p.52 #1 · Official: Sony RX1R III Digital Camera announced!
gordec wrote:
How does everyone feel about the mk3? My friend is in Tokyo, and she is going to Map Camera anyways. I thinking about picking one up as it's like $3300ish there. I'm going to replace Q3 with it. I have the M system, the Q3 is wonderful as a travel camera, but it's significantly bigger and heavier than Rx1r.
I just wish it had a tilt lcd. It really is a great feature for travel camera. Also the lack of weather seal bothers me. The 2 mk2s I had all eventually had sensor dust.
I really enjoy my mk3 as an EDC and hiking-with-family (vs. alone when I can bring a heavier system) in fairly good light and mild weather.
I compare the size with my Leica d-lux 7 as a jacket-pocketable carry, so if you really value the smaller size, I think the mk3 has met my expectations. Could it be better? Yes, particularly weather sealing, and I took the drastic step straight out of the box to tape the microphone, speaker, and flimsy left door shut. So far I haven't had any visible dust issues. Now that we have only about 5 1/2 hours of daylight in the winter, I'm carrying the mk3 less as it lacks OIS/IBIS and switched to my larger system, but I've noticed I shoot drastically less as a result. Since you shoot with an M perhaps you can also embrace this limitation with the Zeiss f/2. I also find the ISO dial to move a lot, especially with gloves, so I have to always check and once bumped it to ISO 2500 with noticeably poor IQ at such a modest ISO. If you're used to the Q3 and like the 28mm vs. 35mm, you really have to want the smaller size, I think, to justify the switch. The AF is very good, but Zeiss motors are slow to capture fast moving subjects like dogs or kids running towards you if that is your use case.
It shows how much I value the smallest-possible size of the mk3, even thought I can still have a wish list of improvements should they ever have a mk4 or another competitor like Nikon or Fuji FF comes through with a compelling option!
p.52 #2 · Official: Sony RX1R III Digital Camera announced!
gordec wrote:
How does everyone feel about the mk3?
I love the RX1R 3. My biggest concern was the lack of IBIS, but that has turned out not to be an issue at all. I do not shoot video at all, but I did turn on the video stabilization because I read somewhere once that it can help with stills. If that is true or not, I don't know, but I seldom miss a shot because of camera movement, even at slower shutter speeds. Maybe the tiny form factor is inherently easier to hold still.
I do wish it had a tilt screen for high/low shooting. It's not so easy to kneel down these days. Actually, the kneeling down is easy, it's the standing back up that is challenging. Lol.
p.52 #4 · Official: Sony RX1R III Digital Camera announced!
Soft glowy at f2-2.8, ok f4. Stopped down f8 usable, the extreme corners may not the best, but ok for grass in close corners... I will try gw-3 also... GW-4 is much better with GFX100RF with f4 lens...
Errz wrote:
Does anyone knows if the RICOH GW-4 Wide Conversion Lens works well with MK3?
p.52 #9 · Official: Sony RX1R III Digital Camera announced!
jourdan.merritt wrote:
A few months on, how is everyone liking this camera? Pros and cons for family environmental portraits / documentary use?
It is my absolute favourite travel camera. The fact is that there is nothing comparable on the market in terms of image quality in this size. It is absolutely pocketable in nearly any jacket and you can take it anywhere, even into places that normally frown upon larger cameras.
The AF is more reliable than my Z8 (although the focus motors cannot quite keep up with very fast motion; this is not a problem for me as I would not shoot sports with it but I thought the AF was nearly perfect until I tried to photograph some skateboarders one day), especially at night. I find I do need to let it drift up to 12,800 ISO at night but the RAW files clean up perfectly with a little noise reduction in Lightroom. There is plenty of latitude to crop so it is very versatile.
I have to say that I absolutely love the lens. I know that a newer lens might be a touch sharper and certainly would have better AF motors but at f/2 it has a beautiful look for portraits and buttery soft bokeh. It is razor sharp at f/4 and up.
