Digital Companion to FF DSLR?

[thirtyfivefifty]

Not sure if this has been asked, but this question is directed to those who consider a FF DSLR as their main, go-to camera, as I see you all as more inclined of being demanding of image quality and control:

Every time I'm out with a serious intent on taking photographs, I take my 5D, no question, but the rest of the time, when taking photographs isn't my primary objective (or when I don't want to waste frames "documenting" everything around me, or am conscious about having $$$$ on my shoulder or back), I wish I had a kick around camera to shoot with.

I have my Apple iPhone 3G, but I don't enjoy using it. It's so slow to start up, doesn't focus close, and has no control whatsoever. Been looking at everything from Canon PowerShot S95 to the Fujifilm FinePix X100, but was curious to what you all have chosen to be the camera to fit the bill? I know I DON'T want to buy another system. Just something that's a good balance and fun to operate.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

Lately, the Fuji X10. I find it really fun--that is, ergonomically pleasing, cool-looking, and satisfying to use--and the pictures are terrific.

 

[md2008]

Olympus XZ-1. I'm using it as a supplement to my Hexar, but I also use a D700 and when I don't want to lug that around, this will be my daily carry camera. I also considered an S95/100, LX-5, X10 but when the XZ-1 came up on the local classifieds for cheap, I jumped on it. It's got a 35mm equivalent 28mm - 112mm f/1.8-2.5 and excellent image quality. Bad points - the lens cap is a push-on and can hang into the picture when you're pointing down, and its hard to hold one-handed. Both points were fixed with the Lensmate self-closing lens cap and body grip.

I have a post here with some images.

 

[gavinlg]

X100 is hands-down the best companion camera to a 5d. Mine is on my shoulder all day, every day, and I barely notice it's there. It's fast, has similar (possibly slightly superior) IQ to the 5d, is an ergonomic dream, and the lens is gorgeous. To add to that, it looks damn cool and has super jpeg quality so it can literally act as a point and shoot. The built in flash is very clever too.

I tried a GRD, an E-p1, a mju II and I ended up realizing I don't like the limited IQ of the smaller cameras, nor the small sensor aesthetic, and film is too much bother to use as a daily carry.

A good deal of the pictures on my blog/journal thing are from my x100, many of them are at iso3200-5000, and they look like iso1600 from the 5d.

 

[rbelyell]

for years i like you used the 5d as my 'serious' camera. and like you i wanted a 'knock around' camera that could still offer very good quality but not the heft and off-putting bulk. i chose the ep2 because at 2x crop it did very well what FF is harder to do, namely telephoto. plus it was light enough to carry around for snapshots and i could trade lenses back and forth woth my 5d.

however, since you expressly do not want another 'system' cam. i most wholeheartedly agree with gavin, nothing touches the x100 in general and low light IQ. plus it is small enough to fit in your pocket. i literally use mine all the time and it has never disappointed me. dont listen to the 'horror' stories, theyre just from people who either expected a manual focus camera, which this is expressly not, or did not take the time to properly learn how to use it. you will in fact find as i did, that picture quality rivals the 5d with zeiss glass up to iso 800, and surpasses the 5d from 16-3200.

 

[kxl]

TO complement my D700, I primarily use a NEX5 with the kit lens, or using an adapter, M-mount or Nikon mount lenses.

 

[mwooten]

What about Canon's G12 as a semi-pocketable camera?

 

[Snowbuzz]

Yes, the X100 is the one. I tried the NEX and I thought it just looked bizarre. The X100 has style 8). Oh, it can take good pictures as well.

 

[thirtyfivefifty]

Thanks, everyone, for your responses so far, and just as I suspected, the X100 may be the answer. That price in the sponsor listings is so tempting, too!

A good deal of the pictures on my blog/journal thing are from my x100, many of them are at iso3200-5000, and they look like iso1600 from the 5d.

I've been following your blog for a while, and it's REALLY good. I really miss Melbourne, and hope to move back one day. It definitely was home to me.

dont listen to the 'horror' stories, theyre just from people who either expected a manual focus camera, which this is expressly not, or did not take the time to properly learn how to use it.

I personally don't see it as a manual focus camera, as well, and I find that people often never take the camera for what it is and use it according, playing on it's strengths. Though I have to add that the recent firmware seems to ease my concerns for a few things.

Do you X100 users find the "whole stop" aperture ring a problem? I'm used to working in 1/3 stops.

 

[rbelyell]

because it does not bother me at all, i have not explored my understanding that there is some way to set x100 apertures at 1/3 stops...