🔴 5 Benefits of SLR Cameras vs Rangefinder Cameras | Leica M6 vs Nikon FE2
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- čas přidán 7. 08. 2024
- PART1: 5 Benefits of SLR Cameras - Leica Rangefinder vs SLR (Leica M6 Portraits vs Nikon FE2
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Leica M6 Portraits vs Nikon FE2 35mm Film Portraits - Can you tell the difference in image quality!? Leica M6 vs Nikon FE2 Review (Rangefinder vs SLR Film Photography!)(5 Reasons Why the Nikon is Better!) Using the Voigtlander Nokton 58mm vs Leica Summilux 50mm lenses.
Despite being a Leica photographer in this video I highlight the benefits of an SLR vs Rangefinder system. I share some of my Leica M6 photography + Nikon FE2 portraits. The lenses featured in this video are the Leica Summilux 50mm f/1.4 ASPH. lens and the Voigtlander Nokton 58mm f1.4 lens. Both are amazing! The two 35mm film cameras share some similarities with the Leica M6 light meter and Nikon FE2 both taking the same LR44 battery. Most people probably do Leica M6 street photography but for me I'm more into portraits. For street photos the Leica camera will of course be the best tool for the job.
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Hi Matt I really like your videos and I always learn something new each time I watch them.
Thanks Kevin! My parents were both teachers so maybe I have something in the genes ha :)
Lovely video Matt, great comparison, and solid talking points. Look forward to seeing future videos.
Thanks John! I'm not sure how long I can keep up this pace but yes more videos soon haha :)
Matt Osborne I do not expect you to keep up this pace, but I do enjoy your videos. Stay safe mate!
Matt, came across this video and wanted to share that I enjoy your presentations. Keep up the great content.
Thanks you Luis, very kind! More videos soon (I just posted one) :)
Hi Matt, found this great vid of yours, and wonderful to hear your breakdown of the two cameras.
As a lifelong Nikon shooter it’s driven me nuts to hear Leica shooters deny the issues you accurately described.
Was surprised how interesting you made it !!
Thanks Gary, I appreciate your honest feedback! See the second video for the opposite argument! :)
Great Video! Thanks for sharing your knowledge! I inherited a Nikon F SLR camera. I decided to clean it up and try to use film again.
Hey Jasmine, welcome! Congrats on your Nikon F. I have done a lot of Nikon videos now, you might see it in another video. If you need a lens for it see some of my lens videos :)
My favorite Nikon setup is an F4 with a Zeiss Milvus 50mm f2 Macro, wonderful for walk-around photography. I'm primarily a Canon shooter though, and my absolute favorite kit is an R6 with an assortment of Zeiss and Voigtlander lenses. Which is why I'm here.
It's funny you're comparing the M6 to an FE2. I've always wanted an M6 or M7, and kept my FE while selling my FE2 and F3. (My preference for the FE is all about the ease of changing exposure compensation, where on the FE2 they made changing film speed easier than changing exposure comp.) And now I'm going to have to look for your X-Pan video, as I am unfortunately considering selling mine for lack of use.
I love your vids, by the way.
The camera that one uses habitually, becomes the generally preferred machine.
I have both M6 and M2 - all very nice, but I have found myself using the Nikon FE/FMs and the Olympus OMs far more.
Thanks for this video ... very interesting!
Thanks, yes all great cameras! I’m actually using a Minolta at the moment more than I should ha. :) See part 2 of this video for a balanced argument! :)
Still a very intresting video, Matt ! Great portraits ! Great job ! I am the lucky one to have liked this video under n° 300 ! Greetings, take care, Roger.
Ahh thank you Roger! :) There is another Leica vs Nikon shoot out in the pipeline! I just need to develop the film :)
Good video. I was a Nikon film driver from the beginning through to the F5 (best film camera they ever made but it was a tank).
Went Nikon digital until the D800 and switched to Fujifilm XT series for weight, lower cost...
Thanks! I still have many film Nikon including the F5 but I sold my digital Nikon.
Good Video Matt,
I have an FE2 which usually use with a Nikkor 28mm AI-S 2.8. Have used in the past F3 & F5. Still the FE2 have a balance of features, ergonomics and price which is hard to beat.
Thanks! Yes the FE2 is nice for sure. I have the 28mm AIS too!
I am very happy to see that review. I recently got the CV 58mm and wanted to compare it to my M4 + 50mm Summicron setup. You could also review the Zeiss super speed on ZF mount.
Hey Nico thank you! Yes the 58mm is excellent. You will love it! :) I don't have the Zeiss i'm afraid, sorry.
Nico Cazals thanks!
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom Not yet you mean :) the 50mm ZF 1.4 can be found at around $300. The 35mm and 85mm 1.4 are more expensive though but not Leica expensive.
Brilliant video. Love from Ireland 🇮🇪 keep up the great work.
Thanks Andrew! More videos coming soon :)
Nice, Matt, very nice! May I offer a video suggestion? How about comparing the X-pan with a Mamiya 6 with 35mm panoramic adapter?
Marcel Schepers Hi Marcel, thanks. Interesting you say that as I was going to include the Mamiya 7. I’ve not tried 35mm in the 6.
Being a Nikon photographer since late sixties I totally agree with your findings. My three brands that I have been using and still use are Hasselblad, Leica and Nikon. I have used every Nikon F to F6 and Nikkormat:s and never had any issue with any of them. They are great cameras for reasonably prices even if it looks like the price is rising at the moment.
Thanks we follow similar brands! Mine are mostly Leica, Nikon, Hasselblad/Mamiyas then all the others, Fujifilm (film bodies) etc. Yes I think Nikon film offer excellent value.
