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GAS GAS: Please Share your Latest Desires Big and Small
- Location
- Cheshire, England
- Name
- Martin Connolly
I'm finding myself drawn to an LX100 II. I know I have publicly decried the zoom speed on the Mk I, but the touchscreen and GX9 sensor, (including L.Monochrome D) on the Mk II, allied to that very useful lens, are starting to sing their siren song to me. In fact I am having a think about selling my ILC gear in favour of just a fixed lens Serious Compact (or possibly two!). I don't do half the shooting I used to, and something that fits in a small shoulder bag (and I mean quite small) would get a lot more use.
- Location
- Seattle
- Name
- Andrew
I've said it before, the step zoom feature makes the LX100II awesome, and makes the annoyance of the power zoom fade almost into non-existence. The lens softness at some distances, which appears to be sample dependent but somewhat common, might need to be your main consideration if you get one. That's something you could test within a warranty period. I did really like that camera. It never quite feels like an analogue experience, despite the direct controls. Panasonic can't quite overcome their electronics DNA, but all the same, I knew I could have bonded with the camera, if that makes sense.
- Name
- Miguel Tejada-Flores
Almost every Panasonic camera I have ever owned and used - starting from the 'lowly' LX7, and including the GX1, GX7, GX8, and my current Lumix of choice, the GX9 - has possessed truly excellent options for shooting in-camera monochrome jpegs - but the l.monochrome.d simulation on my GX9 is, for my taste at least, head and shoulders above the rest of them. In fact, getting a Lumix whose firmware included l.monochrome.d was one of the primary motivations which induced me to part with my otherwise superb GX8, and replace it with a GX9.
Long story short, if the LX100 II indeed comes with L.Monochrome.D in it - that alone would be a compelling reason to consider it.
My advice: trust your instincts, Martin... they seem very good to me
- Location
- Seattle
- Name
- Andrew
I just posted the L. Monochrome D photos from the LX100II that I happened to have retained on my hard drive, over on the Panasonic B&W thread here.Almost every Panasonic camera I have ever owned and used - starting from the 'lowly' LX7, and including the GX1, GX7, GX8, and my current Lumix of choice, the GX9 - has possessed truly excellent options for shooting in-camera monochrome jpegs - but the l.monochrome.d simulation on my GX9 is, for my taste at least, head and shoulders above the rest of them. In fact, getting a Lumix whose firmware included l.monochrome.d was one of the primary motivations which induced me to part with my otherwise superb GX8, and replace it with a GX9.
Long story short, if the LX100 II indeed comes with L.Monochrome.D in it - that alone would be a compelling reason to consider it.
My advice: trust your instincts, Martin... they seem very good to me
- Location
- The Netherlands
Maybe not a desire anymore, but yesterday I went after a used Laowa 2/15 Zero-D. It turned out that the shop made a mistake and it was actually a Laowa 4/15 Macro, which I did not like. Image quality wasn't good enough and I just didn't like the feel of the lens.
Also, inspired by @MiguelATF I put the Minolta MD 4/200 on my A7R4 and while the lens is really good optically, the experience reminded me why I hate working with lenses that do not transmit EXIF data to the camera. I have to set the focal length for the IBIS and remember to use the star rating to indicate the aperture used. Then I have to add EXIF data to the files later. This is awkward enough, but once again it showed that IBIS without optical stabilization isn't really adequate for hand-holding longer focal lengths. I got some really unsharp pictures, apparently caused by a jump of the IBIS when taking the shot. The excursion of the sensor is too limited in relation to the image movement of such a long focal length and that is causing the sensor to relocate trying to counter for motion blur. That's my theory at least. At any rate, it reduced my GAS for a non-EXIF-supplying lens.
All-in-all, my desire for the Laowa 2/15 Zero-D has waned considerably and I'm not planning to go after another one now, even though there are offered a few used ones within an hour's ride from my place.
Also, inspired by @MiguelATF I put the Minolta MD 4/200 on my A7R4 and while the lens is really good optically, the experience reminded me why I hate working with lenses that do not transmit EXIF data to the camera. I have to set the focal length for the IBIS and remember to use the star rating to indicate the aperture used. Then I have to add EXIF data to the files later. This is awkward enough, but once again it showed that IBIS without optical stabilization isn't really adequate for hand-holding longer focal lengths. I got some really unsharp pictures, apparently caused by a jump of the IBIS when taking the shot. The excursion of the sensor is too limited in relation to the image movement of such a long focal length and that is causing the sensor to relocate trying to counter for motion blur. That's my theory at least. At any rate, it reduced my GAS for a non-EXIF-supplying lens.
All-in-all, my desire for the Laowa 2/15 Zero-D has waned considerably and I'm not planning to go after another one now, even though there are offered a few used ones within an hour's ride from my place.
- Location
- Switzerland
- Name
- Matt
Uhm ... I pulled the trigger on the Sony 24mm f/2.8 G. For the Megadap ETZ-21.
Why not the Tamron 20-40mm f/2.8? Honestly, have so many options in this focal range that I simply don't need it, enticing though it may be. I *don't* own a compact 24mm option and enjoyed the time I had the Samyang 24mm f/2.8, so a better optic with better build quality and interesting features fits the bill. That said, I don't know how long I'll hang on to that lens.
However, all this results in kind of a buying spree that's not sensible overall - I definitely have to slow down a bit.
Next round will (only) start once Nikon gets their projected small Z lenses to market (12-28mm PZ DX, 26mm pancake, 24mm DX - or maybe not that one ...).
I'll try not to *have* to turn up in this thread *that* soon again ...
