Can you help me with my Dilemma?

Creagerj

Creagerj

Incidental Artist
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It has dawned on me recently that since I have acquired my Nikon D40x, I haven't used my film cameras once, and its been about a year and a half. Don't get me wrong, I loved shooting film, but I'm low on cash, and digital is a lot more forgiving. Still, I find myself hanging on to my Canon L-1, Nikon F3, Busch Pressman Model D 4x5, extra lenses and loads of accessories. A part of me considers these cameras to be prized possessions that took hours of scouring eBay and a little luck to acquire, and another part of me says that my bias towards shooting digital makes sense, and I should should just get rid of all that stuff to free up some cash for more stuff for my digital.

So I guess I have two dilemmas...

The first is, should I get rid of all of my old film gear in the hopes of getting some money to buy some good stuff for my D40x? I could use a prism focusing screen as it is impossible to focus MF lenses without one, and I mainly use MF lenses. I could use some other stuff too, like some more lenses, I was thinking about getting the Nikon AF-S 35mm f/1.8 that just came out to use as a normal lens.

The second dilemma is, should I even bother to upgrade my D40x in any way, or should I instead try to sell off all of my gear in the hopes of freeing up enough cash to buy a used Canon 5d and a couple of prime lenses? I would really like to have a full frame DSLR, I like my D40x, but I hate how small it is, and I hate the 1.5x crop factor and I can't help but feel that I would be more satisfied with something higher end. I figure I would need to rustle up about $1200 to get a used 5D body and a good 50mm lens. That seems like a lot for not much, but as of right now my only AF lens for my Nikon is an 18-55mm cheapo zoom, and for the most part I use my old Vivitar 28mm and my Nikon 50mm manual focus lenses.

I would love to shoot film again, but I just don't see it happening, and I am not sure if my D40x is something I am completely happy with.

I don't know, I would love to hear all of your thoughts on this. Should I go for just upgrading my D40x, or should I forget the D40x, sell it along with the rest of my stuff and hope to scare up enough money to by a 5D and a normal lens (and work on getting more lenses as time goes by).
 
Joe, for quite a while I was building up a kit to use with a D40X or D60 that had two CV SL II lenses (the 20/3.5 and 58/1.4) combined with a 135/2.8. Kind of the classic old kit of photojournalism (35/85/180). I too love prime MF lenses, for me they provide the control I want with what I think are the guts to last long enough to make me happy.

The Nikkor zooms that they bundle with most of these class of camera IMHO are not fit for the old Nikon lens name. This was a more plastic grade of lenses Nikon came out with to fill a marketing gap back in the 1980s. Nikkors were the flag ship glass, Nikons were to be a step down. Often they were very good performers, just with some plastic parts where as Nikkors at that time were all metal.

I was going to do the same, get a split image screen installed, tested and adjusted and forget the AF. While 1.5 is a pain with a 24/2.8 Nikkor or a 20/3.5 or 4 there are some great lenses to choose from. If you are into 50mm glass pick up an old 35/2 nikkor or better yet a 35/1.4. I know nothing about your Vivitar 28, but I know that if you poke around and do some research you will find a few great lenses (not all Nikkors are/were world class in all areas) to choose from.

I'm a Nikon-aholic and so I would keep the 4x5 and sell the F3 and the Canon. You can always get another F3 these days. If you really feel you need full frame then Canon might be less expensive but make sure you look at the total cost of all the glass for both systems. I can't afford that these days so I have not done the math. Bodies might be less but great glass might be more or impossible to find.

Do look into the CV SL II line, the build quality is great, glass is world class and prices are good.

B2 (;->
 
If you are a convinced colour shooter, then digital makes a lot of sense. For B&W film is just unbeatable for the time being. So if this is the case, it might make sense to sell your film gear and stick to digital. I would probably stay with Nikon, and would try to save for a a D700 for a crop free experience. A more RF like route could be, to get rid of all your cameras and get one of these 4/3rd things that let you use various lenses with adapters.
 
