drj

I think we'll look back at the G10 in a few years as one of "those cameras" used as a milestone in P/S design. It has

excellent image quality (but others do as well), a camera-brand familiarity (which helps it sell over other less "famous"

cameras), and has risen above the predominant competition for various (valid or not) reasons. Don't take this too far, but it

FEELS right, WORKS right, LOOKS right, has good balance of compromises, and takes exceptional photos under those

conditions most will/would use it for. I REALLY wish Nikon could "GET" the whole P/S market, but until then my money

goes with the better camera... I love my G10. Now if they'd just sell that Japanese E/R case here in the U.S.!

I had a similar process deciding between the G10 and P6000. I was convinced going in that I was going to buy the

P6000. Everything I have is Nikon, and I happen to have the SB400 if I ever wanted to add a flash to a P/S.

I've been using the G10 for about two weeks now and love it. Minimal shutter delay isn't brought up much here, but that

was a noticeable difference between the Nikon and Canon, the Canon is almost DSLR quick in shutter release. Maybe

not by actual measure, but in practice. Yes, the viewfinder is tiny, but it is enough to frame a shot, and is nicely rubber

coated (in case you wear glasses... I do). I tried it at my son's football game this weekend... not really good. But took it

to the beach the next day and got some great, painless shots of my sons with nice color, contrast, and sharpness.

I'm actually thinking about going back to buy the Nikon as well, play with both for a few week, then sell one off. I think I

like Nikon's menus better, but I'm used to them, so I'm trying to reserve judgement.

I completely agree with handling any camera before buying it. Ergonomics are so subjective, and it must be comfortable

or you'll avoid it. I do like that the Nikon is a good bit smaller than the G10 and still has the viewfinder.

The 1.4 is a speed lens, not necessarily their sharpest. The 1.8 has always been sharper, and arguably their sharpest lens

ever, though I'd guess that is based on an older, pre-AI, AI or AI-S version.

OMG! "Light and plasticky"? Not mine! It feels quite robust and tank like (for a P/S). Pick up a P6000... THAT'S light and

plasticky? GREAT overall image quality, old-school camera-like handling. More than I'd expected and I'm loving it.

Now Mr. Luigi... make me a half-case!

Every little bit in my bag is Nikon.

...except for my new G10! What a pleasant surprise! I have a P5100, went in for the P6000, and just couldn't pull the

trigger. I picked up the G10 and fell in love! Now... I get this stuff. I didn't want OR EXPECT it to replace my D300. I just

wanted a camera that would give me decent results and would fit in a coat pocket. Unfortunately, I'm old enough to have

shot Speed Graphics, Nikon F2s and Leica Ms, so I have a predisposition to how a camera should feel. I've waited for

Nikon to make a decent P/S for too long now, and this G10 is sweeeeet! If you haven't had the pleasure, it feels very

similar to the Contax G rangefinder cameras. I spent some time today learning Canon's approach to tiny cameras and

menus, then went out and shot some amazing stuff. I just put my 2 year-old down to bed, and grabbed a B/W Kodak

moment of his little feet crossed as he fell asleep. Is there noise? Sure! Just as there would have been with the Tri-X I

would have used years ago. I'd expect...no, WANT that. There will never be that perfect camera. I like to buy the newest

cameras, use them and take care of them until they're replaced by another technological breakthrough (or at least good

marketing). And along the way, I've taken some really nice photos of my life while not really worrying WHICH of my

cameras I happen to have with me, just that I have one.

But the day the saucers land, I'm grabbing my Nikon DSLR (as of now anyway...).

Type it into ebay. There is a great "ever ready-style" case being shipped form Japan. I've ordered from them before without

issues. Only catch? It is $70+

I went to my local Nikon dealer today to buy a P6000... came home with the G10. I've looked at the image samples all over

the 'net, compared users reviews and went to get the Nikon. Put them both in your hands and the G10 stands out asa more

camera-like experience. Dials over push buttons, good heft, good sounds, made in Japan. The P6000 actually feels

cheaper in my hands than my P5100, and the tiny thumb wheel is cheap and very fragile feeling. The G10 feels quite

robust and confident in contrast. I've been shooting today with the G10 on "Vivid"... very nice, VERY nice.

I'm not switching to a Canon DSLR, I love my D300, but this P/S is a really nice piece.

