What do I get to compliment my FM2?

[lencap]

Hi - I have a FM2 from many years ago that I just started using. I'm enjoying it very much. But I have a young grandson and find that my eyes and skills aren't what they used to be. I wind up missing a lot of shots.

As much as I don't like the incredibly complicated DSLR cameras and their weight and plastic feel, I do admit that with autofocus and fast automated settings I'll likely get a lot more pictures of my grandson that with the FM2.

So, what do I get? I've just looked at a Nikon D7000, D3100. I've heard good things (from the store salesmen) about the Canon cameras as well ($900 kit, don't recall the model). They all feel cramped in my hand, but they do take fast, reasonable shots. The dealer started talking about the full frame digital cameras - Nikon D700, D3, Canon 5DII - but my head started to spin before I absorbed it all.

Frankly none of these cameras can compare to the feel of my FM2, but they seem to be the tools that we have. I'm not too keen on spending the money on a DX solution only to find that the DX lenses won't work on a FX camera. I also don't like the crop factor, so I prefer the full frame cameras, but at the prices that I'd have to pay I'd rather save up for a M8 or M9.

Anyone else in this boat? What was your solution?

Thanks

 

[LeicaFan]

FF Nikon bodies can be used with DX lenses, however, the image will be cropped. FF Canon bodies only accept EF mount lenses. Canon lenses made for the crop frame bodies are EF-S mount.

If you are looking for a good FF body, but do not want to spend a lot of money, the 5Dc is probably your best bet. It has more than enough megapixels and its IQ is fantastic. I think you can get one for about $1000-$1300.

 

[sparrow6224]

Wes is right, the original 5D is available for about what you'd pay for the Nikon D7000 -- both without lenses -- but keep in mind you'd have to get it used. For used, the most reliable and trustworthy source is KEH.com

However, I'd like to suggest a few other things.

First, film: the Nikon F100 might be the best enthusiast/amateur auto focus camera ever made and you can pick one up these days for $150. A $100 Nikkor AF-D 50mm F1.8 or the slightly more expensive 50mm F/1.4 and you're good to go. Add the old 70-210 zoom, maybe the 24 Af-D and you got the whole gamut covered before you've broken $500.

For digital: forget dslr and full format versus 1.5 crops etc. What you need is something high quality and simple. Go and look at the Canon G12. It feels in the hand like a real camera. Or the Canon S95 or the Panaonic Lumix DX5 or whateve r it's called. These are hte high end point and shoot cameras and they do EXCELLENT work that will be suitable for 8 x 10 prints if you choose. They're easy to handle, they auto focus quickly and offer very high image quality.

 

[sparrow6224]

PS I just checked and KEH has a slew of 5Ds for $1000-1250. What they call "bargain" you or I would call excellent.

 

[LeicaFan]

In addition to keh.com, I would also suggest fredmiranda.com.

I have done a lot of business on FM and many of those guys are real gentlemen.

 

[sevo]

For family pictures? Get a D70. These sell for little more than $200 used, will still handle all your FM2 lenses and every generation of Nikon AF lenses, and have more than enough resolution for 10x15" prints (the upper limit for photo books, i.e. the biggest you are likely to do with family snapshots). All in all that is everything you really need. Buy good lenses if that leaves you with cash to spare - these are far more critical for image quality than camera bodies...

 

[acs]

Some thoughts/ ideas...

FE2 -- what you have but with AE

F80 or F100 -- the F80 is a nice lightweight body that's easy to carry around (maybe add an old 28-105 or 28-200, F100 faster and more solid build

D80 -- probably the oldest 2nd hand body I'd look at. Bodies like the D70 were great but, personally, I think they're getting too old to put money into. The D80 is still a fairly recent body and has a reasonable feature set including in-body motor.

D3100 (kit) or D90 -- new bodies. The D90 has the in-body motor for older AF (non AFS) lenses.

D300 or D700 -- more pro spec DX and FF bodies if you're happy to pay more.

As mentioned in an earlier post, FF lenses work fine on DX bodies (unless you have a screw driven AF lens and a body with no in-body motor). The problem would be getting something wide enough if you were trying to avoid DX lenses.

If you don't want to spend too much, the kit DX lenses: 18-55 and 55-200 are surprisingly good quality although they are built from really light-weight materials and lack some of the nicer features of higher-end lenses (non-rotating filter mount, metal mount, etc.)

Other things to look at might be: Canon S95 or G12, Panasonic LX5, or maybe a G1/ GF1

 

[LStRomain]

For family pictures? Get a D70. These sell for little more than $200 used, will still handle all your FM2 lenses and every generation of Nikon AF lenses, and have more than enough resolution for 10x15" prints (the upper limit for photo books, i.e. the biggest you are likely to do with family snapshots). All in all that is everything you really need. Buy good lenses if that leaves you with cash to spare - these are far more critical for image quality than camera bodies...

that was my thought as well

 

[daveleo]

don't discard smaller sensors

don't discard smaller sensors

I still own and use my FM3A and love it enourmously (and my Hexar, Minolta SRT101, etc etc etc), and have a Leica Digilux-2 and a Panasonic LX-3 digital cameras.

Two months ago I took a change and bought a used Nikon D60 (factory refurbished) and the 35mm/f1.8 lens (DX design) to shoot a friend's wedding ! . . . and I am in LOVE with the little D60. Even the 8X10 wedding prints came out extremely nice. Of course, 4X6 and 5X7 prints were just lovely.

Again . . . cameras with the APS sized sensor are not junk (by any means).

 

[daveleo]

. . . . . I also don't like the crop factor, so I prefer the full frame cameras, but at the prices that I'd have to pay I'd rather save up for a M8 or M9.
. . . .

I just caught that sentence now . . . (1) I'm pretty sure the M8 has approximately the same size sensor as the APS sensored Nikons and Canon (and it'll cost you a lot lot more $$) and (2) .... an M9 for family photos? . . . I think the M9 body only goes for $6000 and a decent lens is another $2500 at least . . . that's a chunk of money !

 

[LeicaFan]

I still own and use my FM3A and love it enourmously (and my Hexar, Minolta SRT101, etc etc etc), and have a Leica Digilux-2 and a Panasonic LX-3 digital cameras.

Two months ago I took a change and bought a used Nikon D60 (factory refurbished) and the 35mm/f1.8 lens (DX design) to shoot a friend's wedding ! . . . and I am in LOVE with the little D60. Even the 8X10 wedding prints came out extremely nice. Of course, 4X6 and 5X7 prints were just lovely.

Again . . . cameras with the APS sized sensor are not junk (by any means).

My first camera was a D60 and I bought the 35/1.8 was the first lens that I bought (after the kit lens). The D60 and the 35/1.8 is an amazing combination.