Aftaab
10-21-2006, 02:44 AM
I'm a Canon 35mm film camera user looking to add a decent digital camera system to use as my primary system. I'm very excited about the new line of Leica digital cameras that may offer me the option of breaking free of my Canon system.
I'm used to shooting documentary/reportage photography with a EF-L 20-35mm f2.8 (35mm standard) lens and an EF-L 85mm f1.2 portrait lens. At the moment I'm faced with these options: the first is to purchase a very expensive high end digital Canon body to use my old EF L-series lenses without the requisite conversion due to the small sensors on the more affordable Canon dlsr bodies. I'm not keen on this option as the cost is prohibitive.
The second option would be to purchase an entry level or intermediate Canon dslr such as those with the smaller 1.6x sensor of the 20D, 30D and Rebel and yet another new set of Canon lenses to accommodate my need for an ultra-wide angle zoom (the Canon Zoom Lens EF-S 10 - 22mm f/3.5 - 4.5 USM is the only offering and I don't believe as good as my current 35mm equivalent) and a portrait prime. I believe I will regret this option in the future.
I already have a couple of FD L-series lenses for my F-1 body (which I thoroughly enjoy working with and still use a lot) that are incompatible with my EOS bodies. I'm not keen on purchasing yet another set of lenses from Canon with the equivalent focal lengths in the digital world that I can only use on select intermediate bodies within my budget. I find this dilemma very frustrating and somewhat short-sighted on Canon's part! At least Nikon users can still use many of their manual lenses on their automatic bodies. I'm quite happy to sell (and already have a buyer for) my 35mm EOS bodies and EF-L series lenses to cover any additional cost of switching to Leica.
The final option - the one I find the most compelling is to simply begin with a new system altogether - one built with extremely high quality components and optics - one that has the impeccable reputation that Leica enjoys amongst professional photographers.
The D-system is within my budget. The current lens offered in the D-System: LEICA D VARIO-ELMARIT f/2.8-3.5/14-50 ASPH offers a 28-100mm (35mm equivalent) which cuts out the 20-28mm range which is hugely important to my work. Of course the M8 - a dream camera, truly the ultimate along with the stunningly small LEICA TRI-ELMAR-M16-18-21 mm f/4 ASPH lens covers this beautifully, but is way out of my budget for now, but at the very top of my wish list.
I'd like to know if anyone is aware of plans in the near future to add more Leica lenses that will cover the 20-28mm range for the D-system? Also, are there any lenses from other manufacturers that I can use to cover this range in the meantime? If the answer is yes, is the Digilux 3 available for purchase without the current lens offering (body only)?
I'm used to shooting documentary/reportage photography with a EF-L 20-35mm f2.8 (35mm standard) lens and an EF-L 85mm f1.2 portrait lens. At the moment I'm faced with these options: the first is to purchase a very expensive high end digital Canon body to use my old EF L-series lenses without the requisite conversion due to the small sensors on the more affordable Canon dlsr bodies. I'm not keen on this option as the cost is prohibitive.
The second option would be to purchase an entry level or intermediate Canon dslr such as those with the smaller 1.6x sensor of the 20D, 30D and Rebel and yet another new set of Canon lenses to accommodate my need for an ultra-wide angle zoom (the Canon Zoom Lens EF-S 10 - 22mm f/3.5 - 4.5 USM is the only offering and I don't believe as good as my current 35mm equivalent) and a portrait prime. I believe I will regret this option in the future.
I already have a couple of FD L-series lenses for my F-1 body (which I thoroughly enjoy working with and still use a lot) that are incompatible with my EOS bodies. I'm not keen on purchasing yet another set of lenses from Canon with the equivalent focal lengths in the digital world that I can only use on select intermediate bodies within my budget. I find this dilemma very frustrating and somewhat short-sighted on Canon's part! At least Nikon users can still use many of their manual lenses on their automatic bodies. I'm quite happy to sell (and already have a buyer for) my 35mm EOS bodies and EF-L series lenses to cover any additional cost of switching to Leica.
The final option - the one I find the most compelling is to simply begin with a new system altogether - one built with extremely high quality components and optics - one that has the impeccable reputation that Leica enjoys amongst professional photographers.
The D-system is within my budget. The current lens offered in the D-System: LEICA D VARIO-ELMARIT f/2.8-3.5/14-50 ASPH offers a 28-100mm (35mm equivalent) which cuts out the 20-28mm range which is hugely important to my work. Of course the M8 - a dream camera, truly the ultimate along with the stunningly small LEICA TRI-ELMAR-M16-18-21 mm f/4 ASPH lens covers this beautifully, but is way out of my budget for now, but at the very top of my wish list.
I'd like to know if anyone is aware of plans in the near future to add more Leica lenses that will cover the 20-28mm range for the D-system? Also, are there any lenses from other manufacturers that I can use to cover this range in the meantime? If the answer is yes, is the Digilux 3 available for purchase without the current lens offering (body only)?