Sell prized RF lenses to move into new format?

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noimmunity

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In the "how much is too much" thread, Tim writes:

tbarker13 said:
I've owned, at one time or another, a big chunk of Leica's flagship lenses (28 summicron, 35 summilux asph, 50 Summicron, 75 summilux, etc.) But I've sold all of them off.
I'm down to two Leica lenses - a 35 pre-asph lux and a 40 summicron (my walk-around lens.)
My others include an Ultron 28/1.9, Zeiss 50 Planar, a J-3 that I just love and a canon 50/1.4 that may or may not stick around.

I just don't feel like I need the more modern Leica glass. When I want to go with a modern look, I use my Nikon D700 and a growing kit of outstanding Nikon glass.

In the end, this kit does what I want it to do. And that's all that matters.
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It's funny because I have been thinking about the same exact thing: selling off some lenses in order to move into two different formats. A D700 for lowlight indoor work and medium format for close studies. Wouldn't give up RFs, though. It's just that for a long time I have felt a need for something that would excel in really low light. And then there are some shots I would just like to have a larger negative.

Although I love my summicrons, I keep thinking about how I could put that money to something more practical for my interests. On the other hand, were there eventually to be an affordable digital RF with high ISO sensitivity, I would really love to have those lenses around.

I tried a Fuji 667/Bessa III and simply loved it. I think the next thing I need to do is try a D700. I guess I will hate the size factor, but if I can compromise and live with it I'm sure it will do the trick. Can't think of any other alternative for high ISO at this point, but perhaps the thing is to wait a little longer?

Any advice? Experiences to share?
 
it's only metal and glass, not flesh & blood.

i have been buying and selling since the 70's and have no real regrets.
i loved having a mamiya 6 as a medium format rf and i loved my nikons and canons and mirandas and...life is short, enjoy it.
 
Best thing about equipment is that you can always (read almost always) sell it and fund the repurchase of what you sold in the first place. The existing darkness abilities of the D700 is very attractive. Check some posts from Keith about his new found love for his. I too wonder about the size but I think the 700 is smaller than a F3 and motor.

I think I might keep the Black Nikkor 85/2, but just about everything else looks easy to replace. There are great MF glass available for the D700 new from Zeiss and some wonderful classic glass from Nikon that I think you would be very happy with.

I have not gone the route you are contemplating but I have cut way back to two main user cameras and a couple of 4x5 waiting for me to have some time and cash.

Wish I could add more but I know change is an important part of the journey. Without it we will not know for sure.

B2 (;->
 
Selling gear hasn't been so easy for me, so I'm hesitant there. At this point sticking with just one thing, one system, could be a real benefit to my photography...

If I sell the Leica glass, I would probably never get it again. After trying a lot of different RF lenses I hafta say the Leica has been just so satisfying and fun (right FL, right look, etc). But like I said, I think some of my needs would be served better by a different camera system.

The only way to find out is to borrow or rent a D700...
 
back alley said:
hey, is that a 40 rollei sonnar listed in your sig? hhhmmm...
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yes it is, joe. I happen to like it very much, especially for hiking, where its small size on a Bessa T makes a fantastic combo. I'm pretty sure it's one I would keep. The only thing I fancy trading it for would be a ZM C Biogon 35/2.8. Then again, I keep dreaming about pairing it with a CV 28/3.5 (which I also had before) for a super small kit (and same filter size).

Did you ever find one for yourself? They can be hard to find but they can be readily had in Japan.
 
BillBingham2 said:
Best thing about equipment is that you can always (read almost always) sell it and fund the repurchase of what you sold in the first place. The existing darkness abilities of the D700 is very attractive. Check some posts from Keith about his new found love for his. I too wonder about the size but I think the 700 is smaller than a F3 and motor.

I think I might keep the Black Nikkor 85/2, but just about everything else looks easy to replace. There are great MF glass available for the D700 new from Zeiss and some wonderful classic glass from Nikon that I think you would be very happy with.

I have not gone the route you are contemplating but I have cut way back to two main user cameras and a couple of 4x5 waiting for me to have some time and cash.

