Almost Everything Must Go

[russelljtdyer]

I have a crazy plan: I'm going to sell almost all of my cameras and lenses. I've begun to implement this plan, but thought I would get some comments from some of you before I sell off the best items. One of the things that's inspiring this is an inadvertent assessment I made recently. A few months ago, looking through the more than 25,000 photos on my computer that I have taken in the past seven years, I printed my fifty best ones to put in a small photo album to show visitors to my home. Flipping recently through that album, I can see that over forty of them came from film cameras, of which thirty-eight were made with rangefinder cameras. Only five came from a digital SLR camera. My assessment: I take better pictures with film and rangefinder cameras. From this, I'm assuming I will do almost as well with a digital rangefinder camera.

Over the past several years I have been migrating towards owning and using rangefinder cameras which use Leica m-mount lenses. Towards this goal, I have acquired a Zeiss Ikon and a Leica CL camera--both film cameras, of course. For now, to provide a digital back for m-mount lenses, I use a Lumix GF1 micro four-thirds camera with a Voigtlander adapter. As for m-mount lenses, I have a Zeiss ZM Biogon f/2 35mm lens, a Zeiss ZM Planar f/2 50mm lens, and a Leica Elmarit-M f/2.8 90mm lens. This batch of cameras and lenses is excellent.

I'm very pleased with the rangefinder equipment I've assembled. However, I'm not satisfied with the Lumix GF1 as a digital back for my m-mount lenses. It doesn't have a full-frame sensor; it's difficult to keep camera shake under control; and related to both, focal lengths of lenses are about doubled. What I want is a digital, m-mount camera--not one that requires a lens adapter--and that has at least a 18 mega-pixel, full-frame sensor. At this point, only the Leica M9 camera meets these requirements--at least that's the only one I know. Although it's a fine camera, it's a bit pricey--a common complaint. So if I want to buy one, something has to go.

The reason I'm so set on a camera with an image sensor that is full-frame and high resolution is because I also own a Canon EOS 5D, Mark II digital SLR camera, which has a full-frame, 24 mega-pixel sensor. So I'm spoiled when it comes to digital. I also own a Canon EOS 33v film camera. For use with these Canon EOS cameras, I has a Zeiss ZE Distagon f/2.8 21mm lens, a Zeiss ZE Planar f/1.4 50mm lens, and a Zeiss ZE Planar f/1.4 85mm lens. All are spectacular lenses. But I find SLR cameras to be noisy and the equipment I own to be very large and heavy. My rangefinder cameras and lenses are just as good and much smaller, lighter, and quieter. As a result, I hardly use now my SLR cameras and lenses. I only use them for the occasional studio work, or when I want a high quality digital image and don't want to wait to get film developed and then scanned.

Besides the SLR equipment and the other equipment mentioned above, I have some Leica screw-mount lenses and camera, several fixed-lens rangefinder cameras (e.g., a Canonet). and plenty of studio lighting equipment. Basically, I have an excessive amount of money into photography equipment and use very little of them. As a result, I'm planning to sell all of my cameras and lenses except the Zeiss Ikon camera, and the three m-mount lenses. I'll also keep the studio lighting equipment. That will be eight cameras and five lenses when all is sold--I've already sold the fixed-lens cameras, but haven't put the SLR or micro four-thirds items up for sale yet. By my conservative calculations, I think I can get about $6500 for all of it. That's enough to be able to buy a used Leica M9 in excellent or like-new condition from KEH.

So that I won't fall into severe depression from both seller and buyer remorse after swapping out my equipment, I decided to rent a Leica M9. Last week when I was in Boston, I rented one from Lens Rentals for four days. It cost more than renting a car for the week, but the idea of selling my Canon 5D II and the ZE lenses scares me. By the way, Lens Rentals is a very agreeable company.

The first day or two that I had the Leica M9, I was pretty disappointed. The problem was that I didn't have much time to use it: I was busy with my work. I also needed time to understand how to use and fine tune it. But on the weekend I met up with each of my two sons who live nearby and took plenty of shots. Below are some sample shots I took in Lowell, Massachusetts using my Zeiss ZM Biogon f/2 35mm lens. I soon got into of rhythm of adjusting the controls and was very much enjoying having a full-frame digital camera that uses m-mount lenses. The verdict: I want one!

Given all of the above, what do y'all think? Will I regret selling everything else for a Leica M9 kit? Can I manage just fine using it for studio work? Since I don't take photos requiring more than a 90mm lens, can I manage with just a Zeiss Ikon and a Leica M9 and the three lenses I now have? I've almost made up my mind to do this, but it's not too late to turn back. If this is a good idea, I'm looking for encouragement to forge ahead.