Big fan of your page Matt!!
Thank you Andrew! Very kind :)
Hey Matt, can it be that you lean more often towards a 50ish lens? If so, then is your M6 a 0.85 viewfinder? My favorite Nikon combo is either the F2 or F3 with the Voigtlander 58mm f/1.4 SL (fantastic lens) and the Nikkor 105mm f/2.5. Keep up your effort with your videos ... they are great and it will pay out 👍🏻🙋🏻♂️
Thank you Bruno, very kind. Yes I am for sure a 50mm man! (100%) ..sometimes when i'm feeling crazy I might shoot 40mm then back to 50 :) (Mostly 50s).. I use a 1.4x magnifying making the M6 view more similar to my M3 which I use the most. Congrats on the 58mm lens..it sound like quite a ffew people know how good it is! :) More videos soon! :)
I'm looking forward to see your workflow after the shoot. How do you develop and most importantly how do you scan your images. I think your 35mm film scans are the better looking I've seen in the last year...
Thanks
Paolo Soddu thanks very kind of you! Yes a scanning video is on my list (I just want to today the room first ha) :)
Very nice comparison! I use Leica M3 with Summicron 2.0/50 an Nikon FM and Nikon F3 with Nikkor 1.4/50, 2.8/28 and 2.8/135. Great lenses. The Summicron appears the sharpest sometimes, but this is by feeling.
Thank you Martin! Nice setup. Yes I would expect the Summicron to be the sharpest. My sharpest lenses for Nikon are macro lenses (55mm f2.8 is amazing and cheap for the FM/FE2 etc) and then Voigtlander Nikon mount lenses are nearly always better quality than Nikon lenses (Optically and build)(More like Leica standards).. so they are excellent - 20/3.5, 40/2, 58/1.4 ..if you need tempting! :) ... you can see photos with some of these lenses in my latest video. The title suggests Micro 4/3 but i'm talking about Nikon glass with that body.
Interesting video recension..
In the last years while I was having ideas of buying the new SL2, but having reached the age of 67 years, I don't feel so much like carrying around an excessive weight of photographic equipment anymore. Just yesterday I was thinking of buying the Leica M10R system and the M10 Monochrome.... I liked so much bw-photography....I liked so much bw-photography....
I thinking with the new last modern M10R color, and the M10 monochrome, are the best beginning in one new little and compact photography equipment system....
My old Nikon D800 I can continued to used my great 8mm f/2,8 Als fisheye manual focus...
I enjoy watching your videos, as well as nacho your site, I found it very informative.... Thank you very much and greetings...
Thanks Cesare! Feel free to reach out to me on Zoom if you need help with buying the right camera for you needs. I do the same for quite a few people buying Leicas, Hasselblad and similar - mrleica.com/zoom/
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom Thank you for your reply. You are so kind. Let's say that, for the most part, I already know which focal lengths I would buy for the two Leica M bodies. If it wasn't that I'm tired of carrying too much weight, then for sure it was the Apo Summicron for the SL2. But buying the Leica M, it's no problem to know what I want. Thank you very much and merry Christmas...
@@cesarecannavo1134 no problem! Yes I appreciate smaller cameras too, thanks and Merry Christmas!
Great video. And Great photos all around. My set up consists of Nikon Fm2n + Voigtlander 40mm (or Nikkor 50mm f1.8). I am yet to watch the comparison you made on Nikon bodies.. looking forward to it. Thanks !
Gabriel Bacca thanks. It sounds like you have a nice setup! The Nikon review is actually written as pre-CZcams but there is lots of detail there. (Often CZcams we share highlights of information already written in detail on the blog but the last few videos were new topics shared. Lots of Nikon photos high res on the blog from various Nikon bodies, Manual and AF bodies (f4, f5). More videos soon! :)
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom More details in blog... even better.. thanks
@@gabrielbacca381 a lot more! 7 years of info on blog vs. 6 months here :)
So interesting! You bring up a neat point to both. I am a long time Nikon Pro body user but have one Leica M6 TTL. I learned on an M3. At the end of the day, a camera is just a light tight box that exposes your film through a hole (glass). But what if you want the Leica glass experience but the Nikon box features? For me, I love the Carl Zeiss or Voigtlander but what about Leica M lens to Nikon F body adapters? Are they any good? Or other way around, can we focus Nikon F lens on M5 or 6? My take is, If you can afford a Leica lens, you can pick any body it fits. (: Good to have both if you can. Options.
As for those LR44 batteries, The Leica M6 TTL uses same type S76, SR44, 357 (silver oxide) like my Nikon F3P or like or the Lithium 3v double size. So that's convenient. Except the Nikon F3P (electromagnetic) is locked to 1/60 if battery dies.
I've only used Leica M6 TTL film, so Leica glass on 35mm is blooming brilliant for sharpness in grain but vintage Nikon , Zeiss or Voigtlander glass on Nikon high MP like D800, 810, 850 is good enough. What do you think?
Favoutite for now, 2000 Leica M6 TTL Silver w/ Leica Leitz Wetzlar 5cm f1.4 Summilux & SF-20 TTL Torch.
Hi! You can mount Nikon F on Leica M (but scale focus only). Ok for 28mm and wider. You can’t mount Leica on Nikon. I use Voigtlander Nikon F lenses on Nikon and Leica.
