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RX1 - accessories review

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Jade Strong

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To me, Sony RX1 fulfills its claim of being compact, light-weight and producing full-frame high quality images.

The Sony thumb-grip is super functional. I feel a lot more confident holding the camera to experiment with more creative compositions and angles while viewing the monitor of the camera. It locks solidly in place and flips away when you need to access the dial such as in M mode. With the thumb-grip flipped to the left, the RX1 fit snugly in the Sony leather jacket. The Sony thumb grip completely change the feel of the camera and vastly improve it's functionality. This is a must have accessory, IMO.

I do not find the electronic viewfinder of much use so far due to my change of shooting style that this camera begs me to. The viewfinder is bright, sharp and the field of view is huge.

The Sony leather jacket is great in protecting my RX1 in transport. It also serves as a cool looking half-jacket and an anchor point for the Black Widow holster pin. And yes, I can leave the lens hood and thumb-grip on the camera and still be able to put the camera in the leather jacket cover and snap it close.

The Sony lens hood is really cool looking. One problem though. The lens hood would not allow my B+W XS-Pro UV filter to be screwed onto the lens when the lens hood is in place. The problem is the opening of the lens hood at the lens end is too narrow in diameter for the B+W filter to get through. The is no way to install the filter first then put the lens hood over either - again the lens hood opening is too tight.

I removed the neck strap rings of the camera as soon as I got my RX1. I don't like them to be in the way when I handle the camera. To carry my RX1 without it swinging around at the time, I use a Spider Black Widow holster. It is made of plastic (light weight) and can be inserted on my dress pant belt or Black Widow Belt. And in place of a wrist strap, I prefer my Gordy's Sling Strap (an ultra compact, light and chic version of the Black Rapid strap). The Gordy's Sling Strap is very functional. It's works smoother than my Black Rapid strap. The Gordy's Sling Strap is a perfect match to RX1.

The Sony charger kit that comes with a battery is a good deal. It can also charge other models of Sony camera batteries.

I cover "Sony" and "RX1" logos with black electrical tape to make my camera more stealthy.


I like my Think Tank LittleStuffit Pouch. I can put 2 extra batteries, a B+W XS-Pro CPL filter, lens cloth, electronic viewfinder and lens cap in it.
 
My dressed up RX1





My dressed up RX1

My dressed up RX1
 
I think the Sony lens hood is way over-priced. I bought a matte black metal lens hood that looks almost identical to the Sony one for $20 and it screws directly onto my B+W filter ... so no problems with filters and the hood. The only downside is a minor one: the RX1 lens cap does not fit well now (is usable, but not very stable) so I now use my old F828 lens cap, which has nice large squeeze points.

Interesting to hear that you don't find the EVF that useful... was planning to buy one this week.
 
Docno said:
Docno wrote:

I think the Sony lens hood is way over-priced. I bought a matte black metal lens hood that looks almost identical to the Sony one for $20 and it screws directly onto my B+W filter ... so no problems with filters and the hood. The only downside is a minor one: the RX1 lens cap does not fit well now (is usable, but not very stable) so I now use my old F828 lens cap, which has nice large squeeze points.
Click to expand...
I agree you made the right choice on the lens hood. The lens hood might not be that over-priced because it is made in Japan with robust material and superb craftsmanship.

I really miss having an UV filter permanently on my lens for protection. I do not shoot without a lens hood so I am forced to join the "no protection filter is better" camp. May be that's what Sony engineers want us to do, to squeeze every last drop of resolution and dynamic range out of the superb lens.
Docno said:
Interesting to hear that you don't find the EVF that useful... was planning to buy one this week.
Click to expand...
If you don't miss having an EVF so far, then you don't need to get one. It's so expensive and, depending on your shooting style, might instead limit your creative vision. Due to the focal length of the lens and the small size of the camera, I totally agree with Sony engineer's decision not to have a built-in EVF. Personally, I think RX1 does not need one.
 
