Which slr to move light ?

[gzisis69]

Hello to the team, i just got my Chritmas payment and i want to add a new camera and lens to my collection. I shout mostly street and i like 28mm and 35mm. I havent used a dslr for a very long time now but yesterday i saw a video in youtube from Paulie b where the photographer reviewed used a canon 7d with a 24mm lens. I liked the idea of a dslr, since to me they are the absolute photo machines without compromises but they weight a lot and are big. saying that i would gladly try for some time a dslr with a small lens to see if that kind of shouting fits my style in 2025. What do you think between the combinations canon 7d ii and 24mm pancake lens and canon 5diii and 40mm panckake lens ? I am not such a big fan of 40mm, i prefer strongly 35 or 28 but i dont seem to find such small lenses in these focal lengths. The 24mm panckake is 38mm equivalent so is closer to the 35mm that i like and maybe i could get used to it. What would you choose ? Do you have any similar suggestions ? The money i can give are at max 600 euro and i know well that such a set isnt easy to sell if i dont like it much so i must decide wise. The reason i like the idea of such a camera is the great autofocus, that the cameras are solid and dont die easy the ovf that i prefer to evf and that the prices are not so high as the top range mirrorles.

 

[lxmike]

Film wise, Olympus om1 with 35/2.8 or a 40/2 Zuiko, (hens teeth to find), or a Pentax MX with 40/2.8 SMC M Pancake. As for digital I am lost SLR wise, for a good carry round digital Fuji make some great offerings. (X100 series and the X Pro series).

 

[wlewisiii]

APS-C dslrs are smaller and lighter. My Pentax K5 with a DA 15/4 Limited (22mm equiv) or DA 21/3.2 Limited (33mm equiv) lenses is a very compact and reasonably priced package. I use the amazing HD DA 20-40 Limited zoom so it's a little bigger than that but the optical quality is amazing and I got body and zoom for less than your 600 euros.

I have several threads with images in the SLRs - the unRF forum.

Hope this helps.

 

[Darthfeeble]

No autofocus lens in a DSLR will be light. You could go the Olympus route, very light but a u4/3 sensor. The Fuji X-T cameras are smaller as are the lenses for them and they produce great images. Once you step up to full frame digital you can kiss light weight good by, even the new generation mirrorless are tanks relative to the RF format digitals. The Fuji X100 and Xpro series as mentioned above might be the best solution for you. All the convenience of a DSLR and less of the bulk. I have a particular fondness for my Fuji X-E3, same size as the X100 series and offers interchangeable lenses.

 

[santino]

I don’t know man, the Canon 40mm weights as much as a body cap.

It’s the body that is fat and heavy. Maybe something like the Eos 600D?

 

[agentlossing]

I'm kind of wondering why you are looking at FF DLSRs since you want smaller and/or lighter. I'll be the second person to recommend a Pentax APS-C model. The KF is fairly lightweight, or the K-3 mark III is a pro-level camera with the best APS-C viewfinder of them all, very good performance and an absolutely bulletproof body. It's heavier than some for this reason, but is quite reasonably sized, smaller than a FF DSLR.

I have the K-3 III Monochrome, which is splendid for street due to the ridiculously sensitive sensor, but the color model is fantastic as well. Pair it with one of the Limited primes, like the 21mm f3.2 or 15mm f4.

 

[JohnWolf]

I’m an RF user but I understand the draw of a DSLR. I really enjoyed the ones I owned years ago and sometimes consider another. Love an OVF, fast focus, handling, and even the beefy size.

If I were to dive in again, I think I’d consider the Nikon D780 and a small 50. To me, FF is worth the size/weight difference over APS-C.

Can’t help much with your decision, but I agree the X-Pro or X100 series are great options. SLR-like functionality in small, light bodies and lenses.

 

[Tim Murphy]

Hello,

If I can I'd like to suggest the Nikon Df or if you want a later greater version, the Nikon Zf. I own a Df and it is a fun to use camera with older Nikkor F mount lenses. Manual focus is fairly simple and with live view and magnification available very accurate. There are literally thousands of older legacy Nikkors out there. I use S, F, N-Ai, and N-Ais lenses that I have picked up for relatively modest amounts of money.

