Gah.. I'll keep saving for the 3 grand 5D thank you

Yeah. And that's just for the body. :-(

Well, I got a buyer for my 2 Leica lenses and bought a Voigt 50mm F1.5. Coupled with a screwmount to M adaptor, it was still 1/2 the price of the Zeiss 50/2. Maybe this lens will be good enough.

http://www.photopoo.com/photos.htm - top pic: attempted to steal a bottle of booze, chased, tackled and knocked out. Welcome to Vancouver! :-(

The lens is this: 50/1.5 ASPH Nokton. There's info at http://www.cameraquest.com and a short review here: http://www.imx.nl/photosite/japan/voigtl01.html

It seems to be a very good lens but not a great lens, reflected with the low price, I presume. Hopefully I'll have it soon so I can screw it on and test it out.

One plus about this lens is that it has 52mm filter threads. So I can use my Nikon filters and hoods.

So I received my 50/1.5 ASPH Nokton today. It is as beautiful as a non-AI Nikkor 50mm, but not as heavy. It's already fastened to my Bessa. Now I just have to dig into my over-sized camera bag and pull out a filter and a hood, and away I go!

My 50/1.5 ASPH Nokton today is super sharp
 

Got back my first rolls. Too bad I have to use a mount adaptor to use it. I wish Cosina would make this lens in several different mounts. It would be a good seller.

Compared the prints with it and my 40mm F2 'cron, along with comparing high resolution scans. Seems like the Nokton 50mm F1.5 is super-sharp. Plus its bokeh is pleasing. I believe B&H sells this lens. If not, try http://www.cameraquest.com.

Note: this is a Leica screw mount lens. An adaptor costs about $50. Several adaptors are available from Cosina/Voigtlander. I'm using an M-mount adaptor. Works well.

Oh, forgot. The price of this lens is $329 USD. The filter size is 52mm (Like many of the Nikkor lenses). This lens is a real bargain.

Leica M8 is finally announced
 

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0609/06...8previewed.asp

$5,000 USD or there abouts just for the body. I wonder how many of these cameras will sell in the next 12 months?

Oooh.. so sexy. Too bad it is out of reach for mere mortals.

I wonder if Nikon might eventually make their own rangefinders?[at a more affordable price point?]

Epson's RD-1 is a digital M-mount camera. It costs a lot less than the Leica M8. I assume Epson is working on a new model, one with more pixels---and here lies the problem. Why spend THAT MUCH on something that will be outdated with higher pixel counts and better technology? Not a rangefinder but that new Pentax is looking very sweet.

I put together a cut and paste quote job review here:

http://www.photopoo.com/m8.htm

Nikon filters vs B+W
 

Maybe I'm wrong but I have a feeling that basic B+W's filters perform better on sharp lenses than my old Nikon's (screwed into my still cameras). But then it could just be an illusion.

Nokton 50mm F1.5 shots
 

low light B&W shots with Nokton 50mm F1.5 here:

http://www.cosina-voigtlander.com/in...id=240&catid=7

and one here:

http://www.cosina-voigtlander.com/in...&id=12&catid=2