don't spank me for making another "looking for new camera" thread

[sushifan]

But it's truuuuue. I am looking for a new camera (2012 or soon to be released). Amateur photographer wanting to take my game to the next level. Well, hobby. Tired of smartphone and consumer P&Ss. I can get great compositions and even lighting but the sensor is just to small. Things often don't look like they do in person i.e. large sunsets / real lighting. I'm also very into street. I love all sorts of photography really. Mostly street though. So that means something that is as close to a full-format rangefinder as possible without the Leica price tag. Would love suggestions on lenses too because I often miss great shots because I can't get close enough or need that stealth.

I have no brand biases either although I always read good things about the new Fuji stuff and also the Pentax cameras too because they are often 1/2 the price of Nikon even though they are so similar.

 

[jaomul]

Sounds like the fugi x-pro 1 should be on your shopping list. For these questions it may be better if you mention a budget

 

[sushifan]

Sounds like the fugi x-pro 1 should be on your shopping list. For these questions it may be better if you mention a budget

Yeah, that's about the range. Any others to compare with?

 

[jaomul]

Sony nex 7?

 

[sushifan]

Comparisons between the Fujifilm X-Pro 1, Olympus OM-D, and Sony NEX-7 seem to be the most prevalent.

From what I've read the X-Pro 1 seems to have the most hype behind it although its video pales in comparison to the NEX-7's 1080p. Most are saying that other than at high ISO, they can't tell the different in image quality between the X-Pro 1 and NEX-7 even though the NEX-7 has a smaller sensor. Most are saying that in normal lighting the NEX-7 images are superior; X-Pro 1 having better ISO only. OM-D seems to be the best all around camera with also the best lens choices plus the weather proofing is great.

This is my impression going by the various youtube comparisons.

 

[KmH]

People often look to equipment when "wanting to take my game to the next level."

Once they have the new equipment, they are often disappointed when they see little, if any, improvement in their photographs.

Ultimately image quality results from the photographer's knowledge and skill. Consequently, upgrading the photographer is what usually facilitates stepping up to the next level.
Digital Photography Tutorials
Guidelines for Better Photographic Composition.
10 Top Photography Composition Rules | Photography Mad


Photo finishing used to be done by the lab that developed the film for most hobby photographers. Today photo finishing has to be done by the photographer.
http://www.uvsc.edu/disted/tetc/docs/workshops/basic_image_editing_photoshop.pdf

 

[gryffinwings]

People often look to equipment when "wanting to take my game to the next level."

Once they have the new equipment, they are often disappointed when they see little, if any, improvement in their photographs.

Ultimately image quality results from the photographer's knowledge and skill. Consequently, upgrading the photographer is what usually facilitates stepping up to the next level.
Digital Photography Tutorials
Guidelines for Better Photographic Composition.
10 Top Photography Composition Rules | Photography Mad


Photo finishing used to be done by the lab that developed the film for most hobby photographers. Today photo finishing has to be done by the photographer.
http://www.uvsc.edu/disted/tetc/docs/workshops/basic_image_editing_photoshop.pdf

In this case, I will have to disagree, since he is using a point and shoot, which ever one it is. If he is going to step up to a DSLR, I think there is a big jump in IQ and it's much easier to get exactly what you want out of your photos.

So my recommendation would be Nikon, lots of glass to choose from, pick what format you want, FX (full frame) or DX (crop frame), get the kit for a D7000 or D600, if you have money to burn. Either will be fine, because it seems like you need good light sensitivity which both have in spades.

Next, you never said a price range that you were working with.

Alternative:
Olympus OMD - Get it if you need small size to work with, but the lens choices are pretty limited. But I hear that IQ is really great.

 

[Tony S]

The search function at the top of the page works really well............ this has only been asked about 25 times in the last 30 days. Don't be so lazy.... lol

 

[Village Idiot]

But it's truuuuue. I am looking for a new camera (2012 or soon to be released). Amateur photographer wanting to take my game to the next level. Well, hobby. Tired of smartphone and consumer P&Ss. I can get great compositions and even lighting but the sensor is just to small. Things often don't look like they do in person i.e. large sunsets / real lighting. I'm also very into street. I love all sorts of photography really. Mostly street though. So that means something that is as close to a full-format rangefinder as possible without the Leica price tag. Would love suggestions on lenses too because I often miss great shots because I can't get close enough or need that stealth.

I have no brand biases either although I always read good things about the new Fuji stuff and also the Pentax cameras too because they are often 1/2 the price of Nikon even though they are so similar.

Does size matter? Are you going to have money to purchase lenses?

Reason I ask is that the mirrorless cameras like the Fujis, Olympus OM-Ds and PENs, Sony NEX, Panasonic, and others are great little camers but there's no way I'd use one over my 5D MKII if I had to use one. I love my OM-D and I love that it's compact, but when I need to go out to shoot for a job or something serious, it's usually the 5D MKII that goes with me. That being said, I paid about $1700 for an OM-D with two primes. I paid about $6000 for a 5D MKII with three zooms. That's not including my primes and other crap for the camera. Any way you look at it though, if you purchase a camera that uses detachable lenses, if you put crap on you'll get crap out. There are a few special lenses that are cheaper and will give you the quality you're looking for but it generally goes along the lines of you get what you pay for.