Considering the RX1's status as the first FF compact ... where is it?

[GaryLH]

Nex is the answer.

That depends. If u are going to shy away from the rx1 because of price, the rumored ff Nex body is rumored to be around 3k.. However even if it is 3k, given Sony propensity for pushing a new camera body's out every year.. I suspect it will not stay at 3k for very long.

And then there are those who just are going to buy it to say I'm the first on my block, u will c those camera bodies on the used market fairly quick 😀

Anyway I am in the group of ff is not for everybody. For those of u that want it, it looks like Sony is pushing the ff csc path pretty hard.

Enjoy
Gary

Ps.. Given the rumors of special work to get Zeiss new lenses working w/ the new ff and all the extra work that Leica had to do to support all their lenses w/ the micro lenses, I agree w/ semilog, don't expect all the legacy rf lenses to work as expected in terms of overall iq, but those that plan to use legacy slr lenses should be ok.

 

[majid]

Really? I don't own an RX1, but when it was first announced it struck me as a digital version of my Contax T3 (which most certainly does not have "sever barrel distortion," nor do any of my other Carl Zeiss wide angle lenses...)😕

I have the X100S, RX1 and the T3 as well, and have longed for a digital equivalent of the T3. The RX1 is closer in size to a CLE than a T3.

The T3 has a 35mm f/2.8 Sonnar with 6 elements in 4 groups. The RX1 has a a 35mm f/2 Sonnar with 8 elements in 7 groups, including 3 aspherical elements. Very different beasts, despite the same Sonnar family name.

The RX1 is the first camera/lens combo I've ever used where the distortion is so visible that it is noticeable even for normal pictorial scenes, not just architectural photography. DPReview/DXO rate it at 1.9%:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sony-cybershot-dsc-rx1/11
From some old datasheets on the T3's Sonnar, its short-edge distortion is around 0.4% and is pincushion type in any case

I'm not sure why they under-corrected distortion. Surely they can't be expecting all users of an advanced camera like this to be in a JPEG-only workflow with in-camera software correction baked in?

 

[f16sunshine]

Here we are a year after this thread was started. Does anyone have any further thought s to add?
I'm considering a trial run with the RX1 as a daily carry.
I've been enjoying the Ricoh GR but for the fact it's a bit wide for me.
Loved the X100 and will likely go back there after another iteration is reeled (hoping for a FF 35mm or a 50mm equiv apsc x200 model.)

The Sony is still interesting or.... Comments, Warnings?

 

[GaryLH]

If I remember correctly the rx1 is thick enough that it would be hard to carry in a front pocket like the Ricoh gr. So I am assuming size is not any issue (since u mention x200) but form factor and weight are? The reason I ask it this way is if ff is one of the criteria, why not Sony a7 w/ the 35f2.8?

Given photokina is only around the corner.. Though u may c more interesting things to wet your appetite 🙂

Gary

 

[f16sunshine]

Size is not a major concern.
The GR reigns currently by accident. I got it on trade and then let the x100 go in a moment of feeling guilty and gluttonous.
Size was not a concern. A hexar af or M5/40 take the film role here (or a tlr.
I have an xpro and 35mm but carry that more deliberately than a daily carry (projects rather than journal).
.
What I would like right now is a fixed focal length that gives me a bit more dof isolation in a digital package.
The sony is interesting because I may be able to trade for one in a win/win for both parties.
It seems like a great tool for my day bag.
Definitely worth a try. I'm mostly worried it could be a brick if service is required (even little things like sensor dust).

Please pardon my typos on mobile riding shotgun atm 😛

 

[MikeAUS]

I'm considering a trial run with the RX1 as a daily carry.
I've been enjoying the Ricoh GR but for the fact it's a bit wide for me.

Sony RX1 is a different machine to GR. The GR is portable and light and takes good photos. The RX1 is larger, much better built, with an amazing lens and sensor combination. See my Flickr for RX1 samples ... Also, the price of RX1 secnd hand is down now with A7s and potential RX1s on the way - so you can save $ - only problem is auto focus is very hit and miss - when it hits 🙂

 

[GaryLH]

Even the Ricoh gxr lensor like the a12 50 or a12 28 had dust bunnies eventually 🙁.. I have hear complain about it before. Knock on would.. My old Fuji x100 still has not gotten any yet and it was one from the first batch to hit the west coast.

Gary

 

[nongfuspring]

Interesting camera, but considering the price of the a7 it still seems expensive and very "first gen" - you can get a new a7 and the zeiss 35 2.8 or a 5dii + lens for around the price of a second hand rx1, but with the bonus of better ergonomics, usability, and a good built in EVF/OVF. Then there's the fujinon 23mm 1.4 for your xpro, foevons, etc etc. I had a think about the rx1 recently, but I just can't validate it.

I think I'd definitely wait until after photokina.

 

[jsrockit]

For me... the body was too small, the lens too big, and no internal VF. Also, too much cash. It's one of the rare cameras where I felt the body was too small. Once the A7 came out, it made more sense for me to go that route.

 

[jsrockit]

I'm considering a trial run with the RX1 as a daily carry.
I've been enjoying the Ricoh GR but for the fact it's a bit wide for me.

How about the Leica X2?

 

[agfa100]

I picked up a used one a couple of months ago and use it with my old Leica 35mm OVF, I am a old Leica M film shooter that mostly used a 35mm summicron so I am right at home with the RX-1. I have a grip on mine and it just works, save some coin and pick up a used one you will not lose any $$ if you don't like it. The pictures speak for the camera I love mine.
wbill

 

[YYV_146]

Here we are a year after this thread was started. Does anyone have any further thought s to add?
I'm considering a trial run with the RX1 as a daily carry.
I've been enjoying the Ricoh GR but for the fact it's a bit wide for me.
Loved the X100 and will likely go back there after another iteration is reeled (hoping for a FF 35mm or a 50mm equiv apsc x200 model.)

