As a hobbyist what is important to you camera capabilities or workflow?

[jhunna]

I have been jumping all over this forum because I have tried everything. Let me be clear I know what I want in a camera/system:

Z8 features in two GFX100RF bodies (or a Sony A1Cs)with interchangeable lenses that include a small wide lens, a portrait lens, a 12x or more super zoom and a wide angle zoom. Accessories would include decent small stereo mic that runs from camera power, a flash that can go out to 105mm, and a bag that can hold every thing. Lastly one battery type for both flash and camera.

Why do I want that because I like RF style cameras and I like to capture video and photos in RAW, but also have proxies and jpegs that I can upload immediately. One battery type keeps the work flow in the field simple and keeps me from being less likely to miss charging a battery.

I have tried just about everything and I think the GFX100RF is a keeper, so I need to build around that. To that end I have purchased the z8, and I really, really like this camera BUT the idea of using the Fuji X-H2S would really help my work flow as I would have a common battery, a smaller kit, and could use the same flash.

So with that as the base, which would you focus on ideal feature set z8 or better workflow x-h2s?

 

[yardcoyote]

I am all about shooting experience and practical output (jpeg). Camera capabilities (in terms of spec sheets) are of low importance to me, and of course I am not much interested in a streamlined workflow or I wouldn't have cameras in four different systems, spare batteries in color coded pouches and a big plastic tool box full of chargers.

Give me cameras that fit me and that are fun to use and live with, well balanced lenses in my favorite focal lengths, preferably with aperture rings, and beautiful jpegs on the other side. That's plenty to ask for.

 

[jhunna]

I am all about shooting experience and practical output (jpeg). Camera capabilities (in terms of spec sheets) are of low importance to me, and of course I am not much interested in a streamlined workflow or I wouldn't have cameras in four different systems, spare batteries in color coded pouches and a big plastic tool box full of chargers.

Give me cameras that fit me and that are fun to use and live with, well balanced lenses in my favorite focal lengths, preferably with aperture rings, and beautiful jpegs on the other side. That's plenty to ask for.

Thanks for this, as this is a totally different way for me to look at this. To be honest, my a7cr is almost perfect, I have just become spoiled by the z8 sensor, and files, along with the GFX100RF files.

How do you deal with the different menu's buttons, etc... Is that part of the fun for you?

 

[yardcoyote]

The variety is definitely.part of the fun for me-- I just really like messing around with cameras. Of course it is sometimes frustrating too- all of my cameras have been called "stupid thing" or way worse from time to time.

I do try to use all my cameras in a simple way so the differing menus aren't as much of a problem as you might think. I just don't use a lot of the fancy features they access. As long as I can change my white balance, move between my jpeg presets, set and reset my shutter speed limits for Auto ISO, and get my focus point back to the center if I can't lock it, plus reformat my card when needed, that's all I have to worry about after the initial setup period. I do my best to get all these functions assigned to buttons, submenus accessed directly by buttons, or a custom "quick menu" whenever possible to avoid menu diving.

--
Instagram: @yardcoyote

 

[tex]

Mostly I don't consider myself a hobbyist; I work as a professional and then have my art practice which includes photography. Both of those a slow photography---only occasionally have I had to cover events. So with both I expect to work deliberately and deal with possibly cumbersome aspects of the camera or shooting (like added lighting, tethering, extended time-lapse, & etc.).

But thinking about what I'd want in a more relaxed but at the same time needful of more quick operation, then it's ease of use and being straightforward. A camera I once used for all of the above, including slower and serious work, was a Fuji 6x9. Couldn't have been easier to use, just needed a hand-held light meter. I bought the GFX100RF to somewhat replicate that experience.

 

[jhunna]

The variety is definitely.part of the fun for me-- I just really like messing around with cameras. Of course it is sometimes frustrating too- all of my cameras have been called "stupid thing" or way worse from time to time.

