kxl
Social Documentary
As someone else stated, a DSLR and DRF are complementary rather than exclusive of each other, especially for someone who hasn't yet found his photographic voice. I'd recommend getting a used Epson R-d1 and a decent lens to see if you like the DRF experience. BTW, I also agree with trying to get a smaller lens for the D700.
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elmer3.5
Well-known
Hi, yes, go for the m9!
Bye!
Bye!
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Another vote for rent/borrow. You'll know soon enough if it's the camera for you. For me it was an easy choice but I've been using M-series film cameras for decades.
Cheers,
R.
Cheers,
R.
newsgrunt
Well-known
I think the OP should reconsider the idea that using an M9 will make them less conspicuous and that perhaps it's more a personal comfort thing being able to work in small spaces among people. I honestly don't see much changing going from a D700 to an M9. ymmv
fwellers
Member
Lots of sound and reasonable advice here. I appreciate you all ( well most of you ) trying to talk me down from giving up on one of the best camera systems out there.
I get this bug from time to time.
I have shot with all prime before on my D90. I started to do it again with the D700, but I give up on it knowing that I have a killer 24-70 2.8 sitting at home.
Using manual focus with AF lenses on an AF body is so counter intuitive it woulr probably take more discipline than I have.
And the other problem is, I can't keep spending money. My wife deserves better. So buyng a film body and lens outright isn't in the cards right now either. Also what's pushing me a little is that it appears now is the absolute best time for me to sell this gear if I want to get out of it what I paid for it ( or at least close ). Most Nikon Pro gear is in short supply now.
Somebody mentioned saving my $$ while I run the piss out of the D700. Ha. I don't have that much patience.)
I don't want to get an Ep1 or an X100 or anything with a smallish viewfinder. I enjoy composing ( or trying to compose ) through a nice large viewfinder.
I have thought though, more recently, of finding some cheap used RF and Lens to use. Not sure if it will be a close approximation or not, compared to focusing through an M8 or 9 finder.
I'd love to rent one. I haven't checked the prices on that yet, because I just assumed it would be stupidly high $$
Again folks, I appreciate your advice and time. I would think you get this kind of thing all the time in here. The draw of the Leica and the unobstrusive way you can go about making your pictures.
Thanks,
floyd
I get this bug from time to time.
I have shot with all prime before on my D90. I started to do it again with the D700, but I give up on it knowing that I have a killer 24-70 2.8 sitting at home.
Using manual focus with AF lenses on an AF body is so counter intuitive it woulr probably take more discipline than I have.
And the other problem is, I can't keep spending money. My wife deserves better. So buyng a film body and lens outright isn't in the cards right now either. Also what's pushing me a little is that it appears now is the absolute best time for me to sell this gear if I want to get out of it what I paid for it ( or at least close ). Most Nikon Pro gear is in short supply now.
Somebody mentioned saving my $$ while I run the piss out of the D700. Ha. I don't have that much patience.
)I don't want to get an Ep1 or an X100 or anything with a smallish viewfinder. I enjoy composing ( or trying to compose ) through a nice large viewfinder.
I have thought though, more recently, of finding some cheap used RF and Lens to use. Not sure if it will be a close approximation or not, compared to focusing through an M8 or 9 finder.
I'd love to rent one. I haven't checked the prices on that yet, because I just assumed it would be stupidly high $$
Again folks, I appreciate your advice and time. I would think you get this kind of thing all the time in here. The draw of the Leica and the unobstrusive way you can go about making your pictures.
Thanks,
floyd
I guess you don't have any friends that own one?
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Lots of sound and reasonable advice here. I appreciate you all ( well most of you ) trying to talk me down from giving up on one of the best camera systems out there.
I get this bug from time to time.
I have shot with all prime before on my D90. I started to do it again with the D700, but I give up on it knowing that I have a killer 24-70 2.8 sitting at home.
Using manual focus with AF lenses on an AF body is so counter intuitive it woulr probably take more discipline than I have.
And the other problem is, I can't keep spending money. My wife deserves better. So buyng a film body and lens outright isn't in the cards right now either. Also what's pushing me a little is that it appears now is the absolute best time for me to sell this gear if I want to get out of it what I paid for it ( or at least close ). Most Nikon Pro gear is in short supply now.
Somebody mentioned saving my $$ while I run the piss out of the D700. Ha. I don't have that much patience.
I don't want to get an Ep1 or an X100 or anything with a smallish viewfinder. I enjoy composing ( or trying to compose ) through a nice large viewfinder.
I have thought though, more recently, of finding some cheap used RF and Lens to use. Not sure if it will be a close approximation or not, compared to focusing through an M8 or 9 finder.
