Thinking of switching from DSLR set up to Leica RF

[sim4nee]

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.

All good point, but there is 1 important factor you forgot to add, there wasn't any advance system like we have now, if there were digital SLR then I think all those master might have abandon RF cause with SLR, AF in that matter they wouldn't have missed as many shots in their entire career. Hmmm make me wonder why I bought so many RF camera hahaha!

 

[Bravia]

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.

That is a fantastic attitude and I congratulate you for that.
You will find that when you help yourself, you will be able to get lots of really excellent information in this forum.
I suggest starting with the stickies.
Thereafter, when you need guidance from the RF community, you will find there is no shortage of help here.

 

[pikapig]

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!

Yah..i think ur D300s is more reliable compared to digital leica...u can go thru the old threads....there are some for ur reference..
By e way, do note that seldom on RF, ppl uses long focal length lenses...this is because, the system of RF don really support long focal length..as far as i know, 90mm seems to be the furthest lens possible..

n like most recommended, do try out a film rf to see if you really like it. Somehow or rather, i still feel that ur Nikon setup is still required...for events etc...

 

[ahsim]

You might also want to consider a Contax G2, Many purists do not think of it as a rangefinder, but it's good for street and general photography. Any of the 28, 35 or 45mm could be your main lens - they are all excellent. It is certainly not intimidating, just a tad noisy because of the AF (no usm or swm...) but it should be a good transition from an AF SLR... motorised film advance, easy film loading

 

[artspraken]

OP did not mention street photgraphy at all. He may not like street at all. He stated he was interested in RF only. He also was considering digital not film

I dun think he would be interested in Contax g2

 

[pixelbrain]

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.

wisest words I've heard today

 

[Benji77]

Let's bring some math into the equation

If you sell your Nikon set up, you may get this $1,580(lowest quote)

1. D300s = $1000
2. 70-300mm = $300
3. 50mm = $120
4. 18-55mm = $60
5. Filters, bags, etc = $100

If you buy Digital RF (M8 + one lens), you may spend this $4,266 (lowest quote)

• M8 = $3,100
• 35mm Voigtlander 1.4 $650
• UV IR B+W filter 43mm = $90
• Bag (Billingham or Artisan/Artist = $200
• Camera strap Voigtlander black = $46 (brand new)
• Spare battery M8 = $180 (brand new)
• Bus ride home = $0.00 Please walk

You need to cough up $2,686 (nice number I know). Are you willing to do this, and loose the flexibility of your D300s?

You loose -

1. High ISO control
2. Long battery life
3. Ability to shoot long focal length = 135mm and above
4. Autofocus
5. The regular ugly bags DSLR's are held in
6. The use of tripods
7. Fast shutter speeds
8. Consistency and reliability of the DSLR's

You get -

• A beautiful camera, bag, strap & lens

I personally recommend you to keep your DSLR set up, trim it if you need to raise cost, but don't sell it first. Try a film RF, if you like it, then go all out for the M8/9. A film RF will cost you $1,500 for a wonderful Bessa & simple, kick ass lens. You can still use this lens on the M8/9.

All the best, and please do join us for the next outing in June
Yes, we hardcore ppl meet once a month, not to mention the weekly poison some of us do:bsmilie:

 

[aomoon]

Let's bring some math into the equation

If you sell your Nikon set up, you may get this $1,580(lowest quote)

1. D300s = $1000
2. 70-300mm = $300
3. 50mm = $120
4. 18-55mm = $60
5. Filters, bags, etc = $100

If you buy Digital RF (M8 + one lens), you may spend this $4,266 (lowest quote)

• M8 = $3,100
• 35mm Voigtlander 1.4 $650
• UV IR B+W filter 43mm = $90
• Bag (Billingham or Artisan/Artist = $200
• Camera strap Voigtlander black = $46 (brand new)
• Spare battery M8 = $180 (brand new)
• Bus ride home = $0.00 Please walk

You need to cough up $2,686 (nice number I know). Are you willing to do this, and loose the flexibility of your D300s?

