charles_hess2

<p>Two things...I doubt if Mr. Greenspun gets to the forums every day, so I would try the 'contact us' at the bottom of the page. Second, the photo was taken in 2000, so remembering a setting nearly 10 years ago might be tough. I've always found the 7II's meter to be extremely accurate, without a need for a handheld meter, so I would think it quite doable if it was taken with just the camera's meter.</p>

<p>Really nice shots. I spent some time in Valetta and loved the walled city and the friendly people. The M6 was a joy to use, I'm sure.</p>

<p>The slow AF, even compared to the Canon G11 kills it for me, sad to say.</p>

<p>Capturing candid moments means that every situation is going to be different, so to answer your specific question regarding talking or not...sometimes I do, but most times I don't. There have also been times that after the initial photo(s) was taken, and the subject happened to notice, I wound up in some very genial conversations. I've also shared email addresses with a few people with promises to send them photos. One of my very favorite models(used to be a glamour photog) was walking down the street...thought she was stunning, took a few unnoticed photos of her then decided I just had to say something. The result was some very successful photo shoots.</p>

<p>If you type in 'HCB' in the search function, you'll get a long list of threads regarding HCB on photo.net. Maybe one will look familiar to you for what you are looking for.</p>

<p>I second the Domke Gripper 1", used it on my G2. Google the strap name, you'll get the info you need. Not expensive.</p>

<p>I've had an F100 with the old-style rewind fork and haven't had a problem after running many, many rolls through the camera. While it does seem to be the weak spot of this fine camera, most cameras have one or two things that are of concern and in need of improvement, IMO.</p>

<p>I had that habit of on/off with my Contax G2 for years with no ill effect. Probably the only downside to that habit is running the risk of wearing down or breaking the electrical contact on the on/off switch.</p>

<p>Don't know about the Es, but I've used a 3.5F Planar. The meter is dead-on accurate, and I've not had a problem so far with the camera.</p>

<p>If you have more than 1 lens, does it do the same thing? That way you can tell if it's the lens that has the problem or the body itself that drives the lens. The G1 is getting on in years, and it may require some general servicing. Tocad still repairs the G1, and I've had good experience with keh.com's repair service. Hopefully others will shed some light on your problem.</p>

<p>Peter, Ian...no offense meant regarding using the Pronea. Heck, I use a Lomo fisheye and a Holga when the mood strikes...and when I have enough gaffers tape to hold the Holga together.:-)</p>

<p>CR123A batteries are expensive but from experience using them on another camera, when they go, they go quickly and without warning, so it may be that they were just about spent when you put your film roll in.<br>

Just curious and no offense intended...are you still able to easily get APS film? With rock bottom prices on 35mm film SLRs these days, I'm curious as to why you still use the Pronea. F100s can be had these days for less than $200. In any event, I hope the problem was just a fluke of having a new roll and nearly spent batteries.</p>

<p>With your DX Nikon D40, the 28-75, while a fine lens, won't give you wide angle rather a standard to short telephoto viewpoint. So, the 17-50 would be ideal for you, especially if you plan on adding a telephoto zoom. the 20mm gap is nothing. As another said, it's just a few steps forward or back, not a big deal at all.</p>

<p>Perhaps not a surprise, but I was extremely happy when I decided to spend big bucks on Leica's 75/2 Summicron Asph. Shooting wide open is an absolute joy. A Contax G2 user for 10 years, the Zeiss 45/2 and 90/2.8 would also have to rank up among the best, for me.</p><div></div>

<p>I also have had great success with the Tamron. I haven't read any recent complaints about problems with quality control, so bad copies may be a thing of the past. The 85/1.8 is also a great lens, but on your D90, it may be a bit long for your needs. Good luck.</p>

The lens line-up for your D700 is excellent, so I'm not sure why you would venture into the Leica R line, as good as they might be. Portrait

lenses... subjective, I know, but the Nikkor 85/1.4 is the best I've ever used and don't think the 90 APO will give you anything better.

"Bokeh" is always a subject of discussion around here, and again it's subjective, but your 85/1.4's smooth, creamy bokeh is hard to beat.

The grass isn't always greener on the other side, and I cannot fathom changing to some of the equivalent Leica lenses will do any better

than the outstanding line-up you already have... my opinion, of course.

<p>If you are talking about a used film SLR, Keh has the biggest selection, by far. Used digital...for me, that's kind of a crapshoot, as you don't know how many shots were taken, etc. If a DSLR, I'd look for one that is considered Mint or Like New or Refurbished by the manufacturer. Good luck.</p>

<p>The 120mm macro is a superb lens. Detail and texture in your work would really stand out with this lens. Expensive, but worth it.</p>

<p>I think it's a subjective choice. The Mamiyas, despite being 'trashed' here for the bokeh, have been pro mainstays for many years, from the RZ on down to the Pro TL. If the out of focus rendering was so bad...in most everyone's eyes, the system wouldn't still be a viable choice as it is today. I've gotten very smooth, creamy out of focus backgrounds out of my M7II and previously, the 645 Pro TL.</p>

<p>Sounds like they would do a CLA for $.99 and never return the camera.</p>

<p>As others have said, a rangefinder won't necessarily be suited for you, and it would be an expensive proposition for you if you decide that you can't work with one. There's no question that a Leica M, Zeiss Ikon, and Bessa rangefinders can be special when doing street candids. Possible, less expensive alternatives: a Contax G2 with Zeiss 45/2 is a superb kit but not a rangefinder feel with it's AF. The other, a Nikon FM2n with a 50/1.4 will be small, unobtrusive, and will give you quality results while still using a SLR. Good luck.</p><div></div>

<p>While I'm sure Mr. Puts is a very learned man, whenever I try to read his 'reflections', my eyes glaze over. I know now that whenever I have trouble sleeping, I can pull out this review...I'll be out in no time. While the tech-heads probably enjoy his techno-babble, me, I'd rather be out shooting, knowing that I can't afford the M9, as is probably the case with many here. My M6 is doing just fine. :-)</p>

<p>Used the Tamron 17-50/2.8 with the D300 and loved the results, sold the lens when I went to the FF D700. The Tamron 28-75/2.8 is also a fine performer.</p>

<p>Just to add, I've had the G2 since '96 and have also used a variety of SLRs...the SLRs got traded, sold, bought, etc., but I always hung on to the G2. Currently, a G2 and Leica M6 make the perfect street camera duo for me.</p>

<p>I've always laughed at people who say that it's a glorified p&s. It's AF with a fiddly MF, sure, but there's no green auto mode to be found. It's aperture priority and center-weighted metering are dead accurate. Others also scoff at the lens movement to auto focus when the shutter is pressed. Unusual, yes, and a bit noisy, but there is no shutter lag, and the focus is accurate. The viewfinder is small, but the superb Zeiss lenses are as good as it gets, from any manufacturer.</p>