Wish I could add more but I know change is an important part of the journey. Without it we will not know for sure.

B2 (;->
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Whoah! 😱

Love's a strong term and historically I have commitment issues ... lets just say that at the moment we are very comfortable in each other's company! 😀
 
I wonder about Nikons reputation for optics. I have experience with three vintage SLR systems (Nikon AIS, Canon FD, Minolta MC). Out of the three the Minoltas are best performers, then Canon, then the Nikkors, which are all pretty soft wide open or show really poor borders. Its not fun to use these on a D700 (which I also did). The lenses I had include the 50/1.2 AIS, 18/3.5, 24/2, 28/2, 35/1.4, 35/2, 135/1.8 and the "Noct". All were mint. (I never bought heavily used.)

Another option is Nikons current range of zooms. But trading compact Leica lenses for bulky, heavy and slow f2.8 zooms doesnt seem viable for me. I wouldnt do it.
 
It's nice to keep a core of RF gear that you know will produce the images you want, and be enjoyable to use. I'm down to an M4 with a 35 Summicron and a 50/2.5 Color Skopar. The other RF lenses have all been sold off, at least partly to make space and $$ to allow me to play in the MF and LF space. I'd say do whatever you need, if you feel the pull of new formats. Keep experimenting; keep learning.
 
noimmunity said:
not even a few years down the road when the body is no longer worth much and the Leica lenses I sold have doubled in price with the release of the M10 and the dZI ?

Gotta admit it is tempting, though...
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A few years down the road the D700 will still be taking beautiful pictures same as now.
 
noimmunity said:
yes it is, joe. I happen to like it very much, especially for hiking, where its small size on a Bessa T makes a fantastic combo. I'm pretty sure it's one I would keep. The only thing I fancy trading it for would be a ZM C Biogon 35/2.8. Then again, I keep dreaming about pairing it with a CV 28/3.5 (which I also had before) for a super small kit (and same filter size).

Did you ever find one for yourself? They can be hard to find but they can be readily had in Japan.
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well, of course that would be one of the lenses you would want to keep...😉
i'm hoping to be ready for a sonnar purchase in some time june...
 
Joe, if you wanna trade for a C Biogon, I'm game. Did you already sell yours?

I've found a place that will rent D700s. I guess the glass issue is a whole 'nother question. Maybe I should be asking the question "which is the best 35mm format digital body for low light shooting around US$2000?" I had assumed it was the D700...

Hey Keith, what glass are you pairing it with?
 
i only have the 50/1.5 zm sonnar left from my stble of zeiss lenses and it's the one i will be keeping.
i have the cv 40 and have found that i really like the 60mm fov it delivers on the rd1 so naturally i'd like to try a 40 sonnar.

the answer to your question, btw, is an rd1...😉
 
back alley said:
i only have the 50/1.5 zm sonnar left from my stble of zeiss lenses and it's the one i will be keeping.
i have the cv 40 and have found that i really like the 60mm fov it delivers on the rd1 so naturally i'd like to try a 40 sonnar.

the answer to your question, btw, is an rd1...😉
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It figures.
And yup, me too, that C Sonnar stays, no matter what. Since I have a C Biogon 21 that I use for landscape, it probably makes sense to pair it with a C Biogon 35. The Rollei Sonnar is very sharp in the center, I have the feeling it may even be sharper in the center wide open than the C Biogon 35, but it is less so in the corners.

The 40 also works well on the M8 where it fits the 35 framelines at medium and longer distances.

I had an RD1 before. Don't see myself going back that way.
Enjoy yours!
 
The D700 is an amazing camera, Jon. With a few good fast primes, you're set to conquer the night! My favourites among the current Nikkors are the new AF-S 24mm f1.4 (one of the best lenses I've used in any format) and the AF-S 50mm f1.4. I shoot with the D700 (or F6) and these lenses far more often than I shoot my RF cameras these days. So much so that I'm thinking of selling off my 2 x Zeiss Ikon bodies and M-mount lenses.

You might want to wait a bit with the purchase though, as rumours abound that Nikon is readying to release a successor to the D700. And that will bring prices on used D700s down for sure.
 
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