Which camera has the best kit lens? (Page 3): There is a good chance that your equipment is NOT your problem. Panasonic and Olympus make great cameras. I prefer these cameras for long...

fetzler Loc: North West PA

Delderby wrote:

MFT has been my thing since the Panasonic G1 was launched. However, I feel my photography is in the doldrums, and thought I'd try a larger sensor, but in a small and light MILC. All suggestions gratefully received. Thanks, Del.

There is a good chance that your equipment is NOT your problem. Panasonic and Olympus make great cameras. I prefer these cameras for long lens work (these lenses are rather inexpensive and lightweight) and macro/close-up photography as one can fill the frame at lower magnification which, in turn, brings a number of desirable optical effects. Olympus cameras have great IBIS too.

Remember the photographer makes the photograph. Camera choice should based on what you will photograph.
View Cameras can be great for Landscapes but a useless for sports action and macro photography of small objects. If you like portraits with shallow depth of field a FF or Medium Format camera might be the right choice.

Your MFT equipment however is quite capable. My Olympus cameras have MORE capabilities that my Nikon cameras. For inspiration see.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qg-boKBVb0c

ARW

I second if you are going with the Nikon mirrorless system the z 24-70 f/4 lens is great.
It's light, sharp with great colors. You can find mint used at fredmiranda.com
"buy and sell" forum regularly for around $400. People have been getting the new 24-120
and selling the 24-70. You won't go wrong with it.

Toment Loc: FL, IL

Delderby wrote:

MFT has been my thing since the Panasonic G1 was launched. However, I feel my photography is in the doldrums, and thought I'd try a larger sensor, but in a small and light MILC. All suggestions gratefully received. Thanks, Del.

Try a used Sony with a used lens:
https://www.mpb.com/en-us/used-equipment/used-photo-and-video/used-lenses/used-sony-lenses/sony-carl-zeiss-vario-tessar-t-fe-24-70mm-f-4-za-oss/

Have fun!

magpix Loc: St. Michaels, MD

TriX wrote:

Another vote for a Fuji body with their excellent 18-55, although if your budget allows it, I’d consider the X-T4 specifically to get the IBIS. I believe the X-T4 is often sold with the very sharp and versatile 16-80, which would be my first choice. You’ll find that the Fuji is unite small and light, but the APS-C sensor delivers very useful low light/high ISO performance to at least ISO 6400.

One more vote for the Fuji XT-3 with the 18-55mm. I shot with that combo for years, winning a number of fine art awards for my prints....two of which were printed on aluminum at 60" x 40". An amazing little lens. I have now switched to the 16-80mm which is also an excellent "kit" lens...but I sometimes miss the 18-55mm which was smaller and lighter.

Delderby Loc: Derby UK

magpix wrote:

One more vote for the Fuji XT-3 with the 18-55mm. I shot with that combo for years, winning a number of fine art awards for my prints....two of which were printed on aluminum at 60" x 40". An amazing little lens. I have now switched to the 16-80mm which is also an excellent "kit" lens...but I sometimes miss the 18-55mm which was smaller and lighter.

Thanks to all who have recommended the Fuji 18-55 - all accounts confirm it to be a great lens. However, at the price, which is possibly double that of most kit lenses, surely it should be? But it certainly reads to be excellent.

Abo

I can't say it's the best as I've not sampled all "kit" lenses
but the 15-45 OIS that came with my X-Trans APSC sensored Fujifilm X-E3
kicks the proverbial butt.

A random sample of the work of that camera and its kit lens:

(Download)

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Delderby wrote:

Thanks to all who have recommended the Fuji 18-55 - all accounts confirm it to be a great lens. However, at the price, which is possibly double that of most kit lenses, surely it should be? But it certainly reads to be excellent.

If bought with the X-T4 as a kit, the 18-55 adds $400 over the body only, and the 16-80 adds $500 (B&H prices).

xt2 Loc: British Columbia, Canada

wdross wrote:

"Doldrums" usually is not an equipment problem. Look at some of the subjects being shot that catch your interest other than here on UHH and try shooting them yourself. Or even take a class from your local school, college, or camera store. Or sign up for a photo tour in the back of one of the photo magazines. Lots of ways to get out of the "doldrums ".

👍

Delderby Loc: Derby UK

Bundled with an XT it has to represent fantastic value. I am now deliberating and browsing.

xt2 Loc: British Columbia, Canada

Delderby wrote:

MFT has been my thing since the Panasonic G1 was launched. However, I feel my photography is in the doldrums, and thought I'd try a larger sensor, but in a small and light MILC. All suggestions gratefully received. Thanks, Del.

I really doubt that a new lens will revive your passion. More likely renewed interest will thrive with a class or two, even online, or grab a photography book for a good afternoon’s read and see this ignites a spark. Sometimes simply taking your equipment with you on a daily basis provides a whole new world of interest. If not, you have saved some $$$ for your “new” hobby or at worst, have some $$$ to buy some hardware when your passion finally re-ignites. I wish you well…Cheers!

speedmaster Loc: Kendall, FL

If you are looking for a budget equipment/lens the Nikon 50-250mm that comes with the Z50 kit is unbeatable. I'm really impressed for the price. It is not a "top" lens but quite close and the price is unbelievable.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

Delderby wrote:

Thanks NickGee, R.G., wdross, radiojohn, craggycro... (show quote)

4/3rds is the best format for architecture photography. The "extra" depth of field that 4/3rds provides over APS-C, full frame, and medium format for the same exposure settings makes 4/3rds the premier format for architecture. Another format would be more difficult to get similar shots.

And 4/3rds Olympus/OMDS is the also one of the best for landscape. There are very few cameras that can produce 50mp and 80mp images like the Olympus/OMDS cameras can. Yes, there are some shooting requirements but it will produce the 50mp/80mp images.

Again, challenging yourself with other types of images, classes, and tours will be the best ways out of the "doldrums". New equipment is not necessarily going to help unless it is a desired lens for your 4/3rds system.

Fredrick Loc: Former NYC, now San Francisco Bay Area

Delderby wrote:

MFT has been my thing since the Panasonic G1 was launched. However, I feel my photography is in the doldrums, and thought I'd try a larger sensor, but in a small and light MILC. All suggestions gratefully received. Thanks, Del.

Fuji X-T3 MILC with the 18mm - 55mm kit lens. It’s an APS-C crop sensor. Len’s is 27mm - 77mm full frame equivalent. Outstanding camera and lens! I’ve done 30X45 canvas prints from that lens, which was tack sharp.

B&H has this camera/lens kit on sale for $1,299 USD.

Delderby Loc: Derby UK

Thanks also to Flash Falaska, David M, billnikon, jerryc41, fetzler, ARW, abo, xt2, Toment, magpix, fredrick, speedmaster.
I am so grateful for the interest from everyone in lifting me from the doldrums. In considering all the replies and browsing the suggestions I already feel my interest is rekindling. I have concluded that no one solution exists, and perhaps I should accept that I am not in the doldrums, but just in need of a holiday period. I am greatly encouraged. thanks again to all.

joecichjr Loc: Chicago S. Suburbs, Illinois, USA

Abo wrote:

I can't say it's the best as I've not sampled all "kit" lenses
but the 15-45 OIS that came with my X-Trans APSC sensored Fujifilm X-E3
kicks the proverbial butt.

A random sample of the work of that camera and its kit lens:

🆒🆒🆒🆒🆒 B&W