switch to dslr what was your experience

[rover]

Funny. Similar camera, totally different results.

My *ist DS stays in manual mode most of the time. Split-screen add-on, just like you. I get a great deal of joy from my M42 and T-mount and K-mount lenses, and I use AF and AE sparingly. I find it utter simplicity to turn off the AF switch on the body, flip the knob to "M" for manual, and set my aperture and shutter speed (and ISO) myself.

The camera does just what I expect it to do, and is very easy for me to control - as much as a manual film camera. In fact, I often carry a Pentax-based film body to interchange lenses.

It adds certain abilities film cameras do not have, such as the ability to set ISO on the fly and the focus indicator light, which is close to perfectly accurate (I sometimes disagree with its assessment, but I can ignore it). I can also set a custom white balance, which saves time trying to correct color casts later.

In short, I love it. Auto-everything when I feel it is appropriate, full manual control whenever I want it.

My only consideration now is whether to replace my aging *ist DS with a K200D or a K2000 (don't really want the K20D).

What split screen are you using Bill? I can't get my diopter to a correct setting, for some reason mine seems to get changed (I am thinking the wife is doing it to drive me crazy).

I can't get my M42 lenses to mount correctly either. I need a partner camera geek to hang out with. I am sure it is just a simple thing that once I see it done correctly once I would be all set.

I switch back and forth from auto to manual mode too much. I pick up the camera expecting one thing and always get some thing else. My ME Super isn't that disagreeable.

All this said, none of it is user error. My problems are all the camera's fault!!!😀

 

[Spoks]

I would go for a Canon DSLR because they are the leading manufacturer of digital cameras. While it still remains to be seen if Leica - or anyone else, will make a competitive digital rangefinder camera,- at all. RFF might be a sort of electronic gravestone over a camera system that did not meet expectations of time.

 

[gavinlg]

It doesn't matter what the tool is as long as you can realize your vision.

Best opinion re: digital vs film I've ever read on this forum.

 

[iridium7777]

i've been toying with this idea for the last six month or maybe even longer. all i have now is my m6 + 35mm lens. i brought this setup for the last year and a half to more places than i can remember, both domestic and international. it's great, and i really like the type of photography it makes me concentrate on.

but, my big idea was to make money, pure commercial crap type of money. the cost and most of all the *hastle* of professionally developing and scanning a 35mm negative and getting into a print absolutely sucks the motivation out of it for me. taking a picture in raw, tuning it lightly and bringing it on a memory stick to a print shop is just so much more easier, or if you're selling high resolution prints online than there isn't even a contest on the ease of pure digital.

so, i started a business part time. i'm not selling my leica kit, it's not worth it, but yesterday, i did buy an absolutely mint canon 5d + 24-70/2.8f... yes, i know that this lens is called the "brick", and the whole kit will probably be 5x the size of the leica, but this is purely a tool. this will make money -- with a flash i can do weddings with this setup, with a tripod i can use it for landscape photography on travels, with the ease of digital files i can flood istock or any other place like that with my pictures. i don't have to worry about scratched film, poor scans. this is a business expense and will be used as such, it's a tool. for everything else, my leica will remain. if in the future i ever need money badly and will need to sell some photo equipment, the canon will be the one that goes.

so let me put it this way: if you're doing it for a hobby and you're having a positive experience with an rf, i'd suggest you don't get rid of it, but maybe get a dslr to compliment it when you get the funds. otherwise, switch and never look back.

Wow, so many different opinions and experiences. I figure I can get about 2k for my m6 and 50 cron. I am definitely going dslr especially after reading some of these responses. But the question is should I get rid of my m6 combo for 2k? I like what someone said up above about having their m6 on the shelf looking pretty. But 2k can get me a nice F6 and a few primes or even a nice 20-200 vr. Sleepless nights up ahead while I decide 🙂

Thank you all for the feedback.

 

[shadowfox]

My dual Leica outfit weighs almost exactly the same as my SLR zoom kit and fits in the the same size of bag.

Nice choice for a DSLR! and the lens also.

I wish I can justify getting an E3, but I think it's time to upgrade my old E-300 to the upcoming E-620. 🙂

 

[momus1]

I loved the speed and ease with which you could get off a shot. It was great having lightening fast focus. Nice not to have to buy film. But the images it produced, and I had a DSLR that was as good as any, left too much to be desired. Flat colors, and the usual digital lack of tonal range. B&W was beyond hopeless. So away it went and good riddance.

 

[ampguy]

well one nice thing about Canons...

well one nice thing about Canons...

is that you can get adapters to use most any SLR glass, not sure about metering though, but I've not missed a meter in my D40 with old lenses.

I wouldn't even dream of owning a new Canon system after what they did to us FD lens owners!

 

[AshenLight]

After almost a year of not using either camera, I gave my S5 Pro to my ex-wife and my D80 to my daughter-in-law without an iota of regret. Although I appreciate all the reasons that folks have for liking and shooting digital, I'm just much happier with my rangefinders and TLRs.

Ash

 

[shadowfox]

is that you can get adapters to use most any SLR glass, not sure about metering though, but I've not missed a meter in my D40 with old lenses.

So can Olympus E-series.

 

[colker]

Best opinion re: digital vs film I've ever read on this forum.

yes... it's not about the toys.

 

[Tuolumne]

Try the Lumix G1. As small as a rangefinder, great kit lens, takes M lenses, a joy to use.

/T

 

[cmedin]

I wouldn't even dream of owning a new Canon system after what they did to us FD lens owners!

Oh, get over it already. Canon decided that trying to add further things to the legacy mount wouldn't be a good thing and did the rather risky move of starting fresh. The EF mount has been around for quite some time now, and look how nice and compatible it's been. Meanwhile, Nikon cranks out cameras that won't meter or AF older lenses, Pentax puts out SDM lenses which won't AF on older DSLR bodies, etc etc. Canon did something smart when they switched the mount and it's paid off bigtime in the long run.

 

[novum]

but is by no means discrete

I'd say if it exists and has boundaries, it's discrete. Now, discreet, probably not. Sorry, couldn't help myself.

 

[cmedin]

Here's a good example of "discreet" vs "not discreet". 😀 (I use both for "street')

 

[Ahmed Poltroon]

I wouldn't even dream of owning a new Canon system after what they did to us FD lens owners!

That is a very silly sentiment. The FD lens mount could not support modern AF electronics and had to be retired.

I supposed you never would want to use a computer since IBM betrayed you by halting production of selectric typewriters.

 

[Kevin]

Oh, get over it already. Canon decided that trying to add further things to the legacy mount wouldn't be a good thing and did the rather risky move of starting fresh. The EF mount has been around for quite some time now, and look how nice and compatible it's been. Meanwhile, Nikon cranks out cameras that won't meter or AF older lenses, Pentax puts out SDM lenses which won't AF on older DSLR bodies, etc etc. Canon did something smart when they switched the mount and it's paid off bigtime in the long run.

I got over Canon a very long time ago and simply bought cameras and lenses from other manufacturers. Never looked back. I still have about 15 excellent FD lenses however, which will hopefully get used again when that Samsung NX comes out and adapters for it become available.

 

[FrozenInTime]

The uncoated lens makes it even more discreet : the UV/IR filter on all those M8s must make them rather obviously on the street.

e.g. http://www.flickr.com/photos/nokton/2919275456/

Here's a good example of "discreet" vs "not discreet". 😀 (I use both for "street')