I always did think of it as a pretty brave leap of faith on your part. Having been in love with the Swedish Square too, for many happy years, along with a small Japanese Rectangle, both superlative reflex entities, I know that putting faith in a totally different system takes resolve - to say the least!
Did you do this in one seismic moment, or did you hedge your bets using both systems together, for a while, just to see how it would pan out?
As you know, I have a kind of unfulfilled lust for this lind of machine, but every time I go out to shoot anything, that old refelex reflex clears my mind yet again.
Yes, I know there are ways around that via EVFs, but have you found it useable doing it straight through the viewfinder after an slr background?
Rob
Hi Rob, yes, it was pretty much a leap of faith taken in one seismic moment. That said it
was a considered decision. I'm easily bored and throughout my working life have sought change and fresh challenges.
At the time I was looking for a replacement for the Hasselblad digital system which was in turn a replacement for the Hasselblad film system. I was also looking for a system that would serve me well on and off a tripod, not something that I was comfortable with when using medium format. I loved the simplicity of the Blads and was seeking a full frame alternative. Everything I demoed, begged and borrowed - Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fuji, Panasonic - left me cold, the spark, passion, inspiration, whatever, was missing. It's strange, the last system I ever thought I'd be using, loving, was Hasselblad and the last system I ever thought I'd be replacing it with was Leica.
I wasn't looking for high tech, latest, greatest, but simply a system delivering quality and utter simplicity. Exasperated by my diminishing choices and against my better judgement I eventually held an M9, peered through the rangefinder and couldn't focus the bloody thing! Disappointment, thankfully resolved with a finder correction lens. I was smitten. The Blad was sold within a couple of weeks.
In answer to your question, I prefer to use the rangefinder wherever possible - perhaps on 90% of shots - but use the EVF and/or LCD when needed.
Five years on and I still enjoy the cameras more than any others I've used and have no plans for change. I also love the fact they are niche. When in use nobody takes the cameras or me seriously.
Bliss!