I used my F’s daily from 1968 until 1996, then my work forced me into digital. I still have all the original F bodies and an extensive selection of lenses. During my work, I has occasion to use M-2’s and M-3’s. Great small, quiet, unobtrusive machines. I was never comfortable with the rangefinder and it’s no less a pain to reload than the F in my opinion. Nowadays, Leica M’s are terribly expensive and the excellent Leitz optics aren’t getting any cheaper either. I just purchased two “new” F’s for less than $400 and am replacing some of my previous lenses with multi coated versions, usually about $100 each depending on condition. Both the Cameras are standard prism F’s as I’ve always preferred a had held meter. I’ve had FTN’s but don’t like the added bulk. Over the years I’ve used a fair sampling of German and Swiss built cameras. They’re fabulously well made, functional and damnably expensive compared to Nikon. My F and a couple of suitable lenses, my Gossen Luna Pro and some Tri-X, I’m ready for anything. I did look at the possibility of getting Leicas with my restart but they’re just too costly…no quibbling about quality here either. I also have a Nikon D800 and some appropriate glass. I prefer film…albeit because I understand it in depth. Still not fully up to speed on digital but working on it. Enjoyed the Video and hope to see more, you clearly touched a nerve. 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽

Nice and relaxing exploration of two classic cameras. I have a couple Nikon Fs, a few Nikomat FTNs and a selection of Canon VT and VT Deluxe rangefinders. I love the late 50s to the early 70s era of film cameras.👍📷😊

Great video on comparing the Nikon F SLR vs the Leica M2 range finder. Speedy recovery and stay well. Remember when I was interested in starting photography in the early60’s there was a SLR vs range finder camera war on which was better. Kind of like which was better Ford or Chevys wars of the 50-60’s lol. Was looking into a Leica M3 or M2 when they were less than $400 which at the time was expensive. Got the Nikon F Photomic since one uncle was stationed in Korea so he could get the Nikon in the PX for about $200 with a 50mm f1.4 included. Decided in the early 70’s on getting a used M2 when I took one of my cameras in for repairs at Mel Pierce. So I bought the M2 used with a couple or Leica glass for a lot less than you can find the body only on ebay. When I started using my M2 put the Nikon down on the shelf and been using the M’s since. It is all a matter on what suits you best for your photography. Ps never went digital….have my iPhone for that lol

I enjoyed the presentation and would like to add the Leica M2 with its "fixed magnification", beside the lens viewfinder utilizes 3 sets of projected frame lines for composition is a limitation that essentially is the number one advantage a SLR versus a rangefinder camera. For example: the projected frame lines for the 90mm focal length covers a small cropped area at the center of the viewfinder for which the only advantage is the photographer is able to also see an area well around the subject. Slight off topic: Canon did experiment with utilizing a variable magnification viewfinder. Back to the Leica M2: It has three sets of built-in frame lines, (one for a 35mm focal length lens and a second for a 50mm lens). So for those in KZfaq land that are uninitiated, to utilize either the 135mm lens or 28mm focal length lenses on an M2 requires the installation an "external viewfinder" on what was once called the accessory shoe. Today it's called a hot shoe or flash shoe. With regards to those now very expensive Leitz external viewfinders, the magnification is usually 1:1 or close to it. That 1:1 magnification allows the photographer to shoot with both eyes wide open, if desired. Long and short, to be able compose with both eyes open is a plus for street photography. Street photographers don't linger very long peering through a viewfinder. I have both camera systems, although my Nikon FM2n is from the AIS era of lenses.

Nice video....stay well and do some more -- please. Thank you.

I always preferred slr cameras. What you see is what you get and the versatility of zoom and long lenses. Also I can't afford Leica glass.

