I'm still working on a project that has me spending an ever increasing proportion of my time working on it...but I'm now seeing the light and hope to resurface (hopefully permanently) near the middle of February.
Also since my last post, I've sold the Fuji X100s which was a brilliantly frustrating camera. Brilliant but frustrating. The physical controls (except for the shutter release, which like the Sony A7/A7r is placed at an unnaturally vertical angle) were very well thought-out. However the slow menu, inconsistent autofocus, lack of weatherproofing and challenging RAW format tipped me over the edge.
Many of my Nikon lenses are also gone. The huge 24-70mm (which I took with me to Japan), the 14-24mm, the not-often-used Sigma 15mm fisheye. All gone.
Since my return from Japan, I've taken the D700 and 24mm with me on a few day trips but have really struggled with the bulk and weight, especially when photography is not the sole purpose and also when I'm wearing bulky winter clothing.
However I can't part with the 24mm or the 85mm. They have a real "pop" quality and I love using them. I also need to keep the 85mm for studio/fashion...at least until I can find an alternative system to replace it.
The new GR isn't that tempting for me as manual focus is not really an option...and focus (again) seems to be a bit of a weakness of this camera.
The Olympus E-M1 seems to be the most complete, digital, mirrorless camera out there at the moment and it has tempted me numerous times...but it's simply not the sensor size I'm after, unfortunately.
So for now, I'll keep mixing it up between the trusty GRDiv and D700.
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| Ricoh GRDiv ISO125, f/2.2, 1/20s |
I have a couple full frames (A850, RX1) and some APS C's but the OM-D EM5 (m4/3) and the Nikon V1 (1") both produce photographs which are richly colored, robust, low noise and easily post processed. They aren't as smooth and rich as the full frames but they are plenty good enough to go 11X17 and beyond. I am Particularly pleased by the V1 and the 30-110 lens at 30mm. I just stare at the result, like I used to at the Sigma DPs. They are just too good to be true. Manual focus? not so much but it auto focuses as well or better than any SLR. The menus suck but once you get it set in Aperture value and just shoot, it goes away. They are also pretty cheap. But what do I know.
ReplyDeleteHi Mike,
DeleteSorry for the late reply.
I handled the Nikon V1 with some of my friends and I was the only one that liked it.
The focus was fast and the viewfinder (from what I remember) was nice, fast and bright.
I am very partial to the handling of Ricoh cameras too and the GRDiv is great in good light. The large sensor incarnation of the GR is appealing but I think the next generation will be more complete, with better AF.
As for the RX1 it's fantastic. I wanted a flip screen and permanent EVF at the time, so instead opted for the X100s which gave me one of those. Since owning the X100s I've decided that I will only buy a weatherproofed camera if it is non-pocketable. If the next RX1 (whatever it is called) offers weatherproofing and a little more, I would be seriously interested. From what I have seen, the perfect matching between a fixed-lens camera and a super sensor is a hard combination to beat.
Hi Kesh,
ReplyDeleteWelcome back ;-) Love the framing, the more or less sharp figures leaving the store and the person rushing by in front of the pillar. The timing is excellent.
Good to see you've reduced your arsenal of Nikon lenses; the leftover ones are fine choices. As to the choices in front of you, all cameras have strengths as well as their particular weaknesses. Eventually you'll find something you like well enough to work around the shortcomings. The RX1 is such a camera for me. Even a year later, I love it enough that It's one of the only cameras I didn't sell when getting a new camera (the A7R).
Hi Bjorn,
DeleteThanks!
I'm glad you decided to keep the RX1 as I enjoyed (and still enjoy) seeing your photos from it.
The A7 and A7r are both very tempting but I would have preferred a faster 35mm lens (even if a little bigger) and a longer lens than 55mm as an initial combo.
Of course the Zeiss roadmap shows that these are coming but I don't see myself getting a temporary lens to fill that gap in the meantime.
I do miss a larger, everyday sensor though!