MISS YOU : Defection Confession

[snaggs]

Sorry guys, I defected. I got back some slides from my Europe trip, and the M6 & pre-ASPH Summilux just didn't perform. I agree I probably have a faulty camera.

Still, the best thing about Leica isn't owned by Leica at all.. which is something I'm sure all Voigtlander and Canonette users would testify. Its manual focus, manual operation with quality glass as support which is the Leica way. I learn a great deal with my M6, and I have no regrets.

However, I just got my brand new FM3a, and I have to say, this is Leica ergonomics taken 5 generations ahead. Its smaller and lighter, and has a rangefinder in the centre of each lens.. I dont think I would have known how to use it so well if I hadn't used the M6, but even though its an SLR, it does have a rangefinder in the centre of each lens.

Its reliable, great TTL flash sync of 250 second, 4000 second shutter speed MANUAL.. i.e. not batteries required for this speed. It has a button for -1 EV flash compensation on the body by the lens, which is just perfect ergonomics, mirror lockup and selftimer.

Top quality MF lenses outperform my Summilux by a country mile, but are cheaper since so many Nikons have been tempted by AF, and the MF Nikkors have a much better build quality, I mean quite alot better.

Sorry if this upsets some, I'd still happily use a MP and 35mm f/1.4 ASPH except theyre overpriced and the build is not up to scratch. I traded by Leica, spent another US$3k and have a full system,

FM3a
SB27 speedight
18mm f/3.5 AIS
28mm f/1.4 AF-D
45mm f/2.8 pancake lens
105mm f/2 AF-D DC
300mm f/4.5 ED AIS

Its so good. Sorry for leaving, I wish I could still hang-out at this forum. There is nothing else around which is so good for manual film users 🙁

Daniel.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Buy a fixed-lens RF to carry around with the FM3a and hang-out. I never let my 35 Nikon SLR's get in the way of me hanging out here.

I kind of think the "5 generations ahead" ergonomics is funny. I have a Nikon FM and FE2. The fitted ever-ready case for them is a perfect match for the Nikon SP. The bodies are almost the same in size. The SP set the ergonomics for the Nikon F, The F evolved into the F2, and the 1977 FM was the compact SLR that went back to the SP.

 

[ChrisN]

Hey Daniel

Don't let this take the wind out of your sails! The important things are to have fun making pictures, to be happy with the results, and to enjoy the process that gets you there. This is supposed to enjoyable, isn't it? It really doesn't matter a damn what camera gear you use, as long as you are enjoying the journey! Thanks for sharing with us in the past, and do drop in occasionally. Cheers!

 

[Bertram2]

Sorry guys, I defected. I got back some slides from my Europe trip, and the M6 & pre-ASPH Summilux just didn't perform.

FM3a
SB27 speedight
18mm f/3.5 AIS
28mm f/1.4 AF-D
45mm f/2.8 pancake lens
105mm f/2 AF-D DC
300mm f/4.5 ED AIS

Its so good. Sorry for leaving, I wish I could still hang-out at this forum. There is nothing else around which is so good for manual film users 🙁

Daniel.

Daniel,

I admit I have been pretty close to exactly this change and at the time I am again thinking about it. What makes me hesitate is that I would loose half of the money I have invested in the CV set (would mean $ 1500 burned after 3,5 years) and that the SLR way has considerable disadvantages too. The discussion is going on.

This lens set is very well chosen I'd say, nice ! 🙂
Maybe you really should keep a fixed lens RF for the pocket, I will do so if I should go SLR.

Best,
Bertram

 

[Richard Black]

Daniel,
I can't say much for the others but I shoot slrs, tlrs, p&s, rfs of dubious sorts. As suggested, get a fixed lens rf, load it with delta/kodak 3200 and keep it ready for the low light shots you might miss with the N'kon. I shoot them all and have a blast doing it.

 

[snaggs]

Thanks for the friendly sentiments, nice to not feel like a lepar!

Bertram, as for your CV lenses, apparently you can use M42 lenses on Nikon!! There are adapters.. this puzzles me a bit... look into it.

Richard, Kenny Rockwell can handhold 1/8 to 1/15 on Nikon.. I can manage 1/30, and I can make intelligent use of flash to beef things up.. and if you learn how to use flash creatively, it doesn't have to look crap.

 

[oftheherd]

I don't do that much of any kind of photography any more except P&S of family. I mostly use a Toshiba digital for that. I do still have and use a couple or three RF cameras from time to time when they seem more appropriate or when I want to use some advantage I think they have, or I just feel like using them. I also have and use SLR's, folders, a TLR and 4x5.

I would never consider leaving this site alone. This is a fountain of information on all aspects of photography and life. It is alive and well 24 hours a day due to the world-wide participation. The people here don't mind an occasional trip OT but go out of their way to remain civil in exchanging ideas and insuring they don't ruffle feathers just for the sake of ruffling feathers. When feathers are ruffled, there is usually conversation to insure that wasn't intended and to insure everyone understands everyone is entitled to their own opinion without being belittled. What's not to like about this site?