Nice video sir, for me, I'm partial to the Leica. I own a M2, M7, and M10. Once you go Leica its hard to go back. Anyway, hope your Afib procedure recovery is going well. I have Afib myself. I got it when I was 35 in 2009, much younger than most. I've been cardioverted 3 times since then when the meds don't work or I do something stupid and set myself up to go out of sinus rhythm. I'm currently taking Flecainide which for now keeps its under control. It does control your life, you can eat too much, eat caffeine, can't use decongestants, have to lay off alcohol, can't eat licorice, all things that can trigger Afib, it sucks....Keep shooting, and love to see more of your photography videos!.. Gary

Greetings from a fellow upstate New Yorker. Leicas are superbly made photographic instruments..as is the Nikon F slr camera. I have always preferred slr's primarily due to 'what you see in the viewfinder is what you'll get'. I have a Nikon F with the Ftn Photomic meter head circa early 1972 and a Nikon/Nippon Kogaku 50mm f/1.4 'S' lens to go with it both in excellent condition and I enjoy using it. My nod to a rangefinder camera is my Fujifilm X100F digital camera..one of the reasons I chose it over a digital slr when I was shopping for a new digital camera is it's portability..perfect 'travel camera' and I liked the traditional film rangefinder camera looks and controls placement. I still prefer SLR cameras but when I don't want or need to carry one with a bagful of lenses I grab my digital rangefinder camera.

Please do not forget that before the Nikon and Leica small format cameras became popular, professional photographers used 4x5 inch large format press cameras.

Very interesting view of camera design evolution. I can't help feeling the digital models of today won't survive as long as your two fine warhorses!

Brother, glad to hear of your recovery from heart surgery My story is similar - Heart attack followed by Quad-by pass surgery, followed by Afib which is being treated with medication. So far so good. I have both an F and F2 with a bunch of lenses These guys are built like Studebakers!!! You can pound nails and knock down walls with them! You can't beat the the feel of holding a solid camera body made of metal. Thanks for great video. Very professionaly done.

I have a new Leica MP . New because I traded a faulty M6 before the new M6 released and needed reliability. I have 5 M-Mount lenses and wanted a spare body so I bought a mint M2. Shooting with this 60 year old camera feels like driving a vintage car. The Danes have a word called Hygge which means contentment cosy and calm and that sums it up perfectly. I don't use a tripod often but if the shutter speed is equal or faster than 1 sec I don't need a cable release on the M2 asI can just user the 10 second self timer to stabilise. Sweet!

I own both. To be concret a Leica M3 DS and a Nikon F2. Both a superb cameras. But I think the Nikon is best nowadays, due to his price and lenses avaibility. The Leica is the best camera for street photography, because they are super silent (I'd never found a camera like that) and if you carry a collapsible lens you can even keep in your jacket pocket. The main issue is that Leicas and his lenses is that they are overpriced. I used to have 4 Leica/Leitz lenses when I realized that I dont need them at all to take nice photographies. I sold them, except the collapsible Summicron (I cant sell that lens, it would be break my heart) and with that money I can enter to the 4x5 large format photography (it means 5 lenses, the camera, tripod, film holders...etc 🤯). My conclusion is that it was hard to me to found any difference between a picture took with the Leica lenses and the pictures took with the Nikkor lenses (just wide open and making magnifications on lightroom).

Really smoothly presented, a thoughtful takeaway at the end and I learned from this (didn’t realise the how similar the original F is to the SP!) - thank you!

hope you are well, wherever you are

Moving back to the mirrorless designs of the modern digital cameras is moving cameras closer to the 35mm rangefinder cameras of old. The larger gap between the back of the lens and the film plane or sensor has been reduced and this has allowed advancements to lens designs that have improved IQ. Possible lighter weight and smaller size forms are also possible. These were all design decisions that made the Leica rangefinders so popular for street and press photographers and those who were looking for small compact cameras to carry when on vacation.

Excellent video. Thank you. 👍🏻

Great video, incredibly informative on the greatness of the F. It was my film camera, foolishly sold it and just rebought it last month! Ser #647xxx with original logo, a bit beaten up but beautiful for it. thanks for the video

Nice video. Hope you feel better. How often do you push/pull your film?

I’d love to have a Leica film camera to compliment my Nikon F3 and Hasselblad xPan, just waaaaaaaay to much.

12.25 you said that you prefer to use an external meter. Surely the combined weight of meter and camera would be more than an internal meter?

One area you didn't cover was toughness, if you were headed to a combat zone the Nikon was an obvious choice. You could drop it in the mud wipe it off and continue shooting. Anyone using it for a living didn't have to worry about the rangefinder getting knocked and your focus is off.

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What’s up with your audio?

Leica M2 isn't a SLR