I like to travel light. I find a Sony FF camera and 2-3 lenses too heavy to travel with. I know there are plenty of professional photographers who use the Fuji X system and have created fabulous photos with them. So it would only be logical that I should consider migrating to the APS-C X system. So why am I even thinking of the GFX 100s? Because every few months I drool over the GFX system. I walk myself to the precipice & somehow manage to pull back. One more attempt...
So, for those who travel with the GFX, is the added weight worth it for you? And if you had to travel with only 1 lens, which one would that be? If you think it's madness to travel with a GFX, what's your set up?
I have spent 100 days out of the country this year. 20 more days starting this weekend. The 100s is not so different than my sonys, which also come. I stick to mostly the 32-64, 120 macro, and occasionally the 80 1.7. They are bulky, but not so heavy. Sony lenses like the 12-24 gm, 135, and 70-200 are big and heavy.
Most of the time I bring 2 sony bodies and the gfx 100s. 3 fuji lenses and 5 or so sony.
The GFX100s is about the same size as a lot of full frame cameras. But I agree with mjm6, it's the lenses that take up space and weight - they have to cover a larger image circle. If I had to choose one lens for travel/landscape it would be the 32-64 f/4 zoom.
I use the X system for all my travel needs, and save the GFX for assignments where I can drive and have all the gear in a rolling case.
I had a GFX system and eventually sold it because it was simply too large for me, I could not even contemplate traveling with it due to weight and size.
The Sony FF system is MUCH smaller than the GFX system and comparable in size (at least bodies and some primes) to the X-T and X-H bodies of Fuji X-system...have you thought about a lighter Sony (A7c, original A7...) coupled lithesome of the smaller/lighter glass available for Sony (the 1.8 series from Samyang is excellent and light, some of the sigma I-series primes are small and excellent, and Sony has some good small options like the 35mm2.8 Zeiss, the 55mm 1.8, the newer 24, 40 and 50G...)
DonInTheUSA wrote:
I like to travel light. I find a Sony FF camera and 2-3 lenses too heavy to travel with. I know there are plenty of professional photographers who use the Fuji X system and have created fabulous photos with them. So it would only be logical that I should consider migrating to the APS-C X system. So why am I even thinking of the GFX 100s? Because every few months I drool over the GFX system.
Scratches head...
X or GFX?
Trying to downsize by buying a larger system... Genius!
If you use a Sony FF system with 2-3 lenses and that's too heavy, then the GFX will also be too heavy.
You could downsize to a Sony APS-C system if you don't want to migrate to Fuji. Sony also makes a number of rather small and light FF lenses.
I used a Canon DSLR with L lenses for a long time, and that's about the same size as a GFX system. With Fuji you get a remarkable amount of quality for the size and weight of the kit. But the question, I think, is whether your photography will be noticeably improved carrying around all that equipment. I personally don't think so.
I travel a lot for work (2-3 weeks a month) doing some contract work for US Fish and Wildlife. When I am not "working" I am out photographing...here is my normal kit I travel with (just got back from Alaska in September)
Sony A1 with either the FE 600/4 or FE 400/2.8 (sometimes I will add the 70-200 GM II or 12-24 GM)
GFX 100s - GF 250/4 and GF 21/4, will add the GF 110/2, when needed
Leica Q2
I travel a lot for work (2-3 weeks a month) doing some contract work for US Fish and Wildlife. When I am not "working" I am out photographing...here is my normal kit I travel with (just got back from Alaska in September)
Sony A1 with either the FE 600/4 or FE 400/2.8 (sometimes I will add the 70-200 GM II or 12-24 GM)
GFX 100s - GF 250/4 and GF 21/4, will add the GF 110/2, when needed
Leica Q2
Usually throw a tripod/mount in my suitcase.
The longer I shoot, the more I enjoy having specialized pieces of kit for specialized things. That means letting myself have multiple brands for multiple use cases, just as you have described.
Trying to shoehorn all forms of photography into one mount seems to be a largely futile exercise, for me at least.
DonInTheUSA wrote:
I like to travel light. I find a Sony FF camera and 2-3 lenses too heavy to travel with. I know there are plenty of professional photographers who use the Fuji X system and have created fabulous photos with them. So it would only be logical that I should consider migrating to the APS-C X system. So why am I even thinking of the GFX 100s? Because every few months I drool over the GFX system. I walk myself to the precipice & somehow manage to pull back. One more attempt...
So, for those who travel with the GFX, is the added weight worth it for you? And if you had to travel with only 1 lens, which one would that be? If you think it's madness to travel with a GFX, what's your set up?...Show more →
A few things for you to ponder:
1. You "like to travel light."
2. "A Sony FF camera and 2-3 lenses" is "too heavy to travel with."
3. "Plenty of... photographers have created "fabulous photos" with the smaller X system.
4. You "drool over the GFX system."
5. You don't mention this, but there's no indication that your travel photography made with the smaller Sony gear is deficient in any way that would be rectified/improved by carrying the larger camera and carrying only one lens instead of the three you now use.
RoamingScott wrote:
The longer I shoot, the more I enjoy having specialized pieces of kit for specialized things. That means letting myself have multiple brands for multiple use cases, just as you have described.
Trying to shoehorn all forms of photography into one mount seems to be a largely futile exercise, for me at least.
---
Agree...
My Sony A1 can be used to shoot anything...I do not "need" the other cameras....but I do find I really appreciate the medium format image when shooting landscapes, people, even some street (though my Q2 is my go too)...the level of detail is insane
I have also added the Hasselblad to the rotation, so they will likely be used in place of the GFX...but we will see...
I do not really worry about the weight...so that can be a different priority for other photographers...
