p.1 #1 · Please help me getting into photography again
Hi all,
Long time lurker, but haven't posted for a while.
I started this hobby almost ten years ago with a D70, and from then went full circle; first a very nice and complete Nikon system including the D700 and a few exotic lenses, got bored with the bulk of the system, bought an M8 which was a joy to use, but it was just too dated. Currently I have an X1 somewhere in my cupboard, it takes great pictures, but is a pain to use. Since then I've exclusively enjoyed my iPhone 6 & VSCO cam for occasional photography, some of it can be seen here http://jonasy.vsco.co
Anyway, the iPhone is too limited, and dreadful to shoot with. I want to travel a bit next year, and would want a new system for this - this is where I need your help. I know I want a very minimalistic setup, ideally with only two lenses to cover all needs; 28/35 for general photography, and 90-ish for tele / portraits. Needs to be light and discreet, as will mainly be used for travel photography.
I've been considering the Leica Q, but feel just one 28 mm lens would be too restrictive. It's a plus if it doesn't break the bank, so I've been thinking about buying a used A7. Although I am open to any suggestions, but an integrated viewfinder of some sort is a must. And then I'd need the two lenses.
What kit would you recommend me, based on the above ? All ideas are much appreciated. Posting here as I am very open minded to alt gear.
p.1 #2 · Please help me getting into photography again
The A7 is a gift at current used prices. The EVF is pretty good and IQ excellent. Furthermore the A series has gone from being a camera in search of lenses to a full fledged system. If you seriously want to get back into photography don't overwhelm yourself with lots of lenses. Wait until you have a better feel for the sort of genres you are interested in. I would got for either a 35mm or 50mm and just use one lens for 6 months. The optimal choices are the native FE pair (55/1.8; 35/2.8) if you want AF or the Loxia 50/35 f2 pair for MF. Of course you could go for a fixed one-lens solution like the Leica Q (28/1.7) or Sony RX1R II (35/2) but these are both expensive items. Although I have not yet tried one people do say that for sheer joy of use the Leica Q takes some beating and that may be a persuasive factor if you are trying to regain a lost mojo.
p.1 #3 · Please help me getting into photography again
When I moved from Canon to mirorrless, I rented a few cameras to try out first. The cost of rental was not great and I think I saved money and time in the long run by getting to know what I wanted, and not asking other people what they like (thus avoiding multiple camera/lens purchases). You will get a lot of opinions here, no doubt. But nothing beats holding and using a camera yourself. Lenstrentals.com is a great place to start, IMO.
p.1 #4 · Please help me getting into photography again
JonasY wrote:
Hi all,
Long time lurker, but haven't posted for a while.
I started this hobby almost ten years ago with a D70, and from then went full circle; first a very nice and complete Nikon system including the D700 and a few exotic lenses, got bored with the bulk of the system, bought an M8 which was a joy to use, but it was just too dated. Currently I have an X1 somewhere in my cupboard, it takes great pictures, but is a pain to use. Since then I've exclusively enjoyed my iPhone 6 & VSCO cam for occasional photography, some of it can be seen here http://jonasy.vsco.co
Anyway, the iPhone is too limited, and dreadful to shoot with. I want to travel a bit next year, and would want a new system for this - this is where I need your help. I know I want a very minimalistic setup, ideally with only two lenses to cover all needs; 28/35 for general photography, and 90-ish for tele / portraits. Needs to be light and discreet, as will mainly be used for travel photography.
I've been considering the Leica Q, but feel just one 28 mm lens would be too restrictive. It's a plus if it doesn't break the bank, so I've been thinking about buying a used A7. Although I am open to any suggestions, but an integrated viewfinder of some sort is a must. And then I'd need the two lenses.
What kit would you recommend me, based on the above ? All ideas are much appreciated. Posting here as I am very open minded to alt gear.
Pros: Light, small, very easy to carry with high IQ and an excellent viewfinder to boot. The adapter is of very high quality and increases the usability of the camera without much of a fuss. Before I gave up digital, this was my go to set up for travel. My X100 and adapter lens went all over the world with me. The 35mm eq. regular lens works in 80% of the shots I take and the 28mm adapter covers the remaining 20%.
Con: This doesnt give you your 90mm portrait lens that you ask for. If you must have that, then you will have to go with an interchangeable lens combo and that increases size and cost significantly. I would strongly urge you to think hard and understand if you truly have to have a 90mm focal length.
There is a 50mm adapter for the X100 but having two adapters is where IMO you start to lose the advantage of the X100. It is very large and with now two adapters you will need some sort of bag to carry them around, or big pockets. Still it is an option if you have the pockets to carry these around in. The 28mm adapter isnt too big and is easily carried on its own.
p.1 #5 · Please help me getting into photography again
I'd recommend a Ricoh GR and whatever system camera to go along with the telephoto lens you'd like most. While you're traveling you won't have to change lenses, it doesn't take up any more space, and if you don't feel like bringing a camera bag that day just throw the GR in your pocket.
p.1 #8 · Please help me getting into photography again
Compact, simple, decent still and video (if you care about that) image quality:
Panasonic LX100
m4/3 body like EM5II/EM10II/GX7/GM5 purchased used with the PL15 or Oly 17 and the Oly 45/1.8 or Panasonic 45/1.7? If you are OK with the tiny but functional in a pinch EVF in the GM5, that camera with the kit zoom, the 35-100/4-5.6 and a fast prime or two is small and super versatile and the image quality is really good.
A7 with FE 28/2 or 35/2.8 for the wide end is cheap and kills the above options for still IQ in almost as small a package, but you're stuck spending a bunch and a bigger lens if you want AF in the 85-90 range. Lots of good cheap and in some cases small MF options there though if you're ok with that.
