Trying to find "the" camera...

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simplethings

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Hey everyone,

I currently use a Canon 5D with a 16-35 or a 50 prime to shoot most of my images and am very happy with the quality of it. Only problem is I've noticed that with a 1 year old it gets a bit cumbersome to tote it around with me and I end up taking my Canon SD450 instead. The quality of the SD450 is "okay"... it does what I need it to do (capture those spontaneous moments), but it's really limiting and I'd like something that compares more to my 5D images.

I have an Olympus XA (only RF) and it's wonderful, but I can't seem to get the focusing right. The viewfinder is really tiny and focusing a moving subject can be tough. I've always been attracted to RFs because of size and reliability, but I'm not sure if this is the way to go. I'm pretty much open to ALL suggestions. Anyone think selling my 5D for something "smaller" is just too crazy?

Hope to hear from some of you!
 
There's nothing inherently crazy about sellling your 5D to buy an RF. If you do a quick search of the archives here, you will find several recent threads started by people who made similar moves. However, you will also find a recent thread about making the move from RF to a digital SLR.

Questions that should be part of your decision-making:

1) Do you want to switch from digital to film? (of course, the M8 and the RD-1 are RF options that would not require this switch)

2) What sorts of photography do you most often do? (RFs are not all that good for macro or telephoto work)

3) Do you really want to give up autofocus?

4) How heavily invested are you in Canon lenses? How much are you wanting to invest in an RF system?

Good luck.
 
You mentioned using an XA but you find focusing on moving objects a bit tough. I don't know that a better VF and patch would make that much easier. Precise focus on a moving object is hard to do with a RF, at least for me. I would agree with what sitemistic had to recommend. OTH there is nothing wrong with trying a completely different system to experience something new.

Bob
 
I think you should keep your 5D for the serious work and a film RF for fun stuff. Not to say that your 5D can't be used for fun or a Canonet (example) can't be used seriously.

Samuel
 
a Bessa R would be good if you want to use film.
a nice smaller digital Canon would be the G9.
 
Without automatically assuming a rangefinder is the right tool ... lateral thinking may suggest an OM-2.

Or would that be heresy? 😛
 
Why not just pick up a smaller Canon dslr body like an XT to serve as your tote/travel cam. Then you can share lenses. Or get a Canon film body. If you were on the Nikon side I'd suggest something like an fm3a, I dunno what the Canon side offers in that vein.

Regarding a film RF, that is what I would use for serious work involving more thought, and I'd use the dslr for quick shots from the hip. I'm not maligning digital, I'm just saying that (a) the dslr allows you to work more quickly and (b) you can bracket the heck out of dslr shots and spray and pray without any extra cost.

Yes, I do think that selling the 5D for a smaller camera is crazy. You have made your investment in the 5D, and you say that now it works for you... so now is when it starts to return your investment.

If you do decide for a 35mm film RF then I would look at the ones already mentioned and a full 1:1 viewfinder bessa. Coming from the XA that will be a luxury.
 
Wow, thanks everyone for replying! I really appreciate it. .. definitely got me thinking deeper about all of this. To answer some questions asked above:

1) Do you want to switch from digital to film? (of course, the M8 and the RD-1 are RF options that would not require this switch)

Not entirely, I would consider shooting film again but it is really expensive in Hawaii and there aren't many darkrooms that I can get access to.

2) What sorts of photography do you most often do? (RFs are not all that good for macro or telephoto work)

I would probably fit under the "street" category. I like wide angles and I consider my 50mm to be a bit too "telephoto" for my taste. It makes a pretty nice portrait lens in my opinion. I am working on a documentary and have plans to shoot in a hospital this Jan. My 5D attracts attention and I'm thinking of ways to downgrade the "pro" camera so people don't get intimidated. The only macro work I like to do is closeups of babies here and there (mine of course).

3) Do you really want to give up autofocus?
Geez... that sounds a bit scary. I could if it meant that I'd be using something smaller, quieter, without compromising quality.

4) How heavily invested are you in Canon lenses? How much are you wanting to invest in an RF system?

I WAS heavily invested in it, but now all I have is a 5D, 10D (trying to sell it), 50mm, a 17-40, and a 430EX flash.

Thanks everyone for the help! I'll look around.
 
I'll second the recommendation for a Bessa R. Get it with the Color Skopar 35/2.5 lens and then use prefocusing to keep up with your moving target 🙂 (My son is 5 now & even harder to keep up with) The 35mm lens has enough DOF that you can use it nearly like a point and shoot if you want to.

The other idea is one of the Rebel bodies - film or digital - as they are as small as a Canon SLR gets. Use your 50mm lens and it's almost a pocketable camera. A 35/2 or 28/2.8 prime for it would be a reasonably priced additon that would work fine with your 5D. The 28 is quite compact and though not a USM lens does well optically.

Edit: one other idea for autofocus - a Contax G2. Small autofocus RF with high quality lenses.

William
 
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I like my Bessa R, I love my Crown Graphic. I adore my Seneca View 5x7.

You never really know what camera or format will capture your imagination until you find it.
 
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