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Help making a decision on GX8+15/25 - X100T - or what else?

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exposure36

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My most used camera over the last 5 years has been the Nikon Coolpix A, and have used it professionally. Also a Huawei P10 is always in my pocket for quick and mostly nightime photos.

I've had an EM1+17mm which I found to be quite good but a bit fiddly for my tastes.

I've also owned X-Pro1, X100, X100s+WCL. It's been years though and I can't even remember why I sold it all off, but xpro1+18 was a favorite. X100 and S felt a bit sluggish.

I recently bought let go a Leica Q. It's an outstanding camera but the EVF flickering in artificial/low light is annoying and it's such a 'gem' that I fear going out with it, every knock is £200 off the resale. The coolpix a in comparison is battle scarred and quickly paid itself off, at 1/10 the cost of the Leica Q. The image quality of the Q, focus and usability are really outstanding. It was also too big.

I need a camera to replace it though and need the following specs:

Printable and publishable to at least 1600iso image quality.

Excellent microcontrast and tonality

Fast focus

Small

So I'm down to the GX8 + 15/25 PL or an X100T

Is there any other option I've not considered?

I know Moises Saman shoots an EM1 17mm kit and Jerome Sessini a similar setup.

Thanks in advance for any input
 
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exposure36 said:
My most used camera over the last 5 years has been the Nikon Coolpix A, and have used it professionally. Also a Huawei P10 is always in my pocket for quick and mostly nightime photos.
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I was lucky to pick up a 2nd hand Coolpix A on the cheap because the battery door latch was broken. It is now held shut by tape and a leather half case. It's a camera I will never sell.
exposure36 said:
I've had an EM1+17mm which I found to be quite good but a bit fiddly for my tastes.

I've also owned X-Pro1, X100, X100s+WCL. It's been years though and I can't even remember why I sold it all off, but xpro1+18 was a favorite. X100 and S felt a bit sluggish.

I recently bought let go a Leica Q. It's an outstanding camera but the EVF flickering in artificial/low light is annoying and it's such a 'gem' that I fear going out with it, every knock is £200 off the resale. The coolpix a in comparison is battle scarred and quickly paid itself off, at 1/10 the cost of the Leica Q. The image quality of the Q, focus and usability are really outstanding. It was also too big.

I need a camera to replace it though and need the following specs:
Click to expand...
I'm guessing from your choices you shoot street?
exposure36 said:
Printable and publishable to at least 1600iso image quality.

Excellent microcontrast and tonality

Fast focus

Small

So I'm down to the GX8 + 15/25 PL or an X100T

Is there any other option I've not considered?
Click to expand...
I have GX8 but for street I favor my GX85. I shoot from the chest and the GX85 is smaller and the shutter button can be more discretely pressed. GX8 is miles better if you are shooting using the EVF though (GX85 EVF is below par).

I have both lenses you mention and they are both excellent. The PL 15mm raises the bar for image quality imo and gives you images that rival many APS-C cameras. The PL 25mm has nice bokeh when up close.

GX85 has better shutter mechanism and does not suffer shutter shock. Providing you can live with the EVF it is the better value proposition of the two but the GX8 is the better all-rounder, particularly for the bigger lenses. It also has weather sealing and feels good in the hands. Also the excellent EVF makes easy work of manual focus with legacy glass.
 
Thanks for the input norman. I do want something with a high end EVF. The EM10 I briefly owned was unusable. The EM1 Quite good, but too much button all over for me. The Q is good EVF wise but blurry corners on the EVF detract somewhat from enjoyment.

I guess that rules out the GX80. The reason I would consider an X100t would be for the OVF which is something I did very much enjoy in both the X-Pro1 and X100s that I've owned before.

I definitely want a viewfinder.

Work style can be seen here: fredbonatto.com
 
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haven't you considered the PEN-F?

It's a beautiful well built camera with very very good IQ and jpg rendering.

With either Oly 17/1.8 or Panasonic 20/1.7 it looks; feels and behaves beautifully.

My 2c.
 
I did try it briefly when a friend had it but the whole thing felt gimmicky (dial on the front seems that the camera is geared towards a different kind of photographer) . My best shooting experiences were either on a D700 or Zeiss ZM Ikon.

The D700 got the job done as I needed flash, quickness and punter-proof in a club setting.

The ZM light and fast to use (as were the other leica bodies - the digital leicas just have too much downsides for me and I simply can't afford any of the more serious recent offerings)
 
Hello.

Somehow I had the same question.

First: Leica Q? I would never - ever consider anything else in the same focal length. Especially for street / outdoor is simply marvelous. You will never get the same IQ, outside Sony RX1R/II or A7Rii/iii.

GX8? Simply too big for what you want. Is almost similar in size with the Sony FF mirrorless range.

Fuji x100T? You will never use it outside, as long as Leica Q is there. Indoors - the behavior is on par with the Micro 4/3 last1-2 generation cameras.

Micro 4/3? GX85 or PEN-F. And please don't say ugly words about the front button. I never use it and it doesn't annoy me at all. I am a RAW shooter and I simply don't care about it. But PEN-F camera, on its own, is simply the best looking camera I have ever had. And I had all the Fujinons from the 1'st gen (I compared here only the looks). I would buy the PEN-F for stills or GX85 for video - whatever your area of interest is. PEN-F (which I own) has the same AF speed as X100T. The EVF is good enough - not as big as other bigger mirrorless viewfinders - but with good resolution and without observable flickering under indoor lights.

Lenses: cheaper in micro 4/3 compared to other mirrorless cameras. The most interresting primes (IQ vs price) are Oly 12/2, Pan 15/1.7 and Pan 42.5/1.7.

