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Archive 2022 · GFX 100s for travel

  
 
RoamingScott
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p.2 #1 · GFX 100s for travel


Sharona wrote:
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,
...Show more

A true statement. However, OP lead with the fact they they find Sony too cumbersome, which colors the rest of this conversation. An X-H2 setup is just as big as a Sony setup, and the Sony gives you markedly better output for the same heft.

You have to dip down to X-100/X-E/m43 to get any meaningful weight savings.



Dec 08, 2022 at 02:54 PM
goodbokeh
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p.2 #2 · GFX 100s for travel


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
...Show more

Don, only sometimes will I take a limited GFX kit with my smallest primes (30, 50, 63) or the 35-70 for air travel. And only then if I will be using a car a lot, not intense urban environments. I will always take a smaller format system to fulfill the lower profile, UWA, and telephoto gaps.

So for your scenario, where a Sony and 2-3 lenses are too much, I would say the GFX is not a good idea. The Fuji APS-C system, Leica Q2 or (next year the Q3) would balance the scales better.



Dec 08, 2022 at 02:56 PM
mdude85
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p.2 #3 · GFX 100s for travel


RoamingScott wrote:
A true statement. However, OP lead with the fact they they find Sony too cumbersome, which colors the rest of this conversation. An X-H2 setup is just as big as a Sony setup, and the Sony gives you markedly better output for the same heft.

You have to dip down to X-100/X-E/m43 to get any meaningful weight savings.


I don't know what lenses the OP is using but I'm sure that's part of the equation as well. Probably moreso than the body because usually Sony manages to fit a LOT of tech into a very small body. But its lenses are usually bigger than Fuji counterparts.







Dec 08, 2022 at 03:10 PM
DonInTheUSA
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p.2 #4 · GFX 100s for travel


mdude85 wrote:
I don't know what lenses the OP is using but I'm sure that's part of the equation as well. Probably moreso than the body because usually Sony manages to fit a LOT of tech into a very small body. But its lenses are usually bigger than Fuji counterparts.



Yup, Sony lenses (even the lighter-weight Tamron lenses) are much heavier than the Fuji X counterparts. The one exception I've found so far seems to be the Fuji 50-140 vs Tamron 70-180, with the latter being lighter.



Dec 08, 2022 at 03:32 PM
RoamingScott
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p.2 #5 · GFX 100s for travel


DonInTheUSA wrote:
Yup, Sony lenses (even the lighter-weight Tamron lenses) are much heavier than the Fuji X counterparts. The one exception I've found so far seems to be the Fuji 50-140 vs Tamron 70-180, with the latter being lighter.


Very much depends on the lens. Sony has some lenses smaller and lighter than their Fuji counterparts too

If you want advice in earnest, you should share what you shoot and your current gear, otherwise this thread will just move in circles.



Dec 08, 2022 at 03:43 PM
gdanmitchell
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p.2 #6 · GFX 100s for travel


It is worth reviewing what the OP told us: His FF Sony system is already too heavy, he likes using three lenses but might have to use only one with the larger system, he knows people do good work with smaller systems, he would consider the smaller Fujifilm APS-C systems, he is drooling (gear lust style) over the GFX.

Also what he doesn't tell us: What he means by "travel photography," the ways in which his current system falls short for his photography, and how the GFX would address these specifically shortcomings.

The GFX is a fine camera and there are fine lenses for it. It could work for some "travel photographers," depending on preferences, working methods, output, and subjects.

But the typical "travel photographer" is rarely the sort who would materially benefit from a GFX system. The potential resolution advantages are minimized if he will shoot handheld. He would likely need to limit the lenses he could take to one. (Those proposing a zoom as an alternative should point out that this option is also available on the Sony system.) He's not going to save any weight with the GFX — and that he actually told us that the FF system is "too heavy."

If we are honest, absent some specific new information from the OP, moving to the GFX for the photography the OP seems to contemplate doesn't make sense.

There are fine reasons for using the GFX, but it is hard to see that those reasons really apply here.

Edited on Dec 08, 2022 at 04:06 PM · View previous versions



Dec 08, 2022 at 03:54 PM
RoamingScott
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p.2 #7 · GFX 100s for travel


Oh there’s a perfectly good reason!



Dec 08, 2022 at 03:57 PM
flash
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p.2 #8 · GFX 100s for travel


Until the OP really gives us some more information on what they shoot, how far they walk and what they do with the images this is an impossible question to answer. Does he/she have physical limitations? Airline restrictions? Zooms or primes? All we can assume is that weight, being a mention in regard to his Sony gear, is a major factor.