You loose -

1. High ISO control
2. Long battery life
3. Ability to shoot long focal length = 135mm and above
4. Autofocus
5. The regular ugly bags DSLR's are held in
6. The use of tripods
7. Fast shutter speeds
8. Consistency and reliability of the DSLR's

You get -

• A beautiful camera, bag, strap & lens

I personally recommend you to keep your DSLR set up, trim it if you need to raise cost, but don't sell it first. Try a film RF, if you like it, then go all out for the M8/9. A film RF will cost you $1,500 for a wonderful Bessa & simple, kick ass lens. You can still use this lens on the M8/9.

All the best, and please do join us for the next outing in June
Yes, we hardcore ppl meet once a month, not to mention the weekly poison some of us do:bsmilie:

LMAO !!! +1
Yes, walk back from North Bridge road back to home ...taking street photog along the way

 

[sharps]

i went digital RF...

cough up much more than 4266, almost 6k + in a month or 2 of owning it

 

[ahling]

Let's bring some math into the equation

If you sell your Nikon set up, you may get this $1,580(lowest quote)

1. D300s = $1000
2. 70-300mm = $300
3. 50mm = $120
4. 18-55mm = $60
5. Filters, bags, etc = $100

If you buy Digital RF (M8 + one lens), you may spend this $4,266 (lowest quote)

• M8 = $3,100
• 35mm Voigtlander 1.4 $650
• UV IR B+W filter 43mm = $90
• Bag (Billingham or Artisan/Artist = $200
• Camera strap Voigtlander black = $46 (brand new)
• Spare battery M8 = $180 (brand new)
• Bus ride home = $0.00 Please walk

You need to cough up $2,686 (nice number I know). Are you willing to do this, and loose the flexibility of your D300s?

You loose -

1. High ISO control
2. Long battery life
3. Ability to shoot long focal length = 135mm and above
4. Autofocus
5. The regular ugly bags DSLR's are held in
6. The use of tripods
7. Fast shutter speeds
8. Consistency and reliability of the DSLR's

You get -

• A beautiful camera, bag, strap & lens

I personally recommend you to keep your DSLR set up, trim it if you need to raise cost, but don't sell it first. Try a film RF, if you like it, then go all out for the M8/9. A film RF will cost you $1,500 for a wonderful Bessa & simple, kick ass lens. You can still use this lens on the M8/9.

All the best, and please do join us for the next outing in June
Yes, we hardcore ppl meet once a month, not to mention the weekly poison some of us do:bsmilie:

This is indeed what is termed: Poisoning...
Well calculated...

 

[lrrp77]

To TS:

Check out Danny Santos & his work on Orchard Road:

http://www.dannyst.com/about/


His camera gear:

Nikon D300
Nikkor 85mm f1.4D
Nikkor 20mm f2.8D

 

[esmallits]

Or.. Get a Fujifilm X100 (it is a RF to a certain extent), pay using Credit Card.. Use for a few weeks to see if the limitations (switch off the AF and EVF) works in your favour.. If not, sell it before you are due to pay your card bills. The difference will be rental. Should not be too expensive. ;p

 

[zixaw]

Or.. Get a Fujifilm X100 (it is a RF to a certain extent), pay using Credit Card.. Use for a few weeks to see if the limitations (switch off the AF and EVF) works in your favour.. If not, sell it before you are due to pay your card bills. The difference will be rental. Should not be too expensive. ;p

Not trying to nitpick but the X100 is really not a rangefinder. It just looks like one. Plus manual focus on the X100 is a real PITA. It will sour your impression of all rangefinders if you go that route.

 

[chiif]

Not trying to nitpick but the X100 is really not a rangefinder. It just looks like one. Plus manual focus on the X100 is a real PITA. It will sour your impression of all rangefinders if you go that route.

I understand many people feel and think the X100 is not a rangefinder camera. Yes, by strictest definition, it might not be. From wiki: "A rangefinder camera is a camera fitted with a rangefinder: a range-finding focusing mechanism allowing the photographer to measure the subject distance and take photographs that are in sharp focus. "

X100 uses contrast based AF mechanism to achieve focusing, so, it is not a rangefinder camera.

After reading so many posts and comments, I have one question in mind: Does one have to switch to rangefinder or Leica to enjoy photography?

