Okay here's the thing.

I've been really sick for roughly the past year. While I've had some ups and downs, the ups have only been but so high and I'm in the middle of a protracted down. Long story short, I can't lift/support/steady my cameras on most days.

I have no intention of selling the 5D3 because I'm in love with it and there are some days I can use it and I can still use a tripod or monopod sometimes - just need to buy a bracket. However, I'd like to sell one or two of my 7D's and maybe a couple of lenses to buy a really nice smaller, lightweight setup. Still looking for interchangeable lenses and something that gives me a lot of creative control, but I am way way out of the loop on the latest.

Importantly, I'd like minimal shutter lag + quick/accurate focus for action shots. Low light capability isn't nearly as important to me these days as those two things. Good macro lens availability would also be nice.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Also, if there's anything coming down the pipeline that might be worth waiting a couple of months for, I'm not in a hurry. I've obviously had to let the business go - this is just for me.

 

Fuji XE-1, the images I posted to flickr yesterday of my trip into DC last Saturday, all taken with them.

/
The macro is slower than DSLR, but great results.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/reverseimage/8885142504/http://www.flickr.com/photos/reverseimage/8885142504/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/reverseimage/, on Flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/reverseimage/8885143108/http://www.flickr.com/photos/reverseimage/8885143108/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/reverseimage/, on Flickr

 

Have you thought trying that new Canon SL1 or whatever its called? The super small DSLR?

Otherwise, you sound like a good candidate for the mirror-less world. Where I would research the micro 43 world where you have a lot of makers and tons of lens options to swap between them...or potentially Fuji as their line of newer mirrorless have been getting rave reviews.

The only hinderance with the mirrorless world might be focus speed...but it has been steadily improving with every new body. So, newer bodies might actually be quite fast (havent been paying too much attention)

 

Thanks, both. Jup - gorgeous photos.

I need to move out of DSLR territory altogether. The lenses are as big an issue for me as the bodies. I wasn't sure, though, what the focus speed was like with the mirror-less cameras, but that's where I think I'm heading.

So yes, I think mirror-less is where it's at.

It's silly, but I've got this little blog going of my dog's adventures. She's kind of speedy and mobile, so I need decent focus capabilities for her. I don't need something that's tracking horses over jumps or anything like that, though.

Jeff, have you used your XE-1 for any action type stuff yet? Is the shutter lag comparable to a DSLR?

 

Sorry to hear but glad to see you're still into photography. I hope you get better soon and are able to get back into DSLRs, you have taken some beautiful pictures.

Good luck!

 

^Thank you.

 

XE-1 Review....con...slow AF

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/fujifilm-x-e1/21

X Pro-1 Review

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/fujifilm-x-pro1/26

Same thing

Panasonic GX-1

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonicdmcgx1/21

Praised for its AF. But this has be near end of life...A new one is surely on the horizon as its been over a year.

Olympus OM-D

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/olympusem5/22

 

I have not, only because they don't have a lens beyond 55 at the moment, a new 55-200 will be here in a few weeks. Though it won't be fast was DLSR, things will get there soon. But I have gotten some good images with the Nikon V1 at my son's baseball game. That could be another avenue to look at, but I like the Fuji better.

What I like about the Fuji "X" system, they are CMOS sensors. It was a reason I never looked at other mirrorless systems.

If you want when I get back, we can meet up and test it out. I'll have 55-200mm by then.

 

Very, very helpful. Thank you!

Sounds like it might be worth seeing what Panasonic has coming down the pipeline.

The Oly looks interesting, too.

These are great jumping-off points. Thanks, again.

 

I was just reading about that 55-200. It looks like it's going to be about 1/3 the weight of my 70-200. I might take you up on that. Thank you.


The micro 4/3 lenses are generally smaller and lighter though, aren't they? Have you played with any? I may need to go and just handle some of these at Ace.

Hell, I'll be in NY again next week. Maybe I should make time for a trip to Mecca.

 

micro 43 are much smaller and lighter...and there is a TON of them from lots of makers and they are all interchangeable with one another.

 

^This is what I need. If I'm going to still have a DSLR to use when I can, I want to go as light as possible for the new system. I can barely unload a dishwasher most days, so weight is really crucial.

That narrows my search dramatically. Thanks.

 

You are lucky, Ace didn't carry Fuji until the "X" mount system took off. And you can't go wrong with B&H!

Be wary with Olympus, they are having major troubles trying to stay a company. I've read two reports this week that they may not be here come 2014 as a camera company. IIRC Sony has their foot in the door with them, so it's had to say. And Sony NEX system is one to look at as well, but, I don't do Sony.

 

I dont think the NEX system is one to look at at all.

After my debate with their reps and their complete lack of decent zooms, I have once again written Sony off my list.

 

http://photorumors.com/2013/05/22/pa...pecifications/



I wonder what their definition of "soon" is. I've got to get ready to go to work, but that probably merits waiting to see what happens for a bit.

 

I have a close friend that does very well with NEX. But there menu system is a cluster fuck! IMO

 

This is the guy you want to read about little cameras.

http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/

 

Yeah but unless youre looking at wide/medium primes...their zoom selection sucks...nothing faster than a 3.5 and nothing with a constant aperture. And all Sony did is make excuses about it and say lens adapters for anything else.

fuck that and fuck them.

 

I've been seeing the GX1 on sale for a few months now...So I'm guessing its not too far off.

 

I don't have much to offer as far as gear is concerned sinc I'm such a myself.

But I hope your recovery progresses for you D.

 

It's a reason I don't use them. But it works for others.

 

I hope your health improves D!

 

This.

 

Good suggestions already, have you considered the Canon G15? I particularly think its lens (28-140mm equivalent F1.8-2.8 lens) would be well-suited for action photos. The G1X (newer model) by comparison is 28-112 at F2.8-5.8. Having that F2.8 at even 140mm would be crucial to get some good action shots.

ps. hope you feel better soon!

 

Thanks very much, guys. I hope so too.

I hadn't really considered it, but will look at it more closely. I'm feeling a bit hung up on still having interchangeable lenses, but that may be just so I feel like I haven't given up "real" photography entirely. Possibly a bit silly when performance is what should really matter.

 

oh my bad, for some reason I thought you meant you were not necessarily looking for interchangeable lenses. I don't get the impression you are giving up on 'real' photography - I think you are the kind of person where that won't ever leave you.

 

Thanks very much for that, R.

 

says the person who owns a D800

 

So what? Because Nikon has a deal where they have Sony make the chips?

I'm not knocking the quality of the images Sony creates. I'm knocking their usual proprietary bullshit and then lack of support for it when they decide to shift focus somewhere else after a short time like a child with ADD. So, I wont buy equipment, simple.

But its cool...please more pompous comments with out any actual thinking through the commentary.

 

Panasonic just announced the GX7 (where is 2-6???)

It looks to be a really good follow up to the GX1.