I do try to use all my cameras in a simple way so the differing menus aren't as much of a problem as you might think. I just don't use a lot of the fancy features they access. As long as I can change my white balance, move between my jpeg presets, set and reset my shutter speed limits for Auto ISO, and get my focus point back to the center if I can't lock it, plus reformat my card when needed, that's all I have to worry about after the initial setup period. I do my best to get all these functions assigned to buttons, submenus accessed directly by buttons, or a custom "quick menu" whenever possible to avoid menu diving.

Funny, I may be overthinking this whole thing as my shooting process is very much similar to yours. I like to lock in AWB when I get it right, and I like to lock in exposure when I get it right. Once I have those things set, I shoot. BUT I think I am going to add changing the picture profile to the mix.

I need to add a flash preset, and a sports and family video presets so that I can switch quickly. But otherwise that's a good group of tasks/settings to add to the ones you listed.

 

[RubenJ]

1. Easy interface

2. Buttons to most used settings

3. Optical vf, either range finder or classic mirror

4. Small size, small lenses

5. Either good MF or just 1 AF point (very sensitive) is alright

Basically a Leica now I think of it... Still think there's room for more rangefinder cameras.

 

[jhunna]

1. Easy interface

I think once you are familiar with the camera all interfaces become easy.

2. Buttons to most used settings

Agreed.

3. Optical vf, either range finder or classic mirror

I like EVF that give me a preview of what I am going to see.

4. Small size, small lenses

Agreed

5. Either good MF or just 1 AF point (very sensitive) is alright

I like a good tracking AF, and a way to quickly switch to MF in the odd circumstance.

Basically a Leica now I think of it... Still think there's room for more rangefinder cameras.

Or Rangefinder style, which is my preference. I never got on with the optical RF in the x100 line of fuji, and always used the EVF.

 

[jhunna]

Mostly I don't consider myself a hobbyist; I work as a professional and then have my art practice which includes photography. Both of those a slow photography---only occasionally have I had to cover events. So with both I expect to work deliberately and deal with possibly cumbersome aspects of the camera or shooting (like added lighting, tethering, extended time-lapse, & etc.).

But thinking about what I'd want in a more relaxed but at the same time needful of more quick operation, then it's ease of use and being straightforward. A camera I once used for all of the above, including slower and serious work, was a Fuji 6x9. Couldn't have been easier to use, just needed a hand-held light meter. I bought the GFX100RF to somewhat replicate that experience.

I listed the lenses I listed because I couldn't replicate that experience as well with the single lens gfx100RF. But if I am honest, I can do 90% of what I shoot with the GFX100RF, and be fine with the results.

But I love a wide shot, a blown out background to make a person look gorgeous, and catch all for everything else, but Ideally I live between 24 and 50, so 28/35 can work.

 

[HughIpi]

As a hobbyist, FUN is more important than both. As a professional, workflow is most important.

 

[yardcoyote]

I never use flash or video, but I'm sure they have their notches as well.

 

[jrkliny]

I am content with modern cameras in the roughly 25-30 mpix range. I have no idea what I would do with 100 mpix except get a better computer and bigger hard drives. My workflow is also pretty simple, mostly just minor cropping, final color and exposure adjustments and perhaps some dodge and burn.

What is important to me is my abilities as a visual artist and not camera gear or post processing software.

 

[thayes15]

Agree

Like yardcoyote said I like messing around with cameras too

But in the heat of the kitchen it’s all Nikon for workflow

 

[Raymond2024]

Workflow for me. My latest camera is a Nikon D600. Going forward everything and since has been preowned. For the camera my new D600 has better control layout than say my preowned Fujifilm XT1. Nikon lenses have a VR on/off switch, it feels nicer in the hand.

I also place workflow outside of cameras higher. Camera tech for many uses have slowed down but things like tripods, light stands, strobe flashes, light modifiers, filters do more.