I'd love to rent one. I haven't checked the prices on that yet, because I just assumed it would be stupidly high $$
Again folks, I appreciate your advice and time. I would think you get this kind of thing all the time in here. The draw of the Leica and the unobstrusive way you can go about making your pictures.
Thanks,
floyd
Dear Floyd,
No, it's not. At least, not for me. But REALLY, borrow or hire one.
Cheers,
R.
fwellers
Member
Field
Well-known
Does any one besides me find the hilarity of Leica replacing high ISO's with a $10k lens in one focal length instead?
35photo
Well-known
Lots of sound and reasonable advice here. I appreciate you all ( well most of you ) trying to talk me down from giving up on one of the best camera systems out there.
I get this bug from time to time.
I have shot with all prime before on my D90. I started to do it again with the D700, but I give up on it knowing that I have a killer 24-70 2.8 sitting at home.
Using manual focus with AF lenses on an AF body is so counter intuitive it woulr probably take more discipline than I have.
And the other problem is, I can't keep spending money. My wife deserves better. So buyng a film body and lens outright isn't in the cards right now either. Also what's pushing me a little is that it appears now is the absolute best time for me to sell this gear if I want to get out of it what I paid for it ( or at least close ). Most Nikon Pro gear is in short supply now.
Somebody mentioned saving my $$ while I run the piss out of the D700. Ha. I don't have that much patience.
I don't want to get an Ep1 or an X100 or anything with a smallish viewfinder. I enjoy composing ( or trying to compose ) through a nice large viewfinder.
I have thought though, more recently, of finding some cheap used RF and Lens to use. Not sure if it will be a close approximation or not, compared to focusing through an M8 or 9 finder.
I'd love to rent one. I haven't checked the prices on that yet, because I just assumed it would be stupidly high $$
Again folks, I appreciate your advice and time. I would think you get this kind of thing all the time in here. The draw of the Leica and the unobstrusive way you can go about making your pictures.
Thanks,
floyd
You can rent an M9 from www.lensrentals.com, (which I almost did except I found a great deal on a new one) for 4 days for just under $300 if you wanted to try it out. If you decide to buy one they will credit you $300 off if you buy a new one from then. Good deal! I've never rented from these guys, but have heard nothing but good things....
fwellers
Member
Yep. haha. I was just looking at that. I've heard nothing but great things from people who've used those guys for lenses.
but that's a steep price. It's closer to $500 once you add in a lens, shipping on both, and insurance. To me that's a lot for a try. I know it's only a fraction of the selling price, but I am definitely balking at that right now. I've been checking to see if an M8 rental would be much cheaper, but haven't found one yet.
Thanks !
I think anyway, I may take some advice from others and start shopping around for fast manual focus mid range to semiwide prime for my D700.
doolittle
Well-known
If I was in your shoes I would sell the D700 and 24-70 and get a M8. I would hang on to the D90 for macro and telephoto. I would buy the best 28mm or 35mm lens I could afford to go with the M8. Yes, compared to the D700 viewfinder the D90 is like looking down a well, but you will have to live with that.
I have a lot of Nikon gear. I could have bought a D3s, but bought the M9 instead. The M9 is about as close to the operation of a classic film camera as you will find. If Nikon made a Digital F3 with a modern sensor, I'd probably like it. But they don't.
I picked up a used M8 about 10 months ago for $2500 with 400 actuations. I could easily sell it for $2000, so "cheaper than renting". Rather than drop $8000 for a body and lens, why not pick up a used M8 and lens. See how it suits you. You can always sell the Nikon gear and the M8 later.
And for low-light: The 50mm F1.1 Nokton and ISO 2500 shoots in less light than any Film camera that I own, including the Canon 7 with 50/0.95. Maybe I'll sell 1 of those 2 Canon lenses.
I picked up a used M8 about 10 months ago for $2500 with 400 actuations. I could easily sell it for $2000, so "cheaper than renting". Rather than drop $8000 for a body and lens, why not pick up a used M8 and lens. See how it suits you. You can always sell the Nikon gear and the M8 later.
And for low-light: The 50mm F1.1 Nokton and ISO 2500 shoots in less light than any Film camera that I own, including the Canon 7 with 50/0.95. Maybe I'll sell 1 of those 2 Canon lenses.
N
Nikon Bob
Guest
Just try before you buy especially with such a huge potential investment of money. Personally, if I was balking at paying $500.00 to rent an M9 and lens to see if I would like to spend upwards of $10,000.00 on a new M9 and new fastish 35mm or 50mm leica lens i would take that as a sign. In that light the rental is peanuts and may save you from a costly mistake and conversely it could set your mind at ease with putting out the money better than any post here.
