Done with DSLR. Sold 5d mk2....

[Cattykit]

I guess the time has come for me. I sold not only the camera but also all the lenses, flash, shutter release...etc.

I recall once telling somebody here that I carry 5d + 24-70mm L all the time when I go outside and I don't consider them heavy. Things have changed since then: I found DSLR setup to be heavy and damn annoying for my need.

I thought about getting NEX 5n or 7 but its lack of lenses and terrible JPEG processing stopped me from finalizing the deal. (Come on, Sony. I know people has made fun of you for showing much noise but it's better to show noise than smearing the hell out of pixels. At least, provide an option to turn that damn thing off.)

Since I want both picture and video quality, it's hard to find a right camera since it doesn't exist. Rumored Fuji mirrorless sounds sweet but I've got no expectation on it since Fuji is currently doing very poorly in video world.
I guess my only hope is Panasonic GH3 that should be due soon.

Oh well, is anyone here on the same boat as me?

 

[TanisHalfElven]

I don't know. No mirrorless will be portable. Just cuz of the size of the lenses is the true bulk.

I'd look at the FUJI XS-1 for slightly better IQ than a P&S but still giving you the focal range.

To be honest though, a rebel with a 50mm prime is pretty portable and gives you a lot better IQ tan any P&S.

 

[CptObvious]

I have a 5D and 4 primes and may sell them for the X-Pro 1, depending on the price and bug-free functionality. My wife's S95 gets far more use because she can carry it anywhere and not be too conspicuous, while my DSLR spends a lot of time at home.

 

[randomrogue]

Get a lighter DSLR with a 35 or 50 prime. A rebel or a D3100 for example. They weight almost nothing.

 

[angry hampster]

I don't mind carrying my 5D2+grip+24-70..You get used to it. Results take effort.

 

[Binky]

GX1?
http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Panasonic_Lumix_DMC_GX1/

 

[Cattykit]

Lighter DSLRs wouldn't cut it. Although they may weight less, they're still bulky. Since I decide to go small, I'm even finding GH2 to be rather bulky.

As for GX1, beside GH series, all the rest of Panny cameras don't offer the kind video quality I'm looking for so it's out. Same for Fuji X-pro one. As mentioned previously, Fuji X-pro looks damn sweet and I love the price of lenses (18mm f/2.0 for $500, 35mm f/1.4 for $500, 60mm Macro f/2.4 for $600 is hell of a deal.)

 

[randomrogue]

You're boxing yourself into a corner. A d3100 with a prime lens is like 1.5 lbs. Might want to consider working out if that's a chore. Your keys, phone, and wallet weight about half that.

 

[finbarqs]

Theres a serious camera, then there's a fun camera. Sometimes it can be both. My x100 sees a lot more play than my 5d mark 2. But when I'm on vacation for a landscape expedition, 5D or film. I just can't sacrificed quality.

 

[TanisHalfElven]

Lighter DSLRs wouldn't cut it. Although they may weight less, they're still bulky. Since I decide to go small, I'm even finding GH2 to be rather bulky.

As for GX1, beside GH series, all the rest of Panny cameras don't offer the kind video quality I'm looking for so it's out. Same for Fuji X-pro one. As mentioned previously, Fuji X-pro looks damn sweet and I love the price of lenses (18mm f/2.0 for $500, 35mm f/1.4 for $500, 60mm Macro f/2.4 for $600 is hell of a deal.)

but with those lenses, the X pro isn't really gonna be pocketable. Especially if you have to take 3 lenses.

Honestly i don't see the point of the X pro. It doesn't have a huge library of lenses, its costs 2 grand, and really its no more portable than a rebel.

 

[Kaido]

Oh well, is anyone here on the same boat as me?

Sort of. Before my baby came along, I was saving up for a RED Scarlet (funds tend to disappear with a kiddo around, hehehe). In the meantime, I picked up a Canon T2i and have been MORE than happy with it. Sure, I'd love a 5D MKII, but the T2i takes crop lenses, which is a lot of fun for my vintage lens hobby. I wanted to get more into the video side of things, which is where the RED came in (stills, videos, and you can pull amazing stills from the video footage).

Then the iPhone 4S came out.

Now I shoot pretty much everything on that. I am having an absolute BLAST with it. In fact, I've hardly touched my T2i and most of my planned 2012 projects are slated to be shot on my iPhone, of all things. I am just really, really pleased with it. I've thought about getting rid of my T2i, but it's just too darn handy (and I love it so, so much), but I shoot photos with my iPhone every single day. I shoot a lot of video with it. With so much stuff being on the web these days, my "good enough" camera (the iPhone) is turning out to be more than good enough. It's an interesting path we're headed down...

