In need of a "walk around" camera

[IMG_0001]

If I was looking for a travel camera, I would seriously look into the fuji X series camera. As I rarely use long teles while travelling, a rangefinder type camera seems interesting. If you are really a slr guy, you may be interested in the X-T1. It has a huge EVF that is reported to be a pleasure to use. If I recall correctly, these are also weather sealed for what it is worth...

I've also heard about a new fully sealed (as underwater capable) nikon J series interchangeable lens camera. I know these usually are small sensor, but waterproof might prove to make the sacrifice worth it depending on what kind of travelling you are into.

Since we are in a canon forum, that G1X would also be on my list I guess...

 

[pwp]

If you don't mind APS-C then check out the remarkable Canon SL1 (aka 100D). Also reluctant to haul around 1-Series bodies in non-work or important personal projects, I've found the crazy light SL-1 fits the bill perfectly. I have the surprisingly good EF-S 15-85is bolted to it most of the time, and of course it takes your regular EF lenses. This is now my go-to travel/walkabout camera. After a string of disappointing high-end compacts, I've finally nailed it. It's so good I even take it on jobs sometimes if I need a lightweight third body.

The SL-1 has all the obvious advantages of being a DSLR (it's the world's smallest APS-C DSLR), plus it takes your current glass, has menus that you'll be instantly familiar with and is genuinely good fun to use. Of course file quality will not be up to your 1Dx or 5D3 files, but really, it's one of Canon's more interesting and relevant releases in the past 12 months.

-pw

 

[eml58]

Sony a7r, Zeis 35f/2.8 + Zeiss 24-70f/4.

Small, light weight, excellent 36MP back up Camera.

I use this now to back up my 1Dx, has almost replaced my 5DMK III, only drawback is small selection of Lenses, so I use the Metabones Adaptor & my Canon Lenses when I need to.

4fps is the only other drawback if your wanting to shoot Fast Action.

 

[quod]

My reason for recommending a Canon DSLR is that the DSLR is still by far the most versatile camera you can buy as long as you're not wanting something you can put in your pocket - which I don't think the OP is necessarily requesting.

The X100S has a leaf shutter, a flash that adds perfect fill, a built-in ND filter, much cleaner shadows than my 5D3, optical viewfinder + EVF, etc. It's very versatile, and in ways that my Canon DSLRs cannot match. It's not just about size, but it beats my DSLRs in that area too. Both are great, but for different reasons.

 

[DanielW]

My reason for recommending a Canon DSLR is that the DSLR is still by far the most versatile camera you can buy as long as you're not wanting something you can put in your pocket - which I don't think the OP is necessarily requesting.

The X100S has a leaf shutter, a flash that adds perfect fill, a built-in ND filter, much cleaner shadows than my 5D3, optical viewfinder + EVF, etc. It's very versatile, and in ways that my Canon DSLRs cannot match. It's not just about size, but it beats my DSLRs in that area too. Both are great, but for different reasons.

What do you think of the x100s' AF, quod? Do you think it's fast enough for chasing a toddler around the house? (I'm not considering true action shots; for that I'll stick with my DSLR.)
Thanks!
Daniel

 

[Valvebounce]

Hi Twostones.
I understand your thinking but then I understand cameras, do you really think the average dip s#%t scumbag thief would know the difference even when he has it in his hands?
Just a thought!

Cheers Graham.

All Canon EF lenses work beautifully on the 7NE camera. Because it is not a digital it is lighter than the 7D and is not such a theft target.

 

[Zv]

To OP - if IQ is priority then you might be only left with a few expensive options such as the Sony A7 / A7r + 24-70 f/4 lens or a Sony RX1.

Moving down a category into APS-C will give you a lot more options such as the excellent Fuji X series cameras or even the Sony a6000 which is coming soon.

If you are prepared to put up with the slow AF of the EOS M it too can provide a cheaper alternative to the above plus you can use some existing glass via adaptor (though for portability you'll want the native M lenses).

