Back to basics? - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

04/15/2004 05:52:59 PM · #1

While Kavey is going through the 10D, D Rebel, D70 debate over here, I am contemplating a move in almost the opposite direction. I wanted to see if somebody would help push me over the edge or maybe talk me out of it.

I miss the days of exploring with a basic 35mm camera. My favorite was a Nikon F3 or FM2n with just a standard 50mm f/1.4 lens. I had a couple of coolpix swivel cameras (950, 990, 4500), but the shutter lag and slow lens speed drove me nuts. I moved up to a 10D, which is a great camera, but the size makes carrying more difficult and it gets too much attention when looking for candid existing light images. So I have this great camera, it's cool, it takes great pictues, but I'm still missing the simply joy of basic camera. I know I can turn the 10D to all manual, but it's not the same. The old Nikon was always around my neck. The new Canon is alway sitting on the car seat, or table, or someplace else.

At this point I am considering the new Leica Digilux 2 in place of the canon. The EVT is not the same as the 10D finder, but I don't have to mash my face (glasses) against the back of the camera to look through it. There is more noise at anything over ISO 400, but it doesn't look to bad. It takes a long time to write RAW images. On the other hand... great lens equal to 28-90 zoom on 35mm, traditional controls, and good quality images from one nice and relatively small package.

When I look at the work of photographers like Bresson and Newton, and what they accomplished with basic cameras and standard lenses, I realize that all the technology and options are taking me farther away from the images I have always loved. Maybe I would be better off with a usable camera always at hand so I can focus on composition and creativity rather than worrying about technology and what I might miss because I don't have the right equipment.

Not nearly as interesting as the 10D, d Rebel, D70 debate, but I could use a little wisdom from those that can spare a minute.

kiwiness

Canon Canon 1d x Mark II

04/15/2004 06:01:57 PM · #2

I was looking at the Leica Digilux 2 a couple of days ago, it sure is a beauty! It is quite expensive though and you are stuck with only the one 28-90 lens on it. It would be nice to have, but at that price I'd give it a miss.

dacrazyrn

Nikon D300

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

04/15/2004 06:23:37 PM · #3

How much you give the 10D up for? (C;

Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS

04/15/2004 06:50:19 PM · #4

Originally posted by dacrazyrn:

How much you give the 10D up for? (C;

I just went to eBay to see what a 10D in excellent condition is going for. I was surprise to see a lot of new 10D packags with consumer level Sigma lenses marketed as "ultimate" packages. I would expect that mine would end up selling for around $1000 with the additional 256MB CF card.

If I can part with it...

Cam

Sony DSC-F717

04/15/2004 06:56:27 PM · #5

For anyone who does not know what kind of camera that is...like me..go here

//www.leica-camera.com/digitalekameras/digilux2/index_e.html

Message edited by author 2004-04-15 18:59:01.

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

04/15/2004 07:56:49 PM · #6

Originally posted by kiwiness:

There is a Panasonic camera that is essentially similar, even has the same Leica glass. It is much less expensive, so that may be an option for those attracted to the Leica but put off by the price.

cpanaioti

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

04/15/2004 08:19:31 PM · #7

Originally posted by kirbic:

Originally posted by kiwiness:
I was looking at the Leica Digilux 2 a couple of days ago, it sure is a beauty! It is quite expensive though and you are stuck with only the one 28-90 lens on it. It would be nice to have, but at that price I'd give it a miss.

There is a Panasonic camera that is essentially similar, even has the same Leica glass. It is much less expensive, so that may be an option for those attracted to the Leica but put off by the price.

Also, the Panasonic (DMC-FZ10) has much more zoom (12x optical - 35-420mm in 35mm terms) and image stabilization.

Edit: added camera model.

Message edited by author 2004-04-15 20:37:37.

Gordon

RIM BlackBerry Curve

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

04/15/2004 08:32:49 PM · #8

I'm continually surprised how small a D60 can look, with a 50mm prime lens on it like the 50mm f1.8 - do you happen to have that one ?

I've been toying with the idea of getting an X-PAN II as well though - rangerfinder style 35mm, but with the option of medium format-esque ( in width) panoramas.

between that and the Leaf Valeo, I think I'll be busy for a while...

magnetic9999

Canon EOS-20D

Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX Aspherical DF for Canon

04/15/2004 08:36:36 PM · #9

what gordon said:

here's my 10D with a 50/1.4 on it and it looks like a typical tourist 35mm - not some huge photojournalistic monster. no one seems to mind or care that i have it.

Message edited by author 2004-04-15 20:37:18.

04/15/2004 09:19:48 PM · #10

Originally posted by Gordon:

I'm continually surprised how small a D60 can look, with a 50mm prime lens on it like the 50mm f1.8 - do you happen to have that one ?

I have the 50mm f/1.4 and the 35mm f/2.0. Both are small and unobstrusive, but then I go and grab the bag or I switch to the 24-85mm zoom just in case. The whole package starts to look big and people see you coming a mile away.

Originally posted by Gordon:

I've been toying with the idea of getting an X-PAN II as well though - rangerfinder style 35mm, but with the option of medium format-esque ( in width) panoramas.

between that and the Leaf Valeo, I think I'll be busy for a while...

I would love to work with a rangefinder, but the price of entry is just a little steep... and they are still film based. I almost bought a seagull TLR yesterday, but then I realized that my film developing tanks etc. had been sold years ago.