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NeoGAF Camera Equipment Thread | MK II

Ty4on

Member
Thanks for all the help guys! Hopefully I'm lucky with these eBay auctions that may allow me to get more for less money. If possible I kinda wanna upgrade to a D5500 body if I am find a good enough deal. But for now I'll just see how far a new lens will take me. Thanks again!
I'm not sure which one of them makes the most sense, but if the D5300 or D5200 are significantly cheaper they might be worth a look. The low light image quality increased, but didn't make any big leaps after the D5200. You also got some extra features added over the years like slightly bigger viewfinder, touchscreen, deeper grip, no AA filter (sharper with sharp lenses) etc.

DPReviews are nice to quickly compare new and old models because they usually start a review comparing a camera to its predecessor.
 

Rentahamster

Rodent Whores
I was trying out the Nikon 200-500mm f5.6 VR in the camera store, taking pics at 1/25s at 500mm and holy fuck some of the pics actually came out sharp. That's black magic.
 

ty_hot

Member
My dears, which one should I get: (brand new)

Canon EOS 750D + EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM
440 euros

Nikon D5500 + AF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 G VR II
450 euros

Or any other in the same price range?

I plan to use them till early next year when I will sell it. In case it matters, I will only use it for city photos. Things that are relevant for me: low light shots and, in case there is any real difference, the WiFi features (connecting to a phone, sharing photos easily, etc).
 
My dears, which one should I get: (brand new)

Canon EOS 750D + EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM
440 euros

Nikon D5500 + AF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 G VR II
450 euros

Or any other in the same price range?

I plan to use them till early next year when I will sell it. In case it matters, I will only use it for city photos. Things that are relevant for me: low light shots and, in case there is any real difference, the WiFi features (connecting to a phone, sharing photos easily, etc).

Both of these options are horrible for both of these things, but for different reasons.

If you want low light performance, you want to get a prime lens at f1.8. F3.5 and higher are going to be a bad time (though I guess better than phones).

If you want Wifi, you'll want a MILC, probably a Fuji but Sony has passable smart features for getting shit onto your phone.
 
My dears, which one should I get: (brand new)

Canon EOS 750D + EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM
440 euros

Nikon D5500 + AF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 G VR II
450 euros

Or any other in the same price range?

I plan to use them till early next year when I will sell it. In case it matters, I will only use it for city photos. Things that are relevant for me: low light shots and, in case there is any real difference, the WiFi features (connecting to a phone, sharing photos easily, etc).
Go get an XT1 with either the kit lens or 35 F2.
 

snaffles

Member
Both of these options are horrible for both of these things, but for different reasons.

If you want low light performance, you want to get a prime lens at f1.8. F3.5 and higher are going to be a bad time (though I guess better than phones).

If you want Wifi, you'll want a MILC, probably a Fuji but Sony has passable smart features for getting shit onto your phone.

Go get an XT1 with either the kit lens or 35 F2.

The canon and nikon both have wifi and will both be fine with night photography/city shots. You might want to go with one of the 1.8 primes though as Astral said, rather than the kit lens. There are cheap 35/50mm prime options for both cameras. The XT1 is more expensive even buying used.
 
The canon and nikon both have wifi and will both be fine with night photography/city shots. You might want to go with one of the 1.8 primes though as Astral said, rather than the kit lens. There are cheap 35/50mm prime options for both cameras. The XT1 is more expensive even buying used.
When it comes to camera to phone connectivity Nikon is horrible. Fuji's is quite simple. That's the main reason why I said to go Fuji. I think Canon's is better as well.
 
I'm not sure which one of them makes the most sense, but if the D5300 or D5200 are significantly cheaper they might be worth a look. The low light image quality increased, but didn't make any big leaps after the D5200. You also got some extra features added over the years like slightly bigger viewfinder, touchscreen, deeper grip, no AA filter (sharper with sharp lenses) etc.

