX format camera, the 70-200 is almost without flaws.

In terms of overall IQ you will not be giving up anything by going to a D300 with good glass from a M8. There are differences in the way each camera renders an image but for overall quality in good light they are both excellent.

If you need low light capability then consider the D3, it is far superior to the M8 or the D300.

I am, of course, talking about technical quality. The way you use the camera, your choice of lenses (old or new, for instance) and your post-processing skills will make a much larger difference in your final image.

Also, if you want something different, consider a Fujifilm S5 pro, less than $1000 now and it will give you SLR capability with DR that can't be matched by any other 35 mm or smaller sensor.

Best,

Bill

[chris_livsey]

Originally Posted by DaveEP

I have a pair of M8s, (one chrome and one black) and I love the small size and the great lenses as much as any one else,
So, I am thinking of letting one of my M8s go,

Go on you really want to ask should I sell the black or the chrome?

[DaveEP]

Originally Posted by chris_livsey

Go on you really want to ask should I sell the black or the chrome?

LOL, actually no - I like both - and would be happy left with either one. I could let the buyer decide