which fixed lens compact for you...and why?

back alley

back alley

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we have the new leica q!
the sony rx1 with that zeiss 35/2 lens!
fuji rx100/s/t...
sony rx100, tiny AND a zoom lens!

i'm sure there are more to choose from...

so? which one for you?
 
I prefere the 28mm, very happy with my GR.
Been down the road with Fuji two times, walked back alone both times to pick up the GR or the D700 with the 28 /1.8.
So, if I had the money, I think I would walk very happy into the sunset holding the Q in my hand.
 
Minox 35 for now. After XA and Rollei 35.
I like the lens in it and how compact it is for take it everyday with me camera.
 
Right now, the only one I own is the Ricoh GR. Why? because it is small, pocketable, has great ergonomics, focuses fast (in decent light), and has great IQ for a few year old APSC camera. It's quiet too. 28mm works best for me for non VF cameras as well.

Done with Fuji... too slow and cheap feeling (will revisit if the X-Pro2 ever comes out). Sony RX100 - didn't think the IQ was up to par with everything else I use (which makes sense), but it was good for what it was. Never owned the RX1... always felt weird in my hand i.e. too small. The Leica Q seems good on paper, but may be too expensive ultimately for me to care about.
 
Film: Fuji Klasse S
Digital: My seldom used Ricoh GR (latest model)

Whoops.. forgot to add the "Why" part:

Film: Because the lens is so sharp, it's so easy to use and the focal length is just about perfect.
Digital: Because the form factor and ergonomics on the Ricoh GR series have always won me over in spite of the focal length.

Cheers,
Dave
 
Film - Ricoh GR1v (I used to have a GR1s but will eventually get a 1v)
Digital - I like my Fuji X100 as much as anything similar I've owned.
 
Fuji X100T. The viewfinder alone is enough to sway it for me; throw in the photographer-friendly controls and that sweet little lens, and I'm sold.
 
Film - sharp lens, compact and fits in my jean pocket
- Contax T (outside of Olympus xa, smallest rf camera when flash removed)
- Rollei 35s
Digital
- Ricoh gr (apsc) w/ ovf from dp1 Merrill (fits in my jean pocket, retired the rx100)
- Panasonic lx100 (1.7-2.8 zoom, good iso, retro camera controls)
- Sigma dp2 Quattro (while not compact, it is fixed lens)

Leica stuff like the Q, not in my budget.. Nice camera given what they normally ask for that type of lens on an m body, I actually think for a Leica shooter it is reasonably priced, especially for what features it has.

The Sony RX 100mk1 was replaced by the Ricoh gr because I needed at least an ovf and higher iso. Ricoh UI and control features beat the Sony rx100mk1 hands down (IMHO).

Sony rx10 was too big and zoom range slow (no manual zoom, power zoom speed slow). Rx1 too expensive given Sony's propensity for the next great thing..

Fuji x100 series.. While I still have my original x100mk1, it does not get used as much as my xe1 w/27f2.8 lens combo. Growing up shooting film cameras that had fixed lens from 38-42mm, the 27f2.8 is my preferred lens for its 40ish perspective. The Ricoh gr I shoot in crop mode (I don't need the mp).

Panasonic lx100 essentially replaced my Fuji x100 and lx3 (never upgraded to lx5 or 7) because
- faster af
- 24-75 f1.7 to 2.8 zoom
- good high iso (Fuji slightly better)
- evf
- retro controls
- 16:9 mode gives perspective closer to 21fov
- optical image stabilization
- resume zoom feature allows me to set zoom at 50 fov, so I essentially have a pseudo fixed focal length camera when I turn the camera back on (or wherever u leave the lens when u power down).

The sigma dp2q is my b&w and landscape camera. Nothing beats the foveon sensors for detail.. The monochrome mode development from these cameras will give the Leica mm a run for its money. I am eventually going to get a dp0q to pair w/ the dp2q.. 21fov plus a pano perspective...

Gary
 
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I have the X100S in my jacket pocket at all times, and a RX1 as well. If the Q had a 50mm lens, or even a 35mm, I'd buy it in a heartbeat, but 28mm is too wide for my taste.
 
I have a T2. Wouldn't mind the size of the T3. The Klasse S is a nice option.
If digital, i'd like to have an RX1. There's something special in that thing. Somehow.
 
Assuming digital.
I like em all if single focal length.
I have a GR now and will have an x100 midel again shortly.
The Sony Rx1/r looks. Great as do all the Leica models.
For the pocket.... The GR is the best of all worlds.
 
As a recent owner the GR is greater than the sum of the parts. Intuitive and discrete it is the best compact I have had the pleasure to own.

ft
 
Film: Pen D Because it is so small and flat, but has such a great lens.

Digital: I'd love an RX1. So much in a camera. Sure, it's ugly, but what a piece of machinery!
 
I keep coming back to the X100 series. I've loved the Ricoh GR as well, but I don't like having too many camera 'systems' at the same time. So I've settled for the time being on the X100T with the excellent WCL-X100 28mm add-on lens attached. This is a beautiful, very functional little kit... with an super optical viewfinder. The only things that bothered me about the GR were the lack of a built-in viewfinder and the fact that you had to wait for the lens to motor out before shooting. This took time, and announces to anyone nearby on the street that you're about to take their picture.
 
Sigma DP Merrill ... cantankerous little mongrel but an IQ to die for IMO. :)
 
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