Time to downsize
Discussion
I love my Nikon D800, but I'm just not taking as many photos on it anymore because I don't want to lug it around. More an more often I'm out with the wife walking or seeing friends an I'd love to take photo's but resort to my iPhone. I know its always said that the best camera to shoot on is the one you have so its time for a change.
I'm after a bit of advice as there's a bit more competition in the market these days. My ideal set up would be a mirrorless camera with a nice 50mm prime lens. I was tempted by the Sony Rx but I'd like the option to buy other lenses in the future.
So with the Sony A9 coming out do I go for a Second hand A7? a fuji XT-2 or a Olympus? My knowledge has all been Nikon based but I have played with a A6000 also.
Ideally I'm after something can carry discreetly, give me good low light shots ( the occasional astro shots ) and good for Video.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated, Budget is pretty flexible because I'm looking to buy well this once and hold onto it for a number of yours.
I'm after a bit of advice as there's a bit more competition in the market these days. My ideal set up would be a mirrorless camera with a nice 50mm prime lens. I was tempted by the Sony Rx but I'd like the option to buy other lenses in the future.
So with the Sony A9 coming out do I go for a Second hand A7? a fuji XT-2 or a Olympus? My knowledge has all been Nikon based but I have played with a A6000 also.
Ideally I'm after something can carry discreetly, give me good low light shots ( the occasional astro shots ) and good for Video.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated, Budget is pretty flexible because I'm looking to buy well this once and hold onto it for a number of yours.
I part ex'd my D800 (which was seriously long in the tooth, taken more than it's expected shutter life, and needed some repairs) for the Sony Alpha A7R mk II. It's half the size and half the weight and takes fab shots. Its sensor is regarded the best on the market scoring 98/100.
Also owning a RX100, and a6300 the annoying menu (which is the worst thing about any Sony), wasn't too much of a pain.
I'll p.m. you a link to a tif file from the camera.
Also owning a RX100, and a6300 the annoying menu (which is the worst thing about any Sony), wasn't too much of a pain.
I'll p.m. you a link to a tif file from the camera.
One from the Olympus camp here. I downsized from a Canon 60D, and several lenses which used to break my back at the end of a day's shooting, to an EM5 Mk1 when it first came out. It was a leap of faith, as the compactness and lightweight really appealed, along with the excellent range of M4/3 lenses. And I've never regretted it. It really is an excellent compact versatile camera, and the 5-axis image stabilisation is akin to witchcraft, as it allows me to shoot at slow speeds considered unimaginable with my DSLR.
I now shoot with a 17mm f1.8 prime (equivalent to 34mm) which is my main lens, along with a big zoom and I don't really notice it's there at the end of the day. I can pack my entire photography gear into an aircraft carry-on case, with plenty of room to spare when going away for weekends and holidays.
Most of the recent shots on my Flickr account were taken with this camera:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/28703702@N08/albums
And my recent trip to Sibenik (Croatia) has some night-time shots if you needed some examples of low light images:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/28703702@N08/albums/...
If you need more info, I'm more than happy to help
I now shoot with a 17mm f1.8 prime (equivalent to 34mm) which is my main lens, along with a big zoom and I don't really notice it's there at the end of the day. I can pack my entire photography gear into an aircraft carry-on case, with plenty of room to spare when going away for weekends and holidays.
Most of the recent shots on my Flickr account were taken with this camera:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/28703702@N08/albums
And my recent trip to Sibenik (Croatia) has some night-time shots if you needed some examples of low light images:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/28703702@N08/albums/...
If you need more info, I'm more than happy to help
dave0010 said:
So with the Sony A9 coming out do I go for a Second hand A7? a fuji XT-2 or a Olympus? My knowledge has all been Nikon based but I have played with a A6000 also.
The fuji system is nice if you are ok with crop sensor, I have (had anyhow) an a7r which I use with my canon lenses, there are some small native lenses (35/2.8 etc) and its 'ok' at astro (prefer the 6d).A7r2 has improved a lot on the mk1 and i am guessing a mk3 out soon. sony have though got expensive last few years
I've had the D800 and a lenses up for sale online lately but I'm just not getting any interest. There are a couple others in worst conditions for more money but people just don't appear interested. I'm sure just like myself most people are wanting smaller more versitile set ups.
If I don't hear anything over the next week I will taking a trip to a local second hand camera specialist shop to see what they may offer me.