Nice video, thanks, I like your style of these. Your images are also overall very good. Even though I have owned several Nikon film cameras, I think the Leica images in this video are nicer in how they render people. As the body used shouldn't do much for the end result and the film is the same I conclude the difference then has to be the lenses. I have used much time the last months to study rendering of images online lens by lens and I have found that some lenses no matter photographer just makes people in those images look better (yes of course one can take lousy images with any camera/lens combo so who shot it do matter). But what I mean is that for some lenses one can find in average more good looking images than for other lenses when it comes to how life like the rendering is. My current conclusion is that lenses with fewer lens elements (under 8) do a more organic rendering than the modern ones (10+ lens elements) in general, since those often have a flat rendering of both the person and background like it is a paper figure in front of an poster background (exaggerated description maybe to try to visualize the point). The difference might also be that lenses with less elements have more barrel distortion. And also lenses that aren't too big in diameter do better with rendering a look that makes people feel more alive. Maybe that is due to introduction of more vignetting in all forms. Or maybe I am just seeing the result I search for too prove my theory.
Hello thanks for your feedback. That is a very interesting concept. My understanding is more blades can be seen as very nice (10+) but I have not studied this. I might look to visit this concept one day if I ever find time but my guess is the final look of an image is far more complicated than just blades. Many things to consider as you say. For example in this test the Leica lens is one of if not the most popular Leica 50mm so it has good pedigree/ it does something write, for me and many others.
Hi Matt, Have you tried the Planar 50mm 1.4 zf? could you make a comparison between the Voigt and the Zeiss? it well be amazing. I have the Planar and I love it, but I can't stop thinking buy the Voigt to because is amazing to
Hi, I've not tried the Planar sorry, but the Voigtlander is based on the Topcon 58mm so I think you'll like it.
Both! Leica m6 and Zeiss 35/2.0 Biogon Nikon FM2 and Zeiss 35/1.4 Distagon
Nice! Biogons are awesome, I have an older 35mm f2.8 + 21mm and 25mm ZM.
I had loved the Nikon N6006 (USA) for many years but now prefer N80 or FM3a for lightweight and quiet shutter/mirror. I don't have a favorite lens for my SLRs, but tend to reach for the 35mm f/2AF-D, 50mm f/1.8 AFD, 85mm f/1.8 AFD, or either the 40mm f/2 or 58mm f/1.4 Voigtlander. I have shorter and longer lenses that are for special purposes. The matrix metering on the AF Nikon cameras is amazing and if not smarter than I am, they are certainly *much* faster. These combos make documenting my family functions a true pleasure. My Voigtlander rangefinder and lenses are for my 'art' experiments.
Hey Chris, nice. Yes I usually like small lenses but things like the 58/1.4 etc are great too! Yes agreed, the older RF cameras are usually slower + less family photo friendly!
I like when you talk about Nikons. Thanks!
Thanks, I may have a new Nikon film video to come if I find time. 2 actually! There are lots of old vids too. See the play lists.
Very interesting. I have a similar configuration: FM3A + 58mm/1.4. This lens renders beautifully on Portra 400.
Thanks Sean, great! I've not tried that lens with colour yet I think. I must do so, thanks!
Thanks for that video. Now I even appreciate more my new (used) FE2 I just bought via ebay. I have a 50 mm 1.8 series E and the 28 mm 2.8 series E as a start. but since I love portrait work, think about the Voigtländer 58 1.4. A friend told me just use what you have now. Would you say the same? I will have a trip to Sicily (Italy) and take the Fe2 with me. And maybe the Voigtländer some time later, and also with the Series E lenses I mentioned above I can shoot some nice shots. Would you agree ? :) Because I also saw the portrait samples at the end of your video. So awesome. Did you shoot with available light or with flash? And would you highly recommend the 58 1.4? Or say: Start with the 50 mm 1.8 and you will have similar results?
Hi Christoph, see my Nikon 50mm video to see E series vs Voigtlander results. The Voigtlander will win. Available light only photos. The v3 pancake is great for travel as small (like E but better). See the Voigtlander lenses for Nikon video too. They are awesome!
Great video Matt . . . please do a video on Foma film and Paper
Thanks Luke, i've not yet had chance to try the paper but I use 35mm, 120, 4x5 film so I will add the video to my ever growing video list! :) ...Part 2 of this Leica vs Nikon video should be out later too! :) You are the first person to know!
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom Uhm waiting - I have gone ahead and bought an FE2 because of you
@@lukemakayabu4369 Thanks Luke! Sorry I cost you money! The FE2 is great camera :) Did you see video part 2!? :)
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom yep seen part 2 = ur loyalty to leica is almost religious like 😂
I'm happy with the FE2
@@lukemakayabu4369 haha thanks Luke. I'm not sure Leica would agree. I do bash Leica too! The video after part 2 shows Voigtlander as a cheaper alternative to a Leica for example! :) ...but the FE2 is good. I'm less worried about my FE2! :)
Love your videos, they are very helpful, thanks. No offense, but I finally figured, that you remind me of Caius Tiddlus.
Thanks and haha, I had to Google that.. yes I have the nose/ears for him haha
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom That's a good old cartoon, haha. My name is Jim. Can you please give an advice? I'm in a market for a new SLR camera now, and I'm looking towards the Nikon FE2 or F3. Visually I like FE2 more, but I found that FE2's shutter is not very reliable, as far as I know from a research. So how do you think which one should I get?
@@stx8986 both great, see my recent video and blog that covers both models
Loved it! Not sure if it’s just me but the Nikon shots seemed to have more depth.
Thank you Brian!
Superlative video.🌟🌟🌟📷👍
Thank you, very kind!!😅
I did my photography course few years ago in London and I do flash photography of models and to use a fast shutter speeds helps a lot
Nice. Yes for sure!
Thanks for the comparison. I had both, but I never liked the M6. Now I shoot, when shooting film, with an FM2n, which I love, even though it is fully manual. When it comes to lenses I own and use a Nikkor 2.8/28, Voigtlaender 2.0/40 and for portraits I admire the 1.4/58 Voigtlaender. I rarely use my 2.5/105 though.
