Q2 for quick snaps and videos : the right tool for me ?

[didier]

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Dear all,

I am a long time M user. I also own a SL (601) I like as a platform for fast M-lenses.
I am about to sell my CL-kit as it doesn’t get much use (used twice in 2021 !), though I like it and get good results when I shoot with it.

I have tried the Q2 when it was released and have a remembrance of how snappy it is for quick shots. I also liked the EVF and possibility to use the crop-mode, and a kind of M viewfinder with the 35 frame-lines.

I am thinking about adding a Q2 to my gear mostly to

a) shoot my toddlers (2 & 4 year old girls) for stills and small videos and

b) to have an « always with me camera »

In your experience :

1) is the Q2 autofocus fast enough to shoot to little kids storming around ?

2) what about small videos of those kids ? I read the AF-trakcing is not very good, but do you thing the video mode is usable and satisficing for such a use ?

 

Thanks a lot for sharing your experience !

Didier

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[JoshuaR]

That’s how I’m using it—for family pictures, including of a very quick three-year-old. I couldn’t be happier. The autofocus is definitely fast enough—even if it’s not as fast as what I was getting with my Fuji system, it works well. (I use spot focusing most of the time, and tend to stay away from face detect.) Videos are excellent, and I simplify the focus task by stopping down. That said, I do find myself making more videos with my iPhone, simply because the quality is good once I do a little color correction and the editing workflow is so incredibly simple—I prefer editing on the phone to dealing with video files on my computer.

[PhotoCruiser]

Am 11.12.2021 um 21:14 schrieb didier:

b) to have an « always with me camera »

 

Honestly this is the only valid reason answering the above question. YES!

I would consider another camera with a zoom lens for people photography and there AF tracking will be probably better than on the Q series.

Don't get me wrong; the Q2 is a awesome camera and after 3 years im still in love with her and always impressed of the photo quality and handling.

However, a fixed 28mm lens is not what I consider a good choice for people/portrait photography, it will work without any doubt but not so well and versatile than a zoom lens. 
The video quality is stunning but the lack of the connection to attach a external microphone is a PITA for "serious" videos and the 28mm problem exist for videos too.

A ways cheaper compact camera with a high quality zoom lens and a good AF would be probably the better choice for family and baby (video)photography.

Chris