Areas to improve? I would not have minded a faster minimum shutter speed so I could use f/2 on a sunny day and IBIS would be wonderful for the next version. I do not want them to replace the lens, which to me is a classic and a large part of the appeal.
I know it is expensive but I have zero regrets having owned it since August.
p.52 #10 · Official: Sony RX1R III Digital Camera announced!
CTMRIGuy wrote:
It is my absolute favourite travel camera. The fact is that there is nothing comparable on the market in terms of image quality in this size. It is absolutely pocketable in nearly any jacket and you can take it anywhere, even into places that normally frown upon larger cameras.
The AF is more reliable than my Z8 (although the focus motors cannot quite keep up with very fast motion; this is not a problem for me as I would not shoot sports with it but I thought the AF was nearly perfect until I tried to photograph some skateboarders one day), especially at night. I find I do need to let it drift up to 12,800 ISO at night but the RAW files clean up perfectly with a little noise reduction in Lightroom. There is plenty of latitude to crop so it is very versatile.
I have to say that I absolutely love the lens. I know that a newer lens might be a touch sharper and certainly would have better AF motors but at f/2 it has a beautiful look for portraits and buttery soft bokeh. It is razor sharp at f/4 and up.
Areas to improve? I would not have minded a faster minimum shutter speed so I could use f/2 on a sunny day and IBIS would be wonderful for the next version. I do not want them to replace the lens, which to me is a classic and a large part of the appeal.
I know it is expensive but I have zero regrets having owned it since August. ...Show more →
My main grips with RX1RIII:
Lens performance in mid zone and edges, even over F4. I wouldn't have a world in case of $2000 camera, but over 5000$...
The removed tilting screen.
The lack of IBIS because of the tiny size of camera, it's really challenging to hold steady because the lack of grip and mass.
p.52 #11 · Official: Sony RX1R III Digital Camera announced!
Lukacs wrote:
My main grips with RX1RIII:
Lens performance in mid zone and edges, even over F4. I wouldn't have a world in case of $2000 camera, but over 5000$...
The removed tilting screen.
The lack of IBIS because of the tiny size of camera, it's really challenging to hold steady because the lack of grip and mass.
Lukacs, I hear you about the IBIS. I found that a tight wrist strap combined with the thumb grip work wonders. I also use the “Faster” minimum shutter speed limit whenever I shoot in aperture priority. Between those, I do not seem to have issues with shaking. No question though that IBIS would be the most welcome addition to a new model, if they could pack it in to a camera so small.
The tilting screen does not bother me any more. The back screen is bright and visible enough that in practice I can see what I need to for framing when I hold it at odd angles. I understand how it may bother others more though.
As for the lens, I honestly do not see the softness once you get to f4. It is decidedly sharper than, for example, the Nikon 40mm f2 Z or 35mm f1.4 Z even if it is not at the 35mm f1.4 GM level, and that is enough for me. Perhaps if I was using it for professional landscape shooting I would be unsatisfied. But I view my photos on a 6K 32” HDR monitor and they are glorious from this camera. I think making it sharper would possibly dull the wonderful character the lens has at f2-f2.8 which in my mind would be a tragedy because it is such a great environmental portraiture machine. It helps that it has the absolute best autofocus on the market. It is crazy that this little camera has better AF than Canon and Nikon flagships, but when it tells you it has confirmation it is always correct when you view the images later. I frequently use it late at night and am astounded it locks eye focus so quickly with so minimal available light.
Before I purchased the RX1RIII I tried the GFX100RF and the main reason I did not keep it is that it just did not produce pleasing people photographs.
You mention cost and again, I cannot argue with you there. It is very expensive, no doubt, and it makes sense only as a secondary camera where portability is key. That limits it to those fortunate enough to have the disposable funds, and that is a real shame. I cannot argue that it is good value. I can only say that I personally do not regret the purchase, and I cannot say that about every camera I have purchased.
p.52 #12 · Official: Sony RX1R III Digital Camera announced!