I am still saving for the 12/2 :)
 
The GX8 is a bargain right now and in my hand I found it to be one of the best handling cameras I have ever used. When I tested it I got some great images. The autofocus is really fast and accurate. I have gone down the Olympus route but I may get another one for personal use as I like it so much. The 15 and 25 1.4 are great lenses and adding a 42.5 1.7 would mean you never need another lens again. You could do virtually everything.

Only problem I had with it was battery life. I got some great test images from it on my website under the photography journal with the 25 1.4.

--
https://www.mgiddings.com
 
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exposure36 said:
Thanks for the input norman. I do want something with a high end EVF. The EM10 I briefly owned was unusable. The EM1 Quite good, but too much button all over for me. The Q is good EVF wise but blurry corners on the EVF detract somewhat from enjoyment.
Click to expand...
I went RX1R instead of Leica Q - the Leica is still too expensive for me. I got the RX1 2nd hand and added a 2nd hand EVF later. To be honest I'm not mad about the RX1 EVF and am thankful I never splashed out on a new one. The GX8 EVF is the best I've used to date.

RX1R with EVF would beat GX8 any day on image quality - the sensor and lens are sublime. I tend to zone focus with mine but I believe the AF is probably similar to X-Pro1. GX8 SAF on the other hand is superb and it can easily focus to -4EV. Also the added flexibility of being an ILC gives you some creative scope. For night time the RX1R high ISO would be useful, provided you can focus!
exposure36 said:
I guess that rules out the GX80. The reason I would consider an X100t would be for the OVF which is something I did very much enjoy in both the X-Pro1 and X100s that I've owned before.

I definitely want a viewfinder.
Click to expand...
Yes, I can relate. Just bought an optical VF for my Coolpix A to encourage me to use it more. It's only recently that I feel EVF's are now good enough to replace an OVF - alas only high end models tend to have them.
exposure36 said:
Work style can be seen here: fredbonatto.com
Click to expand...
Some great work there.
 
iullian said:
First: Leica Q? I would never - ever consider anything else in the same focal length. Especially for street / outdoor is simply marvelous. You will never get the same IQ, outside Sony RX1R/II or A7Rii/iii.
Click to expand...
Maybe the OP doesn't _require_ that level of image quality? Especially when there are other considerations, such as the expense of the camera itself and his issues with the EVF?
If image quality was always the primary concern, then micro four thirds cameras would be pointless.
 
I had the original rx1... loved it , but like u & Q...sold it.

i have owned all the lumix cameras (just bought GH5). The gx8 remains a favorite. Other than the (avoidable) s shock, and no ibis w/ 4K, it seems near perfect. Fast. Quality feel
 
I have the D700 and GX8 so while some think the GX8 is to big, compared to the D700 it is small but not to small. I also have a OMD EM5 and it is maybe to tiny for my hands, and the viewfinder is not in the same league as the GX8. My feels just right m/4/3 body is my Gh3 it has a great viewfinder and all the buttons like my D700. Whether the G80 has the same feel I don't know. It has the good viewfinder but they cheaped out on the sensor. The 15 1.7 might feel more natural on the GX8. Regarding shutter shock on the Gx8 the latest firmware offers an automatic setting that switches to electronic shutter when shutter shock might occur. Could be a problem for flash users as flash wont work with ele shutter. Lots of choices thats for sure. Good luck on your decision.
 
MartinEA said:
The GX8 is a bargain right now and in my hand I found it to be one of the best handling cameras I have ever used. When I tested it I got some great images. The autofocus is really fast and accurate. I have gone down the Olympus route but I may get another one for personal use as I like it so much. The 15 and 25 1.4 are great lenses and adding a 42.5 1.7 would mean you never need another lens again. You could do virtually everything.

Only problem I had with it was battery life. I got some great test images from it on my website under the photography journal with the 25 1.4.
Click to expand...
 
norman shearer said:
exposure36 said:
Thanks for the input norman. I do want something with a high end EVF. The EM10 I briefly owned was unusable. The EM1 Quite good, but too much button all over for me. The Q is good EVF wise but blurry corners on the EVF detract somewhat from enjoyment.
Click to expand...
I went RX1R instead of Leica Q - the Leica is still too expensive for me. I got the RX1 2nd hand and added a 2nd hand EVF later. To be honest I'm not mad about the RX1 EVF and am thankful I never splashed out on a new one. The GX8 EVF is the best I've used to date.

RX1R with EVF would beat GX8 any day on image quality - the sensor and lens are sublime. I tend to zone focus with mine but I believe the AF is probably similar to X-Pro1. GX8 SAF on the other hand is superb and it can easily focus to -4EV. Also the added flexibility of being an ILC gives you some creative scope. For night time the RX1R high ISO would be useful, provided you can focus!
norman shearer said:
I guess that rules out the GX80. The reason I would consider an X100t would be for the OVF which is something I did very much enjoy in both the X-Pro1 and X100s that I've owned before.

I definitely want a viewfinder.
Click to expand...
Yes, I can relate. Just bought an optical VF for my Coolpix A to encourage me to use it more. It's only recently that I feel EVF's are now good enough to replace an OVF - alas only high end models tend to have them.
norman shearer said:
Work style can be seen here: fredbonatto.com
Click to expand...
Some great work there.
Click to expand...
Thanks Norman. I just realized that the RX1RII has a built in viewfinder. Would love to try one some day, but 28mm is a must right now.
 
I may replace my coolpix a with a GR some day, but right now I need a camera that clients can take a bit more seriously than a 'point and shoot' :-|
 
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