Thanks! Great to hear you’ve had both cameras. Yes I have the 28 Nikkor too, love the 40 for size and have a few 50s but the Voigtlander is the best I think. 1.2 can be nice too but softer.
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom Other question. Do you do large format photographing like 8x10". It's something I began half a yar ago and it feels like painting, because it takes quite long to take just one shot!
Michael Beck hi yes I do 4x5.. I have 3 cameras but I tend to use 120 film backs on them more as I like using the camera movements but ease of 120. I’ll try to edit some recent scans for Flickr. I love the process! Yes it’s slower especially with sheet film. I’ll do a 4x5 video at some point :)
I am using Nikon fe and fm2n with Nikon 28mm ai-s lens and voigtlander 40mm. I am satisfied with photos taken by these cameras&lenses. But, I really want to use langefinder cameras such as leica m3 or m6 someday..(maybe when the price come down.)
이태환 great setup you have and if you can find a fair priced Leica M6 you will love it I know :)
Good video Matt, for sure SLR’s have advantages over Rangefinders, but also the other way around. For example a wide angle is easier to focus in dimm light on a M6. Also the blackout of the SLRs is something you don’t have in a rangefinder. We need a video of the five reasons a rangefinder is better than a SLR ;)
Thanks Robert! I think you have already sensed my follow up video to balance the argument and to sing the praises of the M6! :) It is coming don't worry! (I'm a rangefinder kid so I need to show them some love!) :) :)
Thank you! Matt 🙏 I figure out your diversity, your images show it, from the other side of the world I’ll keep posted for your videos. Thank you again Matt
I have an M6 and FE2 and FM2n. The NIkons are much moe useful, especially with lenses like the 58 1.4 Voigtländer attached.
The Leica gives you a feeling when you use it but as a tool it is lacking in everyday use.
If I could only have one out of the three it would be the Nikon FM2n every time. Lovely camera....apart from its clattering shutter!!
Thanks Paul! Yes I think users fall into either the rangefinder camp or SLR camp for their go to camera. I’m a rangefinder guy but I still appreciate the benefits of an SLR. I’ll try to include more of my SLRs going forward!
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom I love rangefinders too Matt and do enjoy that Leica moment...but I can't help thinking it feels more like a city camera. I like the FE2 as well but at the back of my mind is always battery failure or an old circuit going, so I tend to reach for the FM2n to take away, take up mountains, in the woods etc
As you have shown the Nikon set up,can also produce great portraits.
Of course if you want to enjoy the blurry bokeh stuff then there is no competition and that Leica min focus distance becomes really frustrating.
Thanks for your videos. Have a good day
@@paulwalker797 Knock on wood! I have the F2A and FE2 for over four decades and both are still working fine. As a left eye dominant photographer, the biggest drawback about the FE2 is the film advance lever that pokes into the eye. Hence, a MD is required to avoid the issue.
Just discover yr channel.first full agreement with gary compton comment.to answer ur question:i shoot a Nikon F black body since 50 fifty years mainly with the 105 mm for portraits even of frogs butterfly dogs cats etc etc i think difficult to beat the sharpness .and i shoot a FE i bought some years after with a 35 mm travels landscape portraits too. Because facility to upload film and meter inside faster than my hand meter sometimes needed with my F.i use a Contax S T too but with '''' unfortunatly '''a Yashica 50 mm and a zoom.so thk u so much for yr channel n sharing yr expertise..nb digital is nice too but in complement n rescue..to do that i carry an olymps stylus xz enough ,sharp,light easy full manual possible with manual '' selection of the ISO.open a lot of possibility and the confort to select WB ,instead to have one nikon WB n one in color.thk again.
Thank you! I still need to buy the 105 one day :)
Most rangefinder cameras suffer from these issues. I apply the same approach for my Mamiya 6MF. I pair it with my Nikon SLR cameras.
Thanks James, yes agreed it's a RF problem. I have the Mamiya 6, i'll show it in a new video again soon.
Awesome :)
Thank you Craig! and for the Facebook love! :) More videos soon :)
I shoot a Leica M6 rangefinder with three lenses (35mm f/1.4, 90mm f/2, and 21mm f/1.4).
I also shoot Nikon SLR (F2 and F4) with prime and zoom lenses that range in focal length from 14mm to 2000mm.
Great to hear you enjoy both too!
good vid. Me? Nikon FG 1984. It went to Korea 3 times, Europe, Bosnia, but fell off my motorcycle in 2000. Replaced with a F3. Labs in Washington State steal my negatives so I now shoot a D700.....
Sorry about negs.. funny you should mention the FG.. watch for the next video this week! ;) .. it's very very similar! :)
I shoot both, a Leica M4 with a Zeiss 35mm f2, and a Black Nikon FE2 with Voigtlander Nokton 58mm f1.4 and few other Nikon lenses. I love them both, each camera is ideal for different situations and uses. The Leica M4 is the finest camera I have ever used and the quietness of the shutter mechanism is unparalleled.
Guaireñito thanks, great to hear you use both and interesting you have the Nokton 58mm too! Yes Leica cameras aren’t beautifully made. 👌🏻
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom Yes sir, you don't need a Leica M to get great pictures, but to whoever likes the rangefinder style cameras and can afford one, the experience is unique. After I got mine I was like "now I understand it". I a comfortable to say that if I had to keep only one camera, it would be my Leica M4 with the Zeiss 35mm f2 or f2.8. By the way, would you like to upgrade your Voigtlander 40mm f2 for your Nikon FE2? Because I recently bought the Leica M4 and the Zeiss 35mm f2 I am selling my Voigtlander Ultron 40mm f/2 SL IIS Aspherical, it is a bit too crazy FOR ME to keep both lenses since they are almost the same focal length. Hit me up if you might be interested. I will send it to you to the UK and you pay me after you receive it and make sure everything is good with the lens ;) IT IS IN MINTY CONDITION, used probably less than a handful times.
