Need some help figuring out a new camera and lens

[Maximilian]

Hi guys!

It's been quite a while since I was here last. Good to be here again!

I'm looking for some suggestions on a new camera. I had a Leica MP that I used for several years, only shooting black and white film. Then I sold that and bought a Monochrom that I've been using now for a little over a year.

Overall, I've been very happy with my Leicas! But I'm getting somewhat bored and kinda feel like mixing it up a bit. I have a 50mm lens, but basically only use my 28mm Summicron. I like that focal length. Thinking maybe color would be a nice change.

I'm somewhat resistant to getting the Leica M. I'm sure it's great, but for some reason I'm just not that interested. Kinda want to try something completely different.

I was reading a lot about the Nikon d750 and was quite intrigued by it, until I started looking at the lenses and it seems like there really isn't any really good option for a 28mm lens.

Then I looked at the Sony a7ii and there does seem to be an ok 28mm lens for that, but I'm not sure if I've just spoiled myself with the Monochrom and the 28 Summicron and if I'll be satisfied with the images from the Sony. Also, I don't really want to use a manual lens on the Sony, cause then I really don't see the point of that camera, might as well stick to Leica in that case.

Any other good systems with a nice autofocus 28mm lens? Sigma seems to make a nice image, but I understand the cameras are a bit annoying.

I do understand that no one can tell me what to get, but I'm more than positive that many of you guys must have at one time or another just goten tired of your Leica and got something different.

If so, where you happy with the change? Did you go back? Did the images look more dull or did you get some new inspiration by changing?

I'm so confused right now! Lol. Oh and by the way, I have a Ricoh GR too. Great camera, but the images are in a completely different league than the Leica, so I'm not very interested in going to something with a smaller format. Think I'm done with film as well, want to stick to digital.

Any recommendations or just general input would be greatly appreciated! And if this is posted in the wrong section, I apologise.

Maximilian

 

[maitani]

get an M8.2 or cheap M9 for colour, great addition to a monochrom (as good as the monochrome is it's bothersome that it does not to colour at least to me.), and you can keep all your lenses, also a good used M7 could help feeding the filmshooter in you.
just 2 thoughts.

 

[Andrea Taurisano]

Hmm. interesting that you find the files from your Ricoh GR to be in a completely different league than the Leica. I had several M9-Ps before my GR, and find the GR files hardly worse than the Leica ones, but in fact better at high ISO. But I guess the Monochrom and M240 deliver better files than the M9, and that quality is apparently now your reference and requirement.

Regardless, I have only one piece of advice: when confused, don't ask. Wait and give it time instead. Maybe you'll find out that you were jsut having a GAS attack.. ;-)

 

[WJJ3]

or cheap M9 for colour

This is grand. PIease let me know if you find one. I want a cheap M9 too.

 

[Maximilian]

Andera, you are right, it was not fair to say the the GR is in a completely different league. For most occasions they are probably more similar than different. Just those times when I do happen upon some very nice light, the Leica can do something magical that the GR can't. When that happens, those are the pictures that I really enjoy (no sh!t).

Maitani, good recommendations, thanks. Just when it comes to cameras, I'm somewhat autistic and would be confused when to bring which camera. Lol.

I think just waiting this out is the right call. I haven't been following what's been going on in the camera world since I got my Monochrom, so I guess I was just hoping that some new miracle camera has been released that I didn't know about. But I think I'll just wait and see for a bit. If only Nikon could release a new and improved 28mm lens without focus shift. Lol, I'm doomed.

 

[willie_901]

The Nikkor AIS 28/2.8 lens has an excellent reputation.

Surely you can operate the D750 in manual focus mode. I know MF was not problematic or frustrating with 28mm lenses on the D200/300/700 bodies.

 

[B-9]

Nikon D700 is the best value, no good 28's? Your only kidding right?

Have you seen the new 28/1.8?

Maybe a 28/2.0 AI.

Or the AFD 28/2.8

Need Shift? 28/3.5 PC is killer.

Cheaper? 28/3.5 is no slouch.