Moving one class lower into RX100 territory could be a solution. Looks like a compact camera. Very discreet. Packs a punch.

Then I guess there's mft such as Olympus Pen.

If it was me and I had that budget it would be between an RX1 or X100s. Very simple fixed lens solution with great IQ.

 

[Chisox2335]

To OP - if IQ is priority then you might be only left with a few expensive options such as the Sony A7 / A7r + 24-70 f/4 lens or a Sony RX1.

Moving down a category into APS-C will give you a lot more options such as the excellent Fuji X series cameras or even the Sony a6000 which is coming soon.

If you are prepared to put up with the slow AF of the EOS M it too can provide a cheaper alternative to the above plus you can use some existing glass via adaptor (though for portability you'll want the native M lenses).

Moving one class lower into RX100 territory could be a solution. Looks like a compact camera. Very discreet. Packs a punch.

Then I guess there's mft such as Olympus Pen.

If it was me and I had that budget it would be between an RX1 or X100s. Very simple fixed lens solution with great IQ.

I have an rx100 I use for underwater photography. It is a phenomenal little camera.

 

[winglet]

I'm pretty much in your exact situation, shoot with a 1DX and 5D2 backup. Job is traveling by definition. The camera that never leaves my flight bag is the X100S. It's a joy to shoot with. I'll take the SLR with whatever lenses I need for a specific shoot, and the Fuji can't begin to replace it in those situations. But for a walkaround? Awesomeness.

Fuji IS the new Leica! 8)

http://zackarias.com/for-photographers/gear-gadgets/fuji-x100s-review-a-camera-walks-into-a-bar/

 

[quod]

What do you think of the x100s' AF, quod? Do you think it's fast enough for chasing a toddler around the house? (I'm not considering true action shots; for that I'll stick with my DSLR.)
Thanks!
Daniel

No, the X100S does not have a speedy AF system. It's really great at some things, but that's not one of them. That said, anyone else with an X100S want to chime in on this?

 

[JohnDizzo15]

What do you think of the x100s' AF, quod? Do you think it's fast enough for chasing a toddler around the house? (I'm not considering true action shots; for that I'll stick with my DSLR.)
Thanks!
Daniel

No, the X100S does not have a speedy AF system. It's really great at some things, but that's not one of them. That said, anyone else with an X100S want to chime in on this?

I wouldn't shoot sports with it. But for toddlers, perfectly sufficient. It's what I'm shooting most of the time with mine

 

[Chris Jankowski]

In your current setup there are three components: body, lenses and bits and pieces. All are large, heave an take a lot of space. You need to shrink all of these. I assume that for travel you would like to have reasonably large range of focal lenghts - say from 24 to 200 mm. In FF DSLR this means 24-70 + 70-200 zooms i.e. nearly 2 kg of extra weight. Add your FF body, all filters, cleaning kit, lens bags, gear bag. etc and it is 5 kg all up.

My suggestion for your would be to look at Sony RX10. This is an all-in-one with an excellent 1" sensor, wonderful Zeiss zoom of 24-200 equivalent focal length, fixed 2.8 aperture and has very good EVF, so it is not hopeless in full sun as e.g. EOS M is. It is also fully weather sealed.

This is a new design and it has amazing reviews. Also extremely good at video. I do not use any bag for the camera. Just drop it into a zip-lock plastic bag and keep it in your day backpack with your jumper and water bottle.

Ah, and fits well into your budget. In fact, you could stretch you budget a little bit and add another 1" sensor camera to this kit - the fully pocketable Sony RX100 II, as the camera for your wife. Very discreet.
between the two you are covered for shooting anything except for fast sports.

 

[expatinasia]

I do not see any point in getting another DSLR. If I wanted a light weight option I would probably go for the Sony RX 100 II or wait for III to come out (won't be that long now). An alternative of course if that Lumia Camera phone thing, but I have not looked at it properly.