I haven't been fortunate enough yet to shoot a film Leica but I do shoot FM2N and FE2 and can say that after having gotten them and paired a 40mm and 20mm voigtlander I shoot almost nothing else in my 35mm camera collection. The form factor, weight, ability and reliability is fantastic. And with the voigtlander lenses the images that can be produced are also fantastic. They are such a joy to shoot and I feel very lucky to have them.
Hi, yes I totally agree! I used the same 40+20 / FM2 & FE2 for a trip to France once. These lenses make Nikons great for me. (I did a more recent video about these lenses including the 28mm and 90mm)
I didn't know Voigtlander objectives could be combined. can you tell me a good 35mm? i would like to take a fe2 and a very sharp 35mm. thank you
@@Stesalti Cosina who makes the Voigtlander lenses also makes F-Mount Zeiss lenses. I believe they have a 35mm/f2 lens available you may look into. I've never used it so can't speak to is. "Zeiss ZF 35/2"
@@sLOMO_77 ty
ps, I would love to have a Leica. Maybe some day. Thanks!
I thought the same in the past. I used to see them in magazines and my mouth dropped at the prices. Years went on and I wasn’t enjoying Nikon. I was teaching a workshop and a guy let me try his M9. Within a few hours I’d bought one. It was everything I was looking for. I sold some stuff and bought a used M9. The best value Leica currently are Leica R for film, SL for digital.
Hi Matt, I'm desperately searching for a lens similar to the canon 50mm 1.8 for my FE2. Looking for that old film look. Can you help please?
Hi Steven, I have the Canon 50/1.8 LTM as you probably know.. hmm for SLRs its less easy as lenses are much newer. It's 1950s vs 1970-2000s.. You could adapt M42 lenses but you wont have infinity focus. Interesting topic though.. I will have a think.
Have you tried the Nikon 50mm f2.0 AI or non AI. The non AI lens was initially produced in the 1950's and changed to the AI version to work with the metered Nikons. These are good, inexpensive lenses, probably less than $50 for a fine copy on ebay. The Nikon F mount is standard and at least allows almost all Nikon lenses to fit virtually every Nikon body including digital. Obviously, you lose the electronics.
I'm going to suggest something heretical... Buy a Canon 50mm f1.8 and a Canon A-1. Film doesn't care what body it was exposed in.
I currently use a Nikon F2 and my favorite lens is a Nikkor 50mm f/2 Ai.
I do like the Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 AI-S but it’s not as sharp as the f/2 Ai lens...!
Interesting thanks Anthony! I have the AI f2 but assumed the f1.4 was better.
So did I but wide open the f/1.4 was definitely not as sharp as the f/2 wide open...!
@@superkrell that’s all I need, thanks!
I like the FE2 so much that I bought two, one chrome and one black one. I use the 24mm afd and the 28mm ais.
Ha thanks Nick! I was close, I bought the FE, FE2 and already had the FM. I can see why you would have 2! last summer I was pairing the FM and FE2. I'll try to share more Nikon stuff soon. Do you using Leica too?
Your gear looks like 100% new.... both sets look absolutely amazing..... sadly I only own one of these two :-(
Thanks, I was lucky to get into film a few year back when prices were lower. I wouldn't own some of them now otherwise!
Though I really like my F3, I found a near mint FE2 on eBay and snagged it.
Congrats Gary! I love my FE2!
My only Leica is a IIIF red dial with Elmar 50/3.5. I bought it because it is cheap for a leica but still a good performer. I have no Nikon but Minolta, Canon and Pentax. I really like the Canon F1 original.
Thanks Michel, You don't need a Nikon if you have those other cameras and congrats on the IIIF RD - awesome litte cameras especially with the Elmar on.
Normally I prefer the slur system. But after i have my first Leica M4P, is not one problem for me the leica viewfinder .
Thanks, i've been enjoying my Leica R cameras but just getting back into Leica M after a short break
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom Please, one other question: you preferred to photographed in analogy with the film 35mm or better with the moder digital Leica M system? For me, finding better with the digital, why ist possibly after photographed one picture, I can speed control the pictures and give not working in laboratory dark room. But at the time that I have my darkroom laboratory, are great to make myself all my pictures. Yes I have a little nostalgic time.
The simplified trade offs:
Rangefinder: Smaller, Quieter, lower usable shutter speeds, the ability to see outside the frame lines
SLR: Better Composition, work equally well with all focal lengths, depth of field preview, easier to nail focus with fast lenses.
There are no right answers; neither is better than the other.
Myths: Rangefinder glass isn’t better nor are they usually overall lighter setups - just smaller setups. The best SLRs aren’t always less expensive than the best rangefinder. Rangefinders aren’t more reliable than SLRs. Rangefinders aren’t harder to use than SLRs.
The most simple advice:
If composition and final image is your top priority, go with an SLR; if size matters, go with a Rangefinder.
Thanks for summary. I would say RF are more accurate at fast apertures. My Nikon’s often fail to perform sadly. Leica nail focus. (And yes RF glass is small but often brass so heavy).
