Accessorizing the RX1, thoughts?

Ok, it's coming on Wednesday, (EVF Tuesday), and I'm thinking about some basics. Comments, suggestions?

Soft release: I'm thinking of getting a concave soft release, probably a black "Boop" available at PopFlash. Actually, I'm unsure if I wouldn't be better off with the smaller version of the button, but I'd like the largest one if it won't interfere with the on/off switch.

Case/Grip: Not much into cases, was thinking of keeping it in a simple leather pouch, though I was intrigued by the Luigi case concept, which incorporates a real grip--probably unrealistic idea given the battery life issue. (One thing I will miss from my NEX is the grip.) Actually I have a friend who makes items out of leather, so I'm thinking of a custom pouch that will just fit the camera, with a separate compartment on either side of the lens for EVF and batteries.

Definitely going with a wrist strap, such as the Gordy's. But those triangular rings are coming off! Too much rattle. Actually, I'd love to dremel off the left side lug altogether, but guess I wouldn't dare.

I do plan to black out the white lettering, though.

Holding off on the hood. Screw hood won't do. Holding out for an affordable bayonet hood. The CZ 24mm hood might actually work, but could look ridiculous on that camera. I'll try it for grins.

I wasn't really around when the RX1 accessories were being discussed previously, but I am dumbfounded that the little thumb grip with no electrical connectors is $250. I'd be hard pressed to pay more than $30 for something like that given that I have a metal lens hood for the RX1 coming and it was $7. I'll wait for the knock off thumb rest. $250 - WTH?

Even though I have a screw on lens hood coming, I do plan to try the 18-55 kit lens hood on the RX1 just in case. I like wrist straps as well, but I like string ones that have a locking mechanism on to tighten the strap like this one that I use on my NEX-5N , but it's no longer available. Hmmm.

EDIT: I think I might get this OP/TECH neoprene wrist strap .

Not sure what 18-55 lens hood you are referring to but Elvis can confirm the hood from the Fuji X series 18-55 lens does NOT fit on the Sony RX-1.

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www.elviskennedy.com - At Least You Won't Forget The Name

Oh sorry, I write I use a 5N so much that I sometimes forget to include that. I have the kit lens for the NEX-5N. The Emount lenses for the NEX series largely use 49mm as well.

EDIT: I guess I did note my 5N in my post above, but I guess I didn't make it clear that it was the camera I was alluding to.

Just clarifying - it's all good.

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www.elviskennedy.com - At Least You Won't Forget The Name

I have ordered the Bip bug soft release, two of them one red and one black.I have the metal lens hood (screw type) paid $5 for it when they first came out,it works perfect and is well made. I would consider a grip, only if it is quality made and matches the camera well .Not sure about a leather case,I ordered a black leather neck strap from Gariz. Then a shutter release cable, I would have liked a infrared shutter release,two battery chargers (universal type) 5 batteries ,ND and Polarizing filters ,back screen protector, and of course the EVF , well I guess thats about it for now.   WC

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It's What You Learn After You Know It All That Counts !

How did you work out whether to her a Bip or the larger Beep? Is it a size preference in the button, or do you think the larger buttons are just not going to work well with tof don off switch or interfere with the dials?

Which shutter release? I was thinking of getting the Pentax.

An intrenal ND would have been so sweet on this camera. Brilliant feature of the X100, which I never purchased for fear of sticky aperture blades.

I think cameras just dangle and flop around on those. For small cameras I prefer the finger loops. When you raise you hand the camera comes straight into shooting posiition with your finger above the release button. They just seem more secure and are a fst one handed operation to shoot with. Gariz make a good one.

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Mike Fewster
Adelaide Australia

Mine may not be a popular opinion on this but I'm glad there is no built-in ND filter. I'm quite convinced the ND filter in my Fujifilm X100 caused or exacerbated flare problems at times.

