Hi guys, I need help deciding if I should switch to a Rangefinder setup. I currently own a d300s, 70-300mm VR IF-ED 4.5-5.6, 18-55mm 3.5-5.6, 50mm 1.8D setup. I was wondering if i sold all of my gear what kind of leica RF set up can I get hope to get? I prefer leica because their known for their reliable systems. The reason of me thinking of going to RF is because I want to enjoy just shooting pictures of the streets and people and don't want to lug around a dslr. Thanks a lot for your help!
Thinking of switching from DSLR set up to Leica RF
- Thread starter nthw1209
- Start date
artspraken
New Member
maybe u can begin by telling me how much $$$ u are likely to accumulate by liquidating your DSLR gear.
are you thinking of analog Leica or digital Leica?
are you thinking of analog Leica or digital Leica?
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I think you need to explore deeper what you mean by "I want to enjoy just shooting pictures of the streets and people and don't want to lug around a dslr."
Rangefinders, or Leica rangefinders for that matter, are not the only tools for street photography. Daido Moriyama has shot almost exclusively in Ricoh's compact GR1v and GR21 for the last decade. I'm sure there are many others too, who perfected scale focusing with film SLRs.
Digging deeper, voightlander and zeiss also produces capable rangefinder bodies that are viewed by some as ahead of Leica's in terms of modern conveniences.
Best is to come for RFSG outings to try out / molest one before you sell off your Nikon, only to prefer SLRs later.
Rangefinders, or Leica rangefinders for that matter, are not the only tools for street photography. Daido Moriyama has shot almost exclusively in Ricoh's compact GR1v and GR21 for the last decade. I'm sure there are many others too, who perfected scale focusing with film SLRs.
Digging deeper, voightlander and zeiss also produces capable rangefinder bodies that are viewed by some as ahead of Leica's in terms of modern conveniences.
Best is to come for RFSG outings to try out / molest one before you sell off your Nikon, only to prefer SLRs later.
@artspraken Probably about to estimate. Thinking of Digitals.
@mykelism well what I think about Rangefinders is that their simple yet robust and reliable. I prefer things that are simple much unlike dslrs (Just my point of view). And i find that i don't really shoot much sports which is what the d300s is primarily aimed at.
@mykelism well what I think about Rangefinders is that their simple yet robust and reliable. I prefer things that are simple much unlike dslrs (Just my point of view). And i find that i don't really shoot much sports which is what the d300s is primarily aimed at.
NazgulKing
Senior Member
Leica M8s go for 3K used at the minimum.
Consider Carl Zeiss ZM lenses as well. They are rated pretty highly and are cheaper than their Leica counterparts.
artspraken
New Member
U can find second hand m8 betw 3k to 4k depemding condition.
U can get zeiss 35mm biogon f2 or 50 sonnar f1.5 both approx 1.4k
Leica lenses depends on condition and model.
U can also consider CV lenses full pricelist on chiif cameras website
U can get zeiss 35mm biogon f2 or 50 sonnar f1.5 both approx 1.4k
Leica lenses depends on condition and model.
U can also consider CV lenses full pricelist on chiif cameras website
Hmmmm icic, thank you all for your contributions will definitely look into them. But let's say if were to take just 1 lens out to shoot, which would give me the best range? If i remember correctly the m8 has a 1.5x or 1.6x crop factor. Assuming a true 50mm is the most general range would it be better to pick 35mm?
aomoon
Member
RF is manual focus - regardless of analog & digital (that's one of the charm i guess)
M8 has crop factor of 1.3x, so for street I use either 28mm or 50mm (that will translate to 37mm or 65mm on full frame "view").
Now, i prefer to shoot with 50mm lens.
My advise for you to dive directly into Leica (if that's what you want in the first place and not get other camera/lens....i learn the hard way)
The moment you buy other gear than Leica, you will yearn for the Leica fix.
So, get the fix and yearn for other vintage brands
Here's an estimate on the used market
M8 - from S$3.2 - 3.5K
M8.2 - from S$4.5k (?)
M9 - $8.6 to 9K-ish
50mm Summilux - $2.3 to 2.8K
The Leica rabbit hole is very deep
Royale With Cheese
Senior Member
Erm...
I think you got all your facts wrong.
Digital M reliable? I dont quite agree............ I think your D300 is less prone to break down really. I'm not trying to be a snob here but honestly, your entire sale of DSLR set up would leave you with a not very good condition M8 with leftovers just for one UV/IR filter & still lens-less...
Why not try film RF from Konica/Voigtlander/Zeiss? or their lenses as an alternative to Leica?
Leica isn't everything really, it is not a magical tool.
Good example would be.......
I'm pretty sure ZoomP shoots better with the M9 + noctilux in comparison to JJ Lin with the same setup........
Hahahahaha! Sorry Dave! :bsmilie:
I think you need to explore deeper, read up more before taking the plunge.
You dont need a RF to shoot street. Check out these 2 guys from the streets sub forum, all shot on DSLR.
http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/threads/644960-Banana_Man-Perfected-Imperfections...
http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/threads/729290-Documenting-the-Human-Condition
I would suggest starting small to try if you would like the RF system or meet up with the guys during the next monthly outing to give the RF a system a test drive.
