Nikon f or Leica R?

[AlexMax]

Hi,

I have a a smallish slr system, 2 bodies, and 2 lenses, Leicaflex SL, Leica R7, a summicon 50mm R, and an elmarit 135mm,

...and another slr system Nikon Fm2n, Nikon Fm3a, 1 35-70mm zoom, 1 100-300mm zoom, 1 50mm f1.8 nikkor ais, and 1 50mm Planar ZF.2 1.4

II do not want to keep both systems... And, by what I have seen, it will cost me a fortune to build up a respectable Leica R based system, given the current prices of leica R glass...

So my question is.. :

Should one of you be in the position of ditching one of these gear, which one would you choose.. ??

Considering :

Image quality,
Repairability,
Ruggedness of the gear,
Reusability,

....last but not the least, coolness factor... 😀


Afaik, Leica R glass, has high IQ... But some Ais Nikkors and ZFs are also outstanding performers...

I am mainly an rf shooter, but I do acknowledge that some things simply cannot be done with rfs...


Best Regards,

Alexandre

 

[B-9]

Sell the Nikon Kit and get yourself a nice 28 Elmarit.

Nikon prices fluctuate so much, and it is what I like to call a known factor. As in everyone has one or has had a relative that did once upon a blue moon. Leica wins hands down in the cool factor. Especially your SL, double points for MOT.

As far as performance, that's a personal preference. The Nikon bodies will ultimately be the more reliable of the two. Leica SLR's have always been a step behind in my book. Leica lenses, that's another story. I've seen some really ugly examples of R lenses that remained optically usable.

Have you consider converting your Summicron to F mount?
Your FM2n is one of the best cameras ever made as far as I'm concerned.
I have a personal preference for the F2 with De-1, or a Chrome F with 1st gen Photomic if I'm feeling like I should make a fashion statement (as in I'm clearly a dork).

However, whenever, whatever, be sure it's the best choice for you! Even if it's as shallow as cosmetics, do what makes you happy 🙂

 

[burancap]

Sell the Nikon Kit and get yourself a nice 28 Elmarit...

I tend to agree. You already have the R Summicron, I assume early, which is the lens to build around. It is spectacular. The SL is also fantastic. If you have one with a clean finder -all the better! You can always pick up Nikon gear at your whim.

 

[newspaperguy]

Loose the R... and 10 pounds along with it. 😉

Seriously, the Nikon gear can produce superb results,
and as you mentioned, Leica gear is bringing top $.

Then you can buy a second Nikon body or another lens.

Don't get hooked on the L mystique.
IMO - It's the road to the poor house.

Rick, been there, dun it.

 

[Pioneer]

The Leica SLR system was never really popular. The Nikon system has been for a very long time. I am pretty certain that there are reasons for both. Do your own math.

 

[Timmyjoe]

I'd keep both Leica lenses and dump the Leica bodies (although the prices for Leica R bodies around here is not so good). Then I'd convert that Elmarit 135 and that Summicron 50 to Nikon mount, and you have the best of both worlds. More reliable Nikon bodies with higher quality Leica glass.

Best,
-Tim

 

[Mark C]

I love F's (less so FM's), but would be tempted to keep the Leica stuff in this situation. You've got two of my favorite R lenses, though all my R lenses were favorites.

Still, the 50 1.4 Zeiss is nice and covers a slightly weaker (to me) spot in the Nikon line, and the good R lenses are going to set you back. 35 Summicron would be a must for me, and I still miss the 90 Summicron. Wides are especially tough going with Leica. I never did manage to get a 28 or 24, but both are inexpensive and good in Nikon.

I guess it is going to depend on your lens needs and the depth of your pockets.

 

[Vics]

I have Nikons, but I lust for Leica R! It's all about the glass.

 

[hausen]

Sell both the bodies and get an F6. I have had mine for about 3 months and it is the best camera I have ever used. I use the Zeiss 15 2.8 and Leica R PC28 on it and it is a joy. I went back and forth on a Leica R body or F6 and couldn't be happier with choice now. The pricing for F6 has dropped significantly as well. I got a mint one out of Japan for under $1k.

 

[Contarama]

Look at some of your snaps made with each system...decide then.

 

[Godfrey]

Keep both; they're both worth having.
Add a wide to the Leica R kit, that's all you need, and enjoy them.

I have both kits and can't think of what I'd sell. I use the lenses on a Sony A7 body most of the time.

G

 

[Luddite Frank]

Aren't the F-lenses forward-compatible with Nikon Digital SLR ?

( That might be a factor worth considering....)

