Two23

I recently went through the same decision. I shoot architecture and landscapes with D800E, and last year started using a D500 for sports (ice racing, rodeos) & wildlife. I have some thoughts. My D800E has a broken top LCD so isn't worth all that much on the used market. So, I decided to buy a used D850 now that you can snag used ones for just a bit above $2,000 (and I expect price to drop a bit more in September.) The D500 has pretty much instant focus, astonishingly fast compared to the D800E. I've found the D850 to do the same. I'm now going to sell my D500 and keep the D800E as back up. But wait, there's more! A D850 can not only replace the D500, but I can also sell the Sigma 17-50mm f2.8 lens AND my Nikon Coolscan V, and eventually even my Epson v750 scanner. The D850 can be rigged up to do excellent scanning! So adding the D850 is allowing me to sell off a lot of pieces. I will add that I buy EVERYTHING used and have been doing that for years. The last camera I bought new was a D7100, and I can't remember the last new lens I bought. You can get about $1,000 for your D810. A used D850 is currently about $2,200 and as I said I expect the price to drop a couple hundred more in a month or two as camera "season" winds down a bit. Below photo: Outlaw Ice Races, D500 (never once missed focus.) Kent in SD

Every now and then 117 shows up on ebay. Simply buy a spool or two and reload with cut film. Kent in SD

I shoot dry plates, which are ISO 1 or ISO 2. I've been using a Chamonix 4x5 and a c.1925 Gundlach Korona 5x7 for this. Since the plates are so slow I mostly only use lenses made before 1860. These give a classic look. I also have a cluster of lenses from 1905-1925 that perform very nicely on glass plates. For portraits with the 5x7 I've been using an achromatic doublet lens 16 inch (450mm) that was made in the late 1840s. I also have a 300mm (12 inch) c.1862 Voigtlander Petzval I'm having a lens board made for the Korona. There are some bargains in older lenses that have either a very slow or no shutter. I'm avoiding 8x10 for now because of the expense, but hope to start doing some wet plate in the coming year, mostly with the 4x5 and a Chamonix holder. Kent in SD

I've been using the D800E for several years now. My strategy for camera gear (at least digital stuff) is to buy the best lenses, first class tripod, and an extensive lighting system. Into that I plug a camera every few years. The camera is the least important thing in the system to me. With that in mind my intention is to completely skip the D810, which offered little over the D800E. There is no way on earth I'm going to put >$3,000 into a digital camera. They lose value so fast, and I just don't see enough of a difference for the money spent. Poor value. My plan is to wait until used D850 are hitting $2,000 (almost there!) and buy one. It will replace: D800E, D500, Sigma 17-50mm f2.8, and a Nikon Coolscan V. Eventually I will buy a used Z7, but only after 3-4 years. By then there will be more lenses for them and used ones will be available at huge savings. Makes no sense right now. Kent in SD

Interesting street photos. What city? Kent in SD

It looks like the camera reversed the image. The steering wheels in the cars are all on the right side. Kent in SD

Chamonix 045n, c.1920 Dagor 100mm, Lane dry plate (4x5). Exposure: 2s, f11, ISO 1. Spearfish Falls, SD Kent in SD

My F3T is my favorite modern camera. It looks sharp and always performs. Kent in SD

I've had that happen to me three times now. The wind here blows semi-trucks off the road and twice has blown a train off the tracks. Kent in SD

Looks like you got off cheap here. Kent in SD

If you're a wedding photographer, back up & duplication is virtually required. A 70-200mm f2.8 is a standard much needed lens. What would you do if your only one were dropped/stolen/quit focusing during a wedding? The only answer is to reach into your bag and pull out another one. Kent in SD

I always set the second card to "back up." What's the purpose of having a second card if not that? Kent in SD

I own one and have used it with D7100, then D800E, and now also D500. The edges are softer wide open on the D800E, but seem fine on my copy on the D500. Yours might need a shim adjustment or something. For what you paid, you half way stole it! Kent in SD

We need to start a small boat forum. Kent in SD

Uh oh. Kent in SD

I have a Voigtlander Vitessa L, but the rangefinder has become disconnected from the focus knob/dial. My usual camera repairman in Wisconsin (Hansen) refused to work on the Vitessa. Anyone have any suggestions on who can work on the rangefinder? The rest of the camera is in beautiful shape. Kent in SD

I'm heading north to a big steam threshing show tomorrow, and taking some period correct camera gear. One will be a Century Camera Co. Model 44 4x5 with 150mm Velostigmat lens in Volute shutter. The other will be a 1914 Kodak Special No.2 with TT&H anastigmat lens in Optimo shutter. The camera will shoot FP4 and ISO 2 dry plates, the Kodak will be loaded with Pan F. Kent in SD

Yeah, plastic cameras just don't do it for me. I've heard it's very small and the lens is excellent though. Right now I'm leaning towards a second version Kodak Vest Pocket Special autographic with fancy lens, or the Samoca 35 Super! Kent in SD

Love the blue bellows on the Isolette 2! Yes, there is "cool" factor there.:) Kent in SD

I've just returned from a trip to Seattle/Washington state. I didn't take tons of photos, but got my share of nice ones. I used a Nikon D800E for many, but also a 1937 Voigtlander Bessa RF (with 105mm Heliar,) loaded with FP4. My best shots from that camera came from the Scab Lands and downtown Seattle. I always have fun wandering in larger cities with a film camera & b&w film,and decided to send my Kodak Bantam Special in for cleaning & service. The repairman said someone has switched out the front cell of the lens and it wasn't fixable! It's such a cool little camera, hate to end up selling it for parts. I could buy another, or buy a parts camera and fix the first one. I do like the camera, despite the funky 828 film issue. Another thought is I could just get a whole 'nother camera! I liked the Baby Rolleiflex so I bought a very early one, sent it off for CLA. But what else is out there? I want something that looks really nice, and it has to have a very high "cool" factor, like the Bantam Special and Baby Rollei. I'm looking at Kodak Vest Pocket Special (the early ones, and with fancy lens,) or maybe something like a Rollei 35s? The coupled meter on that one attracts me, it's modernity repels me (made after WW2,) but it is pretty cool looking! What else is out there? I'll mention the other small and cool camera I have is an Ansco Memo, from about 1929. Kent in SD

At those prices, why wouldn't someone just buy a Leica? I am hoping this flushes a fair number of used D850 on the market next year. Kent in SD

Agree with Leica IIIf. I have one. Looking at the top view you can just make out it has a PC flash socket on the back, near the top. Only the IIIf had that plus the original Barnack styling. Kent in SD

You left out two other lines of Nikon lenses: large format and the Nikon S rangefinder lenses. Both were highly popular in their day. Both still still at a premium on the used market. Kent in SD

I ended up finding a deal on a used L-208 at KEH, so I bought it! The size is right and it looks easy. Nearly bought a Pilot 2 but reviews saying it's not so good in dim light kind of scared me away. I think I'll keep looking for a pristine and working Zeiss Ikophot too. They are a work of art for sure! I was wanting a small meter to use with my Voigtlander Bessa RF (1937) on a trip next month, and I think the L-208 will work for night shots in Seattle as well as landscapes in the Scab Lands. Thanks for all the responses--I learned a lot by researching each meter. Kent in SD

I'm needing a small (3 inch or less) light meter to use with my pre-war cameras. I was thinking of a Sekonic L-208 as the size and simplicity is right on target, but what about something more classic? I once had a Zeiss Diaphot that I foolishly sold, and also a Sekonic L-398. What else is out there that is very nicely styled, reliable, and small? Some of the Bewi meters look sort of cute. Kent in SD