Docno said:
Docno wrote:

The only downside is a minor one: the RX1 lens cap does not fit well now (is usable, but not very stable) so I now use my old F828 lens cap, which has nice large squeeze points.
Click to expand...
I found the Sony lens cap to not fit well with my B&W clear filter. Ultimately I determined it was the lip on the internal circle of the two sides that get pinched were catching. I suspect my filter is slightly out of round because the cap went on fairly easily when the Sony cap logo was pointed vertical but was very tight and barely grasped when I tried to put on with the logo horizontal. In fact, when the cap was mounted with the logo vertical and then I tried to spin horizontal, the cap mount would tighten up to the point of barely being able to spin to the horizontal position.

Ultimately I carefully filed the inside cap ring just on the sections that pinch in (it is plastic)... and not much. Now the cap goes on horizontally with ease and holds very tight.
 
There are certainly a lot of things to get to pimp out your camera and part you from more money! But I resent adding to something for which I have spent a small fortune in part for its diminutive size and sexy aesthetic. I resent the heck out of needing an iPhone case but do use one after one too many tumbles.

My RX1 sports only a lens filter. I didn't like the Sony case because 1. you have to remove the base to get to the battery/card compartment and 2. there is nothing that attaches the top to the base when you want to use the camera. Where am I supposed to put it? I am a small cross body purse kinda girl, not a hockey bag girl and I dislike carrying stuff.

I decided to live without an EVF. If I need one, wrong camera. I loved the one on my DSLR but I find I use the RX1 with the compact camera hold: out in front of me. I am using a different POV now as I am tall and it is nice to hold the camera down at subject height. If I photographed landscapes I would probably have a different thought on an EVF but my subjects are low to the ground and have four legs. I find the RX1 is easier to do the one handed snap than with an iPhone.

But my beauty does need protection and I want a cross body strap, and now I am thinking a wrist strap would be sweet. So, I ordered the Gariz kit with base, lens cap keeper and case bottom. No top is made by them yet so for travel I will put it in a LowePro Rexo 60.

Of course a spare battery and a proper charger are in order but I don't carry those with me. I have never burned through a battery in a day.
 
marknb said:
marknb wrote:

Sony make a protection filter http://www.sony.co.uk/product/dsl-filters/vf-49mpam and although it does not state it on that web page, the filter is Zeiss and is T* coated. I am wondering if this works with the Sony hood attached?
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Yes it works with the original hood.

I bought all three 49 mm Sony filters, Multi-coat protector (VF-49MPAM), Circular Polarizer (VF-49CPAM) and ND8 filter (VF-49NDAM) from B&H. They are all very high quality, Made in Japan Zeiss T* coated.

I like them all very much, they are very all compatible with the hood. I regret having lost the polarizer filter (probably in the plane I flew from New York back to Istanbul). Need another one before spring breaks :)
 
My filter fits perfectly and did not affect the lens cap fit but it does take attention to make sure it is properly seated. I purchased a UV-Haze filter (B+W brand) at my local camera store for $30.00 because I wanted it Made in Germany. My only objection is that it sticks out a pinch.
 
It is good to hear that the Spider Black Widow works well with this. I was wondering if that would be a viable option if I convince myself to get this camera.

I've been using the Black Widow with my a65. It is a bit heavy on a pants belt but works great on the Black Widow belt. I keep the camera in a Crumpler Banana Hammock with a hole in the bottom so that the ball can still go into the Black Window. For a wrist strap I've found that the Nintendo Wii straps work great.

I'll take a look at the Gordy Sling Strap since I think I may want to have a bit more security with a nearly $3K camera.
 
Jade,

I think the Black Widow is great for RX1 which is small and light on the belt.

Can you place the black widow in slightly right or left of the belt buckle so that the camera is in front of you rather than in your side. I do not like diagonally worn neck straps because of weight in single shoulder (even though the weight is not much) and mostly because I hate the camera dangling at the side of my hip, my arm and hand at this side is uncomfortable and I also hit things with the camera unexpectedly.