 

[nobbylon]

Sell both the bodies and get an F6. I have had mine for about 3 months and it is the best camera I have ever used. I use the Zeiss 15 2.8 and Leica R PC28 on it and it is a joy. I went back and forth on a Leica R body or F6 and couldn't be happier with choice now. The pricing for F6 has dropped significantly as well. I got a mint one out of Japan for under $1k.

I couldn't agree more. I have 2 F2's an F3, F5, 2 SL's with 50, 60 and 90 lenses and since my F6 arrived I haven't shot a single frame on any of them. It's been my most liberating from GAS purchase so far!
I've got 28, 50, 85, 24-70 and 70-200 lenses that I use with Nikon digital that I can use on it and the only lens that I will keep and convert is the 60 macro elmarit but even then I doubt it will get used much.
If you are not interested in this idea then I'd keep an SL with 50 for the viewfinder (F6 is as good if not better!) sell everything else and buy a 35 elmarit. Sharper and cheaper than the summicron with just as much character.

 

[Godfrey]

Aren't the F-lenses forward-compatible with Nikon Digital SLR ?

( That might be a factor worth considering....)

It depends on the particular DSLR body. All will mount, but some do not allow metering.

G

 

[mfogiel]

Leica R and particularly Leicaflex are not easily repairable. The Leicaflex is a great body, but quite big and heavy, and after all these years, not very reliable. Nikon bodies are 3 levels better, particularly the F2 and F3. I have both systems, and as much as I like the Leica glass, I hate Leica SLR cameras. On the other hand, Nikon glass in most cases is lackluster, so I prefer the Zeiss ZF lenses for my F bodies. Depending on what you want to shoot, you have a good array of lenses to choose from. My favourites are the Makro Planars, 50 and 100mm. I would get rid of Leica bodies and the 135mm, convert your 50mm Summicron to a Nikon mount - you will get a great lens for portraiture wide open, and perhaps buy another Zeiss ZF lens that you might like.

 

[michaelwj]

....last but not the least, coolness factor... 😀


I am mainly an rf shooter, but I do acknowledge that some things simply cannot be done with rfs...


Best Regards,

Alexandre

Take the RF when you want coolness factor!

I'd go with the Nikon kit. The R kit will net you $ to fill out what you want in the F mount, whereas the other way around costs a lot of Nikon kit and $.

Cheers
Michael

 

[nongfuspring]

Between the two I think it makes the most sense to hold onto the Nikon gear; really nice usable cameras, durable, easily repairable, and a cheap system to expand - but you won't get much out of selling them. Sure, the Nikons aren't as cool but whattever. That zeiss is a nice lens too.

The question is if you need the money or not. The value of the Leica lenses will either stay the same or go up in the next few years considering how things are going in the full frame mirrorless world. Unless you need the cash to fund other purchases I'd just enjoy what you have.

 

[santino]

I'd keep the nikon stuff. the sl is great but really hard to repair. the r lensrs are superb but so are nikon lenses!

 

[nobbylon]

Too many here passing on incorrect weblore. The SL can be serviced by plenty of people and is a very tough reliable beast!
Will van Manen
Peter Grisaffi
Ton Scherpenborg in nederlands,
Are all more than capable of servicing and repairing these great cameras.
Much tougher than Nikons due to shell and core construction as in M's.

 

[leicapixie]

Too many here passing on incorrect weblore. The SL can be serviced by plenty of people and is a very tough reliable beast!
Will van Manen
Peter Grisaffi
Ton Scherpenborg in nederlands,
Are all more than capable of servicing and repairing these great cameras.
Much tougher than Nikons due to shell and core construction as in M's.

My experience is different.
A small fall of a Leicaflex SL from a bag already on the floor, resulted in extensive and expensive damage.
My Nikons are still in service from '71.
Yes the Photomics are toast.
So i set exposure by experience and luck.

The question by OP which should I keep?
Hopefully they are both being used!
Which one is nicer to see with, work with.
Your results, does the Leica lenses really trump Nikon.
They might as you have mostly zooms for Nikon.
My 50mm Nikkor easily matches my Collapsible Summicron.
Nikkor has better contrast, appears sharper.
I like the low contrast of my Summicron..
All your Nikon kit requires is a wide like a 28mm.
A really small expense these days.

I never liked the SL, outdated on arrival.
The Hunchback of Solms 2 says it all.
Monster size, heavy and lacking Auto-Focus at a time,
when all cameras released in last decades or longer, were!

My Nikon kit has required minimum services and repairs.
My Leica M kit lots!
My Pentax kit(predates Nikon in 1971) never reqd. anything, except batteries every few years and a lots of film..:angel:

Here maybe my answer, Keep both!