Regards,

Tim Murphy

Harrisburg PA 🙂

 

[Richard G]

I also love my little X100. I have the original still. It is fixed focus 35. The lens is f2 and very good. It has a unique rangefinder style OVF, or with a flick of switch EVF. A good second hand more recent, one like the X100 T would be good and in your price range. It is small and light. The autofocus might be disappointing sometimes, compared to a top level DSLR, but I am not experienced with those or with prices. Can be sold if you don’t like it.

 

[Disappointed_Horse]

Hello to the team, i just got my Chritmas payment and i want to add a new camera and lens to my collection. I shout mostly street and i like 28mm and 35mm. I havent used a dslr for a very long time now but yesterday i saw a video in youtube from Paulie b where the photographer reviewed used a canon 7d with a 24mm lens. I liked the idea of a dslr, since to me they are the absolute photo machines without compromises but they weight a lot and are big. saying that i would gladly try for some time a dslr with a small lens to see if that kind of shouting fits my style in 2025. What do you think between the combinations canon 7d ii and 24mm pancake lens and canon 5diii and 40mm panckake lens ? I am not such a big fan of 40mm, i prefer strongly 35 or 28 but i dont seem to find such small lenses in these focal lengths. The 24mm panckake is 38mm equivalent so is closer to the 35mm that i like and maybe i could get used to it. What would you choose ? Do you have any similar suggestions ? The money i can give are at max 600 euro and i know well that such a set isnt easy to sell if i dont like it much so i must decide wise. The reason i like the idea of such a camera is the great autofocus, that the cameras are solid and dont die easy the ovf that i prefer to evf and that the prices are not so high as the top range mirrorles.

I guess no one else noticed the "max 600 euro" statement as many are recommending $1,500+ cameras.

Can't really help with Canons, but you might want to look at a Nikon D7000 (or possibly the successor models D7100 and D7200) and pairing that with a 24mm f/2.8 Nikkor AF-D lens. That lens, while not a pancake, is reasonably small and light and would give you a 35mm equivalent FOV on the APS-C camera. I have a D7000 and don't feel particularly compelled to upgrade to a newer camera. It's a tough, durable and reliable body. Image quality from its 16 MP APS-C sensor is excellent. (Well, for digital anyway. I'm more of a film guy myself.)

I don't know what used photography equipment pricing in the EU is like but I would think you should be able to pick up that camera and lens for well under 600 euros. You could definitely get them for less than $600 here in the US.

If you can get by without AF, zone focus works really well with a 24mm lens and you could go for a manual focus 24mm lens that will be better built mechanically and smoother to focus than the equivalent autofocus lens.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

I have 24mm on 500D. Here is zero need for 7DII on the street. 7DII is only for birders.
But 38 FOV on the street. Meh...
Well, I have ordered 40 2.8 for my 5DII, just to have good glass in smallest available EF mount.
5DII colors are not too far from unsurpassed 5D ones.

5D III, I doubt you will get non-trasher in your Christmas range.

I also have Pentax K-3 with its plastic kit lens. It is most weather sealed kit with great ISO, sharpness (doesn't have Canon useless filter) you could get for small money. It was so cheap, I'm not afraid of taking it anywhere under any conditions. But IQ is just fine. Again, sharper than Canon's.

Do not be afraid of kit zooms for cropped DSLRs. For Canon EF-S the last one, 18-55 IS EF-S STM is great lens.

If you want it compact and great at same time, get Canon SL3 with 10-18 and 18-55 STM lenses.
Not weather sealed, the rest is superb. Available used for 600 Euro with 18-55 STM.
Add 10-18 later. 55-250 is also not expensive.

5D series are great, better than R "oops, we are late on Sony mirrorless train" lousy debacle.
But to make any 5one shine it need L glass. Cheapest one is in 500 Euro price range. And Ls are heavy.

I'll take 5D on the street if I feel tourist or it is an event.
K-3 is nowhere near as DOFy as FF, but content is never in the thin DOF.