Why sir, would you consider you have to leave because you now prefer SLR's? It is still photography and nobody here that I have seen will tell you that you aren't welcome. Good grief, as odd as I may be I haven't been told I am unwelcome (yet). So stay and share with us what you will. I would consider a small fixed lens RF as has already been mentioned, for those times you want to be prepared but don't want the weight and bulk of your SLR gear. It is neat to always have the means to photograph without the investment of bulky gear. Stay.

 

[varjag]

However, I just got my brand new FM3a, and I have to say, this is Leica ergonomics taken 5 generations ahead. Its smaller and lighter, and has a rangefinder in the centre of each lens.. I dont think I would have known how to use it so well if I hadn't used the M6, but even though its an SLR, it does have a rangefinder in the centre of each lens.

I think it is in the center of your focusing screen, not of the lenses.

Actually I'm a bit surprised that your Leica M system has turned out that bad. What was the exact problem with it?

 

[Uncle Bill]

I shoot both SLR and rangefinder. I love my Leica M3, Canonet, Contax and Kiev. I am also a passionate user of an early Nikon F with the eyelevel viewfinder, Nikkormat Ftn and a pair of Pentax Spotmatics, I am developing an admiration for Takumar glass.

Bill

 

[Photar]

From some of your comments I get the impression that your avatar is a self-portrait 🙂 More seriously, enjoy your new stuff. There was a reason for the success story of SLR's. Good to have both.

 

[Heath]

I am like many others here in that I shoot RFer, SLR, TLR, Folder and anything in between.

Stay and keep us company. I am sure that you will find things to talk about. No matter what camera you use the end result is the same...... a photograph.

Heath

 

[kiev4a]

I think most the folks here are multifaceted when it comes to cameras. There's no way I would part with my F3 HP or FM, but I still enjoy discussing and using rangefinders. Each type of camera has its strong points.

You are right, however. One thing that made me dump my F100 when I got the F3 was the availability of good, used Nikkor AI lenses at decent prices.

 

[FrankS]

Yeah! Who said we were one-dimensional anyway?

 

[Sonnar Brian]

> Yeah! Who said we were one-dimensional anyway?
We are at least two-dimensional here at RFF. Otherwise all of our pictures and text would be a straight line going down the left side of the monitor.

The CV lenses are 39mm screw mount, not M42. I have the L-F adapter, but it is for use with bellows. You can use enlarger lenses in 39mm thread mount on the bellows, or you can use regular lenses for extreme close-up work, like a few inches away. Or you can pull the rear element out of a Canon 50mm F1.5 lens and use it at infinity. Been Done.

 

[egpj]

I would consider another type of camera but really thinking that the Alpa will be my next step. Whenever the funds allow. That or an old Rolleiflex.

 

[parks5920]

I like rangefinders, I like SLR's. Didn't know that I had to pick RF's to be part of the 'club'. 🙄

 

[doubs43]

I use both rangefinders and SLR's and go through phases with each. That helps to keep me interested in photography because I don't get bored with only one one type of equipment. I also have TLR's, folders and MF SLR's. They all get used at one time or another.

Besides, no matter what you shoot, if you don't learn something on this forum you're not reading it enough! Come early & stay late....... you're always welcome!

Walker

 

[XAos]

Just because my current favorite has a rather large honking silver barn door flapping around doesn't mean they're gonna kick me out either. Indeed, I hang around because 1) this is the temple of the cult of Diafine, 2) there are a lot of people into eccentric cameras of all sorts. (Speaking of which, subminis have a decent little home on the net, but there's a real need for a home place for TLR's) 3) It's just a great bunch of people. Far more civil than the "other forums" and 4) I trust you guys more than eShill, so I usualy try to find stuff I need here or KEH before heading over there.

In the end, a good forum is kinda like Cheers, it's more about the people in it than what its about.

 

[kiev4a]

Just because my current favorite has a rather large honking silver barn door flapping around doesn't mean they're gonna kick me out either. Indeed, I hang around because 1) this is the temple of the cult of Diafine, 2) there are a lot of people into eccentric cameras of all sorts. (Speaking of which, subminis have a decent little home on the net, but there's a real need for a home place for TLR's) 3) It's just a great bunch of people. Far more civil than the "other forums" and 4) I trust you guys more than eShill, so I usualy try to find stuff I need here or KEH before heading over there.

In the end, a good forum is kinda like Cheers, it's more about the people in it than what its about.

Agreed. It would be great to have a TLR forum -- entirely different animal from rf and slr medium format. Alot of Mamiya and Yashica tlrs in use. (I didn't include Rollei cuz that's like saying Leica owners that the same brain patterns as FSU camera lovers).🙂

 

[richard_l]

Sorry if this upsets some, I'd still happily use a MP and 35mm f/1.4 ASPH except theyre overpriced and the build is not up to scratch....

They're certainly too high-priced for me, but it's a real surprise to learn that they are built crappy. 🙄

Anyhow, have fun with the SLR. You picked a good one.