nightfly
Well-known
Want a camera primarily for street and travel. Comfortable with either 28mm or 35mm could get used to either. Fixed or interchangeablea but will end up with one lens probably if every other camera I own is any indication.
Candidates would be the one of the Fuji X variants, the GRD, a Canon M if I can find one or something similar. The huge lenses of the Sony NEX series is a turn off.
Want something small with good color and some character to the shots, super sharp and clinical is not what I'm looking for. More of a quick shooting street camera used in hyperfocal or SNAP mode.
The X100 has the advantage of dedicated knobs which I like, the GRD size and snap mode. The Canon M price.
Opinions?
Candidates would be the one of the Fuji X variants, the GRD, a Canon M if I can find one or something similar. The huge lenses of the Sony NEX series is a turn off.
Want something small with good color and some character to the shots, super sharp and clinical is not what I'm looking for. More of a quick shooting street camera used in hyperfocal or SNAP mode.
The X100 has the advantage of dedicated knobs which I like, the GRD size and snap mode. The Canon M price.
Opinions?
rolfe
Well-known
The Canon EOS M is a steal if they are still blowing them out at a discount. Canon APS-C sensor in front of which you can pretty much put any lens ever made. IQ is identical to a Canon 7D. Get the 22mm prime, the EOS lens adapter, and the 40mm pancake and you're pretty much good to go.
Godfrey
somewhat colored
What I'd look for if I posted your note ...
Fixed lens:
- Leica X2 (used to get the price down) (35mm EFoV)
- Ricoh GR (model V)(28mm EFoV)
- Nikon Coolpix A (28mm EFoV)
Interchangeable lens:
- Panasonic GX7 + Panasonic 20/1.7 or Olympus 18/1.8 (35mm EFoV)
- Olympus E-P5 + VF-4 + same lens as above (35mm EFoV)
- Sony NEX 6 + 20mm f/2.8 (31mm EFoV) or Sigma 19mm f/2.8 (28mm EFoV)
All of these are fine performers, each quite different.
I have the X2, it is superb if overly pricey. I'll get either a GX7 (or an E-M1) soon, as I tend to prefer the Micro-FourThirds lens options.
Although I have to say, the Sony NEX 6 plus Sigma 19 and Sigma 30 is a darn nice kit at a quite reasonable price point.
G
Fixed lens:
- Leica X2 (used to get the price down) (35mm EFoV)
- Ricoh GR (model V)(28mm EFoV)
- Nikon Coolpix A (28mm EFoV)
Interchangeable lens:
- Panasonic GX7 + Panasonic 20/1.7 or Olympus 18/1.8 (35mm EFoV)
- Olympus E-P5 + VF-4 + same lens as above (35mm EFoV)
- Sony NEX 6 + 20mm f/2.8 (31mm EFoV) or Sigma 19mm f/2.8 (28mm EFoV)
All of these are fine performers, each quite different.
I have the X2, it is superb if overly pricey. I'll get either a GX7 (or an E-M1) soon, as I tend to prefer the Micro-FourThirds lens options.
Although I have to say, the Sony NEX 6 plus Sigma 19 and Sigma 30 is a darn nice kit at a quite reasonable price point.
G
GaryLH
Veteran
I have the x100 and the gr. they are both great cameras. I use the gr mainly when I just want to put a camera in my front pants pocket and walk out the door not expecting anything to shoot in particular.
Gary
Gary
erikhaugsby
killer of threads
Pocketability is the GR's great strength, but there are times when I will go out with the sole intention of taking pictures with the GR. It is a capable camera.
Addy101
Well-known
I think this list iist is quite comprehensive. If you want a little smaller and don't mind no build-in EVF, get a NEX 5n/r (or even a recent 3). I have the Sigma 19 and it is a lovely lens!
You didn't mention budget, and you dislike big lenses, but the Sony RX-1 seems to be wonderful, the pictures I've seen made with it are great!
nightfly
Well-known
Thanks for the suggestions.
With all the APS C stuff coming out, I feel like it's hard to make a case for m43 these days especially on the wider end where the crop factor works against you.
And those damn NEX lenses are huge. Don't see the point of a tiny body with huge beer can lens on it.
The Leica X2 is just way too expensive even used. Once you get above about $800 it seems like a world of diminishing returns.
The RX1 actually seems like a fair deal but above what I'm looking to spend.
Probably the original x100 used or the GRD would be my best choices. See the X100 like my M4p with a 35 summicron and the GRD like my film GR1. Seems like I grab the GR1 more often than anything else...
With all the APS C stuff coming out, I feel like it's hard to make a case for m43 these days especially on the wider end where the crop factor works against you.
And those damn NEX lenses are huge. Don't see the point of a tiny body with huge beer can lens on it.