I own an m2 and a nikon f2 to be truly honest the nikon f2 is better but i enjoy to use my leica m2 im also a leica fanboy but im not shy on using other gear thats great . The way i see all my camera like shoes you got dance shoes, running shoes and work shoes ; i use the camera that suites the need at the moment . Today im using my iiic
Thanks Raziel! iiic niceee! A man of good taste :) I love my iiia for a super compact setup. I don't have the F2 but I have an F4 and F5. Both are excellent at what they do, the F5 for telephoto and AF lenses especially but usually I prefer a smaller setup such as a Leica M or a classic Nikon F.
Matt Osborne my birthday is coming up and my wife bought me a f4 . Im slowly building my collection from 35mm to 5x7 camera .
Raziel great present! Congrats!
All these rangefinder problems you mention are obviated by the EVF, but that only works for digital.
Hi Adam, yes this video was more digital specific that most of my posts. I shoot digital to test with models so it's still useful.
I like the FE better than the FE2 because it takes all my old Nikkor non ai lenses.
The only Leica that I used in the 1960s was a M2.
I started my own Portrait, Press and Wedding photography I used 2 Yashica Mat Tlrs and Practica Tl with a Meyer 30mm 3.5 m42 lens.
Thanks Neil! I have an FE but i've never used it as unlike the FM and FE2 it doesn't have a split prism finder so I can't see to focus. It makes the cameras more like a rangefinder which I love. The 55mm Micro is a fantastic lens. I will have to share more of my Nikon mount glass in the future as I still have a lot from my pre-Leica days. If you see my Lockdown video the Nikon and that lens get mentioned - czcams.com/video/0mxbBaHDUAE/video.html :)
The FE can be used with all my old Nikon lenses back from 1959.
The FE2 can't do that I believe.
My favourite Nikon camera is my Nikkormat ft2 with the legendary Nikkor P 105mm f2. 5 especially for portraits.
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom I just looked through my Nikon FE and it has a split rangefinder screen. It's the K version I think. Screens are £30 and are easy to change I believe.
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom my FE has a horizontal split rangefinder screen.
@@neilpiper9889 thanks Neil, great to great from you. Thanks, yes they can have different screens. I was not smart enough to check when I bought mine! :) I like split screens.
This guy knows about photography and why there is very little bokeh in old photographs. Shutter speeds were not fast enough to shoot wide open.
Thanks!
That's not completely true, in the past we had 25 ISO films in color and B&W or even less, 25 ISO at 1/1000s equals 100 ISO at 1/4000s
Nikon F3 or FM with 50 mm f2 AI or 24 f2 AI or 105 mm f2,5 AI - Leica M4 with Voigtländer 35 mm f2,5. Film Fuji 400H pro, Kodak Ektar or Kodak 400 TMax. I must say at the moment I'm tending to use Nikon a bit more often than Leica :-)
John Larsen thanks John, nice setup! Yes I ho through phases, last year used Nikon a lot. Currently back on M mount / LTM mount. :)
M6 is at least $3800 now for the body here in the US.
Wow it's gone up a lot recently!
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom
Everything has.
What about comparing a Leica M with a Leicaflex.
Thanks Les, nice idea. Maybe 1 day if I ever get a Flex. :)
85mm Nikkor f1.4 Ai, I use it on the Leica M10 and Leica SL.
Thanks Adam, nice setup! I have the Nikkor 85 1.4 D but always preferred my Samyang 85mm f1.4 . .sharper wide open. great lens! :) I tend to just use my 90mm Cron on the Leicas.
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom I've got a 90 cron but, I have to confess, I find it utterly boring.
In my mind, an SLR always wins for convenience over all others.
I had a Mamiya 6 rangefinder which I absolutely loved. But it was a pain in the ass in some ways when compared to an SLR.
I hear you Scott! As a long term RF boy I got into Leica R SLR cameras last year and enjoy them for their "SLR benefits" (Mamiya 6 is great but yes I wish I could get closer. I got the 150mm for mine to try to!).
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom - I had all 3 of those Mamiya lenses. But I sold the 150mm only because it was somewhat difficult to use, a little more difficult to focus, and not entirely ideal, except for the focal length, to be used for portraiture. For me, it was always on-location work, such as a wedding. Never in a studio.
I ended up getting a Bronica which I had for a while, only because my boss had a Hasselblad, and the Bronica seemed like a cheap version of a Hassy.
I loved that 1/500 of a second flash sync of my Mamiya. Great outside when the sky is bright, you have no shade, and you need to fill in the shadows when you might have a little bit of side lighting, or less than ideal lighting conditions - and trying to balance it all with a background which may not be ideal.
I remember my first 35 mm camera when I thought I was lucky to have a flash sync of 1/125, when many other cameras only had a 1/60 sec flash sync.
Then I thought I got lucky again to have a 1/250 flash sync with my Nikon F100.
@@scotthullinger4684 cheers Scott! Yes I’ve used it for weddings, my Hassy and RZ are too slow for that. Yes fast sync is great, Nikon’s beat my Leica every time. Even the old FE2 etc give 1/250 vs 1/50 Leica M
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom - I think the main difference is in how the style of wedding photography has changed, meaning that it has changed from fine portraiture, to a more photo-journalistic style. I worked in wedding photography during a time of transition, so that many of the photos done with just a 35 mm camera, which were in a photo-journalistic style, while the main shots & portraits were done with a medium format camera. In my case, a nice sweet old Mamiya 6 camera.
Leica cameras - unparalleled engineering, but otherwise a mostly stupid purchase. In my opinion, the current KING of medium format digital is FUJI -
I'd love to at least rent a FUJI camera, just to try it out. But currently, purchasing it is out of the question.
By the way ... I recently managed to get my hands on an old Nikon F2E which was given to me by my brother-in-law who had never used it.
