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D800E compliments M9?


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I want to get a complementary camera to go with my M9 to address areas such as macro and short telephoto (I am finding my 75mm summicron hit and miss because of my eyes). Has anyone got this combo and what are your thoughts regarding image quality compared to the M9. Does it have the same magic?

 

Thanks in advance, Tony

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This was a possibility i have been kicking over for a while. Initially i thought i would not carry to DSLR as it was quite big....but the M8/9 is not a lightweight piece of kit. Then i thought it would be really useful for the times when i want telephoto or macro... but realistically, thats not much. And then i remind myself of why i sold all my DSLR equipment, and i feel happy again with my M8, which will be replaced/complimented, but with an M10

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I want to get a complementary camera to go with my M9 to address areas such as macro and short telephoto (I am finding my 75mm summicron hit and miss because of my eyes). Has anyone got this combo and what are your thoughts regarding image quality compared to the M9. Does it have the same magic?

 

Thanks in advance, Tony

 

I own both the M9 and a D800.

 

I shoot mostly primes so the size and weight of the two cameras are not all that different. When I pack my AFS 70-200 2.8G VR2 obviously things change. I thought I could live with the M9 only, but after a bit of time realized that I needed more flexibility.

 

Since I have had the D800, I now use it with a AF-s 24/1.4, 50/1.4 and 85/1.4 75% of the time. As I have gained a few years, my eyes are not quite what they were when I was 18 years old. I find the superb auto focus allows me to hit focus significantly more often that the M9. I also find that the D800 in continuous auto tracking mode works great for street work.

 

It's funny, I am in the middle of teaching a Nature Photography 101 class. Yesterday, I was speaking with one of our students discussing just this. I loaned him my M9 with Summicron 75 to shoot with. he is in his mid 40's and told me at the end of the day that he loved the camera but hit only 20% of his shots with respect to focus. I told him with time that will increase, but as we get older and our eyes become weaker it will always be a problem for some folks.

 

My wife and I were discussing this over dinner last night in a local cafe. She had her Nex7 with her and I had the M9. I mounted the Summicrom 75 on her Nex7 and made some low light images in the restaurant. I was so impressed with the ease of focus peaking that I told her I could see myself buying a Nex7 to use when I wanted a lighter weight camera.

 

Just some insight into what I have experienced....

Your style of shooting might be different, so think hard, measure twice and buy once. :)

 

Mike

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Thanks all your your interesting replies - I have to say this is what I was hoping to hear.

 

Mike, my needs sound similar to yours and I was planning a similar lens line-up (50mm 1.4, 85 1.4 and the 60 macro). BTW, you have some very nice pictures on your website.

 

Decision made I think

 

Tony

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I became disillusioned with the lack of good 35 and 50mm F mount lenses, so I sold my d3x. I'd wait for the M10 or FF Sony etc that takes an M mount lens

 

Have not tried the Nikon 35 but find the 24/1.4G to be very sweet. I have the 50/1.4G, like it but never really compared it to my Summilux 50/1.4 ASPH. I abhor testing, do it only when necessary. However, one of these rainy Sunday afternoons may have to play lens. :)

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The Nikon 35 f1.4 is excellent and similar to the 24 f1.4.

 

The 50 / 1.4 is not in the same class as a summilux at f1.4 or f2, particularly at the edges (center is pretty good), but nearly perfect from 2.8 in.

 

... H

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Lloyd Chambers' own d800 + d800e were returned by nikon with the autofocussing error not satisfactorily rectified, and I doubt he is alone. If I were concerned about AF (which I'm not), I would wait until the d800 successor is released and the AF issue will hopefully have been resolved.

 

Perhaps Nikon failed by not designing and manufacturing AF lenses specifically for the d800 before it was released

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In a panic after first getting my M9 two and half years ago, and getting rid of my Nikon DSLR, I ran out and got a D7000 as a "backup." It has been a waste because it's just too big after getting used to the M9. This past winter I got a Sony NEX-7 and adaptor so I could use my Leica lenses on it in a pinch. I also got a couple of NEX lenses but it turns out I don't use them. The NEX-7 is no Leica but it's a terrific backup. I can't imagine using a big SLR as a regular alternative to an M9, but that said, I have friends who, never having left the SLR camp, absolutely love their D800E.

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I got a 800E for exactly the same reasons as yours. I paired it with three Zeiss lenses 35/2, 50/1.4 and 100/2 and have used it for a month now. No problems shooting manual with this camera. I like it and it is a nice complement and I must say that the image quality is on par with the M9 + you can crop heavily if you need it. But for any work where you work with people I prefer the Leica. But the Nikon can do things that the Leica can't.

