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Archive 2019 · In 2019, is the RX1R II still a good value?

kbutler84
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · In 2019, is the RX1R II still a good value?

I’m looking at picking up a used (but good condition) RX1R II. Just curious from those that have used it, would you still consider it a worthwhile purchase in 2019? I’ve read through the thread speculating a successor, but we haven’t heard anything concrete that one is coming (at one point people thought the Zeiss ZX1 could be the true successor, but I’m wondering if it actually sees the light of day).

I currently have both an A7riii and A7iii for my main system, but I’ve always admired the RX1R II.

Jun 11, 2019 at 11:19 AM

mehrdad sadat
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · In 2019, is the RX1R II still a good value?

even the rx1 is a good choice in 2019, i have both and keeping both

Jun 11, 2019 at 11:24 AM

nehemiahphoto
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · In 2019, is the RX1R II still a good value?

Depends on how you value and use the RX1 series.

As the smallest, high IQ compact camera with solid (but not blazing AF) on the market, the RX1rII still offers something else no other makers do. It's my most used camera, despite owning lots of lenses and multiple other bodies. But it will frustrate you if you think of it as a small DSLR/MILC camera. As for fixed lens cameras, it's just trade-offs:

- The Q2 is noticeably larger, more expensive, and the lens is a 28mm. Better battery, RF experience, weather sealing, and it seems the AF is better, at least in AF-S.

- The Fuij and Ricoh are crop sensors with different specs/lenses.

- If the ZX1 comes out, it has a distagon, not the beloved Sonnar, and it's a larger camera that seems to be build around editing on the fly. It will be much more expensive than a used RX1r2, looks less tactile.

Cameras like the a7r3 and a7iii are terrific system cameras, but with a lens (even the dinky 28 f2) they are so much larger and offer something else entirely--IBIS, lens ecosystem, robust AF, advanced video features, better battery, and primarily intended to be shot through the EVF.

If you're cool without most of these features, the RX1r2 is spectacular. I love mine--I just end up shooting it constantly on account of size, convenience and output.

Jun 11, 2019 at 02:24 PM

jhinkey
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · In 2019, is the RX1R II still a good value?

Value is subjective.
I bought an excellent condition used RX1R-II and it's been worth it to me for my uses and my value metric.
Based on what I know now, I'd likely buy a new one.

- John

Jun 11, 2019 at 04:12 PM

smpetty
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · In 2019, is the RX1R II still a good value?

jhinkey wrote:
Value is subjective.
I bought an excellent condition used RX1R-II and it's been worth it to me for my uses and my value metric.
Based on what I know now, I'd likely buy a new one.

- John

Ditto here.

The battery life is poor, I usually carry 4 or 5 NP-BX1's if I'm going to be out all day.

The AF leaves a lot to be desired if you are shooting fast moving subjects. An FM member on another thread said that he uses AF-C, wide, face recognition on when he's shooting people. Eye-AF works well in this setting. He uses MF for landscapes. He uses AF-S, flexible spot medium, and face recognition off for everything else. I use this simple system too, and it works very well in most circumstances.

The camera is hard to handle out of the box, but the Fotodiox Pro grip (which mounts and removes without tools) with the Sony thumb grip improve the handling 100%. Easy and confident in one hand for hours.

And then there is the 35/2 lens and the rendering. The output from this camera is startlingly beautiful. It Is unique and, IMO, still unsurpassed within the Sony system.

Overall, the camera is a joy to use. So much so that I find it in my hands more often than I do my A7R3.

I paid $1600 on the FM Buy and Sell board for an excellent condition RX1R II with the Sony TGA-1 thumb grip, the Fotodiox Pro grip, some extra batteries, and a hood. The only significant wear was scratches on the LCD. I applied Sony's screen protector for the RX1R II and the screen looks almost as good as new. One of the best deals I've ever made. Ever

Jun 11, 2019 at 04:57 PM

chez
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · In 2019, is the RX1R II still a good value?

