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Pocket companion to my Fuji rig

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Tom Levenson

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Dear all,

I'm in the midst of upgrading my Fuji gear from an X-E1 to either an X-E2s, and X-E3 or perhaps and X-T20 (thanks to those below who gave good, if diverging suggestions on that choice!)

The other camera change I want to make this round is to add a pocket camera that can go with me on bike rides and all those more casual moments when I'm not actually grabbing the camera bag.

My local camera store (Hunt's, for those of you in the Boston area) has pointed me at the growing number of 1" sensor short zoom compacts. I've not used anything between a phone camera and my Fuji and/or M43 gear for years, so here's my question:

Lots of serious and enthusiastic photo people here: have you felt a similar desire for a pocket camera, and if so, what's your experience been? Any suggestions?

Any and all wisdom (and heck, folly) appreciated.
 
Just Shoot Me said:
IMHO this thread has turned completely stupid.
Click to expand...
it has only become "stupid" because it seems that you have taken what others say to a sentimental manner. Lighten up a bit, there is no reason to become emotionally inflicted, there is a reason why we hold discussions. if you believe your feelings and arrogance holds more value over others' opinions, what good is a forum?

and that, my friend, is a conundrum for you to answer.

p.s., if you dont want to look at anymore "stupid" posts, when you press the flag on the top right of the screen next to your username and hover the mouse over to the notification, you can click "stop receiving notifications". it comes quite in handy whenever threads like these spin out of control or turn to the direction that upsets you.

p.p.s., quite an interesting username choice of yours you have.
 
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Simple what some are suggesting make no sense.

I'm out-a here.
ktmei said:
Just Shoot Me said:
IMHO this thread has turned completely stupid.
Click to expand...
it has only become "stupid" because it seems that you have taken what others say to a sentimental manner. Lighten up a bit, there is no reason to become emotionally inflicted, there is a reason why we hold discussions. if you believe your feelings and arrogance holds more value over others' opinions, what good is a forum?

and that, my friend, is a conundrum for you to answer.

p.s., if you dont want to look at anymore "stupid" posts, when you press the flag on the top right of the screen next to your username and hover the mouse over to the notification, you can click "stop receiving notifications". it comes quite in handy whenever threads like these spin out of control or turn to the direction that upsets you.

p.p.s., quite an interesting username choice of yours you have.
Click to expand...
 
dv312 said:
I had the 27mm and sold it

It lacks the aperture ring, has slow AF, and its focal a tad unconventional

I'd prefer the 23mm focal best but the f2 is a bit longish on the XE3

I 've also tried the 18mm but couldn't live with its grinding AF noise

The 35 f2 looks good and fits the XE3 well even though the focal is on the 'boring' side

Cheers,
Click to expand...
Bummer... I was hoping for better AF speed.

The 35 is my favorite focal length, and the 27 would be on the edge of too wide.
 
ktmei said:
Just Shoot Me said:
IMHO this thread has turned completely stupid.
Click to expand...
it has only become "stupid" because it seems that you have taken what others say to a sentimental manner. Lighten up a bit, there is no reason to become emotionally inflicted, there is a reason why we hold discussions. if you believe your feelings and arrogance holds more value over others' opinions, what good is a forum?

and that, my friend, is a conundrum for you to answer.

p.s., if you dont want to look at anymore "stupid" posts, when you press the flag on the top right of the screen next to your username and hover the mouse over to the notification, you can click "stop receiving notifications". it comes quite in handy whenever threads like these spin out of control or turn to the direction that upsets you.

p.p.s., quite an interesting username choice of yours you have.
Click to expand...
To be fair there are very few if any pocket cameras that fit a average pocket in comfort
 
it all depends on what you are after, if IQ is super important then any something like the Panny LX10 or one of the Canon or Sony 1" cameras will do the trick. Their IQ especially in daylight when you will be cycling is plenty good. But there if you want an inexpensive camera that you don't want to worry about too much but still takes perfectly respectable images than consider one of the small sensor compact cameras. There is absolutely nothing wrong with their images in decent light. Panny, Nikon and Canon all still make very nice small sensor cameras of one sort or another and the king of these is Oly TG5 a tough waterproof shockproof camera that takes really good shots and will survive the rough and tumble of active living.
 
Re: Pocket companion to my Fuji rig

As many opinions as people............Im sure there are many people who would take a SLR on a bike ride,

For me the phone has just risen to a level where it is replacing a lot of my gear.

