Hi All
I picked up a Fuji X100vi earlier this year (I had preordered), and as much as I love the idea of the X100, I've not totally gelled with it.
A bit of background, I have a couple of A7r series bodies and a bunch of lenses, and my favourite subjects are cityscapes/city scenes, architecture, nature, coastal etc.
I'm in no way a keen 'street' photographer, in fact I mostly avoid people (except taking pics of my daughter who is knocking on the door of teenager status, so isn't as keen to be a subject these days).
So with that in mind, I often have been out with the x100 taking scenic images and have been frustrated at being locked in to a single focal length. I also find the x100vi not exactly pocketable.
I have an A7r3 and R4, but want something that I take with me when I go to work in London so I can try and maximise my time and get some images pre or post work. But I'm looking for something a bit more compact.
So, how would you approach this? Trade the X100vi for A7cii, A7cR?
Just keep the full size bodies and find a way to fit it in to daily commute?
Not sure this helps....it may come down to what len(s) you want to put on the a7CR or a7C II....and whether the smaller camera size makes enough difference.
The A7c R has become my favorite camera body in the last year or so. I would describe it as small, light and nimble. And, its AF is superb. I use an inexpensive base plate with Arca-style bottom instead of the GP-X2 that comes with the camera, and a thumb grip. The handling has improved by quite a bit that way. I love the smallish and light Sony G and Sigma i-Series prime lenses. If a zoom is needed, the Sony 16-25mm f/2.8 and/or Sony 20-70mm f/4 will work superbly. One of the zoom lens plus 1 or 2 small prime lenses will go a long way.
A7c R and 50mm f/1.8 and DIY lens hood (put together from a collection of step down/step up rings)
I have an A7C II as my main body and rocked a X100VI (FM purchase) for a while as my compact gear. I ended up selling my X100VI mainly because of the autofocus struggling to keep up with my kid vs the Sony’s. I’ve been renting compact lenses for the Sony for my travel / EDC kit and I’m amazed at the variety available in both, primes and zooms. Worth the slight bump in size/weight IMO.
The 28mm wide angle adaptor for the x100 might be nice to have, especially considering your mentioned favourite subjects. It makes it less portable in that you can't use the slim cases for the x100 anymore, unless you're okay carrying the adaptor separately in a pocket and just screwing it on, wearing the camera around your neck and screwing it off when youre done.
You're not going to get the same details (or dynamic range) with the wide angle adaptor vs the Sony. But it's nice to have.
A word of caution, I don't have another 28mm currently to compare it to, so I don't know if there's significant distortion that you wouldn't get from another lens to be honest. It looks okay to me but I've seen comments related to that.
I think the x100vi is great for social events when you might not want to always take the a7c.
Honestly, for a day-in, day-out commute, you may want to consider the ricoh gr cameras -- but it's the same problem with the fixed focal length. I've heard the weather sealing is poor and they're dust magnets, but I don't think you can beat them for the size for something you'd carry every day.
I don't think I'd want to take the a7c camera to work every day, even the x100 is pushing it, better without the wide-angle adapter though. When I go for a walkabout, it's nice but I do feel it on me. I'm going out for a fun/healthy/relaxing photo walk and it's nice to draw a little less attention where possible. I black out the logos on mine using tape. But it's not exactly compact or all that discreet.
If you wanted 28mm I'd strongly consider the griii otherwise stick with the fuji imho, unless you really wanted to mix up focal lengths, particularly going tighter.
There is that lumix camera without the viewfinder or IBIS though which might be worth considering for a daily carry, otherwise perhaps some fuji apsc.
A7c line isn't all that compact imho. Wish they'd reduce the size and improve the viewfinder and lcd in the next update. But it's basically the smallest interchangeable fullframe sony has right now, and you'd be able to use your current lenses.
I'd say it depends on the lens selection. Are you planning to use pre-existing lenses? Do you have ones you'll feel comfortable using on a body that has a much smaller grip than what you currently shoot? Or will one or more be an additional purchase? If it's the former, then I'd say either the cII or cr would be good choices. I'd gravitate to the cII because it's less expensive and I wouldn't feel the need to have a higher res sensor in that body style.
If it's the latter, then I'd look at getting whatever compact lenses you're thinking of for the c's and trying it or them out on the rIII before making the leap to a new camera. It's not as exciting, I know, but the old reliable may be all you need.
Definitely worth popping into a store to have a feel if it's something you'd be okay carrying everyday.
