digital Barnack: which digi-cam comes closest ...

[Jamie Pillers]

Paul,
I have the X100, the E-P3, and the Canon S90. The E-p3 with a manual focus lens and adapter mounted is most like the barnack experience, in my opinion of course. Manual focusing with E-p3 is most like focusing a lens on the barnacks. The size and lens interchangeability also most like a Barnack. With the accessory EVF mounted, the E-p3 is even more like the barnacks.

Now lets be clear. With ANY digital camera, you have to learn its quirks/features and then dial them in to give you the most intuitive feel. Do NOT give up on any of these until you've given it some time and fiddled around with all the variables until its right for you. For example, I have the X100 set up to function pretty much like something between a Contax G2 and the Zeiss Ikon RF. So now its very intuitive to me. Now I'm working my through the E-p3 to get it right. 🙂

 

[Jamie Pillers]

Olympus E-P3 should do nicely

Olympus E-P3 should do nicely

Paul,
I have the X100, the E-P3, and the Canon S90. The E-p3 with a manual focus lens and adapter mounted is most like the barnack experience, in my opinion of course. Manual focusing with E-p3 is most like focusing a lens on the barnacks. The size and lens interchangeability also most like a Barnack. With the accessory EVF mounted, the E-p3 is even more like the barnacks.

Now lets be clear. With ANY digital camera, you have to learn its quirks/features and then dial them in to give you the most intuitive feel. Do NOT give up on any of these until you've given it some time and fiddled around with all the variables until its right for you. For example, I have the X100 set up to function pretty much like something between a Contax G2 and the Zeiss Ikon RF. So now its very intuitive to me. Now I'm working my through the E-p3 to get it right. 🙂

 

[Keith]

I'm no fan of autofocus ... not because I don't think it's useful, I just don't feel entirely comfortable with it for some reason and my style of photography doesn't really require it. I don't see you posting many photos here Paul where AF would have been advantageous to the result ... fast moving grandchildren, maybe? 😀

When I first got my D700 I bought a 35mm AF Nikkor for it thinking I would like the option of using the camera's excellent AF system. I didn't and that lens now sits in the cupboard and I use a manual focus 35mm Zeiss Distagon exclusively.

 

[GaryLH]

$600 is going to push it --> look for used most likely

M4/3 body like pany gf1 with the 20f1.7 plus 40 ovf
Nex 3 with legacy adapter 4 your existing lenses

Gary
PS If u don't like ovf u can always get the evf later. Note that not all Olympus m4/3 can use the evf. Cannot remember which ones could not outside of the first one. Gf1 and 2 can use a evf. Nex did not support evf until 5n.

 

[Keith]

The little GR digitals seem to be very good and I notice that with each upgrade to a new model the previous models seem real bargains. They are tiny and a real shooter's camera from what I can perceive with simple intuative control.

 

[GaryLH]

Paul,
I have the X100 set up to function pretty much like something between a Contax G2 and the Zeiss Ikon RF. So now its very intuitive to me.

+1

Took awhile, but I have it pretty set up the way I want as well. The new SW updated helped as well. X100 colors are always dead on.. Awb is the best I have ever used.

 

[Michael Markey]

The little GR digitals seem to be very good and I notice that with each upgrade to a new model the previous models seem real bargains. They are tiny and a real shooter's camera from what I can perceive with simple intuative control.

I`d agree with that ...love mine.
If I`m going to use a digi I want to take full advantage of all it has to offer.
Small size and auto focus.
I set my GRD on snap focus and its faster and more accurate than I am.
The colour rendering for me is also a plus.
The menu is simple.
I always pack it along side an M body ....just have to remind myself to use the M 🙂

 

[paulfish4570]

i was really liking the grd III until i noticed it does not have image stabilization. i think i really need that because of some hand tremors. then i saw that the upcoming grd IV does have image stabilization. i wonder if it will be about the same price. i've got to say, i can easily understand how the ricoh specs are written. not so much with other brands.
what about the canon g12? i know its viewfinder is scoff material, but i have handled this cam and the viewfinder didn't seem so bad to me. i don't have to focus because the cam does that; ergo i do not need diopter control ...