I use a wrist strap but I do not want to always have my camera in my hand, most of the times, therefore I consider Black Widow with a comfortable, light neck strap to prevent accidental drops.
 
becasabot said:
becasabot wrote:

Jade,

I think the Black Widow is great for RX1 which is small and light on the belt.

Can you place the black widow in slightly right or left of the belt buckle so that the camera is in front of you rather than in your side.
Click to expand...
Yes, you can place the Black Widow holster anywhere on your belt, front, side, left, right, anywhere you want it. And if you purchase the Black Widow Belt with it (highly recommended), you can just simply rotate the belt around your body to any position you prefer.
becasabot said:
I do not like diagonally worn neck straps because of weight in single shoulder (even though the weight is not much)
Click to expand...
I do not use Gordy's Sling Strap to carry the weight of the camera when I am walking and not shooting. The Gordy's Sling Strap is only in action when I am shooting as a safeguard just in case I drop my camera while shooting. My Gordy's Strap functions exactly the same way as a wrist strap but much more convenient and efficient. (Please go to BlackRapid.com and see how a sling strap works). When I am not shooting, I immediately return my RX1 back to my Black Widow holster. It is the Black Widow holster's job to carry the weight of my RX1 when I am walking around. The Black Widow holster prevent my RX1 from swinging around (the problem with all straps) while I move around and its locking mechanism provides a bit of theft prevention because it is harder for someone to snatch your camera away from you.



becasabot said:
and mostly because I hate the camera dangling at the side of my hip, my arm and hand at this side is uncomfortable and I also hit things with the camera unexpectedly.

I use a wrist strap but I do not want to always have my camera in my hand, most of the times, therefore I consider Black Widow with a comfortable, light neck strap to prevent accidental drops.
Click to expand...
 
Jade Strong said:
Jade Strong wrote:
Jade Strong said:
becasabot wrote:

Jade,

I think the Black Widow is great for RX1 which is small and light on the belt.

Can you place the black widow in slightly right or left of the belt buckle so that the camera is in front of you rather than in your side.
Click to expand...
Yes, you can place the Black Widow holster anywhere on your belt, front, side, left, right, anywhere you want it. And if you purchase the Black Widow Belt with it (highly recommended), you can just simply rotate the belt around your body to any position you prefer.
Jade Strong said:
I do not like diagonally worn neck straps because of weight in single shoulder (even though the weight is not much)
Click to expand...
I do not use Gordy's Sling Strap to carry the weight of the camera when I am walking and not shooting. The Gordy's Sling Strap is only in action when I am shooting as a safeguard just in case I drop my camera while shooting. My Gordy's Strap functions exactly the same way as a wrist strap but much more convenient and efficient. (Please go to BlackRapid.com and see how a sling strap works). When I am not shooting, I immediately return my RX1 back to my Black Widow holster. It is the Black Widow holster's job to carry the weight of my RX1 when I am walking around. The Black Widow holster prevent my RX1 from swinging around (the problem with all straps) while I move around and its locking mechanism provides a bit of theft prevention because it is harder for someone to snatch your camera away from you.
Jade Strong said:
and mostly because I hate the camera dangling at the side of my hip, my arm and hand at this side is uncomfortable and I also hit things with the camera unexpectedly.

I use a wrist strap but I do not want to always have my camera in my hand, most of the times, therefore I consider Black Widow with a comfortable, light neck strap to prevent accidental drops.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
By the way there is another similar system I consider:
Capture Camera Clip Quick Release Plate with MICROplate (for Micro 4/3s and P&S cameras)
This can be attached to the belt and also to any strap that is strong enough. Similar to Black Widow but it keeps the camera firmer and therefoe apparently more comfortably; however the strap can not be secured to the tripod mount point (but a regular strap would work).