We'll all miss you Jim. I hope you read these posts, and I hope you get a chance to enjoy a

good Leica for a long time to come!

Anyone know where to get one new? I see some look like black plastic, but are still marked Leica. Does

this have a different number or just the newest version? Also, this is for my 50 Summicron, which has the

built it hood (I just don't like it as well)... 12585 still fits the newer 50's, right?

Steve

I was wondering if Leica replaces top plates. I have an M6 TTL black I'd like to have a new top plate on.

Anyone hear of this?

Steve

Nikon makes lenses, Quantaray is Ritz Camera's house brand, they put their lens brand name

on Sigma lenses.

Do yourself a favor and stick to Nikon lenses. It isn't as bad these days with the APS crop

using basically the center of the image circle, but a Nikon lens is still a better lens. Having

now said that, the "kit" lens that came with my wife's D50, the 18-55 probably isn't much

better than any aftermarket lens. Be careful of a "kit" lens, it is menat to be a way to offer the

"outfit" at an attractive price. Buy the body only, then look for a decent used Nikon zoom here

on photo.net.

Love it, have 2 now. Untrained eyes picked its images over the 10D I used to use at the

office and instructed me to dump the 10D and buy another D200. I've found for low light,

I'll grab my wife's D50... very nice in low light. For the few weddings I do digitally, I'll throw

a 50 1.4 or 85 1.8 on the D50, and then assemble the D200/grip/SB800 on a stroboframe

with an SD-8A. The D50 just dangles around my shoulder all day for quick no-flash shots.

To me the key here isn't the camera, but the 18-200. What a nice lens to use, hardly

change lenses any more, except for special circumstances (macro, low light, etc.). I prefer

the overall image (all things considered) from the Nikons over the Canons. That's a

balance of temperature, sharpness, noise, etc. And I've started shooting a lot more B/W

again, thanks to an easy switch to B/W on the D200. sometimes I still "see" black and

white, and want to shoot it that way. I really home the rumored FM3D comes to life.

I might consider a "transition" rather than a switch. You have the means to be buying

expensive gear it appears, so try adding a 5D and a single zoom or prime to your bag. Use it

for personal stuff until you get your chops on Canon, then ease it in to work. In the

meantime, the market and technology will change as usual, and the decision may become

easier in either direction. I switched back and forth in the good 'ol film days, and really enjoy

them both for different reasons. The D-series Canons don't cut it for me, I just work better

with Nikon's control layout and workflow. The 5D however interests me as well, and late at

night when the lights are off, I consider the switch. If people would just stop hiring me, I

could switch to the Leica M7 Digital next month, and die a happy man.

I have an SD-8A. I've had the SD-8, AND Canon's equivalent battery pack over the years. Canon has one

cord to the front of the flash, while Nikon's has that secondary cord to the PC socket. The center keeps

pulling out of the PC portion, and has now finally broken. Doesn't my SC-17 trigger the flash anyway? Why

can't I just trim that cord off?

If not, I'll pack it up and send it to Nikon for a fix, but thought I'd ask...it seems redundant.

Thanks!

Steve

So it has been three months now, and I still have the F6, the F100, and my beloved D200.

What I've found is that the D200 shots come so much closer to that elusive film-quality than

any other digital I've shot with. There is a giant leap in tonal depth over the D100 that I sold

when the D200 came out. Back to the film bodies though... I really enjoy the focus speed of

the F6, and the controls are more suited to me now shooting with the D200 most frequently.

I probably don't use it enough to justify the cost of it, but luckily I don't have to justify much

to anyone these days. It is a pleasure to shoot with, and that's why I pick it up.

So I have an F6 finally. It is sitting here on my desk next to the F100 I was going to sell to

offset the cost of the F6. I'll pick one up, then the other. I haven't had a chance to shoot with

it yet, but I'm not seeing a $1000 difference right now. I don't plan on keeping the MB-40

that I got with it, it will mainly be a second camera to my D200 (and I teach Photo I and II

classes which are film-based, so I need a film body anyway...), and I prefer the smaller profile

of the F100 to say, an F5.

...any of you feel the same way? Or tell me why you love YOUR F6...

I have an SB80DX like new...$150 or whatever a little less than going price is.

S.

Have you solved all your problems yet? If not, email me at houstonstreet@comcast.net, I'll mail you my manual, I don't need it. Send it back later if you like, or just send me your link to the pdf.

Steve