I’ve got a GAS headache

[insertusernamehere]

All

I’ve been “shooting” for years.
I was a Nikon user up to the D90 when I switched to the canon 1DS range.
When we had kids I switched to Fuji for the x-t1 which was magnificent but I never really had time to use it due to the aforementioned offspring.
These days I shoot all “portrait” photos using my iPhone 13pro and it’s absolutely adequate for my needs although my goodness I miss the Fuji and the 35mm 1.4, that had some magic.

Where I am left wanting is my enjoyment of nature photos, specifically birds and some BIF, foxes, badgers etc

I have the RX10 IV which I picked up last year to make sure I still enjoyed taking photos and it is a good camera but I’m finding I need perfect weather to get the shots I like, the performance drops off a lot as ISO climbs and the AF isn’t all that, I find I end up tweaking a lot using DMF. I don’t have time for a lot of PP for noise reduction and sharpening etc.
I absolutely loath the menus.
The grip is small, I had to get a metal grip for the bottom.
I use BBF and I find the buttons a bit crappy.
I don’t like the zoom at all, it’s too electronic and unnatural and the EVF isn’t the best.
I do like the weight and portability but what’s the point if it’s not giving me the photos I want.
No question it’s a remarkable bit of kit though.

Of all the systems I’ve used, the Fuji images SOTC were my favourite and I was tempted by the X-T4 and 100-400 until I went down the rabbit hole of looking at all the recent developments in cameras, seems I’ve missed a lot in the last 6 or so years

Weight isn’t so much of a problem these days as the kids can lug a lot of their own kit.

No need for video at all

the circles I have been in over the last week or so….
X-T3 or X-T4 and 100-400 possibly with 1.4
Used A7iii / A9 and 200-600 (but those menus!)
Used Z6 with something?
Used R6 + something like the sigma 150-600c
OM E-M1 iii 100-400 but not sure I fancy M43 due to the same (ish) issues with the RX

Honestly, any thoughts or suggestions welcomed

 

[woof woof]

If it helps at all... I have MFT and also a 1" compact which I assume will give similar image/file quality to the also 1" sensor RX range if we ignore the quality of the lenses and IMO MFT does beat a 1" sensor for image quality. I'm not saying MFT is the answer, just that the issues may not be the same as with the RX.

 

[insertusernamehere]

If it helps at all... I have MFT and also a 1" compact which I assume will give similar image/file quality to the also 1" sensor RX range if we ignore the quality of the lenses and IMO MFT does beat a 1" sensor for image quality. I'm not saying MFT is the answer, just that the issues may not be the same as with the RX.

Thank you, that is helpful.

My only experience of MFT is the kids GF1s I got them

 

[Mike.P]

Used A7iii / A9 and 200-600 (but those menus!)

I use an a9 and 200-600mm (as well as Canon and Pentax) and tbh I don't find the menu system a problem at all. I went into the Sony system expecting them to be terrible but you get used to them like anything else. Great wildlife setup though but I find 24mp a bit limiting, you may be better off with a used A7rIV.

 

[insertusernamehere]

I use an a9 and 200-600mm (as well as Canon and Pentax) and tbh I don't find the menu system a problem at all. I went into the Sony system expecting them to be terrible but you get used to them like anything else. Great wildlife setup though but I find 24mp a bit limiting, you may be better off with a used A7rIV.

That’s a good point about the sensor size for wildlife to be fair, everything I’ve looked at seems to be around that

Regarding the menus I have the RX set up the way I like it but every time I want to change something it seems to take ages, I don’t remember canon / Nikon being this tricky but maybe it’s just my age catching up

 

[TimHughes]

I'm using canon for this sort of thing and would suggest looking at R6 with the RF 100-500 or adapted EF 100-400II, with 1.4x extender for reach.

 

[woof woof]

Thank you, that is helpful.

My only experience of MFT is the kids GF1s I got them

I had a GF1 and things have definitely moved on. As above, MFT may not be what you're looking for but things really have moved on since the early days.

 

[AgentOrange76]

I feel your pain

I have the Fuji 18-55mm and read a few reviews recently and was having issues with some of my images so thought about moving to the 16-55mm.
Its circa £1k twice as heavy. Will I get better images? Half the reviews I read is that the 16-55mm is lovely but not worth the extra weight/cost and lack of OIS. The other half say the 18-55mm is soft above 35mm - where i thought I was having issues.
SO what about the 16-80mm then. Reviews split over no better than the 18-55mm or better off with the 16-55mm. :banghead:

I have an XT3 and 100-400mm and find it hunts with a flying bird against the sky and what seems like ok light needs the ISO boosting or the Shutter speed dropped to far.