jasoniburn Posted August 25, 2009 Share #1 Posted August 25, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) I am brand new to the forum. I have a load of Canon gear that I am selling including 1D MKIII body and a whole host of L lenses. I am looking at the M8 with a 35mm and 90mm lens. I have never really been satisfied with the Canon and felt often that the images I took lacked depth and just a feeling of being there. It looks like the best place to buy is from BH Photo in NY in the USA. I'm basically after as much advice as possible. My budget is around $7000. I shoot streets/ family vistas etc. Any help and guidance will be greatly received. Cheers Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted August 25, 2009 Posted August 25, 2009 Hi jasoniburn, Take a look here Ditching 1D MKIII. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
andybarton Posted August 25, 2009 Share #2 Posted August 25, 2009 Welcome to the forum It obviously depends upon where in the world you live... I don't know about B&H, but I would try any of the advertisers on the forum here in the first instance, and tell them where you got their details from. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasoniburn Posted August 25, 2009 Author Share #3 Posted August 25, 2009 Welcome to the forum It obviously depends upon where in the world you live... I don't know about B&H, but I would try any of the advertisers on the forum here in the first instance, and tell them where you got their details from. I live in Norway but have access to the States. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted August 25, 2009 Share #4 Posted August 25, 2009 Can you buy VAT free from the UK? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasoniburn Posted August 25, 2009 Author Share #5 Posted August 25, 2009 Can you buy VAT free from the UK? Yes. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
microview Posted August 25, 2009 Share #6 Posted August 25, 2009 I'd think twice about a 90mm lens on the M8 and try the field of view offered by a 28mm in comparison with 35mm. The long lens is rather heavy unless tripod mounted and anyway becomes effectively 120mm focal length. There are many threads about optimum pairing, eg 24/50; 35/75 for you to browse through. It looks however as if you are thinking of buying 'blind' if there is no local dealer who could show you the camera/lenses. In the UK I would recommend Robert White whose sterling prices are quoted without VAT. http://www.robertwhite.co.uk then click on home/35mm/leica M. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest roey Posted August 25, 2009 Share #7 Posted August 25, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Welcome jasoniburn! As a 1D user you are obviously familiar with the sensor crop of the M8. So I guess you have factored that into your focal length choices. However, FWIW, I also came to the M8 from a 1D and for me the M8 has changed the way I photograph -- meaning that I now prefer wider lenses than I used to with the 1D. This, again, could have been just me, but if you have never shot with a rangefinder before, you might want to start out with a single lens to see how that works for you. Another thing to consider is to wait a few days to see what Leica is going to announce around 9/9 -- see the countless threads in this forum. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaay Posted August 25, 2009 Share #8 Posted August 25, 2009 As a fellow canon user and 1DIII owner I bought an M8 with a CV15, 28 cron and 50 lux which I find to be an excellent combination - and is within your budget. May I suggest though that, as I have, keep the 1DIII with any telephoto lenses you have as even though the canons are a relatively poor performer on wide lenses (lacking the attributes you mention) a 1DIII with a 70-200 f2.8 IS will be hard to match with an M8. Since both cameras share the APS-H 1.33 crop sensor I find them excellent companions. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sdai Posted August 25, 2009 Share #9 Posted August 25, 2009 With $7000 your choice is really limited even in the used market, you'll be missing a lot of things you can do with a SLR. Plus, a M8 really is a totally different beast in terms of handling, it changes the way you're gonna work. If I were you, I would certainly try one first before I buy into the system. The forum has seen a lot of SLR shooters come and go, switching systems isn't about fun to say the least. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
croweatr Posted August 26, 2009 Share #10 Posted August 26, 2009 Welcome to a Brave New World... I also switched wholesale - from Nikon. Gone are the flexibility of zooms, the joys of supertelephotos, and the introspective macro world. There are times when I miss the macro, but not the others. My photography went in a whole new direction when a good friend loaned me his M8 for a weekend. All of a sudden I understood what it felt to be 'in' the image (as Ansel Adams described) and my work took on a more down-to-earth, gritty texture. The results are superb. Interestingly, I note that of all the DSLRs and film cameras we've used in our business, the M8 gives the most consistent focus results of all of them. You won't take as many shots, but each one will be so much better. If you've the courage to let go of the whole SLR thing (and it's a huge decision, I know), you won't regret it. FYI, I use a Zeiss 21/2.8, a Konica Hexanon 50/2 and a huge old 90/2 Summicron. All superb lenses. If you want to get a 90mm, you'll find one of these cheaply. Most users don't want them because they're so big and ungainly. And budget for at least one spare battery. Best of luck! Kevin Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