 

[Cattykit]

Sort of. Before my baby came along, I was saving up for a RED Scarlet (funds tend to disappear with a kiddo around, hehehe). In the meantime, I picked up a Canon T2i and have been MORE than happy with it. Sure, I'd love a 5D MKII, but the T2i takes crop lenses, which is a lot of fun for my vintage lens hobby. I wanted to get more into the video side of things, which is where the RED came in (stills, videos, and you can pull amazing stills from the video footage).

Then the iPhone 4S came out.

Now I shoot pretty much everything on that. I am having an absolute BLAST with it. In fact, I've hardly touched my T2i and most of my planned 2012 projects are slated to be shot on my iPhone, of all things. I am just really, really pleased with it. I've thought about getting rid of my T2i, but it's just too darn handy (and I love it so, so much), but I shoot photos with my iPhone every single day. I shoot a lot of video with it. With so much stuff being on the web these days, my "good enough" camera (the iPhone) is turning out to be more than good enough. It's an interesting path we're headed down...

That's one of the things I forget go into detail. I'm also very pleased with my cellphone camera (Galaxy Nexus) and I've been shooting with it ever since I got it. Shooting with that also made me realize one very important thing which became a crucial factor of dumping 5d mk2.

It is about how subjects react to the camera. DSLRs intimidates people in natural settings whereas much smaller cameras with a different form factor do not. When I was shooting events, that didn't matter as I was equipped with telephoto lenses while keeping distance. I was there but I wasn't with them. But when I'm in the event with people, it's a different matter. With GN, I noticed I get better pictures of people around me.
I recall a story about a girl who's got tons of pictures of childhood. Someone says how he can tell her dad loved and spent so much time with her considering the amount of pictures he's taken. The girl says her had wasn't really there with her since he was just busy dealing with the camera.

 

[blastingcap]

I guess the time has come for me. I sold not only the camera but also all the lenses, flash, shutter release...etc.

I recall once telling somebody here that I carry 5d + 24-70mm L all the time when I go outside and I don't consider them heavy. Things have changed since then: I found DSLR setup to be heavy and damn annoying for my need.

I thought about getting NEX 5n or 7 but its lack of lenses and terrible JPEG processing stopped me from finalizing the deal. (Come on, Sony. I know people has made fun of you for showing much noise but it's better to show noise than smearing the hell out of pixels. At least, provide an option to turn that damn thing off.)

Since I want both picture and video quality, it's hard to find a right camera since it doesn't exist. Rumored Fuji mirrorless sounds sweet but I've got no expectation on it since Fuji is currently doing very poorly in video world.
I guess my only hope is Panasonic GH3 that should be due soon.

Oh well, is anyone here on the same boat as me?

I was in a similar boat and decided to get a G3, but that was a personal decision.

I eventually settled on the Panasonic G3 because it has built in EVF and swivelscreen, good video, fast CDAF, small size/weight (the other smaller cameras often do not come with built in flash or EVFs or swivelscreens, so they don't interest me), and the sensor is a good balance between high-ISO performance and how big/heavy the lens will have to be to feed it. Also, Micro Four Thirds lens selection is also way ahead of every other mirrorless system. NEX and NX sensors looked tempting to me, but they just mean bigger and heavier lenses which defeats the purpose of downsizing to save weight; plus sensor technology keeps getting better and better so in several years, the best Micro Four Thirds sensors will be where the best APS-C sensors are today.

The only other system that makes any sense to me is Nikon 1 for its PDAF; I am very envious of that for fast action shots. PDAF leaves CDAF in the dust when it comes to tracking small moving objects, and the Nikon 1 sensor will also improve over time.

APS-C and full frame are already overkill for most people, including me. I am not a professional photographer and do not need to be able to print billboard-sized prints, or to lug around APS-C sized lenses. I also don't want to be "that creepy guy with the big lens pointed at my face" at social events. A Micro Four Thirds or smaller camera works better when you want to blend in.

 

[twistedlogic]

Theres a serious camera, then there's a fun camera. Sometimes it can be both....... I just can't sacrificed quality.

+1

I recall a story about a girl who's got tons of pictures of childhood. Someone says how he can tell her dad loved and spent so much time with her considering the amount of pictures he's taken. The girl says her had wasn't really there with her since he was just busy dealing with the camera.

