Shrinking/lightening my camera kit - Fuji X series?

[Craikeybaby]

I've hardly used my DSLR over the last few years, as it's too heavy etc. I've also realised that since buying my MR2 I can't fit my camera kit in the boot, so I've been looking at slimming it down. Whatever happens I will be keeping my 20D and 70-200 for sports etc, as the body is worth next to nothing and I know I'd regret selling that lens.

The Fuji X series seems quite popular, so I was thinking either the X100(s?) or X-E1 and maybe the 18mm lens? Do any PHers have experience with this system?

Another potentially less exciting option is changing my Canon setup around a bit, at the moment I have 20D & 5D bodies, 17-40f4, 50mm f1.4 & 70-200f2.8, which I find covers most base photographically. For a recent trip I borrowed a 24-105f4, which on the 5D was better but still a bit bulkier than I'd like.

Are the cheaper 35mm f2 IS or 40mm f2.8 STM worth looking at as a lightweight walk about lens? I guess this would be similar to the Fuji prime options?

Or replacing my wide zoom with a 24-105 or 24-70f4? The 24-70f4 seems like an odd lens to me, less versatile than the 24-105, but more expensive (but a bit smaller & lighter).

Has anyone else shrunk down their kit and able to offer advice?

[DavidY]

In 2012 I bought an X100, it did a couple things, 1) was to get me really interested in photography (again) and 2) make me leave the DSLR at home, I only took the DSLR out of house once since I bought the X100, and that was to shoot a friends Prom, where I needed really fast AF.

My X100 with light weight tripod, spare batteries, Wide Angle Lens converter, filters, etc weighs less than 2kg and is compact.

It is just an incredible camera, but is not suited to fast moving objects so if motorsport is your bag then it's not for you.

I decided before Christmas that I wanted a little more flexibility with lenses, so bought an X-E2 (the 100 stays though), I'm still getting used to the new camera, and due to various other commitments haven't got out of house as much, but again its another great product from Fuji. The 35mm is amazing, and the zoom is also very good. I'll be adding a try wide angle at some point, either the Fuji 14mm, Zeiss 12mm or new Fuji 10-24 Zoom (due in March). The coulours staight out of the camera are amazing, I do very little post processing.

My advice, if you're not taking your DSLR out, then just get the Fuji

A trip to Mull, all shot with X100 http://www.flickr.com/photos/89667368@N05/sets/721...

A trip to Tuscany all shot with X100 http://www.flickr.com/photos/89667368@N05/sets/721...

And Snowdon


Snowdon_sm by Mr Perceptive X100, on Flickr

Edited by DavidY on Sunday 26th January 15:03

[rottie102]

I see your points about trying to have it smaller and lighter, but wouldn't adding 40mm pancake lens to 5D make it NOT MUCH bigger, NOT MUCH heavier than the Fuji for much less money and hassle than replacing the whole camera system ?
And you would still have full frame IQ, DOF, amazing battery life, better AF, better viewfinder, better ergonomics, being able to use other lenses when desired and all for just over £100?

I often carry only my 5D MK3 with 40mm lens as a "biggish compact", it even fits in larger coat pockets

Edited by rottie102 on Sunday 26th January 16:41

[Craikeybaby]

Thanks to both for replying, although opposing views don't help. David's photos look good, but I guess they could have been achieved with a Canon/40mm set up, for much cheaper.

[rottie102]

Craikeybaby said:

Thanks to both for replying, although opposing views don't help. David's photos look good, but I guess they could have been achieved with a Canon/40mm set up, for much cheaper.

I've tried to go similar route to you trying to replace Canon with Sony NEX. I ended up selling all NEX gear on ebay at a big loss few weeks later

[DavidY]

There is a big difference in size weight of a 5D Mk3 with 40mm (1.1kg) against a Fuji X100S (445g).I reckon that the Fuji is only just pocketable (I have a Fuji XF-1 for those pocket requirements), but it would not be comfortable to walk anywhere with over a kilo in your pocket!!!!

Also if you want to do street photography, you will get a better reaction from potential victims (and be less obvious) if you use a rangefinder than a full blown DSLR.

But there is no doubting that in your situation a 40mm pancake lens would be the cheapest option, and that if you are used to the Canon handling you will feel at home, the Fuji is lovely to use though, but in an old school way. The Canon also has better AF if that is important.

Not really directly comparable, different horses and all that!!!

[Mermaid]

Canon S120 as super compact works well.

[rottie102]

Mermaid said:

Canon S120 as super compact works well.

Yeah, I have one too
Still prefer to take a bag/backpack and use 5d with 40mm instead...

IMO everything that is so much better about the full frame dslr than even the best of compacts is worth the extra effort.