[Araakii]

If your finance is so constrained, you will probably run into trouble if your M9 breaks for whatever reason. It's a great idea to shoot with just the M9, but you always need a backup.

[mfogiel]

Go for it, but keep the Planar 85, with perhaps the Canon 33v for portraiture - maybe a bargain full frame Canon DSLR will come up for this lens later. Rangefinders are much better suited for normal/wide angle work, while longer lenses are much easier to use on (D)SLR's. As for appraisal, you can try New Old Camera in Milan (http://www.newoldcamera.com/index.aspx)- they will give you a low quote, but you will have a reference point.

[tom.w.bn]

Keep the EOS Zeiss lenses, sell the cameras. You will probably need a dslr someday and it should be easier to rend a digital body than to find the specific lenses you want.

[kokoshawnuff]

I would consider keeping a cheap dslr or slr for macro purposes.

[DRabbit]

I'm someone who sold my Canon 5D (M1) and all lenses in order to buy an M8 at the time (2007). I have never regretted it.

One caveat though... I worked into my budget buying the smallest DSLR I could (at the time, mirrorless didn't exist). I bought the Olympus e-410 and one nice flexible zoom (14-54 f/2.8). I figured it would be good to have "just in case" -- for those times a DSLR is just more handy than a rangefinder camera.

I don't think you'll have any problem doing studio work with the M9. I think if you love the rangefinder experience, there isn't much to worry about. I now have a Zeiss Ikon too (and boy do I love that camera).

I could shoot with the M8 mostly for my type of photography. However, it is nice to have options when one of those tricky occasions comes up that a rangefinder just doesn't handle well. Necessary? That' s up to you.

Good thing is, there's lots of options out there in small affordable kits now. Even if you don't think you need it right this minute, in 6 months you could get a cheap little used mirrorless to have "just in case".

Enjoy the journey, and I look forward to hearing how you feel when it's all done...

[kemal_mumcu]

If your best shots are done with film rangefinders, why the M9? Why not look for a cheaper digital solution instead; if digital is going to be second-place anyway?

[Dralowid]

If you can afford to keep one screw mount Leica and a lens then do so.

Why?

Well you'll find out if you sell them!

Michael

[bwcolor]

Don't do anything until the Photokina lineup is clear. This will also give you more time to get things sorted out in your own mind. After all, only you can answer your questions.

[Sejanus.Aelianus]

It seems to me that, if you have to ask for advice, you aren't ready to make a decision. There's a song from "Bombay Dreams" that includes the lyric "Now sometimes standing still can be the best move you ever make".

In this case, that looks like sage advice.

[thegman]

Only you can make that decision really. Financially, I'd feel ill spending the money an M9 costs. That feeling is not entirely logical though, as every 36 shots, it pays for itself a little bit. It probably also loses the same amount in value though.

If you're OK with the devaluation, then it's not too much of a problem, and I guess we all should be OK with it, unless we're collectors/investors.

For me, the amazing cameras you can buy in it's place will mean that I'll likely never buy a M9 or M10, even if I were a millionaire.

Think about it, M9 cameras are only getting cheaper, so you should be in no hurry to buy. If you feel the same way in a month, then maybe it's the right decision for you.

[segedi]

Use the Ikon and three lenses for a year. After that year is done, you'll find that 100% of your favorite images were taken with a film camera. Problem solved!

[david.elliott]

Igor has a few m9 cameras for sale at what seem to be quite good prices.

http://www.igorcamera.com/leica_cameras.htm

Leica M9 #3980xxx, black, 2.9k act., complete set, screen protector, box, Mint- $5500.

Leica M9 #3979xxx, black, 250 act., complete set, box, Mint/Mint- $6000.

Leica M9 #3837xxx, steel grey, 2.5k act., complete set, screen protector, box, Ex+ $5400.


If I were to buy an m9, it would be a used one and from a dealer - adorama, bh, igor, etc.

If you buy from Igor, tell him david elliott says hi.

All that said, if your best pictures come from film rangefinders why consider the m9? Just echoing another's comments above.

[russelljtdyer]

Thanks for the many comments. Below are my responses to several of them. I couldn't respond to all at this time.

Originally Posted by Araakii

If your finance is so constrained, you will probably run into trouble if your M9 breaks for whatever reason. It's a great idea to shoot with just the M9, but you always need a backup.

I will have a Zeiss Ikon as a back-up. My income is not constrained. I just have too much money in photography equipment. I'm trying to rein myself in a little by forcing myself to assess my photography equipment and sell whatever I don't use. I'm trying to consolidate. I feel also that I can improve my skills by using just one set of cameras and lenses, rather than a few sets.

Originally Posted by mfogiel

...keep the Planar 85, with perhaps the Canon 33v for portraiture...

