SolaresLarrave

Happy New Year to you, Mike, and to every photographer around!

My favorites change... a few weeks ago, it was my M4 with a Zeiss Biogon. Right now, it's a nice M2... with another Zeiss Biogon. And yes, I use them to take pictures.

I don't think a viewfinder operation will "improve" your camera finder. If you consider it a bit dim, the viewfinder upgrade may add a shade to it because it consists of applying an antiflare mask on the existing viewfinder (or a piece thereof). What you have is simply par for the course of owning one of these cameras; some of my Leicas have a very visible rangefinder patch, but then, some have a not ideally bright one. However, keep in mind that the viewfinder in these cameras is remarkably bright, so it's a joy to use them. Take care and enjoy your camera!

Martin, traditionally, wide-angle lenses are used for landscapes. You can go from a 35mm down to 21mm when it comes to that. The problem is that wide angle lenses get more expensive as they get wider... When I decided to buy a Leica, I was told to aim for a model M body and a 50mm lens. Dutifully, I followed advice... and ended up disliking the 50mm focal length. That's when I realized that I had always been a 35mm user because those were the camera framelines that fit my vision. To avoid this mistake, get a Leica camera, look through its viewfinder, and make a choice based on the framelines that you believe suit better the way you photograph. Once you know what this is, you'll be able to plan your purchase and avoid my mistake, which was to feel very dissappointed with the Leica system because I wasn't crazy about the 50mm lens vision. Fortunately, if you determine that 35 or even 28mm are your thing, there are several alternate choices in terms of lenses. Leica glass has become incredibly expensive as of late, and if you consider that wide-angle lenses were already pricy before the arrival of the M9, right now, they're beyond the 1K line. The alternatives (Voigtländer, Konica, Zeiss) are not by any means bad or deficient, they're simply not Leica, but one can survive with them and be happy. I know because I am one of the many who use Konica, Zeiss or Voigtänder glass with Leica bodies. Take care!

Well, I wasn't too happy with my 24-120 VR lens (the last version with variable aperture), because it tended to show some distortion at the bottom of the frame. Replaced it with the newer version (with constant aperture) and now I'm satisfied. However, since your budget isn't quite friendly, I'd go for something recommended here. I also like the 24-85 AF-S with variable, slow aperture, but it's been so vilified I think I'll stop here. BTW, I still have mine... Best of luck!

Nice, early model. Notice it doesn't have the frameline selector, and the back door kept its paint on. Possibly will need a bit more than just a CLA (I'd check curtains and seals, in addition to shutterspeeds) and the lens may need a good clean-up. The meter is probably dead, but George Milton may be able to revive it. I've never seen one like it. If you got along with your parents, I'd keep the camera. If not... offer it for sale. But I'd have it repaired first. Again, it's a beauty of a kit.

I have a Nikon D700 body that has worked wonders for me ever since I bought it in 2008. I'd see to fix that D7000 of yours before shelling out the big bucks on a camera body. Then... most of your glass (which is very much 80% responsible of the image) is DX. Why do you want to face the need to replace it once you get an FX body? As it's been said above, there are better things than gear when it comes to photography, and travel is one of them. In short, spend your cash on something else. Now, if you really want a camera... sell your glass too. The current lens line-up you have (with the exception of the 50mm) isn't the best to take advantage of an FX body. There you go. Take care!

If you're fully satisfied with the D700, why replace it? I too have a D700 (purchased in November 2008). It's never failed (except for the plastic body cover), and to this day it continues to work well. I have seen all the varied offers come and go, and as long as my D700 keeps on clicking, I'll keep it at work. However, if I had to replace it... I don't know which one to choose. Probably the cheapest option.

I'm glad to read that you chose to get it fixed. To me, the D700 is a real keeper: it has what I need and even a bit more, but not too much. And it does the job well! Hence, I'll keep mine until it literally falls apart and cannot be fixed.

Some places may take your camera as trade bait for a new one. Just don't expect a big chunk back in the transaction. In turn, they may have it repaired and turn it around for some nice change. I'm not in your shoes, but I have one (and only one) D700 myself... and it's been exemplary. I would have it fixed. In fact, in a couple of years I may want to have it checked. My shutter count is very, very low: around 5K. But then, that's my case. Best of luck and have fun shopping!

Looks like the theme of this year's Photokina: take things away (LCD, batteries, self-timer) and call them vintage... On the other hand, one of them is a film camera (sold with a roll of Kodak Tri-X). It could be worse... <picks up his M3 to play with it, advance the film, aim at a painting on the wall, focus and shoot>

I am puzzled at all your options... Why did you choose to bundle all those lenses together? What's your criteria? Just wondering... From experience, the less you take with, the better (unless, of course, you're traveling with a sherpa to carry all your gear). If I were you, I'd pack the AF-S 28-70 and that'd do it. In my last trip I just packed my D700 and my 24-120 f4 zoom and forgot all about it. I'd recommend that you invest more in looking and seeing things than on taking photographs, and since you already have a nice camera, just grab one lens with and be done. Now, if you just want a pretext for more gear, go the Fuji way. But go light anyway. The lighter the better (and wiser).