DPReviews are nice to quickly compare new and old models because they usually start a review comparing a camera to its predecessor.
Thanks for the suggestions! I will try looking for those models. I don't really want to spend too much money on a body I might not need so hopefully the prime lens I ordered (35mm f/1.8) will give me the jump in quality I hope for. If I do feel the need to upgrade the body I hope to spend a maximum of $400 (I still plan on picking up the Sigma if I can find one for $250 or lower). I'm not sure how reasonable my price ranges are, though. I've been hunting on eBay and don't mind buying used gear in excellent condition.
 
Thanks for the suggestions! I will try looking for those models. I don't really want to spend too much money on a body I might not need so hopefully the prime lens I ordered (35mm f/1.8) will give me the jump in quality I hope for. If I do feel the need to upgrade the body I hope to spend a maximum of $400 (I still plan on picking up the Sigma if I can find one for $250 or lower). I'm not sure how reasonable my price ranges are, though. I've been hunting on eBay and don't mind buying used gear in excellent condition.

A prime lens is definitely the more important of the two; while wifi connectivity is better on the MILC bodies by and large, I'd hardly consider it a "big bullet" sort of feature. A prime lens will affect the photo you take; wifi won't.
 

mrklaw

MrArseFace
How do I keep my various desktop/mobile photos in sync? I have photos on my desktop stored in lightroom, photos taken on my iPhone stored in iCloud, and I want to start looking at google photos for their unlimited storage (and not being tied to Apple)

I have the iCloud windows software installed, and I occasionally do a sweep through of favourite photos and import to lightroom. And from lightroom I’ll export to OneDrive at full size and iPad size. But ideally I’d like to have them more easily viewable through the iOS photos app or google photos. Don’t mind if that needs to run on the desktop
 
How do I keep my various desktop/mobile photos in sync? I have photos on my desktop stored in lightroom, photos taken on my iPhone stored in iCloud, and I want to start looking at google photos for their unlimited storage (and not being tied to Apple)

I have the iCloud windows software installed, and I occasionally do a sweep through of favourite photos and import to lightroom. And from lightroom I'll export to OneDrive at full size and iPad size. But ideally I'd like to have them more easily viewable through the iOS photos app or google photos. Don't mind if that needs to run on the desktop

Photos has an app that will automatically sync/backup stuff from selected folders in your computer to the cloud, and those can be accessed anywhere (through the app or web interface). You could create one such folder and export LR pictures to it.

You can also combo with Google Drive. There are options to create a Photos folder within your Drive, and to display all pictures from your Drive in your Photos. That way you can have access to all of your pictures, mobile or desktop, through Drive and viewable through Photos, but that will count against your Drive quota (I think).
 

mrklaw

MrArseFace
Photos has an app that will automatically sync/backup stuff from selected folders in your computer to the cloud, and those can be accessed anywhere (through the app or web interface). You could create one such folder and export LR pictures to it.

You can also combo with Google Drive. There are options to create a Photos folder within your Drive, and to display all pictures from your Drive in your Photos. That way you can have access to all of your pictures, mobile or desktop, through Drive and viewable through Photos, but that will count against your Drive quota (I think).

Thanks. This is on windows so I don’t have a photos app like on OSX - does the iCloud windows thing have an equivalent sync?

Sounds like as long as I export form lightroom to a location on my desktop I can point photos and google photos at that folder and they’ll sync to the cloud for mobile access? Hopefully I can use my onedrive local folder which is already set up for that.
 
Thanks. This is on windows so I don’t have a photos app like on OSX - does the iCloud windows thing have an equivalent sync?

Sorry, I wasn't very clear. When I said Photos, I meant Google Photos. It has a Windows app that will backup automatically folders from your desktop, and once in sync you'll indeed have access on mobile. It can be a OneDrive local folder, I believe.

The mobile Google Photos app can also backup your phone pictures automatically, without going through iCloud at all.
 

FoxSpirit

Junior Member
Okay, I need help with a "start from zero" question. I have around 600 Euro to spend and want to get a compact camera. Since I will have this on me at all times size/weight is an issue. I always have a backpack or something with large pockets so I don't need super compact but reasonably.

