Mirrorless 50mm FF equivalent

msbarnes

msbarnes

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I have an E-PM1 and Panasonic 20mm f1.7 but I prefer the 50mm FOV over 40mm. I would love to upgrade to a Leica M9 + 50mm Summicron but that is way too expensive and so I am looking into my options. On FF I don't require a very fast lens as 50mm f2.0 is plenty fast enough for me but 50mm f2.8 will do as well, 50mm f4.0...not sure.

Anyways I was thinking of getting the 25mm f1.4 Summilux lens but then I was thinking that for more money I might be better off going with a larger sensor, like a Fuji with a 35mm f1.4 or something.

I want it to be mirrorless and somewhat compact (no DSLRs) but I DO NOT require a viewfinder, although that would be sweet. I do not care about interchangeable lenses because the only lens that I care about is a 50mm equivalent lens (35mm for APS-C). I wish I loved 35mm, because if I did, then I would stick with my settup or go with an X100(s).

What are my opions here? And what are the pros and cons.

At the top of my head, I was thinking that I should get the Summilux lens if I want to stay with M43 or look into Fuji. I don't like Sony cameras in general and I do not know much about Sigma/Canon/Samsung. My budget is roughly 1k. I believe Fuji makes some lesser expensive bodies to compliment their X-Pro 1 and so I would get one of those. I don't have any fast 35mm's and so if I get the Ricoh GXR-M then I would need to get one of those--not cheap.
 
In terms of pure picture iq at under 1k, hard to beat sigma dp2m. 45mm f2.8 efov. So long as u can live w/ high iso of 640 best case for color and 1600-3200 for b&w. the only camera that is as good as the dp Merrill cameras for b&w is the Leica monochrom...

U can now pick up xp1 used bodies for 850-1000 range. The 35f1.4 is one of the best lenses in the lineup. A used xe1 is in the 675-800 range used.

In digital I mainly use the sigma and Fuji cameras. I tend to grab the Fuji for situations where I know I want high iso color. Otherwise I will grab one of my sigma's.

If u have Nikon slr lenses around, there is the metabones speedbooster as well. I just received mine. My 50f1.4 is now a 50f1.2 on the Fuji xp1 instead of a 75 fov.

Gary
 
X-E1 or X-M1 + 35/1.4, costs more than your budget though. You won't find a better lens, that's for sure.

X100S -- crop to 50mm.
 
I think maybe slightly over 1k if u can find it at the right priced used... Or if he does not mind not having only an LCD, the xm1 16-55 zoo kit for 799 or 699 body only and pick up a used 35f1.4.

Gary
 
yeah I checked bhphoto the X-M1 and 35mm togeter are $1300 usd brand new and probably slightly cheaper used (I'm guessing $200 off, maybe $300 if I am lucky). I feel that my two best options are this and sticking with M43.
 
I think the biggest issue for u maybe that the Olympus bodies u have been used to have is built into body. The only Fuji lenses that have is so far are the zooms. It will take some getting used to compared to using the epm1. The new 16mp sensors in m43 are really pretty good and have closed the gap w/ prior generation apsc sensors. For example, between the omd and Fuji, I find that I like the colors from the Fuji better.. Really high iso tends to go,w/ the fuji. In other aspects, unless u print big, I am not sure u will c that much difference..

Gary
 
If you already have an Olympus, you are familiar with their (cumbersome) UI. The Fuji UI is simpler.

It certainly would be an interesting comparison of 25 'lux vs 35 Fujinon and m43 vs APS-C X-Trans. I don't think it would be a fair fight with the older 12mp sensor tho.
 
With the EOS-M, you have the 22mm (native mount) and the 40 mm pancake with AF (via adaptor). This is APS-C, so apply the appropriate magnification. Of course, you have any number of manual focus lenses via adaptors...
 
What are my opions here?
Click to expand...

Low end: Entry level NEX with any orphaned 35/2 lens you can find (Minolta, Canon, Konica...)

High end: NEX-7 with Summicron 35/2

High end (AF): NEX-7 with Sony SEL 35/1.8
 
The XE1 can be had for 799 new body only right now. That with sone careful shopping on the used market for a 35mm lens should put you pretty close to your 1k limit.
 
If you don't need AF, sky is the limit.

Any aps-c mirrorless (all nex and fuji series or even samsung) with 35mm equiv lens will give you a 50mm.

My personal favorite is actually nex 5n with VC noct 35mm 1.4. Compact, light, focusing tab and with hawk's adapter it focuses closer than most slr 50mm lenses. IQ-wise it is up there with most 50mm (may be a tad soft at 1.4)

Another option is aps-c with speed booster (metabones or cheaper). That will give you faster aperture and better center sharpness but may smear the corner by a smidge. When I need speed, I use speed booster with SMC Tak 50mm 1.4.

For me, m43 images seemed to be less refined than aps-c. But that may just be me.
 
To be honest, I'd stretch my budget for a FF RF lens because those are more useful and hold their value. I'd rather spend more money on a lens than a body. That is one reason why I went with an M43--some bodies can be had for cheap.

What is the best value NEX body, these days? a 5n. I don't need an EVF and I believe the 7 added that.
 
GaryLH said:
Then why not get a xe1, an Leica to Fuji m mount adapter and a 35 from cv? A used 5n is pretty cheap these days. Both the Nex 6 and 7 have built in evf. KEH --> 310 for an ex grade 5n.

http://www.keh.com/camera/Sony-E-System-Camera-Bodies/1/sku-SE029991268030?r=FE

If u don't mind 60 perspective off of the Fuji or Sony Nex, best bang for the bucks is the cv 40f1.4..

Gary
Click to expand...

Yeah. I think 5n is the best value for NEX since older models have inferior sensor and newer models does not seem to have much better sensor either. Also, if you invest in nex and full frame rf lenses, they can be used when the nex FF comes out later this year (or next year) :D

Don't you have a summaron? I think that would work pretty well other than the bulk from the eyes.
 
I'd go with a 28mm R-Elmarit on m43 (my favourite lens on the GH-2 (if you don't mind f2.8) it's spectacular at any aperture. and with a 35 R-Summicron or R- 35 2.8 on aps-c. the C/Y contax 28mm and 35mm lenses are also very good. also the 28mm 2.8 M-konica is a sleeper, and a very polyvalent lens and supersolid performer. (if you buy this and go FF rangefinder later, you have you're first coupled lens ready, I regret having sold mine.

the GXR is the best for adapting lenses imo, I'm thinking of buying one back just to use those lenses again on a slightly bigger sensor.
 
If you are OK with µ43 IQ, I'll go for the 25-1.4. I had the classical FT version and that was a very good lens indeed. This is the cheapest option, especially if you are willing to sell the 20-1.7 .
If High ISO is important, you can make a quality leap towards the Fuji X. Personally I would always want a good EVF/OVF and would not want to rely on the LCD when shooting.
Nowadays I buy all my gear 2nd hand and have not been disappointed yet.
success with your choices.
 
Ok, I know you specified just a 50mm, but if you have that budget why not consider keeping the Olympus body & adding either the VF2 or VF3, the decent Panasonic 14 2.5, the Panaleica 25 1.4, & the excellent Oly 45 1.8?
As suggested, buy used...Sell the 20...
A decent kit (28, 50, 90) for around 1k.
 
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