If I don't hear anything over the next week I will taking a trip to a local second hand camera specialist shop to see what they may offer me.
dave0010 said:
I've had the D800 and a lenses up for sale online lately but I'm just not getting any interest. There are a couple others in worst conditions for more money but people just don't appear interested. I'm sure just like myself most people are wanting smaller more versitile set ups.
If I don't hear anything over the next week I will taking a trip to a local second hand camera specialist shop to see what they may offer me.
I part ex'd mine in http://Ffords.com - they are local to me (astonishingly)... well when I say local, it's 110 mile round trip... but up here, that's very local.. anyway, they do postal valuations/deals. Might be worth an e mail. If I don't hear anything over the next week I will taking a trip to a local second hand camera specialist shop to see what they may offer me.
ETA... if anyone is ever this far north, it's a lovely tog shop.
Edited by GetCarter on Monday 12th June 13:04
I did a similar thing last year. Downsized from a full-frame Canon 6D and chunky 24-70 2.8ii. I wanted a Sony A7Rii (full frame, great sensor etc), but it was £3k for the body only, and I realised that it wasn't much smaller or lighter than my Canon once you'd started putting fast lenses on it. Also, we film with Sony A7s at work and they're not the easiest things to use.
I then saw some image samples from the Fuji X-T2. I knew nada about Fujis back then (Jan this year), but a lot of research suggested a great sensor - crop admittedly - and a fab range of lenses. Bought one half thinking I'd send it back and get the Sony, but was stunned by the results. The last crop sensor camera I had was an old EOS 20D from 2004 so obviously it's light years ahead of that in every respect.
I've even fallen in love with the film simulations (which you can apply to RAW files in LR anyway), and the colours you get out of it are stunning. And the main thing is it's small and light enough to always have it with me – I'd taken more photos by February 2017 than I had in the whole of 2016 with my Canon. Factor in the fact that the X-T2 is one of the most satisfying user experiences you can get with a camera, and it's my favourite thing now. I'm totally converted. I've taken better photos than I ever did with my Canon setup and have rediscovered my love of photography – sad but true. I'm also enjoying the fact that all the fast f/1.4 lenses are about £750 (with some exceptional f/2 lenses at £300) and mostly tack sharp and wonderful (with physical aperture rings that click like a safe tumbler), rather than the silly prices I was paying for L lenses.
I then saw some image samples from the Fuji X-T2. I knew nada about Fujis back then (Jan this year), but a lot of research suggested a great sensor - crop admittedly - and a fab range of lenses. Bought one half thinking I'd send it back and get the Sony, but was stunned by the results. The last crop sensor camera I had was an old EOS 20D from 2004 so obviously it's light years ahead of that in every respect.
I've even fallen in love with the film simulations (which you can apply to RAW files in LR anyway), and the colours you get out of it are stunning. And the main thing is it's small and light enough to always have it with me – I'd taken more photos by February 2017 than I had in the whole of 2016 with my Canon. Factor in the fact that the X-T2 is one of the most satisfying user experiences you can get with a camera, and it's my favourite thing now. I'm totally converted. I've taken better photos than I ever did with my Canon setup and have rediscovered my love of photography – sad but true. I'm also enjoying the fact that all the fast f/1.4 lenses are about £750 (with some exceptional f/2 lenses at £300) and mostly tack sharp and wonderful (with physical aperture rings that click like a safe tumbler), rather than the silly prices I was paying for L lenses.
TimmyWimmyWoo said:
wasn't much smaller or lighter than my Canon once you'd started putting fast lenses on it.
all the fast f/1.4 lenses are about £750
You realise that you ar a stop slower on the fuji? That an f1.4 lens is effectively an f2.0 lens on ff, comparing size and price of f1.4's on both is unfair.all the fast f/1.4 lenses are about £750
But I agree the fuji system is very rewarding, theres a fair few tweaks on the gfx50 thta hopefully will come to the xt2 also
RobDickinson said:
You realise that you ar a stop slower on the fuji? That an f1.4 lens is effectively an f2.0 lens on ff, comparing size and price of f1.4's on both is unfair.
But I agree the fuji system is very rewarding, theres a fair few tweaks on the gfx50 thta hopefully will come to the xt2 also
Yep, fair enough! How're you liking the GFX50? I'd love one… but I should probably buy a car first But I agree the fuji system is very rewarding, theres a fair few tweaks on the gfx50 thta hopefully will come to the xt2 also
RobDickinson said:
TimmyWimmyWoo said:
wasn't much smaller or lighter than my Canon once you'd started putting fast lenses on it.
all the fast f/1.4 lenses are about £750
You realise that you ar a stop slower on the fuji? That an f1.4 lens is effectively an f2.0 lens on ff, comparing size and price of f1.4's on both is unfair.all the fast f/1.4 lenses are about £750
But I agree the fuji system is very rewarding, theres a fair few tweaks on the gfx50 thta hopefully will come to the xt2 also
(Very happy X-T2 user here!)