For walking and travelling, personally, I have a weight limit. I know how much weight I can carry and be happy. Then I look at what type of photography I'm doing and fit in my kit around that. For that reason almost every trip I do has a different kit. Travelling to Iceland and Tanzania will result in two very different kits. I have both those trips booked for next year.

For me, most of the time, a GFX or X2D kit works well. I love the files and I'll carry the weight. My base kit is currently a GFX100S with 20-35, 45-100, 100-200and an 80mm. That's just under 4kg. That's well under my personal threshold of 5.5-6kg (plus bag and tripod). I'll go all day and night with that kit. But if your threshold is 2kg then my kit's not going to work for you. It's also unsuitable for my Tanzania/Uganda trip. So I need to add/change up to get the right kit for me. If the 55mm 1.7 is out then I can add that. I'll need a couple of fast medium primes for the mountain gorillas and I REALLY want to use the miniMF sensor for them. Plus a XH2 and 150-600 for Tanzania. Plus an XT-5 and a small set of backup lenses, which can stay locked in a safe unless I need them. If the 55mm 1.7 isn't available the whole GFX kit stays at home and I make other plans. I'm not taking a 150-600 to Iceland either. Also while I always take backups, i don't always carry them. Mostly they're locked in a hotel safe. And I might switch from zooms on one day to primes the next.

Travel photography is fluid. It changes for each place and for the ideals and goals of the individual photographer. Gear needs to be fluid as well. I can give you a fixed list for what I carried to weddings, when i shot them. Portraits? Easy. Even commercial underwater shooting and architecture has a fixed kit. But not travel. I don't think I've taken the same gear on any two trips I've ever done. I have four base kits and I work from there to customise to the trip I'm taking.

Gordon



Dec 08, 2022 at 04:30 PM
envydd
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p.2 #9 · GFX 100s for travel


X100V = 500g, Sony RX1 = 450g. Fuji X-E4 = 400g + 300g for 14mm and 200g for 35/1.4 or 100g for 18/2. Thats the best I can do with APSC

RoamingScott wrote:
A true statement. However, OP lead with the fact they they find Sony too cumbersome, which colors the rest of this conversation. An X-H2 setup is just as big as a Sony setup, and the Sony gives you markedly better output for the same heft.

You have to dip down to X-100/X-E/m43 to get any meaningful weight savings.





Dec 08, 2022 at 04:31 PM
envydd
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p.2 #10 · GFX 100s for travel


I have come to terms with the following kit for travel:
* 100s + 35-70. About 1200g. A Fuji weather sealed travel kit would be X-t5 + 16-80 would be a bit less but not a whole lot. A Sony A7RIV + a weather sealed kit lens would also be in the same ballpark. The 24-105 is heavy.
* 50 or 63mm for my prime fix. About 400g. Fuji WR primes would be 200-300g each.

You can replace 100S with a 50Sii or 50R (if you carry a tripod). Some pics from a recent Italy trip https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjAhEWh



Dec 08, 2022 at 04:34 PM
FoleyAMG
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p.2 #11 · GFX 100s for travel


Another thought...if weight is an issue for travel, and it sounds like you are just taking scenic and landscapes...check out the Leica Q2...great camera, great quality images, and light weight...

Only drawback is one lens...but, you want closer move in, you want wider, move back...sorry, afternoon humor...



Dec 08, 2022 at 04:48 PM
DonInTheUSA
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p.2 #12 · GFX 100s for travel


Since a lot of you have asked for more details, here are some of the things I can think of:

Travels include domestic and international destinations, some with cars, others using public transportation and walking (mostly internationals). Destinations include urban centers as well as hiking in nature. I typically don't like to carry a tripod, but I've done so a few times. The ideal combination of perspectives for me goes all the way 15mm to 400mm, but, clearly that isn't realistic. So if I had to choose a few important ranges they'd be 17-35mm, 50-70mm, 90-200mm. So I usually end up with an UW zoom or prime, a mid prime & a moderate telephoto zoom if I think I'll have opportunities to take portraits. In terms of subjects, my interests are cityscape, landscape, people photography, and depending on the destination I focus on 1 or 2 of them at most. APS-C is the smallest I'd go to. I've tried MFT, love the size/weight, but not so much the output.

The way I see it, if I add GFX to the mix it would be for very specialized trips. Two scenarios that come to mind are exotic landscapes I'm unlikely to visit more than once, and places where people portraiture will be on offer, especially amongst cultures unfamiliar (exotic) to me and people that I consider to be beautiful. Not to say APS-C or FF cameras can't handle these, but these are 2 areas where the GFX shines & they also happen to be of interest to me.