What I don't need is Wifi/any smart features, video is also secondary to pure photo performance.
Lowlight is of course my prime concern, if that's good stuff like geometry can take a backseat.
I have been eyeing the Sony Rx-100 III and the Lumix LX-100 but some people said I'd be off better with a micro 4/3rds?
 

sofa

Member
Okay, I need help with a "start from zero" question. I have around 600 Euro to spend and want to get a compact camera. Since I will have this on me at all times size/weight is an issue. I always have a backpack or something with large pockets so I don't need super compact but reasonably.

What I don't need is Wifi/any smart features, video is also secondary to pure photo performance.
Lowlight is of course my prime concern, if that's good stuff like geometry can take a backseat.
I have been eyeing the Sony Rx-100 III and the Lumix LX-100 but some people said I'd be off better with a micro 4/3rds?

Used is a option? I would go with a x-e2 with one of the 35 prime.
 

Sorbete

Member
Hi, how can I determinate the quality of two different photos.

One photo is 768x1280 and the other one is 960x1280, both 96dpi.

Supposedly the photo that is 960x1280 was taken with a 8 Megapixels Camera and the other one with a worse one. But it gives the impression that the photos taken by the worse camera are better.

Is there a thumb rule for quality of photos?

Sorry mods for posting this in 2 threads please don't ban me
 

mrklaw

MrArseFace
Hi, how can I determinate the quality of two different photos.

One photo is 768x1280 and the other one is 960x1280, both 96dpi.

Supposedly the photo that is 960x1280 was taken with a 8 Megapixels Camera and the other one with a worse one. But it gives the impression that the photos taken by the worse camera are better.

Is there a thumb rule for quality of photos?

Sorry mods for posting this in 2 threads please don't ban me

Very generally as there are a lot of variables.

- more pixels in the final image is better. Your two examples are pretty much the same, with a tiny advantage to the 960x1280 but both are very low res.
- for the same destination size, if one was taken from a higher resolution source and scaled down, it’ll look better
- more megapixels doesn’t always mean better quality, but it often does.
- size of sensor will have an impact. Eg a 12mp smartphone camera will generally not take as good a photo as a 12mp full frame DSLR which has a sensor many times larger
 

Reckoner

Member
I'm really interested in the Olympus E-M10 Mk2 and Fuji X-E2.

What do you guys have to say about either?

This is kind of a sensible matter (m4/3 vs aps-c) but both produce images that I really like and it's hard to decide.
 
I'm really interested in the Olympus E-M10 Mk2 and Fuji X-E2.

What do you guys have to say about either?

This is kind of a sensible matter (m4/3 vs aps-c) but both produce images that I really like and it's hard to decide.
What is your intended usage? Mind you for low light the Fuji has the bigger sensor. Every time I look on the Flickr page for an M43rd's camera I can't stand the noise pattern on them, not to mention that they don't take to heavy editing well. Though these are Flickr pages, the wrong photographer can really do a disservice for a lens or camera.
 

Reckoner

Member
What is your intended usage? Mind you for low light the Fuji has the bigger sensor. Every time I look on the Flickr page for an M43rd's camera I can't stand the noise pattern on them, not to mention that they don't take to heavy editing well. Though these are Flickr pages, the wrong photographer can really do a disservice for a lens or camera.

Mostly travel, street and some sneakers photo. I've also considered the A6x00, but I've tried it and the too digital and cold colors put me off, compared to Fuji's and Olympus' offerings. I know that with post processing I can probably make something better out of it, but I prefer a laid back usage.
 
Mostly travel, street and some sneakers photo. I've also considered the A6x00, but I've tried it and the too digital and cold colors put me off, compared to Fuji's and Olympus' offerings. I know that with post processing I can probably make something better out of it, but I prefer a laid back usage.

I just ordered the MK3 after what feels like months of deliberation. It should be arriving today with a 25mm 1.7 Lumix lens so I can hopefully post examples soon.

