What will a Leica M user experience...

[steveyork]

if they go to Nikon rangefinders? I'm thinking principally here of the limited edition models.

I've used M6s and now MPs for the last 15 years as a reference. I got into Leicas when only they were making rangefinders, and I'm way past the name association thing. I shoot mostly C41 print film; a lot of B&W and a little color. I pretty much stick with the 35-50-90 focal lengths, although I picked up a used 135 for an upcoming trip to the Galapogas. Most of my subjects, however, are people. I wear glasses.

Anyone have any ideas what I would experience if I made the change?

 

[ferider]

You will miss the M RF patch. On the other hand, if you are thinking about the SP, the 28 vf is great. The Nikkors are good lenses, but you will be limited in lens selection, compared to an M. There is no modern fast tele, among others.

 

[sp9107sp]

negative size

negative size

if you print 8x10 prints you will not waste much of the negative making the print, the I's 24x32 is the correct for 8x10 format

 

[rbsinto]

if they go to Nikon rangefinders? I'm thinking principally here of the limited edition models.

I've used M6s and now MPs for the last 15 years as a reference. I got into Leicas when only they were making rangefinders, and I'm way past the name association thing. I shoot mostly C41 print film; a lot of B&W and a little color. I pretty much stick with the 35-50-90 focal lengths, although I picked up a used 135 for an upcoming trip to the Galapogas. Most of my subjects, however, are people. I wear glasses.

Anyone have any ideas what I would experience if I made the change?

Unclear as to why you'd limit yourself to the "limited edition models" as opposed to vintage SPs or S3s with bright, contrasty optics, which can be had at much better prices than the re-issued cameras.
I've got three vintage bodies (two S3s and an SP) and they're all quite shoot-worthy, including the $565.00 ebay beater S3 that I took out of the shipping box and started using eighteen months ago without any CLA.
Are the rangefinders as good as those of Leicas? Not by a longshot. But on the other hand they're Nikons and short of Nuclear Holocaust, they'll be working long after you and I are dead, gone, buried and forgotten.