Originally Posted by tom.w.bn

Keep the EOS Zeiss lenses, sell the cameras. You will probably need a dslr someday and it should be easier to rend a digital body than to find the specific lenses you want.

It's a tempting idea, to hang onto at least one of the Zeiss ZE lenses in case I want to go back or rent one. The 50mm lens is my least favorite, but it has the lowest price, and given its overall size, and focal length, it would be the best one to keep to use with a cheap DSLR.

Originally Posted by kemal_mumcu

If your best shots are done with film rangefinders, why the M9? Why not look for a cheaper digital solution instead; if digital is going to be second-place anyway?

Digital was my best shots until I started using a rangefinder film camera. But there are some advantages with a digital camera. I'm figuring that a digital rangefinder camera that uses m-mount lenses will provide me the best combination. The M9 is the only rangefinder camera with a full-frame, high megapixel sensor that uses m-mount lenses without an adapter. So I'm thinking that the M9 will become my primary camera.

Originally Posted by Sejanus.Aelianus

It seems to me that, if you have to ask for advice, you aren't ready to make a decision..

I have basically decided. In the past few weeks I have begun to act on that decision. But as I approach the sale of the Canon 5DII, I'm rethinking what I'm doing. I'm making sure that I'm not following a path that will lead to actions that I will regret later. I'm mostly looking for encouragement to keep going, or some fine tuning advice--as I'm getting from several of the posts here.

Originally Posted by Dralowid

If you can afford to keep one screw mount Leica and a lens then do so.

I was thinking the same thing. I have a Canon P that I like very much. I don't like too much the screw mount lenses I have. For now I've put the lenses up for sale, but am thinking of keeping the Canon P and buying one good Leica screw mount lens--maybe a 35mm focal length lens. Or maybe I'll sell the Canon P too and later buy a Leica IIIf or IIIg--I almost bought one a couple months ago before I started rethinking my situation.

Originally Posted by bwcolor

Don't do anything until the Photokina lineup is clear.

Yes, I was thinking and hoping that if an M10 is officially announced, the price of used M9's would go down. Plus, I would then know the features of the M10 and decide if I'd prefer to wait to buy one of those instead. The process of selling my current equipment will take time. Because of my cash flow situation, I prefer to sell the old items before buying the new camera. This is one reason why I'm concerned: besides regretting possibly the purchase of an M9, I will be without a full-frame digital camera for a while. So I'll probably keep the Lumix GF1 until I buy the M9.

Originally Posted by DRabbit

I'm someone who sold my Canon 5D (M1) and all lenses in order to buy an M8 at the time (2007). I have never regretted it.
...
I don't think you'll have any problem doing studio work with the M9...

Thanks for the encouragement. Thanks for the encouragement and advice from several of you. I appreciate your insights.

[hausen]

I went through same exercise 2 years ago and sold my 5DII + 5 lenses and have missed them for a moment. Now have M9 plus 28/50/90 Summicron and couldn't be happier. Only lens I do miss in my Canon gear was the 24TS-E because Tilt/Shift can be pretty handy sometimes. But I think your assessment of your favorite photos answers you question for you.

[willie_901]

Well you didn't say anything about he time-line of your favorite film images. Was it the medium, the lenses, the overall experience of using a rf camera, or certain periods in you life when your creativity was heightened?

Also, of the 25,000 photos, what percentage were dslr vs rf and what about he film:digital ratio? It could be the your creativity is realively independent of the medium or camera type.

At any rate if you don't do much action or macro photography the M9 should serve you well.

I also feel that a back up system is necessary. Having a competent back up option is useful regardless of what camera and lenses one chooses for their main platform. Low probability events occur from time to time.

[sojournerphoto]

I sold my 1Ds3 a little while after buying my M9, simply because I wasn't using it any more. There are a few occasions I miss having a dslr, but not enough for me to spend the money I'd need to get something I'd enjoy - you get used to speed. These include astro photography, low light pics of the children and sports pics of the children (the latter two are more doable than I expected to be fair)

I have recently considered a M4/3 camera as a second dslr alternative (the Oly OM-D looks interesting) and the Nikon D800(e) as a medium format alternative, but haven't made any decisions yet.

We're about to move to a smaller house for a few months, so I'm planning on making 5 by 7 contact prints and mostly M9 I think. Possibly some 35mm film and 6x7 as well (plus catching up with the scanning backlog - the biggest argument for the M9...)

[Gary Sandhu]

Some more analysis of your favorite photos is required, as someone already said. Which focal length? What subject? Which environment? Which percentage of total shots by the dslr and rangefinders became your favorite 50?
It could be that you determine that it's all 35mm focal length on rangefinders because the dslr was too heavy (and so a x100 could be an option). Or maybe most are 50mm which you may not have for a dslr and so choose to get a 50mm for the dslr. Etc etc.