I looked into this a lot a few years back when I was lugging my kit around the world. I ended up with the u4/3 system, specifically the Olympus OMD EM5. I still have the camera and its served me well. I also bought a Panasonic G6 as a back up (it is better for video), it is a cheaper option but almost as good.
I ruled out the Fuji system at the time because the autofocus was so crap is was unusable. But I believe they really upped their game there after so would consider one if new to the smaller cameras now. The Fuji sensors were designed different to conventional ones so give a bit of a different capture and always seemed that bit nicer than the competitors.
I liked the Sony option, but back then the lenses were in short supply. And once you got to bigger lenses they really weren't much smaller than a conventional DSLR due to the full frame sensor.
If you can go to a shop and play with them all. You'll probably find a particular brand just fits with you, that'll be the best one.
I ruled out the Fuji system at the time because the autofocus was so crap is was unusable. But I believe they really upped their game there after so would consider one if new to the smaller cameras now. The Fuji sensors were designed different to conventional ones so give a bit of a different capture and always seemed that bit nicer than the competitors.
I liked the Sony option, but back then the lenses were in short supply. And once you got to bigger lenses they really weren't much smaller than a conventional DSLR due to the full frame sensor.
If you can go to a shop and play with them all. You'll probably find a particular brand just fits with you, that'll be the best one.
TimmyWimmyWoo said:
I did a similar thing last year. Downsized from a full-frame Canon 6D and chunky 24-70 2.8ii. I wanted a Sony A7Rii (full frame, great sensor etc), but it was £3k for the body only, and I realised that it wasn't much smaller or lighter than my Canon once you'd started putting fast lenses on it. Also, we film with Sony A7s at work and they're not the easiest things to use.
I then saw some image samples from the Fuji X-T2. I knew nada about Fujis back then (Jan this year), but a lot of research suggested a great sensor - crop admittedly - and a fab range of lenses. Bought one half thinking I'd send it back and get the Sony, but was stunned by the results. The last crop sensor camera I had was an old EOS 20D from 2004 so obviously it's light years ahead of that in every respect.
I've even fallen in love with the film simulations (which you can apply to RAW files in LR anyway), and the colours you get out of it are stunning. And the main thing is it's small and light enough to always have it with me – I'd taken more photos by February 2017 than I had in the whole of 2016 with my Canon. Factor in the fact that the X-T2 is one of the most satisfying user experiences you can get with a camera, and it's my favourite thing now. I'm totally converted. I've taken better photos than I ever did with my Canon setup and have rediscovered my love of photography – sad but true. I'm also enjoying the fact that all the fast f/1.4 lenses are about £750 (with some exceptional f/2 lenses at £300) and mostly tack sharp and wonderful (with physical aperture rings that click like a safe tumbler), rather than the silly prices I was paying for L lenses.
Spot on.I then saw some image samples from the Fuji X-T2. I knew nada about Fujis back then (Jan this year), but a lot of research suggested a great sensor - crop admittedly - and a fab range of lenses. Bought one half thinking I'd send it back and get the Sony, but was stunned by the results. The last crop sensor camera I had was an old EOS 20D from 2004 so obviously it's light years ahead of that in every respect.
I've even fallen in love with the film simulations (which you can apply to RAW files in LR anyway), and the colours you get out of it are stunning. And the main thing is it's small and light enough to always have it with me – I'd taken more photos by February 2017 than I had in the whole of 2016 with my Canon. Factor in the fact that the X-T2 is one of the most satisfying user experiences you can get with a camera, and it's my favourite thing now. I'm totally converted. I've taken better photos than I ever did with my Canon setup and have rediscovered my love of photography – sad but true. I'm also enjoying the fact that all the fast f/1.4 lenses are about £750 (with some exceptional f/2 lenses at £300) and mostly tack sharp and wonderful (with physical aperture rings that click like a safe tumbler), rather than the silly prices I was paying for L lenses.
I've done exactly the same - sold all my expensive canon full frame gear and L lenses and converted to the Fuji X-T2 with a handful of lenses (18-55,55-200,56 prime). Quality is awesome and it's a joy to use. A full day of street photography and you don't notice it's there - unlike the 5d which I'd be cursing after an hour and got little use as a result.
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