Advices needed for returning from mobile to actual camera.

[zoossh]

I know it will take a lot of reading and plenty of choices out there.

used to be nikon dslr and currently with iPhone 15 pro. I love using iPhone SE with attached lens as they are superlight. Iphone15 improves on night shot but I dun seeto get it right perhaps the weight isn’t good for non eye level shooting

in short I’m in the midst of considering going back to interchangeable lens with eye-level viewer and AF but still keeping the weight as low as possible

and wonder if those seniors still in the dying photographer community can shed some light in fine tuning the purchasing direction …

I’m not entirely sure if I should just try to improve myself on existing mobile shooting but I think getting back my narrow dof and better control of shutter / iso may be things I need

 

[zoossh]

The few things I’ve considered are

- Mirrorless nikon z50 which with adapters can used back old lens but weights adds up

- z50 with new z lens but limited lens option

- switch to Sony camp, getting a7c full frame

- or a6700 Sony aps-c cropped sensor

 

[zoossh]

I’m currently favoring a6700 because of the lens choices and their weight esp the light ultra wide

Sony aps-c 11mm f1.8 <200g
- Ultrawide for most pics
- can use filters

sigma Aps-c 18-50mm f2.8 <300g
- walk around in the streets
- likely second or most used lens

Sony fullframe 85mm f1.8 <400g
- no stabilizer not sure if an issue as body have
- need to develop eye for unfamiliar focal length
- different from those who used 85mm on FF
- not sure if this is good for shooting sumo from the first two rows

I know there are better lens but I want it light. Any better lens which are AF?

 

[RyanJ]

I semi-killed my 10 yr old A7r now only on manual focusing and electronic shutter, half thinking of stepping down into a smaller A6xxx series for the size / form factor. I am seriously considering A6700 or save some bucks and get a used A6500..

Lens adapters work but the performance e.g AF speed may take a hit.


Compact small factor -> APSC or even micro 4/3

Look for Stacked sensors - If you want high ( electronic ) shutter speed / fast readouts for wildlife birding sports. But stacked sensors with their rapid read out are only reserved for higher end mirrorless full frames and higher end OM-1.

Landscape - full frame or cropped or micro 4/3s are fine. high megapixel count gives flexibility to facilitate cropping , BSI type sensors might give half or one stop ISO advantage esp if high megapixel counts where the photosites are more packed and may be blocked by chip circuitry..

Lenses wise focal length principles are still the same as when u were using ur nikon dslr and travel zooms.
Plenty of lenses including 3rd parties around, Canon imposes restrictions on 3rd party makers so you cannot have legit autofocusing 3rd party lenses. Nikon and Sony do not outwardly object to 3rd party autofocusing lenses BUT they do have other "subtle" restrictions like u may not be able to achieve more than autofocused 15fps shots in Sony cameras, but most users do not need that. . unless maybe shooting videos or wildlife. .

 

[xonix]

Dpreview.com

 

[keenklee]

.....

I’m not entirely sure if I should just try to improve myself on existing mobile shooting but I think getting back my narrow dof and better control of shutter / iso may be things I need

IMHO.
What you need will depend on what you want to take.

 

[zoossh]

IMHO.
What you need will depend on what you want to take.

60-80% I go wide on urban landscapes and environmental portrait, and i do have the tendency to go extremely wide. Rest are arm distance portraits etc

so I will prefer a 14-17mm preferably prime and as light as possible, can be f4. I will use this in places with little people around, in tight rooms, various landscapes. If focusing distance is short, maybe used on food. If aps-c, it needs to go down to at least 11mm (aka 16.5mm). need to attach GND filter which will vignette below 14mm.

for walk around if I want to be able to rapidly zoom to subjects at a distance, then a zoom in the range of 20-70 or lesser (I’m flexible on the range but the tele end prefer at least 50-70) prefer f2.8 constant. I’m thinking of either sigma 18-50 for aps-c (27-75) or Sony 28-60mm on full frame (it doesn’t have 2.8 but the lens very light like 160gm)

the tele prime is the part that I’m not sure as I do not often do it in the past and the chance im going to use it is low, but I saw a review on 85mm prime which encourages me to try it out. In places more hostile to street photo it might work by giving a lot of space from others

both aps c and ff sensor can have weight of 400-550gm which dun differ a lot in weight but the lens I choose will be critical on the weight