 

[supersargas]

The Z8 will give you the all in one package, which is the ILC versatility, the lenses and the high quality files, albeit with a bigger body. Personally, I'd go for the Z8 just to juggle less things around.

 

[MJ_Photo38]

I have been jumping all over this forum because I have tried everything. Let me be clear I know what I want in a camera/system:

Z8 features in two GFX100RF bodies (or a Sony A1Cs)with interchangeable lenses that include a small wide lens, a portrait lens, a 12x or more super zoom and a wide angle zoom. Accessories would include decent small stereo mic that runs from camera power, a flash that can go out to 105mm, and a bag that can hold every thing. Lastly one battery type for both flash and camera.

Why do I want that because I like RF style cameras and I like to capture video and photos in RAW, but also have proxies and jpegs that I can upload immediately. One battery type keeps the work flow in the field simple and keeps me from being less likely to miss charging a battery.

I have tried just about everything and I think the GFX100RF is a keeper, so I need to build around that. To that end I have purchased the z8, and I really, really like this camera BUT the idea of using the Fuji X-H2S would really help my work flow as I would have a common battery, a smaller kit, and could use the same flash.

So with that as the base, which would you focus on ideal feature set z8 or better workflow x-h2s?

As a hobbyist, I feel like I simply don't need that much specs.

I would work towards a nicer workflow even if it required some compromises.

Typically, I shoot with a Nikon Z6, but that camera kit is simply too heavy for me to carry around all the time. I very often prefer to have a smaller camera system for street, travel or hiking.

What did I do then? Well for every instance that the Z6 was useful because of its feature set (nice autofocus, good 4K video, larger body for long zooms etc), I replaced it with an Olympus E-M1 mark II. It allows me to keep my SD cards consistent across my cameras, and I can use the same lenses I was using on my other MFT cameras on it. And that allowed me to reduce my kit size, complexity etc.

Is the E-M1II a compromise compared to the Z6? Yes. Image quality is not as good (even if it's more than manageable), the depth of field is different, the cards are slower and the camera itself focuses a little bit less accurately. Does it matter on the field? Nope. But it makes working with several cameras easier.

 

[ahaslett]

This is an entirely personal question. My needs are different to yours, so my choices are different.

Both capabilities and usage are important to me. My typical camera carry is either a small kit built around an OM5 or a relatively small one built around an A7CR. There is a sort of clue about capabilities vs usage.

If shooting birds or wrangling big lenses, I’ll use an OM1. If shooting landscape entirely on a tripod, an A7Riv.

You can see I have 3 sets of batteries and chargers and 2 lens mounts.

My workflow is very simple because I shoot and expose entirely for RAW and use C1 for everything. That makes everything much faster and easier. I have Custom UniWB available on both the MFT bodies for high DR scenes, and the DR on the FF ones is usually enough.

My answer would be that I go for capabilities, keep my workflow simple, and match what I carry to the circumstances. Using the 2 mounts with the largest lens ecosystems helps with fitting what is carried to what is needed.

I learned to think in terms of types of outings and what bags that needs, including two different backpacks (lots of lenses, a few big lenses).

Andrew

 

[Klaus dk]

Assuming camera capabilities differ very little between cameras in the same price bracket, workflow considerations are important.

Through a stream of ILC upgrades, I've always stayed in the Canon camp, primarily because sufficiently capable gear for my uses has been available.

The upside is that I've been able to carry over accessories like lenses and batteries between iterations. The usefulnes of a shared vocabulary between camera menu systems has been meaningful to me, as has the turning directions of zoom rings and lens bayonets.

Of course, upgrades has been decided by features, some of which concern workflow (Eye-AF, touch screen), but only once did I consider leaving my Canon system for better features. Luckily, Canon introduced FF MILCs before that happened.

When it comes to compacts, workflow means little compared to capability. Portability, zoom range, resolution, and IQ in general are more important.

Most photographers consider their budget with new accquisitions. Having more than one ILC system or replacing one with another is economically challenging for most.