Dan De Lion Loc: Montana

Hi Psdunner

I find the larger and heavier the camera system, the less likely I am to have it with me. This is particularly true when I'm flying, but also if I'm just walking about for a few hours.

Let me suggest a trade-off scheme: of the following three items, you can have any two but, not the third.

High ISO (above 1600)
Large Prints (13x19 or >)
Portability (size and weight of system)

So, if you want high ISO and portability you'll sacrifice large prints. Likewise if you want large prints and portability you'll sacrifice high ISO. And if you want high ISO and large prints, you'll end up with a large heavy camera and lens.

To the degree the above is true your requirement of large prints and portability will limit you to cameras that have lower IQ (hence smaller prints) at ISO's above 1250 or 1600.

Now let's consider portability and flexibility. It's nice to have a small body but, it is lenses that make a system camera bulky. Because of the ISO constraint (above), you'll want a few relatively fast lenses. In 35mm FF equivalents you'll want three zooms that cover say 15mm to 300mm. Additionally, you want a super fast lens around 35 to 50mm, a macro lens of about 100mm, perhaps a telephoto lens around 500mm, and if your like me a fisheye lens. None of these lens can be cheap or small given your ISO limitation and large print sizes you want.

The more flexible your system, the less portable.


Let's change the paradigm. Keep your D7100 and lenses. That gives you flexibility. - For when you want to go light, buy a small, light, non-interchangeable lens camera with a 24-200 f2.8 lens, good macro capabilities, and the ability to turn out 20x24 pro quality prints at ISO's of 1600 or less.

In the last couple of years I've gone through the above thought process. For me, the Sony RX10 fits the bill. It's Zeiss lens produces large, pro quality prints from f2.8 to F11 and 24mm to 200mm with a constant f2.8 aperture. On the downside: some people will assume you're a rank amateur, no interchangeable lenses, no ISO 12800 shooting. On the plus side: a light camera, a small camera, EVF, fantastic lens, “U” settings, a camera designed for advanced photographers.

GDRoth Loc: Southeast Michigan USA

I guess there are some people who need to own 20 or 30 lenses. Somehow I get by with 5 or 6......

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

Personally, I like options...I only use one at a time...the right one for the job.

Yes, I'm a lens slut...I admit that.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

scratch that earlier post...7 of those lenses haven't been released...

Giugly01 Loc: Woodstock, NY

GREAT post! Sigh... so many others are so... egotistical.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

One can only hope you're referring to me. :roll:

craggycrossers Loc: Robin Hood Country, UK

You don't need to "shame" me, dear fellow ! Olympus and Panasonic were into mirrorless much earlier than Fuji and have, let's call it, a "head start". Some micro 4/3 lenses on your chart don't fare too well in terms of quality in the grand scheme of things. You've probably tried a few and got rid of them in your own time with micro 4/3. You've been selling some micro 4/3 stuff fairly recently. Does it matter to the OP if they're "not released" or not? Neither you or I know at this moment just what his own particular lens requirements might be. Competition is good for all businesses. Fuji is an excellent player in the market that the OP is interested in. He needs to be made aware that there is not only one player in the game. I'm certain that he can do his own research depending on his own needs.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

Did I anywhere, say not to use your Fuji system? Heck, if the XT1 had been released before my BELOVED olympus (your words) I would have looked at them. At the time the AF system on the Fuji was a dog, compared to what the em1/5 is. Several people on other forums who owned fuji, agreed. I tested a fuji (cant remember which one) across the street from where I work...I concluded the same.

I do believe in another thread I said to take a look at the XT1, A7, A6000 along side of the EM1.

As to my lenses...I've been selling my 4/3 lenses so that I can have compatible lenses with both my m4/3 bodies. I used to own an E-5, which I sold to fund the Em1. The regular 4/3 lenses do not work on my EPM2. I've not sold any m4/3 lenses. You should only hope that those fuji lenses are as good as the 50-200, 12-60, 8mm and 50mm macro.

Giugly01 Loc: Woodstock, NY

:thumbup:

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

and about the only m4/3 lenses I woudn't own are the kit level ones...but it's not to say that they are bad...they just don't suit my shooting style.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

Um where does the OP say that he is interested in Fuji?
Did I miss something? Subject on this thread is about m4/3 vs SLR?

GDRoth Loc: Southeast Michigan USA

I brought up the idea of APS-C mirrorless because the OP seemed unaware of that niche..........

I had a GF1 4/3 before discovering the Fuji X system, and believe the APS-C is a much better solution.

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

The best camera is the one you have with you and if it's too heavy it won't be with you. I had to lessen the load for health reasons 2 yrs ago and got an Olympus EM5. Once I used that fine little camera, there was no turning back. I now have the Oly EM1 too but kept the EM5 as backup and for situations where extremely light weight is the highest priority. The Oly lenses are small and their primes are tiny, so I have 2 cameras and a full range of lenses in a bag smaller than my purse. Can't address other mirror less systems, but all systems have their strengths and shortcomings. I just know I'm satisfied with my own move.

I make prints up to 13x19 (epson r3000) at home, and slightly larger in lab with good results. I don't have a need to print bigger so haven't tried it. I think we forget that large prints were made from cameras with 5-10 megapixel sensors only a few years ago, though sometimes with software help.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

yes the X system is a better solution over the GF1...but not the OMD series.

Giugly01 Loc: Woodstock, NY

LOL! Like usual, where is the OP!? The rest of us have piled on with our opinions way beyond the original post!