I do like pushing myself as well...staying capable of using different camera brands keeps it fresh...the medium format slows the process of capture images way down...vs the blazing 30 FPS Sony A1 kit...
Nobody knows what you shoot, what is your goal? I’m sure you could get a 35-70 and be completely happy from a weight perspective. Do you do more telephoto, do you need faster aperature? You could fill in with lighter adapted lenses - there are a lot of choices here.
I think what is also missing is what does “travel” mean to you? Pack up the RV and hit the parks? Hit the streets for days of shooting in Delhi? Without details of what you shoot and where, it is really hard to provide advice that is of any use to you.
I've had some of the same debates with myself. On the one hand traveling light makes a lot of difference. On the other hand, the admittedly subjective magic of the GFX often entices me to want to travel with one. I wonder if the 'compromise' might be to travel with a GFX with 1 lens + an X body with a few other small primes. Although I don't often do it, I do think traveling with 2 bodies makes better sense as you don't have to swap lenses that often. So for a 2-body trip, this is the combination I'm currently considering.
jecottrell wrote:
Scratches head...
X or GFX?
Trying to downsize by buying a larger system... Genius!
I'd suggest that you go back and read the OP's post carefully again. If you still don't understand it, ask for clarifications.
chez wrote:
I think what is also missing is what does “travel” mean to you? Pack up the RV and hit the parks? Hit the streets for days of shooting in Delhi? Without details of what you shoot and where, it is really hard to provide advice that is of any use to you.
Does it even matter? If Sony is too heavy in the first place...
This is why I like options like the X100 line so much. Much easier to throw in a bag vs a full frame and fast 35mm lens (or even non-X100 X equivalent).
You also have to remember that online sample images are not a realistic expectation. They're designed to give you GAS and there's often a lot that goes on behind the scenes (a lot of preparation, post-processing, probably a TON of throwaway images before getting one good keeper, etc). For each viral GFX image there might be hundreds, or thousands, that are just average.
I've personally found that modifying how I shoot, what I shoot and how I do post-processing (specifically color grading) has made the biggest difference in how my images turn out, not what camera I'm using.
Thank you for your (mostly) thoughtful responses. I realize that words like weight and worth are abstract and mean different things to different people. But it's still interesting to hear different perspectives. Which was the objective of my question. To the person who called me a genius, thank you!
mjm6, yes, if I decide not to get the GFX, it's the X that I'll travel with. Sony is great, but I can't help getting attracted by what the Fujis produce. I have an old X-E2 and loved using it, so very familiar with what the X can do.
shadow9d9, you're my kind of person. Where do you travel?
leolab, yes, the A7c is a consideration, but I think I'd enjoy the Fuji X more.
mdude85, if I had to use an APS-C system, I'd go with Fuji without any hesitation. The Sony is a wonderful ecosystem and one could even argue that it's technically superior. But it's the intangibles in the Fuji that make it a greater joy to use. And, you're right, it's not about improving your photography, it's all about what do you enjoy shooting with.
FoleyAMG, thanks for getting my question and for your unequivocal response.
Dan, you're right, of course. This is about gear lust. And enjoying the process of photographing and post-processing. The change will likely not improve my photography (well, maybe the GFX might, a teeny bit).
chez, I'm more of a walk around kind of guy. So, yes, weight matters. But what the GFX can do (in the right hands) is tempting.
bvphotos, good idea about a 2 body, X-GFX hybrid solution.
RoamingScott wrote:
Does it even matter? If Sony is too heavy in the first place...
This is why I like options like the X100 line so much. Much easier to throw in a bag vs a full frame and fast 35mm lens (or even non-X100 X equivalent).
What travel means to you and what you shoot is very definitely a consideration. It's the very basis and foundation of how we choose what kind of gear we want/need for our type of photography in the first place! If you're a walk around town person, just doing streets, scenes, buildings, things like that - XTxxx or XHxxx with a fast prime and nice zoom like the Fuji or the new Sigma 18-55 would work great and not be too burdensome to carry around. (And give you great images.) If your travels are all about landscapes, or sports, or wildlife, you'll likely have different needs.
I had a Sony system for a bunch of years and moved to the Fuji GFX when the 50R became available. It is an EXCELLENT system and absolutely meets all I would want in a camera system.
However, it is pretty large once you get a few lenses and a backup body going (I don't want to leave on a trip of a lifetime and lose my camera to a failure on the first few days in country). I use large Shimoda packs and I really can't fit the kit in there at all. I certainly can't fit both bodies. I use a large Think Tank camera pouch for the main body and the 32-64 lens, since that is my most used lens.
I LOVE the results I get, but I don't love how much gear I'm schlepping around.
Conversley, back in in 2009-2012 or so, I was shooting with a Leica M9 and a passel of lenses. No, it didn't cover the range I have in the GFX, but it was so compact and convienent. The IQ was great, but the camera reliability absolutely sucked. Frigging horrible. Did I mention it sucked? Ugh.
I now have an XT5 that I just got. I could easily put together a kit that is small and light (even lighter than the Leica I suspect) with comparable lenses. PLUS, when needed, I could add in a longer telephoto for wildlife shooting, etc. and still have a pretty lightweight kit. I haven't actually looked into the X-Pro bodies yet, but it could even be a rangefinder-style body if I wanted.
Basically, I really think that Fuji has a great offfering range between the X and the GFX lines. Really can meet a lot of different wants/needs. And they continue to offer gear that fits what I think a camera should be (including good manual focus feel, aperture rings, and other exposure triangle dials on the body).
I don't know if the XT5 will replace my GFX cameras, but I suspect it will serve my needs better to be honest. I'll be doing comparisons over the next few months to answer that for myself.
