Robmoores1 Posted October 30, 2011 Share #1 Posted October 30, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) Might be best to avoid this one. Bought and used Lumix G3 for few months. Read about my findings on my Blog here: The Lumix G3 – What is the point? | robmoores1 Thanks, Rob Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted October 30, 2011 Posted October 30, 2011 Hi Robmoores1, Take a look here Looking for a companion camera to the M9?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
likalar Posted October 30, 2011 Share #2 Posted October 30, 2011 Rob, I'm not sure I quite get this, and I hope I don't come off as disrespectful. On an M9 forum, you posted a short review of what camera not to get as a companion camera to an M9. I wasn't even aware that some people look for or buy a companion camera after buying a digital rangefinder. By "companion", do you mean you take both cameras on outings? Or do you take just one of them, depending on what you intend to photograph? After you rid yourself of the Lumix, what might you try next? I'm not slamming your ideas, just curious, is all. Larry Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bpalme Posted October 30, 2011 Share #3 Posted October 30, 2011 I often wonder the same thing about "back up" cameras. I can understand if you're a pro and have a back up just in case. Or if you have so much money you want an extra "just in case". But.. if you love technology and can afford other systems just for fun then nothing wrong with that. My other camera is a point and shoot. Samsung TL500. I bought it for video, macro and true pocketability. $250 used. Btw, I had an EP2 and it was a fun little camera.. make sure you get the 20mm Pany. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sfage Posted October 30, 2011 Share #4 Posted October 30, 2011 The only companion to a 9 thousand dollar camera... is another 9 thousand dollar camera. In other words, a 1000 dollar camera can never 'be' a companion, nor a comparison. At the same time, I agree with some of what you said. Articulated touch screen? To use a real estate metaphor: that's a lot of money spent on the square footage of the least used room of the house. Articulated (and touch) screens are a complete waste of time and money. It's a gimmick. Every cent spent upon that stupid screen is taken away from the image quality. In reference to your comment: "The camera is too small for how it is intended to be held." That puts the Dlux 5, the X1, the X100, the Nex series, the Olympus, the Ricoh GXR and others in to the same category. They are not "pro" cameras. They are not even remotely close to the price point of 'pro' machines. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
d2mini Posted October 30, 2011 Share #5 Posted October 30, 2011 I have a D700 and an M9. Different tools for different jobs. But I've been wanting a true pocketable camera (P&S) that doesn't feel like a P&S. Or a P.O.S. Ricoh is just now releasing their new GRD IV so i'll be seriously looking at that. You just can't beat their user interface, great glass, noise levels can be a problem at higher iso's but in b/w the noise renders very film like, the camera is very customizable, and it's very quick operating. As far as p&s go, I've owned nikons, canons, panasonic lx's, leica d-lux's, and none of them perform like the Ricoh cameras. Ricoh truly does make cameras designed for professional photographers. It won't replace the M9, but IMHO, it may just be the perfect compliment to the M9. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
vinster Posted October 30, 2011 Share #6 Posted October 30, 2011 if you need a friend to clip on your belt .light weight an takes good shots, wouldnt look any further than the Leica D-LUX 5 , a good alternative would be the Canon S95 another little gem. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
algrove Posted October 31, 2011 Share #7 Posted October 31, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) Might be best to avoid this one. Bought and used Lumix G3 for few months. Read about my findings on my Blog here: The Lumix G3 – What is the point? | robmoores1 Thanks, Rob Do you mean a camera of equal quality or anything? The P&S suggestions were OK if that's what you meant. Sometimes I take a Panasonic LX-5 along just for either quick shots or when scoping out future locations for tripod shooting and I combine that with a little hand held GPS to mark the exact spot if important enough. I also might take a GF1 with Leica adapter-just in case. Then again if I really want to go crazy I will pack my Hasselblad SWC with digital back and use the Leica as a companion to that. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Humood Posted October 31, 2011 Share #8 Posted October 31, 2011 The only companion to a 9 thousand dollar camera... is another 9 thousand dollar camera. In other words, a 1000 dollar camera can never 'be' a companion, nor a comparison. . I totally agree! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted October 31, 2011 Share #9 Posted October 31, 2011 So, when you are on holiday, do you hand your nine thousand dollar camera to the waiter for that shot of you and your wife enjoying yourselves on the terrace with cocktails as the sun goes down? You know, the shot that she always complains you don't take. That just precedes the argument about "nobody would ever know I am here with you from the photographs". Do you take your nine thousand dollar camera down onto the beach for a day of lazing and book reading? There is a need for a "companion camera". Thanks to the OP for an interesting read. Regards, Bill Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kdriceman Posted October 31, 2011 Share #10 Posted October 31, 2011 So, when you are on holiday, do you hand your nine thousand dollar camera to the waiter for that shot of you and your wife enjoying yourselves on the terrace with cocktails as the sun goes down? You know, the shot that she always complains you don't take. That just precedes the argument about "nobody would ever know I am here with you from the photographs". Do you take your nine thousand dollar camera down onto the beach for a day of lazing and book reading? There is a need for a "companion camera". Thanks to the OP for an interesting read. Regards, Bill Exactly. And, now we have multiple choices for a 'companion' camera that not only delivers decent IQ and video... but can also wear an M lens if I want. