Cheap APS-C body for M mount lens

exe163

exe163

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The only digital camera I have with me atm is my iphone. Sometimes I crave for something better that I can easily store or upload it to the web. So I am looking for a digital body that can mount m mount lenses.

The keyword here is "cheap". Ideally APS-C so I don't have to too "zoomed" as my lenses are not that wide to begin with.

Here's a deal I found, I am hoping to go cheaper by digging in to the used market:
http://www.amazon.com/Canon-Compact...?ie=UTF8&qid=1374390032&sr=8-1&keywords=eos+m
 
the canon doesnt have a viewfinder. it's also been panned by many mirrorless users as a lacklustre effort by canon to enter the market.

if you're going for non aps-c sensor you can try the micro four third bodies. there's some cheap ones going for less than 200$ (Olympus EPL1, or Lumix G1/G2 etc)

you can also try some older Sony NEX bodies too if you want to stick to apsc. the older NEX bodies are still quite capable.
 
I am only considering the canon due to its price (sell the lens and it's a $200 body). It's not too bad for a current generation new camera. I mainly shoot film. Not having a viewfinder is not a big deal. External VF and cameras with integrated viewfinders are more than what I am willing to pay for anyway.
 
Ricoh GXR with Mount unit. Not quite as cheap as some Sony Nexes, but APS-C, no AA filter and very sharp results.
 
jmilkins said:
Nex 5n is worth a good look. focus peaking and decent enough with wides
Click to expand...
Yep. It is no usability king, but it has all the bells and whistles (except IS) and performs well with wides. It's also among the best video cameras in its class, and has an articulating screen.
 
I'm another to highly recommend the Nex 5n, and after a quick look on ebay as a reference, they do seem to be reasonably cheap these days. It remains my primary digital camera that I use with a mix of Voigtlander, Zeiss and Leica M-mount glass ranging from 15mm through to 90mm and all work very well. Every image from the "Digital B&W" link in my signature is from the Nex 5n.
 
Any of the Nexes work like a charm. Besides the 5n, take a look at the original 5 or the F3, gee, even the original 3 will do.

And the menus, set it to your liking amd forget about it.
 
These are the best for the purpose, IMO.

Ricoh GXR + A12 Camera Mount
Sony NEX 6, NEX 5n

look for used to get the best deal.

G
 
I'd definitely try to go for a GXR M as well, especially if you like wides.

If price is the main consideration, then I'd look at the aforementioned Nex 5n. But I'd really try to swing for the GXR.

m43rds are nice, and you'll have quite a few to choose from, but for me, the 2x crop factor is the deal-breaker. Unless you'd like working with longer FL's. But I believe no m43rds body as of right now has any focus peaking, which might make working with telephotos a bit more challenging.

Cheers.
 
joshxiv said:
I'd definitely try to go for a GXR M as well, especially if you like wides.

If price is the main consideration, then I'd look at the aforementioned Nex 5n. But I'd really try to swing for the GXR.

m43rds are nice, and you'll have quite a few to choose from, but for me, the 2x crop factor is the deal-breaker. Unless you'd like working with longer FL's. But I believe no m43rds body as of right now has any focus peaking, which might make working with telephotos a bit more challenging.

Cheers.
Click to expand...

Hmm I find focus peaking to be most useful with short lenses, long lenses are easily focused with no aids at all.

mFT is less ideal to me because the sensors are not the best match to short focal length RF lenses, but they work fine with longer fls. The size of the format is ideal for getting more reach, and the Olympus IBIS system helps a lot to stabilize the camera in hand held shooting. So for mFT, I suggest 35mm and longer adapted fls and stick with the native mount lenses for wide to normal fls.

G
 
With the new firmware the Canon EOS M rocks. I bought it for the body but the damn 22mm works so well, I am keeping it. In MF it works very easily. My other fear (LCD in direct sunlight) was thrown aside as the LCD is the best I have ever worked with. Having said that, the EOS M will collect dust. Why? Because as long as there is film I will shoot mainly that.
 
kshapero said:
With the new firmware the Canon EOS M rocks. I bought it for the body but the damn 22mm works so well, I am keeping it. In MF it works very easily. My other fear (LCD in direct sunlight) was thrown aside as the LCD is the best I have ever worked with. Having said that, the EOS M will collect dust. Why? Because as long as there is film I will shoot mainly that.
Click to expand...


Have you used it with leica m mount adapter and lenses yet?

I just ordered the kit from amazon :)

Nik
 
Panasonic gf1 is excellent for this purpose but of course not APS C. Cheap and high quality it functions well for this purpose. I bought one body only for this reason and now use exclusively as an M mount camera.
 
Don't know how much the NEX 5N's are going for these days, but I found a NEX3 for $100 on ebay a couple of months ago. Note that I was specifically looking for a cheap NEX body to convert to IR.
 
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