If I buy DSLR which film camera/lens to sell?

[valdas]

Don't get me wrong - I love film and will probably never leave it.... but sometimes I'd like to profit from the convenience of digital and experiment with it a bit and maybe use in high ISO conditions... So I was thinking about FF DSLR with a good or decent dynamic range (maybe Nikon D700 or Canon 5d MkII). But I have too many cameras already and I'm not ready to commit additional funds. As I have too many (can it be so???) film cameras ,maybe I can sell one of them (or the whole system with lenses) and finance this way digital? But which one to sell? As I would like to use film manual focus lenses (via adapters) on DSLR so I'd probably need to keep SLR lenses (Contax and Olympus primes). What would you sell if you were in my shoes (and this is not an add, if I decide to sell it will go to classifieds). I'd need to raise probably close to $2k to afford used D700 or 5D II

Options:
1)Sell M6 and 35mm cron V4 (both silver - look nice together) and keep Bessa R2a with pre-asph Lux 35.

2)Keep M6 and v4 and sell only pre-asph Lux plus ElmaritM 90mm which I don't use much.

3)Sell one of two Rolleiflexes 3.5f plus cron 35 or pre asph lux

4)Sell Contax Aria and all Contax lenses (28, 50, 50, 135, 200). Will keep 85mm 1.4 though...

5)Buy more film and forget about DSLR

 

[Phil_F_NM]

I went through this conundrum last year. I was on-target to get a D700 but I don't own any Nikon glass so it actually came out cheaper for me to use my Leica lenses on an M8. Way cheaper, in my case since I wanted to get as close to the fast apertures that I have available to me with my M system.
If you think about it that way, even an M9 is less expensive than a full DSLR system.
As to your question, I'd personally keep the M system, sell ALL the Contax and a Rollei then do the D700 and some killer lenses.

Phil Forrest

 

[jsrockit]

I vote for #3 and 4...and sell one of the 35mm M lenses if necessary.

 

[rover]

Think big...

Sell one of the Rolliflexes, the 90 and second favorite m 35mm lens, dump the Bessa and all the Contax stuff, even the 85.

Since you want to use MF lenses, go for the Nikon body and forget the adaptors, and add an FM2n/FE2/FM3a, whichever will work best for you. The Digital and film slr bodies will use the same new lenses you will find and all will be well.

How about that?

 

[Steve Bellayr]

Go with the M9 & keep the Leica glass. Sell everything else, except the M6.

 

[valdas]

Think big...

Sell one of the Rolliflexes, the 90 and second favorite m 35mm lens, dump the Bessa and all the Contax stuff, even the 85.

Since you want to use MF lenses, go for the Nikon body and forget the adaptors, and add an FM2n/FE2/FM3a, whichever will work best for you. The Digital and film slr bodies will use the same new lenses you will find and all will be well.

How about that?

Nikon film systems was always tempting (long time ago I have almost bought new FM2n. I went to camera store with cash in my pocket, but they were out of stock that day)...
I just don't know if I am strong enough to part with Contax lenses...

 

[Roberto V.]

i'd go with options 3 or 4

 

[valdas]

Well, M9 is probably out of question. Too expensive. And I will keep at least one Rolleiflex, selling both is out of question too!

 

[johannielscom]

Get an (older) Canon DSLR and use the Contax lenses on it with an adapter. Keep the M6 and the 35 Summicron. Sell off one Rolleiflex 3.5F, the Aria and the Summilux.

Your line-up would be:
M6 with 35mm
Canon with Contax glass (lots of lengths, no 35 but its on the M6)
Rolleiflex 3.5F

Anything from tack-sharp to classic, from 35mm digital and analog, and vintage 6x6.

 

[valdas]

Get an (older) Canon DSLR and use the Contax lenses on it with an adapter. Keep the M6 and the 35 Summicron. Sell off one Rolleiflex 3.5F, the Aria and the Summilux.

Your line-up would be:
M6 with 35mm
Canon with Contax glass (lots of lengths, no 35 but its on the M6)
Rolleiflex 3.5F

Anything from tack-sharp to classic, from 35mm digital and analog, and vintage 6x6.

This is an option too. But maybe I keep Aria and sell OM1 with 21, 35 (PS), 50x2 (1.2, 1.4), 85? This way I can use Zeiss on both film and digital?

 

[venchka]

I sold an M5, Bubba, to buy a Canon 1DIII, R2D2. Still wondering why the flip I did that.

 

[James24]

I would sell the pre asph Lux and 90mm Elmarit (ie option 2) and buy a Nikon D700 and some AIS lenses. This makes for a great digital kit, with high ISO performance thrown in. The sale of these 2 lenses will go a long way towards a new D700. Maybe sell some of the other stuff too, but I would keep the M6 and 35mm v4 Summicron.

 

[GSNfan]

Since you don't have any Nikon lenses, I suggest a DX body. Nikon D7000 and the 35/f1.8. For $1500 you'll have probably the best system in the market to start with at that price. you can also find out if digital is for you or not without going full commitment.

This is not the best time to buy a FF body. New FF bodies will be announced shortly.

 

[Phil_F_NM]

I've thought about buying a used Canon EOS 5D (1st gen) specifically so I could use some of the old Contax lenses on it. This is a good idea too.

Phil Forrest

 

[venchka]

I've thought about buying a used Canon EOS 5D (1st gen) specifically so I could use some of the old Contax lenses on it. This is a good idea too.

Phil Forrest

...and old Nikkor lenses too. And old Leitz R lenses.

 

[ZeissFan]

I would sell one of the Rolleiflexes. No way would I sell a set of Zeiss lenses for some digital crap.

 

[Soothsayerman]

I would choose #3 and get a Canon (because the mount is more adapter friendly) and use your exising glass on it.

 

[Ronny]

Number...........5

 

[oftheherd]

...

and all the Contax stuff, even the 85.
...

Hyuuuhhh!!!! How could anyone want to get rid of all that fine Contax glass? Shame on you sir! 😡 😀

 

[Keith]

Wow ... don't we love vicarious gas situations around here! 😀

I can't advise you what to sell but I would recommend a D700 which in spite of what you hear you can use Zuiko glass on via the Leitax adapter. But with older Nikon primes being so cheap it's probably not worth going this way as the Leitax adapter has to be fitted to the OM lens in place of the original mount.