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joelogan Posted October 31, 2011 Share #11 Posted October 31, 2011 In my opinion (and I have made this mistake myself) is confusing a "companion" camera with a "back up camera". A back up if for that worst case scenario, when your M9 goes wrong and you want to shoot. Ideally, another M9 body would be perfect, or an M8 would be my second choice. I made the mistake of getting a Sony NEX which I hated, couldn't get used to the menu system, and it became more appealing to "just go home" rather than stay out shooting. YMMV. A companion camera on the other hand, is for situations where you would actually choose to take the companion out shooting INSTEAD of the M9. Is this what you were getting at? The way I see it is for example going out to a bar, or a restaurant, and just wanting to take some great images in low light without having the heft and risk of taking the expensive M9 out. The M9 is also not a great high ISO camera so there are definitely some advantages to this concept. In this case I would be looking exclusively at the Leica X1 or Fuji X100. As the camera is not a back up, I wouldn't be fussed about having to mount my Leica lenses on it. I guess a 50mm Summilux ASPH on a NEX would be about as bulky as an M9 in practical terms. The X1 and X100 have superb built in lenses, and for the purposes that I have described, they would suit me far better than fiddling around with a NEX and a few lenses. I suppose it all depends on what you are after, but hope it all works out for you! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest happytogger Posted October 31, 2011 Share #12 Posted October 31, 2011 A companion to M9 would have id say the following Body all metal including chassis, top & base plate & dials. OVF bright sharp capable of matching the lens focal lengths. Lens wide to standard to portrait to short tele. Lens manual zooming & focusing. Lens fast. Lens sharp wide open with nice oof background. Lens barrel metal. AF fast, accurate focus tracking & high fps. Colours rich & accurate, skin tones accurate, white balance accurate. Metering superb. Capable of handling different conditions from high dr to high iso. Pocketable in jacket pocket. Gorgeous design. ... There is only one digital camera which meets all these. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tietje Posted November 3, 2011 Share #13 Posted November 3, 2011 Articulated (and touch) screens are a complete waste of time and money. It's a gimmick. Every cent spent upon that stupid screen is taken away from the image quality. I've a Panasonic G1 with an articulated screen, I think its brilliant. Low level shots, close ups, tripod stuff, very flexible. Depends on what you like taking pictures of. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shade Posted November 3, 2011 Share #14 Posted November 3, 2011 I bought tye Olympus ep3 along with the Panasonic Leica Summilux 25/1.4 and I am very pleased with the results! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest happytogger Posted November 3, 2011 Share #15 Posted November 3, 2011 http://www.lintcoat.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/m9_black_animation_front.jpg http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/digital/fuji/Fujifilm_X10.jpg Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IkarusJohn Posted November 3, 2011 Share #16 Posted November 3, 2011 There are many situations where I would like to take a camera, but my M9 is to large to fit comfortably in a coat pocket, or I need two hands. I do take my M9 everywhere, but a smaller camera would be good. I don't want to buy into another system if I don't have to, and image quality remains important to me. The new mirror less Leica will be very appealing, but it will be expensive. Similarly, I don't want to repeat what I already have with my M9 - there is some benefit of having an alternative that does different things, but uses Leica glass. I'm intrigued by the Nex 5N (at USD 600.00, it's quite cheap), and it's small (adding little to the size of a Summilux 50). So, I am considering this. I'd prefer the Nex 7, but the image quality in Steve Huff's test with wide lenses is not very appealing (carrying a little camera like that with a 28 or 35 Summicron would be very useful for those days when I don't want an M9 round my neck). I'm very interested in others feedback on this before I commit to anything. Cheers John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
algrove Posted November 4, 2011 Share #17 Posted November 4, 2011 John- You maybe have already read them, but I want to point you to both Bill's and Malland's experiences (photos included) in this forum that are most interesting with the Ricoh GMX M Mount which was designed for use with M lenses, from very wide to tele. Yes, it is more than the $600 you quote, but even with $600 you must add on an adapter to the price in order to be able to use Leica glass on the Sony. The GXRM package is around US $1k. Take a look at this option and let us have your thoughts. P.S.-Love that Sarko quote! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
d2mini Posted November 5, 2011 Share #18 Posted November 5, 2011 Sean Reid posted his review on the Ricoh GRD IV today. Anyone serious about photography and looking for a pocketable camera really needs to consider it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezc203 Posted November 5, 2011 Share #19 Posted November 5, 2011 I agree. Between the Ricoh GRD4 and the Sigma DP2s, any "serious" photog is bound to find a pocketable back-up. I'm a little more inclined towards the Sigma only because I'm not HUGE on the 28mm view. Much prefer the 41mm. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cidereye Posted November 5, 2011 Share #20 Posted November 5, 2011 Sean Reid posted his review on the Ricoh GRD IV today.Anyone serious about photography and looking for a pocketable camera really needs to consider it. Agree 100%. For me the GRD series is the perfect addition to using an M, almost have enough groats saved up to buy my replacement for my old GRD II. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.