New camera recommendations - great sensor, fast prime lens - old fashioned simplicity

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Oldhooky

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Morning all

Having read many of the threads here I'm interested in buying something smaller than my DSLR and more advanced than my compacts, that will focus primarily on the sensor and the optics of a prime lens, rather than superzoom, wifi and all the bells and whistles that many come with. EVF/OVF would be nice although not essential, and the focal length I'm probably looking at is around 20mm.

I'd be using it for shooting in most situations, from family to scenery as I intend to always have it on me.

Low light capability is a must.

Silent shutter would be ideal.

The Fuji X100S and Ricoh GR seem good candidates - what else would folks here recommend?

Budget up to £400, so probably looking at used.

Thanks in advance
 
Thanks. Not a bad recommendation although f2.8 is at the upper level of what I'd like. Picky, I know
 
Panasonic GX7 with 20mm f1.7 will sallow silent shooting and there may be a Fuji or two but the budget is a little tight.
 
I'd go for the X100S unless you want a smaller body. then I'd go for the Ricoh.
 
Canon G7X? Not quite 20mm at the wide end, but a fast lens and decent sensor size. Zoom is moderate so you won't suffer the superzoom compromises.
 
X100S seems to tick all the boxes. Just make sure the diopter is compatible with your eye, it has a very limited window of adjustment and it's the only camera I've ever tried that had no appropriate setting for my eye.
 
Thanks for the suggestions. The more I read and reflect the more I want to avoid a camera with a zoom lens. One with a prime lens really appeals, not only for the optics but also the composition challenges and results it will present and offer. That obviously excludes some which are not system cameras, but I hope it helps with suggestions. Certainly the X100S or X-E1 appeal, as does the GX7 plus 20mm
 
Fuji X-Pro1 from the fuji refurbished store, then either use an adapted lens you already have for now or add another £100 and get a refurbished 35mm f1.4
 
I have a lovely little X-E1 and it has the equally lovely and little 18mm f2 on the front of it. Nice combination imo. Could be a little too wide for you though? There is also the 27mm f2.8 lens which is even smaller!
 
As the X-Pro1 and X-E2 are the same price refurbished, is there a clear winner between the two? All the cameras on this short list will do a sterling job, and all are slightly different, but is there on which stands out more than the others?

By pure coincidence I bumped into a neighbour at the village fete yesterday who has the X100S and had a quick play with it. Lovely feel to it and I can see the value of the viewfinders, although I did manage to grab some respectable shots with the C-Lux 2.

A quick recap of that list:

Ricoh GR
X100S
X-E1
X-E2
X-Pro 1

Possibly the GX7

Thanks everyone
 
The X-E2 is smaller and has the newer sensor with the phase detection pixels. Quicker AF too. Also has Wi-Fi if that's required.

The problem is getting an X-E2 in the refurb store. They sell immediately when they're listed. Don't forget the PAYPAL12 code for an extra 10% off. (y)
 
ive had an x100 and the x-pro and played with an x-e1, be aware that the x100 seems the best built. if you don't mind the fixed lens that's the route id advise. if not I think I would get an xe2. the proper viewfinder is cool but you get used to an evf quickly
 
X100s without a doubt,still can't get over how good it is for the money and size.
 
It really depends on what you want from the camera, build wise the X-Pro1 is the best of the bunch as its all metal as opposed to the X100 series & XE series that only have metal top and bottom plates, the rest is plastic.
If faster AF and wireless transfer of images to an iPhone or iPad is important and you don't mind loosing the optical view finder then the XE-2 is probably better for you, but personally I still think the mk1 sensor fitted to the X-Pro1/XE-1 is better, especially for skin tones, on the mk 2 sensor fitted to the XE-2/XT-1 you really need to knock the noise reduction down to -2 to try and avoid the "plastic" skin issue.
If you prefer to shoot jpg then the X-Pro1 produces better jpgs straight out of the camera but if working with raw files it doesn't matter, both are equal.

