Compact aps-c fixed lens travel camera that won’t break the bank?

[rf03]

I travel often, and I try to go as light as possible. Until now, I have been bringing along an M43 body and two prime lenses which is pretty light. But when you factor in three batteries, a charger, lens hoods, and a few other doodads it adds up. I have been researching more compact gear for travel. I have ruled out one inch sensors in favor of aps-c sensors for more dynamic range. I also want a camera with a fixed prime lens, the ability to shoot raw, and the ability to select metering options. This considerably narrows the choices, which brings me to my point.

The market for the cameras I would like has gone absolutely nuts. I hear it has something to do with Gen Z craving retro stuff. The two cameras on my short list are the Fujifilm XF10 and X70. Both were available new a few years back for five or six hundred dollars. Today, the sell for well over one thousand dollars on the used market. What the…

Are there any cameras I should consider that meet my requirements and are not currently going for extortionate prices? Thanks!

 

[fish3231]

A second hand Fuji X100 of whatever mark you want to spend. I still have an original X100, but you would probably want a newer model with faster AF. There's an XF10 from China on ebay for £510 including postage, another from a UK seller for £480 inc postage but they probably wouldn't post to the US.

 

[cgw114 139]

Fuji X-100S or T. Ricoh GR II. Failing that, a Fuji X-T1 with a Fujinon 23/2. The X100 series does have an optical VF feature that stretches battery life. The Fuji X70 hasn't been available new for years. Tough to find used since they weren't strong sellers.

 

[rf03]

@

A second hand Fuji X100 of whatever mark you want to spend. I still have an original X100, but you would probably want a newer model with faster AF. There's an XF10 from China on ebay for £510 including postage, another from a UK seller for £480 inc postage but they probably wouldn't post to the US.

Unfortunately, I have read that many of those too good to be true prices on eBay auctions from China are actually either fake, damaged, or never delivered. A quick Google will get you a bunch of nightmare stories. It’s a shame.

 

[snowbear113 44]

Used Nikon D40? Any AF-S and a lot of manual focus on used lens market will work on it.

 

[fish3231]

@

Unfortunately, I have read that many of those too good to be true prices on eBay auctions from China are actually either fake, damaged, or never delivered. A quick Google will get you a bunch of nightmare stories. It’s a shame.

Check this seller out. They have 1850 reviews and 100% positive. ccd_free_001 My recent and past experience on ebay is they are very quick to refund when something goes wrong.

 

[rf03]

Check this seller out. They have 1850 reviews and 100% positive. ccd_free_001 My recent and past experience on ebay is they are very quick to refund when something goes wrong.

Sounds legit, but what about the tariff? I just pulled this up which pretty much negates the savings. Last year DHL held a lens I purchased on eBay from a Japanese dealer until I forked over $200 in tariffs. I found out quickly that U.S. Customs assesses the tariff levied against the country of manufacture. The lens I bought from the Japanese dealer was made in China. That hurt!

The current tariffs for cameras imported from China to the U.S. is below. There use to be an exemption for purchases under $800 but that is gone.

25% under Section 301, plus a 10% global baseline import tariff, bringing the effective total to roughly 35%

 

[Rickbb62 1]

Bunch of Sony, Nikon and Cannons here.

https://www.mpb.com/en-us/search?q=Aps-c%20camera&page=3

 

[rf03]

I may have to break down and get a Ricoh GR of some type. They seem pretty compact and they get great reviews from street and travel photographers. It would certainly reduce my load when on the road, but it will also considerably reduce my wallet!

 

[cgw114 139]

Maybe just fork it over to KEH and be done with it. Seems you're Unicorn hunting--a no-risk bargain on highly desirable cameras.

 

[fish3231]

Sounds legit, but what about the tariff? I just pulled this up which pretty much negates the savings. Last year DHL held a lens I purchased on eBay from a Japanese dealer until I forked over $200 in tariffs. I found out quickly that U.S. Customs assesses the tariff levied against the country of manufacture. The lens I bought from the Japanese dealer was made in China. That hurt!

The current tariffs for cameras imported from China to the U.S. is below. There use to be an exemption for purchases under $800 but that is gone.

25% under Section 301, plus a 10% global baseline import tariff, bringing the effective total to roughly 35%

That's crazy. I thought you'd only have to pay sales tax for whatever state you are in. In the UK we only have to pay the sales tax (vat) at 20% if what we are importing is over £135 per consignment.
Where are you travelling to? Have a look at cameras there. I am going to Vietnam next month. I will pick up a Godox V860III for £96. Amazon are charging £220. Vietnam used to be really cheap for second have Fuji gear, but not anymore.

 

[nerwin]

I wish there was more options. Your best bet is a Fuji X100 series, Ricoh GR series...or maybe a Fuji X70/XF10. That's pretty much it for APS-C.

All the compact cameras have gone up in value recently. I wish I had kept my Fuji X100V.....now I just use a Nikon D750 that is gathering dust because I never have time to shoot anymore. But its heck of a lot better than an expensive camera just sitting collecting dust

 

[Tartness90941]

I travel often, and I try to go as light as possible. Until now, I have been bringing along an M43 body and two prime lenses which is pretty light. But when you factor in three batteries, a charger, lens hoods, and a few other doodads it adds up. I have been researching more compact gear for travel. I have ruled out one inch sensors in favor of aps-c sensors for more dynamic range. I also want a camera with a fixed prime lens, the ability to shoot raw, and the ability to select metering options. This considerably narrows the choices, which brings me to my point.

The market for the cameras I would like has gone absolutely nuts. I hear it has something to do with Gen Z craving retro stuff. The two cameras on my short list are the Fujifilm XF10 and X70. Both were available new a few years back for five or six hundred dollars. Today, the sell for well over one thousand dollars on the used market. What the…

Are there any cameras I should consider that meet my requirements and are not currently going for extortionate prices? Thanks!

How about a Samsung NX10/20/30? I have the NX10 which is very small for a APS-C camera and with a 16mm or 30mm pancake lens, a very small package. The only downside is the low light performance compared to more modern cameras. The NX300 is also very compact and more modern than the NX10

 

[PhotoHobbyist112 139]

The Lumix LX100 micro four thirds has a Leica f/1.7-2.8 zoom lens (24mm-75mm) works well in low light and could be a reasonable compromise for a travel camera.

 

[rf03]

Maybe just fork it over to KEH and be done with it. Seems you're Unicorn hunting--a no-risk bargain on highly desirable cameras.

True, but it’s not like I absolutely must have it. A pocketable travel camera and a more compact kit would be nice to have but not at objectionable prices. These things aren’t worth twice retail. The market is artificially inflated due to demand from casual shooters who can drop their interest at a moment’s notice and move on to the next thing. I should have pulled the trigger three or four years ago. Now I may just have to wait until something reasonable drops.