 

[agentlossing]

I did miss the 600 Euro bit, so let me modify my suggestion from the K-3 mark III to the original K-3 (or another of the many good APS-C Pentaxes, but the K-3 is considered the APS-C flagship), and still go for a DA Limited lens like the 21mm f3.2 (the older, SMC version, not the more expensive HD version - only difference is the more advanced lens coatings).

 

[ddutchison2]

I havent used a dslr for a very long time now but yesterday i saw a video in youtube from Paulie b where the photographer reviewed used a ...

The only point of 99.9999% of YouTube photography posts is to drum up the desire to purchase new gear, and this being the month between Black Friday and X-Mass, the pressure to $pend can be overwhelming. I'd give it at least a month after the last Big Boxing-day/week/month Blowout before making any decision to buy a new camera, and in that time, consider just how much a new camera will actually add to your well being.

 

[DownUnder]

GAS attack warning here.

ddutchison2 has it right. In December pre-Christmas and pre-new year, a little sensible thinking helps.

600 Europes is AUD $1200. That Canon kit you fancy would cost you more than that here. And money no longer grow on trees as it once did.

Try to use your bonus wisely and get as much value for your money as you can. Shop clever.

Me, I would never buy a camera and lens I saw a YouTube video about someone using it. As ddutchison2 says, it's mostly marketing hype, likely from an sponsored influencer who isn 't upfront enough to say he/she is a for profit motivator, in other words a sale peddler.

Pre Christmas prices are almost always high, especially for photo gear.

Why not buy a '24 lens for your best camera. If you like it - many don't, I bought one some years ago for the same reason as you intend but found I did far better with the '28 I already had and the '24 now sits unloved on a shelf. Ditto a '20 I picked up cheaply, and have used maybe ten times. (All my lenses are Nikon Ds, bought used.)

If you bond with your new '24 - I didn't with mine, but that's another story - wait for the new year sales and buy a camera then, if you still want one. Also it will be easier to sell a lens than a camera-lens kit. if you decide to offload it.

Lecture finished. Whatever you decide, enjoy. And best Christmas wishes to you. I wish someone would give me an end of year bonus...

 

[Ko.Fe.]

GAS attack warning here.

ddutchison2 has it right. In December pre-Christmas and pre-new year, a little sensible thinking helps.

600 Europes is AUD $1200. Everything here costs a kidney now. And money no longer grow on trees as it used to.

Try to use your bonus wisely and get as much value for your money as you can. Shop clever.

Me, I would never buy a new camera and lens because I saw a YouTube video about someone using it. As ddutchison2 says, it's marketing hype, probably from an influencer who isn 't upfront enough to say he/she is a for profit motivator, in other words a garbage sale peddler.

Pre Christmas prices are often high, especially for new photo gear.

I suggest you buy the 24 lens for your favorite existing camera. If you like it- many don't, I bought one some years ago for the same reason as you intend to, but found I worked better with the 28 I had at home and the 24 now sits on a shelf. Ditto a 20 which I picked up cheaply about ten years ago, and have used maybe ten times. (All my lenses are Nikon Ds, by the way, and all bought used.)

If you bond it your ne 24 - I didn't with mine, but that's another story - wait for the new year sales and buy a new camera then, if you still want one.

Anyway, lecture finished. Whatever you decide, enjoy. And best Christmas wishes to you. I wish someone would give me an end of year bonus...

The trend of using DSLR for the street and else is not Christmasy, nor influences for profit. YT is full of videos from all kind of folks who are discovering simplicity, longevity of DSLRs comparing to EVF cheaper to make photo gadgets. More and more realizing the AF extra functions of mirrorless are overhyped for something like street or just casual shooting.

 

[DownUnder]

The trend of using DSLR for the street and else is not Christmasy, nor influences for profit. YT is full of videos from all kind of folks who are discovering simplicity, longevity of DSLRs comparing to EVF cheaper to make photo gadgets. More and more realizing the AF extra functions of mirrorless are overhyped for something like street or just casual shooting.

