dritz Posted April 28, 2008 Share #1 Â Posted April 28, 2008 Advertisement (gone after registration) Given the now venerable experience of the DMR, is it worth still buying one? Used, of course. Â I guess I must explain my standards. I want something that gives a beautiful file like the M8 up through ASA 400, but with the perfect focus and flexibility of the R8/9. I never use my M8 unless I must have a digital file. And in those situations the DMR would be fine. I would hope to sell the M8. Â I tried a 5D but didn't like the plastic-looking files, and the viewfinder is crap and difficult for manual focus. The alternative is to wait and wait and wait for an R10, likely to cost twice as much as a DMR. Â I guess the other way to ask this question is this: Are you still using your DMRs? Â Thanks. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted April 28, 2008 Posted April 28, 2008 Hi dritz, Take a look here Would you still buy a DMR?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
itn Posted April 28, 2008 Share #2 Â Posted April 28, 2008 Given the situation surrounding R System' future is, in my opinion, still uncertain, since it is understandable that the Leica AG would stop production of current R, i.e., R9, for the film use. And many of R enthusiasts are longing for the R10 to be announced at Photokina 2008, hopefully. It is very difficult to suggest whether buying DMR at this time of moment is a good choice. Â However, as I have been using DMR since its first dispatch, I never regret of its result even compared with Nikon D3 at day time. Â The only one point, I would like to raise is a focusing screen which is fair but not superb. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamie Roberts Posted April 28, 2008 Share #3 Â Posted April 28, 2008 Even in the age of the D3, and with a range of Canon cameras to choose from, and the M8, the DMR files still blow me away. They're wonderful, and I'm glad I've got it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
storybrown Posted April 28, 2008 Share #4 Â Posted April 28, 2008 If I could afford a DMR, I would look around and buy one. If you can afford it, I think you should buy it & keep your M8, also. Â As it is, I stay broke going after more R4s and IIIfs and SL2s, and their various odds 'n ends, etc, esp old telefoto lenses. (I'm a even sucker for well kept C1s!) Maybe I'll hold off & save up for a Noctilux or ASPH lens for the R8. I've got a new (used) Digilux 2 I'm also going to try out. Where was I? Oh, yes. Get a DMR. I think you will be glad you did, whatever happens at fotokina, &c. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
storybrown Posted April 28, 2008 Share #5 Â Posted April 28, 2008 dritz, Â I meant to include this link in my response - it may be of some help in considering your decision . . . more fun with the DMR - Photo.net Leica and Rangefinders Forum Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildlightphoto Posted April 28, 2008 Share #6  Posted April 28, 2008 Here are my fav photo made so far this year with the DMR (the dumb software won't let me post more than 4 photos and I want to show 5):  Leica R8/DMR, 560mm f/6.8 Telyt with extension tube:  photographs of birds by Douglas Herr Great Egret  photographs of birds by Douglas Herr Western Bluebird  photographs of birds by Douglas Herr Wild Turkey  photographs of birds by Douglas Herr Acorn Woodpecker   Leica R8/DMR, 280mm f/4 APO-Telyt with 1.4x APO Extender:  photographs of mammals by Douglas Herr Desert Cottontail  I lied a bit about the 'this year' part, the Great Egret was from Dec 31 last year. After using the DMR for two years the quality of the image files is still delightful. If my DMR were to be destroyed I'd buy another without a moment's hesitation... unless the SL10 were due to go on the market in a few days. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomlianza Posted April 28, 2008 Share #7 Â Posted April 28, 2008 Advertisement (gone after registration) I have a DMR, an M8, and a Nikon D3. The DMR is a great camera. I haven't done any side by side daylight image comparisons between the DMR and the D3, but the D3 ISO performance is excellent. I am in a real quandary because the M8 packs so well for travel, but I prefer the SLR in most other situations. I have owned nikon since 1968 so there is no question that it is part of my photo DNA. The DMR is a great imager and I own the APO 280 f2.8 lens which is a phenomenal tele. The M8 is definately not my favorite camera, because of the need to hit the menu for exposure adjustment and ISO. If I had to sell one, the M8 would go first. The exposure adjustment on the DMR is great. The D3 is a true photographers camera an those adjustments are just natural. If you are an R owner and you want to stick with the line, the DMR is fine. Look at the work Doug Herr does with it without any fancy VR or auto focus. If you are doing any work under artificial light or really low light.... I would not be inclined to recommend it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