Bob
Bob
Bob
Bob
huntjump
Well-known
I would say it kind of depends what you want to use the camera for. Since you havent used a rangefinder before, i'd definitely recommend against transitioning based on what you've read on here and photos you've probably seen.
I myself was in a similar dilemma, but I have been playing with 3 different M bodies and have really fallen in love with the RF and lenses. That being said, I could not justify selling the D700. It is just an amazing camera, but it is very large and not great for certain environments (ie: street photography).
However, shooting film has been a huge joy for me and has really helped me in my own pursuit of photography development. I enjoy it a lot more because of the size/portability, lenses, manual focus, places i can sneak or bring the camera in etc.. etc..
I can't really add anything too new that hasnt been said, but before you spend $6500+ and lenses, you should try out for a week the m9, or m8. If you cannot do that, buy an M2-m6 and see if you enjoy this setup. You can ALWAYS resell for basically what you paid unless you spent too much initially.
For the d700, my favorite lens for portability is the 50 1/4 and the 105mm VR for portraits/macro. I used to have the 24-70, beautiful lens but big. Sold my 14-24 for the same reason. Some people's work require this kind of setup, but the fact you are considering dropping it all to me sounds like you don't. good luck, and i hope you get some form of an M body soon
I myself was in a similar dilemma, but I have been playing with 3 different M bodies and have really fallen in love with the RF and lenses. That being said, I could not justify selling the D700. It is just an amazing camera, but it is very large and not great for certain environments (ie: street photography).
However, shooting film has been a huge joy for me and has really helped me in my own pursuit of photography development. I enjoy it a lot more because of the size/portability, lenses, manual focus, places i can sneak or bring the camera in etc.. etc..
I can't really add anything too new that hasnt been said, but before you spend $6500+ and lenses, you should try out for a week the m9, or m8. If you cannot do that, buy an M2-m6 and see if you enjoy this setup. You can ALWAYS resell for basically what you paid unless you spent too much initially.
For the d700, my favorite lens for portability is the 50 1/4 and the 105mm VR for portraits/macro. I used to have the 24-70, beautiful lens but big. Sold my 14-24 for the same reason. Some people's work require this kind of setup, but the fact you are considering dropping it all to me sounds like you don't. good luck, and i hope you get some form of an M body soon
hugivza
Well-known
I made a similar choice about 3 months ago and sold all of my Nikon gear and Canon FD gear, most of the latter did not get to see the light of day. I bought a mint M8.2 which I have recently traded up to an M9. The M9 is fabulous. I find the functionality of the M9 so much better than the M8, as well as not having to multiply focal lengths. If you can, go for it.
hteasley
Pupil
M8.2s are more expensive than M8s for the same IQ. Framelines are better, but IQ-wise, there's no difference. My comment was based on two motivations:
1. It's an expensive change: maybe trying it out on a smaller scale might work for you.
2. It's not too hard to flip an M8, so you can make it a cash-neutral step between the Nikon and an M9, should you want to go that way.
I moved from a D90 to an M8, then film Ms, finally an M9. I don't regret it at all. But I can see how it could backfire for some folks.
Man, I hope someone makes something like this eventually.
SR1
Established
"I've seen so many nice images taken in small spaces, restaurants and such"
Not with an M9 or M8 unless it's a very fast lens or there's lots of light.
I've never managed to get a family shot in a dimly lit restaurant with the M8.
If size is the issue, why not try a secondhand AIS manual lens. This will reduce the size and help you get used to the manual focussing.
Regards
Not with an M9 or M8 unless it's a very fast lens or there's lots of light.
I've never managed to get a family shot in a dimly lit restaurant with the M8.
If size is the issue, why not try a secondhand AIS manual lens. This will reduce the size and help you get used to the manual focussing.
Regards
Mcary
Well-known
Back in the Spring of 2009 I decided to use the funds I had set aside to upgrade from a 5D to the MrkII to get a M4-2 + a lens instead. A month or so later I loaned my 5D to someone and the pins got bent. So for the next month while I waited for the 5D to come back from repair I was stuck shooting film, problem was using the M4-2 made me remember what it was like to use a small but well built camera that fit into my hands instead of a plastic feeling or over sized DSLR either of which ever really felt right in my hands. So even before I got the 5D back from repair I had decided to put it along with the 4 USM primes and one zoom up for sell so that I could get an other lens plus film processing supplies and a good film scanner. Since then I've sold the M4-2 and replaced it with an M6.
Note I also have a Bronica SQ 6x6 MF SLR for when using an SLR make more sense then a rangefinder.
Note I also have a Bronica SQ 6x6 MF SLR for when using an SLR make more sense then a rangefinder.