Where next?

[Dazzajl]

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Having just picked up another M8 to replace the one I sold to buy an M246, I'm not sure the 246 is enough of the camera I want to justify the money tied up in it. My work kit is all about adaptable, modern, crisp durable etc and for personal fun, without the 246 I'd have the M8, an SL (type 601) and a lovely rag tag bunch of manual focus lenses.

I'd like add something that I can use as an everyday lightweight (ish) carry that brings a touch of point and shoot convenience. I'd love to hear the thoughts of the wise folks here, ideally from an anecdotal point of view. Which have you enjoyed? Which have you missed after selling and which maybe looked fabulous but disappointed in the flesh.

The short list so far, in no particular order; a Fuji X100, not sure which. Probably the vi that I haven't had or the T that has been my favourite of the bunch so far.

An Original Q. I read a wise thought once that a fixed lens camera is defined by the lens and this is the best lens ever used on a fixed lens camera.

The D-Lux 8. Well aware of all the shortcomings with these but one of my favourite cameras to travel with way back was the Panny LX2 and this looks to have all of its charm and adaptability.

A CL. Pair it with the 18mm or 23mm for light travel with AF, use it with all the M and L lenses I have now as an extra bonus.

And the very left field choice, an Xd1ii with the 45mm f4. Yes it's bigger and slower than the rest and yes, it lacks so much compared to the GFX50sii and 45mm f2.8 that I use for work but it has whimsy and joy in spades.

Clearly, when I'm not working, the experience of shooting is more valuable to me than the technical quality of the results. I want to have fun and keep memories.

 

[KFo]

Point and shoot convenience?  How about an actual point and shoot?  Ricoh GRii or whichever version appeals to you.  I use the GRii because I value the built-in flash.  For compact size and image quality it is a good all rounder.  Good enough that I have owned 5 of them; have two now.  One which was dropped, broken and frankesteined back together (still works) and another still in good condition.  Yes they are slightly fragile in my hands apparently.  I just replace it when I break it.  Not expensive and readily available.

I would miss the GR if I didn't have one.  It is a go to for light weight, easy access, and quick operating with very good image quality.

[Dazzajl]

2 hours ago, KFo said:

Point and shoot convenience?  How about an actual point and shoot?  Ricoh GRii or whichever version appeals to you.  I use the GRii because I value the built-in flash.  For compact size and image quality it is a good all rounder.  Good enough that I have owned 5 of them; have two now.  One which was dropped, broken and frankesteined back together (still works) and another still in good condition.  Yes they are slightly fragile in my hands apparently.  I just replace it when I break it.  Not expensive and readily available.

I would miss the GR if I didn't have one.  It is a go to for light weight, easy access, and quick operating with very good image quality.

A friend of mine usually goes out shooting with a giant bag of medium or large format gear and a GRiiix as his little digital pal. It's undoubtably brilliant but I've never warmed to the experience of using it. Maybe I need to borrow it for a week or so and see how we get on.

[JoshuaR]

I have a GR IIIx and have never really warmed to it. I've tried to sell it, but MPB say it has dust on the sensor. I use it sparingly in situations where I simply must have the smallest high-quality camera possible.

For a throw-it-in-the-bag, point-and-shoot, just-don't-think-about-it little camera, my favorite has been the X100 series. But the difference between those cameras and a digital M with a 35mm mounted is not very large.

Sometimes I've enjoyed having a beat-up film Leica and 35mm lens as my 'go anywhere' camera. That can be small, fun, and different.

I've been thinking about the upcoming Fujifilm X-Half as a possibility, too.

 

[JoshuaR]

@Dazzajl, have you considered the Olympus OM-3? It's on my radar as well for the purposes you describe. I've several times been on the verge of trading in my SL2-S for an OM-3 with a lens or two.

Here's a good video review:

 

[stuny]

 

then there is the Q series

[LocalHero1953]

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My digital life has been full of these periods of acquiring a go-anywhere small camera - and then selling it: Ricoh GRDiv, TL2 (twice), OMD-EM5ii, Sigma fp..... In the end none of them provide the same satisfaction of full frame with a proper viewfinder. For me now, nothing beats a good smartphone camera for this purpose, and the Q3 43 when I have a bag.

[LocalHero1953]

Having posted the above, I now recall my search for the Holy Grail also occurred in the film era: Rollei B35, Pentax A110, Olympus XA..... But nothing approached the Pentax MX (convenience) and Leica M2 (pleasure) that I used in tandem for much of this period.