Thank you Ryan and Luka
Ryan, the shots were wide open, even though the exif is showing f/2.4. I was trying to capture the narrow DOF, with the sun coming in the late afternoon.
Luka, the ZM 50 Planar has the very definite Zeiss rendering, but is very different to the ZE 50MP and ZE 50/1.4 Planar. I love the ZE 50MP, and I would like to have a lens similar to the ZM 50 Planar style on the Canon. Maybe it is a combination of sensor and lens that works.
Charles....excellent. I really like 2 & 3. Also like the way the lens renders in 4. What are your thoughts on it? I love that lens. I think it is perfect in about every way.....except it could be faster . Dead sharp corner to corner
Thanks Ryan Love this lens. Excellent for landscapes, and yes it is slower, but at that time of evening you do need to have a tripod It feels similar to the ZE 21/2.8.
"Fantastic Four", Charles! I was seriously thinking that an M9 had my name to it, but my dealer spoke of such limitations that I am getting cold feet. Essentially I have been told that it only complements a DSLR but cannot replace it, and I don't enjoy the thought of having 2 such systems...
philber wrote:
"Fantastic Four", Charles! I was seriously thinking that an M9 had my name to it, but my dealer spoke of such limitations that I am getting cold feet. Essentially I have been told that it only complements a DSLR but cannot replace it, and I don't enjoy the thought of having 2 such systems...
I don't have long now (about to catch a flight) but I would disagree after knowing your style philber. If you want/need AF of course that limits you. From what I see you don't. The M9 produces sharper images from corner to corner and the dynamic range is superior. The lenses are excellent and you can get that same zeiss look obviously. My only gripe is the lack of close focus....which probably isn't an issue with you. You don't use high ISO often and it is much easier to hand-hold an M9 with a zm25 than a 5dmII with a ze21
I am thoroughly enjoying it and am using the lowly M8
rsolti13 wrote:
Tobin, excellent use of the cv 35 1.4. How is the distortion on that lens? I have been thinking of a low light 35-50 crop equivalent and that looks like an excellent lens for that
I find the distortion non-existent. Its a great lens for the money. It has a certain leica glow. Its certainly not a leica but for the money its perfect for my first M lens.
The more I shoot the leica the more I want to sell my whole nikon bag and M8u and just get a M9 and a 35 cron
I sold my whole (considerable) DSLR and alt kit and went to the M9 and a mix of lenses from all 3 current M lens manufacturers. No regrets, but I shoot landscape, live music and portraits... no sport or macro in my repertoire.
Thats awesome thrice. What is your M9 kit? I think the M system wins you over there is something about that shooting experience that really makes photography so fun. I also think how a leica feels really is what makes me love it. I find it so instinctual to use a M camera as well as rewarding. The biggest thing is that I take my M8u everywhere where I do not do that with my D700. People also do not notice you or really seem to care when you are doing street with an M camera. When anyone sees my D700 people move away or get nervous from the sheer size.
With respect to the M8/9 and DSLR's, it is challenging topic. I have previously mentioned my feelings and why I have opted for the M9 and included the 5DII only. Both are FF and having the 5DII, is there for when only a DSLR will do. Percentage wise using the M9, has suprised me. I am now only using the 5DII, 5% of the time and will be less as I learn more about the M9. I have always thought, nice to have the camera for the "what if", but never have the need, or not very often. The weight and unobtrusiveness of the M9 system is what I love.
The photos from above were from a session last night with guidance of a accomplished professional photographer who uses Nikon D3 systems, and she needs it to work for her. Some of her professional collegues, with travel and journalism backgrounds, solely use the M8/9 system.
In answering your question Philippe, there is a place for both, but I am finding I am solely using the M9 because it is fun. The M8/M9 system has its quirks, but so does the 5DII, which is the main reason I am using the ZE range of lenses.
As a lesson from last night, I learnt an important tip. I always shoot RAW, and I am quite used of minor adjustments to WB in ACR. Danielle(pro photog) using a D3's and shooting RAW, suggested adjusting the WB manually to "fluorescent I" on the M9, with adjustments for evening shooting. Even her collegues shooting RAW suggested otherwise. We tried it last night, and WOW it works. If you try and PP in CS5 afterwards, I have found it very difficult to get the same results.
The rest of the shots from the evening are here, Burleigh Beach
It feels similar to the ZE 21/2.8. 