The Leica X2 is just way too expensive even used. Once you get above about $800 it seems like a world of diminishing returns.
The RX1 actually seems like a fair deal but above what I'm looking to spend.
Probably the original x100 used or the GRD would be my best choices. See the X100 like my M4p with a 35 summicron and the GRD like my film GR1. Seems like I grab the GR1 more often than anything else...
Addy101
Well-known
The 20mm lens is small, take a look at it. You will like it
Godfrey
somewhat colored
I see this comment about crop factor and wider end frequently, and it is somewhat of a popular myth.
FourThirds and Micro-FourThirds are a complete system, where crop factor is irrelevant. There are over thirty available, excellent lenses from 7mm to 300mm (EFoV 14mm to 600mm in so-called "full-frame" equivalent) including fish eye and several Macro offerings, from four manufacturers.
Unlike most APS-C systems which are derivative of a pre-existing 35mm system, and where lens availability for the format might have some curious gaps, FourThirds was designed from the ground up to be what it is so there is no dearth of wides or teles in the system.
G
Robin P
Well-known
If you can find a shop that stocks them don't forget the Samsung NX cameras, with or without viewfinder (the NX20 with viewfinder looks like a baby SLR or the new Sony Alpha 3000). The Samsung 16mm,20mm and 30mm pancakes are excellent and really small, the 20-50mm zoom is smaller than many primes and although not fast is very sharp.
nightfly
Well-known
Didn't know about the 20 for NEX. Always heard the 16 was a dog and there wasn't really much else to get me in that 28-35mm equivalent field of view that I like. Will take a look.
I don't see how the crop factor is nonsense. The equivalent field of view of a 14mm lens on m43 is 28mm in full frame 35mm terms.
I realize they aren't technically cropping anything because it was designed like this but if you are coming from film you want to know this info. Call it what you will but in my head when I look at lenses for m43 I double the focal length to get something I can relate to. Realize this is an old school film mentality but it's what I'm used to.
I don't see how the crop factor is nonsense. The equivalent field of view of a 14mm lens on m43 is 28mm in full frame 35mm terms.
I realize they aren't technically cropping anything because it was designed like this but if you are coming from film you want to know this info. Call it what you will but in my head when I look at lenses for m43 I double the focal length to get something I can relate to. Realize this is an old school film mentality but it's what I'm used to.
Godfrey
somewhat colored
Using a crop factor to understand field of view is fine relative to what you're used to is fine, but once you think in FourThirds terms it's irrelevant. The 2x crop factor is also only an approximation based on the diagonal, but the format proportion is different (3:4 vs 2:3) so the real equivalence is 2.1x on horizontal and 1.85x on vertical. Although subtle, it makes a difference.
And besides, even if you do want to think in 35mm equivalencies, the fact that there are quality lens options from 7mm to 300mm should be enough to allow anyone to get past the "the small format has trouble with wides" idea.
G
GaryLH
Veteran
The same can be said for medium format or any other format lenses as well... Once u have adapted to the format.. That formats normal is automatic, whether u are talking about 25 on m43, 35 on apsc, 50 on 35mm, 80 on 6x6, etc. same goes for the respective wides and teles for the format.
Lenses missing from a range is more manufacturer specific then format. For example Bronica rf only ever ad 4 lenses for the system.
Gary
willie_901
Veteran
If snap mode is important, there's only one choice.
GaryLH
Veteran
Actually one manufacturer but two camera systems.. Gr and gxr (a12 28 or 50). But yes one model from the list.
Gary
Gary
Griffin
Grampa's cameras user
As far as buying into a system with its native lenses, you can't go wrong with m43. IMO they have the best lineup, with Fuji catching up in the rear.
GaryLH
Veteran
M43 has the advantage of two prime companies pushing out lenses for the m43 system... Given that Fuji has only started around two years ago, their lens selection is doing well. Sony Nex on the other hand has been out longer than Fuji and yet their lens selection past zooms is now finally starting to kick in this year.
Gary
Gary
nightfly
Well-known
Realistically only going to buy one or two lenses, a big lens line up isn't important just the right one or two.
Had one of the earlier Olympus Pens and the 17mm lens and wasn't too impressed. Didn't click with it. But that was years ago could give another shot. Also more likely to use at 3:2 than 4:3.
Had one of the earlier Olympus Pens and the 17mm lens and wasn't too impressed. Didn't click with it. But that was years ago could give another shot. Also more likely to use at 3:2 than 4:3.
Rang-er
Member
If it'sf or street/travel and you're comfy with 28mm, I'd definitely go with either the GR or the Coolpix A. They're pocketable and that's a tremendous advantage if you don't want to be hampered by a bag.
If size is less critical, then an X100S could also be an option.
If size is less critical, then an X100S could also be an option.