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Lloyd Chambers' own d800 + d800e were returned by nikon with the autofocussing error not satisfactorily rectified, and I doubt he is alone. If I were concerned about AF (which I'm not), I would wait until the d800 successor is released and the AF issue will hopefully have been resolved.

 

Perhaps Nikon failed by not designing and manufacturing AF lenses specifically for the d800 before it was released

 

Nikon took 4-1/2 weeks to turn my D800 around. After getting back last week, I tested it thoroughly and can honestly say that the left AF sensor issue was resolved. It is the best AF system I have owned. It out performs my 1DS MkIII and 5DII by a significant amount.

 

I also believe that many people are over hyping the left focus issue. It is there, but nowhere as bad as the Canon AF issues I experienced.

 

Anyway, the D800 is a truly amazing camera. I have no issues recommending it. I don't read this Lloyd guy and know nothing about him. But suspect that much like any talking head who is selling a product, he is counting on shock value to sell is opinions.

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A word of caution for West Coast Leica owners/Nikon buyers: Nikon Repair in Torrance, CA is a real PIA to deal with. As Leica owners, we are accustomed to great service from Leica. While it may take time, Leica cameras and lenses come back functioning perfectly 99% of the time. And Leica often goes the extra mile, adjusting and cleaning the gear even though that is not why it was sent in. On the other hand, Nikon repair (and the gear often needs repair or adjustment) often blames the photographer even though the gear failed, demands receipts, and ridicules older equipment. They are, in a word, Draconian.

 

Sour grapes? Maybe. But when the same experience occurs several times over several decades, it is a problem.

 

Maybe one of these days, Leica will give us a 24x36 DSLR with a line of auto focus lenses and yet still uses legacy Leica R lenses in a $5,000 - $8,000 price range. I know, dream on.

 

BTW: I still own Nikon gear. Not much any more, but kept enough for a macro or long telephoto shot. And, yes, I find the 800E a tempting camera as well. I'm just not ready to trust Nikon again, especially with a camera with so many reported problems.

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I want to get a complementary camera to go with my M9 to address areas such as macro and short telephoto (I am finding my 75mm summicron hit and miss because of my eyes). Has anyone got this combo and what are your thoughts regarding image quality compared to the M9. Does it have the same magic?

My Visoflex gives me the same magic as my M9 and is lighter than a dSLR.:cool::rolleyes:

 

Pete.

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My Visoflex gives me the same magic as my M9 and is lighter than a dSLR.:cool::rolleyes:

 

Pete.

 

Is that the one you attach to your glasses and flip up or down when moving in or out of the sun? ;)

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Another vote for the NEX7 here. While the D800 is certainly an awesome camera it's a lot of size/weight/money for an occasional camera. The NEX 7 with your 75mm Summicron would be a fabulous combination. Hundreds of fantastic lenses can be had for just a few dollars with the help of an adaptor, including all your Leica lenses(avoid wider than 35mm though).Focus peaking is brilliant in use. You should at least try it before you make a final decision.

 

Gordon

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In real time use, how does the Nex7's EVF perform? I am reticent to commit to NOT having a true OVF. My main camera is an M9. I would consider using all my Leica lenses (well some of them) on a Nex7 alongside the M9.

 

Seeking users opinions.

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I am contemplating the very same thing.

 

These days I am doing more and more shoots where higher resolution than 18mpx would be very welcome indeed. Perspective control and live view would also be very useful.

Yet I do not want to give up the exellent optics I am used to with the Leica. The obvious solution then would be to move to digital medium format, but the cost and heft of this is really prohibitive. I do not need 180 megapixels, but 36 certainly would make a difference.

 

The D800E has such a great image quality/price ratio that it is VERY hard to overlook. Not to mention that it is weather sealed, most of my shots are outdoors.

 

Too bad Nikon doesn't really have the optics to match the camera, but the new TS/PC Scheider-Kreuznach 50mm 2.8 seems to be the perfect lens for all my photographic needs that M9 cannot fulfull. Though its a heavy beast, and I would probably not use it for much regular photography.

 

My dream is a M10 with a sensor similar to D800E, and a price not too much over, lets say the MM (or two D800Es).

I could even live witout perspective control and live view if this came true, but according to the chatter on this and other sites, both of those are rather unlikely. After all Nikon has no S2/S3 sales to worry about.

 

Eiher way, I am sitting on the fence at least until Photokina. Who knows, maybe even Canon have something up their sleeve?

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