Digital camera frustration

Hah!

Have you looked at the Fuji X Pro2?

EJS posted:

I grew up with Leica Ms, sold them when I eventually had the choice between having to wait four weeks for sloppily processed slides, or an M8 that was frustratingly idiosyncratic. Since that time, I went through a number of systems: Nikon, Sony, and currently Olympus. They do the job increasingly well, but I'm finding myself more and more disconnected with the act of taking pictures. Although I do rather like the new Fujis and the Oly EM1ii - there is a sense of character - they are cheapened by the ridiculous number of gimmicks and options. The new Sony A9 is a lowpoint. Technically impressive but so bland... an iPhone camera on steroids.

I've had these feelings for a while (and the A9 test really didn't help) - but earlier this evening, realisation dawned: this is my mind, hard at work convincing the rest of me of the business case for a new Leica M10, despite its ridiculous price and out of date sensor spec. I'm really glad I figured this out in time - buying another camera is hardly a long term solution, it will likely have its own share of frustrations, and digital Ms are nowadays best known for one characteristic above all: they all go back to Solms.

I'm liberated - now where to find one...

cheers,

EJ

You can also fix the problem by buying a black box, this leaves you with no budget for replacement and just the option of liking what you have....

EJS posted:

this is my mind, hard at work convincing the rest of me of the business case for a new Leica M10, despite its ridiculous price and out of date sensor spec. I'm really glad I figured this out in time

There is no "business case" for a Leica M10.  There are many cameras which will make you as much money with less expenditure if you are running a business.

I suspect what you mean is you've made the case to yourself that you can justify the expense of your heart over-riding your head.

If you can afford it and you enjoy using it... that's all that matters (though have you tried the Leica Q or even the Fuji X100F as a more cost effective alternative and you're looking to be talked out of spending 5 figures on a camera and lens).

But I know what you mean.

There is a business case if it's what you want and having what you want and what you feel you need will improve the quality of your business.

Personally, I'm not a lover of the rangefinder. However, I loved my Nikon FE2 perhaps more than any other camera, including my 'superior' FM3a (the FE2 feels better in the hand) and the F3 (built like a tank and feels like one). So despite subsequently graduating to FF Canon over the years, the X-T1 and then the X-T2 were very good news for me. A digital FE2. Brilliant! The 1 was most definitely an inferior camera to the 5d Mkiii but I liked it more. The 2 is a marvel.

And an M10 may be expensive but you'll not lose much on it. Perhaps try before you buy though. And a Q...

Get yourself a Nikon df, nothing will get you closer to the old ways of taking pictures.

Haim Ronen posted:

Get yourself a Nikon df, nothing will get you closer to the old ways of taking pictures.

Except modern Nikon lenses are missing the aperture dial.  As Jamie says above the Fuji X-T1/2 are more like the old manual 35mm user experience.

Haim Ronen posted:

Get yourself a Nikon df, nothing will get you closer to the old ways of taking pictures.

But how can you say that to someone who, I think, wants to buy into the whole Magnum thing?

Christopher_M posted:

Haim Ronen posted:

Get yourself a Nikon df, nothing will get you closer to the old ways of taking pictures.

But how can you say that to someone who, I think, wants to buy into the whole Magnum thing?

Mmmm, a double caramel ... that lovely smooth ice cream with a crisp chocolate coating...

Christopher_M posted:

Haim Ronen posted:

Get yourself a Nikon df, nothing will get you closer to the old ways of taking pictures.

But how can you say that to someone who, I think, wants to buy into the whole Magnum thing?

Love my Fuji XT-1. But I had a desire for a Leica Q & I love that even more, in fact there's a great temptation to sell the XT-1 & all the lenses and just go with the Q. If you've not tried one, you really owe it to yourself to get your hands on one.

Don't!

I've deliberately not tried one...

The X-T2 though, is a proper leap above the 1. Love it lots, try before getting rid of your lenses!

My M8 shutter disintegrated after 10 years. I toyed with an M9 purchase but tried the little 'typ 109' as an experiment. I absolutely love it! At £750 it is a complete bargain. Better than I'll ever need  quality wise.

G

Bert Schurink posted:

EJS posted:

I grew up with Leica Ms, sold them when I eventually had the choice between having to wait four weeks for sloppily processed slides, or an M8 that was frustratingly idiosyncratic. Since that time, I went through a number of systems: Nikon, Sony, and currently Olympus. They do the job increasingly well, but I'm finding myself more and more disconnected with the act of taking pictures. Although I do rather like the new Fujis and the Oly EM1ii - there is a sense of character - they are cheapened by the ridiculous number of gimmicks and options. The new Sony A9 is a lowpoint. Technically impressive but so bland... an iPhone camera on steroids.

