Dreaming now . . .

[Timmyjoe]

I'm going to open this up to suggestions as I'm coming up empty on my own.

Looking for a camera with the following specs:
-Viewfinder (can be OVF or EVF)
-Good High ISO performance (up to ISO 6400)
-Auto Focus (Phase Detection preferred over Contrast Detection)
-Smaller sized (closer to a Nikon 1 V2 than a Nikon D4)
-35mm equivalent (in FF/35mm film) focal length lens
-Can be interchangeable lens camera or fixed lens
-Digital (16MP or greater)

Been looking for a couple months now and keep coming up short. This is for a project I'm working on, the beginning of the project was shot with a Nikon F and a 35mm Nikkor-OC lens. That package was perfect as far as size and weight and usability, but I've realized I need to shoot this digitally.

I've tried a Df with the same 35mm lens, and found that I can't nail focus nearly as consistently with the Df and that lens as I can when the lens is mounted on the Nikon F. I've tried a Nikon 1 V2 with the 10mm lens (28mm equivalent) and found the camera is lacking when it comes to High ISO, and I had one of the digital lenses die in the middle of a shoot, so I wouldn't trust the reliability of that system (and 28mm does not have the same feel as 35mm). I've tried a Leica M9 w/35mm lens, but I'm not quick enough to nail focus consistently, and am concerned about High ISO with that camera as well.

The image quality from the Df and the M9 worked well, when I nailed focus (and with the M9, when I was ISO 800 or below), but there were too few keepers for what I'd like.

So I'm wondering if anyone knows of a camera that fits the bill, that they would recommend?

Thanks everyone.

Best,
-Tim

 

[ruby.monkey]

You've... never heard of the Fujifilm X100T?

 

[Oscuro]

I'm going to open this up to suggestions as I'm coming up empty on my own. Looking for a camera with the following specs: -Viewfinder (can be OVF or EVF) -Good High ISO performance (up to ISO 6400) -Auto Focus (Phase Detection preferred over Contrast Detection) -Smaller sized (closer to a Nikon 1 V2 than a Nikon D4) -35mm equivalent (in FF/35mm film) focal length lens -Can be interchangeable lens camera or fixed lens -Digital (16MP or greater) Been looking for a couple months now and keep coming up short. This is for a project I'm working on, the beginning of the project was shot with a Nikon F and a 35mm Nikkor-OC lens. That package was perfect as far as size and weight and usability, but I've realized I need to shoot this digitally. I've tried a Df with the same 35mm lens, and found that I can't nail focus nearly as consistently with the Df and that lens as I can when the lens is mounted on the Nikon F. I've tried a Nikon 1 V2 with the 10mm lens (28mm equivalent) and found the camera is lacking when it comes to High ISO, and I had one of the digital lenses die in the middle of a shoot, so I wouldn't trust the reliability of that system (and 28mm does not have the same feel as 35mm). I've tried a Leica M9 w/35mm lens, but I'm not quick enough to nail focus consistently, and am concerned about High ISO with that camera as well. The image quality from the Df and the M9 worked well, when I nailed focus (and with the M9, when I was ISO 800 or below), but there were too few keepers for what I'd like. So I'm wondering if anyone knows of a camera that fits the bill, that they would recommend? Thanks everyone. Best, -Tim

Caro Tim,

Fuji. X100T.

Cordially,
Mme. O.

 

[Timmyjoe]

Does the X100T have Phase Detection Auto-Focus? Was not aware of that. And I thought the X100 series were 28mm equivalent lenses, are they actually 35mm?

Just checked, Yeah, totally misread the specs on that camera.

Have both of you used that camera, and how does it do at ISO 6400? Sample pics maybe? 🙂

 

[splitimageview]

no phase, but it's not really needed with a fixed 23mm lens (35 equiv.)

 

[sojournerphoto]

Fuji x-pro2 with the 23 1.4 or 27 2.8

There's also a rumour of a forthcoming 23/2 that will have faster af, in line with the 35/2.

The camera is a pleasure to use, and work well with manual focus lenses as well (though the forthcoming Xt2 may be better with a bigger evf) and the sensor is superb. Much better low light performance than my M9, and more dynamic range at all settings.

An alternative lens option would be to keep the Nikon and use a lens turbo focal reducer to retain the field of view.

Mike

 

[sojournerphoto]

Probably worth adding that the only reason I suggested XP2 over x100t was that I think the low light on the XP2 is probably better. Also, I've not used the 100t.

