CSC camera advice

V

vala

Suspended / Banned
Messages
118
Edit My Images
No
I'm considering selling up my DSLR kit and going with a CSC camera, mainly due to size but also because aside from the initial time spent with the camera I often find I'm reluctant to use it/bring it out with me due to the size.
I'm thinking of going with a CSC and was hoping to get some recommendations/advice from those on here to help me start the initial look into what one is suitable for myself.
Can anyone help?
 
depends on your budget but fuji X-E2
i had the X-E1.. with the 18-55 kit lens. optically way above normal kit lenses.. brilliant image quality.
took a little time to get used too and you work at a slower more considered pace.. but astounding quality camera.
all fitted into a tiny canvas padded shoulder bag i got from amazon and coule carry it around all day and night long with zero ache in the shoulders at the end

http://www.fujifilm.eu/uk/products/digital-cameras/interchangeable-lens-cameras/model/x-e2/

wish i had never sold mine but swithced back to canon as i couldnt afford more lenses for the fuji and wanted to go back to shooting UWA
 
dean messenger - thank you for your suggestion. I googled 'CSC camera's' earlier and on a random top 10 the X-E2 was voted the pick of the bunch.
I'll take a look into it.
I think budget wise is all down to what I'd get for my gear but I'm confident I could reach the average price for a CSC such as the X-E2.

Karen - which lens do you have for your X-E2?
 
WOW! I didn't think so quickly into posting would an option stand out so much!
 
Fuji X-T1 for me, I've used both Canon and Nikon and both with good glass, no contest on so many fronts..
 
apart from the fuji X-E2 only one other compact sized camera would make me part with my Canon.. Leica M Monochrom..though that of course is a serious dent in anyone's budget lol
 
Anything you want to do specifically, as any CSC will fit the bill for the criteria we have so far, ie smaller than a DSLR!

Rangefinder style or not? ultimate in tinyness or just smaller than DSLR but DSLR shaped? Film SLR style and sized? Low light? Action? Telephoto? Any depth of field requirements?

Lots and lots of CSCs out there! I've used 3 systems myself so far, m4/3 Sony FE and Fuji X. All have plus points, all have negatives. I think probably the X system has the best balance at the moment.
 
dean messenger - the leica would be nice, but for me personally and my uses I couldn't justify it….then again I couldn't afford it!
Alan Clogwyn - tbh at present with my DSLR it's used primarily whilst I'm out travelling. I'd like to use it more often, and sometimes do, but I'll honestly say that seeing the kit need to transport around puts me off. It's ok when travelling on my own but sometimes when out with friends I'd like to interact more socially.
I do like the rangefinder style visually. Although I have a 70-200 F4 IS I haven't' ventured as much as I should have with it and often find I use either my 28mm 1.8 or 10-22 when capturing images.

Doing a bit of reading into the X-E2 and have definitely shortlisted it for when I view some in person.
 
Don't write off micro 4/3rds. Great lens choice and a variety of body styles from the retro rangefinder to mini DSLR. And yes, they are lot smaller and lighter than DSLRs.... (sold a 5D2 and L lenses to buy into micro 4/3rds).
 
Another vote for the Fuji X system.

I came into the X system via the X-Pro1 + 18mm + a choice of free lenses offer a while back. I had a Nikon D800 that I had taken fewer than 500 shots with in a year of ownership and after a quick play with the X-Pro and a look at some resulting shots, I traded the D800 in against the small system and a pair of zooms (18-55 and 55-200). Not long afterwards, the X-T1 was announced and after a play with that, I bought the one they had in stock (leaving the next person through the door the slightly shop soiled one - 3 shots by me and a few by the buyer). I traded the free lens from the original deal in against the X-T1 since I have a true macro lens (I went for the 60mm macro as the free one) for the Nikon system I still have. I have also added the 10-24 to the zoom armoury and am waiting for the soon to be released 18-135 which is weather sealed to match the X-T1 and offers a little extra range - useful in these days of restrictive weight allowances on flights!