 

[mfogiel]

"But I'm getting somewhat bored and kinda feel like mixing it up a bit."
You can get one of these Sony A7 bodies, with which you can use your current lenses and try new things, like close up or colour.
Overall, in WA, Zeiss has always been making exceptional lenses, but on digital you have to be careful with colour shifts and the like, so it is better to study it in depth.
I think you just need to fizz your photography for some time with something different. It can later make refocusing on what you like best easier.

 

[maitani]

zf distagon 28/2 another great lens with floating elements, with cheap M9 i didn t mean to be rude, but they pop up regularly for around 2500-2700 round here. still a lot of moey but cheaper than they used to be

 

[traveler_101]

Hi guys!
. . .
Overall, I've been very happy with my Leicas! But I'm getting somewhat bored and kinda feel like mixing it up a bit. I have a 50mm lens, but basically only use my 28mm Summicron. I like that focal length. Thinking maybe color would be a nice change.

I'm somewhat resistant to getting the Leica M. I'm sure it's great, but for some reason I'm just not that interested. Kinda want to try something completely different.
. . .
Any other good systems with a nice autofocus 28mm lens? Sigma seems to make a nice image, but I understand the cameras are a bit annoying.

. . .

Maximilian

Understand completely . . . I have a IIIf and two Bessa cameras (T and R). Kept thinking the "natural" progression was to get a Leica M, but was disappointed in size and weight.

If you want something different go digital and shoot off the screen - forget viewfinders for a while.

I have two completely different systems - great for those of us that are easily bored (LoL).

For digital I use an Olympus E-P5. What a beautifully designed and functioning camera: the best internal stabilisation available so you can hold it at different angles far from your body and get very good results. Flip-screen for shooting from the waist like a view camera. 28mm lens? The Panasonic 14mm f/2.5 pancake lens (m43 is 1/4 frame - 50% crop factor). Great compact kit, with instant focusing and very good results. Try the various Olympus "art" filters.

If you go this route make sure you check your 14mm out carefully and have the option of sending it back. There have been some complaints about edge to edge sharpness. Mine works great; you have to get a good one.

 

[WJJ3]

zf distagon 28/2 another great lens with floating elements, with cheap M9 i didn t mean to be rude, but they pop up regularly for around 2500-2700 round here. still a lot of moey but cheaper than they used to be

Don't worry, it definitely wasn't rude, I just couldn't resist poking a bit of fun since I consider the 2K I paid for an aspherical Leica lens astronomical. A M9 for $2500 is certainly a great bargain considering Leica is commited to setting the sensor corrosion issue right...

 

[WJJ3]

Overall, I've been very happy with my Leicas! But I'm getting somewhat bored and kinda feel like mixing it up a bit. I have a 50mm lens, but basically only use my 28mm Summicron. I like that focal length. Thinking maybe color would be a nice change.

I'm somewhat resistant to getting the Leica M. I'm sure it's great, but for some reason I'm just not that interested. Kinda want to try something completely different.

I can't help but think of this Araki quote that John Sypal has on his website:

"If you want to change your photographs, you need to change cameras. Changing cameras means that your photographs will change. A really good camera has something I suppose you might describe as its own distinctive aura."

In my view, being that you want to try something different, maybe you should be more open to film camera options. Imagery from contemporary digital cameras are all going to be pretty much perfect and I don't think you will see much difference one way or the other. If you can spring for something like the D750, why not get a quirky film camera and factor in film, processing, and scanning. You could get a sweet TLR and probably 100 rolls of film, professional developing and scanning for less than the Nikon. The handling, shooting experience, and results you get will be 'completely different'.

I have recently been shooting a Brownie and its great!

 

[burancap]

I had a similar itch last month and ended up with the Df. Seems a bit more apropos than the 750 when using the older manual glass (where you will find the 28/2.8 AIS giving your 28 a solid run, not to mention now being able to access a world of other great, and comparably affordable, Nikkor glass). It has been a lot of fun and a great change (complementary) to my Leica kit. Love the color too! No regrets.