I had lost touch with the equipments for a long time so any inputs here will be appreciated

my key consideration is focal length and weight, for the midrange zoom I like it large aperture, same for the short tele

 

[keenklee]

60-80% I go wide on urban landscapes and environmental portrait, and i do have the tendency to go extremely wide. Rest are arm distance portraits etc

so I will prefer a 14-17mm preferably prime and as light as possible, can be f4. I will use this in places with little people around, in tight rooms, various landscapes. If focusing distance is short, maybe used on food. If aps-c, it needs to go down to at least 11mm (aka 16.5mm). need to attach GND filter which will vignette below 14mm.

for walk around if I want to be able to rapidly zoom to subjects at a distance, then a zoom in the range of 20-70 or lesser (I’m flexible on the range but the tele end prefer at least 50-70) prefer f2.8 constant. I’m thinking of either sigma 18-50 for aps-c (27-75) or Sony 28-60mm on full frame (it doesn’t have 2.8 but the lens very light like 160gm)

the tele prime is the part that I’m not sure as I do not often do it in the past and the chance im going to use it is low, but I saw a review on 85mm prime which encourages me to try it out. In places more hostile to street photo it might work by giving a lot of space from others

both aps c and ff sensor can have weight of 400-550gm which dun differ a lot in weight but the lens I choose will be critical on the weight

I had lost touch with the equipments for a long time so any inputs here will be appreciated

my key consideration is focal length and weight, for the midrange zoom I like it large aperture, same for the short tele

IMHO.
First, look at the lenses first, without compromises.
Then work backwards based on compromises and budget.

I went thru a similar exercise and in the end, settle for Nikon DSLR APS-C with 16-85mm zoom.
I use software to correct the lens shortcoming.
One of the many reasons include the fact that I am unlikely to go full frame.

Life was much simpler for film. FF and prime lens.

 

[ninelives]

The few things I’ve considered are

- Mirrorless nikon z50 which with adapters can used back old lens but weights adds up

- z50 with new z lens but limited lens option

- switch to Sony camp, getting a7c full frame

- or a6700 Sony aps-c cropped sensor

a7c quite old liao. u want to consider a7Cii?

 

[zoossh]

a7c quite old liao. u want to consider a7Cii?

Yup. Sorry didn’t specify clearly due to lack of familiarity with the latest models.

currently excluded nikon z50 due to lack of suitable ultrawide and relatively few native lens

Looking also at fuji but seems a little heavier and more expensive for the lens. Not adverse to film simulations but neither a fan and prefer more natural look. Haven’t exclude this

between Sony full frame and aps-c undecided but both seems about same weight overall with the aps-c slightly lighter

apsc
Ultrawide 11mm f1.8 Sony 181gm
Zoom 18-50mm f2.8 sigma 290gm

full frame
Wide 20mm f1.8 Sony 373gm
Zoom 28-60 f4-5.6 Sony 167gm

Leaning to apsc due to larger aperture for equivalent weight lens. And to go wider (<20mm) for full frame, the weight goes up.

apsc do not have Sony lens more than 50mm. I’m thinking of getting 85mm f1.8 (full frame lens) regardless of the body - only thing is that it becomes 130mm equivalent on crop sensor.

I’m not sure if I need that reach for street shot (maybe into people in the alleys) but maybe it will be useful if I go sumo tournament (aiming for ringside first row but may not get it)

Not excluding a7c2
Any advices on the below
- fuji?
- viewfinder and lens for FF Sony?
- 130mm uses (1.5 x85mm) ?