For me it's :

- Fancy, suit wearing outings - phone only
- Slightly less fancy when I don't look silly with bulge in my pocket - s120
- everything else when I can take backpack/bag, especially when I know I can leave it in the car if I have to - 5D comes out.
- walking around when travelling - 5D with 8-15 fisheye on it in hand, tiny strap and if I need to take a piss, I just hang it on the belt loop No bags, neck straps etc. S120 in pocket, for zoom and video.

Edited by rottie102 on Sunday 26th January 17:09

[Craikeybaby]

I've already got a pocketable camera, an S90, but the sensor size really let's the image quality down.

I don't mind needing to take a bag around with me, as long as it is a small bag and not too heavy to carry around all day.

[rottie102]

Craikeybaby said:

I don't mind needing to take a bag around with me, as long as it is a small bag and not too heavy to carry around all day.

How small and light are we talking that 5D wouldn't fit?
Like this? :


MTFU

[Craikeybaby]

Haha. Fair point, but after carrying my 5D & 2 lenses around Tokyo all day in my messenger bag, I want something lighter and space is seriously limited in the luggage compartment in my MR2.

[RobDickinson]

Fuji are great cameras but expensive because of the pseudo retro look and feel.

Have a look at the canon g1x full crop sensor and decent lens should be a good price now too

[rottie102]

RobDickinson said:

Fuji are great cameras but expensive because of the pseudo retro look and feel.

Have a look at the canon g1x full crop sensor and decent lens should be a good price now too

That thing is massive! I'd much rather stick to 5D with 40mm

[RobDickinson]

It's not that much different to the size of the Fuji, and has a zoom lens too.

[RobDickinson]

And is under half the price of the Fuji.

Only downside is the optical viewfinder is pants

[ExPat2B]

This is the niche that a mirrorless camera fits into...good as a dslr, but smaller and lighter.

[rottie102]

ExPat2B said:

This is the niche that a mirrorless camera fits into...good as a dslr, but smaller and lighter.

...with worse than FF camera: ergonomics, battery life, viewfinder, IQ, AF, low light performance

[MysteryLemon]

rottie102 said:

...with worse than FF camera: ergonomics, battery life, viewfinder, IQ, AF, low light performance

worse than FF camera... Of course, Most Mirrorless cameras are APS-C or 4/3 Sized sensors so that's pretty obvious.

ergonomics.. Depends what you buy. Sure, the silly retro fuji things aren't as comfortable to hold as a modern, full sized DSLR, but then there are plenty of DSLR styled Mirrorless cameras. Look at the Lumix G range. I agree, my Lumix GX1 isn't as comfortable as a full sized DSLR but then you get used to it and it's fine for me.

battery life... Depends what you buy. yes, using a full sized LCD screen all the time can draw battery power but then most modern DSLRs have an always on LCD screen showing shooting info anyway, so it doesn't make all that much difference. The Battery in my GX1 lasts plenty.

Viewfinder... We yes, they do lack in Optical View Finders but then you can always get a camera with an electronic view finder. I miss my optical view finder but I'm more than happy using the screen to shoot. A camera with a tilty screen would be even better. If you can't live without an optical view finder then Mirrorless isn't for you. I would love to know the reasons you thin you can't though...

Image Quality... How so? Mirrorless cameras have the exact same sensors that their DSLR counterparts have. They produce exactly the same image quality that the equivelant DSLR would. Again, compacing an APS-C sensor to a FF sensor isn't really fair in this case.

Auto Focus... I think you'll find the opposite actually. My GX-1 is faster at focusing in both good and dim light than any DSLR I've ever owned. The only drawback is that it's not great with fast moving subjects. It's not bad. The AF-F mode on the GX1 is great. A lot of newer Mirrorless cameras now have phase detection built into the sensor so they're catching up DSLRs with moving subjects but still better for stills, and never any problem with front/back focusing either as there's no mirror to fk it up!

low light performance... Same as image quality really. How so? Same sensor as the equivelant DSLR, so how can it perform worse? Comparing it to full frame again?

I see where you're coming from. As an enthusiastic camera user, it's been programmed into my head that a DSLR is the best of the best and the only camera worth having. Anyone still thinking this really needs to take a step back and look at whats on offer these days. A mirrorless camera is not a downgrade on a DSLR. They are just as good, and better in some respects. The continuous AF is getting there now. It wont be long before it's there or even better than current DSLRs. The contrast detect AF is already quicker (for the Lumix and Olympus ranges) than most DSLRs anyway.

Edited by MysteryLemon on Monday 27th January 09:47

[Craikeybaby]

Thanks for all the advice guys.

I'm going to try and pick up a 40mm pancake lens second hand to give it a try.

Staying with the DSLR, rather than buying into a new system, I could probably just about justify upgrading to a 6D, which I understand is a bit smaller than the 5D.

[ExPat2B]

http://tech.firstpost.com/news-analysis/upcoming-f...

New X series one coming out tommorrow.