Guest Bernd Banken Posted September 18, 2007 Share #21 Posted September 18, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) Joe, just a few shots at the dealers shop is not enough. Buy a sec.hd. M6 (TTL) plus a lens of 50 or 35mm and load a C41 film like Kodak BW400 or Ilford XP2. After more than three decades of SLRs, my wish was to find out the "myths" of Leica RF, especially for the B/W work. Therefore I went the above described way and learned.... I'm not so optimistic to keep the M for a longer period, the limits of the size of the frames, the missing feedback of DOF after changing aperture and (for me) the irritating visible surrounding by using f.e. the 50mm doesn't help to compose the photograph in short time. Therefore for me this test period helped to check whether I'm a RF guy or not and saved a lot of money and stress with the M8..... Bernd Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted September 18, 2007 Posted September 18, 2007 Hi Guest Bernd Banken, Take a look here 30years with SLR's to an M8???. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
grober Posted September 18, 2007 Share #22 Posted September 18, 2007 Really? Why? They're very good! I know Nikon gear ain't junk. I direct the same blast at all SLRs, even my old but trusty Pentax film contraptions. I have never liked the loss of image during exposure, mirror-slapping noise and overall size and complexity of SLRs. SLRs, to me, are needed for only macro or long tele work. My first, and so far only, Nikon products have been two CoolScan film scanners, each of which have delivered nothing but smiles since they came out of their shipping cartons. -g Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeadams Posted September 18, 2007 Share #23 Posted September 18, 2007 Last year I bought the M8, thinking I would use it along with my Nikon D-200. I am now the owner of a barely-used very pristine D-200. Focus? The autofocus makes too many mistakes so don't rely on it for the sharpness you can get from RF focusing. Weight? I can no longer carry on a daily basis anything other than the M8. Cost of lenses? I already had the 35mm Summicron f2 ASPH with an M6 and my also pristine M7 and it is so good I rarely use my other lens, the CV 15. I zoom with my feet. I have used SLRs, TLRs, RF, and box since the 1950s, but the M8 size, quality of image and ease of use have made me re-think my constant Nikon upgrade mentality. Mike http://www.mikeadams.org Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guy_mancuso Posted September 18, 2007 Share #24 Posted September 18, 2007 From a professional level i have completely switched from DSLR's to RF's but you really should rent or try one first and make real sure this is the direction you want to take. It works awesome for me but may not for you , so do try it Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
guy Posted September 19, 2007 Share #25 Posted September 19, 2007 I know Nikon gear ain't junk. I direct the same blast at all SLRs, even my old but trusty Pentax film contraptions. I have never liked the loss of image during exposure, mirror-slapping noise and overall size and complexity of SLRs. SLRs, to me, are needed for only macro or long tele work. My first, and so far only, Nikon products have been two CoolScan film scanners, each of which have delivered nothing but smiles since they came out of their shipping cartons. -g Fair enough! (Though for me they do have some other uses: maybe I just haven't practised enough with the M8 yet, but I can't nail wide-aperture focus of a fast-moving nine-month-old without AF helping me out...) Generally, though, I stand by the adage that you should try everything at least once except Morris dancing and incest, and that includes SLRs Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
guy Posted September 19, 2007 Share #26 Posted September 19, 2007 Last year I bought the M8, thinking I would use it along with my Nikon D-200. I am now the owner of a barely-used very pristine D-200. Focus? The autofocus makes too many mistakes so don't rely on it for the sharpness you can get from RF focusing. Weight? I can no longer carry on a daily basis anything other than the M8. Cost of lenses? I already had the 35mm Summicron f2 ASPH with an M6 and my also pristine M7 and it is so good I rarely use my other lens, the CV 15. I zoom with my feet. I have used SLRs, TLRs, RF, and box since the 1950s, but the M8 size, quality of image and ease of use have made me re-think my constant Nikon upgrade mentality. Mike Mike Adams at San Jose State University Have to admit that my D200 is also getting pretty dusty. Baby pics aside (see previous post) the M8 is getting all the use these days. The files are shockingly better by direct comparison (and I used to think the D200 was the bee's knees when I first got it...) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
malcolm.mcintyre Posted September 19, 2007 Share #27 Posted September 19, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) I also got an M8 this year, after a lifetime of SLR use, although I have most experience with fully manual SLRs. The problem which I am having, and did not forsee, is that I am a left eye focuser through the viewfinder. This works fine on an SLR with its raised central eyepiece, but is uncomfortable on the M8 as my nose is squashed against the screen and makes greasy marks. I have tried to change to right eye focusing many times over the past 40 years, and while I can do it, it just doesn't seem connected to the correct part of my brain to give me good compositions. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lars_bergquist Posted September 19, 2007 Share #28 Posted September 19, 2007 Malcolm, I have had this problem too – but when shooting large caliber revolvers. The recoil when aiming 'diagonally' can make you miss the paper entirely. My solution was a pirate style eyepatch. It forced me to use the right eye (i.e. the left one – I'm a southpaw) without distracting me. It took me only a few visits to the range to make the change and since then I have been happy shooting pistols with the left eye and hand, and rifles with the right eye and hand! There is simply a 'hump' there, and it's plain sailing when you are over it (forgive my mixed metaphors). The old man from the Age of the Colt Trooper Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
malcolm.mcintyre Posted September 19, 2007 Share #29 Posted September 19, 2007 Thanks for the advice. Not sure that looking like a pirate is going to help my "invisibility" for street photography:) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lars_bergquist Posted September 19, 2007 Share #30 Posted September 19, 2007 Thanks for the advice. Not sure that looking like a pirate is going to help my "invisibility" for street photography:) Considering the weird specimens we meet in most big city streets, I do not think you would stand out very much. Also, you can do dry-firing at home. The old man from the Age of the m/96 Mauser Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gogopix Posted September 19, 2007 Share #31 Posted September 19, 2007 I really appreciate the replys!! Thank you.Yes, it would be my only camera. No, I am not a professional. My pictures range from requisite family shots to serious attempts at good photography worth framing, selling etc. I lean more toward outdoor work and away from still life and portraits. Any further thoughts? Again, thank all of you for your time. Answer depends on where you are going; for family/candid travel the M8 is ideal. However for marco or telephoto work an SLR is better (unless you get into Visoflex and I dont recommend that.) Whatever you do, save enough in the budget for glass-that is importnt for any variety regards Victor Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted September 19, 2007 Share #32 Posted September 19, 2007 (unless you get into Visoflex and I dont recommend that.) Why not, Victor? It is a bit Rube Goldberg and not very sophisticated, but it is quite usable. If you take your time it is even fun! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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