I wanted a camera for NYCC, basically. Definitely looking for something in the laid back side. I tried out the MK2 since it’s very similar in size and set up and looked through like a billion YouTubes and Flickr groups but never really strayed from the E-M10.

It was a pretty simple equation for me. I knew I didn’t want to go much past $600 on the body and I wanted a viewfinder. Sony uses proprietary lenses, which means their 43s have a smaller lens pool (although maybe you could get adapters?). Then between Pano and Olympus, Olympus has on board image stabilization, Panasonic doesn’t.

I sprung for the new MK3 (just came out so it was a bitch to try and get in NYC) just because I wanted something a bit more future proof on the video side. I’m not super mr. Video but you can only see so many sample reels in 2.35 before you’re like “fuck man I want in”.

I’m going to see what initial shooting is like and maybe pick up a cheap kit lens if I need versatility (14-42 I think?). But I think I’m going to really like using the 25mm. I basically just want to do some fun “street” style shooting at the con.
 
Mostly travel, street and some sneakers photo. I've also considered the A6x00, but I've tried it and the too digital and cold colors put me off, compared to Fuji's and Olympus' offerings. I know that with post processing I can probably make something better out of it, but I prefer a laid back usage.
Fuji has some nice film simulations...that I really don't even use anymore. I pretty much just shoot negative pro standard and just edit to taste. I normally just mess with the black and white simulations in post. I personally find velvia too yellow in the skin tones. The XE2 should be fine though I don't know much about the AF system on it.
 

Reckoner

Member
Yeah the EM10 seems like a sweet package with the touch screen and image stabilization. The four thirds sensor means that there are a lot of lenses for it. If I end up getting it, the M.zuiko 25mm will be my first one.

The only thing that I'm worried, like JadedWriter said, is the low light performance, which I'll be using a lot.

Fuji has some nice film simulations...that I really don't even use anymore. I pretty much just shoot negative pro standard and just edit to taste. I normally just mess with the black and white simulations in post. I personally find velvia too yellow in the skin tones. The XE2 should be fine though I don't know much about the AF system on it.

I would love to try one before buying, but for the XE2 I see good deals only used. Right now I've checked a body only pack for 300e. I've also seen the XT1 for 550, but I'm not a fan of the extra bulk.
 
Yeah the EM10 seems like a sweet package with the touch screen and image stabilization. The four thirds sensor means that there are a lot of lenses for it. If I end up getting it, the M.zuiko 25mm will be my first one.

The only thing that I'm worried, like JadedWriter said, is the low light performance, which I'll be using a lot.



I would love to try one before buying, but for the XE2 I see good deals only used. Right now I've checked a body only pack for 300e. I've also seen the XT1 for 550, but I'm not a fan of the extra bulk.
Touch screen doesn't effect image quality, so it's pretty much just an extra thing, people say they need, but really don't need. With IBIS...you going to be taking pictures of moving things or stationary things. Stationary IBIS helps, moving it's all about the shutter speed so it's more about iso. Walk into a store and try them out before making your decision. I don't think the XT1 is that big without the grip. Now if you throw on the grip and the bigger lenses then it's big-ish. Granted I'm coming from dslr land so I'm used to weight/bulk.
 

RuGalz

Member
I would love to try one before buying, but for the XE2 I see good deals only used. Right now I've checked a body only pack for 300e. I've also seen the XT1 for 550, but I'm not a fan of the extra bulk.

I doubt it will go much lower for a new one. I got xe2 used that's practically new with extras for 350 like year and half ago and it's only gone down a tiny bit more after all this time. I still see xm-1 new being more expensive than when I paid for it used years ago. Between em10 and xe2, em10 will be more beneficial in many ways (faster focus, ibis) but xe2 has its charm. I'd just look at what lenses you plan to buy/use and then make your decision.
 