I've been having the same dilemma. Though I can afford to continue shooting film, I've been happy with the results I get from my digital SLR. So now I'm debating whether to: a. try and upgrade my camera, b. save up for a really nice lens for my existing camera or c. sell almost everything I've got currently and just jump into a new system completely (whether that's a film rangefinder or digital system, I don't know).
I've pretty much decided to upgrade my standard zoom lens on my camera to a nicer standard zoom lens, one that is faster and maybe has stabilization. That way I can always keep the glass without worrying about my gear becoming obsolete.

Also, agreed with the above about black and white vs. color, if you intend to shoot a lot of black and white, keep some of your film gear. Home developing is cheap, and easy to do. Otherwise, I think you've answered your own question. Sell all the film gear (except the 4x5*) and save the money to invest in a lens/camera/system once you've made up your mind.

There are no easy answers; ultimately, the choice is yours. Remember, as they say, the best camera is the one you have with you. Whatever you get, make sure that it's a camera you like and you'll use.

*Keep the 4x5 because a. you won't get very much for it if you sell it and b. the image quality of LF is excellent.
 
It doesn't sound like you are delighted with the D40x. If that's the case, make your full frame decision now. I owned and sold 2 D40's, just could not convince myself I liked them (one was a gift).
Keep the LF for the occassional call to return to the darkroom ( you will hear it sooner or later).
 
Buy a 5D and use your Nikkors on it, with an adaptor! Even if it's an "old" camera, I'd choose it over a D300 any day. You just cannot get the same look (mainly short dof) on the smaller sensor with the lenses available on the market.
 
The Canon 5D is a great camera even if it is "old". You can use a whole host of non Canon lenses with adaptors and you don't need to shoot L glass - the 50 1.4 is a very good lens and not expensive (as are several other non Ls). I've enjoyed and still enjoy using mine. It offers the best value for money / lowest entry point for "full frame" digital by far.

I ditched film about two and a half years ago, but have recently started shooting it again, partly because I have more time now. I'm now enjoying using both film and digital. However, if the finances dictate making a choice, then, go with the 5D, you won't regret it, but you may find the lure of film comes back once you've done the digital thing.

Nobody ever got shot for buying a 5D or a D300 or for returning to film or for shooting both.

Good luck with your choices.
 
If you can't afford a roll of film, I don't know how you'll be able to afford a full-frame camera? However, I suppose that cost is relative, and your expenses are all up front, rather than being pecked away, one roll at a time.

Also, if you switch systems, then you'll be buying into a new system. However (again), it's not like you have a huge investment in Nikon.

Do what makes the best fiscal sense. After all, it's only a camera.
 
Well thanks for all the advice everyone, asking RFF always helps me put my gear buying decisions into perspective, and I take confidence in the advice I receive here.

I'm aware that the Canon 5d is a bit older now, but it is the most affordable option for me. Both the Nikon D300 (which is DX and I want full frame) and the D700 are well over $2K on the used market, were as the 5D can be had for around $1K. It just happens to be what I can afford, or could afford if I sold all my crap. I would rather spend a bit less on the body to leave me free to buy some decent glass. From what I have seen the 5D with a mediocre lens will out preform a DX camera with a pretty darned spendy lens.

I love black and white, but I have really learned to love color lately, and I'm looking for a work horse, not a paint brush. That is why I'm willing to sacrifice the camera collection that I have painstakingly acquired over the last four years in order to have a work horse. I cherish my L-1 and its lenses, but I've maybe only shot a couple of rolls with it. I also love my F3, it a tank and it has seen me through thick and thin, but I haven't used it in almost a year and a half. I like my 4x5, but I have NEVER used it, except to run a test roll through it (it was free by the way, so I wouldn't be taking a loss selling it). I like the RF feel, but like I said, I need a work horse. I'm sure I'll hear the call of the darkroom again, but it probably won't be right now as I'm almost done with my four year degree, and I'm about to start on my grad degree, so money is tight and buying film is a big expense, and scanning it consumes more time than I have to give. When I do hear the call again, I'd like to pick up a TLR for a MF project, or get what I have always wanted; a Leica. As of right now though, I just need a good camera for any situation.

