[Leica] LUG Digest, Vol 48, Issue 204

[leicar at q.com (Aram Langhans)]

Hi Peter.  I bought the D7000 in November and have loved it.  It was 
replacing a Canon XTi.  As you have noted, the viewfinder is not as good as 
a D700, but it is way better than all the other cropped cameras I have seen, 
except maybe the Canon 7D (equal).  I have converted a few Leica R lenses to 
Nikon mount and they work well. My biggest concern was the viewfinder of my 
old Rebel, but the D7000 viewfinder is very usable for my 61 year old eyes.

I opted for it rather than the D700 mainly for size and weight.  I have no 
doubt that the D700 is a better body, but it was not that much better that 
size/weight did not win out hand down with the D7000.  I can easily get 
usable photos at ISO 1600.  Not needed to go any higher yet, so I am not 
sure about 3200.  Easy button placement compared to my Rebel.   If you are 
really into telephoto shots (don't think you are), then the crop factor 
helps a lot.  Less weighty lenses and less expensive lenses, and using the 
"sweet spot" of the sensor.  Wide angle is another issue, but solvable.  I 
did not have any real wide Leica glass, so I have opted for Nikon glass to 
get me wide.

I think Marty sums it up nicely.  Personal choice based on the advantages of 
each for your shooting style.  Quality, I don't think you can go wrong with 
either.

Aram


> To: lug <lug at leica-users.org>
> Message-ID: <4E45FE06.7030307 at threshinc.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
>
> Today I was at Glazer's in Seattle, and had a chance to handle two
> cameras that interest me--the Nikon D700 and D7000.  I've long had a bit
> of D700-lust, as it is one of the best available-dark cameras out there.
> I liked the big viewfinder of the D700 But after hefting them both, I
> looked at the D700 and thought, "would you really carry that around
> much?" Hmm--maybe not. Still, the ability to shoot at ISO 3200 like I
> shoot the M8 at 800 is very tempting.
>
> On the other hand, the D7000 seems like a "Goldilocks" camera--a lot
> about it is "just right." It felt good in my hands. The viewfinder is
> not as spacious as the D700, but quite usable. The new sensor (also in
> the Pentax K5) has previously unheard-of performance (for an APS-C
> sensor) in both dynamic range and low light ability. There are buttons
> for the commonly-used functions. The shutter is relatively quiet (the
> D700 is MUCH louder). Dpreview and DXOMark comparisons indicate it might
> have a 1-stop low-light advantage over the M8, compared to the D700's 2
> stops or more. But that's lab tests.  How about in real life?
>
> So...  I would be interested in anyone's experience with the D700 and/or
> D7000--particularly those who can compare it to the M8 or M9.  I know
> the difference between an SLR and a rangefinder. I'm most interested in
> image quality, handling, and real-world available-dark performance. K5
> users are welcome to chime in, too.
>
> --Peter
>