I own both the X-Pro1 & the XT-1, the XT-1 is for a wireless shooting project, but the camera I pick up nearly every day and shoot just for the joy of using it is the X-Pro1, so I guess I'm a little biased, having said that I've never found the AF speed on it an issue myself and even shot birds in flight with it.. I do love that camera though.
 
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With the budget you have a new Ricoh GR would be great :).
It has a great all round experience of simplicity and full auto if you want it.
At the moment I can't stop using the snap focus option itch the cross process film sim.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/63567230@N08

Having said that I've also had a x100s and a x-pro1 35mm in the past. I do from time to time miss them, and at some point will no doubt have a x-pro2 or x100 whatever but for now the GR is very satisfying.
You won't go wrong with a refurb x100s off the Fuji site with a 10% discount off (code paypal12) if it still works and in stock :).

My plan is to play with my GR into next summer and see where I go from there.

You won't go wrong with either.
 
Thanks everyone. Seems I can't go wrong with any of these choices. Pity it can only be one! I may have to toss a coin to decide as there really is so little to separate any of them.
 
If possible go and play with all of them in a shop. Its one thing having the best sensor/evf etc. But if the grip or ergonomics do not suit you then it's no good! Ive a few cameras and lenses over the times, which on paper may of been best in class, but in reality didn't suit the requirements I didn't yet know I had!
 
Good advice, but these days there are no camera shops in town, so it would mean braving the lights of the big city
 
Oldhooky said:
Thanks everyone. Seems I can't go wrong with any of these choices. Pity it can only be one! I may have to toss a coin to decide as there really is so little to separate any of them.
Click to expand...

I suppose pretty much all cameras are good enough these days but can't you separate them on lenses and accessories and features?

A couple of things I like about my GX7 are the auto ISO but I wish it was available in manual mode, the silent shutter and that the metering point moves with the focus point in spot focus. I think that's a great feature and I wish my A7 did the same.

Features that I'd love include auto ISO in all modes and constant preview in all modes.
 
Ricoh have just released an upgrade to the GR. Truth is, there's not a lot to differentiate them. Asides from price. Get the older GR (they're as cheap as chips) and an optical viewfinder. It's liberating. And quite an awesome camera.
 
Thank you everyone for your advice. I have gone for a GR, and will probably also try to fund the DP1M. Whether I'll keep both is unclear, but I'm certainly going to have some fun deciding!

Off to see a play in the local woods tomorrow - any general advice with using the GR, and the DP1M should that arrive in time?
 
Oldhooky said:
Thank you everyone for your advice. I have gone for a GR, and will probably also try to fund the DP1M. Whether I'll keep both is unclear, but I'm certainly going to have some fun deciding!

Off to see a play in the local woods tomorrow - any general advice with using the GR, and the DP1M should that arrive in time?
Click to expand...

You've made a wise choice (IMO). The GR is very customisable. You can pretty much configure the function of every button and adjust the on screen menus to suit your particular preferences. Shoot RAW+JPEG if you're interested in pixel peeping whilst chimping. The snap focus and shutter/aperture priority modes are extremely handy (if you're taking candids of people). The only other thing is... have fun.
 
Don't get the X100S!!! Get the X100T, it's a little bit more but better in almost every way. I have the X100S and after playing with the X100T it's like they finally nailed it. The S gives some amazing shots, but the T is just altogether better put together. For one thing they've got rid of that stupid twirly wheel on the back, the EVF is better, and generally it doesn't get in the way.

Alternatively (although the shutter isn't silent) I just picked up a NEW (!!!) X-Pro1 + 2 lenses + leather case for £650. Felt like I was robbing the retailer...

EDIT : Oh, you went for the GR.. I've got one.. personally prefer the X100S.. high ISO is better & it has a viewfinder! The GR is nice for B&W but gives off some really weird colours..
 
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I'm in the same boat, have broken my DSLR and have decided I need something cheaper/lighter until kids grow up a bit and stop breaking mirrors on DSLRs, I've one additional requirement - needs decent video, how good/bad are the Fuji's? Other option might be a Sony a6000 with a couple of Sigma primes.
 
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