Ditching 1D MKIII

[jonoslack]

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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?

 

Hi Jason

Good luck with your decision. Buying from the UK without VAT (as Andy suggested) is a good idea. There are plenty of dealers, but the two I use most are:

 

FFords photographic (ffordes photographic : Main Index) - they have lots of excellent secondhand gear

Robert White (Robert White - Specialist Camera and Photographic Suppliers of Nikon, Canon, Leica, Hasselblad, Mamiya, Zeiss Ikon, Voigtlander, Quantum etc.) - new gear only

 

They both have excellent, knowledgeable staff and are really nice to deal with. You may also get very good value for money.

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[KevinA]

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

What is it that you shoot? Some things a RF is great for others need a SLR, also different lenses on your Canon might have a different feel. But if your heart is aching for the Leica then there is no argument.

 

Kevin:D

[jasoniburn]

What is it that you shoot? Some things a RF is great for others need a SLR, also different lenses on your Canon might have a different feel. But if your heart is aching for the Leica then there is no argument.

 

Kevin:D

 

I really shoot stuff that I see. I live in the fjord country of Norway and the scenery there is incredible. I have three young kids that I like to catalogue (wrong word but you know what I mean). I love classic cars and old farms and anything really that I find intriguing.

 

I don't shoot wildlife much or sports if that means anything. Wider rather than longer.

[jasoniburn]

Hi Jason

Good luck with your decision. Buying from the UK without VAT (as Andy suggested) is a good idea. There are plenty of dealers, but the two I use most are:

 

FFords photographic (ffordes photographic : Main Index) - they have lots of excellent secondhand gear

Robert White (Robert White - Specialist Camera and Photographic Suppliers of Nikon, Canon, Leica, Hasselblad, Mamiya, Zeiss Ikon, Voigtlander, Quantum etc.) - new gear only

 

They both have excellent, knowledgeable staff and are really nice to deal with. You may also get very good value for money.

 

Ffords looks like an excellent place. Thanks I'll be contacting them today.

[shootinglulu]

I reckon there will be a lot of very good used M8's on the market soon, you can easily pick them up on ebay.

I started off with a 35 summarit and although i liked the lens i found it too long and too wide! I now have settled for 50 and 28, perfect for me with the M8 and for any longer length, i find my slr is better suited.

The m8 has opened my eyes to the joy of wider angle lenses.

[zimboom]

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

 

I ditch my Canon gear 2 month ago, don’t miss it for sure:) With $7000 you probably can get a nice M8 brand new and 28mm Elmarit-M ASPH f/2.8, very good combo. But the ultimate combo for me is M8 28mm Summicron-M f/2 ASPH and a 50mm Summicron ASPH f/2.

Bernard

[jasoniburn]

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I ditch my Canon gear 2 month ago, don’t miss it for sure:) With $7000 you probably can get a nice M8 brand new and 28mm Elmarit-M ASPH f/2.8, very good combo. But the ultimate combo for me is M8 28mm Summicron-M f/2 ASPH and a 50mm Summicron ASPH f/2.

Bernard

 

Do the names Elmarit and Summicron reflect a certain build quality or are they just different brand names?

[adli]

Do the names Elmarit and Summicron reflect a certain build quality or are they just different brand names?

 

They reflect the maximum aperture.

[SJP]

And more importantly the price:

 

Hector = very cheap, appropriately named after a dog

Elmar = cheap and nasty:D f/4 max

Elmarit = less cheap, less nasty f/2.8

Summarit = cheapish & pretty decent f/2.5

Summicron = expensive and very decent f/2

Summilux = very expensive, state of the art f/1.4

Noctilux = you don't want to know the price, slightly over the top f/1 or f/0.95

 

But in a few years time you will have them all and be happy.

[zimboom]

Elmarit = f/2.8, Summicron = f/2, Summilux = f/1.4, Noctilux = f/0.95

Bernard

Sorry I’m to late as usual!

[guidomo]

I have three young kids that I like to catalogue

 

I have three small kids and I just want to point out that, if indeed you come from a Canon 1D, then you may want to consider the fact that the M8 is a manual camera, including manual focus. It works well for me but may not work for anyone. Kids are fast objects. Quick manual focus takes a lot of practice, but done well can be very satisfying.

 

I don't shoot wildlife much or sports if that means anything. Wider rather than longer.

 

No long lens for portaits? I love my 90mm Summicron for that.

[lxlim]

Welcome, Jason. I have both and I think both are great cameras. I would suggest keeping the 1D but take your time to move into rangefinder. There are quite a bit of little details that can trip one up.

 

1. Try out the M8 hands on. This would give you an immediate feel of whether you like working with it. I think its emminently suitable for the subjects you mentioned.

 

2. Do your research. I would suggest Sean Reid's Welcome to ReidReviews

 

3. Have your eyesight checked out. Both aging eyes and astigmatism have varying impacts and this forum is the place to check these niggardly details.

 

Happy Journeying

[Angel]

I bought a brand new 5d Mark II and six moth later exchange the whole canon outfit for an M8 and a 28mm, later aquired a 90mm sumarit...and that's all I needed so far. I will purchase a 50mm fast lense whenever I can. So far that set up is working great for me, do not miss the zooms at all...