thinking of going back to a DSLR

[photogdave]

Hey Brett,
A couple of thoughts: Have you ever tried a medium format RF like a folder or a Fuji GA645?
The Pentax DSLRs are great cameras and the lenses are fantastic. I also really like the small Olympus models like the E420 and the new E620, which has some fun shooting modes. The little 25mm pancake lens for the E system is really good too!

 

[dryice66]

let the GAS out - you'll be pleased you did. It's human nature to want to explore and tinker.
I say get a DSLR and explore the creativity that brings as well. Have fun - I did - I did all of the above - 120 / Dslr / Holgas --- and I had fun - that's the bottom line (and some great pictures hopefully)

 

[mcgrattan]

Pentax dSLRs are good [I have the Samsung equivalent]. Here in the UK at least, good Pentax primes are actually quite hard to get cheaply second-hand, they seem to hold their value more than some of the other manufacturer's primes. On the plus side, the basic kit zooms are pretty good.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

The K20D is a great camera, and there is no equivalent anywhere to its compact primes. I have the DA35 Macro Limited and FA43 Limited, and they are absolutely great. The new 55-300 zoom is also incredible for the price.

Personally, I think a DSLR complements rangefinders really well.

 

[colker]

hey guys.. long time no see! I haven't exposed any film for quite a while now, and I need to find something to get me excited about shooting again

I think my problem is that I've gotten into a rut and need to explore a different style of shooting.. which makes me think that maybe I need something other than a rangefinder, which is pretty much the only kind of camera I have now (and about 8 of them, at that)

this probably isn't the most objective group to ask, but I've been kicking around the idea of selling or trading my Zeiss Ikon in order to pick up a Pentax K20D

I would probably start out with a basic kit lens while I look around for some good deals on older Pentax glass.. I should be able to get some good primes and a nice long lens fairly cheap

thoughts? comments?

large format!

 

[ChrisN]

Hi Brett

Good to see you back again! I'll echo what others have said about the K20D, and the great Pentax lenses, and that unfortunately everyone else has discoved how good the old lenses are. But I must say that I keep bouncing back to film for B&W work - nothing else satisfies! So get a Pentax film body to go alongside the digital, and stick to full-frame lenses, so you can keep a foot in both camps. Grow an extra leg and you can keep a foot in the rangefinder camp too. 🙂

Cheers!

 

[djonesii]

Dear Forum .....

I'm on my second round of range-finders (M7), have a G1, and a Fuji GA645, and a full Nikon kit. Some of us just have that collectors syndrome! (GAS)

On the other hand, I am taking a class at the local university under the continuing studies department. It's taught by a local photo journalist, and the course title is making extraordinary images of ordinary life, or something like that. For 8 week, I get a new "photo assignment" and treat it as if an editor gave me a real bit of work to do, the subjects have not been my usual rut, and it gets me a chance to play with my toys, for me it's working out well.

So, save the money from a DSLR, then spend it on going to use your RF somewhere. I'd bet you could spend two or three weekends shooting in a close by city for the cost of a DSLR + a nice lens ... that would probably get you out of a rut and GAS more than the same $ on a new body.

( he says as he is drooling over an M8!)

Dave

 

[Dave Wilkinson]

Another 'option' - I'm playing with at the moment....D40's can be had very cheaply now, and if you have some good old Nikkor glass, results can be superb!
Dave.

 

[feenej]

Hey Brett. Yeah, I say whatever gets you out shooting again is good. btw We should get together again at Scott's house. Weather should be warm again very soon.

 

[skeletron]

I've seen more and more rumors that the K30D will be released in around 2 months (or at least this year) and it's going to be significantly different than the K20D in design. Just something to keep in mind.

As for cheaply getting out of a rut, have you had much of a look at the nicer compact/P&S digitals? DP1, DP2, G10, LX3 are all comparable to lower-end DSLRs and are still compact enough to carry around. I'm taking a lot more photos now that my LX3 goes everywhere I go.

 

[LeicaFoReVer]

And now I see that all RF lovers have almost the same taste!! That is great, all the lenses listed were on my list when I was thinking to buy a digital, e420, dp1, G1 etc...

And I used pentax k100d super for about a year with very satisfactory results I even tried Pentax 6x7 lenses on k100d but I got bored of it...finally I sold my pentax and leave myself alone with my lovely M6..

but I still think to buy something digital but still must have a taste of film..dp1 is very successful on that and the possibility of using leica-m lenses on G1 makes it attactive to me too...

Can I ask where you got the adaptor for G1 to use M lenses?

 

[Tuolumne]

I can't stop shoooting my Lumix G1.

/T

 

[kevin m]

Canon 5D Mk1's can be had for about $1,000 if you shop carefully. It's hard to imagine a better bargain out there in a digital platform. And it's "pre-depreciated!" 😛

 

[cysasam]

A change in something always does the trick for me when I'm in a rut. If changing cams does it for you, do so 🙂 A change in usual shooting locations also can give me a kickstart. Another city, as someone else mentioned.

 

[javimm]

Canon 5D Mk1's can be had for about $1,000 if you shop carefully. It's hard to imagine a better bargain out there in a digital platform. And it's "pre-depreciated!" 😛

That's exactly what I was going to suggest. I'm even considering it for some time, as the 5D Mark I is "outdated" now, but it still has superb IQ and the prices today are very tempting.

My situation is different though. I only have two bodies, a M6 and a Canon 350D DSLR that I don't like, don't want and don't use. What I really want is a DRF, but the two options offered today don't attract me much.

I think a DSLR could be a good move. And the 5D is a good camera. Couple it with a 24-70 L lens and you're good to go. I've shot with that combo and the results are nothing short of spectacular. A bit heavy though.

Anyway, I still love what I', getting from the M6. I only shoot B&W, and sometimes I'd like to shoot color, but for some unknown reasons, I don't want to shoot color with the M6. Now that's spring I'm going to try some Velvia for the first time.

Do what feels better and works for you.

 

[Gaspar]

Get a canon or a nikon film autofocus everything and a tamron soom with macro capabilities. Much cheaper than a dslr (i got a nikon F601 - 28-80 tamron zoom for $50)

That will give you the versatility you need withou the cost.

 

[Chris101]

Go for a DSLR if that is what is occuring to you. I have a D70 that takes IR pictures. When I want to do something 'different' that is what I use.

 

[SolaresLarrave]

Hello, Brett! Nice to see you're back!

Excuse my curiosity... but didn't you have already a dSLR? I could have bet you had a Nikon D70.

In any case... that's how I was when I "fell" into rangefinders: in a rut.

To get out... either wait for the summer, of go Speed Graphic.

Take care! 🙂

 

[ChrisPlatt]

Pentax *film* SLRs are wonderful...

Chris

 

[MaxElmar]

Let's see - could we interest you in something reasonably small, light, super quiet and very reliable? Something that can produce images of astonishing quality? Something really different that will challenge your creativity?

Two words: Rolleiflex or Rolleicord