CTMRIGuy wrote:
Lukacs, I hear you about the IBIS. I found that a tight wrist strap combined with the thumb grip work wonders. I also use the “Faster” minimum shutter speed limit whenever I shoot in aperture priority. Between those, I do not seem to have issues with shaking. No question though that IBIS would be the most welcome addition to a new model, if they could pack it in to a camera so small.
The tilting screen does not bother me any more. The back screen is bright and visible enough that in practice I can see what I need to for framing when I hold it at odd angles. I understand how it may bother others more though.
As for the lens, I honestly do not see the softness once you get to f4. It is decidedly sharper than, for example, the Nikon 40mm f2 Z or 35mm f1.4 Z even if it is not at the 35mm f1.4 GM level, and that is enough for me. Perhaps if I was using it for professional landscape shooting I would be unsatisfied. But I view my photos on a 6K 32” HDR monitor and they are glorious from this camera. I think making it sharper would possibly dull the wonderful character the lens has at f2-f2.8 which in my mind would be a tragedy because it is such a great environmental portraiture machine. It helps that it has the absolute best autofocus on the market. It is crazy that this little camera has better AF than Canon and Nikon flagships, but when it tells you it has confirmation it is always correct when you view the images later. I frequently use it late at night and am astounded it locks eye focus so quickly with so minimal available light.
Before I purchased the RX1RIII I tried the GFX100RF and the main reason I did not keep it is that it just did not produce pleasing people photographs.
You mention cost and again, I cannot argue with you there. It is very expensive, no doubt, and it makes sense only as a secondary camera where portability is key. That limits it to those fortunate enough to have the disposable funds, and that is a real shame. I cannot argue that it is good value. I can only say that I personally do not regret the purchase, and I cannot say that about every camera I have purchased....Show more →
I don't want to get crucified on here, but the photos and colors I see from this camera/ lens combo look decidedly un-Sony and full of character and dreaminess and that is something I love and crave when taking photos. Might have to grab one, because coupled with great AF, it could be the perfect dad camera to tote around.
p.52 #13 · Official: Sony RX1R III Digital Camera announced!
CTMRIGuy wrote:
Lukacs, I hear you about the IBIS. I found that a tight wrist strap combined with the thumb grip work wonders. I also use the “Faster” minimum shutter speed limit whenever I shoot in aperture priority. Between those, I do not seem to have issues with shaking. No question though that IBIS would be the most welcome addition to a new model, if they could pack it in to a camera so small.
The tilting screen does not bother me any more. The back screen is bright and visible enough that in practice I can see what I need to for framing when I hold it at odd angles. I understand how it may bother others more though.
As for the lens, I honestly do not see the softness once you get to f4. It is decidedly sharper than, for example, the Nikon 40mm f2 Z or 35mm f1.4 Z even if it is not at the 35mm f1.4 GM level, and that is enough for me. Perhaps if I was using it for professional landscape shooting I would be unsatisfied. But I view my photos on a 6K 32” HDR monitor and they are glorious from this camera. I think making it sharper would possibly dull the wonderful character the lens has at f2-f2.8 which in my mind would be a tragedy because it is such a great environmental portraiture machine. It helps that it has the absolute best autofocus on the market. It is crazy that this little camera has better AF than Canon and Nikon flagships, but when it tells you it has confirmation it is always correct when you view the images later. I frequently use it late at night and am astounded it locks eye focus so quickly with so minimal available light.
Before I purchased the RX1RIII I tried the GFX100RF and the main reason I did not keep it is that it just did not produce pleasing people photographs.
You mention cost and again, I cannot argue with you there. It is very expensive, no doubt, and it makes sense only as a secondary camera where portability is key. That limits it to those fortunate enough to have the disposable funds, and that is a real shame. I cannot argue that it is good value. I can only say that I personally do not regret the purchase, and I cannot say that about every camera I have purchased....Show more →
Don't get me wrong I can live with all of weaknesses of RX1RIII. But I just can't justify the price, not in case of GFX100RF. I can't argue if someone consider RX as a more suitable device, but in technical aspect 100RF has the value behind the price in technical aspect, RX has not.
p.52 #14 · Official: Sony RX1R III Digital Camera announced!
jourdan.merritt wrote:
I don't want to get crucified on here, but the photos and colors I see from this camera/ lens combo look decidedly un-Sony and full of character and dreaminess and that is something I love and crave when taking photos. Might have to grab one, because coupled with great AF, it could be the perfect dad camera to tote around.