Here is the link for Capture clip: https://peakdesignltd.com/store/index.php?route=product/product&path=60&product_id=51
I wish I could try this with a regular strap vs. Black Widow with the Black Rapid Metro strap. The latter seems tidier and better to me but I am not sure. I would appreciate opinion of someone who tried both.
 
I am intrigued.... I do dislike when anything worn around the neck or cross body swings down when leaning forward or bending down. I would have to get used to a belt but I see there is a dedicated belt option and this does comply with my minimalist aesthetic. I'll have to check this out at the store.
 
I've been looking at this since the Kickstarter funding stage. The fact that you can clip it around a belt instead of having to thread the belt through it is very appealing. However, I don't like the rigid way in which it holds the camera at a right angle to the clip.

The BW system uses a ball which allows the camera to find a natural position hugging your hip. It also allows the camera to more easily take unintentional bumps. The disadvantage is that there is a ball sticking out from the bottom of the camera that prevents sitting it flat on a table. This isn't much of a problem with a DSLR that has a nice big baseplate that can provide a stable foundation even if the entire baseplate isn't touching the table. I can see it being an issue for a small camera like the RX1.
 
Matt Random said:
Matt Random wrote:

I've been looking at this since the Kickstarter funding stage. The fact that you can clip it around a belt instead of having to thread the belt through it is very appealing. However, I don't like the rigid way in which it holds the camera at a right angle to the clip.

The BW system uses a ball which allows the camera to find a natural position hugging your hip. It also allows the camera to more easily take unintentional bumps. The disadvantage is that there is a ball sticking out from the bottom of the camera that prevents sitting it flat on a table. This isn't much of a problem with a DSLR that has a nice big baseplate that can provide a stable foundation even if the entire baseplate isn't touching the table. I can see it being an issue for a small camera like the RX1.
Click to expand...
I am really torn between Spider Black Widow holster and Capture Camera Clip with Micro plate for my RX1

So far pros and cons

Black widow :
  • Camera is free to move which may be a good thing such as when sitting down, or may be bad because camera may flip over (so that the lens may fae forward instead of the LCD which I prefer to face forward)and I may need to turn it over when picking up.
  • the pin protrusing will make the camera unstable when put on flat surfaces
  • May not be well suited for vertical starps , such as using it on a backpack strap, not sure if the lock will be safe enough however I do not see myself needing it on a vertical strap.
Capture:
  • Camera does not move around, it will stay there vertically with the grip part on top, best for grabbing it quickly, may be more comfortable since the camer will not touch the hip/leg and slap around but I am not sure if it will be a nuisance when sitting down. etc.
  • Camera wil be more stable with the micro plate thanwith the widow pin but it will be just barely OK. For users of a tripod it is the best option , I wont be using a tripod frequently.
  • It can be used on vertical straps equally well
Whichever I buy I intend to use it with a light thin neck strap as a precaution to accidental droppings, I want to choose the one which is more comfortable on the hip (not at the side but in front of my hip), and the one which ias easier to grab and put back in place. I did not find anybody who tried both so I am not surewhich will be better. My current impression is 51% black widow, 49% capture :)
 
What Gordy neck sling CONNECTOR did you use? There are 4 types.

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www.gordyscamerastraps.com

And is that the pin from black widow? Because mine does not have an opening or should I buy this pin instead?

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www.bhphotovideo.com

Like your setup bro!
 
Since I have the fotodiox grip I don't use any cases, I have a sony hood and a b&w mrc 010 uv on the lens. When I purchased mine used it came with the Sony wall charger and three batteries I added another wasabi charger and their two batteries. I use my old Leica 35mm ovf that I used with my M-3. It also came with a nice looking A&A strap that was way too slippery so I replaced it with a braided leather strap looks nice and does not slide off my shoulder.

If I could use the "thumbs up" and still put my ovf finder on the camera I would have one. The only other things I want to add are the Sony Pol and ND8 filters.

wbill
 
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