XS1 and XF1 on a major journey

Last year, I took only my XS1 (and LX7) on a Galapagos cruise. Main reason bing that there was a lot of small boat activity and I was concerned about salt water dunking. The pictures turned out great, check my albums at http://www.laninga.com/f955746777

In a few weeks I am doing a major cruise around South America, with lots of photo ops. To that end, I accumulated a very nice m43 kit, consisting of a GH4 and multiple zooms and primes. But now that I am getting ready to leave, I am once again leaning to the XS1. Several reasons:

• No lens changes. Since there will be hikes in back country as well as travel on small boats, this is of major concern. And all lens reach is instantly available, from macro to BIF.
• Less weight. The m43 kit is small, but still has a body and 5 lenses.
• And cost. Losing the XS1 is losing $400, the m43 kit $4,000
• A negative: no high ISO or fast lenses (I have a f1.7 and f1.8 m43 lenses)

So I've been testing both kits extensively and I find that the XS1 holds its own for my kind of photography. The latter is key, I'm shooting for web published images, not large prints. So I guess it is the XS1 for me again....

--

= John
Photo albums and blog at:

John.Laninga said:

• A negative: no high ISO ...

Click to expand...

If 3200 is high enough for you, I use AUTO 3200 on my X-S1 and I NEVER change it. If it's a bright day it selects 100, if night time it selects up to 3200. Much of my shooting is at night and with the IS, I can shoot as low as 1/6 sec. with good results.

Based on the samples in your past posts, you'll bring back beautiful photos from the X-S1, with all of the advantages you listed. I'll be looking for your photos. Enjoy your trip!

Wonderful images. Thanks for sharing. Me and my X-S1 will be with you in Spirit on your new adventure. Have fun.

After much further deliberation, and chewing a fingernail or two, I have made a change. I want a bigger sensor for more flexibility for all around shooting, so I bought a (used) X100T. So now my South America kit will consist of the XS1 and X100T.

I wish I could leave now and stop this deliberation and waffling.

What about going with the XF1 for backup. If you accidentally drop it in the drink you can replace it with another one for under $200. Have a wonderful trip.

Cheers,

Emil

I have the X-S1 and i like it.

Yet I have found that with my Pentax K30 (now replaced by the K50 which is basically the same camera) and Pentax zoom DA 18-135, I have a weather resistant alternative which is roughly same size and weight, and almost as versatile (=no need to take an extra lens), but with a much better IQ (16MP and APS-C dynamic range).

The 16 MP APS-C are exceptionnally sharp in the center, and thus if you crop a 135mm APS-C (= 202mm FF equivalent), you can get a 6MP at 303mm FF equivalent field of view. And 6MP is just the M-size required to get best DR on the Fuji X-S1.

The X-S1 advantages are a wider very convenient focal range and it is a cheaper camera, so if you break it or if it is stolen, it will be a lesser loss.

Some X-S1, X-10 and K30 samples at my flickr account:


Keywords: K30, X-S1, X10 and K30