Vamphuntr

Member
Still waiting for my Fuji XT-1 I chose thanks to this thread. It's been over a month now. They took my money in full but still has to ship it. Moral of the story is don't buy from B&H Photo and video. On the ordering page it was saying the lens would be in stock in 7-14 days. That was on August 28th T.T I doesn't help that during this period of the year they always seem to be on Holidays and they are now close until October 15th. I've spent more than a grand on a whole bunch of nothing for now :(
 
Still waiting for my Fuji XT-1 I chose thanks to this thread. It's been over a month now. They took my money in full but still has to ship it. Moral of the story is don't buy from B&H Photo and video. On the ordering page it was saying the lens would be in stock in 7-14 days. That was on August 28th T.T I doesn't help that during this period of the year they always seem to be on Holidays and they are now close until October 15th. I've spent more than a grand on a whole bunch of nothing for now :(

lol yup.

I tried preordering the MKIII from them to get it before NYCC. First I had to twist their arm to even let me preorder it for store pickup. They finally did, assuring me it would be available by 10/1. Monday I get in touch like "Uh, y'all are closing for 10 days, will my camera get here before you do?" ANd they're like "Tssss, ah, no actually."

I really wanted the MKIII so I ordered it from Amazonk, but any purchases I make going forward will be in person at Adorama.
 
So is Fuji like the best once you start going past $1K? I see a lotta Foojhounds™ in the thread.

Is it the color performance? Sharpness? Lenses?

It's mainly just the easiest "vanilla" answer.

There's a million different factors between cameras, the one that'll be the best depends on what you need/want.

For example, if you like Mirrorless, but also want full frame, your options are either Sony, or Lei- scratch that, your only option is Sony.

If APSC if fine for you, and you want simpler more intuitive controls and don't mind a difference in technology, Fuji edges out Sony (because lets face it they focus more on doing MORE AWESOME STUFF with their cameras than they do making them fun to use).
etc etc
There's no real "one answer", really.
 
So is Fuji like the best once you start going past $1K? I see a lotta Foojhounds™ in the thread.

Is it the color performance? Sharpness? Lenses?
Combination of everything. It's a pretty good ecosystem that can more or less handle whatever you want to throw at it. It's great for street and portraits, pretty good at landscapes, not as good as my D810, but it's good enough. The controls are intuitive, not a lot of menu diving for the most part. Color wise I pretty much just edit to style, but the raws are pretty good now that I stopped shooting in Velvia and actually have a better overall idea of what the heck everything really looks like.

DSCF0229 by Marcus Beasley, on Flickr

DSCF0557 by Marcus Beasley, on Flickr

DSCF0540 by Marcus Beasley, on Flickr

Still waiting for my Fuji XT-1 I chose thanks to this thread. It's been over a month now. They took my money in full but still has to ship it. Moral of the story is don't buy from B&H Photo and video. On the ordering page it was saying the lens would be in stock in 7-14 days. That was on August 28th T.T I doesn't help that during this period of the year they always seem to be on Holidays and they are now close until October 15th. I've spent more than a grand on a whole bunch of nothing for now :(
I tend to buy from them in person, the problem is that you caught them on one of their Jewish holiday rotations so the shipping is going to be borked.
 
It's mainly just the easiest "vanilla" answer.

There's a million different factors between cameras, the one that'll be the best depends on what you need/want.

For example, if you like Mirrorless, but also want full frame, your options are either Sony, or Lei- scratch that, your only option is Sony.

If APSC if fine for you, and you want simpler more intuitive controls and don't mind a difference in technology, Fuji edges out Sony (because lets face it they focus more on doing MORE AWESOME STUFF with their cameras than they do making them fun to use).
etc etc
There's no real "one answer", really.

Good to know.

I shot film a billion years ago but never really understood lenses or f-stops or anything. It was really just a "camera", you know? I'd focus and shoot.

But even just after a few weeks of looking for a lens and body, I already know what a 25mm is and difference between 1.7 and 1.8. The MKIII and a 25mm, I think, is going to be the perfect beginner set up for me, but I have a feeling I'm going to want to branch out at some point, so I'm glad this thread exists.