Seems like he said his dad had it years ago, and gave it to him at some point in time. Hmm ... but a cloth shutter, if memory serves?
Or maybe I'm wrong? I need to open up that camera yet again, and take a look. I kind of like it because it somewhat resembles by very first camera, a Ricoh XR-1.
That camera has a vertically traveling metal Copal shutter with a flash sync of 1/125, which was somewhat rare back in the day.
I'm not sure why rangefinder camera is needed for this kind of photography. If I would be in to portraits, I wouldn't use Leica RF. I'm currently trying to find out, trying to replace Leica film M camera with Nikon SLRs for street and everyday photography.
Thanks Kostya. For sure both cameras can do both. When on the road last summer I used a Nikon FE2 and Leica M4-P. Both cameras did both portrait and street stuff so it's personal preference. Generally I prefer RF.
LoL I can tell you my number one reason why Nikon FE2 better . I am a cheap bastard🤣🤣😉. I can get a used FE2 with a 50mm lens from Robert's Camera in Good condition (what most used camera dealers would call very good/excellent ) after Roberts cleans, checks them out and replaces the seals and 100% full functioning condition for about 300.00 usd. Cheapest used Leica M6 body alone that doesn't look like it was used to play Australian rules football is 2400.00 usd. For the difference I could buy FE2 couple of lenses, flashes and studio lighting and still have money left over.
Ha yes correct the FE2 offers excellent value for money! Nice camera :)
It is not fair for the M6 , as least you must use F3 or F4 to compair with.
Good video. I really don't know why some guys use M10 just to shoot girls, they can use DSRL , if they wanna burn money to show off, DSLR system also have some bodies and lenses very expensive also.
Thanks, though to defend Leica I would always use a M over a DSLR. I moved from a D800 to a low res Leica originally as I didn’t find the digital Nikon files at all interesting. I used all sorts of tricks to add interest to me such as freelensing, vintage MF glass and ye tire overlays to most photos. That helped me discover film and from there I found Leica. The other reason why I would always shoot say a M240 over D850 is I need the rangefinder focus system to see as I’m short sighted. (And don’t wear glasses). With the M10 I can see but DSLR have to rely on AF which I prefer not to. With film I’m happy to use Nikon as old bodies have split prism finder so a bit like a rangefinder. (I can see to focus). I have the f4 and f5 but I didn’t use to compare as much bigger heavier cameras..(still good)..and with manual lenses as here I don’t need the extra weight. (So maybe M10 users like the brand or maybe just blind like me!). I will try and feature the M10 in a future video though I don’t own one. Thanks for commenting and sorry to defend Leica. It’s only personally why I use them. Thanks Matt
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom I have M6 but never used it to take portrait (I mean a setup-portrait, not candid portrait on the streets). When I need to do serious portrait, I use Rolleiflex 3.5F or at least minolta X700
Vũ Nguyễn nice. I got 2 TLRs recently including a Rollei but not had chance to try for portraits yet due to lockdown. Can’t wait to try though!
Another reason for a SLR advantage: the focusing. Any kind of SLR focus will focus much more reliably on patterns or repeating structures than a rangefinder focus system.
Thanks Martin. Sadly my eyes focus much less reliably with an SLR haha that’s why I love RF cameras. It lets me see and even focus an F1 lens accurately. But technically you are right for most people. Thanks!
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom I am with you ;). I prefer rangefinder focusing in general over the SLR focusing. But in this specific situation with repeating patterns, rangefinder focusing requires patience. I often shoot structures and patterns with my Leicas, and this is where it can get tricky.
One clarification: with an SLR "what you see in the viewfinder is what you'll get" on film is somewhat misleading (not actually accurate in most cases). First, almost all SLR viewfinders only show MOST of what will be recorded on the final image. Granted the percentage of loss in the viewfinder is usually small, especially with pro-grade Nikons, but it's there and can be significant (10% or more) in some consumer cameras. Second, and more important, is that unless one makes the exposure with the lens wide open or stops the lens down while framing, the viewfinder image does not show the depth of field that will be recorded either. The photographer has to imagine what the final image will be like if the framing and focusing aperture is anything other than wide open for the lens. RFs, of course, don't worry about the first issue. And they have the opposite issue from the second: everything in a RF viewfinder is in focus for the photographer, so s/he has to imagine how DoF will be reduced (with very wide angle lenses this difference can be infinitesimal).
Thanks Kevin, sorry I missed this and thanks for the great points made. All very true. I do tend to shoot lenses at or close to wide open so I overlooked the stopping down effect. (TLR are the worst for this as for me the viewing lens over sells the photo! As it is normally faster than the taking lens). SLR VF coverage, again I forgot about that so thanks. Most of mine are around 90%+ I think. I’m used to RF cameras o yes I’m used to imagining the final image! :)
@Kevin your second point, needing to focus wide open on an SLR, actually helps in focusing... especially if using a matte non-split prism screen.
@@joeltunnah Indeed. But I wasn't making any point at all about the ease of focusing -- my point was that, unless one is going to make the exposure at full aperture (which is what Matt typically does due to the genre he primarily shoots) or stops the lens down (thus dimming the image) before making the exposure, what you see in the viewfinder won't be what is recorded on film and thus Matt's claim wasn't completely correct. I wasn't saying anything about the ease of focusing at all. So, yeah ... But, once we're on the topic of ease of focusing, there are advantages and disadvantages to any system. I used to shoot SLRs a lot, but after switching to rangefinders and getting older I find I cannot go back: for me, SLRs (no matter what prism is used) are actually *harder* than rangefinders ... and now, more or less impossible to use: those of us who have presbyopia sometimes cannot focus near enough to use a SLR matte screen, but can easily focus at the distances seen through a RF window. (For myself, I can focus near enough but only through the progressive portion of my glasses, which means I have to tilt my head back to see the SLR viewfinder through the bottom portion of my glasses' lenses. Without expensive diopters (and some camera systems don't have them!), this is so inconvenient and slow that SLRs are effectively useless for me. RFs work flawlessly -- and in fact, I find that I can hit focus even with fast lenses far more reliably than I ever could with any SLR previously. The split-image is a fantastically fast and accurate focusing method, assuming the lens and camera are well calibrated.)