I also like the D40x, but I knew when I bought it that I was making a compromise. I bought the D40x because I wanted a DSLR and at the time I didn't have the money to invest in a better body or new lenses, and I wasn't yet willing to part with my film gear to have a really good DSLR. However, now that I have been shooting with D40x, I can see that I'm quickly out growing it.

So I guess I have a choice, I can stick with my D40x and pick up a Nikkor AF-S 35mm f/1.8 lens and get a focusing screen for my MF lenses.

-or-

I can go ahead and try to sell off all of my gear and attempt to upgrade to a canon 5D with a good 50mm lens to start off with. I just need to know if this sounds like a bad idea I suppose.

I don't know, which would you choose?
 
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ZeissFan said:
If you can't afford a roll of film, I don't know how you'll be able to afford a full-frame camera? However, I suppose that cost is relative, and your expenses are all up front, rather than being pecked away, one roll at a time.
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That pretty much sums up the film issue. I can come up with all the money for a digital camera and spend it all at the same time if i ditch my old gear and go for it all in one shot. However, coming up with the money, and not just the money but the time for film isn't really all that easy, otherwise I'd buy a good LTM (I suppose I have a good LTM, but I'd buy a better one and more lenses). If money was the only issue, i would stick with film, but time is a biggie, and I don't have a lot of time for film, I used to, but I don't now.
 
Does anyone have first hand experience with the 5D, or first hand experience with the 5D vs the D40x or some other camera?

Anyone have anything bad to say about the 5D?
 
I bought the 35mm f/1.8 for my D40 when it came out. For me it's a great combination and suits my needs almost perfectly. It's a small, unobtrusive kit that's easy to carry everywhere. I'm very happy with the image quality. I was a dedicated film shooter but recently moved overseas and left most of my film gear behind. I still shoot a roll of color every once in a while, but that D40/35 combination is what I use 85% of the time. It allows me to just get out there and shoot...which in the end is what it's all about anyway.
 
kzim56 said:
I bought the 35mm f/1.8 for my D40 when it came out. For me it's a great combination and suits my needs almost perfectly. It's a small, unobtrusive kit that's easy to carry everywhere. I'm very happy with the image quality. I was a dedicated film shooter but recently moved overseas and left most of my film gear behind. I still shoot a roll of color every once in a while, but that D40/35 combination is what I use 85% of the time. It allows me to just get out there and shoot...which in the end is what it's all about anyway.
Click to expand...

Is there any chance that you could post a pic or two that you took with the lens?
 
I've had the D60, practically identical to the D40x. A nice camera, but one I grew fed up with. Very easy to use, pleasant results, but slow. Slow in the sense most settings are buried in menus and not on dials or buttons. Also lacked shooting speed for action, bracketing and a number of other things I like in a dSLR. Like you considered a slightly older but more upmarket alternative. Ended up with a D2x, much because of Jarle Aasland and his internet reviews (that was before I got involved with RFs again). A friend of mine has a 5D. Nice camera, still. Semi pro camera, whereas the D2x is full pro. But similar in that they both offer a lot more control. Sensor technology may be older than the d40x, but they have much better processing HW and SW. Other options would the Nikon D200, D90 or D300 if money allows. Canon 40D or even 50D.

Edit: Oh, and keep one RF setup. Pick the one most likely to fill a function or need the dSLR will not cover. Selle the rest to fuel you dGAS.
 
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Creagerj said:
Does anyone have first hand experience with the 5D, or first hand experience with the 5D vs the D40x or some other camera?

Anyone have anything bad to say about the 5D?
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As I said in my previous post - I have and use a 5D, mostly with the 50 1.4 although I also have a 24-105 L. It is much better than any crop camera if you want your 50mm to be a 50mm :), but if you don't print big or crop heavily, then a crop camera will do just as well in most cases. The 5D stands up very well (image quality up to ISO3200) to the Nikon D700 in lab tests and in real life shooting you'd be hard pressed to notice any difference between them. It comes down to handling, weather sealing, brand loyalty etc. A real selling point for the Canon is that it will take (with an adaptor) a whole range of other manufacturer's lenses including, Nikon, Leica R etc, etc. I really like my 5D - can you tell?
 
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