My old mirror-less camera.

[vash]

If you asked me, I wouldn’t be able to tell you what model camera I have without looking at it.

It’s a Fujifilm X-E2s. It’s been a blast. Travel camera, food camera, hunting camera. I’ve sadly used it very seldomly to film cool stuff in my life. That probably because cool/fun film-able things in my life are not common. When I’m ready, the elk will have other thoughts, or the lady closes her curtains.

I only have one lens. It’s an 18-55. I have always wanted to buy a fixed wide angle for it, but I haven’t felt super compelled. My boring lens has been fine.

I have not kept up with camera tech. Has it blown up? My retirement gift to myself will be a digital Leica. Until then, who knows?

This thing might be 5 years old. Good battery life, easy controls. WiFi connection to my iPad is seamless. Photos transfer quickly and I can remote trigger the camera. Videos are a slow transfer, better to pull the card.

It’s been a good purchase.

[RWebb]

I looked it up and it's a pretty nice camera for that sensor size.

camera tech has advanced in several ways, but hasn't really blown up for most picture taking situations

the rah-rah camera from Fuji now if=s the XT2 (or is it XT3 now?) - you would gain some things but lose some too (like the built in flash)

I switched (mostly) from Nikon to the Panasonic m43 system and use the Panasonic made Leica lenses mostly.

[Scott Douglas]

Originally Posted by vash

My retirement gift to myself will be a digital Leica.

Really?
Mind if I ask why?

[rusnak]

You definitely have a fantastic camera, but you know that already. I would recommend expanding your lens collection. Talk to a good camera store, preferably one that sells used cameras also. There is a really great store here. Guy named Ryan Watamura helped me a lot, and that is the key to enjoying your camera system.

Leica cameras and lenses are like stepping into a rabbit hole if there ever was one. These systems encite passion. They are like electronic mechanical masterpieces of mind crack. Addictive is not the word. I have an SL2 and it is beyond stunning. It is magical. I have a Vario Elmarit 24-90 that I pretty much shoot in manual mode all the time. Soon as the store reopens I'm off to buy a Summicron SL 35.

[rusnak]

Originally Posted by RWebb

I looked it up and it's a pretty nice camera for that sensor size.

camera tech has advanced in several ways, but hasn't really blown up for most picture taking situations

the rah-rah camera from Fuji now if=s the XT2 (or is it XT3 now?) - you would gain some things but lose some too (like the built in flash)

I switched (mostly) from Nikon to the Panasonic m43 system and use the Panasonic made Leica lenses mostly.

Lumix is God's way of being compassionate to us mortals. You might check out a Lumix S1H.
https://www.panasonicff.com/panasonic-lumix-s1h-prores-raw-video-capture-delayed-but-firmware-v2-0-still-to-be-released-on-may-25th/

[gchappel]

Yes camera tech has advanced dramatically in the last few years. But is the new technology vital to your photography? It really depends on what you are going to do with your images. If they are going on your facebook page or instagram, you will probably see no real difference with a new camera. If you are printing large in a gallery, there is a difference.
If you are trying to shoot birds in flight, the newer cameras often focus faster. Shooting landscape and food, you will likely not notice a difference.
Now a new lens could change what and how you shoot. Try a short telephoto zoom, up to 200mm or so. Me, I am usually shooting at 400-600mm- but for specific uses.
I have shot leica, and I really like the little red dot. But to be honest I did not see what all the hoopla was about. Presently I shoot nikon and sony. Both great systems, but it would be hard to find an actually bad camera system out there.
Gary

[Won]

Originally Posted by rusnak

Hey, that's my elementary school buddy from Korea. We met up in Oxford last year for the first time in 19 years. He makes good videos!

Cliff, people do harp on about fast prime lenses, but I agree that it makes shooting more fun by making your life simple. Maybe into something in the 35 to 50mm range like the good old days?

One day I would like to own a Leica. I guess those who don't, wouldn't know what they're missing. I do have a Lumix LX5 which they rebadged as a Leica though. Love that camera.

My two latest camera purchases. Unfortunately both arrived just in time for the pandemic, so I haven't really used them much other than for indoor dog pictures and out in the woods for walks.

First up, the M5 - apparently the first "serious" mirrorless effort from Canon. Was too expensive so not as common as the "replacement" M50 which is super popular. By the time I got mine slightly used, it was cheaper than the M50 and I like having all the dials. The native EF-M lens choices are limited but I've got the 11-22 and 22/2.0 in addition to the kit 18-55, and can't say I need anything else. Maybe a good zoom, but I don't tend to do things that require it. Will eventually get the 32/1.4 too, but for now I'm happy with a 35/2.0 EF lens with an adapter for an effective 50mm FL. It has more functions than I'll ever use, high ISO works well, the touchscreen is nice, and I like the size. Can't wait to take it travelling.

