Camera Decision

[1750Shooter]

I am currently using an M5 w/a full complement of Canon Serenars (28, 35, 50, 85, 100, & 135) & frankly, after trying, I just can't fall in "love" with it. When I go out I almost always grab my F4 w/28-105 (love the Beast!). I was thinking of trying to trade it for a Mamiya 6 & some lenses. Has anyone made this transition? Does it sound like a fair deal? I'm open to suggestions - friend suggested a trade for an XPro-1 might be better, but I don't know. Thanks in advance for any input.

 

[slidesandthecity]

What do you hope to get, what you cannot have with an M5?
If you're neither interested in the square format, nor in printing much larger than you can at the moment (with the same IQ), I would recommend to keep your M5, visit some camera shows/fairs, try a few other (LT)M-mount cameras and maybe you'll find a 'love at first sight' camera.

If you don't, you should ask yourself, what you want your camera to 'feel' like and what end results you want. Then it's all research, research and a bit more research. (Ideally combined with a good bit of testing).

 

[jsrockit]

Maybe another option would be to get a more traditional M camera with a good zeiss or leica lens. Though some will disagree, the traditional M cameras and Leica and Zeiss lenses are just more elegant. It might help the falling in love part.

 

[Godfrey]

My uncle had the M5 once upon a time, and I used it now and then. I could never fall in love with it either, it just felt too large and bulky compared to the M3 and M4. The CL model, on the other hand, always felt good: small, tight, easy to carry and use.

Don't know anything about the Canon lenses you're using. I always used Leica lenses back then, and use Leica and Voigtländer lenses now.

G

 

[CCCPcamera]

I would have to agree with the previous comment in that a simple M or other machine is more elegant and more of a joy to use.

I absolutely loved my old Kiev 4 (Contax copy), the heft of it, it's solid but quiet shutter, it's big controls. But it was low quality and eventually jammed permanently. I know I would love a real Contax rangefinder.

I bought an M2 with a Zeiss Planar and a 15mm Voigtlander. I love this combination. Simple, elegant, solid, high quality, reliable, and makes really nice pictures. It FEELS nice to use.

Indeed, for me the experience of using the camera is as/more important than the darkroom work/quality of images. I also really enjoy not using a meter - in a couple months of regular shooting, I've become REALLY accurate in guessing exposures. When I really am not sure I use a 1 dollar meter app on my iphone. It's relaxing (eventually) resigning yourself to the fact that your guess is pretty damn good. You spend less time trying to get the exposure exactly correct, and more time taking pictures. Most of the time I set the exposure in the second before a shot, and spend all the time that my camera is up to my face on composition/focussing.

Find a camera you love. For me that means a simple, older, German machine. 🙂

 

[Peter_S]

While I never had a M5, I do have an M6 (and M7 before). But I keep having a draw to medium format, and if you are at the point to try something new, why not try medium format, particularly since you have a 35mm system you enjoy? Just a thought.

 

[CCCPcamera]

I have a Yashica Mat 124 G medium format dual lens reflex camera. It's amazing. Very affordable, and very high quality. Medium format really does make superior negatives. That might be a good option for you. It depends what you want to do. The Yashica is excellent for making very high quality pictures of people standing/sitting still. I normally use my Leica because it's faster and more versatile.

 

[bwcolor]

Why did you move away from your Nikon setup in the first place? Did you want a smaller camera, better image quality, quieter, simpler, Leica..errr.. etc.?

 

[jamais]

If you know that you feel more comfortable with an SLR than with a RF and if you are interested in medium format photorgaphy I would suggest to buy a MF SLR instead of a Mamiya 6. Maybe a Mamiya 645 or Bronica ETRSi with one or two lenses would be a good starting point. Both are not too expensive and can provide image quality far beyond the capabilities of 35mm film.

 

[Frank Petronio]

I'd just continue to happily use the beast and put the money from selling the extra gear into savings or at least more photo experiences rather than gear. Why do you need to replace something that wasn't being used? There is no law that says we all must get ever smaller or more expensive cameras... yet.

That said, if you have to get something, then why not another Nikon? Hard to beat their value.

 

[1750Shooter]

bwcolor - I keep hearing how great Leicas are & the M5 came at a great price so I bought it.
jamal - I like meduim format, that's why I'm thinking of a Mamiya 6. I currently have a Super Ikonta IV, but wanted something newer.

I've had, but never liked 645's. There's just something "weird" about always working in portrait format. Currently, most of my work is either 35mm or 5x7 & I was hoping to get a light, medium format camera w/internal meter.
Thanks so much, you all have given me a lot to think about.

 

[philipus]

I haven't made the transition from an M5 to a Mamiya 6 but I've considered adding a Mamiya 6 to my 35mm cameras because I'd like a portable metered 6x6 camera. If you switch from M5 to the Mamiya it seems to me you'll have the best of both worlds x2 - SLR and RF and 35mm and 6x6. So for me this would be an easy switch.

 

[Addy101]

That said, if you have to get something, then why not another Nikon? Hard to beat their value.

Yep, get a smaller MF Nikon with some primes (something like 24/28, 50, 85/105) that makes you more versatile as you can use your lenses on both cameras and you have the option of lightweight v heft.

If you want to go digital, maybe get the D610 with an AF zoom.

Edit: almost forgot - Reading your description, I don't think a Fuji or any other mirrorless is the obvious choice, MF might be. But I think at the moment you're probably better off with some more depth in your Nikon system.

 

[mfogiel]

If you don't like rangefinders, just stick to your Nikon. I'd rather ask myself, what is it that interests me to photograph, and then derive the best equipment to do that job.

 

[hepcat]

bwcolor - I keep hearing how great Leicas are & the M5 came at a great price so I bought it.

Coincident rangefinders and Leicas ARE great cameras... if you like coincident rangefinder viewfinders and shooting with primes. They're also quirky, demanding, and unforgiving in many ways. They fell out of favor with the general pubiic in the late '60s for those very reasons as less expensive SLR cameras began to hit the market in huge numbers. There's no reason to feel angst over one not working for you; especially one that wasn't well received even among affecionados of rangefinders.

Use whatever gear you're comfortable with. Explore MF if you want to try it. It may be your salvation or it may not work for you at all either, but you'll know.

Oh, and feel free to box your M5 and Serenars and send them to me. <grin>