Dec 08, 2022 at 04:55 PM
gdanmitchell
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p.2 #13 · GFX 100s for travel


flash wrote:
Until the OP really gives us some more information on what they shoot, how far they walk and what they do with the images this is an impossible question to answer. Does he/she have physical limitations? Airline restrictions? Zooms or primes? All we can assume is that weight, being a mention in regard to his Sony gear, is a major factor.

For walking and travelling, personally, I have a weight limit. I know how much weight I can carry and be happy. Then I look at what type of photography I'm doing and fit in my kit around that. For that
...Show more

I think we're converging on the idea that we need to know a lot more about the OP's photography, at least if we go with a "traveling to do photography" idea about "travel photography," and not the "photography white I'm traveling" idea.

I think what you are talking about is more like "traveling to a place where I can do wildlife photography. Recently I traveled to the east coast of the US to photograph New England fall color — that was "traveling to a place where I could do landscape photography." Like you, I carried a lot of gear: a complete FF system with multiple (large) lenses, a solid tripod, and a second body and lenses for backup and a short stay in an urban area where I planned to do some street photography. All of that meant carrying an overhead bin-sized camera gear bag plus squeezing a tripod into checked luggage!

But when I "travel" — for example we have a two-month jaunt around a large swath of Europe in our future — I have a different approach. I go with a APS-C Fujifilm body and a small set of primes. The entire kit fits into a shoulder bag and can go under the seat on flights... and the bag also holds a small laptop and other incidentals. Almost all of the photograph will be done without the tripod, I don't want to be burdened by a lot of gear weight, I don't want to "look like a photographer" (with big camera and large camera bag). This is closer to the "photography while traveling" approach — though I do take my street photography seriously while traveling.

So, I'm with you on needing more information. At this point, the OP is pretty specific about NOT wanting to carry too much stuff suggesting a lighter kit with sufficient functionality for general travel.

Dan

BTW, regarding your travel weights, when I read what you wrote I thought, "That seems light!" by comparison to some of teh loads I carry for certain purposes. So I looked up your gear, or at least what I think you use.

GFX 100x: 900kg
20-35mm lens: 725g
45-100mm lens: 1005kg
100-200mm lens: 1050g
80mm lens: 795g
4475kg

I'm guessing that you also take more than one battery, a charger, and bags to contain all of this stuff. A solid tripod of the sort I'd expect to use with this gear would add perhaps another couple of kilograms or more, right? That's starting to edge close to 20 pounds of camera gear... and filling a large-ish camera backpack or similar! Start adding in that second camera and lenses and...

... well, I think we're squarely in the "traveling to do photography" zone and pretty far from "travel photography."

Edited on Dec 08, 2022 at 04:59 PM · View previous versions



Dec 08, 2022 at 04:57 PM
DonInTheUSA
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p.2 #14 · GFX 100s for travel


flash wrote:
Travel photography is fluid. It changes for each place and for the ideals and goals of the individual photographer. Gear needs to be fluid as well. I can give you a fixed list for what I carried to weddings, when i shot them. Portraits? Easy. Even commercial underwater shooting and architecture has a fixed kit. But not travel. I don't think I've taken the same gear on any two trips I've ever done. I have four base kits and I work from there to customise to the trip I'm taking.

Gordon


Bingo! That's exactly why I refrained from being very specific with my requirements to begin with. Almost every trip I've taken has required different gear. Since you refer to 4 different base kits, what are they? And what do you roughly use each for? I'm always curious to hear how others use their kits as it can give me ideas for what to do with my gear and/or interests.



Dec 08, 2022 at 04:58 PM
gdanmitchell
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p.2 #15 · GFX 100s for travel


DonInTheUSA wrote:
Bingo! That's exactly why I refrained from being very specific with my requirements to begin with. Almost every trip I've taken has required different gear. Since you refer to 4 different base kits, what are they? And what do you roughly use each for? I'm always curious to hear how others use their kits as it can give me ideas for what to do with my gear and/or interests.


Hold on! A MUCH better approach than asking us to outline a huge range of types of photography and the spectrum of gear that might be used for it would be for you to tell us...

... what YOU expect to do!

If you want to go for that broad view, you can pretty just look at every possible way people do photography. I know folks who "travel" to do photography with 8x10 view cameras, iPhones, and everything in between.

What are YOU planning on doing? What will you do with the photographs? What subjects do you specialize in? Is you primarily travel goal to do photography or are you primarily a traveler who photographs? How much weight and bulk are you willing to carry? What is your experience level with travel and other types of photography?

Otherwise the fishing expedition just becomes so broad that we might as well just write "The Complete Guide To All Kinds Of Photography While Traveling."

