Consolidating to Leica? or keep the Nikon?

[snaggs]

Brave choice, my man, but you stuck to your guns. Time will tell if it was the right move - I for one have bounced around through tons of gear, and there are some I wish I never bought, and more I wish I ne er sold. . .
But, in the end all that matters is that it gets used and doesn't sit on a shelf somewhere! So bravo to your choice, and we'll be looking for some photos in the future.
Jed

Yes! Just in time for 2 weeks in france with my wife "sans enfants" :)

I'll be very curious to compare shots taken with the 75 lux vs the 85mm nikon, its got some big shoes to fill.

Daniel.

[Micky]

the 1.4/75mm is my favourite lens out of all my systems owned, past and present. your 85mm won't stand a chance.

[clayne]

Eveb as a leica user myself I have to call bs on the 85 not standing a chance. Leica lenses are excellent but they aren't the only people to throw some good glass together.

[Micky]

Clayne, I wasn't generalising, I have shot extensively with both lenses and that has been my experience. it's always going to be a tall order for a modern retrofocus design to stand up to a modern normal lens.

[clayne]

"Won't stand a chance" denotes a huge difference. I'm not saying there won't be differences, but they won't be "just throw the other lens away" differences, is all.

[snaggs]

So the Summilux 75 isn't a typical telephoto? I did read somewhere a comment that it was just a long normal?

Daniel.

[elekm]

I think the decision to consolidate to one brand is a call that you must make by yourself. The advantage is that you can focus your efforts on one camera or one line of cameras.

I think that it's also useful to have an SLR system, because the flexibility of an SLR can be very useful in certain types of photography.

I tend to agree that some of the models that Leica has produced are aimed solely at either the collector or those who enjoy showing off their wealth. Again, that's a decision for you to make. Not my thing, but if I had a hoard of cash, I wouldn't think twice about buying a Hermes edition.

[nolanr66]

Well it is all a big money decision for sure. All I can say is that a person should look to their future in photography and build a system that is capable of achieving that end. Only you can decide what you need to do. However take my advice with a grain of salt as I am very happy with a Nikon N80. The camera has no "Wow" factor at all. Sometimes when I tell people what I shoot they look like they just smelled garlic. I am sure the M9 + MP will bring a very different response. LOL, it should bring the "OMG" response.. It's beautiful gear you are buying for sure. Good luck with it.

[cheuwi]

keep everything except the 28mm PC and 45mm AI-P
What you have is probably the last F from Nikon in the F6 and the last mechanical/electronic Nikon!!!

[sepiareverb]

Unless you are into any close-up type work I'd say go for it. I made a similar switch about four years ago and haven't regretted it one bit. Finally sold off most of the Nikon stuff I'd been keeping because I liked it so much. I hadn't used any of it in years. Not even the close-up stuff. If you've any inlking of using the PC lens keep it and a body, as that won;t be replicated in Leica, but really if it is still NIB I know I wouldn't.

I really can't believe how much better suited to my way of working the M cameras are. I wish now I'd made the change 20 years ago.

[kivis]

I am actually going the other way because of GAS. Working in the Nikon world is about 1/5 the price of GASSING out in the Leica world. Plus Pete Smith, the Nikonsmith (30year Nikon hoarder and repairman) is about 15 minutes drive from me.