Considering that one of the recommended ways to remove old leatherette from a Leica body is, precisely, lots of hand sanitizer, I'd be a bit desperate to try that choice. In fact, I'd go the way of Richard William's advice and leave the camera in a place where it gets well aired and then, and only then, would I go the hand sanitizer route. Be patient and you'll get a nice, new camera back. Otherwise, try what Mark Stephan said...

I guess this camera represents some kind of return to the good olden days for you, given that you have some of the best that digital Nikon can offer. From experience: if you already got the original hood, that's fine, but be aware that it falls easily because it's anchoring to the edges of the lens is just two clips that push outwards. I went to Spain two years ago and took my S2 with (along with my D700). I nearly lost the hood twice, and after that, I became paranoid about walking with the camera in the crowded streets of Toledo, because it was quite easy to get the hood dislodged. Best decision? Buy a very inexpensive metal screw-on hood on eBay and put it in the camera whenever you foresee walking with crowds. If you're taking the camera for a stroll in the woods or some such environment, take the Nikkor hood with. Also, you must have seen the 35mm f1.8 lens (which sells for a kidney). I found out later that the f2.5 tends to be more popular... because it's a lot less expensive. They're not impossible to find... in case you really want one. I was very interested on it, until I decided that, just like my M3, this camera will be my other "dedicated 50mm" body. I hope the camera returns to you soon, so that you can take it for a walk. Just make sure that the VF is very clean, and that'll do it. Take care!

I have one too... and the lens is nothing to kick about: it's a very good, sharp lens, and if shot wide open it has a splendido OOF area effect. Now... beware of regular, generic 43mm filters. The thread pitch may not work. I speak from experience. I didn't get a good set of filters until I managed to purchase an old "Bel-View" package with three little things (UV, yellow and orange) in a leather case. Contemporary filters may not work, so if you have a chance to try them on before purchasing, please, do so. Also, the Nikon mount doesn't work with Contax or Russian gear, and Contax bodies won't take too well to work with Nikon glass. In addition to that, this camera body is, like the Leica M3, sort of "optimized" for the 50mm focal length. If you wanted to shoot a 35mm lens, you'll have to find an inexpensive, slow Nikon (there's a 35mm f2.5) and a viewfinder. I'd advise to keep it with the 50mm lens. I learned to appreciate this lens by using this camera. Besides, your viewfinder has a 1:1 magnification ratio, what else do you want? That means you see the scene at its real proportion. It may not be parallax corrected, but you still can get in the frame the important stuff in the scene in front of you. Just remember not to compose with the subject too much to the right or left. Now, even if the camera need some kind of cleaning, just load it and take it for a spin. They're a lot of fun to use!

Contact the store first... and I'm afraid that you'll have to pay for the shipping from Surinam to the US. However, they ought to pay to send you a new lens back. Don't contact Nikon yet, and if you did, well. you can explain the case to them, but I doubt they'll do anything other than tell you to contact the store first. On the good side, Best Buy should have a very generous return policy. It's probably not the best place to purchase this kind of gear, but at least they won't (or they shouldn't) give you a hard time when it comes to exchanging the lens. Best of luck!

I'm glad that in the end you got the camera you wanted. Congratulations!

Something similar happened to me with my D700 and my SB600. I just took the flash off, turned the camera off. Then I put the flash on the hot shoe, turned the camera on, then the flash, and we were back in business. I guess, however, that you must have done this already...

Jamie, when it comes to scratches and dings... look at it this way: you're making history. I bought a silver M5 body, with box, inserts and in better than perfect condition. Guess what? After babying it for over a year, one day it took a fall and got a big ding in a corner. When I was about to cry, I suddenly realized that now the camera is truly mine: I put the first scar on it. Became responsible for it... Now, anything that comes won't matter much. Take care!

Welcome to a life of longing and unsatisfied desires, Jamie. Now that you have your first, soon you'll want a second (with a second lens). Then, you'll want a third lens or body, and it won't end until you cure your need for a meterless body. Then the actual fun begins: what meter? Which body? What lens hood with this 'cron? It never ends... Heck, I'm telling you now, as the owner of seven camera bodies and almost a dozen lenses. And what has happened after this? That I cycle my cameras through the year: one week, I'm great friends with a combo of M4 and 'cron 50. Following week? It's my M5 with a Zeiss 35mm... And what when you travel? The choices, man... they kill you... In any event, congratulations on your new acquisition. Now, show us some photographs made with the camera. And keep up the good work!

This kind of thing shouldn't happen. If it didn't happen before the repair, it shouldn't happen. Send it back to NJ. They should fix it at no cost. Best of luck!

Ooops... I admit to not having read the BBC bulletin. I'm going to be in trouble myself... I'm in Spain right now, with a nice M4-2 and a few rolls of film. I can always have the camera empty and show them how it's just a film camera. I hope...

I guess I've been lucky... Whenever I've traveled, I carry a Leica or some film rangefinder with, and never has anyone asked me to show them whether the camera is real, or even open my film canisters. Now, can that be related to the recent threats?

Your best choice: M6TTL with 0.72 finger magnification (newer, fresher body, better range meter, better ergonomics thanks to the overhanging shutterspeed dial), then M6 (older meter, shutterspeed dial not too easy to reach while shooting). As for lenses... if you like the field of view of the 50mm in a Leica, go for it; however, I can assure you: soon enough, you'll want either a longer or a wider lens. Have fun shopping!