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01/28/2016 06:41:31 PM · #1 |
I'm currently thinking of changing my camera(s) - looking for some views from some photography folk.
I currently use a Leica M240 and a Sony A7II. I have more lenses than I need and generally shoot with both cameras. I tend to shoot virtually the same shots with both cameras with different lenses so that I can compare lenses.
I'm now at the point whereby I know the lenses I like and probably won't do any more comparative work. Using two cameras now will just be to facilitate quick lens changes by picking up the second body.
Here are my thoughts on my current cameras:
Leica M240 - wonderful form factor feels great in the hand, is compact in all dimensions, is robust, has great image quality and a really simple interface. But... I barely use the rangefinder mechanism at all. For street I shoot from the hip and estimate distance and for my portrait work I tend to work indoor with natural light with very narrow DOF lenses and use the external EVF.
Sony A7II - excellent image quality, in body IS, is compatible with my M lenses, unnecessarily complicated menu system, entirely too many buttons, works with pretty much any lens.
I much prefer using and handling the Leica but the Sony, with its better EVF, often gives better images with more accurate focusing.
Thoughts on my lenses:
Leica 80mm f/1.4 - a nice enough lens but big and cumbersome. Images aren't special enough to warrant keeping this lens. It's going.
Zeiss 55mm f/1.8 FE - far too clinical for me, I barely use it and actually dislike autofocus anyway now.
Zeus 28mm f/2.8 ZM - a fine performer, small and light too, but the Voigtlander 35mm (below) is better. It's going.
Canon 50mm f/0.95 - a spectacular lens with a characteristic look I really enjoy. Hard to focus and needs an evf.
Voigtlander 21mm f/1.8 - a great performer. It stays.
Voigtlander 35mm f/1.7 - a new lens to me but I really like it. It stays.
These last 3 lenses are the ones I'll be using for most of my work.
I have some others, but they are relatively cheap and I'll keep them for the fun factor.
Now, back to cameras. I'm think of selling my two bodies and the lenses I no longer want to buy a Leica SL. A new offering that is characterized by a really special EVF. It's an overly expensive camera but I wouldn't have to add much if I traded in the other stuff.
So, giving up the convenience of two bodies and the romance and stealthy elegance of the Leica M for a camera that is probably more like the Sony, but with a cleaner interface and a stunning EVF that will be well matched to my indoor model work.
Part of me can see the logic, but part of me thinks I am just giving in to GAS. Another part of me feels that change is good and that I know kit disruption can lead to a regeneration of creativity and a new enthusiasm for shooting.
Any thoughts?
Message edited by author 2016-01-29 01:24:31. |
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01/28/2016 10:10:43 PM · #2 |
| For street and something to carry around the new Olympus PEN F looks attractive. Probably my next camera. I know you're a bokeh junky so micro 43 might fall short of your existing setup. |
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01/28/2016 10:58:31 PM · #3 |
Originally posted by Paul:
... Part of me can see the logic, but part of me thinks I am just giving in to GAS. Another part of me feels that change is good and that I know kit disruption can lead to a regeneration of creativity and a new enthusiasm for shooting.
Any thoughts? |
GAS part is right... |
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01/29/2016 03:59:50 AM · #4 |
Probably a bit of GAS but i fully understand the urge to search for equipment that clicks and is just right. I worked out recently that in 2015 i went through a total of 12 different wide angle options to go with my 50mm and 90mm (both of which i've clicked with). Buying, testing, using them on weddings, then selling or swopping etc. Never did find what i was looking for but i've just got another two which i'm forcing myself to use for the year at least. Hopefully they'll do the trick.
So i get the urge to find equipment to gel with and it's rare to come across stuff that does. I also agree that new kit can regenerate creativity and enthusiasm but looking at your situation i can't see that there will be a drastic change. Certainly not in image quality - you'll still have a full frame 24MP and your favourite lenses. The Leica SL is certainly a lovely camera and i'm sure is a joy to use but i don't see it as that much of a change to what you've got now. The size and ergonomics are heading back into DSLR territory as it's quite big and heavy (relatively).
Personally, if i were in your situation and felt in need of a bit of a change of gear (in both senses) and boost to my photography then i would be looking at digital medium format. I think the Leica S system is probably out because of huge cost but the Pentax 645Z looks interesting. So, with that in mind, one of the options i would consider is to sell everything and buy a Pentax 645Z with the 150mm f2.8, the 75mm f2.8 and a 45mm or 35mm and maybe also keep in mind an old adapted fast f2 telephoto. That would be for portrait work and also get a Leica Q for street photography. Or maybe keep the 21mm Voigtlander and 50mm Canon and get a cheap, used Sony A7 for those. |
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01/29/2016 02:33:22 PM · #5 |
Many thanks for the replies. I do have an Olympus EP-L 1 which might come back into use for street if I go down this route.
I have pondered on medium format Clive but I don't really have a sense of the look of the lenses. I'm not really after crispness, as much as I am character. I suppose the attraction of the SL is that the EVF is such that it would be a great match more the tricky Canon 0.95 which, when the focus is perfect, is amazing. Also, as you say - I want to click with the camera - not using the rangefinder mechanism seems a bit of a waste and the EVF isn't fantastic. The wysiwyg of an EVF is a nice way to work and the SL would seem that it does this better than every other camera.
Having a single camera with a more limited set of primes would perhaps be liberating too!
I'm still not 100% decided but I'll continue to ponder over the weekend.
Cheers
Paul |
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01/29/2016 02:53:33 PM · #6 |
Originally posted by Paul:
The wysiwyg of an EVF is a nice way to work and the SL would seem that it does this better than every other camera. |
Indeed. I'm completely taken with EVF's now. After using them for a couple of years now i'm not sure I could manage going back to an old school DSLR viewfinder.
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02/05/2016 04:08:29 PM · #7 |
Well... I gave in today. This morning I saw an SL (used), bought new on December 22nd for £1050 below list price. I felt compelled to snap the 'bargain' up so I drove into the center of London and picked it up. Got a good price for my gear - they ended up giving me £60 and I got two spare batteries and the M to T(SL) adaptor too.
It's heavy, built like a tank and will take me a little while to get used to I suspect. EVF is by far the best I have used. |
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02/05/2016 07:06:37 PM · #8 |
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