Camera Labs

I am a bit surprised to see you sold the 5D II with all that investment in glass. I would have thought, the way even a 5D Mark I is keeping value, that the timing of sale of is less of an issue. Due to the high price of the new 5D III, I am thinking that a bit of extra cash, that you may or may not get, is minor compared to not having a body to use all those lenses with. Especially if you now buy a G1 X.
Even if Canon produce a CSC that a ff body would be useful to have around. There is a particular value in a ff and it would fill the role where the CSC falls short, ie dof and low light and focus ability, as you explained in your link to the other post.

When I read your posts, part of me was thinking that selling a couple of your lenses may have been a better option, you did make reference of not needing the dof required but wide angle would be useful.

Is it possible and dare I say it, it seems to me you are having a total philosophical shift and you are sick of carrying the big thing around and you are using physics and logic to justify it, when its contradicting you to some extent. I guess I am looking at it from the other side, I am down under after all.


PS: It seems logical to me that Canon will build a CSC around the sized sensor in the G1 X ( beats Nikon and more or less matches 3/4), therefore 24-105 F4 on a ff will not really be matched by a CSC, since even a 2.8 on a crop sensor cannot match it, as per your above link.

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Canon Powershot S95, Canon 7D, 15-85, Canon 85 1.8 USM, Sigma 30 1.4, 50mm 1.8, Canon 100 2.8L IS Macro, Canon 70-300L IS USM+Kenko 1.4 Pro 300DGX, Canon 430EX II and RS 4 Classic

Hi maxjj,

You've sussed me!

If, as seems likely, I end up with a cropped sensor again I'll get a chance to see how IQ has improved since I sold my 40D. The X-Pro1 is getting some great initial reactions but it's not that small. Neither is a Leica M but those are just two of a number of possibilities.

I think glass will be at least as important as body. Physically compact for everyday use but with fast options available should I want them. Manual focus isn't a problem for the compact options but an AF zoom for some occasions would also be good. Yes, I want it all.

Definitely a philosophical shift but it's a personal exploration as well.

Bob.

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OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.

I am guilty of going around in circles. I can talk myself into and out of many things.


Ultimately though ff cameras are hard to beat on many levels. I would love one purely for better dof in the under 80mm focal length. Just hard to justify the cost.

I am going to try and get my hands on a G1 X and hope that the focusing speed and ability is better than the average P&S.

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Canon Powershot S95, Canon 7D, 15-85, Canon 85 1.8 USM, Sigma 30 1.4, 50mm 1.8, Canon 100 2.8L IS Macro, Canon 70-300L IS USM+Kenko 1.4 Pro 300DGX, Canon 430EX II and RS 4 Classic

Hi popo,

Had a little rootle this morning and came up with the Metabones Canon EF Lens to Sony NEX Smart Adapter which seems to do everything except AF. There's a brief video review by Bryant Naro where he notes in the accompanying text that his "IS" issue has since been addressed by a firmware update.

It could be an option if I go for a NEX-7, particularly if I were to keep my optically excellent EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM for occassional telephoto duties. But at $399 plus another $80 for a Fotodiox Leica M Pro Lens Mount Adapter needed for the Voigtländer 12mm f/5.6 Heliar for ultra-wide landscape duties the cost of non-native E-mount options starts spiralling.

Nice looking lens but at over £700 it ought to be! But see my update near the end of this post!

So, to recap where I'd be if I opted for a NEX-7?

• NEX-7
• SEL16F28 E16mm F2.8 pancake lens (normally attached - camera plus lens inside a lens pouch and stuffed in a "combat" trouser pocket)
• SEL1855 E18-55mm F3.5-5.6 zoom lens (just about small enough to stuff in another trouser pocket without frightening the ladies)
• Voigtländer 12mm f/5.6 Heliar plus adaptor (I'd likely reserve this for planned outings)
• EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM plus adaptor for airshows, wildlife etc. (I'd prefer this to the SEL55210 E55-210mm F4.5-6.3)
• SEL24F18Z Sonnar T* E24mm F1.8 ZA is optionally available if needed for available light indoor shots

Hmm, workable if a bit of a mongrel system: the NEX-7 remains a contender! Folks are going to be totally fed up with my hand-wringing posts over the next several months until I know what Leica and possibly even Canon have planned!

Update: Hmm, having read this analysis of the Voigtländer Ultra Wide-Heliar 12mm f/5.6 when fitted to a NEX-7 maybe the search for a potential ultra-wide angle compact prime isn't over yet!

Bob.

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OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.

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Here is a brilliant video size comparison of the NEX-7 with the NEX-5n, Fuji X100, Leica M9 and a Lumix GH2.

This video has been out there for months but it escaped me. The camera body size comparisons are interesting in their own right but it's also fascinating seeing the NEX-7 with a wide variety of lenses attached, including some Leica glass, and comparing sizes with the competition.

Bob.

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OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.

yes very interesting, there is still a bit of glass to carry around. Especially if fitting adapter and A mount lenses and viewfinder.