For the size difference between the a7cii/r and a7riii, it's probably nice just to keep the fuji - unless you're getting basically no use from it, and don't envision doing so either.
If it was the A7RV, I'd understand it a little more.
I got an A7cr for similar reasons and really like it's size: big enough to hold but still small. I've got grip options but never bother with them & my hands are XXL/size 12. EVF is fine for me and I even like the flippy screen! As you say changing lenses is the big thing. I regularly use the 16-35mm gmii or the 24-70mm gmii and the size is good, the Sigma contemporary I lenses are also great fun. I'm waiting for the FE version of the new Voigtlander 28/2 APO. I've had A7riv, got 2 x A1 and am really happy with the A7cr. Panamoz are v good + 3 year warranty that I had to call in due to the dreaded A1 main board/2.0 upgrade. They're
excellent.
johnahill wrote:
Hi All
I picked up a Fuji X100vi earlier this year (I had preordered), and as much as I love the idea of the X100, I've not totally gelled with it.
A bit of background, I have a couple of A7r series bodies and a bunch of lenses, and my favourite subjects are cityscapes/city scenes, architecture, nature, coastal etc.
I'm in no way a keen 'street' photographer, in fact I mostly avoid people (except taking pics of my daughter who is knocking on the door of teenager status, so isn't as keen to be a subject these days).
So with that in mind, I often have been out with the x100 taking scenic images and have been frustrated at being locked in to a single focal length. I also find the x100vi not exactly pocketable.
I have an A7r3 and R4, but want something that I take with me when I go to work in London so I can try and maximise my time and get some images pre or post work. But I'm looking for something a bit more compact.
So, how would you approach this? Trade the X100vi for A7cii, A7cR?
Just keep the full size bodies and find a way to fit it in to daily commute?...Show more →
Thanks for the comments everyone.
As for lenses, I have a few of the sigma I lenses (24/3.5, 35/2, 65) the tiny but mighty Sony 28-60, Loxia 21, plus a bunch of others.
For ultra portability I have the rx100vi, I need some new batteries for it but otherwise good to go
Before the tiktok pricing and shortages, I had a few of the older X100* variants. They're supposed to be a fun "simple" camera. Like riding a single speed beach cruiser bicycle rather than a complicated multi-speed racing bike. When you could buy an X100 on a whim at a reasonable price, there was no stress in owning and using it. When the mood struck, enjoy the simplicity. If you didn't feel like using it, put it away, sell it or trade it. No harm, no foul.
Now that the X100* cameras are so expensive and so difficult to obtain, once you manage to acquire one there seems to be an inordinate amount of stress to use it. That makes some sense. You become emotionally invested because it took so much effort to get it. Even more so than the already outsized emotional attachment we often to feel towards our camera gear. This has removed the fun factor from the little X100.
A camera should be easy and comfortable to use. If those are not the feelings you're getting from a camera, it is time to move on.
one really great thing about the a7cr (and sony AF in general) is being able to trust the AF to get your shots, find your subject, track it with AF and compose. The speed in which you can grab great images is not found (imo) in Fuji.
I also think how different the the A7Cs vs the A7Rs feel/seem in size depends a lot on the lenses involved, as does real size, of course.I have an A6700 (think of it as a stand-in for an A7C of some sort for this) and the A7Riv.
With the Fuji, how much of the "problem" is that focal length and/or lack of interchangeability or wanting more focal lengths either in a zoom or a couple of primes?
With smaller lenses, I do find the A6700 nicely lighter/smaller. For example, the aps-c 18-135 is some smaller in size and about 6 ounces or so lighter than the 20-70/4. I don't dislike the chunky 20-70/4 but for "carry," I'd prefer the A6700 and 18-135 (photo choosing might be different). The 28-60 is about half the size of the 18-135 so you should really feel the difference between an A7Cx and 28-60 compared to an A7Riv.
I'd lean towards the A7CR. It also allows, besides the smaller ff lenses you have, aps-c lenses. The A6700 could allow for cropped ff at the same res as cropping the A7CR at a lower body price.
If you are not using the Fuji might as well look into the Sony cameras. I have the Fuji X100VI and as well as my Sony A6700 system. I brought the two of them in a recent shoot. With the Sony I have these outstanding relatively small lenses i.e. Sony 15/1.4 G, Zeiss Touit 32/1.8 and the Sonnar 55/1.8.
I love the size of the Fuji, it can fit into a small cross body bag. I also got the small Godox it30 Pro for it (got one for the Sony as well).
