At a digital crossroads-

[Quintavius]

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I've recently made the switch from digital back to film photography and I have come to a bit of a crossroads with my Canon 5D Mk II. I have a passion for film and I love the way a rangefinder feels in my hands. The only time I pull my Canon off of my shelf is when I shoot a paid event or a model who requires more photos than rolls of film I will shoot in a day. My main workhorses are a Mamiya C330F and a Mamiya 645 Pro TL. I've been debating on selling my 5D for a Leica M8 so that I still have a digital camera and can use my film Leica lenses. I know that the Leica M8 isn't the full frame 18mp monster that the M9 is but megapixels aren't a huge deal to me as the largest my prints will be (at least for now) are 24x36. I mostly shoot models (lifestyle, beauty, and nude) and street photography. I'd like to have a camera to carry with me everywhere and still use to shoot my models with the convenience of digital and image quality of my 5D with the portability and discretion of a rangefinder for street photos. Any opinion on what I should do?

 

 

Thanks for your help!

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[jaapv]

Consider that you need to buy lenses as well when you switch systems - and Leica lenses are addictive and a bit pricey - the actual camera body will be the least of your expenses.

[farnz]

The M8 has a cropped sensor (1.33x) so your lenses will have different virtual focal lengths, which is something to consider. So for example 28 mm becomes ~35 mm, 35 becomes ~50 mm, and 50 mm becomes 67 mm. The M9 is free from this effect of course and for me it made a substantial difference.

 

Note also that with the M8 you would need to acquire and use UV/IR-stop filters on your lenses to prevent black synthetic fabrics from appearing magenta and foliage from taking on a yellowing hue. If you would only be producing black and white pictures then the filters are less important although there has been discussion about potential loss of sharpness owing to the infrared rays focussing in a different plane from visible light.

 

I have kept and still use my M8 after acquiring an M9, which perhaps indicates that both cameras are excellent performers.

 

Pete.

[NZDavid]

Go for the M9, or even wait for the M10. Why? Classic rangefinder bodies handle the same, but there have been real and significant advances in sensors and software.

[wda]

Quintavius, Welcome to the forum!

 

What a quandary for you! Do you have the chance to hire/borrow a Leica rangefinder camera and lens to see for yourself what such a change implies? A good Leica dealer should be able to help you decide.