Mike

 

[Timmyjoe]

OK, two suggestions that I need to do some research on. And two systems that had gone under my radar.

I hope others will add to this list, and Thank You to everyone who has contributed so far.

Best,
-Tim

 

[ruby.monkey]

no phase, but it's not really needed with a fixed 23mm lens (35 equiv.)

Bollocks. It uses the X-Trans II sensor which features phase-detection pixels. From Fuji's X100T page:

By placing AF phase detection pixels on the X-Trans CMOS II sensor, AF speeds of approximately 0.08 sec are possible. Intelligent Hybrid AF automatically switches between image phase detection AF and contrast AF depending on the subject and scene, so high-speed and high-precision AF is possible on every scene.

 

[Oscuro]

Don't worry about which is better in low light - they are all more than good enough.
The advantage of the X100T is silence, a fast lens, a classical control set, versatile field of view, and it is very light despite being very strongly built.

Ciao,
Mme. O.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

M9 doesn't have high ISO.
Recently, during three evenings, I was looking at Fuji cameras and many pictures with APS-C sensor and they should meet OP requirements. Lovely cameras.
BTW, Canon 6D is most superior camera for clean 6400 and even 12500, from what I have seen.

 

[splitimageview]

Bollocks.

Rather extreme word choice. I was thinking of the original X100. The S has PDAF too.

 

[sojournerphoto]

Ultimately, Tim needs to decide what works for him. The XP2 has the new generation sensor (that I think is similar to that in the Sony A6300). It has very good low light performance and excellent dynamic range. One tester suggested it outperformed the Canon 6D, although I've no experience of the latter.

What I can say is that the files are far more flexible than M9 files and that there is a lot of information to be obtained. The camera bigger than an X100t, but probably handles as well as a Nikon FM or M9. Again, Tim will make up his own mind. It has a very quiet mechanical shutter or silent mode. It may or may not be better for him than an X100t or something else may serve the purpose.

The picture below was shot in very difficult circumstances - iso 3200 at DR200% raw. The picture has had more than 1 stop of exposure increase in raw, shadows lifted quite a lot and highlights pulled back down to protect the windows. I've only made a little print, but it looks lovely. There is some noise, but I didn't use any noise reduction. There are some other recent X-Pro2 images in my gallery, including a couple shot in the dark at iso3200, f1.2 and 1/30th with some increase in exposure to the raws in lightroom.

It's well worth a try.

Mike

 

[Timmyjoe]

BTW, Canon 6D is most superior camera for clean 6400 and even 12500, from what I have seen.

Once again, why I appreciate this forum so much. Canon 6D is another camera that completely flew under my radar. I am partial to the SLR shooting experience, and had a bevy of L glass, back in the Canon FD days.

Here's a review I just found:
"The EOS 6D doesn't offer the depth of features that its best competitors can, but it combines very good image quality, impressive high-ISO performance and class-leading low-light autofocus ability"

Will definitely do more research on pairing one of these with the now-outdated 35mm f1.4L USM lens.

Again, thanks for all the input, and please keep it coming.

Best,
-Tim

 

[CMur12]

Tim, if you already have a Nikon Df, wouldn't the purchase of a Nikkor 35mm AF lens solve the problem?

- Murray

 

[Timmyjoe]

Thanks Murray,

I don't actually have a Nikon Df, I borrowed one for a week (it's a nice camera). Price of a new 6D and a new (original design) 35mm f1.4L lens would be less than the price of the Nikon Df alone.

Things I need to think about.

 

[Timmyjoe]

Would love to hear other suggestions.

Thanks.

Best,
-Tim

 

[Mute-on]

Have you considered a Leica Q?

Other than being a 28mm, by all accounts it meets your other criteria. High ISO IQ in particular is reported as excellent.

I don't have, neither have I used, a Q. Just relaying what I've read.

All the best,

J

 

[Timmyjoe]

Thanks J,

Had a chance to play with a Q at a seminar a couple months ago. Really didn't click with it. Nice camera, but it's also a bit out of my price range.

Best,
-Tim

 

[shawn]

Another vote for the Fuji's. I have the X Pro 2 and it is superb.

X100T for fixed lens. If you want interchangeable lenses and smaller than the XP1 the XT1 (or XT10) is a bit smaller and SLR styled. XE2 is also smaller with the rangefinder format. They all lack the XP2 and X100T hybrid viewfinder though.

Shawn