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artspraken
New Member
lol this question says alot about you. To help you I will emphasize that RF is same as any other camera with fixed lens. Focal range is personal preference depending on the type of photography you favour. This applies to all types of camera, not just RF. The only difference is that RF has no zoom lenses (although there is Tri Elmar which is still a type of fixed lens anyway). So you need to do some soul searching first as to what focal length you prefer.
I am sorry to have to a little bit harsh here. It is a fallacy to say that the D300S is for sports. It is like saying a spoon is for soup. Or a wheel is for bicycle.
Photography
As mykelism said, "explore deeper" into your photography. You _can_ do street photography with a DSLR too. From your responses, it seems to me that you are searching for convenient answers to your art. Be it a RF, a DSLR or a compact camera, they are just tools. In the right hands, anyone of them can turn out amazing photos.
Focal Length
No one can tell you what is the "best" focal length. You will have to explore this on your own. In fact, you can look through the photos that you have taken up to now and see what are the photos you are happy with. What focal length are they? Or is there a "common focal length" that shows up in your gallery of photos? 35 and 50mm are the most commonly loved focal lengths for street photography because of its versatility: Too far? Walk forward. Too near? Walk back. There goes your zoom. But check this forum out and you will see some love their 21s, 24s and 28s.
May I recommend that you spend more time in this forum and really delve through the richness of information that already exists?
When you are ready, you will know what you want.
And then perhaps instead of searching for answers, you will only seek guidance.
Oh yes, do consider the epson rd-1 series... the way the needles start up is just awesome and the rewind lever as part of the shooting flow is really lovely in a traditional rf way!
nthw1209,
a rangefinder is excellent for street photography.
Many of the classic masters have cut their teeth on street photography with rangefinders, especially Leicas.
Take HCB's Screw Mount Leicas, or Robert Frank, the indomitable Gary Winogrand or even the more contemporary Bruce Gilden
who uses Leica with a flash.
In fact, street photography has becomes so synonymous with Rangefinder that Chris Weeks wrote an ebook "Street Photography for the Purist", found
here: http://fc08.deviantart.com/fs11/f/2006/227/e/2/street_photography_for_the_purist.pdf
While the book is quite nazi about Leicas and Rangefinders in general, alot of the points are valid:
a. smaller form factor
b. no mirror slap, the viewfinder is always clear
c. silent (more leica than bessa)
d. DOF marking on lens, versus modern SLR lens which has no DOF markings. DOF = Hyperfocal focusing.
e. No Autofocus = Pre-focused or Zone Focusing.
etc
My suggestion, start with any cheap and good RF with a fixed lens (eg. Olympus 35RC or Canonet etc) first and see if you like it. If you do, then go both feet in and look at systems with interchangeable lens etc.
raytoei
Famous Rangoon Road Buk Kut Teh
M4-p with wwII Sonnar. Over-exposed by 2 -3 stops
Plus-X film developed in Xtol.
a rangefinder is excellent for street photography.
Many of the classic masters have cut their teeth on street photography with rangefinders, especially Leicas.
Take HCB's Screw Mount Leicas, or Robert Frank, the indomitable Gary Winogrand or even the more contemporary Bruce Gilden
who uses Leica with a flash.
In fact, street photography has becomes so synonymous with Rangefinder that Chris Weeks wrote an ebook "Street Photography for the Purist", found
here: http://fc08.deviantart.com/fs11/f/2006/227/e/2/street_photography_for_the_purist.pdf
While the book is quite nazi about Leicas and Rangefinders in general, alot of the points are valid:
a. smaller form factor
b. no mirror slap, the viewfinder is always clear
c. silent (more leica than bessa)
d. DOF marking on lens, versus modern SLR lens which has no DOF markings. DOF = Hyperfocal focusing.
e. No Autofocus = Pre-focused or Zone Focusing.
etc
My suggestion, start with any cheap and good RF with a fixed lens (eg. Olympus 35RC or Canonet etc) first and see if you like it. If you do, then go both feet in and look at systems with interchangeable lens etc.
raytoei
Famous Rangoon Road Buk Kut Teh
M4-p with wwII Sonnar. Over-exposed by 2 -3 stops
Plus-X film developed in Xtol.
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Thank you all for your guidance and opinions. What I really meant was that I feel that RF's especially in a country like singapore would be a much better tool than a dslr. For one its much less intimidating and at the same time produces superb image quality. The fact is I've only just started photography as a hobby very recently so pardon my negligence in this subject. But I completely agree with bravia whereby i need to read up more. The digital RF route would really burn a whole in my pocket and I think I should consider all the variables first. Once again thank you all for your opinions. Maybe I might as raytoei suggested, try out a cheaper RF first.
Maybe I might as raytoei suggested, try out a cheaper RF first.
sim4nee
Senior Member
And our local, quiet contributor to RF Calreance Loi, http://clarenceloi.wordpress.com/2011/05/13/shes-not-a-guitarist/
artspraken
New Member
Dun need read lah. Just join next RF outing you can tryout our RF and see how. Also can go shop and try.
sim4nee
Senior Member
Uncle sim4nee is a good example, he shoot same genre with 101 different type of camera, he can also shoot 101 genre with 1 camera!
Always remember, the camera is never excuse of being a good or bad photographer. If we really have say it is the camera that make the difference then yes, but it has to be your skill of operating it that count.
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