Advice on light(er) weight backup to DSLR

[nealeholl]

I have a Canon 5D3 which I love dearly - it recently replaced my 5D2. I like shooting landscapes, and the 5D3 will always be my go-to camera for that, and lots more besides. However I also like shooting street, candids, and lots of other things, and sometimes the 5D3 with a heavy lens is just too much of a weight to lug around.

I am struggling hard to decide on a lightweight, take-anywhere camera that isn't going to give me shots where I'm disappointed that I didn't have the Canon.

I've contemplated the Nex-7 (perhaps it's just too much of a do-everything DSLR replacement?), an x100 (am I going to miss having a selection of lenses?), an OM-D or GX1 (will I be disappointed with the sensor size?).

Over to you guys!

 

[iPhoto]

Plenty of up to date information on a range of Micro Four Thirds systems http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=262800

I have the 5D3 and a 5D2 as backup but they are for planned shoots or studio work. My GX1 with its fishy, 20mm and 14-42 zoom are with me all day every day.

Mark

 

[markmullen]

Buy yourself a 1Ds Mk2, use it for a while, then come back to the 5D3, it will seem lovely and light weight!

That aside my dad bought a Fuji X10, you can get refurbs less than £300, it seems fantastic, very light and trouserable, raw, proper zoom operation, decent IQ.

 

[nealeholl]

I have the 5D3 and a 5D2 as backup but they are for planned shoots or studio work. My GX1 with its fishy, 20mm and 14-42 zoom are with me all day every day.

Mark

I must say I've been tempted by the reviews of the GX1. I take it you're happy with the quality of the 14-42 then? How would you feel if you only had to have one lens?

 

[iPhoto]

I must say I've been tempted by the reviews of the GX1. I take it you're happy with the quality of the 14-42 then? How would you feel if you only had to have one lens?

Funny enough, the only GX1 I could get hold of at the time was a kit so it came with the 14-42 power zoom. Given the choice I would have gone for the 14mm prime. As it is I bought the 20mm prime and a fisheye which is just a bit of a fun tool rather than for series IQ

Mark

 

[Phil Young]

I vote the Fuji x10!

Fantastic camera. You will go unnoticed in the street and it's quality is good enough for professional use (at lower iso's of course!).

I would vote canons G1X but for the money I just don't think it's as good as the Fuji!

 

[plamen_gb]

Why not X100?

 

[seriousrikk]

Why not X100?

Double the price of everything else suggested?

 

[redddraggon]

I have a Nex-3 as a companion to my D700, does the job (and I have an adapter so I can use all my Nikon lenses with it).

 

[plamen_gb]

The x100 can be found around the 500£ used as for refurbs I think it was 600£ and you have a bigger and I guess better sensor

 

[whom]

What about a 500D (£250) and the chepo 18-55mm (£50) or the 17-50mm tamron (£200) I've heard so much about.

Not small but certainly lightweight and reasonably cheap. Plus depreciation won't hit you too hard. You could even go cheaper and get a 350/400/450D body.