gdanmitchell Offline Upload & Sell: Off
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p.3 #2 · p.3 #2 · Who has left Canon FF...for something smaller? | |
SchnellerGT wrote:
Unless Canon announces a 6DII with a new super-DR chip and improved AF in the next few months, I am thinking of jumping ship. Not necessarily to Nikon as I don't think they offer what I want either. I think the answer may be at Sony or FUJI. I am simply tired of big backpacks. I want more portability. But I still want DR, low noise at high ISO, and shutter speed. Is there anything out there that fits the bill? I really only do landscapes and portraits. My current kit is the 5DII, 24-70LII, 85L, and 135L.
So who has sold their kit and gone to something smaller and more portable? ...Show more →
I have not "sold my kit," nor do I intend to. The DSLR systems can do things that I need done, things that the small mirrorless systems cannot yet do.
However, I have augmented my DSLR system with a smaller Fujifilm system based on the X-E1. I've been using it for almost two years now, and I'm very happy with the camera (with some reservations that I'll mention) and the lenses (which are really excellent.)
I first got this system in anticipation of some overseas travel — I like to travel light, restricting myself to carry-on luggage — and the DSLR system I use wasn't going to make that a realistic possibility. My entire Fujifilm system (three small primes and one long focal length zoom) fit in part of a small carry-on messenger bag, with room left over for my small laptop, cell phone, and assorted other small items. Once at my location, I can ditch the laptop and use the messenger bag as my camera bag.
The system produces top-quality images. When I got it I was not aware of just how good the Fujifilm lenses are, and I was quite (happily) surprised when I began to look at photographs from the first two lenses I had (the 14mm f/2.8 and 35mm f/1.4, equivalent to 21mm and 50mm focal lengths) in post. I later acquired the 55-200mm zoom and, most recently, the 23mm (35mm equivalent) f/1.4. I regularly produce prints in the 18" x 24" range from this setup with excellent results and, although I have not done so yet, I'm certain I could go larger. Basically, the image quality is as good or better than that from other cropped sensor cameras.
It is also a very good low light camera, notwithstanding the slow AF issues. High ISO performance is excellent, and I have no problems cleaning up ISO 6400 shots in post with minimal effort. This lets me do something that I've always wanted to try, shoot handheld urban street photography at night!
Nothing is perfect, and while you do gain something from these cameras, you also give up some things relative to today's highly evolved DSLRs. The most obvious thing is that the AF systems, which do continue to improve, are simply not as fast as those on DSLRs. In most cases this probably isn't a big deal, though if you shoot fast moving subjects, especially in low light, you are certain to occasionally run into this limitation. For me, the tradeoff is worth it for many kinds of photography
I do understand that Fujifilm is not the only option in this market space, and I have friends who are very happy with systems from Sony, Olympus, and others.
Dan
From last week in Manhattan...
http://gdanmitchell.com/gallery/d/8569-3/ChinatownNYCurvedStreet20140810.jpg
http://gdanmitchell.com/gallery/d/8583-3/MOMAAtriumLightPatterns20140811.jpg
Edited on Aug 19, 2014 at 12:16 PM · View previous versions
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