Hmmm...

Edited on Dec 08, 2022 at 05:03 PM · View previous versions



Dec 08, 2022 at 04:59 PM
liggy
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p.2 #16 · GFX 100s for travel


DonInTheUSA wrote:
Yup, Sony lenses (even the lighter-weight Tamron lenses) are much heavier than the Fuji X counterparts. The one exception I've found so far seems to be the Fuji 50-140 vs Tamron 70-180, with the latter being lighter.


Don’t forget the Tamron 17-28 2.8 vs the XF 10-24. The upside of the Fuji is OIS but the weight difference is only 10 grams. If I were to make the GFX my main travel kit I’d probably swap out the 50mm for the 35-70. Personally unless the trip is photography/landscape focused I think lugging the GFX system is overkill.

The A1 17-28 / 28-200 makes a great lightweight travel kit.

That said my next big trip I’ll be taking the X-T5 10-24, 35 1.4 and maybe the 18-135. Unsure on that one.



Dec 08, 2022 at 04:59 PM
mdude85
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p.2 #17 · GFX 100s for travel


If there's a very special place or subject matter you want to photograph, I suggest renting your gear instead of buying it. It might cost $500-800 for the week, but at least it's not $8000 sunk into a kit you rarely use.





Edited on Dec 08, 2022 at 05:09 PM · View previous versions



Dec 08, 2022 at 05:03 PM
RoamingScott
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p.2 #18 · GFX 100s for travel


DonInTheUSA wrote:
Since a lot of you have asked for more details, here are some of the things I can think of:

Travels include domestic and international destinations, some with cars, others using public transportation and walking (mostly internationals). Destinations include urban centers as well as hiking in nature. I typically don't like to carry a tripod, but I've done so a few times. The ideal combination of perspectives for me goes all the way 15mm to 400mm, but, clearly that isn't realistic. So if I had to choose a few important ranges they'd be 17-35mm, 50-70mm, 90-200mm. So I usually end up
...Show more

So we're back to "add to your kit instead of replacing Sony", so all that we can do is virtually sign the check for your GFX gear for you.

To the "but the 24-105G is hEaVy" argument, there have been trips where all I took was a Sony R body and that lens, and did 100% of my shooting with it from sun up to sun down and got every shot I wanted. Sure didn't feel heavy to me in that instance. Is it heavier than the extremely mediocre Fuji 16-80? Yep. Is it far better? Yep.

Overall, the best way to pack EFFICIENTLY (note I didn't say "light"), is to take a few zooms that cover your entire range, and supplement with a teleconverter to get you more reach with the same gear, i.e. a 2x for a 70-200 for instance.

If you take 2 zooms instead of 5 primes, you're changing glass less, you have less to keep up with during your travels, etc. and often the weight will come close to a break even.

We still don't know which camera you own. If you have a non-R Sony, simply upgrading to an R variant would get you much closer to GFX output.



Dec 08, 2022 at 05:09 PM
mdude85
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p.2 #19 · GFX 100s for travel


RoamingScott wrote:
So we're back to "add to your kit instead of replacing Sony", so all that we can do is virtually sign the check for your GFX gear for you.

To the "but the 24-105G is hEaVy" argument, there have been trips where all I took was a Sony R body and that lens, and did 100% of my shooting with it from sun up to sun down and got every shot I wanted. Sure didn't feel heavy to me in that instance. Is it heavier than the extremely mediocre Fuji 16-80? Yep. Is it far better? Yep.




I used a Canon 24-105 f4L for a long time. About the same size as the Sony version. I used it for dozens of trips around the country and the world. It felt a bit cumbersome at times (especially combined with Canon's seemingly oversized melted ice cream bodies), but now it feels gargantuan compared to the Fuji 18-55. It's all relative, in my opinion. You do get used to one form factor eventually.

I don't know a ton about all the Sony lenses but I know there are also lighter alternatives to the 24-105.


Edited on Dec 08, 2022 at 05:32 PM · View previous versions



Dec 08, 2022 at 05:27 PM
RoamingScott
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p.2 #20 · GFX 100s for travel


mdude85 wrote:
I used a Canon 24-105 f4L for a long time. About the same size as the Sony version. I used it for dozens of trips around the country and the world. It felt a bit cumbersome at times (especially combined with Canon's seemingly oversized melted ice cream bodies), but now it feels gargantuan compared to the Fuji 18-55. It's all relative, in my opinion. You do get used to one form factor eventually.



Well, you aren't comparing apples to apples, so yes, the variable aperture 27-82mm equivalent Fuji is markedly smaller.



Dec 08, 2022 at 05:30 PM
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