No, this is totally correct. Every Sony lens these days is basically complete optical perfection, and the RX1RIII is a bit of a throwback where it had two distinct characters depending on the aperture you are shooting at. Which makes it a perfect jack-of-all-trades to keep in the pocket.
p.52 #16 · Official: Sony RX1R III Digital Camera announced!
pffffffff........ these images
It's a point & shoot people-pleaser-camera if you ask me.
Still regret selling my Rx1 (mk1). Whenever my screensaver shows an image made bij the Rx1 with people in it, I recognise it by miles from any other lens/camere combo I've used in the 24-50mm prime range. And these are double numbers.
I can not buy one even if I wanted to (and I would love one ), so I'll be patient, one day the stars will alline for me to pick it up
p.52 #17 · Official: Sony RX1R III Digital Camera announced!
I really want to get the III but from what i've seen, the image quality upgrade is not much. It's mostly an upgrade from the II in everything else such as AF and battery life. If IQ wasn't so close, I would jump on the III right now but it's tough when I can save a ton on the II. I haven't bought the II because I feel like the AF would frustrate me though so i'm stuck lol.
p.52 #18 · Official: Sony RX1R III Digital Camera announced!
toyxmachine wrote:
I really want to get the III but from what i've seen, the image quality upgrade is not much. It's mostly an upgrade from the II in everything else such as AF and battery life. If IQ wasn't so close, I would jump on the III right now but it's tough when I can save a ton on the II. I haven't bought the II because I feel like the AF would frustrate me though so i'm stuck lol.
What do you expect in terms of image quality upgrade? It is already so good, you won't see a difference in normal use. The lens has a sharpness fall off towards the out parts until stopped down, which shows on the 60MP sensor more than on the 40MP if you go to 100% pixel peeping. But since I use the crop/digital zoom function to enlarge the center by up to 3x times, it doesn't really matter. The center is always perfectly sharp. What really makes the MkIII worth it is the digital crop function. It provides me with 3 to 4 FoV (35/50/70/100) in one lens at outstanding quality. Makes walking around with just one small camera a perfect experience.
p.52 #19 · Official: Sony RX1R III Digital Camera announced!
Nielk Mike wrote:
What do you expect in terms of image quality upgrade? It is already so good, you won't see a difference in normal use. The lens has a sharpness fall off towards the out parts until stopped down, which shows on the 60MP sensor more than on the 40MP if you go to 100% pixel peeping. But since I use the crop/digital zoom function to enlarge the center by up to 3x times, it doesn't really matter. The center is always perfectly sharp. What really makes the MkIII worth it is the digital crop function. It provides me with 3 to 4 FoV (35/50/70/100) in one lens at outstanding quality. Makes walking around with just one small camera a perfect experience....Show more →
I just wish there was a bigger gap in quality so I can justify getting the III over the II lol.
I really want that crop function too. I used it all the time on the Ricoh GR iii and Fujifilm x70 and it was very useful.
p.52 #20 · Official: Sony RX1R III Digital Camera announced!
If the Sony rx1riii was priced in your country at 3499.00 would you jump on it or walk past ? That's what it's priced at in the UK sales at the moment. £701 off. It's such a new camera that for it to be reduced by so much, it's been over priced from the start or under specced and it's not selling. Or both ? A cheaper competitor the x100vi hasn't reduced in price in the sales and the other side of said coin, Leica Q's haven't gone on sale tho just before Christmas they were offering an extra battery free....!!!
Both x100vi and Leica Q are clearly more feature rich products. Is that the real problem with the rx1riii today the market for the rx1riii has moved and the consumer expects more features and not less.
), so I'll be patient, one day the stars will alline for me to pick it up