I found the X100 series (had the T for a bit) incredibly fun and satisfying to shoot with - an option if you just want to enjoy taking pics and 35mm is your go-to focal length. And like the suggestion about the GR above, pair with whatever on the tele side (cheap GX7 with the Oly or Pany 45/1.7-1.8? and throw in the 20/1.7 or Oly 17/1.8 for a cheap backup to the X100).
p.1 #11 · Please help me getting into photography again
Well, to add to all the noise, I recommend a micro four-thirds setup to anyone thinking about getting into photography. The gear is cheap, small and really high quality.
I would just go with an Olympus EM-5 (around $375 used), an Olympus 17mm f/1.8 ($330 used) and an Olympus 45mm f/1.8 ($275 used). That's a system that will suit all of your needs, and be compact for under $1000. The only thing that m4/3 lacks compared to other systems is some dynamic range, but in 90% of scenarios this isn't a problem.
My experience with M4/3 is with a Panasonic GH4, Panasonic 12-35mm f/2.8 and Olympus 45mm f/1.8. All are fantastic, but it is a more expensive kit. I think what I laid out above would be fantastic. Be sure to check out the m4/3 image thread, the Sony image thread and the Fuji image thread to see if you notice any appreciable difference between the three. By the way, your portfolio is very nice : )
p.1 #12 · Please help me getting into photography again
Your choice is highly personal, so I can only go off what I know from various shooting situations.
If you want what could almost be considered One Lens To Rule Them All when it comes to small and fairly discrete, and covering the ranges you want, consider an EM5 or EM1 with the 12-40 pro. The 12-40 is "big" for a m43 lens, but not very big at all when total package size is considered and has good close-up capabilities to boot. It's one of the best lenses I've ever owned.
Add the absolutely tiny Panasonic 35-100/2.8 for more tele work and you've got a great 2-lens travel kit that will easily fit in a Retrospective 5 (which is a small messenger bag that I own and love). If you want to forgo the Panasonic, get the good Olympus 45/1.8 (90mm FOV), freak out at how small it is, then enjoy.
Sony A7 with the 35/2.8 is a great little combo, but when you talk 85mm+ lenses, size is going to expand rapidly. Sony has a pretty good 85/2.8 in A mount, but by the time you add adapter, you've increased bulk. Maybe finding a slower 85/90 manual focus with adapter would be the way to go(?). I use the Samyang 85/1.4 in PK mount with adapter, but it's not exactly small at all.
p.1 #13 · Please help me getting into photography again
JonasY wrote:
...a very nice and complete Nikon system including the D700 and a few exotic lenses, got bored with the bulk of the system...
...an M8 which was a joy to use, but it was just too dated...
...an X1 ... takes great pictures, but is a pain to use...
...the iPhone is too limited, and dreadful to shoot with...
I might have read this entirely wrong, and I beg forgiveness if so, but I seem to sense a pattern.
The camera won't make you happy. The lenses won't make you happy. If anything, it is the experience of making and sharing images that will lead to happiness. Ask yourself what images you want, and buy the best gear to make those images with.
p.1 #16 · Please help me getting into photography again
Hi JonasY,
Methinks a visit to some of London's finer camera establishments might be in order here for you to go and try on some gear for size. The world of sensors has matured a bit since your D70 days and there are plenty of daytime ISO 1600-and-under shooters out there, in all shapes and sizes, from which to choose. (Heck, if you'd like to see what low-light shooting at ISO 6400 and beyond is all about, they'll have those, too!) That you're in the enviable position of starting fresh (again) why not take the time to figure out just what form-factor, functionality and sensor performance floats your boat and then go from there!
FWIW, my daughter was looking for a stealthy, pocketable, "street", "ninja" camera and after some online homework, a photo expo and some time at the counter at a couple of NYC's top shops she was able to narrow it down to a choice between an LX100 and an RX100 IV. She ended up choosing the latter, but I (her, um, patron of the arts, who had been along for this fun little ride) would have gone with the former! Ha! The tilt screen and apps were what did it for her...point here being, everyone's "mileage" will vary!
Anyhoo, best of luck in your hunt and keep us posted on how you decided to go!
p.1 #17 · Please help me getting into photography again
Have you considered a compact, fixed lens camera? There are several really good ones, and if you don't need short DOF or extremely low noise, one of those might get your interest back.
I'm using a Sony RX100 III, and it's much more fun than the a7. Image quality is great even at low light, it has a viewfinder, tiltable screen, very good lens and full manual controls. The only real drawbacks are slow AF (in low light) and tiny buttons that isn't great with gloves.
p.1 #18 · Please help me getting into photography again
I traveled this summer with an A7. If you can spring for it I would get the A7II with the IBIS if your travels will take you places you want high quality indoors in low light.
Otherwise for the Sony system I can fully recommend the native 28/2 or 35/2.8 on the wide end, both small and light. I would pair either of them with the native 55/1.8 and you'd be set.
A small MF 85 like the one Philip recommended would be good if 55 is too short.
p.1 #20 · Please help me getting into photography again
An A7x, CV 28 & CV 90 APO, or SMC K Pentax 28/3.5 & SMC 85/1.8
I'm using the CV15III, Contax G 45/2, & Topcor R 90/3.5 or Leica M 90 Asph APO, though the CV 90 APO was on the list.
Otherwise I second Phillips recommendation of the Zeiss Distagon 2.8/28 + Zeiss Sonnar 2.8/85 or a Leica R 28 Elmarit vII(sorry it's not cheap) & R 90