So how does a smaller camera change this?

 

[JohnnyRebel]

It is about how subjects react to the camera. DSLRs intimidates people in natural settings whereas much smaller cameras with a different form factor do not. When I was shooting events, that didn't matter as I was equipped with telephoto lenses while keeping distance. I was there but I wasn't with them. But when I'm in the event with people, it's a different matter. With GN, I noticed I get better pictures of people around me.
I recall a story about a girl who's got tons of pictures of childhood. Someone says how he can tell her dad loved and spent so much time with her considering the amount of pictures he's taken. The girl says her had wasn't really there with her since he was just busy dealing with the camera.

Yes, it seems people have gotten used to the ubiquitous pocket sized P&S. I am amazed at how easy it is to carry my S95 in the PSC-900 case everywhere I go, and am nearly invisible as I take shots.

JR

 

[Throckmorton]

I see a lot of people on vacation lugging around SLRs. Are they really on vacation or are they on photography trips? It seems ridiculous to carry a huge camera and a bunch of lenses when you're supposedly trying to have fun doing other things.

 

[Kaido]

So how does a smaller camera change this?

Well obviously, pulling out the big guns & fiddling with the settings to get the shot perfect, vs. whipping out the phone from your pocket and snapping a quick picture.

We have this issue with our baby. He'll be doing something cute and we'll grab the dSLR, turn it on, set it up, take the pic-, oh, he's not doing it anymore. Instead we just use the cell phone. 8 megapixels, send to grandma or facebook, done! :biggrin:

 

[Elganja]

I see a lot of people on vacation lugging around SLRs. Are they really on vacation or are they on photography trips? It seems ridiculous to carry a huge camera and a bunch of lenses when you're supposedly trying to have fun doing other things.

I know for me I have fun taking pictures while on vacation, it's a hobby I enjoy a lot

 

[mchammer187]

I see a lot of people on vacation lugging around SLRs. Are they really on vacation or are they on photography trips? It seems ridiculous to carry a huge camera and a bunch of lenses when you're supposedly trying to have fun doing other things.

What if taking pictures is your idea of fun?

 

[mchammer187]

I guess the time has come for me. I sold not only the camera but also all the lenses, flash, shutter release...etc.

I recall once telling somebody here that I carry 5d + 24-70mm L all the time when I go outside and I don't consider them heavy. Things have changed since then: I found DSLR setup to be heavy and damn annoying for my need.

I thought about getting NEX 5n or 7 but its lack of lenses and terrible JPEG processing stopped me from finalizing the deal. (Come on, Sony. I know people has made fun of you for showing much noise but it's better to show noise than smearing the hell out of pixels. At least, provide an option to turn that damn thing off.)

Since I want both picture and video quality, it's hard to find a right camera since it doesn't exist. Rumored Fuji mirrorless sounds sweet but I've got no expectation on it since Fuji is currently doing very poorly in video world.
I guess my only hope is Panasonic GH3 that should be due soon.

Oh well, is anyone here on the same boat as me?

Fuji X100?

Leica M9

the fact you want good video makes it pretty tough

 

[tdawg]

I know for me I have fun taking pictures while on vacation, it's a hobby I enjoy a lot

Ditto!

 

[twistedlogic]

What if taking pictures is your idea of fun?

Yeah I regret not having any photos from all the places I've been in the world.

 

[AkumaX]

I knew a guy who sold his 5DM2/70-200 2.8 IS II/24-70 2.8 all for a NEX-7

 

[TanisHalfElven]

Well obviously, pulling out the big guns & fiddling with the settings to get the shot perfect, vs. whipping out the phone from your pocket and snapping a quick picture.

We have this issue with our baby. He'll be doing something cute and we'll grab the dSLR, turn it on, set it up, take the pic-, oh, he's not doing it anymore. Instead we just use the cell phone. 8 megapixels, send to grandma or facebook, done! :biggrin:

Isn't the point of DSLR that its faster too.
Just turn it on, set to auto, and go.
It'll be faster, and take a lot better photo.

 

[Kaido]

Isn't the point of DSLR that its faster too.
Just turn it on, set to auto, and go.
It'll be faster, and take a lot better photo.

What happens when your dSLR is in the other room, your baby is doing something cute, and your cell phone is in your pocket? That's the point. Or you're trying to hold the baby in one hand and the dSLR & flash in the other? Hehehe. Trust me, it gets complicated fast :biggrin: