jorge_saravia4

Tanya,

I had the same dilemma, I choose the 1ds Mk ll, for me is the right tool, better built quality, better ergonomics,

weather sealed, better autofocus, loger battery life (i know batteries ar not state of the art), vertical grip, enough

resolution (I work hand held most of the time), proven technology (most bugs solved, if not all), dual card (sd + cf),

fast enough (for me), instant power on, smaller files, don´t need video, (of course i know is heavier).

About ISO performance, I decided to take the risk, I have seen 1ds Mk ll files vs to the 1ds Mk lll files, both at high

ISO, and they compared very favorable. I got the 1ds mk ll last week for US$3090, new, 1 year warranty. No regret at

all.

Just an advice, know what you do and what you need (in terms of photo tools), read a lot, try first, and don´t let

yourself to be influenced by the "i must get the last in the market" phenomena.

Thanks,

Jorge Saravia

Hi Every One (sorry for any English mistake),

I have the chance of buying a brand new Canon 1DS MK ll (1 year full warranty),

box papers etc, price: US$4.790.

Before the 1DSMkll was offered to me, I was thinking about getting the new 1d

MK lll, I am aware of the format diferences, and I have been reading a lot about

both cameras, and I have read older post about the topic posted in photo.net, but

still not sure ? Do you think is it worth getting the 1DS Mk ll for that price ?

(not cosidering 5D).

Any advice will be welcome, and sorry about being redundant with this question.

Jorge Saravia

Hi every one,

I have decided to buy a Nikon D3, but it looks like all the stock has been

sold, and there are long back order list. To days ago I have the oportunity to

buy a nikon d3 from a reputable dealer in NYC, it was listed as used, the price

was $4.750, but according to the sales man, it was new but imported so it was

cheaper since it doesn't have the USA warranty. I almost buy it but at the

decided to wait, later I asked to my self why if there are so long back order

lists, this one still in stock ?. After searching e-bay , I knew that I could

find a lot of Nikon D3 offered in the same conditions, no USA warranty, new

cameras, cheaper than $4.999.

My question (assuming I can wait) is: ?Should I wait and join a back order

list ?, or should I go and buy one of the cheaper Nikon D3 ?

Thanks in advance

Jorge Saravia.

Hi Judit,

I haven?t read all answers your question has received, so sorry if I am telling the same that some one has already said. I have used the M6, the M7 and now and MP. First I have to say the Leica rangefinders are not fast photographic cameras unless you master the pre configure everything technique, that means, pre set aperture, so you can have enough deep of field, and pre set shutter speed (with the M7 you can have aperture priority). If you want to photograph fast moving objetcs, the real problem here is focusing, some times the range finder window flares at the precise moment you need to focus, some times it is not easy to say if the rangefinder spot is aligned, or some times the object you want is faster than you. What I do most of the time is to use a focal-length-aperture combination that gives me engouh deep of field distance to move so I don?t have to focus, I move around instead, and have the shutter speed pre set, that aproach favors short focal lenght lenses, I use 35 mm or even 24 mm, but if you want 75 or 90 mm is going to be more difficult. Another point here is composition, a DSRL or a Hasselblad allows you to compose inside the viewfinder, but the rangefinder window is not as precise, and the lens lines inside can be confusing at first.

So my advice is to rent before you buy, going from DSLR or Hasselblad to Leica M means a different photography aproach, with the Leica you take the picture in your mind, with the DSLR you can do it in the camera viewfinder, with the Leica you must be "in" the picture. All in all I guess for your needs a M7 will be fine, is a great camera, so I advice you to search for serial numbers to have the ones with the best rangefinder, later numbers.

Thanks,

Jorge Saravia.

Hi every one,

Photography will be dead when no one understands the mystery and the art behind a negative or a print. On the analog side chemistry is reacting to light, is nature acting by itself. On the digital side a software piece is "intrepreting" the information from the sensor, according to a programmer's instructions based on his (her) ability to "understand" nature.

Thanks,

Jorge Saravia

Hi every one (sorry for any English mistake),

I am a MP user and have 24/2.8 asph, 35/2.0 asph, noctilux and 50/2.0. I know

the M8 has a crop factor of 1.33, that turns the 50 mm in a +/- 67 mm lens, or

the 24 mm in a +/- 32 mm lens, that in terms of focal lenght. But since a 24 mm

has a different perspective and DOF than a 32 mm, for example (I know there is

no 32 mm M lens so it will be a 35mm), I am not quite sure if the 24 mm on the

M8 "equals" a 32 mm on a MP , or a 21 mm on a M8 (like the new

trielmar) "equals" a 28 mm on the MP, that in terms of perspective, DOF,

and "visual composition".

Does any one have done any comparison regarding what a M8 sensor "sees" vs what

a 35 mm area film (or sensor) "sees" using the same lens?, is there any real

difference ?

Thanks in adavance for your comments

Jorge Saravia

Hi every one ( a bit long, and sorry for any english mistake).

I have been leica user for 10 years, had a M7, traded it for a new MP, have 4

lenses and a m6 ttl. I have read all about the mew M8, and as well as many of

you I have been playing with the idea of getting one, I may trade some of

other photo gear I have, but the question about if is it worth getting it hits

again and again, and takes me to an infinite loop. How to break the cycle ????

let`s try:

1- What does photography means for me ?

Photography is the art of seeing and being able to transform what I see in a

bidimensional image that show my internal sight. That involves a process which

begins the moment I open my eyes and goes to the moment the final print is

out, I say print, because for me the photo itself is an object of art.

For me photography is not matter of how many, and how fast, or how soon I see

the results, it is about being able of be there and see, is an act of present,

photography is in the mind just before it is in the film (or buffer).

For me the camera itself is part of the process, but I know the instrument

alone won`t make better photographer.

2- Will Leica M8 add value to the photography process ?

Based on what I read the M8 will not add to the process because the output

won`t be better that the one I get from my MP (or an M7), the fact that it is

digital won`t make me better in the process.

For the economic point of view, the M8 may save some money since there in not

film and development costs, but I will need the spent in hardware and software.

3- Will obsolecense be a factor to decide ?

For me no, I have seen photos taken with a Nikon 2HS (4 mp) far superior from

photos taken with a Canon 5D (12MP), I am not talking about resolution or

things like that, i talk about the image, the photo as an object that is able

to show me the way some one else saw a moment of reality. I think an M8 will

be able to take good photos for years, even if we have 39 MP full frame

(35mm) out there.

If I pay money for the M8 I will be paying for a service that the machine will

give me for some years, I won`t be paying only for the object.

4- If M8 will not add value, why am I thinking about getting one ?

I like technology, i like new things, I am affected for marketing, I like

Leica things, no logic here.

Will i buy it ??????? I haven`t had the opportunity to handle one M8, but when

i do that, if I feel the the M8 adds to my process by being better instrument

than my MP I will.

Thanks.

Jorge Saravia