jackal Posted July 26, 2009 Share #1 Posted July 26, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) i'm thinking about buying a DSLR as a backup the forthcoming D700x suits as it will have the large MP but then who knows when it will finally arrive what does the leica crowd think ? What DSLR (with its natuve glass) gives really nice images like the M8 ? I've heard people say that the older 1ds Mkii gives more filmic images... any truth in that ? i used to have an old nikon D200 and when i go and look trhough those raws, I have to say they aren't a patch on the M8 images.... and I had top quality nikon lenses as well Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted July 26, 2009 Posted July 26, 2009 Hi jackal, Take a look here DSLR's. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Eoin Posted July 26, 2009 Share #2 Posted July 26, 2009 Try a Sony a900 with the 85 1.4 or 135 1.8 Zeiss AF primes, it will blow your mind. The Zeiss 16-35 and 24-70 2.8's are quite good also. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackal Posted July 26, 2009 Author Share #3 Posted July 26, 2009 intesrting, what zeiss primes are these then ? what mount are they ? can you get wides ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eoin Posted July 26, 2009 Share #4 Posted July 26, 2009 They are all Sony ZA mount lenses, auto focus as well. The a900 is 24.5 Mp full frame, the sensor is reported to be the same as the one used in the D3X but with totally different processing modules. You'll find all the info on the sony site. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pharyngula Posted July 26, 2009 Share #5 Posted July 26, 2009 Personally - and as many have said before me - I prefer the lower megapixel D700 because of its low noise characteristics. More megapixels in the same size sensor would likely be more of a step backwards to me especially if the price to be paid was more noise at higher ISOs. If I felt that print enlargement was the limiting factor in my work, I might feel differently about a ~25 Mp FF but for now, the large file sizes seem like more of a headache. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackal Posted July 26, 2009 Author Share #6 Posted July 26, 2009 thanks Eoin whats the handling like on the A900 ? is it not too heavy ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
noah_addis Posted July 26, 2009 Share #7 Posted July 26, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) You could do what I did and buy two D700 bodies and a set of Zeiss Primes. That setup provided great quality. But I sold it all, the files still had a different look from my M8 files and I didn't get on well with the DSLR handling. Definitely check out the zeiss primes though. They're MF but very good. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackal Posted July 26, 2009 Author Share #8 Posted July 26, 2009 are the nikon mount ZF primes any good ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
noah_addis Posted July 26, 2009 Share #9 Posted July 26, 2009 are the nikon mount ZF primes any good ? Yes. I had the 28/2, 50/1.4 and 85/1.4. All are sold but the 85, which I haven't found a buyer for yet. The lenses are sharp, contrasty and the build quality is very good. As good as they are, I found I can really do all I need to do with a RF, so I really settled on the M8 as my main system and I couldn't be happier. I've kept a D200 for (very) occasional long-lens use. If I ever was forced to shoot with a DSLR system again, it would definitely be the Nikon + Zeiss. The only flaw with that system for me was that it's not a rangefinder. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
haroldp Posted July 27, 2009 Share #10 Posted July 27, 2009 I use both Leica (M8's, M6ttl, M2 and most of the top optics ), and Nikon (D3x, D3, D700, D300). The D3x images are cleaner than the D3, or D700 images in a way that the pixel count just cannot explain. I believe the smaller pixel pitch allowed Nikon to employ a much less aggressive anti-aliasing filter ( less post process sharpening etc. ). This (and the lenses ) is also the Leica 'secret'. A D700x will likely use the same sensor and anti-aliasing filter as the D3x and have identical IQ. If this is the case, I have found that the Nikon 24-70/f2.8 is the equal of anything in sharpness, detail etc. and would match an M8 with appropriate lenses in IQ, when mated with a D3x, and therefore with a D700x. Each will have situational advantages. - Nothing matches the 50 asph summilux at f1.4 or any of the latest fast leica glass wide open. - The Nikon 14-24/f2.8 is amazing, and gets the full 14mm on an FX DSLR. The WATE (which I have and use ) is not as good, and needs a FF camera for full effect ( it is much smaller however ). - Zooms are convenient, and framing accuracy is much better on the DSLR. - Any of these D700x/lens combos (not to mention teles) will be much bigger nd heavier than their Leica counterparts. They will however more than match the IQ on an M8. - Do not expect an umpteen element Nikon Zoom to 'paint' the way a Leica lens does. It will not be worse, but will be different. I suspect a Canon 5D II with the right glass will be equivalent (except for the 14-24), but I have no experience or expertise with them so will leave those comments to forum members who do. I hope this is helpful . Regards ... Harold Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
