maybe getting rid of digital... and going back to film Leica

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pmu

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Howdy folks, I have couple of things in my mind.

About 8-10 months ago I sold my Leica M2 + 35/2 summicron and purchased a Nikon D200 + mf-nikon gear and now I admit that this was a BIG mistake. The only thing that have kept me selling my digital gear is the fact that it is sort of necessity to have if I'm about to shoot "for customers"...but, I hate D200, I hate that crappy viewfinder (I miss the focus all the time with mf-lenses), I really really do not enjoy shooting digitally...I'm starting to loose the joy in this photography thingy...the "ZEN" which I have in my film-work, that is totally missing when working with digital. So I've been thinking of selling all my Nikons and moving back to film Leica. My personal project are 100% documentary stuff and I've been thinking that it would be smarter to focus on those projects and trying to improve my photography career by selling those personal projects / photo stories...not by shooting digitally some useless cr*p for paying customers. And since I do all my personal stuff in b&w and love working with analog gear I think this is propably not the stupidiest move known to mankind. Ok, this was my monolog and here is the question;

What would be the "best" combination for M-body and 35mm lens? I loved my M2 and it was just perfect tool -- I would be happy with that, but since I have not looked at current prices I don't know which M-body has the best "price/quality" ratio... Metering could be nice, but not I am not sure if I'm willing to pay extra for that feature since I tend to use handheld meter most of the time -- even if I have a camera that meters.

What about lenses? I had a helluva deal on my 35/2 summicron and I really doubt that I can't find another one eith that price tag... So, maybe some Voigtländer or something...? I need the lens to be f2 or faster.

The total budget would be around 800-1000 euros (in other words, I just realized that I need to buy a meterless body because of the budget).

Comments, opinions?
 
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At least this side of the pond, prices for M2 cameras have remained steady for a while (IMHO). If I were you, I'd try to re-purchase the M2 from the person you sold it to. If it weren't possible... look for another M2.

As for glass... the Cosina Voigtlander choices are really good. You wouldn't feel shortchanged by buying the CV Ultron 35/f1.7 or the Nokton 50/f1.5 instead. The only thing you need to keep in mind is that these lenses will need a Leica thread-mount-to-M adapter, but that's about it. Keep in mind the Zeiss Ikon glass (in case you run into one at a good price) and the Konica Hexar lenses in M-mount.

I'll take my answer offline now. I'm sure others will suggest the Canon lenses. I don't know them well, but they're not bad to have either. Good luck and welcome back to the film universe! 🙂
 
PMU,

I shoot with Leicas and I also have a D200. I had to force myself to use the D200, all the time not enjoying it, until yesterday. I stopped using zoom lenses and started shooting with only prime lenses. I have some great Nikon prime lenses in AIS and D. They work just fine and the results are sharper, clearer and I am far more satisfied with the results. Also, it's more of an analog feel rather than digital. While shooting with a dslr is not the same experience as shooting with a rf, especially the marvelous M2, maybe using primes might help your experience to be better...

FWIW,

Bob
 
I'm so fed up with digital, I almost don't consider it as "photography" anymore. I still haven't processed my 2005 and 2006 leisure shots... and I don't think I will anytime soon.
 
rpsawin said:
PMU,

I shoot with Leicas and I also have a D200. I had to force myself to use the D200, all the time not enjoying it, until yesterday. I stopped using zoom lenses and started shooting with only prime lenses. I have some great Nikon prime lenses in AIS and D. They work just fine and the results are sharper, clearer and I am far more satisfied with the results. Also, it's more of an analog feel rather than digital. While shooting with a dslr is not the same experience as shooting with a rf, especially the marvelous M2, maybe using primes might help your experience to be better...

FWIW,

Bob
Click to expand...

I shoot only with ai/ai-s primes 🙂 My main problem with D200 is that I shoot 85% of the time with wide angles, full apertures and in quite low light...I miss the focus all the time...especially with wider angles. Even if I have that viewfinder magnifier thingy and Haoda Fu split image focusing screen, most of the time I can't see if the focus is correct or not when shooting my usual stuff...with 35mm and longer lenses focusing gets easier, but still it's often way too difficult. And I really can't afford to buy (and don't want to put anymore money) a good fast af-lens / lenses...not a winner combination 🙂 🙄

I think I will sell all my Nikon gear and buy a good film scanner, M2 with 35mm lens and I calculated that I would still have around 600-700 euros left and with that I could maybe buy a "decent" compact digicam for those special situtations that needs to be shot digitally (perhaps some basic olympus compact...and I could pretend that I am Paolo Pellegrin or Alex Majoli 🙂 )...

