Marc,
for what I do buffering is not a problem since I dont usually shoot that many frames in a row.
Regarding WA I own 21asph,28asph,35asphlux and all three work pretty good.
For some reason the 28/2.0asph is a little softer wide open (Leica has checked it and says everything is ok).
The 21 works very well and the 35 too.
With both lenses there is not that much vignetting (nowhere close to the vignetting you get when putting a 24-105IS on a Canon5D at 24mm.
Raw-image quality of the rd1 is very good IMO, however colorwise and tonewise I prefer C1-conversion compared to Epson. The Epson -raw converter sometimes gives a kind of pastel-like look, the c1 is just right IMO.
Here you find comparison between rd1,dmr,5d and d2x at 50mm: http://www.pbase.com/tstreng/test&page=1
Thanks very much Tom for that info.
Really usefull to get opinions from someone you know from this forum instead of some random reviewer on the web!
I would be using it very much as a one lens cary around camera and so am not expecting top dslr etc image quality but will get a camera that is always there!
Would use with the 21mm lens to give 30mm approx after crop factor...so I'll have to do some leica 21mm research there..
As for vignetting..like you say if it's better than canon 24mm etc is good for me and C1 is what I use already so all in all thanks very much..I'l now wait until Photonika, see what happens, and then more than likely try to pick one up..I reckon there may be a few coming up for sale if the M8 come onto the market.
Forgot to ask..with the crop factor on the rd-1 can you then use a 21mm lens without the need for an external viewfinder as it has the fov of a 32mm lens..i assume you just get to know where the image will lie within the viewfinder.
This must also be relevant for the M8 as many will want to use lenses wider than the 28mm.
But Guy,
The cost of the M8 and lenses would get you such a great 6x9 view camera kit such as the arca 6x9metric + lenses which would be so good for your work (product, exteriors, etc)..with both film and also allow you the hire in of digital backs when needed..surely you need that more than the M8! If I knew how to add a smily here I would!
Well that is o.k. then!...I sound like your bank manager!
That type of set up is where I want to end up in six months or so (good ff dslr incl. shift options(nikon/leica), 6x9 gearedview camera for high end int/ext (arca/linhoff) and high quality unobtruive walk around digital (leica/zeiss).
Leica should be paying a huge commission to Guy. He has now got me thinking about the M series as well uhm.
I could actually see myself buy the Ziess Ikon camera for M film use and the M8 for digital usage.
I find myself using my CM quite a lot, and my wet dream for Leica would be for them to build a CM digital.
The main attraction about the CM is its ergonmics. It is so small so that I can take it everywhere and the autofocus feature makes it a breeze to take pictures while in the middle of a traversing a river in a canoe.
I am still somewhat perplexed why Leica can't produce AF lenses when Hasselblad/Zeiss can do it for MF.
Guy,
Sounds good. Only problem with a rangefinder is accurate framing. So there might be some problems for architecture. I wonder if it will be possible to shoot tethered with the M8? If it is it will be good for some architecture. The M8 sure is tempting! But I think I still feel that the DMR is more allround.
Tim,
Good to hear that you like your CM! I miss it sometimes.. I agree that a digital CM would be a wet dream. A 4/3 sensor, 40/1.4 glass and IS would be soooo nice!
The R8 and motordrive I take out when I go photographing, the CM is always wiith me every day in my bag, if a situation arises in the office out it goes, I feel those expressionistic unplanned pictures are very important.
Yeah, I agree. Those pictures actually often turns out the best. And what a tool the CM is to capture them! Considering how good the CM lens is I think that camera is a steal!
I don't know rhe situation in Sweden but here in Denmark. if you shoot any kind of slide film you have to have it sent to Germany (Kiel) for processing, so that takes at least a week. I find that to be a problem if I am experimenting with a picture I then have to make a note in abook otherwise I might have forgotten it when the film is finaly back. That would be a primary reason for me to go digital, to get that immediate feedback.
That is also why I am getting more and more into Kodachrome. I mean what is the difference between one or two weeks of waiting to have the results back?
I suppose I should be grateful that I can still have my slide film developed in the face of the breakdown in the market for film.
It's a great feeling shooting film too. The process is longer and I take a lot longer time and thinking for each frame but it's often resulting in good images. Don't know if I like scanning that much though
I recommend a swedish pro lab called www.crimson.se
They are very good, fast and reliable. They do everything. I'm not sure they work with Denmark but I think they can.
I thought that I'd bring this one back from the dead .... with the M8 getting closer. I think I'm going to take a flyer on the Leica 24/2.8 asph as opposed to the 21/2.8 asph. My thinking is that I might find the focal length a little more to my liking on the 1.33 crop. Plus it'll match up with the much discussed 24-90 framelines. Sean Reid has a few good words for the 24/2.8 in one of his most recent articles. Hopefully, Leica doesn't blindside me with a new 24/2 at Photokina.
Although my rangefinder lust must be kept in check for a while, I wouldn't discount some of the wide Voigtlander/Cosina offerings, which are a fantastic value. I've owned the 21/4 and the 35/1.7, and had no complaints. Only sold due to going digital. The new 40/1.4 looks really nice as well, though I have never actually used it.
Also the Konica Hexanon-M 28/2.8 is a top-notch lens for a reasonable price. Truly fantastic lens with build quality rivaling the leica's.
Wow, I really wish I could justify. Must.... not.... give... in...
Arrgh! I love rangefinders, and leicas, and digital.