 

[Keith]

I`d agree with that ...love mine.
If I`m going to use a digi I want to take full advantage of all it has to offer.
Small size and auto focus.
I set my GRD on snap focus and its faster and more accurate than I am.
The colour rendering for me is also a plus.
The menu is simple.
I always pack it along side an M body ....just have to remind myself to use the M 🙂

From what I can see they seem to be made for photographers rather than your average point and shoot consumer.

 

[TXForester]

How about the Olympus Pen (m4/3). There are some prime lenses you might like. They can use legacy lenses. You do have to mount an EVF if you don't won't to use the lcd, but I've read it is really easy to manual focus if you want.

There is a Texas commercial photographer who loves the Pen series and thinks the EVF works great. Of course he sometimes shoots film and loves medium format, so might be a bit of a nut. 😀

 

[hth]

The closest to a Barnack in feel is probably the Leica X1. More closer to the early Barnacks as it is quite light. It just said digital Barnack to me when I tried it.

Yes, it is out of your suggested price range and the external finder is probably a wart too, but that feel...

 

[sepiareverb]

The X1 really is a Barnack with a sensor- nearly identical is size and shape to my O serie- tho a tad thicker. Pricier than you want tho exactly what you want...

So often the case eh?

 

[paulfish4570]

well, guys, i ended up with the Keith/RFF x100, and i could not be happier. in use, it is very much like my IIIf. i only use two focal lengths (35 and 50) so lens swapping isn't a thing for me. i have had it three weeks now, and it is a blast. i expect to write a review in the next day or two ...

 

[johne]

Paul
remember the primary concern in picking a digital camera should be the capacity of the chip. Samsung NX 100 has a chip the size of D Nikons, is cheap and can accept lenses from Nikon and Leica with adaptor. It also is cheaper now as the next model is out [and not as attractive, at least to me]. For Leica IIIF with Summitar, see my gallery. Love the camera. John

 

[NLewis]

Olympus E-PL3 with 17/2.8 lens (35mm equivalent). $679 new:

http://www.adorama.com/IOMEPL3B17.html

Add a 35mm viewfinder in the hotshoe.

 

[Jim Evidon]

I was going to suggest finding a good used M8-8.2 until you posted a $600 price limit.
I have had an M8 for years and I love it. As for a "Barnack" like digital for $600, you may wish to consider finding a good used Lumix GF1 which I also own for traveling when I want something light and unobtrusive. The Olympus digital pens are also a good choice, but you should also purchase the EVF that fits it.

There is also the Fuji X10 which has nice features, but a smallish sensor, or the forthcoming Canon GX1 which has a largish sensor, high megapixel count and a lot of features in an all metal body. It should be out on the shelves shortly.

Beyond that, I don't think there is anything in your price range that will satisfy your needs except to forget the Barnack feature and just buy a Nikon D5100 and be done with it. It is very small and is a high performer.

 

[Speedfreak]

just buy a Nikon D5100 and be done with it. It is very small and is a high performer.

...and also butt ugly with a wobbly slow plastic zoom thrown in the kit for free!

Seriously, the Op was asking for a digital barnack and you recommend a disposable Nikon digital??? 😕

 

[batterytypehah!]

All moot because Paul has been using his X100 for months now, if you care to read a few posts further up.

 

[Jamie Pillers]

Paul,
The Olympus E-P3 with the Panasonic 20mm lens and the CV 40mm viewfinder. Set it up for manual focus, and manual aperture & shutter speed. Perfect. Manual focusing with the auto-focus m4/3 lenses is a dream. Turn the focusing ring and the camera instantly magnifies the view to get VERY precise focus. I love it, and I loved Barnacks too! 🙂

 

[mh2000]

The E-P3 would be my first choice if you want interchangable lenses or X100 if you want fixed.

i would use an lcd if the cam has image stabilization. i likes the looks of the lumix lx5 on my monitor, but have no idea what it actually feels like. it also accepts an evf that doesn't look too bad in pictures. i know that lynnb loves his lx3, which the lx5 replaces.

let me also make clear that the barnack feel is purely subjective. a digi-cam could be lighter and shaped differently if it is something that begs to go anywhere at anytime like my barnack does. coat-pocketable would be ok, too.