EDIT: omg is that your dog, it's rad af
 
EDIT: omg is that your dog, it's rad af
That is somebody else's dog, I sadly do not own a doggo. This one was too cute to not photograph. Whatever you do just do some lens research before you 100% nail down what you get. Fuji has some insanely good lenses and their F2 lenses are top notch. I've been using their 90mm F2, which is essentially a 135 F2 and it's great. I actually shot that in a darkened crate and was able to bring out a lot of detail in shadow and exposure recovery.
 
That is somebody else's dog, I sadly do not own a doggo. This one was too cute to not photograph. Whatever you do just do some lens research before you 100% nail down what you get. Fuji has some insanely good lenses and their F2 lenses are top notch. I've been using their 90mm F2, which is essentially a 135 F2 and it's great. I actually shot that in a darkened crate and was able to bring out a lot of detail in shadow and exposure recovery.

For sure
 
Also keep in mind until my XT2 I wasn't much of a mirrorless person...now I really don't give a shit. A camera is a camera, the most important thing is the person holding it. Fuji has a great system. There might be some quirks you might have to get used to, but I can bounce between my DSLR's and the XT2 without having a problem.
 
For addtional fuckery, I consider Sony cameras to be 100% the best for anyone thinking of using vintage lenses.

They just need to hire me as "irate camera guy that is annoyed by how Sony is 95% there but that last 5% is annoying".
 

RuGalz

Member
For addtional fuckery, I consider Sony cameras to be 100% the best for anyone thinking of using vintage lenses.

They just need to hire me as "irate camera guy that is annoyed by how Sony is 95% there but that last 5% is annoying".

how is Sony any different than any other milc for adopting lenses?
 
Biggest bit is being full frame, so you get to use the full lens, instead of just the center, and the focal lengths make more sense. And while it isn't "important", FF pixel density works out better than same res on APSC in this case.

IBIS gives vintage lenses stabilization.

I'm sure Fuji and M4/3rds have the focus peaking with old lenses, and that's a pretty big one too.

If Fuji made a Full Frame with IBIS I'd probably call Samyang and tell them to convert all my lenses to X mount and jump ship, tbh.
 
Fuji wants nothing to do with the money pit that is full frame, way too much competition and not worth it for them. They have the niche and I like it so I'm fine with them sticking to that. If Nikon comes out with an FX mirrorless that isn't shit I'll inquire about it. Regarding ibis I don't think it's that important unless you're doing longer shutter speed landscape shots. If it's something moving it's all about shutter speed. I think I'd only ever care about IBIS if I was doing a lot of video work.
 

RuGalz

Member
IBIS gives vintage lenses stabilization.

This is probably the biggest hurtle for me to invest in Fuji fully since I'm used of having it for a long time.

Fuji wants nothing to do with the money pit that is full frame, way too much competition and not worth it for them. They have the niche and I like it so I'm fine with them sticking to that. If Nikon comes out with an FX mirrorless that isn't shit I'll inquire about it. Regarding ibis I don't think it's that important unless you're doing longer shutter speed landscape shots. If it's something moving it's all about shutter speed. I think I'd only ever care about IBIS if I was doing a lot of video work.

IBIS has many advantages, the biggest gain for me is in travel context where places do not allow tripods (and there are more of them everyday). IBIS is good for portraits as well. I don't want to setup a tripod just to take picture of my wife because it's darkish while traveling and it's fine to have motion in the background.
 
This is probably the biggest hurtle for me to invest in Fuji fully since I'm used of having it for a long time.



IBIS has many advantages, the biggest gain for me is in travel context where places do not allow tripods (and there are more of them everyday). IBIS is good for portraits as well. I don't want to setup a tripod just to take picture of my wife because it's darkish while traveling and it's fine to have motion in the background.
I mean yeah I get it, but man it just seems like something highly situational, I guess I don't care about it because I'm used to not having it. I'm not a tripod person, I have one, but don't use it because I hate lugging that shit around. If I do get something with IBIS, it would probably be an A7ii or something, but dear god at having to rebuy lenses...AGAIN and at Sony's ridiculous prices.
 
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