I am hearing very good things from multiple people about the Sony A7R, but for me the sheer size of the RX100 II (or III whenever it comes out) would probably make me choose the latter.

 

[Stewart Sy]

I have a full range of Canon's lenses, from the 15mm fish to the 500f4L, but on a recent trip to Disneyland, I brought my Sony NEX-6 and the 18-105 E-mount as my main lens and I also had the 16mm pancake lens with the fisheye adapter. I also have the Speedbooster adapter so I can use (and have) my Canon lenses. The 85mm f1.8 is a great walkabout portrait lens. The NEX-6 has dropped significantly in price since the release of the A6000.

S.

 

[jrda2]

Specs and early reviews of the new Fuji X-T1 look very promising. I got a chance to play with this camera at a local store. The camera is well built with weather sealing and the EVF is nice. It is small, but not too small. Attach the 18-55 fuji kit lens, which is great by all reviews, and you would have a great walk around set up.

 

[skullyspice]

the new Fuji X-T1 all the way

 

[eml58]

Sony a7r, Zeis 35f/2.8 + Zeiss 24-70f/4.

Small, light weight, excellent 36MP back up Camera.

I use this now to back up my 1Dx, has almost replaced my 5DMK III, only drawback is small selection of Lenses, so I use the Metabones Adaptor & my Canon Lenses when I need to.

4fps is the only other drawback if your wanting to shoot Fast Action.

OOps, just read about the "light leak" on the a7/a7r, haven't noticed it in mine but from reports it pretty well affects all the a7/a7r units produced and Sony have owned up quite quickly that it is an issue & they are working to resolve it, another Camera that will need to be shipped back to the Manufacturer.

Leaks light through the Lens Connection Flange on the body during longer exposures.

What is with these Camera producers today, D800 Focus issues, D600 Shutter problems, 5DMK III "light leak" issue, 1Dx AF motor Lubrication issue, none of them seem to be able to get a Camera Body to Market that doesn't present a major issue within a few months, not new of course, I am still the proud owner of the 1Ds MK III, that Camera almost drove me to take up knitting.

 

[Zv]

My vote is a 7D with a 24-105. You get the durability you need and a comfortable range + a familiar feel and high FPS when needed. The IQ is there provided your not shooting 50% of the time in a dark bar. Put a rapid strap on it and go sans case.

This is an interesting thread in terms of what we think of as a "travel" camera. To me having a 7D and 24-105 I would say that it's not that travel friendly. It's big and heavy plus 24mm isn't wide enough for me. So I'd have to take my 17-40 too. I think there wouldn't be much of a difference in "discreetness" between a 1Dx and 7D. Yes it's smaller but overall they're both bulky. In a dodgy area theives will easily make you out with your 7D. Maybe another DSLR is not the answer. Sounds like OP wants something pocketable.

Either go small or go with what you have. No point in buying something halfway.

 

[gw2424]

Its been suggested but I add my vote to the Sony RX1...It's full frame (24 megapixels) so it does great with image quality as is important to you. Not good for anything sporty because of the 35/2 lens but for most shooting it would do great. Of course it hits your budget constraint but I'm sure it would do the job. The rx100 is another great option though.

 

[Hillsilly]

No, the X100S does not have a speedy AF system. It's really great at some things, but that's not one of them. That said, anyone else with an X100S want to chime in on this?

I've got an X-E1, a two year old and a four year old (and another one due in six weeks). The X-E1 has slightly worse AF capabilities than the x100s, but I have no hesitation bringing it instead of a DSLR on family trips (in fact, it has essentially replaced my other cameras for everything except sports and wildlife). Sure, my Canon's will get AF faster nearly all of the time, whereas the X-E1 is slower (and I've got a 60mm lens that is v-e-r-y slow), but the X-E1's AF speed is still more than adequate. The x100s is said to be better. The X-t1 is significantly better (especially if you are using focus tracking).