Not worth it for me. When traveling I want more than one focal length ( typically 25, 35 and 85 ) so i’d still need to bring along another camera and other lenses. I tried to just use the Fuji x100 as my only travel camera but was left wanting more.

Jun 11, 2019 at 05:13 PM

jhinkey
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · In 2019, is the RX1R II still a good value?

chez wrote:
Not worth it for me. When traveling I want more than one focal length ( typically 25, 35 and 85 ) so i’d still need to bring along another camera and other lenses. I tried to just use the Fuji x100 as my only travel camera but was left wanting more.

I used to bring my A7RII (now -III) + fisheye to 180mm primes on vacation plus an LX100 or something like that for disaster backup in case the Sony died, was stolen, etc. 35/2.8 was my most used lens.

Nowadays I take my A7RIII + primes (w/o the 35/2.8) plus the RX1-RII and I use the RX1-RII with it's much nicer 35mm as my primary 35mm and disaster backup camera and the A7RIII can have either a wide or short tele mounted to it.

Thus I have a combination of back-up and primary cameras with this setup.

I have also found that two RX1R-II batteries is more than enough to get me through a decent shooting day IF I'm good about immediately turning off the camera when not in use. If I leave it on and idle it burns through batteries like crazy.

Jun 11, 2019 at 06:48 PM

ricmsm
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · In 2019, is the RX1R II still a good value?

When I'm doing short trips and business I usually take the RX1R and never have been dissapointed in any aspect. In most cases 1 additional battery is more than enough for my needs as I switch it off when not using the camera.

So to answer your question... Yes, I believe that even the 1st RX1 is still worth in 2019

Jun 12, 2019 at 02:01 AM

Phong.nh
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · In 2019, is the RX1R II still a good value?

Thanks guys for your comments. I just bought 2nd RX1r for walkaround pleasure.

Jun 12, 2019 at 04:19 AM

jon m
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · In 2019, is the RX1R II still a good value?

I love the IQ of the pics posted on these forums so I recently picked one up. I had a lot of trouble getting keepers, the majority of shots I took were way out of focus. I did get a few so I knew the camera was capable of focusing. And the IQ wasn't at all what I see posted.

I'm no expert but I don't have anywhere near this trouble with the Leica Q or a7riii.

I really, really wanted this to be my every day carry camera.

Did I just not give the rx1rii enough time, or did I maybe have a bad copy?

Jun 12, 2019 at 08:52 AM

saxguy
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · In 2019, is the RX1R II still a good value?

jon m wrote:
I love the IQ of the pics posted on these forums so I recently picked one up. I had a lot of trouble getting keepers, the majority of shots I took were way out of focus. I did get a few so I knew the camera was capable of focusing. And the IQ wasn't at all what I see posted.

I'm no expert but I don't have anywhere near this trouble with the Leica Q or a7riii.

I really, really wanted this to be my every day carry camera.

Did I just not give the rx1rii enough time, or did I...Show more →

Is it out of focus, or slight motion blur?

It's been a while since I had my RX1R II, but I can tell you that you have to be a little more careful paying attention to shutter speeds with it. It has no IBIS. If you're shooting in aperture mode the shutter speeds will be slower than the equivalent ISOs and apertures on the a7rii at the same FL. You'll have to be aware of it. I know there are many that say you don't need IBIS when shooting 35mm. Turth be told, if you're paying attention, you don't - but you can't shoot the RX the same way as the Q or the a7r iii. Try to be more conscious of keeping things steady and you may be surprised at the results you'll get.

Jun 12, 2019 at 09:21 AM

grahamgibson
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · In 2019, is the RX1R II still a good value?

jhinkey wrote:
Nowadays I take my A7RIII + primes (w/o the 35/2.8) plus the RX1-RII and I use the RX1-RII with it's much nicer 35mm as my primary 35mm and disaster backup camera and the A7RIII can have either a wide or short tele mounted to it.

Thus I have a combination of back-up and primary cameras with this setup.

