Considering Leaving Rangefinder Photography All Together

[dcsang]

Ya.. I know.

Weird huh.

I've been considering this over the last couple weeks actually - mainly because of the following:

1. I haven't been using the M7
2. I've been using the Nikon D700 a lot more
3. I'm able to use these old school manual focus lenses on the D700
4. I haven't had the time to really develop much film lately
5. I've recently acquired an Epson 3800 for printing - so I need to pay for that too 🙂

I've also realized that if I want to do "street" shooting that the GR-Digital II is good enough for my purposes.

That said, I'm torn on whether to "stay or go" - freeing up the capital would be a good thing, leaving the great Leica glass (and CV glass) I own would be hard, and the lack of the "wind" action; the actual ritual that brought me "back" to film in the first place, would be missed (the manual focus ritual won't be because the D700 can take old school manual focus lenses).

Such a difficult decision - if I'm to make one at all..

I wonder if anyone else has struggled over such things as this... (in the grand scheme, it's a small thing to "gnash one's teeth" over but still.. )

Cheers,
dave

 

[mfogiel]

If you do not shoot B&W, then just let go, if you don't shoot colour, then sell your Nikon.

 

[joe r]

I shot with 2 Leicas and 3 lenses exclusively for a couple of years, then started using dSLRs much more due to various reasons. I kept a Leica M6 and one lens -- don't use it that often, but I do go through phases where I enjoy shooting with rangefinders.

If you need to free up some capital, sell all of your lenses but your favorite. Worked well for me.

 

[feenej]

Or sell all your RF gear, then 6 weeks later ask yourself, my God, what have I done?!! Then sell all your dSLR gear etc. LOL kidding. Well, it happens

 

[dcsang]

Hmm.. I considered that Joe.

If it's a "film thing" that I've got going on - then maybe I can be "happy" with just the Nikon FM and the various lenses I have.

If it's an "RF thing" that makes me feel good every now and then, then maybe I can do as Joe did and hang onto just one body and one lens.. the problem would be "which lens" - I immediately think I'd keep the 50 pre-ASPH summilux and that would be that 🙂
but who knows...

Cheers,
Dave

 

[loneranger]

I've gone through this many time, and came up with a good solution; I keep the RF stuff cheap and simple, so I wont feel bad if I dont use any of it for a while. For example, just keep a canon P and one lens that you really like, cost of the p is less than 200 and older canon lenses or VC lenses can be had for cheap. Sell your leica stuff, it is a waste if you dont use it often.

 

[zuikologist]

It depends what your aim is: discrete, carry anywhere camera that can fit in a pocket and is nice to use (that's what got me to RFs in the first place) or digital convenience (Ricoh or Nikon). The Ricoh can do much and probably morethan the Leica does, but is it as good to use. Your choice.

 

[Nikon Bob]

I hear what you are saying. The D700 does all I want with a few exceptions. I don't need to sell the RF gear and am not adverse to it just hanging around so no decision has to be made. If you don't have to make a decision then don't and keep your options open. Now a FF DRF with the same sensor as the D700 and priced similarly would have me debating selling the Nikon gear.

Bob

 

[Steve Bellayr]

If it is a business then get rid of it...if it is for personal enjoyment then in a year you will regret it.

 

[victoriapio]

I hate to throw in another option but if you are going to digital SLRs then you definitely need a digital RF that uses your good glass. Used M8s and Rd-1s are quite common and I love my M8.

 

[chris00nj]

I'm sure there is going to come a time when you hate carrying around a big DSLR and big lenses. There might be a vacation when the capabilities of slide film may outmatch even the DSLR.

You can parse down your collection though. Keep the lenses that can do something well for you that can be done on a DSLR. Perhaps a Sonnar lens? or a tiny super-wide angle?

 

[peter_n]

If it is a business then get rid of it...if it is for personal enjoyment then in a year you will regret it.

I agree with Steve. If you're a business it doesn't make sense to have a capital asset collecting dust on a shelf. You need to use your capital to generate revenue. As far as I can tell most pro photogs buy/sell gear by project - once they don't need it any more they flog it and buy what they need next.

 

[Todd.Hanz]

you could get a G1 plus adapter for the lenses and then have the great glass still...

Todd

 

[hiromu]

I went through that.

I had a few RF bodies and many lenses for them. Sold all of them for Nikon DSLR (D700) with a few good lenses.

Now after a few month without RF, I am slowly moving back to RF, but this time with R-D1. I won't sell my D700 (at least that's what I am thinking), but will only keep lenses that I use very often.

You can sell your RF, but I would suggest to keep at least one body and a few favorite lenses. That way, you can always come back when you want to. Selling all of my RF was my biggest mistake, at least I should have kept a few good ones...

Hiromu

 

[funkaoshi]

How much Rangefinder gear do you have? If it is seriously just collecting dust, I second selling everything off save for a body and maybe 1-2 lenses.

 

[BillBingham2]

The GRD I/II is the best digital street camera ever made, at least to me.

Sell the M7 and stuff and enjoy. You will always be welcome here. Your GRD allows you stay as it's a P&S (and RF without an RF) and it uses the same viewfinders you would use on a Leica MD.

B2

 

[newsgrunt]

It's not as if you won't be able to find another M7 down the road but keep a 35 or 21 if you have it. Wait till Nikon drops some new primes then unload the Leicas.

 

[splitimageview]

I sold the D700 as the latest digital bodies depreciate too fast. If I was making money with it every day, things would be different. I won't invest in high-end digital any longer, yesterday's high end digital is plenty good and lots cheaper (or even today's low- or mid- digital.) Instead, I keep some film cameras around and invest in glass which doesn't drop like a rock in value, especially glass that can work on both film and digital.

 

[Jamie Pillers]

I've gone through this.. more than once. It seems to me that if you're of a certain age and have been bit by the film bug, you're very likely always going to want it. The relative simplicity of the film cameras, maybe the image 'character' of film, the classic beauty and feel of older film bodies (rf and slr). Therefore, I'd agree that, at minimum, you should think carefully about keeping at least one of your film bodies and one or two of your favorites lenses. And as Todd pointed out, you can always mount the M-mount lenses on the new micro four-thirds bodies. And that technology holds MUCH interesting promise.

 

[wjlapier]

I'm in the opposite situation. I only use my D700 for my kids sports. I'm considering adding a M2 to my kit and a 35 summicron, and selling the D700 and lenses, but it's tough to let go one of the best DSLR I've ever used.

It's a tough a decision. Lots of good advice. Maybe one camera and one lens.