Basil5278
TPF Noob!
- Joined
- May 14, 2013
- Messages
- 25
- Reaction score
- 4
- Location
- Ireland
- Can others edit my Photos
- Photos OK to edit
Hi All, I'm new on here so a quick bio before I get to the important bit. British born but I live in Ireland and work for an American Company (UL). Been 'in to' photography since I was 8 years old and cut my teeth on junk-shop box brownie's, a Kodak Autographic and various hand-me-downs. Processed my own film since 11 years old, but in 2005 I went digital with a Nikon D50. Followed a year later by a D200 plus a few goodies and returned to wedding photography for a while.
OK, that's done, so why am I here? Well, my youngest is getting married in Zakynthos this August and after being told I would not be photographing the wedding, a couple of months back she said "Dad, you will be taking your camera, won't you? Umm, the photographer's only there for the formal shots ...."
So, with a luggage restriction of 7.5kg in the cabin and 15kg on the hold, and hankering after an ILC since I got a Lumix DMC-LX3 for Christmas 3 years ago, here is my excuse to go and buy something. Not got a huge budget but the choice is vast today, and my 'short list' looks like a bad (i.e. long and boring) wedding speech. A bit like this post :lmao:
I have a spec. All flexible of course: a tiltable/articulated screen (I used to shoot weddings on a C220 and the waist-level screen is still my favourite for some shots); viewfinder or an option for an add-on; Lightweight; good range of optional extras; option to add 3rd party lenses, especially Leica :hail:; weather proofing an advantage.
I like Lumix, so my first choice was GX1 until I started looking around. Sony I'm not keen on, nice but not quite right (I can't easily get hands-on as no dealers within 3 hours of here, but did get a play with the NEX5R last Sunday-impressive but not for me).
My short list is now the following and I'd really appreciate some helpful advice (I know, write shorter posts)
Panasonic:-
Olympus:-
So, it's taken me 2 weeks of spending nearly every evening trawling through reviews and online camera stores websites. My thoughts are I could afford to buy any of the Panasonic's, the M5 (although pushing the budget a bit), the X-E1 (not released yet tho) and likewise the PEN E-P5, but if I wait a few weeks the X-Pro1 might come up in an offer.
Over to you, please help me out of this dilemma .... the retro styled Fuji's and the M5 are pulling at the nostalgia strings, but what is the right choice? BTW, I'll be keeping the SLR for weddings, mostly I'd carry the compact for everything else.
OK, that's done, so why am I here? Well, my youngest is getting married in Zakynthos this August and after being told I would not be photographing the wedding, a couple of months back she said "Dad, you will be taking your camera, won't you? Umm, the photographer's only there for the formal shots ...."
So, with a luggage restriction of 7.5kg in the cabin and 15kg on the hold, and hankering after an ILC since I got a Lumix DMC-LX3 for Christmas 3 years ago, here is my excuse to go and buy something. Not got a huge budget but the choice is vast today, and my 'short list' looks like a bad (i.e. long and boring) wedding speech. A bit like this post :lmao:
I have a spec. All flexible of course: a tiltable/articulated screen (I used to shoot weddings on a C220 and the waist-level screen is still my favourite for some shots); viewfinder or an option for an add-on; Lightweight; good range of optional extras; option to add 3rd party lenses, especially Leica :hail:; weather proofing an advantage.
I like Lumix, so my first choice was GX1 until I started looking around. Sony I'm not keen on, nice but not quite right (I can't easily get hands-on as no dealers within 3 hours of here, but did get a play with the NEX5R last Sunday-impressive but not for me).
My short list is now the following and I'd really appreciate some helpful advice (I know, write shorter posts)
Panasonic:-
- G5/G6 (would like G6 but may not be released soon enough). Good pricing, great lenses and has most of the list.
- GX1 still a favourite, I like a truly pocketable camera but fixed screen and no hot shoe if I get the finder, plus it's pricey when you add the bits up.
Olympus:-
- OM-D E-M5. Drool! I think it ticks all the boxes. Tell me I'm wrong, but having had an OM2 many moons ago, and the optics from memory are outstanding....must admit I'm 75% set on this. 12-50 is a good startup, can add primes later.
- PEN E-P5. Nearly as good as the M5? more pocketable, but expensive when you add on the bits. (Might not be released in time)
- X-Pro1. Oh, the big surprise for me. Real dials. A recognisable camera from 'my' era and I would find the analog look easier to handle. Great sensor too, limited range of X series lenses but plenty of 3rd party. Pricey, out of my budget to be honest but the hybrid finder is a definite plus. Fixed screen but If this matched the M5 for price, it would be my first choice.
- X-E1. Really hard decision now-all that the X-Pro1 has except the optical finder. Price with the kit lens is less that the M5, so a bit of roo for a s/h prime, manual lens.
So, it's taken me 2 weeks of spending nearly every evening trawling through reviews and online camera stores websites. My thoughts are I could afford to buy any of the Panasonic's, the M5 (although pushing the budget a bit), the X-E1 (not released yet tho) and likewise the PEN E-P5, but if I wait a few weeks the X-Pro1 might come up in an offer.
Over to you, please help me out of this dilemma .... the retro styled Fuji's and the M5 are pulling at the nostalgia strings, but what is the right choice? BTW, I'll be keeping the SLR for weddings, mostly I'd carry the compact for everything else.