 

[ZhouXingXing]

Yup. Sorry didn’t specify clearly due to lack of familiarity with the latest models.

currently excluded nikon z50 due to lack of suitable ultrawide and relatively few native lens

Looking also at fuji but seems a little heavier and more expensive for the lens. Not adverse to film simulations but neither a fan and prefer more natural look. Haven’t exclude this

between Sony full frame and aps-c undecided but both seems about same weight overall with the aps-c slightly lighter

apsc
Ultrawide 11mm f1.8 Sony 181gm
Zoom 18-50mm f2.8 sigma 290gm

full frame
Wide 20mm f1.8 Sony 373gm
Zoom 28-60 f4-5.6 Sony 167gm

Leaning to apsc due to larger aperture for equivalent weight lens. And to go wider (<20mm) for full frame, the weight goes up.

apsc do not have Sony lens more than 50mm. I’m thinking of getting 85mm f1.8 (full frame lens) regardless of the body - only thing is that it becomes 130mm equivalent on crop sensor.

I’m not sure if I need that reach for street shot (maybe into people in the alleys) but maybe it will be useful if I go sumo tournament (aiming for ringside first row but may not get it)

Not excluding a7c2
Any advices on the below
- fuji?
- viewfinder and lens for FF Sony?

it depends whether you use viewfinder often, if yes, a7cii is not tat a good choice, if dont then it wont affect you much..

from what you wrote above, you can consider 2470gm or g version lens. if you need more wide can get 1635gm or g version and pair with 70200gm or g versions

- 130mm uses (1.5 x85mm) ?

for streets photo?

 

[zoossh]

it depends whether you use viewfinder often, if yes, a7cii is not tat a good choice, if dont then it wont affect you much..

Why so? I do want to use viewfinder as it is more intuitive, help composition and more stable when holding. But I do understand all the basic models viewfinder only 2.36million dots

from what you wrote above, you can consider 2470gm or g version lens. if you need more wide can get 1635gm or g version and pair with 70200gm or g versions

The lens all 700gm or more? I’m trying to limit the weight as I’m unsure if I can go back to a heavy setup

reason why I segregate into ultrawide and zoom is because I’m likely to use an extreme wide for buildings only typically till it causes vignette with a filter, prime is fine if it is lighter.it is when I dun expect a need to switch to human subjects

The zoom is for general purpose that I need to switch rapidly (without changing lens) between environmental shots to tighter portraits. 35mm may be a little too wide.

for streets photo?

I’ve little experience for tele end. I supposed 85x1.5 = 130mm need to be far?

Maybe 10m away gets you a half body shot? I heard a lot of 85mm prime used on full frame. I’m not sure how it yields on a sumo tournament or on the streets

If I’m seated ringside it may be just 3-5m which I will use ultrawide and the medium range zoom. I dunno if the 130mm is too tight and only to isolate some body parts.

If I dun get the ringside I may need to be in the first few rows. I doubt it will be enough if I’m on second floor but that might be my best lightest tele without using a bazooka

 

[ZhouXingXing]

Why so? I do want to use viewfinder as it is more intuitive, help composition and more stable when holding. But I do understand all the basic models viewfinder only 2.36million dots

if you are looking at sony camera, the viewfinder for a7c compared to a7iii/iv is different. you can drop by certain camera shop to hands on and you will know the difference..

The lens all 700gm or more? I’m trying to limit the weight as I’m unsure if I can go back to a heavy setup

you can take a look at sony 70200gii lens, its smaller and lighter.. you can select the lens you are keen on and do a calculation of the weight of the entire setup like camera + 2 lens compared to another model with different type of ranged lens etc.

reason why I segregate into ultrawide and zoom is because I’m likely to use an extreme wide for buildings only typically till it causes vignette with a filter, prime is fine if it is lighter.it is when I dun expect a need to switch to human subjects

The zoom is for general purpose that I need to switch rapidly (without changing lens) between environmental shots to tighter portraits. 35mm may be a little too wide.

if you find 35mm too wide then i supposed 50mm suits you more.. there are alot of choices out in the market now and the upcoming sony 2450mm G lens which you may want consider too

I’ve little experience for tele end. I supposed 85x1.5 = 130mm need to be far?

yes you need to be some distance away from the subject

Maybe 10m away gets you a half body shot? I heard a lot of 85mm prime used on full frame. I’m not sure how it yields on a sumo tournament or on the streets

85mm on street infact is abit tight coming from experiences. personally like 35/50mm for streets. if wan take portrait just walk close up will do.