QDIEM4SC Posted August 26, 2009 Share #11 Posted August 26, 2009 Welcome to a Brave New World... I also switched wholesale - from Nikon. Gone are the flexibility of zooms, the joys of supertelephotos, and the introspective macro world. There are times when I miss the macro, but not the others. Same here (switched out of Nikon entirely) and I will never go back. It's been 8 months of sheer bliss with the M8. My photography went in a whole new direction when a good friend loaned me his M8 for a weekend. All of a sudden I understood what it felt to be 'in' the image (as Ansel Adams described) and my work took on a more down-to-earth, gritty texture. The results are superb. Yes, I concur, the results are superb. Interestingly, I note that of all the DSLRs and film cameras we've used in our business, the M8 gives the most consistent focus results of all of them. You won't take as many shots, but each one will be so much better. Once again, I agree....100%. For the OP, my lens choices for the M8 system are restricted to 18mm, 28mm, 35mm, and 50mm. Of those, I use the latter two 90% of the time. Peter. Zenfolio | QDIEM 4 S C - Every Day for Solange and Catherine. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtomalty Posted August 26, 2009 Share #12 Posted August 26, 2009 I'd be curious to know what your most used focal length was with the 1D system and why you wouldn't use that info as a basis for what you would strive for with an M. With your budget you will not have many options, particularly, if you are after new product and want to stay with Leica optics. If I use that as a baseline I would look to start with a 28 2.8 asph and a body. A wider lens will give you the opportunity to exploit pre-focussing and shooting more spontaneously, at least, until you become familiar with the rangefinder experience. Starting with longer lenses is going to restrict, somewhat, your shooting options in my opinion and I think you might not really experience what the 'M' is about. When budget permits I would complement the 28 with a 50 Mark Mark Tomalty Photography Montreal Canada Travel Landscape Stock FineArt Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrc Posted August 26, 2009 Share #13 Posted August 26, 2009 Much of the answer to your situation depends on how you see -- to me, a ~35/90m combo seems a little odd. The 35 on an M8 works out to about "normal," neither long nor short, and 90, at about ~120, again seems to be neither here nor there. A 35/75 would give you a normal and a nice portrait lens; a 24 or 28/75 would give you a slightly wide and a nice portrait lens. I have both a 90 and a 75, and the 90 is distinctly more difficult (IMHO) to focus and shoot...but again, it comes down to how you see. Nothing wrong with any of the lenses you mention... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sungnee Posted August 26, 2009 Share #14 Posted August 26, 2009 Regarding the 90mm lenses, there are very cheap and light versions in the used market, for example an Elmarit F/2.8. However, as many people have pointed out, it's equivalent to 120mm on the M8. Using the 1/focal-length rule, the minimum shutter speed on the M8, for hand held shake-free shots, is 1/120 sec, or 1/125. So you're looking at 1/125 sec at F/2.8 as your lowest-light scenario. Many people, however, have claimed that they could hand-hold at much slower speeds. I, for one, cannot. The actual light level also depends on the ISO chosen, of course, which in turn depends on how much noise you can tolerate. Even then the lowest light level may not be satisfactory because you might want to use a smaller aperture to gain depth of field. Just some points for you to consider. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
biglouis Posted August 26, 2009 Share #15 Posted August 26, 2009 Welcome. Lots of good advice from above. I would add that lens choice depends on your area of interest in photography. I have found that for my purposes, 90% of my shooting can be sufficed with a my 28 Elmarit asph (one of the best value lenses in the Leica range) and my Elmar 50/2.8, now discontinued but still available second hand if you hunt for it. I also recently acquired the collapsible Elmar 90/4 which being considerably lighter than other Leica 90 lenses can be used at speeds down to 1/30 quite easily. Good luck - I switched from Nikon over 2 years ago and have not looked back, although recently I have been considering acquiring a DSLR again. LouisB Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
odyocu Posted August 26, 2009 Share #16 Posted August 26, 2009 I shoot streets/ family vistas etc. You may also consider the 21/2.8 and 28/2 for street/familiy shots. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Ash Posted August 26, 2009 Share #17 Posted August 26, 2009 I would recommend to go for a one body and one lens solution for the time being. The one lens you go for should be the best you can afford although I found the 35 summarit to be of good value for the money. If go you for a 35mm lens it is likely that you will add a wider and longer lens, i.e. you will end up in 3 lens kit. If you start with a 28 or 24 mm lens just one additional lens can be your future kit. Regards Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasoniburn Posted August 26, 2009 Author Share #18 Posted August 26, 2009 Where would be the best place to find a good M8. How do these cameras stand up to use? Is it false economy to buy used? What sort of savings am I looking at for a used one? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
erlingmm Posted August 26, 2009 Share #19 Posted August 26, 2009 For your style of shooting I would recommend a 28 and a 50. Leicashop in Vienna (Willkommen im LeicaShop - Startseite de) has a good selection of both new and used Leica equipment, and ships to Norway in 2 days. Norwegian opens a new direct route Oslo-Vienna in October, so you can fly cheap down there, and possibly export with VAT refund. You can find and sell used photo equipment in Norway here: Foto.no - Hovedsiden but the Leica selection is limited. I am in Norway, feel free to contact me. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob_w Posted August 26, 2009 Share #20 Posted August 26, 2009 Lots of good advice in the above posts. I would just re-inforce the point that you may photograph differently with an M and you need to factor that into your lens choice. As another forum member expressed it so well: "you even stand in a different place using an M". Like many others, I find I use wider lenses and work closer to the subject than I do with an SLR. I think this is because the M is less intimidating to subjects and easier to use in casual situations. I have 5 lenses (acquired over 15 years) but if I had to have just two they would be the current 24 Elmarit and the 75 Summicron. Both are stunning lenses and get quite a bit of use. Two new 24 lenses have been released by Leica in the past six months and I have seen a number of 24 Elmarits on the used market at excellent prices. Welcome to the forum! Robert Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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