This is exactly what I'm contemplating now for my setup. I find myself bringing my A7rII and a trio of primes (15, 40, and 75 or 85), and the RX1rII could replace the middle one (currently CV40) so that I can mount a wide or telephoto on my A7rII. Less lens changing, and I have the option of just carrying the RX1rII for the most compact setup possible.

One thing holding me back is the price for a 3+ year old camera when a replacement or better option may be imminent. Hard to know though.

Jun 12, 2019 at 10:57 AM

kbutler84
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · In 2019, is the RX1R II still a good value?

I appreciate all the responses. Unfortunately, I was ready to purchase one, and the seller up and decided he wasn't going to make enough off of the sale and raised the price by $600. So now I'm on the hunt again.

Jun 12, 2019 at 11:03 AM

Tirpitz666
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · In 2019, is the RX1R II still a good value?

Totally worth if you can find a sensible-priced one in good conditions, I still love my original RX1 to death with its even slower AF, so go figure..

Jun 12, 2019 at 11:34 AM

newtophoto
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · In 2019, is the RX1R II still a good value?

Are you going to be okay being constantly worried about the battery dying on you? If so, then yes it's a fine camera.

Jun 12, 2019 at 11:35 AM

jhinkey
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · In 2019, is the RX1R II still a good value?

grahamgibson wrote:
This is exactly what I'm contemplating now for my setup. I find myself bringing my A7rII and a trio of primes (15, 40, and 75 or 85), and the RX1rII could replace the middle one (currently CV40) so that I can mount a wide or telephoto on my A7rII. Less lens changing, and I have the option of just carrying the RX1rII for the most compact setup possible.

One thing holding me back is the price for a 3+ year old camera when a replacement or better option may be imminent. Hard to know though.

There is no indication of a replacement arriving anytime soon. And there may never be one since the silly Zeiss camera came out. I hope that's not the case, but it's likely true.
If you buy an excellent condition copy from a reputable source the resale value should be OK in a couple of years from now.

Jun 12, 2019 at 11:42 AM

jhinkey
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · In 2019, is the RX1R II still a good value?

newtophoto wrote:
Are you going to be okay being constantly worried about the battery dying on you? If so, then yes it's a fine camera.

The small battery capacity is really totally manageable with some good habits specific to the camera - like turning it off right away when not being used. It starts up fast enough.
Plus the batteries are pretty darned small, thus carrying a few extra is not a big deal.

My RX1-RII was my primary camera during a 1-1/2 week trip to Slovenia a few weeks back - I brought 3 batteries with me and only on one day did I have to use a 2nd battery. But I was very very diligent about turning the camera off when not actively taking a pictures. Probably 99% of the time I used the EVF.
The Sony charger is also very nice and compact (not much larger than the battery itself) and can use just about any USB power source. It also charges decently fast.

Jun 12, 2019 at 11:56 AM

smpetty
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · In 2019, is the RX1R II still a good value?

jhinkey wrote:
Probably 99% of the time I used the EVF.

That may explain, at least in part, why I use a lot of batteries. I prefer to shoot the RX1R II using the LCD and use the EVF only when focusing manually.
I'll also try to be more cognizant about turning the camera off - it does startup pretty quickly.
Also, agree about the small size of the batteries - easy to carry in a pocket - worried that I'll run some through the wash accidentally.

Jun 12, 2019 at 12:26 PM

Fred Miranda
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · In 2019, is the RX1R II still a good value?

It’s hard to believe but the EVF drains more battery than the LCD!

smpetty wrote:
That may explain, at least in part, why I use a lot of batteries. I prefer to shoot the RX1R II using the LCD and use the EVF only when focusing manually.
I'll also try to be more cognizant about turning the camera off - it does startup pretty quickly.
Also, agree about the small size of the batteries - easy to carry in a pocket - worried that I'll run some through the wash accidentally.

Jun 12, 2019 at 01:46 PM

smpetty
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · In 2019, is the RX1R II still a good value?

Fred Miranda wrote:
It’s hard to believe but the EVF drains more battery than the LCD!

So noted. Thanks Fred!

Jun 12, 2019 at 02:11 PM

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