Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2010/10/24
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Congrats, Bob! I tried using Leica glass with manual focus on DSLR. It's a waste of time, and time I don't have in one-time-only situations. If I hadn't been into Canon glass at the beginning, I would of opted for a Nikon. In that earlier time, the Canon, being plastic, was a light back-up for chromes, while shooting with a Rollei. I just cant seem to get the missus to let me spring for more L glass!!! S.d. On Oct 24, 2010, at 1:37 PM, Bob Shaw wrote: > I was drawn to the D700 based on multiple Leitax posts and from > other internet sources. > > I went to Glaser's Camera in Seattle (Leica dealer) and negotiated - > as in I didn't get stabbed too deeply - and traded of my entire R > Kit: R8, R9, 28-90 Asph, 70-180 APO, Motor Drive and Charger for > what I thought was going to be a D700 with two zooms of similar > range (if not quality). > > I ended up with a 5D Mk II, 24-105 USM, 70-200 USM MkII and a 430 Mk > II flash, primarily because the comparable Nikon kit was nearly > $900.00 more for Nikon. Because I promised myself whatever I > "bought" would have to be a net zero transaction. Nothing personal; > just business. > > Now in my opinion either camera is a major improvement just for the > ease of shooting. > > So, why all of a sudden this change? > > 1. After roughly 300 exposures, I see that I am now getting back > what I saw through the view finder, not what the CD yields after > scanning Leica R negs. Dynamic Range to Burn. > > 2. Almost all my shots are in focus. If they're not, it's still my > fault for not believing what the little red rectangles were trying > to tell me. > > 3. The full-frame sensor produces tons of dynamic range and very > rewarding enlargements. Of course, same with D700. > > 4. No more tiresome whining about poor shots to my patient, long- > suffering wife. > > 5. I really grew tired of waiting for an R10 to hook up with my > legacy Leica glass. > > 6. Oh yeah, and I'm not getting any younger (indirect quote from Dr. > Ted). > > So my only film camera now is the trusty Contax T2 which is in rehab > while I look for a replacement back door - the Kyocera Ceramic film > pressure plate developed a hairline crack, rendering all exposures > just slightly out of focus. My wife can't wait for it to get well - > she loves the camera and what it yields. But it's a keeper. > > To be sure, the Canon(Nikon) lenses are no match for the heft, > haptics and results of Leica glass, but I've also been a bit amazed > at the results from the new 70-200, especially hand held. Come to > think of it, the new 24-70 makes a great "on-camera" lens when I use > it properly. > > This isn't about D700 vs 5D Mk II. It's about the freedom for an > older guy with a less steady hand and focusing eye to harvest images > worthy of keeping in iPhoto for later "migration" to Aperture for > serious fine tuning. > > This change has been so easy I almost felt guilty. But I don't. > > I'm enjoying photography again and will continue to contribute to > the LUG as long I can be helpful and learn from such a fine > collection of ladies and gentleman photographers. > > > Cheers, Bob in Seattle > > > Bob Shaw > rsphotoimages at comcast.net > > > > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information