I've had these feelings for a while (and the A9 test really didn't help) - but earlier this evening, realisation dawned: this is my mind, hard at work convincing the rest of me of the business case for a new Leica M10, despite its ridiculous price and out of date sensor spec. I'm really glad I figured this out in time - buying another camera is hardly a long term solution, it will likely have its own share of frustrations, and digital Ms are nowadays best known for one characteristic above all: they all go back to Solms.

I'm liberated - now where to find one...

cheers,

EJ

You can also fix the problem by buying a black box, this leaves you with no budget for replacement and just the option of liking what you have....

Black or chrome - No preference!

Eloise posted:

Haim Ronen posted:

Get yourself a Nikon df, nothing will get you closer to the old ways of taking pictures.

Except modern Nikon lenses are missing the aperture dial.  As Jamie says above the Fuji X-T1/2 are more like the old manual 35mm user experience.

Except, Eloise, your information is all wrong since the Df is capable of using all the auto-focus Nikkors made since 1987 and beyond that, the wonderful AIS manual focus lenses, some of them over 40 years old, all with aperture rings, which I constantly use with my D700 & D810.

Now, why would Nikon design a classical body in the 'old times' spirit without allowing you to use optics from the same era? Doesn't make sense, does it?

Haim Ronen posted:

Eloise posted:

Haim Ronen posted:

Get yourself a Nikon df, nothing will get you closer to the old ways of taking pictures.

Except modern Nikon lenses are missing the aperture dial.  As Jamie says above the Fuji X-T1/2 are more like the old manual 35mm user experience.

Except, Eloise, your information is all wrong since the Df is capable of using all the auto-focus Nikkors made since 1987 and beyond that, the wonderful AIS manual focus lenses, some of them over 40 years old, all with aperture rings, which I constantly use with my D700 & D810.

Now, why would Nikon design a classical body in the 'old times' spirit without allowing you to use optics from the same era? Doesn't make sense, does it?

You're right IF you want to use old lenses.  Which is why I said *modern* Nikon lenses ... i.e. the ones with the newest functionality such as VR and quickest AF.  Of course if you're not interested in that the Df works fine.

 So neither of us is wrong and both of us are right!

Eloise posted:

 So neither of us is wrong and both of us are right!

Monsieur Eloise the debater, 

You cannot fault a camera which gives you all these choices which you were not even aware of.. You win.

I've had an M10 since the week they were announced,. I also have a brassed up M9 and Monochrom. That said, I am a professional. The M10 is one of the most satisfying cameras I've ever used. Good luck finding one though. 

I have always semi-lusted after a Nikon Df, though always felt my D600 was good enough for the few times I use the Nikon (usually if I need to use my 80-200 or 14-24). Now with the low light capabilities of the M10 being so good, the Nikon hasn't been picked up in months. 

I've been shooting Leicas since about 1995. When I first encountered the 'black boxes' (esp the half width ones) my first thought was - Leica. Basic functions, robust build, and finicky as all get out but ultimately gets you closer to the 'feel.' 

JamieWednesday posted:

. However, I loved my Nikon FE2 perhaps more than any other camera, including my 'superior' FM3a (the FE2 feels better in the hand) and the F3 (built like a tank and feels like one).

Many of my most famous grunge photographs were taken with an FE2. Brilliant little camera in its time. 

charlesphoto posted:

I've had an M10 since the week they were announced,. I also have a brassed up M9 and Monochrom. That said, I am a professional. The M10 is one of the most satisfying cameras I've ever used. Good luck finding one though. 

 

So, why don't you share some of your imagery with us?

Sorry, I don't have photo bucket or whatever it takes for this site. Here's a link to my website. It actually needs some a major overhaul (both in imagery and updated to HTML-5) - no M10 images on it yet, though plenty of M9. FYI the key image of the stage diver was with an FE2. 

Moderated Post:  Charles, please ensure your posts comply with forum rules - no links to personal websites please.  By all means post pictures here - you will need to host. The FAQ tells you how. Thanks.

And my favorite piece of equipment that has proven itself over and over again and made me more $ than any other single piece of gear is my Imacon film scanner. Pricier than an NDX but something I couldn't live without for my archives. 

I have a Leica with a dead sensor. The sensor died days after the warranty expired. Repair cost is ridiculous. I now take all my photos using an iPhone.

End of story.

JamieWednesday posted:

Don't!

I've deliberately not tried one...

The X-T2 though, is a proper leap above the 1. Love it lots, try before getting rid of your lenses!

I've deliberately not tried one of those James.