Are you struggling deciding between the M8 and Nikon D3?

Are you struggling deciding between the M8 and Nikon D3?

  • Leica M8

    Votes: 157 49.2%

  • Nikon D3

    Votes: 123 38.6%

  • Both, you silly goose (bad GAS attack!)

    Votes: 39 12.2%
  • Total voters
    319
Actually??? Struggling with the idea of >>>

Actually??? Struggling with the idea of >>>

Spending over $1000 for any camera.
 
I haven't handled a D3, but I really like the D300. No, it's not full frame, but it's not a behemoth like the D3. And the high ISO performance is at least 2 stops better than the M8.

That being said, there really aren't many options for fast primes on the D300. For example, on the M8, I can use the 28/1.9 Ultron, but the fastest Nikkor 28 is f2.8, so this reduces the two stop advantage down to one, at least for that focal length (ignoring the fact that a 28 is a 42mm on the D300 and a 35mm on the M8.) The fastest Nikkor primes are the 35/2, the 50/1.4, and the 85/1.4. The M8 has available optics that beat the first two by one stop; of course, at substantial cost.

I sure wish Nikon would build a stripped down D3, smaller, fewer frames per second. If it were the same size as the D300 but perhaps only 3fps, at say $3k, I'd buy one in a heartbeat.
 
digitalintrigue said:
I haven't handled a D3, but I really like the D300. No, it's not full frame, but it's not a behemoth like the D3. And the high ISO performance is at least 2 stops better than the M8.
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Now, that's funny. Not because it's not true, but because it is just funny!
 
digitalintrigue said:
but the fastest Nikkor 28 is f2.8, so this reduces the two stop advantage down to one, at least for that focal length (ignoring the fact that a 28 is a 42mm on the D300 and a 35mm on the M8.) The fastest Nikkor primes are the 35/2, the 50/1.4, and the 85/1.4.
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:bang:

Well there is the 28/1.4AF, 28/2.0 AIS, 35/1.4 AIS, Noct to just name a few. Then there are the VC lenses, e.g. Topcor, and the Zeiss lenses.
 
LeicaM3 said:
:bang:

Well there is the 28/1.4AF, 28/2.0 AIS, 35/1.4 AIS, Noct to just name a few. Then there are the VC lenses, e.g. Topcor, and the Zeiss lenses.
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Yes, there are older manual focus Nikkors, and the other manual VC and Zeiss. I was speaking of the currently available Nikkor AFs. Is the 28/1.4 current?
 
digitalintrigue said:
Yes, there are older manual focus Nikkors, and the other manual VC and Zeiss. I was speaking of the currently available Nikkor AFs. Is the 28/1.4 current?
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the 28 1.4s have been discontinued within the US market. However, they're still being manufactured solely for the japanese market. But as for your post on fast primes, the AISs are still being manufactured, together with a whole bunch of ZF lenses, all of which i believe are current, and widely used.
 
I pack the M8 in my bag each day I leave for work. It's small enough to be carried everywhere.

D3 has some wonderful specs. But don't think I can take that to work each day.

Perhaps when FM3a size full frame digital FM comes I will buy one.
 
summilux said:
I am more waiting for a Nikon brand digital rangefinder, comparing a DSLR with a rangefinder strikes me as being rather strange.
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A digital Nikon RF using the M-mount could spell disaster for Leica.
Then Voigtlander comes along and starts selling their R5 digital . . .
It will be cut throat for the RF business.
 
hmm...if it's still available in Japan, one would think they'd be gray marketed in the US.

As was stated, my post was about AF Nikkors, as opposed to Zeiss or VC or others. One could buy a Sigma 30/1.4 as well, but I don't think anyone puts it in the same league as the 35/1.4 Nikkor manual. Yes, there are still a couple of manual focus Nikkors being built that are fast -- the 50/1.2 and the 35/1.4.

trev2401 said:
the 28 1.4s have been discontinued within the US market. However, they're still being manufactured solely for the japanese market. But as for your post on fast primes, the AISs are still being manufactured, together with a whole bunch of ZF lenses, all of which i believe are current, and widely used.
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Bingo.....

pizzahut88 said:
I pack the M8 in my bag each day I leave for work. It's small enough to be carried everywhere.

D3 has some wonderful specs. But don't think I can take that to work each day.

Perhaps when FM3a size full frame digital FM comes I will buy one.
Click to expand...
 
I have my favorite camera

I have my favorite camera

It's my Nikon D1H, fantastic balance and handling and able to use all my many AIS lenses with metering. Also small file size that prints very well even at 13" x 19".

I have an M5 and 50mm Summilux f/1.4 first version and this set up has gotten me some very meaningful exposures. Will also print very well at 13" x 19".
I would like a new M8 but the M5 is really a great camera.

I have a Canon 1Ds Mark II and it's my landscape camera which will print very well at 24" x 36" and I will take it over the new D3.
 
A long time ago, thinking that Nikon would never come up with an FX body, I decided that I'd go digital (or give it a serious thought) when they had one.

Now they have... and I'm giving it some serious thought. But just that! :)

Gotta go. Have some film to develop. Katchalater! ;)
 
Funny enough I am struggling between an M8 and a D3!

I cant yet decide whether I cant afford the M8 or cant afford the D3.

(Reminds me of the old Woody Allen joke about the lapsed Catholic who married the lapsed Jew and then they spent all of their time arguing about which religion their children should be bought up to reject.) :^)
 
If I had the money to buy a D3 or an M8, I would absolutely not be able to make up my mind.. Logic suggests that the D3 outperforms the M8 in every aspect, except perhaps when it comes to weight. But then again, this isn't about being rational, is it?
 
trev2401 said:
the 28 1.4s have been discontinued within the US market. However, they're still being manufactured solely for the japanese market. But as for your post on fast primes, the AISs are still being manufactured, together with a whole bunch of ZF lenses, all of which i believe are current, and widely used.
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Nope, the 28/1.4 is history in Japan too. Here's Nikon Japan's list of discontinued photographic products (link). The Ai AF Nikkor 28mm F1.4D is towards the bottom on the left side. Nikon is still manufacturing nine MF lenses - AiS 20/2.8, AiS 24/2.8, AiS 28/2.8, AiS 35/1.4, AiS 50/1.2, AiS 50/1.4, AiS 55/2.8 Micro, AiP 85/2.8 Tilt, and AiS 105/2.8 Micro.
 
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Another vote for neither, even if money were no object. My SLR monies have gone towards L-series Canon Glass, so if/when I go digital it'll be one of their products. RF-wise, I'll never give up my M3. Ever. Even if they came out with a full-frame M10.
 
Neither here, too

Neither here, too

I wouldn't exchange my MP for neither M8 or D3. Of course IF there'd be a full frame Mx and IF I'd won the Jackpot then maybe the Mx could join the bag but no evil SLR for sure :rolleyes: .
 
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