A few weeks into the lockdown, working from home = often bored and some extra cash from not commuting, I was browsing ebay and found a 5D original/classic/Mk1. I put in a very low bid thinking it will surely end higher, and you can guess what happened... I'm a sucker for things that are quirky and special, like aircooled 911s, and if you believe the hype, this is evidently a very special camera. I already had the aforementioned 35/2.0 and complimented it with the ubiquitous Nifty Fifty f/1.8. I have no desire to build up a collection of EF lenses, although the idea of M42 to EF adapter and playing with all the vintage manual lenses sound very appealing (and mostly affordable). I can't really comment on whether the full frame sensor actually produces something special, but I do love the racket the big mirror and shutter make. It's just so satisfyingly mechanical. Not sure if I'd take it travelling though. As you can see, the size difference is bordering on comical and it will fill up most of my carry-on.

One thing that annoys me slightly is, now that I'm "serious" about photography, I shoot raw and spend extra time editing it on the computer. It's like cycling. We used to just jump on our old bikes in normal clothes and ride. Now we have to put a full kit on, get the bikes ready, start the computer, etc... We miss the joy of simplicity. Worst part is it's all self inflicted!

[rusnak]

^ Yes, I totally "got" his explanation better than anyone else's.

The reason we go through the pain of using pro level cameras is that it is still less painful than messing up a great shot.

[jcwade]

I have used Fujifilm for the last couple of years, getting rid of my Canon equipment to finance my addiction.
If you are looking for a wide angle prime, the Fujinon 16mm 1.4 is a great lens but probably a little too large/heavy for the xe2s body.
Almost as good is the 14mm 2.8 it is much smaller and would balance better.
Both have fantastic glass.

[RWebb]

maybe it's time for a Leicaness thread diversion?

Leica cameras were renowned in the 35mm film world for their precision, ruggedness, and ergonomics/feel. With digital, a lot of that difference has been lost, arguably Nikon killed a lot of it during the days of film anyway.

Leica lenses were special in terms of their rendering and it is hard to describe, much less measure. I think that is still true to a lesser extent today. The Panasonic-Leica lenses on m43 bodies still do something special esp. for landscape shots with clouds in the sky.

Now, if you want something special in the digital era, there is still time to buy a Hasselblad X1D II - but hurry as the Japanese firms are taking aim at medium format digital.

[Scott Douglas]

This is as close to a Leica digital as I'm ever going to get. It does a pretty fair imitation IMO. Some might even say it exceeds it in many ways.

[LEAKYSEALS951]

I'm a sucker for autofocus improvements. My 5Diii is now getting older. I'm wondering what's out there.

In this (now old video), the presenter shows the difference between the Canon 5D ii and the 5Diii. I had the ii, and bought the iii on the autofocus improvement alone. They are like two different cameras.

I fast forwarded the video to the autofocus segment. If I had to choose a camera based on ONE feature, this would be it. With these two camera's and moving targets, it's the difference between getting the shot dependably vs. occasionally getting lucky. I'm wondering how things have changed so I can lust after the latest and greatest.

https://youtu.be/D3Ums46kKsE?t=115

[Scott Douglas]

Leaky - I understand the Sony Eye AF is amazing, but I haven't gotten to try it out with my camera since our grandkids aren't allowed to visit during the lock down.

[LEAKYSEALS951]

I think a patient of mine (a professional photographer) was given a sony like that, and shortly there after, he sold all his canon stuff and never looked back.

I'm looking at that right now. Interesting how that goes for the eye. I usually hit single point focusing and go straight for the eye manually with the point. Amazing how it does that automatically.

[RWebb]

Hmmm... well, the Fujiphiles claim their bodies are the closest to a Leica...

[Scott Douglas]

Originally Posted by RWebb

Hmmm... well, the Fujiphiles claim their bodies are the closest to a Leica...

You'll get no argument from me about that, I'm just happy that all my old manual focus lenses can be used on my Sony's. With the A7iii, the high ISO is as clean as I could hope for without a lot of work in post so I'm good to go.

[RWebb]

Sony seems to be the most advanced FF and APS-C camera.

I kept a Nikon APS-C (DX) body, my F3, some lenses, and Hassy film camera when I moved to M43.

Whatever you have, there will be something better in a few years... but maybe not more interesting or enjoyable (I kept some fast 50 year old Nikkor "bokeh master" lenses).

[Won]

Nice day for soaring. We live next door to an airfield. Not bad for a £40 lens with a bit of fungus from 1988! Adapted to the mirrorless one. The compression done by forum software horrible (excuses).

[Gus Berges]

10 years ago I was into photography a lot more than these days, but still truly enjoy it. I do have a Canon 1D Mark iV and quite a few L lenses (plus the 50 1.8), and I can honestly tell you that the vast improvements in digital photography in cell phones are amazing. I'm all for non edited images and 99% of the images these days are edited, hence the need for something like what I have, or a Leica, is harder to justify. Did a 2 week trip in Europe earlier this year and gotta admit, walking around with a 1D and 2 lenses all day long got tiring after a while. Rest of the family with top end phones and got images that are "good enough" for 90% of the time and no hassle.

[Scott Douglas]

I hear you Gus. I try to get the best image I can straight out of the camera. Luckily I have a lens now that allows me to carry just it and the camera to get 99% of what I want. I'll leave my phone at home thank you. It usually causes my pants to fall down anyways.