NikoDoby this Leaf Digital Back properly would be an interesting alternative to a Nikon D3X if you shot mostly portrait and landscape. However Mamiya lenses are rare and expensive, but I would think that the DR of the Leaf should be better than the D3X, other than that the Leaf/Mamiya W/digital back would be slower and not as easy to operate together with a Nikon system

What we need is a Nikon MX system, but then again that is properly not a very profitable market to get into

Pete

No drug deal Niko, just helped out a friend on a large business deal. I've been reading the M-9 reviews and think Leica needs at least an M-9.2 or M-10 to achieve the image quality I can get with a D700 now, unless I want to shoot ISO 400 or less. The other solutions aren't solutions, since D700 size with Nikon's lenses is my upper limit. Maybe if it were a drug deal, I would have enough money to hire nubile young assistants to both model and carry my photographic equipment, but, also no.

There is now a better alternative for landscape work? It's the Leaf Aptus 22mp digital back!

http://photorumors.com/2009/10/15/leaf-entry-level-aptus-digital-back-now-official/

Major drug deal then :^)

Gee Niko, I though you wanted a Leica S2 with lenses and accessories... Plus two Betterlights... Wow, and I thought I was greedy and excessive! Just a simple set of M Leicas. No, not Aunt Mary, something better, although I've had to earn it. No, not a business expense either - I don't mess with our revenue agents - too much trouble.

In that case Pete I'll take two please :^)

On the Betterlight you don't look at 100% crop but more like 1000% crop and you would properly only take a few picture on given trip. It takes minutes not seconds to take a picture and get on your laptop. And they cost app $10,000 incl camera plus a smaller highend laptop, also a very solid tripod is needed.

Pete

Yup large format is the way to go for true landscape work.

Get this would properly be the best possible landscape camera money could buy

http://www.betterlight.com/field_photography.html

A Betterlight Digital scanner 4 by 5 field camera back, makes an app 250MB picture file size

Pete

So is this big Leica purchase going to be written off as a business expense? Or did you come across Aunt Mary's inheritance $$$?

Thanks to all for your enthusiastic interest.

It's very true the Leica's costs more. But, I plan to get the M-9 with 28 and 90 for travel (sometimes business related, so big camera's are a problem). So, build out the Leica system for landscape use by adding the wide angles or get a D700, etc, etc. The cost at that point is about the same. From an investment standpoint the Leica lenses might hold their value better, but both systems are dreams come true (for me too). I also have Nikon's macros (60,105,200) and a bunch of AIS primes I can use on the D700.

I've used film, medium format (500C Hasselblad - most hated camera I ever used) and am very contented with the image quality provided by my D90. so much for my standards! (or reproduction requirements)

The remaining and biggest question in my mind - the high contrast and unbelievable clarity of rangefinder glass vs Nikon's best. Leica 21 and 28, Zeiss 15 - Nikon 14-24. I've used Zeiss lenses on a Contax rangefinder and found them superior (years ago), now who's best?

I don't feel the exposure issues re Leica are material for me since I tend to bracket heavily (free with digital - I just buy big cards), although the polarizing filter issues really are. Clearly size and weight when hiking many hours a day (my habit) are an issue, but I'm also willing to carry a tripod most of the time(more weight and unpleasant bulk), so carrying the D700 et al would not be a deal killer.

Good points iamnomad. I love using rangefinders, it's just not the right camera for every job. Neither is a DSLR for that matter, but like you said there's plenty out there to choose from. Besides ted2001 did said his $$$ isn't a consideration so...

True, the Mamiya 7ii still has the rangefinder issues (good point NikoDoby), though it really doesn't take too long to know what it sees and the results are simply stunning.
That being said, if you need to know exactly what you're going to get on the film, and are not willing to crop, then you must shoot sheet film or with a TTL camera.
Even the D700 doesn't give you exactly what you see in the viewfinder.
It's all a set of compromises. Weight, sensor size, sheet film, tripods, ground glass, rangefinder, price, etc. So many options for us photo geeks.

I believe one of the most important and least discussed considerations is the final output. The needs and requirements of a photographer who wants to make mural prints is very different from one who wants to make 8x10 prints, and different again to one who is satisfied posting images online.
Sometimes it's best to work backwards in your workflow; it will automatically eliminate many options and save you time and energy.

I like your suggestion iamnomad. The Mamiya 7ii is a nice camera for the price. However it's still a rangefinder and trial and error will cost you! I think Ted2001 might already have a medium format film camera but maybe I'm remembering it wrong?

The D700 is a very fine camera, but is really not a landscape camera (12MP is simply not enough information), if you are looking for superior quality large prints. If price is an issue, a D700 with a prime Nikkor and 6+ images stitched will give you near large format quality. But this plan requires the correct subject matter, patience and some experimentation.

If you really want a landscape camera and do not want to go large format, then buy a Mamiya 7ii with a 65mm lens, a carbon fiber tripod, an Epson v750 scanner and a BetterScanning mounting station. This package is $2000 cheaper than the M9, without a lens, and will give you unbelievable results. The Mamiya 7ii only weighs about 12oz more than the M9 body so it's a perfect backpacking camera.

my2cents

I have to disagree that Leica is not a good option, as it just makes You go back into the film times (at least partly). Ok You don't see exactly the same as You see in Your lens (as there is a little shift in framing) but that's part of the magic, and when you have a lot of time - and I assume that when You do landscapes You do have a lot of time than previewing Your image on the back screen once You take it shouldn't be a big problem. OTOH the additional pounds can be when going to remote directions. However, if You don't need to carry Your stuff for a longer period of time go for d700 or d3x as it's a better option.

14mm on 4x5! That must be insane wide! Or is that on FX?

No, I've never used a rangefinder before because they're freaking expensive. And what sort of mount does the Nikon rangefinders have? Definitely not a F mount right?

And Alphanikonrex, I believe that would 14mm. I'm obviously no expert on lenses, but that's as wide as I've seen.

Yes exactly kanuck thank you and ricktoyota for backing up my original statement. A Leica is a very special camera but it's not as forgiving as a DSLR can be and using it for landscapes would probably not be a good idea for some.

Let me make myself clear: Can you get a wider non-fisheye angle of view on FX or on 4x5?

Hi, Do you have to have a full frame camera? I guess you have to because of the nature of the beast which is Landscape photography. The reason I'm asking is because like Nikodoby said a rangefinder is a very different kind of camera. Maybe try out the older and therefore cheaper M8. What you see through the lens is not exactly what you get. Not to mention with a leica its all manual focus, which is fine until something move after you have set up for what you thought was going to be the perfect long exposure shot. For example, a cloud moves slightly. Try manually focusing and metering in bad or low light its not fun. However, if money is no object then the M9 is desireable because it weighs almost half the D700 I believe 19 ounces to the D700 32? I have used the M8 for landscapes and believe me its not as enjoyable as street usage or even straight forward portrait shooting.

Nikon used to make large format lenses until recently, but it is not just covering the film but covering it with maximum possible camera shift and it is camera specific.

Do you mean with a 4x5 in general or with that particular camera?

I think ricktoyota posted some very good suggestions.

What I meant is what's the widest available lens that works on one of those? And can a Nikkor lens actually cover the entire film?