If I’m seated ringside it may be just 3-5m which I will use ultrawide and the medium range zoom. I dunno if the 130mm is too tight and only to isolate some body parts.

yes it would be kind of tight unless you just wan take the participants without much background

 

[zoossh]

Anyway incidentally saw a movie on Netflix by Leonardo DiCaprio - the revenant

wow shot on 12-21mm equivalent and many scenes are ultrawide - that’s my style and what’s I used to shot, albeit not so wide previously (10-11mm x1.5). This is the reason why I really wanted the Sony 11mm f1.8 that is really light (the large aperture is preferred to the also light 10-20mm f4)

I know there are other lens that are wider but they are manual focus or can’t fit a front filter…like the Sony full frame 14mm

When free I’ll post the battle scene of the movie here

 

[keenklee]

Anyway incidentally saw a movie on Netflix by Leonardo DiCaprio - the revenant

wow shot on 12-21mm equivalent and many scenes are ultrawide - that’s my style and what’s I used to shot, albeit not so wide previously (10-11mm x1.5). This is the reason why I really wanted the Sony 11mm f1.8 that is really light (the large aperture is preferred to the also light 10-20mm f4)

I know there are other lens that are wider but they are manual focus or can’t fit a front filter…like the Sony full frame 14mm

When free I’ll post the battle scene of the movie here

IMHO.
Then go for Sony.

 

[zoossh]

IMHO.
Then go for Sony.

I’ll take my time to look as I’m usually fickle minded when I look at things and I only shoot when traveling so it gives me time to decide

Someone recommended me to go Olympus for small setup but their widest is 9mm x2 not wide enough for me

 

[keenklee]

I’ll take my time to look as I’m usually fickle minded when I look at things and I only shoot when traveling so it gives me time to decide

Someone recommended me to go Olympus for small setup but their widest is 9mm x2 not wide enough for me

IMHO.
Is Olympus APS-C ?
Smallest I would go is APS-C. Between Sony and Olympus, would be Sony as I believe they are likely to be around longer in the future.

New cameras for 2023.
Sony - 6
Olympus -2
Nikon - 3
Canon - 4

AFAIK, smaller sensor size type camera, the wider the angle, the images need to be corrected - I saw one such image from a bridge camera.

 

[furryballs]

I was In the same shoes, wanted something more fun to use than my iPhone 13 (now 15 pro), that I can take out once in a while.

bought and sold a few cameras, and now, I have a canon 6d with 50mm 1.8….. a decent pair, cheap enough to dump around and let it depreciate till $0. It could take good photos 10yrs back, so I think the limiting factor is still the photographer (in my case)

 

[rrr2015]

I’ll take my time to look as I’m usually fickle minded when I look at things and I only shoot when traveling so it gives me time to decide

Someone recommended me to go Olympus for small setup but their widest is 9mm x2 not wide enough for me

May I know what kind of travel photography that need such wide angle? Can share an example?

IMO Mobile photography is ok if photos are means to viewing on mobile or small screen. If u pixel peek, it definitely won't be sharp.

 

[zoossh]

May I know what kind of travel photography that need such wide angle? Can share an example?

IMO Mobile photography is ok if photos are means to viewing on mobile or small screen. If u pixel peek, it definitely won't be sharp.

Preference rather than need. I exaggerate scale. iPhone ultra wide is 13mm equivalent but if I add a gnd filter it won’t cover and it will vignette. I will need something 14mm and above

Mobile pics in good light is ok even if I show it on tv. Perhaps I just find it hard to use the app on hand phone and like to go back to a camera…

there is no best of both world. I’ve borrowed a fuji xt20 and will borrow a Sony from a friend before I buy one myself