michali Posted July 27, 2009 Share #11 Posted July 27, 2009 IMO it all really depends on what subjects you plan to photograph. I've got the Sony Alpha 700 with a couple of the new Zeiss lenses. I have also converted my older Zeiss lenses from the Contax/Yashica mount to the Alpha mount, they work manually with the Sony, no TTL metering or auto focus with the converted lenses. However I find that I only use this set up when I'm doing wildlife photography. The results are close to the Leica, having said that we're not really comparing like for like here are we? On the other hand the M8 is with me 24 hours a day. In over 35 years of photography there are only 2 cameras that have lived with me all day every day, the M3 and the M8. IMO as a package you can't beat the portability and quality of the Leica. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eoin Posted July 27, 2009 Share #12 Posted July 27, 2009 thanks Eoin whats the handling like on the A900 ? is it not too heavy ? The body it's self is quite light and very easy to use with very clear menus and controls. Nothing very complicated at all. However the weight comes from all that lovely Zeiss glass. I'd say from memory all the lenses are heavier than their Canon counterparts at the same focal lengths. But don't forget you also have "IS" in body and not lens dependent. But I didn't find it that heavy coming from the M8 to the Sony compared to what I remember the Canon weighed. I got one of those Optech pro straps and I find I don't even notice I'm carrying the camera. I wouldn't listen to buzzing about noise or high ISO. I've used this up to 1600 with excellent results way beyond what film ever gave. I prefer the tone and texture of the files when I shoot at 320 iso as my normal speed. You owe it to your self to at least test this camera with the Zeiss 135 f:/1.8, it will bring tears of joy to your eyes. There are rumors of new body offerings from sony (a850 - a950) due some time from sept on. Perhaps even better performance. But for the price the current a900 is such good value and unless you're shooting in caves, perhaps the only dSLR you'll ever need. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mhoersch Posted July 27, 2009 Share #13 Posted July 27, 2009 What relevance has a discussion about what DSLR someone wants to buy to the M8 Forum? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecaton Posted July 27, 2009 Share #14 Posted July 27, 2009 What relevance has a discussion about what DSLR someone wants to buy to the M8 Forum? Ahh, DEUTSCHE forum police......... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackal Posted July 27, 2009 Author Share #15 Posted July 27, 2009 thanks guys all very interesting Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackal Posted July 27, 2009 Author Share #16 Posted July 27, 2009 What relevance has a discussion about what DSLR someone wants to buy to the M8 Forum? Feel free to re read the OP Its information gathering based on the VIEWPOINT OF EXISTING M8 OWNERS Having said that, why the hell does it matter or bother you so much in any case ? It's a BIG world out there you know. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanJW Posted July 27, 2009 Share #17 Posted July 27, 2009 Most of the responses here have centered on Nikon and Sony. You might also consider Canon, especially 5D mkii, which is smaller and lighter than 1Ds series. Image quality is excellent. High ISO is excellent. I was Nikon for many years but when I shifted to digital and wanted full frame, Canon was the only game. Canon does a excellent job with their sensors and the in camera software (firmware?). I still prefer my M8, but the Canon is a far better tool for long lenses, for flash (incliding fill flash outdoors) , and for using autofocus for fast-moving subjects like small grandchildren. Of course, its all just a matter of personal preference. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marty Posted July 27, 2009 Share #18 Posted July 27, 2009 If this is the case, I have found that the Nikon 24-70/f2.8 is the equal of anything in sharpness, detail etc. and would match an M8 with appropriate lenses in IQ, when mated with a D3x, and therefore with a D700x. Please explain, the 24-70 is a lovely lens but soft towards the wide end. More mp are not going to help. In any case you simply cannot compare this to Leica glass. If you must go the DSLR route then I would go with the previous advice of Zeiss primes. The Nikon 14-24/f2.8 is amazing, and gets the full 14mm on an FX DSLR. This is true. It is one lens worth getting an FX body for if you are into wide angle. Zooms are convenient, and framing accuracy is much better on the DSLR. Partly disagree and partly depends on what you call framing. The D700 viewfinder is not 100%, but even on a 100% D3 what you see is all you have whereas the RF gives you more. Any of these D700x/lens combos (not to mention teles) will be much bigger nd heavier than their Leica counterparts. They will however more than match the IQ on an M8. ...if you equate IQ to pixelcount perhaps. Otherwise there is nothing much different between D3 and D3x except the latter is also worse in low light. What is all this talk about high-mp cameras anyway. If you have a specific purpose in mind, then it is not really a backup camera. Otherwise realistically you don't really need it. Something else to consider: a backup M8 body costs roughly the same as a D700 + 14-24. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
KM-25 Posted July 27, 2009 Share #19 Posted July 27, 2009 Please explain, the 24-70 is a lovely lens but soft towards the wide end. More mp are not going to help. In any case you simply cannot compare this to Leica glass. You might have a soft on the wide end copy, mine is tack. And as for comparing the lenses, lets just say *you* can't compare them, but the rest of us can.. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_tribble Posted July 27, 2009 Share #20 Posted July 27, 2009 I frequently shoot Canon 5D + 5D2 alongside M8s - and use the DSLRs exclusivly for some kinds of job. I got rid of my 1 series Canons because they're too big and heavy - but for me the 5D's are ideal tools - they feel like the Canon 1v for handling. Paired with an 85L 1.2 the 5D2 takes a lot of beating IMHO. Also great with the 70-200. Obviously, it's DIFFERENT from working with an M8, but useful to have... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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