I still have a toe in the DSLR field, using a D700 and a D70. I also have a couple of 1 series bodies, an AW (waterproof so ideal for snorkelling) and a V1 which I use with the adaptor and my F mount lenses, mainly for the extra apparent reach the 2.7 x crop factor gives. Have to say that the Fujis knock spots off the 1 series in terms of image quality.
 
arad85 - thanks for the heads up. I shall look into them.
Nod - I've been reading through the x-e1/x-e2 thread on here and there is many positive things to say along with many happy owners. My 550D has had probably less shots taken with it per year so in the same boat as you regarding that. I'm pretty sure my 70-200 F4 IS has less then 200!

Regardless of the camera I'd really like to get down to just a body and lens for now, got an upcoming trip to California in September and would like to keep light whilst enjoying the sites etc.
Also I'm reading a lot of praise for the kit lens which is even better for me due to its range, and should mean not having to invest in another lens till the time comes something specific is needed.
 
Another vote for the Fuji X-series.

I ditched my 5D and lenses and now only have the X-Pro 1 with 18, 35 & 60mm lenses. Once you get used to the handling, the quality is excellent.

I waded through all of the X-Pro 1 thread on here (it was only a mere 50-odd pages then - it's grown since :) ) and decision made. I haven't looked back.
 
BT Bob - thanks for your advice. There appears to be so much positive praise for the Fuji X-series. And after noting a few members who are leaving behind there DSLR and taking the CSC out it's more swaying me to the fact this is the right choice.
 
Started with X-E1 and 18-55 from the Fuji refurb shop, couldn't argue for 450 quid. Now swapped my 5D MKII for an X-T1 and plan on getting the 18-135 when it comes out shortly.
No regrets although I have kept my old original 5D for specific subjects, have to say its a lot easier on the back and shoulders with the lighter gear.
Only downside to me is that I find the Raw files don't process so nicely, others seem satisfied though.
 
tijuana taxi - thanks for your input. The more and more I read into the subject the more I hear a regular comment with regards to carrying around less gear and using a camera more. This is one of the main reasons for my switch to a smaller/lighter system and by the looks of it, for my uses, I could well be very happy with the outcome.
 
If your ok with APS-C sensors either the Fuji X-T1 or Sony A6000

If you want the ultimate IQ and a FF sensor, look towards the Sony A7 series.

I went for the Sony A7 but the Fuji X-T1 was a close second :)
 
just to add, i traded in my beloved 10-20 siggy, a 7-200L F4 canon lens, plus nifty fifty, camera, bag, canon body and host of other stuff, just to get the X-E1 on day of UK release.. cost me £1200 at the time ( OUCH ) but still consider it fully worth it.
and it was all carried around in a bag similar to this.. perfect for travelling

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Koolertron-...=8-41&keywords=koolertron+canvas+shoulder+bag
 
Rizvan - thanks for the reply. I'll take a look now into all the options you've mentioned.
 
Sold all my Canon DSLR stuff and went in for the Olympus E-PL5, just stocking up on lenses and other stuff now.
Still cant get over how small everything is, but loving the format! Especially the lightness of it all!
 
dean messenger - can I ask where you traded you kit in with? I wouldn't mind looking into how much I'd get for my gear first before I start to sell it privately. That bag is the sort of item I'd be after for whatever option I go with. At present I have a Domke F2 so have also been looking at the options Domke offer.
wontolla - thanks for the suggestion. I shall add this also the the list to look into.
 
dean messenger - thanks for the reply. Decisions has been made to definitely sell all my DSLR kit. As for which CSC to go with at present I seem to be reading more Fuji threads then any other but I won't be purchasing anything till all my existing kit is sold so I've plenty of time to look into other products.
 
Last edited:
i am fond of my sigma dp's, and prefer its black and white to the leica monochrome i tried briefly, the leica does get that leica look however.
the nex line is good, they are really small looking
 
Vala, while the Fuji 18-55 falls within the "kit lens" range (in terms of focal length) it is significantly better than any of the lenses supplied as kit lenses from CaNikon (18-55) as can be seen by the price.
 