The X100 really did need a built in ND filter though. Shooting in raw mode, the X100 is limited to ISO200. It has max shutter speed at f/2 of 1/1000th.

In contrast the RX1 base ISO is ISO 100 and it can be pulled down to ISO50 and has a max shutter speed wide open of 1/2000th. So that's two stops lower ISO than the X100 and one stop faster shutter speed, all at an equivalent aperture for light gathering purposes = three stops. Guess what, the Fujifilm ND filter is a three stop filter.

Of course the ND filter is useful beyond simply enabling shooting at max aperture in bright light, but likewise pulling the RX1 ISO down two stops will also provide options for using longer exposures at a given aperture.

That all said I'm going to be packing ND filters as always, mostly for longer exposures.

I put a nice little leather wrist strap on the RX1.







this morning at B&H. Seems very very smooth. Also very nostalgic for me. My first time fondling a cable release since my ancient days with 4x5 about 30 years ago.

I may pick up a Gariz case if one comes available as you can still change battery and SD card without removal and they look very nice and will probably add a small grip.  Like another poster, I am not fond of wrist straps becasue the camera swings unpredictably and can too easily bank into someothing.  OK with a couple of hundred dollar P&S, not so cool on a $3K P&S.  I don't care for neck strap either so I will probably do a finger strap of some type.  Why camera vendors making small cameras haven't looked at putting 2 lugs (top & bottom same side) like the Leica CL is beyond me.  Then any type of strap you put on can be desigend to keep the camera from swinging wildly be it a wrist strap, finger strap or some other or copy the Leica Titanium & Leica M with a center lug and finger straps.

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John
Visit my web gallery at:
www.barjohn.com/My Photographs/index.html
Comments and critiques welcome.

I use a wrist strap on my 5N every time I use it, but I never let it dangle. The wrist strap is just extra protection in case I were to drop the camera. My only concern on the RX1 is that it won't be so easy to just hold like my 5N.

My cheap lens hood came today. I tried it on my Zeiss 24 that has a b+w UV MC filter on it. The hood screws onto the filter just swell. Unfortunately  the lens cap wouldn't really work with the lens hood. But I can place the lens cap on the end and it stay and seems to be snug, but it's certainly not correct so I suspect it could pop off unknowingly. I took a picture and I do not notice any vignetting with the filter and lens hood screwed together, but that's not a good test for the RX1. The hood is metal and seems well made.

I nearly picked up the B+W Slim MRC UV filter at B&H today. Good thing I thought to examine it first. It actually came with some Scheider plastic lens cap in the box! I had forgotten that a slim filter would make the nice Sony cap inoperative, so I got the standard profile version of the same UV filter. Probably should have done more research first and picked up the nano coated clear filter.

Anyone out there buy the original hood?

A friend has the Bip Bug and it fits his small camera with out any obstruction to other dials,so I know the Bip will fit,so I bought two, one black,one red, not sure which will help me be a better photographer, so I bought both, HAHA or is it HOHO. I was worried that the Beep would be in the way.(let me know how it fits) As far as the the shutter release you are exactly right,Pentax, also brings back memories.    WC

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It's What You Learn After You Know It All That Counts !

I bought two Opera Act Beep's and they work perfectly. Look cool too!

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Vern Dewit
Calgary, Alberta Canada
http://www.explor8ion.com
http://verndewit.com/

How do these little beep button things work . . . or, how do they improve the photo taking experience (or are they just aesthetic)?

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60 of my favorite shots from 2012

They are supposed to be functional, and help you more smoothly trip the shutter. They also provide a bigger target than the shutter button. There are convex and concave versions of the button. I don't know how significant a difference it will make in practice, never having had one, but I would prefer a big concave button.

http://www.matchtechnical.com/Pages/Beep.aspx

I'll let you know after I've tried one.

I own this one http://www.matchtechnical.com/SiteImages/boop%20red%20dargon%2001.jpg

Believe me, it's great!