January 24, 2008..............................................................................HOME..................................."Clash of the Titans: Nikon D3 vs Leica M8"
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I think all photographers have at least a little streak of tech head. For some it is their raison d'être, following a never ending passion (as far as their budget will take them) in search of new and better photo toys. For others, opening a new box brings less excitement, but let’s face it, everyone savors the potential that the latest technology seems to offer.
While a Nikon shooter for many years, I have admired the Leica M series cameras from a distance, and have always wondered if the mystique surrounding Leica glass was warranted. Now I’m the first to admit that comparing a rangefinder to a DSLR is an apples to oranges scenario from the git go. That being said, I still think there is validity in comparing the file quality from cameras that represent the pinnacle of photographic technology. So today I had the opportunity, Leica M8 / 35mm f2 Summicron in hand, to put it up against Nikon’s newest, the D3 with the 24 - 70 f2.8 lens. Yes I know that the Nikon is a full frame sensor and the Leica is a smaller sensor of the DX variety. Yes I know that the Leica sensor is a 2006 vintage design vs the just out the blocks D3 sensor. But I still found the comparison interesting, and a little surprising. If you’re curious, “read on MacDuff.”
The setup:
Nothing really fancy here. This is not a calibrated scientific test with resolution charts, etc. My wife just happened to be the hapless victim bathed in window light when the cameras were in my hands. The shots were made at similar iso, shutter speed, and aperture. The files were processed in Adobe PS CS3 as “raw” files (Leica generated DNG vs Nikon generated nef) without any sharpening. Both were “white balanced” simply with a neutral gray click on the same target in the image. The 24-70 zoom was adjusted to provide a focal length approximating that of the 35mm Leica lens taking into account the smaller sensor magnification factor. Enough already! Let the pictures speak for themselves.
First the Leica:
While a Nikon shooter for many years, I have admired the Leica M series cameras from a distance, and have always wondered if the mystique surrounding Leica glass was warranted. Now I’m the first to admit that comparing a rangefinder to a DSLR is an apples to oranges scenario from the git go. That being said, I still think there is validity in comparing the file quality from cameras that represent the pinnacle of photographic technology. So today I had the opportunity, Leica M8 / 35mm f2 Summicron in hand, to put it up against Nikon’s newest, the D3 with the 24 - 70 f2.8 lens. Yes I know that the Nikon is a full frame sensor and the Leica is a smaller sensor of the DX variety. Yes I know that the Leica sensor is a 2006 vintage design vs the just out the blocks D3 sensor. But I still found the comparison interesting, and a little surprising. If you’re curious, “read on MacDuff.”
The setup:
Nothing really fancy here. This is not a calibrated scientific test with resolution charts, etc. My wife just happened to be the hapless victim bathed in window light when the cameras were in my hands. The shots were made at similar iso, shutter speed, and aperture. The files were processed in Adobe PS CS3 as “raw” files (Leica generated DNG vs Nikon generated nef) without any sharpening. Both were “white balanced” simply with a neutral gray click on the same target in the image. The 24-70 zoom was adjusted to provide a focal length approximating that of the 35mm Leica lens taking into account the smaller sensor magnification factor. Enough already! Let the pictures speak for themselves.
First the Leica:
Then the Nikon:
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Then the 100% crops, Leica on the left, Nikon on the right.
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Bottom Line: I really didn’t know what to expect, but when I examined the files up close and personal, I was blown away by the D3 quality. The 24 - 70 lens is a zoom and still greatly surpasses the Leica Summicron in sharpness. And if you took a look at the backgrounds, you can’t help but appreciate the beautiful smoothness in the D3 file. Smooth yet sharp, even when unsharpened. Imagine where these files will go with proper sharpening technique.
So that’s it. Yes, I really enjoyed the brief M experience and agree whole heartedly that in the midst of world leaders deciding the balance of the global economy, I’d rather be in the background with the Leica that intruding with 10 lbs of DSLR. But at the end of the day, I’ll take the superior files, the ability to photograph almost anything thrown at me, the surplus several thousand dollars ( can you believe a D3 and the 24 - 70 is still thousands less than the M8 with a single focal length lens ), and stick with my Nikon.
My apologies in advance to all Leicaphiles I have offended. Oh, and by the way, no animals were endangered or hothouse gases produced in the performance of this evaluation.
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Mark Alberhasky is a Nikon Mentor for the Mentor Series Worldwide Photo Treks.
Join him as he travels and share his enthusiasm for photography and learning.
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