 

[segedi]

I opted for the Voigtlander 28mm on my D750. Makes a nice, light, easy to shoot package. No AF, but easy to focus.

 

[Bill Clark]

This is my first impression from your memo, you have some pretty nice photography equipment already.

I'm retired now but when I was active I attended a workshop held once a month for 10 months of the year, each workshop lasting eight hours with our local PPA affiliate. I also would attend a four or five day workshop, usually with a gent who was my coach, every other year.

In other words, I improved my photography with education. It is a great way to learn about photography. And I still think I need to learn more!

Thought I would mention this to help you. For my photography journey the money invested in education has had a positive impact, more so than equipment purchases.

 

[Maximilian]

Hi again,

Just wanted to thank everyone for the replies!

My big worry is, I can't afford to buy a new high-end camera and lens without selling my Monochrom. Just worried I'll regret it, cause really I do love the images my setup makes. I'm not necessarily looking for something that will improve my pictures, just something new to get me inspired again I guess.

I'll try to rent or borrow something. Think that is my only real option. Or if the new Leica Q turns out to be what it is rumoured to be - compact full frame with a fixed 28mm 1.8, then that would be something! Or I'll just stick with what I have and try to remember how truly fortunate I am to own the camera and lens I already have. I'm rambling again aren't I? Lol.

Thanks,
M

 

[leicapixie]

The OP is bored.
GAS attacks are not cured by buying more..
I am a cameraholic and my name is leicapixie..😀
The remark that Nikon 28mm lenses don't measure up, is simply a fallacy.
The best and most great images starting in the 60's were Nikon.
Later Canon as a main event.
I love my Leicas but the money I made was from Japanese SLR.
Pentax Spotmatic, Nikon-F, Canon Ae-1, all worked superbly in a professional environment
Speaking of BIG money, it was usually Large Format on tripods and studio.(Avedon,Penn)
Look at work of major shooters..
I once shot a photo next to David Alan Harvey, into his backpack,( I carried one too), out came a NIKON SLR.
If you need a new way of seeing, get any DSLR and a few lenses..
The pro Nikons accept the old lenses..
Canon because of THINNER body accepts almost everybody in 35mm SLR optics..
Acceptance doesn't mean an easy ride..:bang:
Workshops can be expensive.
Spend same money on a trip..

 

[nongfuspring]

With digital what appears to be substantial differences in SOOC IQ can be largely mitigated by post processing. In your shoes I would concentrate on trying to figure out where exactly the "magic" is missing from the GR shots and find out ways of producing that effect in computer. There might also be the possibility that the magic that you're seeing in the Monochrom but is lacking in the GR is fundamentally due to the sensor technology, so buying another bayer sensor camera with on-sensor colour filters might not really fix what you feel like you're lacking.

 

[Godfrey]

...
My big worry is, I can't afford to buy a new high-end camera and lens without selling my Monochrom. Just worried I'll regret it, cause really I do love the images my setup makes. I'm not necessarily looking for something that will improve my pictures, just something new to get me inspired again I guess.

I'll try to rent or borrow something. Think that is my only real option. Or if the new Leica Q turns out to be what it is rumoured to be - compact full frame with a fixed 28mm 1.8, then that would be something! Or I'll just stick with what I have and try to remember how truly fortunate I am to own the camera and lens I already have. I'm rambling again aren't I? Lol.

Don't sell anything you even think you might regret. You're bored and looking for inspiration. Set your Monochrom and lens down and do something different for a while. Don't spend a lot of money thinking it will assuage your boredom.

How different? When I need a break, I put a pinhole on the Leica. Or pull out a Polaroid SX-70. Or take a walk with the iPhone. Or ... stop entirely and find a good book to read, a movie to watch, do a day trip somewhere I haven't been for a while without a camera.

It'll come back.

G

 

[maitani]

how about a mamiya 7, you might put all your cameras you ever had before to rest once you receive the negs back. 🙂

if you sell the monochrome temporarily you might be able to still pull a reasonable price in the actual market for it , which will open up flexibility trying something else, and if you feel the itch to get a monochrome again, it will only get cheaper from now on..