Camera gear discussions

Discussion in 'Photography and Cameras' started by Bill-P, Oct 15, 2015.

  1. Elmer Danilovich

    Elmer Danilovich MOT:Earmen, HeadAmp, Bricasti; AKA:MShenay

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    Nice thread, I've been spending a lot more time with my 200D these days. I've got the basic canon camera bag but it's not quick... the PD 10L looks interesting. Went hiking the wife a few weeks back, got some decent shots but spent a lot of time with the Camera in my hand...

    Most recently had a fun stint at one of the local out door shopping centers

    [​IMG]

    Raw shot with a 50mm f/1.8 no editing, like @thegunner100 I've been taking it along with me more and just capturing whatever's caught my eye. Need to start working more at editing and post/process as well.
     
  2. Zhanming057

    Zhanming057 Friend

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    Have you reached out to Peak Design about the issue? I was an early backer on their Messengers on Kickstarter and after I got my EDM I had some ergonomic complaints. Peak Design responded very well and some of the changes I suggested did make their way into the 13 inch EDM. Maybe they can advise a mod for the backpack or something.

    If your laptop isn't too large, I can also vouch for the 10L Sling. I have the Sling in 10L, a 15-inch EDM and a 20L backpack. Very happy with all three bags.
     
  3. Syzygy

    Syzygy Friend

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  4. Eric_C

    Eric_C Friend

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    @Elmer Danilovich the PD 10L Sling is well-built and handsome, but not exactly quick access to the camera, because it's a zippered bag. Plus, I think the bag is more suited to smaller cameras (due to size + thin strap).
    ThinkTank Retrospective might be more up your alley? I have a friend who's used one for his DSLR for years, and loves it.
     
  5. JustAnotherRando

    JustAnotherRando My other bike is a Ferrari

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    I agree, those straps are utterly stupid and don't work for skinny dudes either. They are designed to look slick and sleek, but they are severely lacking in comfort.

    I have narrow shoulders, and have exactly the same problem with the hard shoulder straps torquing around and digging into my chest. I've never had this problem on any other backpack, because the shoulder straps are either soft, or because the chest straps are mounted on the inside edge of the shoulder straps.

    Sent this feedback to Peak Designs about two years ago. I received a boilerplate reply about "thanks for your feedback."

    The pack is still well designed enough that I will use it certain occasions (basically it makes a handy travel bag, especially when travelling with children). It's quite amazing how good it is in other respects, but because of this fairly glaring comfort problem, I never use it as a daily backpack or a dedicated camera bag.

    Come to think of it, from the amount of use this bag gets and how much it cost, I should just resell it and get something more comfortable.
     
    Last edited: Jan 30, 2019
  6. Deep Funk

    Deep Funk Deep thoughts - Friend

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    This is my do-everything-backpack. It is showing some tears but still takes the abuse. Plenty of padding for your back and shoulders too.

    [​IMG]
     
  7. SoupRKnowva

    SoupRKnowva Official SBAF South Korean Ambassador

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    I am in need of some camera help. I've basically always just used whatever was in my phone, which for alot of stuff is just fine. But this last week after the Red Velvet concert I was looking at the pictures I managed to take, and I knew most of them wouldn't be any good, but even the "best" ones turned out pretty bad. This is something I've noticed at previous concerts, but not quite to the same extent, maybe due to all the movement on stage during the Red Velvet show.

    Anyway, I have decided I need a better camera, at least for concerts, though I will hopefully use it at other times as well. Keeping that in mind it seems the most important things are glass speed, focus speed, and low light performance. This has led me to look primarily at Sony cameras. Also, since it is for concerts, it has to be small, and not look too "pro" or it won't be allowed in. I will also assume relative closeness too the stage for pictures, looking at most of my pics from RV, they ranged from 50-75mm equivalent focal length.

    a6300/6400
    This seems to be a solid option, it is small enough in the body, and apparently cheap enough looking that even though its ILC, most people dont have a problem getting it into shows. This and the 35mm f1.8 OSS from Sony seems like it would be a solid option.


    RX100 VA
    This also seems like a good choice, almost zero chance of being told I can't bring it in since it is literally a point and shoot. Seems to take excellent photos and is very pocketable. It also has the benefit of not being fixed lens, so I could compose shots of specific people or whatever better this way.

    RX1/r/rii
    This is a camera I have always been fascinated with ever since it launched several years ago. It seems to have the best PQ, largest sensor, highest aperture etc. My one worry would be the 35mm fixed lens, but would it be fine to just crop to get the picture I want? I would assume so with the quality it manages. Can also find good deals used on the original for <800bucks. It is also smaller than the a6300 and is not ILC, so I believe most venues would allow it in as well.

    Do you guys have any recommendations or ideas for cameras that would be good for use at concerts?
     
  8. DigMe

    DigMe Friend

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    Personally I wouldn't go with the fixed lens 35 unless you are planning on always being in the first 5 rows. Not sure if you know about "crop factor" when it comes to camera sensors but the 35mm on the Sony 6xxx acts more like a 50ish mm due to the smaller aps-c or "crop" sensor. On the RX1 you're shooting with a true full-frame sensor so it will shoot as a true 35mm. I would go with the 6xxx series for versatility and a strong feature set.
     
  9. SoupRKnowva

    SoupRKnowva Official SBAF South Korean Ambassador

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    Yeah, I presume Ill always be reasonably close, and yeah, I was looking at the 35mm to get something in the 50mm range effective for the a6300, i figured that would be a decent compromise for a prime, I was just hoping cropping would work well enough if i decided to go with the RX1.

