thank you @karst & @baleen - really helpful - good tip on getting hands on as well

a bit more color, since I was replying on my phone before…

Sony has done a great job consistently turning out solid performing cameras. I like their image quality, features for price, and the fact that they update their cameras so often you can get older generations for quite cheap (this is true for the FF mirrorless bodies too). I don’t like their menus, their prime lens selection, or their menus (not a typo).

Fuji has gone all in on APS-C and was focused on still images devices for a long time, only recently changing their trajectory. I like their interface, jpeg processioning, dials, firmware updates , and lens selection. I don’t like how they treat ergonomics on their cheaper bodies.

the truth is that the camera industry hit almost universal sufficiency a few years back. most cameras are now “good enough” to do most things without hindering the user. the rest is just preference and budget.

1 Like

More on my background, needs etc… I took a 2 year photo program just as digital was starting to exist… I was the first student to submit any work that had been digitally manipulated. Worked in a photolab and camera shop for a few years. I wanted a Voigtlander Bessa more than anything. Then left that life behind when I opened my record store. The last year or so I’ve gotten a bit of an itch to start shooting, and phone photos don’t cut it. We’re going to Japan next month and it seems like a good reason to finally get something.

I was steered towards the Sony a6000 at a London Drugs here on my first outing. Seemed alright. Saturday I went to a proper camera shop where I talked with an old acquaintance, he echoed many of @karst’s comments about the Sony. Told him what I wanted and he showed me the X100F. Really I’ve just spent the last 2 days trying to convince myself that I should just get something else. But can’t get off it. Actually bid and lost on an x100f this morning on ebay. Probably gonna try pick up a used x100t this week though.

if it helps at all, I took just a X100T to Japan for a month and it did the job. almost all of these were just transferred to my phone at the end of each day and quickly processed, so I relied heavily on Fuji’s jpeg goodness to simplify post processing…






14 Likes

Maybe I can just save myself a bunch of money and show people your photos! Nice shots, they make me excited to get a camera, and get to Japan!

3 Likes

I second the x100t, it’s a beautifully-performing photograph machine.

1 Like

I use a Sony A7 mk ii and I love it. It’s my first camera ever though so I am no expert. I am also mainly using it for video with various vintage lenses. It was the recommendation to me by a director friend for video use and the form factor sold me on it. Everything on my vimeo was shot on my A7 mk ii or his A7 mk i https://vimeo.com/interpretnull

2 Likes

anecdotally i see way more sony a7 and a6x00s on the street in sf.

the sony’s get a lot of heat for their menus. there were a couple changes in menus and knobs n buttons from the 6000->6500 that i’m still getting used to and or scratching my head about. it’s never been a deal breaker for me, I’m not doing a lot of menu diving when out and about or on the trail. the main functions pretty available.

prime lens selection has gotten better if you are rich and shooting full frame. i rented a big wide zeiss once for work and that was fun to shoot with. but the 35/2.8 being a $700 lens is wild (it’s a nice lens and if i had an a7 series i’d def have one but hey). the touit i use being $700 new is also crazy. aps-c needs a better lens selection for real. there are a couple new choices at an alright price but can’t argue w @karst on this, esp in comparison to fuji’s lineup.

+100. the best camera is the one you have with you so get a camera you want to have with you.

earlier fuji x-trans cameras weren’t great at shooting video…

Fuji is good at low light. Sony is ridiculously good.


I wish I could afford a Sony RX1R, but…

1 Like

I know @neauoire uses an A6000 extensively, so he might have some thoughts to share.

1 Like

RX1R user here, wish I could afford a Leica :joy:. Had it a few years and it does take brilliant photos in an impossibly small package. Counterpoint, some dust got on the sensor and it’s not user serviceable, so high f-stops (past 8 or so) arent as enjoyable to use any more. I love the compromises they have decided on though. Full frame I can keep in my bag without noticing. I similarly like the compromises chosen in the A7s series and if I was to buy another camera it would be that. I like that they kind of say “do you need pixels or do you need to capture light” with that model. The fixed lens architecture of the RX1R was also an exercise in forced self control because I knew I would end up with a collection of lenses otherwise. I bet an A7s with a nice fast prime on it would be absolutely amazing though.

2 Likes

thats a big bummer. i’ve def cleaned my sensors regularly due to adventure.

+1 for happy Fuji x-100f owners. I am a cinematographer/photographer by day, and find myself using a wide variety of cameras professionally, but the x-100 is what I own personally, and I absolutely love it. What I love most is that there’s so little to futz with that I actually end up taking pictures! The film emulations are great (especially classic chrome). The fixed lens looks awesome and forces creativity (but not too much- it does many things well).

3 Likes

Sony A6000 with M-Mount converter is my jazz.

1 Like

Sounds like what I’m looking for when it comes to photos. How’s the video?

  • to sony for more options with in-body stabilization (which i haven’t empirically noticed but it can’t be hurting.)

tbh yeah pretty jealous of that Voigtländer Ultron 28mm f2.

I tell a lot of people who ask me about cameras that an a6000 and a manual lens adapter (i haven’t spent more than $15 on one of those) and the right vintage/manual lens is a great way to “get into photography”

1 Like

The video’s not bad. In controlled situations it looks great. I shot this with it. https://www.instagram.com/p/ByvBOhKBYsU/

1 Like

Has anyone else noticed their mirrorless sensor gets dirty?

I’ve owned a Canon 5D3 DSLR for many, many years, and swap lens a lot (even standing waste deep in water) and have never had any problem with sensor dust. A year or two ago I bought a Sony a6300 for travel & field recording (esp when I dont want to lug my 5D with me) and by comparison its sensor attracts dust like crazy!! I dont swap lens a lot on my a6300, mostly use the Zeiss Touit 12mm, and occasionally Vario-Tessar 16-70 zoom and a Metabones EF-E speed booster (so I can use my Canon EF primes)

The sensor self clean doesn’t remove dust spots, so I will eventually have to send it in for a pro sensor clean… It obviously won’t be a problem for anyone if they dont swap lenses (eg when I had a Fuji X100s it only had one lens, plus an external wide angle convertor add on) But it is an aspect of the a6300 I hadn’t thought about…

1 Like