robsteve Posted April 28, 2008 Share #8 Â Posted April 28, 2008 Dean: Â If you can find a DMR at a reasonable price you should probably try it. As far as image quality goes, I don't think there is a DSLR that can match it. In particular, it holds the highlights very well and also does a wonderful job on skin tones. Â I bought my DMR not long after they were released and have not regretted it. I think it was you that pointed me to where I could find it when they were very hard to find at dealers. Â Robert Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted April 28, 2008 Share #9 Â Posted April 28, 2008 I'm hoping prices will drop once the R10 is released, and I may well pick one up if that happens. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jimmy pro Posted April 28, 2008 Share #10 Â Posted April 28, 2008 I tried a 5D but didn't like the plastic-looking files, and the viewfinder is crap and difficult for manual focus. The alternative is to wait and wait and wait for an R10, likely to cost twice as much as a DMR. Â I tried out a Nikon D3 and the viewfinder is excellent for manual focus. I'm glad I stored away my manual focus Nikon lenses instead of selling them, and I can't hardly wait for a D3X with competitive resolution to the Canon 1Ds Mark-III. As far as plastic-looking files, all I can say is I've seen prints from both the D3 (and 1Ds/III) and they are incredibly detailed and show every bit of natural texture, so reguardless of how the files look in RAW, it looks like guys who know how to process the files get some awesome prints. But what the heck? Get a DMR and try it out. I doubt you would lose a red cent selling it if you aren't impressed. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
topoxforddoc Posted April 28, 2008 Share #11 Â Posted April 28, 2008 Personally I'm a great fan of the DMR, Like everyone else who's posted, it makes great images. If the R10 wasn't rumoured, I might be inclined to buy a second one. Â Charlie Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsh Posted April 28, 2008 Share #12 Â Posted April 28, 2008 I was able to pick up a brand new R9 and DMR a few weeks ago for $6,000.00 for both. I really like it, especially with the number of R Lenses I already own. Â For the R10 to be attractive to me, my lenses will have to be compatible. In certain instances, Auto Focus would be nice, but I am so used to focusing manually, it is not a necessity with me. Â Even with the R10, I feel the used prices of the DMR will hold fairly well as many will want one as a less expensive backup and because only 2 or 3,000 were made. If indeed the R10 is a terrific camera and the price is not too outrageous, I may get one after they have been on the market for awhile and the bugs have been worked out. I would however keep the DMR. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mitchell Posted April 28, 2008 Share #13 Â Posted April 28, 2008 You shouldn't go by Doug's examples until he really learns how to use the camera. !;^) Â I have a DMR. I must admit I use my M8 more, mainly because of size. I agree with all said above. Ex. Comp. etc, are really well laid out on the DMR. Â I did have a first time glitch this morning. See other thread. Â Best, Â MItchell Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Overgaard Posted April 28, 2008 Share #14  Posted April 28, 2008 Here are my fav photo made so far this year with the DMR (the dumb software won't let me post more than 4 photos and I want to show 5): Leica R8/DMR, 560mm f/6.8 Telyt with extension tube:  photographs of birds by Douglas Herr Great Egret  That is a great picture. I've seen it before. That picture alone is worth the DMR.  By the way, I like that you call it the SL10 - let's hope it will be an SL and not just an R! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
guidowi Posted April 28, 2008 Share #15 Â Posted April 28, 2008 Yes, buy it! I like the DMR. I work with both the M8 and the R9/DMR and if the M8 size and weight are attractive I find the best quality with the DMR. Who knows if the R 10 will be better? Â Guido Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
garyp Posted April 29, 2008 Share #16 Â Posted April 29, 2008 Hi Doug Wouldn't that be the SL10D? GP Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
roguewave Posted April 29, 2008 Share #17 Â Posted April 29, 2008 The DMR is the best digital solution so far. Reliable, with stunnig image quality. The R glass is amazing. The Summilux 80, 35 & 50 are compelling reasons to own the DMR, even if a new digital body becomes available. You would always have it as a second camera. It is Industrial Strength Leica. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest maddin Posted April 29, 2008 Share #18 Â Posted April 29, 2008 I'd buy it again, any time - and Ben, you forgot to mention the 2.8/180 apo Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlancasterd Posted April 29, 2008 Share #19 Â Posted April 29, 2008 I certainly have no regrets that I bought a DMR. It produces superb DNG files and have no intention of selling it even though I now use an M8 for a lot of my work. Â An R8 with 21-35, 28-90 and 70-210 zooms makes a formidable traveling kit - although I have to confess that I have a tendency to leave the 70-210 (an Angenieux f3.5) at home to cut down on weight (or to leave room for a 100mm Macro). Â If the R10 does materialise as the full-frame, manual focus camera that I'm hoping for I will probably buy one at some point, but I'll almost certainly want to hang onto my DMR as well. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hdg Posted April 29, 2008 Share #20 Â Posted April 29, 2008 I am working with my R9-DMR-Combo since about 3 years and in the meantime I have made more than 10000 pictures with it. But the most important is up to now I have no complaints. It has worked well in any cases at my photo-tours and the pictures are absolutely great. The only negative I must say is: It`s a big boy of 2.5 kg weight minimum. That`s sometime a problem for an "old man". Conclusion: I would buy it again! Â Regards Hans, in spite of this all looking for the R10 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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