Is there a small DSLR that will match my hexarAF?

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hexar_hp5

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Hello All,

I'm doing more and more travelling at the moment with less time for scanning at home.

I'm thinking about maybe getting a DSLR with a prime lens to replicate my HexarAF and it's 35mm lens.

From what I understand either I need to go to a full format DSLR to use with a 35mm lens or a 1.6 sensor DSLR with a 20mm lens to give me an approx 35mm lens view.

For the full frame it seems that the Canon 5D is a popular option and for the non full frame it seems that the field is full with contenders.

I'm not tied into any brand at the moment.

Has anyone been down this route?
Is this something that I should consider or is it crazy beyond belief?
Would someone care to suggest a setup with a decent viewfinder?

From past experience 35mm is my most used length and I prefer lighter cameras. For example, I sold my F5 plus 35-70, 80-200 and was happy with my hexars.

Of course if they just made a digital hexar with a good viewfinder that would make all of this easy.

Thanks!
 
5D is much larger than an HAF, the smallest DLSRs seem to be the Nikon D40 and D60, but coupled with a 20ish / f2 lens would be much larger. I'd keep the Hexar for 35mm, and maybe a Nikon or Pentax DSLR with pancake lens for ~ 45-60mm eff. fl. and longer.
 
If you're concerned about size, a used Pentax *ist DS/DS2 with a 21mm/3.2 DA Limited might fit the bill. Not exactly pocketable, but it's a small package. You can get away with shooting at 1600 iso with the 6mp sensor. The only downside is that the Pentax *ist DSLRs are somewhat dated.

I believe Olympus makes a smaller DSLR, but has nothing in terms of compact lens for the focal length you desire.
 
I recommend to wait a month or two .... fixed lens digitals will be in fashion at Photokina.

Cheers,

Roland.
 
I don't really want to consider the 4/3 from olympus as that would mean me printing at non 6*4 unless I cropped. As my wife want everything printed on 6*4, going to 4/3 is throwing away pixels and adding in extra time to photoshop from the get go.

To be honest I'm quite happy with the 35mm length and it's a big consideration for me and any system I went to, would have to be able to provide me that view.
 
For size and weight, a D40 or D40x can't be beat. They are both relatively cheap, and if you later decide to get one of the higher end models for low light/high ISO, your prime can go with you. The 24/2.8 Nikkor is excellent and features close range correction, it's one of my favorite lenses. The majority of my recent Bermuda vacation photos were with the 24/2.8 (36mm equivalent.)
lighthouse.jpg
 
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hexar_hp5 said:
I don't really want to consider the 4/3 from olympus as that would mean me printing at non 6*4 unless I cropped. As my wife want everything printed on 6*4, going to 4/3 is throwing away pixels and adding in extra time to photoshop from the get go.
Click to expand...

Now this is a different reason for not considering the 4/3rd system 🙂

Well, at least it's not the "Not enough shallow DOF" shtick, I am getting tired hearing those. 🙄
 
Given you're used to autofocus, I would recommend a D80 and 24mm f2.8 or 20mm f2.8, great viewfinder for a reduced frame camera, compact body not much bigger than a d40/d60 which won't autofocus without an in-lens motor (ie. af-s). There is a D90 comming out at Photokina so you should be able to get a D80 discounted and with a rebate pretty soon, or they are easy to find used for around $700 or less.
 
shadowfox said:
Now this is a different reason for not considering the 4/3rd system 🙂

Well, at least it's not the "Not enough shallow DOF" shtick, I am getting tired hearing those. 🙄
Click to expand...

I'm with you on this one.... What an odd reason.. but everyone's entitled.

Frankly, I'm waiting anxiously for the announcement and deployment of the new Micro 4/3 system. Interchangeable and small. I will probably go that way. Everybody is so averse to the 2X crop factor. Frankly, it's making huge dents in many of the arguments for large sensors.

With the exception of illogical reasons to avoid a system, the new Micro 4/3rds is likely to be everything the OP asked about (well, except for the fact that it doesn't "print nice")
 
Re Joe's question about the Sony - The A350 is very compact and has a live view that actually works, along with a tilting screen for discreet shooting. High ISO performance is only so-so, with a lot of grain at ISO 800. Here is a recent Ottawa catch with the CZ 16-80:
U1632I1215638010.SEQ.0.jpg

Not perfect, but quite usable. The 50/1.4 prime is a gem.

Cheers,
Kirk
 
I second the Pentax recommendation. Pentax has a range of compact primes, while with other brands the cameras may be small but the good zooms are huge. The D40 will not autofocus with non AFS lenses which means none of the primes.
 
kuzano said:
I'm with you on this one.... What an odd reason.. but everyone's entitled.

Frankly, I'm waiting anxiously for the announcement and deployment of the new Micro 4/3 system. Interchangeable and small. I will probably go that way. Everybody is so averse to the 2X crop factor. Frankly, it's making huge dents in many of the arguments for large sensors.

With the exception of illogical reasons to avoid a system, the new Micro 4/3rds is likely to be everything the OP asked about (well, except for the fact that it doesn't "print nice")
Click to expand...

Well Kuzano, thanks for the recommendation, but really though for you my reasoning may not be logical, for me, my shooting and my photography it makes perfect sense.

My wife is loves to print out my photographs but mainly wants to print at 6*4. My current photography allows me to do that without cropping, the few times I have used a digital P&S I have spent alot of time cropping the photos to fit 6*4, and I'd rather frame the photograph in the camera.

Again thanks for the recommendation.
 
couple of options

couple of options

Our fuji f40/f45, and f50 have 3:2 modes, and our Canon P&S shows the 3/2 so you can frame in 4x6 mode and not have to crop yourself. You can think of the translucent grey area as similar to RF overscan 😀

Another solution is to use Walgreens or other sites who offer 5.5 x 4" sized prints to retain your ~1.3 ratio sensor size and not have any cropping going on.

hexar_hp5 said:
Well Kuzano, thanks for the recommendation, but really though for you my reasoning may not be logical, for me, my shooting and my photography it makes perfect sense.

My wife is loves to print out my photographs but mainly wants to print at 6*4. My current photography allows me to do that without cropping, the few times I have used a digital P&S I have spent alot of time cropping the photos to fit 6*4, and I'd rather frame the photograph in the camera.

Again thanks for the recommendation.
Click to expand...
 
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Canon 450D w/24mm f1.4.

I know that seems like a lot of lens for a lower end camera, but the sensor is good and the camera functions are certainly a match for my beloved Hexar AF.
I can't see some slow 21mm lens living up functionaly to the sweet 35mm on the hexar.
 
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