@@kevinl661 I can’t see anything close up at all without my reading glasses (turning 50 this year). I just need a -3 diopter on the camera viewfinder to use my regular glasses. My F100 goes to -3 built in, and for my FM2 and OM2, I bought them on eBay for $15 each, hardly “expensive”.
Look, I get you like rangefinders, that’s cool, whatever works for you... but you’re really reaching on this SLR criticism.
What is your favorite 35mm manual lens for the Nikon?
Hi Chris you will laugh but I don’t have any. I have 28mm and the Voigtlander 40mm so never looked to get a 35mm, mainly as I’m a 50mm guy. I have many 50s. I’d probably get an old 35 f2 Ais. I used to have a AF 35mm, the 35 1.4 G Nikkor on digital. Big but sharp.
Matt Osborne No, I’m not laughing, I love the 40mm focal length myself. I’m just trying to figure out which 35/40 to buy. I use a 35mm Zeiss on my Leica, and am used to seeing at that focal length.
Matt Osborne always love your videos.
Chris Klug maybe try to decide if 35mm is a bit tight or a bit wide for you. If slightly wide you can get away with a 40mm for example.
Chris Klug thanks Chris. I need to improve them a lot but getting there. I’m aiming for content over production value as I’m not a natural speaker as you can see haha (I’d normally hide away from it hence avoided YT for so many years!) :)
Dear Friend ! Your Comparison was very skin deep !
1. You haven t mention the ASA/ISO range
2. The MD3 Motor drive for the FE2 is much better than the Leica winder
3. The MD3 can be used also with remote control
4. Nikon offers also ZOOM LENSES , not vailable for the Leica M series. Onlz for the R !
5.Nikon FE2 offers also a Data Back ! Not possible for the Leica.
6. The Nikon shutter is made from Titanium . Leica use a Textile shutter!
A more superior Camera in the size of Nikon FE2 is the NIKON F3 the best SLR EVER !!!!
Thanks Karl, sorry I missed this. Yes sorry I was probably guilty of only mentioning topics important to me/ that I use so that excludes many of the items you list. Thanks for sharing those for a more complete view. Yes I now own Leica R lenses! I can correct you on Leica though as I know Leica. There are Leica M zooms but they are less common and expensive "Tri-Elmarit". I'm not anti Nikon, I just bought another old one but more on that in a future video! :)
NO WORRIES !! YOU ARE STILL THE BEST MY DEAR !!!
P.s. A zoom lens for a finder Camera is a little out of any practicality due to the "framed view" ! haha haha !!!
@@karlwagner932 thanks! Yes the Tr Elmar is 16-18-21mm so not affected as wider than finder view
I agree that both cameras are great but they are completely different in their shooting style. Less camera shake in the RF, slt are louder because of the mirror. Slr need their seals to be replaced overtime. Price will always be a difference but resell value keeps well with Leica and can even double overtime.
Thanks David! Yes agreed and I enjoy both still. Lots of videos on both sysyems if you are new here.
Here goes the prices of the Nikon FE2.
Haha i think there are so many Nikons out there my little video will have zero impact :)
But I have an FM2 :)
FM2 is excellent too! :)
Leica is a mystery to me.
Helgi Viðar Hilmarsson Do some research you are missing out! :)
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom I will.
Helgi Viðar Hilmarsson there’s lots of information and photos on MrLeica.com - some Leica are cheaper than you may think Leica iii for example 👍🏻😊
You keep putting your finger on the finder window.
James Mason ha thanks James. I can’t multi task..too busy try to talk to the video camera. Noted thanks!
..i've realised why, it was in my wrong hand. I'm not used to holding camera in left hand (when using a camera).
Thanks, great. i would like to compare the two parallel systems within the same company: LEICA R vs. M.
I'll try in 2023 :)
Txanks in advance. I would love to compare the two different systems wothon the same light conditions and the lens speed.
Let's be honest, Leica M is an obsolete, overpriced trophy camera with 100 year old technology. It's like a trophy wife - just not worth it.
Ha thanks George, fair point, especially the latest models. I prefer slightly older Leicas and the prices are better.
All the differences between the two systems are gone by the appearance of the CMOS sensor:LEICA M Type 240 and the LIVE VIEW capabilities. Now, with the lens adapters there is not virtually any lens that it can not fit to the so famous M Mount. The competition between SLR and RF costs were finally bridged! GONE! Bridge cameras of the nowadays is the best prove for it. That does not mean that the different systems shall or should disappear, though. Matt, ... by knowing that you hold both systems in your arsenal: LEICA R and M line, it worth to mention that they are competitive between themselves for long time, already. Each system has its pros and cons. For an example: The focusing with M is more precise but limited in distance, more complicated to focus with coincidental focusing, not exactly seeing what you are exactly getting, but not to mention the focal length limit of the M lenses. Sync speed in Flesh photography with the M is a pure joke by modern standards, no self timer, rubberised cotton shutter curtain, although silent, but sucks, ... etc.
Great job, Mat and thanks!
Thanks Tomislav! Yes I keep meaning to make a Leica M6 vs Leica R6 video at some point :)