LEICA vs Canon/Nikon
May 9, 2013 04:20:56 #
Hey Friends,
We all are aware of this unending war between the brands and the quality.
As I know, all these brands, be it Leica, Hasselblad, Nikon, Canon and so on, have compromised on the image quality when compared to their analog predecessors.
Leica, being in a league of its own, is still better when it is compared to Nikon or Canon (although, I have been a Nikonian all my life) when it comes to issues like sharpness, distortion and all.
But, we also know that Leica is quite a burn in the pocket.
Lately, I have been contemplating to buy the Leica Monochrom, both to OWN a Leica and to have a journey back to the pleasure of Black and White photography.
I would like to know from all you experts as to whether the investment in a Leica in the digital era is worth "the burn" ?
We all are aware of this unending war between the brands and the quality.
As I know, all these brands, be it Leica, Hasselblad, Nikon, Canon and so on, have compromised on the image quality when compared to their analog predecessors.
Leica, being in a league of its own, is still better when it is compared to Nikon or Canon (although, I have been a Nikonian all my life) when it comes to issues like sharpness, distortion and all.
But, we also know that Leica is quite a burn in the pocket.
Lately, I have been contemplating to buy the Leica Monochrom, both to OWN a Leica and to have a journey back to the pleasure of Black and White photography.
I would like to know from all you experts as to whether the investment in a Leica in the digital era is worth "the burn" ?
May 9, 2013 05:00:29 #
donrent
Loc: Punta Gorda , Fl
Well, it probaly depents if "highest quality" is in your vocabulary...
May 9, 2013 05:11:48 #
May 9, 2013 05:15:14 #
The quality of Canon (L series lenses) and Nikon are adequate for professional and amateur digital photography alike.
If you want the ultimate in optical quality, there are only two in the running, Leica and Ziess.
The old saying 'you get what you pay' sums it up.
That said there are thousands of quality photographs out there taken with all types/makes of cameras and lenses. It all depends on your budget and what you want to spend.
I have been a Leica user for thirty odd years and love the marque. Have several bodies and lenses to match.
My own personal answer to your contemplation on whether to purchase the Leica Monochrome - I would not, too restrictive. Purchase a Leica (M9) by all means, but you can reproduce Black & White photographs just as well and have the benefit of colour.
If you want the ultimate in optical quality, there are only two in the running, Leica and Ziess.
The old saying 'you get what you pay' sums it up.
That said there are thousands of quality photographs out there taken with all types/makes of cameras and lenses. It all depends on your budget and what you want to spend.
I have been a Leica user for thirty odd years and love the marque. Have several bodies and lenses to match.
My own personal answer to your contemplation on whether to purchase the Leica Monochrome - I would not, too restrictive. Purchase a Leica (M9) by all means, but you can reproduce Black & White photographs just as well and have the benefit of colour.
May 9, 2013 05:20:24 #
Thanks a lot Leicaflex .. What I read about this Monochrom was that in a colour sensor, the pixels are divided between the colours and black and white which compromises the sharpness but, in Monochrom, since it is "colour blind", all the pixels therein are dedicated to only black and white and, hence, it renders the best in sharpness.
Over to your analysis please.
Over to your analysis please.
May 9, 2013 05:23:27 #
Dun1
Loc: Atlanta, GA
The quality of the lenses certainly depends on the depth of the lens budget. In most instances Canon and Nikon produce great quality lenses. If you can afford the front running lenses for Leica's (Zeiss etc) and you enjoy that camera go for it.
May 9, 2013 05:26:25 #
May 9, 2013 05:42:37 #
No, it's not worth the "burn" to me. There wouldn't be any pocket left.
---Beagleman
---Beagleman
May 9, 2013 05:43:47 #
Lol .. What with about 7000$ for the body and nearly the same price for the gem of the lens !!!!
May 9, 2013 05:52:09 #
Sidphotog wrote:
Thanks a lot Leicaflex .. What I read about this Monochrom was that in a colour sensor, the pixels are divided between the colours and black and white which compromises the sharpness but, in Monochrom, since it is "colour blind", all the pixels therein are dedicated to only black and white and, hence, it renders the best in sharpness.
Over to your analysis please.
Over to your analysis please.
You are quite correct in what you have read. However, there is more resolution detail retained in a colour photograph and when converted to monochrome, that detail is retained
May 9, 2013 05:56:36 #
Leicaflex wrote:
You are quite correct in what you have read. However, there is more resolution detail retained in a colour photograph and when converted to monochrome, that detail is retained
Thanks again Leicaflex. Quite informative.
All you experts are actually helping me build a picture and nearing decision. Thanks to all of you. :-)
May 9, 2013 06:23:29 #
Sidphotog wrote:
Thanks again Leicaflex. Quite informative.
All you experts are actually helping me build a picture and nearing decision. Thanks to all of you. :-)
All you experts are actually helping me build a picture and nearing decision. Thanks to all of you. :-)
Have a think why it is that you are umming and ahhing.....If you are worried about find justification for buying such expensive gear then you probably can't afford it. Rob.
May 9, 2013 06:48:17 #
winterrose wrote:
Have a think why it is that you are umming and ahhing.....If you are worried about find justification for buying such expensive gear then you probably can't afford it. Rob.
That's quite right Rob. Right now, I really cannot afford it but then it is only because of its price that I wanted to be sure if it is worth the investment.
May 9, 2013 07:00:35 #
Sidphotog wrote:
As I know, all these brands, be it Leica, Hasselblad, Nikon, Canon and so on, have compromised on the image quality when compared to their analog predecessors
., I have been contemplating to buy the Leica Monochrom
whether the investment in a Leica in the digital era is worth "the burn" ?
If you can afford a Monochrom you can certainly afford the expense and hassle of a film version of the Leica.
The best B&W film still meets or exceeds the 18MP resolution of the Monochrom. For between $1,500 and $2,000 you can own an M6 or M6 TTL (the last fully mechanical version) in excellent or like new condition and use any of the Leica or Zeiss lenses. The M7 is a bit newer, more expensive and uses an electronic shutter. You can still find a new Zeiss Icon (electronic shutter) for under $1,600 that uses the same lenses.
I would invest the $6,000 you would save on a couple of nice lenses. In fact, I have done exactly that. I have the Zeiss Icon, the M6 and a growing kit of superior Zeiss and Leica lenses.
But to be honest, it is hard to tell the difference in quality between the photos I have taken with these two cameras and those that I have taken with my D7000 and a 35-70 zoom. But the Nikon is heavy and noisy.
If you really want to get some quality results you will need to move up to medium format, but that is a story for another day.
May 9, 2013 07:15:17 #
Sidphotog wrote:
That's quite right Rob. Right now, I really cannot afford it but then it is only because of its price that I wanted to be sure if it is worth the investment.
It's sort of funny, when I think of it. When I add up what I have "invested" in my gear and divide that dollar value by the number of photographs I have which would not have been possible had I possessed something of lesser quality, I am left with what it has cost me on a per photograph basis. Is it worth it? In a word, yes. Because there is a lot more to the hobby than only the photograph itself, at least it is for me, and I suppose if that is the case for you and for others then I do not need to explain what that is. (Those who make a living from photography are an entirely different animal). Maybe just sleep on it for a month or two, I thought I wanted a D800 on top of the D3 and D7100 that I have but the only real difference, which could be as much of a millstone as an advantage, is those multi megapixels.....so I will pass for now. Rob.
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