Camera gear discussions

D500 does look nice and I still prefer OVF in a lot of ways. Back button AF, AF joystick, D800 mode dial. All that's missing is dedicated AE lock, but that should be easy enough to remap...

 

Actually, my most loved Nikon camera is F3. That big, clear, bright 100% coverage OVF...

 

I'm pretty much a beginner but I have had an X-T1 for a few weeks now and finding it to be excellent. I love that even with the kit lens it fits in a corner of my everyday messenger bag so I always have it with me.

Prior to getting the camera, I went to a Fuji Experience Day and had a play with both the X-T1 and the new X-T2. The X-T2 does seem like a solid improvement and it seems like Fuji have actually listened to a lot of the nitpicks that keep showing up when people talk about the X-T1. In my brief experience of it, the EVF was slightly sharper and a bit less laggy. The camera as a whole felt nippier and more responsive. There's now also an AF joystick, more focus-points, higher resolution and 4K video. The dial-locks have been changed, but I don't have a problem with the X-T1 dials anyway.

Despite the improvements, since none of them are critical for me right now and a refurb X-T1 was less than 1/2 the price of the X-T2, it was a no-brainer for me to just get the T1. I bought it direct from the Fuji UK refurb store with the 18-55 lens using a random 10% discount code I found on an old forum-post that still worked. When it arrived it was just like new, with the same 1 yr warranty.

I realise I have so much to learn about this hobby but I'm really enjoying the process so far. Clearly lots of experienced photographers here, but If anyone else is just starting out like me, I've been using the book "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson - and i'm finding it to be a nice, gentle introduction to some of the basics.

 

Recently the Pentax K70 has been released. That means K50-kit price drops and I am looking out for one of those if a used K5 does not cross my path.

 

When buying a new camera especially a diifferent brand than what are you currently using, always try it first so you can check if the ergo is to your liking.

 

@jowls - Haven't shot with the XT-1, I'm planning on having my company pick up an XT-2 later this month, so I'll leave impressions here when that happens. I get what you mean about the a7rii, the a7s I use has kind of sucked the joy out of shooting for me as well. It'll get the job done, as the 12mp is more than enough for what I'm doing (mostly facebook ads). That said I'm deeply considering picking up a Pentax K-1 as a personal camera to use alongside my a7s for the lack of joy I get from the a7s, alongside the higher-res photos for my own personal work. It's a shame Pentax's video is nowhere near the level I need for work, otherwise I'd jump back to the Pentax camp in a heartbeat. I miss the sheer joy I got from shooting with the K-5.

 

Should I get the SEL50F18 or the SEL55210? Assuming I'll get the kit lens with the A6000 and will be heading of for a holiday in Japan.
I can't decide which would be more suited for my needs and I can't get both due to a fixed budget.

 

If you have the kit zoom lens, it's better to get prime 50 1.8 to compliment the zoom. Get the SEL55210 if you plan/need to shoot long distance.

 

The Kit Lens is a 16-50mm F3.5-5.6
The thing is I'll be both in the city (prime) and in the outskirts which may require some long-distance (zoom) so I'm asking for someone with any experience with these focal lengths

 

This is interesting. I am not a fan of their channel but this is worth the listen.

 

X-T2 enroute. I have a suspicion that EVF is part of the problem, but I'm hoping the ergonomics of the Fuji can help me reconnect a little with taking photos...

 

Got a chance to try out the XT-2 in hand and....I didn't like it at all. Felt too small, as the dials and buttons didn't quite fall under my fingers like how I'd like. Image quality is fantastic, but I'm now reconsidering it in favor of a 7d mark II. I was hoping the ergonomics of the fuji would play out better, but it almost feels like the camera was designed for smaller hands than mine, as in the dials and buttons were in the right direction, but a bit short of where my fingers are able to easily manipulate. I'll mostly be doing action shots over extended periods of time in decent light and I'm still young and strong enough to shrug off the weight of a DSLR + grip + f/2.8 zoom, so my biggest concerns are ergonomics and AF. Given the price difference, I'll also be able to budget for some more glass than I would've been able to with the XT-2.

 

Recently I went out for some shutter therapy. Call it what you want but sometimes you simply must go out, look at something interesting and take a picture.

My EM5 mark I felt almost too light. I am getting a heavy DSLR again, that is certain.

Has this happened to anyone else here before?

 

@Deep Funk I was a former E-M10 user, but it was more about tiny grip rather than weight.

 

I like the grip of my EM5 mark I. I train every now and then. Thing is weight or the lack of it in holding the camera annoys me. Things that are too light are difficult to hold still. In this hobby this has always been a factor for me...

 

Do you mean you find it difficult to hold it steady when you take a photo?

 

What lenses do you use? Personally, I believe m4/3 is made for prime lenses. Slap pro zooms (12-40, 150, 40-150, etc), E-M1 is a must.

 

Sometimes yes. I am used to heavier things in my hands. In some moments I almost have to meditate to keep my hands still.

@TRex , primes man. I love the Panasonic 20mm F1.7 to bits. It is grower but after a while it almost becomes your eye.

 

I've found that breathing techniques and hand positions help. Specifically, slow exhalation + elbows tucked close to the body.
(Sorry if you already knew this)

 

Helps most of the time. There are moments though when my hands shake a bit too much. Then stability control is useless.

Years of work, sports and carrying heavy Nikon's have left an effect that sometimes makes good pictures difficult.