I feel, this Leica thingy is over hype nowadays... many people think and feel using a Leica camera and lens will make them a better photographer or enjoy photography better. Well, it might be true. And personally, I don't think so. Many people think that the Leica cameras are the best built cameras of all time and they last for generations and generations... I don't think so too. If you have used the Rolleiflex or even the Nikon S, you will appreciate what is good craftmanship and engineering. Yes, Leica is well built. But it is not the best. Definitely not the current version of M8 & M9. To enjoy photography, one do not have to bent all the way to buy a Leica M. Buying a Leica M, do not necessary make one a better photographer, but definitely a poorer photographer *kidding*.

Anyway, the X100 to many people might be the right cup of tea, but to me, it made me tear when I held it to my eye. First time in many years, that I felt like taking pictures again. Yes, it's a point and shoot. But the bright and modern viewfinder is definitely a winner to me. Though the close distance parallax focusing issue is a PITA.

I hope Canon & Nikon and other manufacturers invest more time in ergonomics in their cameras, instead of mega-pixel chase. The implementation of the hybrid viewfinder will definitely revolutionize the RF camera industry. Like it or not, I feel, the Leica digital camera should have the X100 viewfinder. I believe the M9 Titanium is using the electronic LED frame lines like the X100.

 

[zixaw]

Agree with what Chiif said about not needing a Leica for rangefinder photography and to continue that line of thought, not needing a rangefinder for street photography.

To be honest, if you already have a DSLR, buy a nice prime lens and you are good to go. If you want Leica glass, buy an adapter and a good condition R lens.

 

[larrytok]

ya.. i m sure leica makes one poorer.. i went from d700 setup to m9.. made me cough out more than 6k even after selling 1 of my 70-200 f2.8 II.. but once u get into it.. its something different.. not sure how to explain but.. to me its quite fun haha.. m8 is around 1.3x multiplier. just note you will lose the convenience of AF and high iso capabilities, even for m9. i have never actually tried rangefinder before, i went for it and loved it haha.. i do believe that m8 is a good start though, considering i have seen some of the sets being sold at around 2.9k.

 

[idi0tekue]

I would suggest u not to sell your dslr gear but get a cheap RF with 35mm lens and try it out. A Bessa R2a plus 35mm f1.4 will only cost you about 1.6k. Shoot both RF and dslr and discover which u prefer. For me I decided to keep both system as both have their qualities and it's refreshing to alternate between the two systems.

in fact there are no logical advantages for using RFs over dslrs. People are still going to notice your cameras. Put on a slim prime lens and most people dun see the difference between RFs and dslrs. Since u are using nikon, try the 24mm f2.8d and 35mm f1.8 both are AF lens and shorter than leica 35mm.

To me the advantage of using RFs is just fun, and technical wise only the viewfinder is superior.

 

[hookonclassic]

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!

Hi, welcome to the world of RF photography...just go for it...it is a nice experience...I don't know how much your existing set can fetch...you should keep your existing set and buy a user film RF like Leica M2 and a trusty 50mm Summicron to kick start (well, there are other cheaper alternative but I recommend you this combination for some reason)...this will surely let you get a feel of the RF world...

 

[dtohs]

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!

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.

1. You mentioned you just started photography and you enjoy shooting on the streets, can u resist your RF purchase for now? since you already bought your DSLR, why not use it more for street shooting to find out what u like? Once you get past that, RF may be a plus point for u next time. Of course if you can’t wait then you just answered your own question, in this case.. go to para 2..

2. mai tu liao.. I advise you to just get the minimal start-up and the best that you can afford now. May sound poisonous, but you will thank me later.

3. While we enjoy shooting RF, we dont necessary take better pic than other non Rf users. On the same note, with regards to the camera-vs-intimidating factor, its the photographer that decides how intruding he wants to be. You can shoot with a SLR with fixed 50mm and still be stealthy, but if you choose to be I-have-balls-hence-I-shoot-in-your-face, then whichever camera works, this is what I meant that u should explore more with your DSLR.

 

[tcy81]

if you choose to be I-have-balls-hence-I-shoot-in-your-face

Haha I like this statement. Can be quite intimidating to shoot in ppl's face