[Steve Bellayr]

There are two ways to look at cameras which are not mutually exclusive. The first and most obvious is which camera am I most comfortable and take the best photographs? The second is the historical and technological development of cameras. It you are not at all interested in the second then buying newer equipment will suit your needs. I think that your purchase of the M9 was a wise move you.

[russelljtdyer]

In case anyone is interested in charting my madness and sadness, here's an update on how far down this path I have gone thus far--see my original post to this thread.

I have sold all of my fixed-lens rangefinder cameras. I have put for sale the two Leica screw-mount lenses--the store has a buyer who's coming in soon for one. One of the two micro four-thirds lenses I have for the Lumix GF1 is up for sale: I am so pleased with that in particular since it's the only zoom lens I own. I started eliminating all of my zoom lenses in July of 2010. It's taken until now to finish that plan.

Last week I turned in my Canon flashes to be sold. I'll get something else later to replace them. I'm keeping the PocketWizard triggers and my studio lights and all of the other studio equipment.

Today I brought the Zeiss ZE 85mm lens and the Zeiss ZE 21mm lens to the photography store near me to sell. I really like that ZE 21mm lens. I will miss it. Since I only have left one Canon EOS lens, there's no longer much point in having two EOS cameras. So tonight I've packed up the Canon EOS 33v film camera. That's such a nice camera and in excellent condition. Everything I own is in excellent or like-new condition.

There are only a few things left that are on the list to eliminate: I still have the Canon P--which I may keep and buy a good Leica lens for it later. The big item left is the Canon 5D II camera and one Zeiss ZE lens, the 50mm. I have a few minor projects coming for which I'd like to have a full-frame digital camera. So, maybe one more week before they could go. I also have the Lumix GF1 and the 20mm pancake lens. I'm thinking that I will hang onto it until I get the Leica M9, but maybe there's no need for that security blanket. I'm basically trying to straddle: I'm concerned about going too long without a digital camera. I guess it doesn't matter, though.

My timing at this point is to get the cameras and lenses in the store window before the natives go off on their long summer vacations in August, thinking that they'll buy my items for their holidays. I'm hoping to have everything sold by the end of July. If so, I'll sit on the cash until after Photokina in October--as bwcolor suggested above--to see how the Leica M10 looks (assuming it's released then) and to see what it does to the price of used M9's. This is why I'm worried about being digitally exposed--or should that be digitally unexposed? Of course, the world did just fine with only film cameras for quite a while. It might be a good experience for me to work from film only for three months or so.

The money, after commissions, for everything I've sold or have for sale will give me something over $3200. If I sell the Lumix GF1, I should be approaching $3500. That puts my piggy bank $2300 short of the cost of a used Leica M9 in excellent condition. The Canon 5DII and the Zeiss ZE 50mm lens would put me over the top. However, I'm rethinking my plan slightly on these two items.

I've looked into cheap DSLR cameras for special situations as a couple of you have suggested. Without a full-frame sensor, I'll be very disappointed with the results. If I want a full-frame EOS camera, that's the 5DII. So, there's a small chance that I may keep the Canon 5DII and the Zeiss ZE 50mm lens until after I buy the Leica M9. I think I can swing the difference until I'm totally weaned off of the DSLR. I'm not cowering, but stepping a little more cautiously. But maybe I'm not since I'm putting more cash on the line during the overlap.

[dave lackey]

Sounds like a plan, Russell...go for it, life is too short and believe me, if anyone knows, I do.

[bwcolor]

I'm wondering if another company is crazy enough to introduce a full frame compact camera. There are lots of capable players in the mirrorless market. I bet one of them will dip their feet in the full frame compact market.

[Godfrey]

You want to do a purge, dump excess equipment, and see if sticking to your current dream camera and just making photographs will further your photography? Good! That's a great step forward. Can't go wrong with a Leica.

Just do it. Don't think or analyze, or worry about it too much. It's just camera equipment, you can always buy it again if you find you miss something.

I've been through this cycle several times. The first time it seems radical. The second time it seems a little deja vu. The third time ... you begin to realize it's just normal, well, part of your growth cycle.

Pick one or two nice Leica lenses out of what you have. Sell everything other than your favored film body, buy the M9. Then make photos for a year and some with just that gear. A lot of photos. With a lot of thought and care in them. Then think about what you really want, if anything, to move forward again.

Because equipment often gets in the way of Photography, and too much equipment can absolutely kill Photography. Better to become free and do Photography. It's much more rewarding than accreting bunches of gear.

(I'm on the downhill side of equipment acquisition again myself. I've got my M4-2 and M9, and the other stuff is slowly heading out the door. It feels great.)