But I'll be back without any obligation to expand a bit on my latest acquistions (Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 APS-C, Voigtländer 35mm f/2 Macro APO-Ultron - and the Sony, once it's here and I've had a bit of time to play with it). Maybe in a week or so - busy days ...
M.
Why not the Tamron 20-40mm f/2.8? Honestly, have so many options in this focal range that I simply don't need it, enticing though it may be. I *don't* own a compact 24mm option and enjoyed the time I had the Samyang 24mm f/2.8, so a better optic with better build quality and interesting features fits the bill. That said, I don't know how long I'll hang on to that lens.
However, all this results in kind of a buying spree that's not sensible overall - I definitely have to slow down a bit.
Next round will (only) start once Nikon gets their projected small Z lenses to market (12-28mm PZ DX, 26mm pancake, 24mm DX - or maybe not that one ...).
I'll try not to *have* to turn up in this thread *that* soon again ...
But I'll be back without any obligation to expand a bit on my latest acquistions (Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 APS-C, Voigtländer 35mm f/2 Macro APO-Ultron - and the Sony, once it's here and I've had a bit of time to play with it). Maybe in a week or so - busy days ...
M.
The Electric Squirrel
Top Veteran
- Location
- Finland
If you don't need the f/2 speed the NiSi 15mm f/4 is a rather nice alternative. At least I've been very satisfied with my copy of it. Solid - though not perfect - build, enough sharpness for the 42mp sensor and OK colour reproduction. Oh, and it can accept a stack of two 72mm thin bodied screw-on filters without much trouble. Occasionally I get small black spots in the corners, but not always.
- Location
- The Netherlands
I don't care about the f/2 speed indeed, I expect to use such a lens at f/8 or so. The NiSi looks kind of attractive indeed, but doesn't offer lens data in the EXIF, like all other 15mm MF primes except the Voigtländer 4.5/15. The image samples I found from the Voigtländer 4.5/15 do not satisfy me, so that one isn't on my list.
The Electric Squirrel
Top Veteran
- Location
- Finland
The lack of EXIF is indeed regrettable, but aside from that it is a nice lens. I've been thinking of opening a lens showcase for the 15mm Nisi, but haven't gotten around to doing that. Even though I've used it extensively since I bought it this summer.
Here's one shot taken with the Nisi that I'd already uploaded somewhere here:
William Lewis
All-Pro
- Location
- Eau Claire, Wisconsin
- Name
- William Lewis
I was reading the thread in the Fuji forum about switching to Fuji and I realized that if I were to do anything different, well, not Fuji for me, but OTOH the Nikon Z is actually tempting me.
Especially a Z5 with the 35/50/85 f/1.8 prime lenses.
Of course, that's like $3k that I don't have but if I ever get the spare money...
Especially a Z5 with the 35/50/85 f/1.8 prime lenses.
Of course, that's like $3k that I don't have but if I ever get the spare money...
- Location
- Switzerland
- Name
- Matt
This gets a clear recommendation vor me - and starting with either the 35mm or 50mm alone will go a long way; the 50mm is the optically better lens, the 35mm the more endearing one, both are versatile, the 35mm a bit more so (short MFD, good close-up performance), so if push came to shove, that's the lens I'd pick; the 85mm is a powerhouse, but not equally universally useful.
As an even more compact and very enjoyable entry point, the 40mm f/2 merits a mention here; it's a lens I'd recommend to get anyway (if weather sealing isn't the highest of priorities - in that case, the 35mm would again be my first choice). It's a very nice alternative as an EDC lens to either the 35mm or the 50mm - not as good as either, but not far behind at all, and with quite a few redeeming qualities (like nice, only minimally funky bokeh - classic, but not overly so).
M.
- Location
- Northern MN
- Name
- John
I am a big believer in doing a B&W conversion for better effects than you get with color during the "grey season" as you call it. Actually, that very thing taught me the beauty of B&W rendering.
- Location
- Beaumaris, Melbourne, Australia
- Name
- John ...
One of the more obscure benefits of Olympus camera is the ability to make a voice recording of this, or other information. The .WAV file has the same filename as the file it refers to. Kinda handy at times.
I'm surprised that more cameras with sound recording facilities do not offer this simple feature.
I will try that. I do like the "nearly" B&W with its bit of a hint of color, too. The B&W can be more dramatic. I have to get out more and burn up some electrons. And thanks for the tip. ;o)
- Location
- Beaumaris, Melbourne, Australia
- Name
- John ...
How is your computer handling the enormous RAW files from your X2D?
Hopefully it has sufficient grunt. They're BIG files.
- Location
- Williamsburg, VA
- Name
- Chris
I've got a hankering for a Fuji XF16-80mmF4 R OIS WR to put on the X-T2.
There's a x100s in the drawer that I might try offer for sale or exchange to get one in my little grubby fingers...
There's a x100s in the drawer that I might try offer for sale or exchange to get one in my little grubby fingers...
Slowly. I work with the JPG's which run 75 - 100+ MB and they are slow. Once open, processing (editing) is normal. The JPG's are good enough that I have not used the 3FR RAW's. All in all I am very happy with the camera. The photo of The Oregon Responder with its wide dynamic range is impressive. At least to me it is.
It cost a lot of money, it is out there in the land of diminishing returns, but I feel I got value for cost. As always, YMMV.
Thanks for asking.
- Location
- Beaumaris, Melbourne, Australia
- Name
- John ...
Seems that prospective buyers should check this out before proceeding.
It would be a real pain to discover that one needed a new computer to process one's files from one's new camera. Nightmare territory, in fact.
I will try my wife's PC with the DPR sample files and see how it goes.