PS: I have a Industar 62Ltd with m-adapter, one of my all time favourite lenses. Can't wait to shoot with that again...
 
Soita vaan EP-Kameraan, jos sielt löytyis jotain... Esko voi laittaa myös hakuun, sanot vaan mitä. Mul on M2 ja M4, jommalla kummalla selviää ihan hyvin, mut M4:sia on tietenki vaikeampi löytää halvalla🙂
 
3js said:
Soita vaan EP-Kameraan, jos sielt löytyis jotain... Esko voi laittaa myös hakuun, sanot vaan mitä. Mul on M2 ja M4, jommalla kummalla selviää ihan hyvin, mut M4:sia on tietenki vaikeampi löytää halvalla🙂
Click to expand...

TurunPantissa on M6 ja 28. Tonnilla lähtis ...
 
pmu said:
I think I will sell all my Nikon gear and buy a good film scanner, M2 with 35mm lens and I calculated that I would still have around 600-700 euros left and with that I could maybe buy a "decent" compact digicam for those special situtations that needs to be shot digitally (perhaps some basic olympus compact...and I could pretend that I am Paolo Pellegrin or Alex Majoli 🙂 )...

PS: I have a Industar 62Ltd with m-adapter, one of my all time favourite lenses. Can't wait to shoot with that again...
Click to expand...

I think an M2 with the 35 of your choice is as close to heaven as you ill get here on earth. I understand, and largely share, your frustration with digital imagining. For snapshooting or basic stuff there are lots of little digital beasties that will fill the bill.

I suggest you look at the CV 35mm/1.7 Ultron or the CV 35mm/2.5 M mount Pancake II for the M2. Both are excellent lenses and very resonable. Best luck to you.

Bob
 
I had to shoot a wedding last weekend so out came the Canon DSLR and flash.
I spent as much time tweaking everything on the computer as I do with with film.
Lugging the thing around was a drag. I shot the last half (the party) with the A540 Canon pocket torpedo. The flash is the only digital advantage to me. Jeezus, the DSLRs weigh more and are physically larger than a Speed Graphic for Chrissake!
 
I shoot a lot of digital for the gigs that require it. But for me, it is film. I just picked up my second M6 today, a TTL so I can do flash.

I started using digital in 1995 at a newspaper that insisted we use Kodak NC2000 digital cameras. I have been using digital in one form or another ever since.

Film is da' Schnitzel!
 
rpsawin said:
PMU,

I shoot with Leicas and I also have a D200. I had to force myself to use the D200, all the time not enjoying it, until yesterday. I stopped using zoom lenses and started shooting with only prime lenses. I have some great Nikon prime lenses in AIS and D. They work just fine and the results are sharper, clearer and I am far more satisfied with the results. Also, it's more of an analog feel rather than digital. While shooting with a dslr is not the same experience as shooting with a rf, especially the marvelous M2, maybe using primes might help your experience to be better...

FWIW,

Bob
Click to expand...

I agree 100% -- I use my 70-200 AFS for sports and occasionally the 17-35 for travel. Othewise my 85 1.4 or my 50 1.4 lives on my D2x. Even the 300 f4 is a beaut.

But recently I have been falling in love with film again, hard.

JT
 
I'd suggest M2 plus VC 40/1.4, and try to modify the lens to bring up the 35 frameline. Or as suggested by someomne else in another thread, to tack the frameline selector in 35 frameline position by some kind of adhesive tape.

Have fun!

🙂 bm
 
stick to what you know, an m2 or mp, and the 35 cron, no voigtlander, you love you leica gear and thats why you want to switch back
 
what's wrong w/ the D200 finder? I am about to purchase one for use in workshops and classes which fast digital presentation. I don't expect the 18-200 zoom I want to be as sharp as my M lenses...but need something w/ a bit more versatility for special situations.
 
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