    That along with the almost guaranteed entry with it, are what led me to look at the rx100, since it has a zoom, but then further reading led people to say it wasn't a big enough upgrade over the iPhone XS, so I got less excited about it.

    And with the A6300, I wouldnt be able to use any of the zooms anyways, since I am pretty certain the camera wouldnt be let in with a 4.5" lens on the front.

    the struggle is real, and also makes me think there really isnt an answer to this dillema of a better camera for concerts than my phone, that I can also take in without being the camera guy.
     
  10. Zhanming057

    Zhanming057 Friend

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    Have you considered the RX10 series? I know people who use it specifically for concert going.

    I shot concerts for a couple years semi professionally and yes, unless you're at the very front, you want something with at least 135mm reach and preferably >250mm.
     
  11. SoupRKnowva

    SoupRKnowva Official SBAF South Korean Ambassador

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    That RX10 actually looks like a fantastic option, but it looks pretty "pro" even if it isnt an ILC. And i think just as much as the letter of the rule, is dealing with how the security people interpret it. Are they just regular people in the audience? not having trouble getting it in?
     
  12. zerodeefex

    zerodeefex SBAF's Imelda Marcos

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    I have the RX1R II. It’s the perfect candid family and street photographer camera. It’s f'ing terrible for shows and anything where “foot powered zoom” isn’t an option.
     
  13. Elnrik

    Elnrik Super Friendly

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    Opinions please. Nikon B500/B700 or Lumix FZ300/FZ1000?

    Going to take pics / video of projects and audio gear, maybe scenes on a few weekend trips to the mountains. Nothing fancy.

    I just want a shooter with zoom that can do decent video too. I have absolutely no interest in collecting lenses and lots of accessories, and don't want to sink a ton of cash into it either. I'm not really a Canon or Olympus fan, but not ruling them out either. Sony seems good, but very overpriced.

    Open to suggestions.

    Thanks all
     
  14. Syzygy

    Syzygy Friend

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    That FZ1000 you mention has the fastest lens, so will have much better low-light performance. It will also do 4k30p video, if that's important to you. The zoom lens has a very long range (25-400), so it'll be useful in a variety of situations.

    I only briefly looked at the ones you mentioned, but out of those 4 I'd probably choose the FZ1000. Of course, you need to weigh the actual features that you need against the price / feature set.

    I don't have a dog in your hunt; I own and like the Fuji gear, and could care less about video. Good luck. Buy from a place with a good return policy in case you find there's something you can't live with (even ergonomics).
     
  15. Elnrik

    Elnrik Super Friendly

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    The 1000 also has a larger sensor.

    Thank you! I'll have to think about it a bit more.
     
  16. Zhanming057

    Zhanming057 Friend

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    I think that you're generally going to be fine, but I know that people use decals and leather cases to make their camera look less "professional". The RX10 is the absolute most zoom you'll get with a decent size sensor, the RX100 is basically the next step down and I don't feel like that's long enough for big events.

    Physics isn't on your side here, unless fancy diffractive optics or a reflective lens is used, it's very difficult to design a telephoto that's physically shorter than its focal length. That means for a 135mm lens you're looking at a minimum of 3-4 inches of lens protrusion, and about 7 inches for 200mm (although the lens could extend so you're not dealing with all of the length).
     
  17. Eric_C

    Eric_C Friend

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    @SoupRKnowva Would a different phone be an option? If you're already in the market for a new phone, some of the androids seem to be well regarded for low light, like the Pixel 3.
     
  18. EagleWings

    EagleWings Friend

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    @SoupRKnowva , my vote goes for the a6x00 as well. The sensor is large enough for good low light and you are future proof in case you want to get into wide, macro and telephoto later down the road. A pancake prime would keep it super discreet.
     
  19. Deep Funk

    Deep Funk Deep thoughts - Friend

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    The Sony is the best option. I am not a fan of Sony. Thing is, that big sensor in a small body is so convenient.

    Panasonic is finally catching up with their full frame camera but Sony is beating Nikon, Canon and everyone else with the serious I(nterchangeable)L(ense)C(amera)-systems. If you want to keep it discrete, their A6xxx-series is really good for the money.

    Pentax tried it before but miserably failed.
     
  20. Thad E Ginathom

    Thad E Ginathom Friend

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    My vote would go for the new A6400*, with its souped up autofocus (Yet again, Sony is the "fastest in the world." Soon, their cameras will be focussing on stuff as soon as we think about it!). It doesn't have IBIS (in-body stabilisation) but, if you stick to Sony lenses that have "OSS" then there you have it.

    IBIS is the main reason that, having had an a6000 for nearly two years, I just got (literally, today!) an a6500.

    I wonder why bother with the a6300? If you don't want the whiz-bnag** focussing features and blogger's LCD of the 6400, just get the 6500, or save lots of money with the 6000. Seems to me like the 6300 is the mistake child of the family. Major disclosure here: I don't do video. the 6300 may not have the video capability you need. None of them do video for more than 29 minutes at a time, and the 6300 seems to be the worse for overheating before that.

    (In India: a6000 body only, likely to be soon seeking new home ;) )


    *My vote is for the 6500, because of IBIS. But I am really confused now by the Sony line-up pricing. (edit 4 March 19)

    **Free joke.... Man sees a box with Dymanite printed on it. Thinks, "That's silly," and kicks it. Box goes Bnag!
     
    Last edited: Mar 4, 2019

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