M
Matt Cullen
Guest
Hi everyone, this is my first time posting here after browsing for the last two days, mostly in the this M forum. I'll give some background, I've pretty much always been an SLR shooter. I started using my dad's Pentax Spotmatic II, then when digital SLRs started becoming more affordable I switched to digital. I used to shoot with Canon but for the last couple of years I've been shooting with Nikon gear, mainly a D2X and F100, I recently sold my D200. I usually shoot events such as birthday parties, bar mitzvahs, receptions, as well as some sports and model work for pay. However on my one time I do mostly nature and street photography.
Now I love my Nikon system, and for wildlife and macro photography it's indispensable. On the other hand, there are plenty of times when I'm out shooting in the city and would love to have something lighter smaller, and more discreet but not at the expense of image quality. I've pretty much ruled out most point and shoot cameras due to the lack of low light performance both as a result of the small sensors and lens speeds, as well as the lack of RAW. I also prefer prime lenses to zooms, even with my SLRs, definitely a big fan of fast glass and selective focus.
When I was first considering an M-mount rangefinder I was looking at the Zeiss Ikon and ZM lenses, but after reading more and more on Leica lenses, looking and sample images, and finally actually handling and trying out an M8, there isn't much doubt in my mind that I'd prefer a Leica system. As far as lenses it seems like the 75mm FL makes the most sense to me, since my 85mm f/1.4 is on my F100 most of the time, I'm more of a telephoto guy than a wide-angle guy. Eventually I'd probably want 50 and 35mm lenses as well. Starting out I've been looking at used M7 and M6 bodies, although I'd really like an M8. With this kind of investment in lenses digital would be nice, especially if I want to use the camera for events and sell prints. However a cheaper body would also allow me to spend more on lenses initially. I'm also considering this system as an alternative to buying either a D700, or Sony a900 and Zeiss lenses as a primary walking around camera.
Any body advice, lens advice, experiences, samples.. etc would be much appreciated. My flickr page is in my sig to give you an idea of some of the things I photograph in my own time, no client work is on there. Thanks.
Now I love my Nikon system, and for wildlife and macro photography it's indispensable. On the other hand, there are plenty of times when I'm out shooting in the city and would love to have something lighter smaller, and more discreet but not at the expense of image quality. I've pretty much ruled out most point and shoot cameras due to the lack of low light performance both as a result of the small sensors and lens speeds, as well as the lack of RAW. I also prefer prime lenses to zooms, even with my SLRs, definitely a big fan of fast glass and selective focus.
When I was first considering an M-mount rangefinder I was looking at the Zeiss Ikon and ZM lenses, but after reading more and more on Leica lenses, looking and sample images, and finally actually handling and trying out an M8, there isn't much doubt in my mind that I'd prefer a Leica system. As far as lenses it seems like the 75mm FL makes the most sense to me, since my 85mm f/1.4 is on my F100 most of the time, I'm more of a telephoto guy than a wide-angle guy. Eventually I'd probably want 50 and 35mm lenses as well. Starting out I've been looking at used M7 and M6 bodies, although I'd really like an M8. With this kind of investment in lenses digital would be nice, especially if I want to use the camera for events and sell prints. However a cheaper body would also allow me to spend more on lenses initially. I'm also considering this system as an alternative to buying either a D700, or Sony a900 and Zeiss lenses as a primary walking around camera.
Any body advice, lens advice, experiences, samples.. etc would be much appreciated. My flickr page is in my sig to give you an idea of some of the things I photograph in my own time, no client work is on there. Thanks.