Respectfully, DSLRs for street use are fine for those who are young and fit. For us older folks, no way. I find carrying an Xpro2 with two lenses and a table top tripod in my backpack is nowadays a chore.

As well, if someone I photograph on the street suddenly takes exception to having their so-called privacy (even in public) invaded, it's much easier for me to make an escape with an Xpro or XE around my neck than a Nikon D800. This happens in Australia and, I'm sure, in other countries where privacy laws are increasingly nanny-state generated.

Otherwise I quite agree with what you wrote. Let me say that my Fuji mirrorless (Pro and XE) are entirely different beasts from my Nikon FF DSLRs. I don't quite regard the Fujis as overhyped, just an entirely new way for me to look at photography.

Best to agree that in photography as in other sports and related activities, it's very much a case of different strokes for different folks...

 

[Ko.Fe.]

I guess no one else noticed the "max 600 euro" statement as many are recommending $1,500+ cameras.

Exactly!

Here is no X PRO worth of paying 600 euro. And how much is 28/35 equivalent is on top of it.

I have checked X Pro 2 prices in Europe yesterday. More than 800 euro.

X100s if in fair condition is around 600 euro. For camera from 2013. With AF not on pair even with consumer DSLR.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Respectfully, DSLRs for street use are fine for those who are young and fit. For us older folks, no way. I find carrying an Xpro2 with two lenses and a table top tripod in my backpack is nowadays a chore.

As well, if someone I photograph on the street suddenly takes exception to having their so-called privacy (even in public) invaded, it's much easier for me to make an escape with an Xpro or XE around my neck than a Nikon D800. This happens in Australia and, I'm sure, in other countries where privacy laws are increasingly nanny-state generated.

Otherwise I quite agree with what you wrote. Let me say that my Fuji mirrorless (Pro and XE) are entirely different beasts from my Nikon FF DSLRs. I don't quite regard the Fujis as overhyped, just an entirely new way for me to look at photography.

Best to agree that in photography as in other sports and related activities, it's very much a case of different strokes for different folks...

I love walking on the streets with DSLR. I'm not hiding, but in the opposite. I'm expirinced enough since 2007 to read body language and eyes to know how person feels. And if I need to be totally invisible - Ricoh GRD III. The only reason I don't use it often - retractable lens and tiny battery are not for my street shooting stile.

You are in good shape! Camera with same weight as Canon 250D DSLR, two lenses and tripod. With my conditions, I'm just with DSLR and as light lens as possible.
Beauty of DSLR, no need for battery.

 

[JoeV]

I was an early adapter to mirrorless with the (ostensibly) first mirrorless, the Lumix G1 in 2008. I used it for photos for a few years, then got newer LUMIX cameras and used them mainly for video. But a year or so ago a relative gave me a Canon T5i, an APH-S DSLR, and I bought the 24/2.8 lens. Since then it’s been my everyday carry.

My photography relies on accurate composition, and I’ve found optical viewfinders superior to EVFs. So rangefinders are out for me, with their only approximate viewing. The autofocus of the Canon is fast and accurate, the body not as heavy as full-frame.

I also have a Ricoh GRiii but the LCD, which doesn’t articulate, is easily washed out in bright light, and the camera lacks an eye-level viewfinder. I’ve tried external VFs but again the problem is inaccurate framing. It turns out the DSLR ends up being the best tool, for me. I wished I’d tried them years ago.

 

[wlewisiii]

I have my Leica M 240 & a Pentax K 5. Between them, my digital needs are well covered. A slightly older DSLR in APS-C is, as I said above, lighter, cheaper and provides excellent results. Plus the DA lens line from Pentax is wonderful, especially the DA Limited lenses. I don't know what Canon has for APS-C lenses but Nikon never made diddly for DX and that was always a problem for them.

I love taking my K-5 out with the HD DA 20-40 zoom on it. It's just fun. I got the combo for less than the Euro 600 budget that the OP wants to spend. He could get a newer K-3 and still be under his budget and have access to easily the best line of APS-C lenses for DSLRs on the market. Get the SMC ones and you can find screaming deals.