The Sony is still interesting or.... Comments, Warnings?

Point still stands. The RX1(R) is still the only FF compact on the market. But lack of controls, grip, weight distribution, etc. It deserves a good look as a backup camera, considering how much prices have gone down, but with its own (I would say serious) limitations.

If it's any help, I am led to believe that Sony has an RX2 with a curved sensor hot in the works. Possibly 2014 entry, and certainly before Q2 2015. Still 35mm, though - but a f1.8 or f1.4 design.

 

[MikeAUS]

Interesting camera, but considering the price of the a7 it still seems expensive and very "first gen" - you can get a new a7 and the zeiss 35 2.8 or a 5dii + lens for around the price of a second hand rx1, but with the bonus of better ergonomics, usability, and a good built in EVF/OVF. Then there's the fujinon 23mm 1.4 for your xpro, foevons, etc etc. I had a think about the rx1 recently, but I just can't validate it.

I think I'd definitely wait until after photokina.

A7 has loud shutter, 5dii is big and heavy and loud shutter plus with lens is expensive. Fuji X-Trans is troublesome in RAW and build quality is inferior - foveons can't focus or operate in normal light conditions. Sony RX1 second hand is a good option - silent and of the highest build and picture quality. Now if you have more $$ to spend then A7s or wait for the new RX1s. Just my take 😀

 

[Aristophanes]

I played around with one a few weeks ago during a local photographer party. IQ is excellent, better than a D600/35 1.4G combo and certainly better than an X-e1 with the fuji 35 1.4.

But everything else just feels...awkward. First of all there's no grip, and the lens is much heavier than the usual compact. A firm grip is impossible without a thumbie, but if you want the thumbs up, you'll have to ditch the plug-in EVF. Then there's the controls, fine for me but a steep learning curve for anyone who hasn't used Sony cameras before.

I say this as a die-hard Sony fan: They need to make an RX2 with more controls, at least 2-3 customization body dials, built-in EVF and accessory grip.

A built-in EVF and it would no long be a compact. The moment they start adding such bulk is when they start making a bridge camera with a zoom.

 

[nongfuspring]

A7 has loud shutter, 5dii is big and heavy and loud shutter plus with lens is expensive. Fuji X-Trans is troublesome in RAW and build quality is inferior - foveons can't focus or operate in normal light conditions. Sony RX1 second hand is a good option - silent and of the highest build and picture quality. Now if you have more $$ to spend then A7s or wait for the new RX1s. Just my take 😀

f16sunshine mentioned that size wasn't a major concern, so I mentioned the 5dii, which second hand still can be had cheaper than the rx1 - even with a 35 f2 lens. The rx1 was very expensive in the beginning has really held its value.

It's true the leaf shutter makes the camera pretty unique, but perhaps that's its only strong point.

 

[jsrockit]

It's true the leaf shutter makes the camera pretty unique, but perhaps that's its only strong point.

Agreed....

 

[Lss]

It's true the leaf shutter makes the camera pretty unique, but perhaps that's its only strong point.

Leaf shutter is a huge bonus, but the real strong point remains state-of-the-art image quality in a small package. Other than that it is a mediocre point-and-shoot camera in my opinion.

Overall I'm happy with my RX1R, which I have now used for about 10 months or so alongside the Leica M8. It is the first compact that provides a significant and consistent image quality improvement over the M8. But I would not have paid full retail for it.

 

[Lss]

Sony RX1 second hand is a good option - silent and of the highest build and picture quality.

You know, build quality is certainly one thing were the camera fell short in my use/experience. The camera feels solid and extremely well made, but the MF ring on mine could not quite take traveling in the same bag with my M8. It simply bent one day on a short walk! It's not just a cosmetic issue either, the MF is affected. Just a few days ago I also had some AF motor issues (error 61) on it. One sample never tells you much, but my problem-free M8 certainly has been far superior in reliability.

 

[YYV_146]

A built-in EVF and it would no long be a compact. The moment they start adding such bulk is when they start making a bridge camera with a zoom.

If they can fit a built-in EVF in the petite body of the RX100 mkIII, I'm sure Sony can manage a EVF in an RX2 or 3....Maybe a low-res one, but I'd love too see it happen.

 

[f16sunshine]

Hey thanks for all the comments everyone. Mike AUS I checked out your McLovin 2.0 flickriver Lots of great images. You're a great street photographer!!
Many of those I found under the Sony RX1 Tag are convincing enough for m.
You use an Optical VF is that right? I would use a shoe mount OVF if it works well enough for focus re-compose method using half a shutter push.
Is that a workable workflow?

I know Fotokina is coming but frankly that does not mean anything to me. I get exceited about the new cameras like everyone else but... I almost never adopt until a year or so has past.
Like the Sony RX1. I'm trading for one if things work out. The trade value will be half the as new price. I can live with that.

A bit larger but I bet it's going to be fine. I'll report more here if it works out.
Anyone usinag an Optical finder and traditional focus re-compose method I would love to hear how well or poorly it works.
I have no intention of adding an EVF or any other accesory than a grip or half case for extra grip.
Oh shades. Anyone using the 49mm Pentax limited shade like I have intsalled here on the Fuji X100?
No Vignetting problem on the x100. Hoping to use it on the Sony as well.

X100 Lens Shade solution by Adnan W, on Flickr
Cheers!