Nod - due to the lens that stays on my DSLR 99% of the time I'm thinking I may go with getting a body and prime (probably something like a 35mm). I have read though very positive opinions regarding the standard kit lens.
 
The Fuji 35mm is probably the nearest to being considered a "standard kit lens". In that respect it's bloody staggering in terms of IQ.
 
I went from a Canon 40D to a Sony A7R, absolutely stunning camera, the 35mm is my favourite lens makes it so small i can fit it in my coat pocket.
 
robj20 said:
I went from a Canon 40D to a Sony A7R, absolutely stunning camera, the 35mm is my favourite lens makes it so small i can fit it in my coat pocket.
Click to expand...

Mmmmmm if I bought the 35mm f/2.8 it would replace my Fuji X100 for focal length :o
This photography stuff is proving very expensive :(
 
I made the decision to sell all my Canon dslr gear and move to micro 4/3rds about a month ago. I couldn't decide which camera to buy so in the end I went for the smallest I could find which was the Panasonic Lumix GM1. As my main reason for selling the dslr gear was to downsize, this seemed a good starting point. So far I'm very pleased with the results I've got from the GM1 and it's minuscule 12-32 kit lens. I've just bought an Olympus 40-150 zoom to play with and initial impressions are favourable.

Time will tell if the GM1 can hold my attention well enough to halt the dreaded GAS from kicking in but past experience says it will be difficult to avoid. For some reason, no matter how much I earn I still seem to want to spend.

The move to micro 4/3rds was definitely the right one and I now seem to be taking more photos now that I can carry the camera around with me anywhere I go without it being the centre of my attention.

Good luck with whatever camera you decide to buy and I hope it helps you get more from your photography as much as it has to me.

Andy (y)
 
vala said:
Nod - due to the lens that stays on my DSLR 99% of the time I'm thinking I may go with getting a body and prime (probably something like a 35mm). I have read though very positive opinions regarding the standard kit lens.
Click to expand...

The 35mm is truly excellent, as is the 23mm and the 56mm and the 14mm, they all get rave reviews and quite rightly but......... don't overlook any of the other primes, they are all very good as are the zooms. In fact Fuji do not make a poor, bad or even average lens for the X series.
 
'F-Stop' said:
and I hope it helps you get more from your photography as much as it has to me.

Andy (y)
Click to expand...

This is exactly what I'd like to achieve. Using my camera more so in any situation.

TVRTim - tbh as of yet I haven't looked at any other lens, but I will do. Reason for singling out the 35mm is because it would be the closet to my current 28mm 1.8 I have, which is my most often used lens.
 
TVRTim - tbh as of yet I haven't looked at any other lens, but I will do. Reason for singling out the 35mm is because it would be the closet to my current 28mm 1.8 I have, which is my most often used lens.

So is your 28mm on a DX or FX body? if it's FX then you'll be looking for an 18mm on a crop body to get the equivalent field of view (sorry to state the obvious)
 
I'm another convert from DSLR to CSC. I moved from a 5Dmkiii to a Fuji XT1 (via a Sony A6000) and I couldn't be happier.

The Fuji images SOOC are wonderful, and take little to no processing.

Having a smaller system means the camera gets used much more.

No matter what brand you go for though, I'm sure you will be happy with the move.
 
vala said:
TVRTim - 28mm is on a crop body (550D).
Click to expand...

In that case the closest equivalent Fuji lens is the 27mm not the 35mm but the 35 is sharper and quicker but the 27 is smaller and more compact.
 
I love fuji cameras but don't write off Olympus and micro 4/3 in general. I have settled on the E-M10 and I love it. The Olympus prime lenses are fantastic.

My issue with Fuji (my only issue) is the autofocus speed compared to the Olympus OM-D models.

I enjoy my photography a lot more now I have a CSC rather than a big DSLR system.

All personal choice but go to a camera shop and have a feel of them. That's what I did when I first moved to Olympus, but I can understand the draw of Fuji.
 
I sold all my Nikon pro lenses and D800 and replaced them with the Fuji X-T1. So enjoying my photography now
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top