Part of me was thinking, cool want one, but it then struck me.
This is designed to appeal to the "tool man" in all of us, I already got a shed full of stuff. More gadgets, adapters, add-ons my wife would be pleased

Comparing weight and size of these to the 5D II is a bit extreme, when comparing it to the smaller APS sensor sized DSLR is more realistic. I had a look a the other size comparison link.

Actually just looking at my hd video camera sitting here on my desk, they should build a camera that size and shape with a crop sized sensor. Its certainly more pocketable that a nex with all but the pancake lens attached.
Its fits nicely into the hand and as it doesn`t have the traditional camera shape and is more like a cylinder, its easier to put in jacket pocket.

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Canon Powershot S95, Canon 7D, 15-85, Canon 85 1.8 USM, Sigma 30 1.4, 50mm 1.8, Canon 100 2.8L IS Macro, Canon 70-300L IS USM+Kenko 1.4 Pro 300DGX, Canon 430EX II and RS 4 Classic

Just saw LensRentals have a comparison article of "small cameras" with an eye towards replacing DSLRs. Might not give an answer to the question, but at least you can be indecisive with the data to hand.

http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2012/02 ... a-overview

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Canon DSLRs: 7D, 5D2, 1D, 600D, 450D full spectrum, 300D IR mod
Lenses: EF 35/2, 50/1.8, 85/1.8, 135/2+SF, 28-80 V, 70-300L, 100-400L, TS-E 24/3.5L, MP-E 65, EF-S 15-85 IS
3rd party: Zeiss 2/50 makro, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300 f/2.8 OS, Celestron 1325/13
Tinies: Sony HX9V.

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Thanks popo. Hey, who are you calling indecisive!!!

You alluded in another thread to my timing when I sold the 5D2. My decision to sell was earlier than I had wanted but was informed by the rumours that had gained such currency and I think the events since made that decision a good one. Right, enough waffle - I'll log off and read that article.

Bob.

P.S. X-Pro1 is now off the table so far as I'm concerned. Too big and too many issues with AF and MF but, oh, I do covet that IQ from an APS-C sensor! I'm going to have to be strong in mind and wait for the definite Leica announcement and the widely expected Canon announcement, both later this year. Hard to do with the NEX-7 tugging away at the heart-strings but I don't want to be changing systems again so the wait will be worth it just to be sure of getting it right.

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OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.

Hmm... can I get away with calling you indecisive on account you haven't decided on what to get yet? I know, that isn't easy if there isn't one thing that does everything.

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Canon DSLRs: 7D, 5D2, 1D, 600D, 450D full spectrum, 300D IR mod
Lenses: EF 35/2, 50/1.8, 85/1.8, 135/2+SF, 28-80 V, 70-300L, 100-400L, TS-E 24/3.5L, MP-E 65, EF-S 15-85 IS
3rd party: Zeiss 2/50 makro, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300 f/2.8 OS, Celestron 1325/13
Tinies: Sony HX9V.

Hi popo,

Of course you can. Although being a glass half full man I'd describe myself as so decisive that I know exactly what I want but it hasn't been announced yet!

Bob.

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OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.

I know what I want and it was announced on the 2nd of March... it was my birthday as well, so it must be a sign...
But I'm really carrying around all that heavy stuff.

If I had to change for something smaller, I'd probably go for an Olympus Pen.

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Canon EOS 500D + Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Canon EF 24-105mm 4L IS USM + EF 100-400mm 4.5-5.6L IS USM + EF 100mm 2.8L Macro IS USM + Sigma 12-24mm 4.5-5.6 EX DG HSM + Canon Speedlite 580 EX II + Nissin Speedlite Di 466

Hi folks,

Another step closer to saying farewell to Canon as I sold my 85mm f/1.2 lens today. The remainder of the glass will definitely not be sold this side of summer, if at all, as I need to see what Canon may or may not have in mind in the CSC line. But probably before then I'll get to see what Leica has up its sleeve - my post here refers.

Bob.

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OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.

Bob: I can empathize about the weight and bulk of the 5DII having one myself. Especially when mated with a 70-200 f2.8 IS and a battery grip - it's like carrying a brick of steel around by the end of the day. But it would be hard to part with it. Gordon's review of the G1 X pointed out a few deal-breaking flaws possibly.

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/nursediesel
Canon EOS 5D & 5D2 | EF 70-200 f2.8 L IS | EF 100-400 f4.5-5.6 L IS | EF 24-105 f4 L IS | EF 17-40 F4 L | 580 EX II | Fujifilm X10

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I agree. The G1 X will be a perfect solution for some but a Jack of all trades it ain't.

Bob.

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OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.

"Jack of all trades, master of none..."

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Sony α77V/VG-C77AM/α350/18-70/70-400 G SSM/NEX-5/18-55 OSS/Lowepro Pro Trekker 600 AW/CompuTrekker AW/Nova 140 AW/Street & Field gear/Toploader Pro 75 AW. And a huge wishlist...

My photos on Flickr...