Walk Around Camera?

splendid101

Hey all,

I have a Nikon FM2 which is great for wandering around with just the 50mm lens. It's relatively small and compact but quite heavy.

I'm strongly considering getting a digital walk around.

The D200 + 35mm f/1.8 is much bigger and less convenient to carry, won't fit into a jacket pocket etc. Even a D5000 which is a good bit smaller than a D200 is too big to carry every day.

There are loads of options out there these days.

What do people here use?

I'm considering a Panasonic GX1 which seems top quality. This, plus the 20mm f/1.7 would make a really nice combo I'd say.

Nikon also have the V1 and the soon to come 18.5mm f/1.8 (which will be 50mm equivalent). However, I reckon this will fall down when it comes to High ISO. On the plus side, it has a built in EVF which would be additional money and additional size on a GX1. It also focuses better/quicker than a GX1. However, this camera for me, wouldn't be about birds in flight and the like and I reckon the GX1 will autofocus quicker than I manual focus the FM2.

Anyone use the Sony or Olympus options? Fujifilm also have a nice option.

Thoughts?

DaireQuinlan

I've spent quite a while over the last year buying and trying a bunch of different 35mm compacts. Probably not what you're looking for if you're looking for a digital compact, but it's something to consider. Spent max €30 on any of them, winners in the field so far is an unbelievably slim Nikon af600 with a great 28mm lens and a neat panoramic switch, A Konica Big Mini which has a great lens & exposure compensation, and a Yashica T3 and an Olympus Mju II , rolls from which are at home devved waiting to be scanned. Ergonomics wise I'd have to say the Mju II wins hands down, even though it's only had the one roll put through it so far ...

jpb1974

Check out the Sony RX100... a bit on the pricey side but supposed to be a great little thing by all accounts.

splendid101

DaireQuinlan wrote: »

I've spent quite a while over the last year buying and trying a bunch of different 35mm compacts. Probably not what you're looking for if you're looking for a digital compact, but it's something to consider. Spent max €30 on any of them, winners in the field so far is an unbelievably slim Nikon af600 with a great 28mm lens and a neat panoramic switch, A Konica Big Mini which has a great lens & exposure compensation, and a Yashica T3 and an Olympus Mju II , rolls from which are at home devved waiting to be scanned. Ergonomics wise I'd have to say the Mju II wins hands down, even though it's only had the one roll put through it so far ...

haha, I'd actually love a 35mm compact as well. I think I've seen that Nikon af600 in the Camera Exchange. Those film compacts are a lot of fun to use I'd say. Are they auto exposure? Fixed focus?

I am looking for a digital but sure any input is good.

Check out the Sony RX100... a bit on the pricey side but supposed to be a great little thing by all accounts.

Yeah, I heard of that alright, and it looks great.

Not really what I'm after. I'd like a prime lens. Pretty decent aperture on that at 28mm. Looks like the sensor is around the same size as that of the Nikon J1s and V1s which is a negative for me - not a complete no-no, but if I was happy with a sensor that size, I'd be more leaning towards the V1 anyway.

The focusing speed of the Nikon 1s is really, really impressive.

The GX1 looks like its ISO would defeat the ISO of all my other cameras, even with their bigger APS sensors.

I'd say the V1 + 18.5 f/1.8 would make a nice combo - with built in viewfinder which is great.

But the GX1 has better handling according to Thom Hogan who I take as gospel on most issues.

I expected more replies to this so keep 'em coming. There is bound to be some Olympus Pen and Nex users out there.

.Longshanks.

I've a fuji X100 and love it. Took a long time to get to that stage but I wouldn't part with it now.

Effects

I also bought an X100 as a walk around camera and it's great.

splendid101

howthemen,

I decided to go for the Nikon V1. I figured that being able to use (a crippled form of) autofocus on my Nikon lenses with the adapter would be a big advantage. I also really like the crop factor of the V1. Combined with my 300mm+1.4x TC it will be the equivalent of a 756mm/5.6 lens on my D200.

Nice video modes on the V1 too and I like the slow motion feature.

It has a few faults for sure. The Auto ISO function is crap. Not having a minimum shutter speed option under Auto ISO makes no sense.

I'd also like to be able to drop the auto image review.

The EVF is good and I've found myself comfortable using it, and wanting to use it. I wasn't sure if I'd be happy only using a rear screen if I'd gone for the Panasonic GX1 for example

So far so good anyway, it's a fun camera to use.