intinsifi
Established
They are both 10MP cameras, and they both take good pictures. I like my M7's form factor, but I am tired of the D200's size. I can't decide whether or not to sell the D200 and get an M8 for digital. To me, most digital images look the same after you spend $1500. I can't really see the difference between a 5D, D200, M8, and 1D if they are all using good glass. Am I missing something? Would I be better of waiting for the M9?
T
Todd.Hanz
Guest
I just recently bought a D200 with 17-55 DX, borrowed a 70-200 for some sports events...it'd be kinda hard to do that with an M8 or any rangefinder. Each camera has it's purpose, I'd keep it and buy a M* to use with film for those kinda shots.
my2cents,
Todd
my2cents,
Todd
jlw
Rangefinder camera pedant
The only reason would be if you prefer to use a rangefinder camera rather than an SLR. For me that's a very valid reason -- but I still have to keep an SLR around for occasions when I need to use something like a 70-200.
If the only thing that bothers you about your Nikon outfit is its size, you might try supplanting your D200 with a D80, which has fewer features but similar image quality and is smaller and lighter. Then keep saving your shekels until you can afford to buy your digital M without ditching your SLR gear -- that way you'll be able to shoot RF when you want to and SLR when you need to, rather than being stuck with only one or the other.
If the only thing that bothers you about your Nikon outfit is its size, you might try supplanting your D200 with a D80, which has fewer features but similar image quality and is smaller and lighter. Then keep saving your shekels until you can afford to buy your digital M without ditching your SLR gear -- that way you'll be able to shoot RF when you want to and SLR when you need to, rather than being stuck with only one or the other.
intinsifi
Established
I haven't developed my rolls from the M7 yet, so I don't know what they look like. If you shoot at 400 on the M8,and then use TMAX400 on the M7 and scan it in with a good film scanner, how similar are the images?
Joop van Heijgen
Established
intinsifi said:
When you choose for digital, keep your D 200!
At the moment the quality of the M8 is rather irreliable. See the threads of this forum about this!
For photographing with film the MP, M6 and other mechanical Leica cameras is 'paramount'!
Last edited:
saturnales
Established
Take a canon... (And keep a Leica in your bag!)
intinsifi
Established
So I am not missing out on anything except for the M7 form factor?
ramiro
-
Don't sell D200
Don't sell D200
Don't sell D200 is a wonderful SRL, i use it with long lens, impossible to use with M8.
And when you found a good RD1s buy it.
I have buy one yesterday and i was waiting it with impatience....
M8 is out of price.
Don't sell D200
Don't sell D200 is a wonderful SRL, i use it with long lens, impossible to use with M8.
And when you found a good RD1s buy it.
I have buy one yesterday and i was waiting it with impatience....
M8 is out of price.
charlesfoto
Established
What everyone is telling you that, while the M8 can produce stunning images, so can the D200. If you use your 70-200 frequently, you'll miss it with the M8. I also have the D200, would never part with it for the M8 and also use the M7 for that great Leica feel and best of the 35mm film world. My advice...stick with the D200, enjoy the film M.
Fin
Member
That totally depends. I 'm with Charlesfoto - if you use the 70-200 a lot and your photography demands it - then the M8 is not for you. If, on the other hand you want to have exquisite engineering in your hands - then throw caution to the wind, sell the D200 plus add ons and get yourself an M8 + at least 2 lenses.
I lent my M8 to a photographer friend recently and he said "God, I can't put this thing down!" and this was before he'd actually started shooting with it!
I may be wrong here but I believe the D200 is weather sealed. So... If your photography involves crashing around in the great outdoors (extended trips, rough camping, safaris etc) and you rely on zoom and AF then stick to the D200 (much more versatile).
The thing about the M8 is the desire factor + digital photography with the best lenses around - Yes there have been colour cast issues (largely cleared up now) but, to me, it's the most pleasing digital camera, to use, there is. You tend to shoot less files and concentrate on the image. Quick shooting (sport, wildlife etc) - probably not, but everything else is a joy.
I lent my M8 to a photographer friend recently and he said "God, I can't put this thing down!" and this was before he'd actually started shooting with it!
I may be wrong here but I believe the D200 is weather sealed. So... If your photography involves crashing around in the great outdoors (extended trips, rough camping, safaris etc) and you rely on zoom and AF then stick to the D200 (much more versatile).
The thing about the M8 is the desire factor + digital photography with the best lenses around - Yes there have been colour cast issues (largely cleared up now) but, to me, it's the most pleasing digital camera, to use, there is. You tend to shoot less files and concentrate on the image. Quick shooting (sport, wildlife etc) - probably not, but everything else is a joy.
intinsifi
Established
hstrhycharlesfoto said:
Thats what I was thinking but I wasnt sure.
rsl
Russell
I don't own a D200, but I can tell you a story that may be helpful about my D2X, which is similar in a lot of ways:
Three weeks ago I was in Victor, Colorado, shooting pictures of the Cripple Creek area gold camp. As I walked down the street, I saw a building to my right that I wanted to shoot. I stopped, set up the camera, made the shot, turned around and started setting the camera back to my defaults as I started on down the street. Unfortunately, there were two unmarked steps in the sidewalk right in front of me that I didn't see since I was focussed on the camera. I went down both of them on my face, ripped the skin on my forehead, which was gushing blood, smashed my prescription sunglasses, and, worst of all, saw my D2X crash to the concrete. I had a 24-120 VR lens on the camera and that was totalled. The lens barrel actually was bent. I was sure the lens mount must be bent too. But over the next two days, using my two very black eyes, I tested and tested, and found that outside of a couple deep scrapes along the left side, the camera was intact and working perfectly.
Then I thought about Sailor Ted, who, as someone put it, went strapless as one of his M8 strap anchors let the strap slip out. His M8 hit the concrete and was totalled.
I'm not sure that tells you much about the M8, but it does tell you somthing about the way Nikon builds its cameras. Keep your D200 if you're working anywhere in the wild.
RayPA
Ignore It (It'll go away)
Keep the D200. I've got one and I love the thing. It's great for those situations that an RF can't do as well. I got mine for sports and macro work, but once I started twisting my old manual focus AI-s lenses on it, I was hooked. Lots of fun. I get more crazy looks when I shoot with my D200 and an AIS lens. Manual focusing is becoming about as rare as using a viewfinder these days.
Welcome to the club, Todd! With those active kids of yours, you'll be putting the D200 to work!
Todd.Hanz said:
Welcome to the club, Todd! With those active kids of yours, you'll be putting the D200 to work!
GrahamWelland
Well-known
If you shoot M7 types of RF images using your D200 then you'll LOVE the M8. If not, you should probably keep the D200!
I shoot with D2X's and an M8. I thought seriously about selling my Nikon gear to fund the Leica budget but in reallity there's a lot of things that a RF has to jump through hoops to manage.
I shoot with D2X's and an M8. I thought seriously about selling my Nikon gear to fund the Leica budget but in reallity there's a lot of things that a RF has to jump through hoops to manage.