I think it's time for a digital M

D

Dwayneb9584

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Hey all,

So I'm planning a huge trip with 3 friends to travel across the US, on personal project and collaborative work we are doing. I currently am shooting with my Canon 5d 2 and Zeiss Ikon. While I love both cameras, my work has changed after shooting more with my range finder. However my film and process expenses have been holding me back and I've been drawn to use my 5d 2 more than my Ikon.

It's a problem for me because I shoot differently and feel differently while shooting. So I've been thinking of selling my 5D 2 to fund a Leica M8 or 8.2. While I would love to get an M9 i just can't afford the hefty price tag. Also the 1.3 crop factor shouldn't be a problem for me. All in all I'm looking for a digital M8 or 8.2 and willing to sell my 5d 2 with lenses to get it. On the road the M8 will be so much more portable as it will remind me of my Ikon, small unobtrusive and compact. Not a machine gun on the road or in a social setting.

I'm looking for trades or advice on this decision, all help will be greatly appreciated.

-Dwayne
 
Before you make the jump, keep in mind of your preferred focal length on full frame and the lens options available to you in the crop equivalent focal lengths. Smallish 35mm equivalent lenses that worked well on your film Zeiss Ikon are harder to find.

Also look for a M8/8.2 that comes with a warranty due to the irreparable LCD issue which affects an unknown number of these cameras.
 
I would say do an analysis of your 5D II photographs. If more than 1/4 of them are captured at ISO 640 and above, you will sorely miss the high ISO capabilities of the 5D II upon switching to A Leica M8.

Obviously, you will no longer have autofocus, live viewing, HD video capture, proper metering or a body built almost like a tank.

I highly recommend considering a mirrorless camera as backup to the M8 if you decide to switch. A Sony NEX will quench most nostalgic thirst for the missing 5D II features in the M8.

And to those recommending film, it might help to actually read the OP's post before offering such an advice. Very irritating to see film being recommended at every single thread that deals with anything digital.
 
I think you have a solid plan. Don't forget to budget for IR lens filters.

If you can afford it, consider a used GRX or NEX with an adapter as a back up system.
 
I love shooting film but find myself shooting more digital as i'm unable to fund most of the process "which I do in my bathroom studio". However, I prefer the rangefinder than a SLR. I work faster and would be more convenient for travel. I know i'd be losing on the Full frame which i'm not happy about but I really can't afford an M9 system.
 
Thanks,

And yes I'm looking primarily for a digital range finder and prefer an M system. I do often shoot at high iso's with my 5d 2 and in film i'll push my ikon to 800 asa. I shoot 35mm strictly on rangefinder and with my 5d2 I only have manual fixed lenses. 85mm rokinson and 50mm manual canon lens.

bugmenot said:
I would say do an analysis of your 5D II photographs. If more than 1/4 of them are captured at ISO 640 and above, you will sorely miss the high ISO capabilities of the 5D II upon switching to A Leica M8.

Obviously, you will no longer have autofocus, live viewing, HD video capture, proper metering or a body built almost like a tank.

I highly recommend considering a mirrorless camera as backup to the M8 if you decide to switch. A Sony NEX will quench most nostalgic thirst for the missing 5D II features in the M8.

And to those recommending film, it might help to actually read the OP's post before offering such an advice. Very irritating to see film being recommended at every single thread that deals with anything digital.
Click to expand...
 
Dwayneb9584 said:
Thanks,

And yes I'm looking primarily for a digital range finder and prefer an M system. I do often shoot at high iso's with my 5d 2 and in film i'll push my ikon to 800 asa. I shoot 35mm strictly on rangefinder and with my 5d2 I only have manual fixed lenses. 85mm rokinson and 50mm manual canon lens.
Click to expand...

Well then, I am obliged to tell you that the M8 won't shoot anything acceptable past ISO 640. You will also have the added burden of buying a UV/IR block filter for your lenses, as the M8 has no such thing built-in. The switch from 21mp RAW files to 10mp RAW files is self inflicted torture as well.

The M8 is also sloooow compared to the 5D II. The parts for it are rarely available, even at Leica's own production plant. The LCD on the back is also from 2004 and abysmally inadequate. The M8 also has way too many reliability issues, and the premium build quality is nothing but an illusion of holding a brass body in hand. 5D II is a tank in comparison.

It may seem like I am dissuading you from the switch, but I am not. I simply want to give you all the negative points from my experience, and let you make an informed decision.

My alternate recommendation stands. Get a NEX-5N or 5R with EVF, or NEX-6 or even NEX-7 along with the M8, and it will nicely fill in the blanks and lacking gaps in the M8's features. Heck, you can use the same M-mount lenses off the M8 on the NEX, and focus even faster with them.
 
Personally I'd just use film for the daytime (nothing beats slides) and use digital for low ISO situations.

Had the M8 but didn't like it as much due to ISO and durability issues.
 
I'm one of those crazy people who have no trouble using M8 at ISO 1250. Or an R-D1 at 1600 or a NEX-5N at 3200. Yes, they all get a bit noisy or mushy depending on the specifics of their sensor implementation at such sensitivities, but they are usable.
 
option 1: get an epson rd1 for about $1000, it does have the crop factor but it's a much lighter expense, and its high iso is better than the M8's. you'll need to get another lens to get the 35mm fov on either M8 or R-D1, so add an extra $400 to the equation

option 2: sell the mkII AND the Ikon to raise about $2800, sell the canon lenses and try to get closer to about $4000, i've seen M9s in this range already and then you'll have a full frame digital rangefinder that'll allow you to use the same lens(es) you do on the ikon, with portability and ease of digital
 
I'm usually in the 800 range and below. But with my 5d I sometimes like 1600. Can someone chime in who has the M8 or M8.2 and post some images or words on the ISO issues.
 
Well not everyone can drop 7 grand to buy a new M9, so some make sacrifices, or have an whatever it takes attitude to get the things we need to suit our lifestyle and meld into our workflow.
 
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