Rangefinder resurgence

[humanized_form]

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my M7 feels much different to me than my OM4 or Pentax ds, especially when it comes to manual focus.

 

the viewfinders in the econo dslrs are improving (about time!) but they are still weak when compared to an older analog slr, let alone a rangefinder if you prefer manual focus.

[smokysun]

hi cindy,

i know you've had a lot experience with this. have you tried the confirmation adapters. i'm finding them a god-send. and far faster and more accurate with my glass-covered eyes than regular manual-focus systems.

wayne

[Cindy Flood]

Wayne,

I haven't tried the confirmation adapters for my manual lenses. I have used the Canon 24, 45 and 90 TSE lenses and they are manual focus with confirmation. It is nice to have the confirmation, but I like to focus and then use that just to confirm. I'm sure the adapters would be useful in dark venues and with slow lenses. I might get one and give it a try.

I am going to get my M8 back on Wednesday. Maybe I will take a picture of the XTi/Leica-R 35mm cron combination with the M8. It does make a nice backup to the M8. I can use the macro lens and long glass when I need it for nature photography.

[smokysun]

hi cindy,

thanks much for the info. i may get an xti as a second camera and will try one out in the store with a leica lens. alas, the m8 is far beyond my means. how is the noise on the xti? i've read it has the 30d sensor and af system. i shoot a lot at high iso's in low light.

wayne

[Cindy Flood]

The XTi seems pretty good on noise. I shot profiles for Neat Image and do run 400 iso and up through neat image. My previous 5D could handle 400 iso with no neat image, so it is not quite as good. I may not be exposing to the right as much as I should.

[Iron Flatline]

Haven't read the other responses, but here's why I added the M8 to my Canon D5 - I wanted something that would force me to be more deliberate in how I photograph, and I got that. It takes me back to the way I shot back in college 20-25 years ago. I am very invested in digital gear at this point - computers, printers, memory cards, hard-drives, softwares and plug-ins - that I would not want to shoot film anymore. So the arrival of a digital RF pushed me over the edge. Ironically, I didn't really know about the Epson R-D1 until I bought the M8, or else I might have gotten that instead. But I'm pleased with my purchase.

 

I have no beef with film, it's just not my hobby. I like capturing images, and I like working on them on my PC. I got my workflow, but film is not part of that. It wouldn't have been a simple question of buying a film RF, it would have been a tectonic shift in how I spend my free time, of how I pursue my hobby.

[smokysun]

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thanks again, cindy. they've put two more megapixals on the 30d sensor for the xti and that may be the problem. i have neat image so i'll look up some profiles and try them on the 20d (though i don't need it till 800 and then not always). i've now got five R lenses and love the pictures. part of it came from seeing your pics on pbase. have fun with the m8.

 

here's an event with the 20d and the leica 28 2.8: peace in the plaza Photo Gallery by wayne pease at pbase.com i found i could work pretty fast with the confirmation adapter and have used it, the 50 cron and 90 emarit for some theater and dance. a dslr will cover a lot of territory.

 

ah, iron flatline, i have to agree on film. i tried an r4 with a motorwinder a couple of weeks ago and lasted five minutes. i am going to try some returnable throwaway fujis from costco just for fun (and have the pics put on a disk for re-working). without digital i'd still be a writer and not so fascinated by pictures. really enjoy your photos, especially berlin. lived there the winter of 1966-67, part of my salad day adventures.