The new 40 mp Huawei P20 pro is totally impressive........3 times zoom......great Ai

even at 10 mp......and for your bike ride light/ fast/ great video at HD ... stabilised and very smooth...can show you the way..( google maps ) and you were going to take a phone with you any way?

yes other will want different things...............but phones are getting better and cleverer and cameras are staying the same .
 
activator said:
Re: Pocket companion to my Fuji rig

As many opinions as people............Im sure there are many people who would take a SLR on a bike ride,

For me the phone has just risen to a level where it is replacing a lot of my gear.

The new 40 mp Huawei P20 pro is totally impressive........3 times zoom......great Ai

even at 10 mp......and for your bike ride light/ fast/ great video at HD ... stabilised and very smooth...can show you the way..( google maps ) and you were going to take a phone with you any way?

yes other will want different things...............but phones are getting better and cleverer and cameras are staying the same .
Click to expand...
Most cyclists take their phone too. Along with my GR, l place my iphone in a small bike bag under my seat. It tracks my route and mileage, provides video, and actually works as a phone. :). But current phones still don't provide files good enough for large prints.

Sal
 
dv312 said:
I had the 27mm and sold it

It lacks the aperture ring, has slow AF, and its focal a tad unconventional

I'd prefer the 23mm focal best but the f2 is a bit longish on the XE3

I 've also tried the 18mm but couldn't live with its grinding AF noise

The 35 f2 looks good and fits the XE3 well even though the focal is on the 'boring' side

Cheers,
Click to expand...
So what brought you to Fuji?
 
Justin9999 said:
dv312 said:
I had the 27mm and sold it

It lacks the aperture ring, has slow AF, and its focal a tad unconventional

I'd prefer the 23mm focal best but the f2 is a bit longish on the XE3

I 've also tried the 18mm but couldn't live with its grinding AF noise

The 35 f2 looks good and fits the XE3 well even though the focal is on the 'boring' side

Cheers,
Click to expand...
Bummer... I was hoping for better AF speed.

The 35 is my favorite focal length, and the 27 would be on the edge of too wide.
Click to expand...
 
yardcoyote said:
Try before you buy, though. I was all ready to buy the RX100 mark 1 when the mark 2 came out--actually had the money in hand. In cash. Then i picked it up and tried it out--and couldn't put it down fast enough. It may be a great camera on paper, and I know a lot of people like it, but I disliked it profoundly, finding its controls fiddly and its ergonomics not only uncomfortable but actively repulsive.

No camera is good enough technically to overcome a bad fit or just general dislike.
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This.

I had the same reaction to the Sony RX100. I was in the market for a 'camera to keep in my pocket or in the car that would be better quality than cell phone' because my DSLR at the time was big enough that I just wouldn't have it with me all the time. I was looking at the Panasonic LX100 and figured I really should try the RX100 as well as it seemed to fit into a similar category "on paper". Handling the RX100 absolutely solidified something that was rattling around in my head - how well the ergonomics and interface fits my needs is absolutely not covered in any reviews. It took renting an X100T and X-Pro2 to find one that would fit my needs (yes this is all roundabout and indirect to the original question - the X-Pro2 is not what I'd call a pocket companion)
 
I have an XQ1 which I take on bike rides and works very well.

I carry it a Lowepro which I attach to the shoulder straps of my hydration pack. This is great for quickly stopping, un-zipping and out it comes in a flash and voila, you have the shot, back in and keep pedaling.

I found if the camera is in the backpack, it's much less likely to get brought out
 
With all this talk of an X70 successor, is there even rumors as to when its out or any specs? I haven't heard anything
 
"Nasty, hateful fiddly little camera" is the phrase I use when I'm not being deliberately moderate in my language. That said, there are probably people who actively like the RX100 series, although a lot of people who use them acknowledge that they are ergonomically compromised to a greater or lesser extent.

The problem with including ergonomics in reviews, though, is that it is almost entirely subjective. A camera that fits me like a glove (say the Pentax KP with the medium grip) is described by others as an ergonomic nightmare, and we may very well both be right.

If you don't have access to a camera store so you can handle before you buy, it may make sense to rent cameras to try them, particularly if you are planning to spend a very large amount of money on new (rather than secondhand) gear.
 
Just be patient. Expensive new gear becomes affordable used gear* via an inexorable natural process. All it needs is time. Really expensive new gear just takes a little longer.

*except for Leicas, which only become slightly less expensive used gear.
 
A bigger phone is better than a smaller ones when it is needed to take photos, my RX100 was a ergonomic dog I ended up tossing it into a skip.
 
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activator said:
Large prints........can you explain ? That's what they used to back in the old days ?

Just kidding..............but what on earth do you do with them ?
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I sell them at art festivals, galleries and juried art shows, just like the old days.

Sal
 
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