The Official Head-Case Photography Thread.

[Jon L]

EOSD4795 by drjlo1, on Flickr

Edited September 7, 2013 by Jon L

[Looser101]

I'm thinking of picking up a Sony RX-100M2. What say you?

Some answers before you reply :

No, I'm interested in the NEX or equivalent.

Yes, I have an entry level SLR and P&S. Neither of which are tickling my physical format / picture quality, trade off.

Any thoughts or suggestions are welcome.

[Iron_Dreamer]

I'd go handle it in person.  For me, the big downside of the RX100 is that it was just too small (believe it or not) for me.  I didn't find the handling comfortable or intuitive.  In that regard I much prefer the handling of my Pansonic LX7, though the image quality and non-base-ISO belies its' smaller sensor, cheaper roots.

 

Outside of handling issues the RX100's are pretty superb cameras, though the lens isn't as good as the sensor, if you're picky (mostly just corner softness at wide and tele from what I've seen).  The AF is very quick, the menus well-organized, and the image quality/size ratio can't currently be beat (unless you start talking about the Ricoh GR and Nikon A, which both are fixed-lens).

[Jon L]

I think it comes down to the price one is willing to pay.  RX100 II is a great camera "despite" its smallish 1" sensor, but some may view $750 as a bit too steep, considering that for $50 more, one can get the Ricoh GR with full aps-c sensor and that Ricoh charm.  Nikon A commands dslr-type price at $1100.  

 

I might have considered either Ricoh and NIkon A for my portable need, but annoyingly enough, both are limited by f2.8 fixed lens and 1/2000th max shutter speed (Ricoh at fast apertures).  

[Jon L]

It's the Tamron 24-70 VC and Sigma 35 f/1.4 ART that are redefining what third party lenses can do.  

 

Tamron's "second lens element issue" is something to give you pause but unlikely a problem unless one handles the lens very roughly.

http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2012/09/tamron-24-70-f2-8-vc-issue

 

Otherwise, looks stellar for a 24-70 zoom.  I find the Photozone reviews to be fairly objective and comparable across lenses tested:

http://www.photozone.de/nikon_ff/789-tamron2470f28fx

[shellylh]

Jacob, you could also pick up the Nikon 85mm f/1.8 - I love mine.  The 35mm and 85mm should be a good combo (although you would have to carry around two lenses). The 85mm is pretty small/light. 

[Jon L]

Wow, I can't believe it, but DxO FilmPack 3 is offered for free download.  I just downloaded it, activated it, and yes it's free and works.  It's very similar to the wonderful Nik ColorEfex Pro which I also have.  Get it before the offer ends 

 

http://www.dxo.com/intl/sony

[Knuckledragger]

 

Some very good, if rather undecipherable, answers.

[Jon L]

EOSD4990d by drjlo1, on Flickr

[Salt Peanuts]

I did the [screen based AF micro tuning]http://www.northlight-images.co.uk/article_pages/cameras/1ds3_af_micoadjustment.html that I found online today, and I had pretty good results. Most of my lenses were close, or needed no adjustment, but my 24mm Sigma and my 50mm Nikkor had been a bit soft, and they are tack sharp, now. This weekend I'll try it again, with better light, and see if I can fine tune even more.

When I tried this method in the past, I just couldn't make it work. Obvioulsy an user error or two somewhere on my end, but I wasn't patient enough to figure it out.

Wow, I can't believe it, but DxO FilmPack 3 is offered for free download. I just downloaded it, activated it, and yes it's free and works. It's very similar to the wonderful Nik ColorEfex Pro which I also have. Get it before the offer ends

http://www.dxo.com/intl/sony

Awesome, thanks!

Did either of you get an activation code via e-mail or does it work without it?

Oh, and Reks, 24-85/3.5-4.5 is really a decent lens. Especially when one considers how cheaply one can be acquired. That said, Tamron 24-70/2.8 is tempting me as well.

Edited September 23, 2013 by Salt Peanuts

[Jon L]

When I tried this method in the past, I just couldn't make it work. Obvioulsy an user error or two somewhere on my end, but I wasn't patient enough to figure it out.

Did either of you get an activation code via e-mail or does it work without it?

 

 

I got the activation code in email few minutes after registering.  

[Salt Peanuts]

I got the activation code in email few minutes after registering.  

 

And just like that, it showed up on my email when I tried it again.

[VPI]

Got bored last night wandering around Chicago so I decided to pick up a point and shoot and do some photography.  So many great things to shoot in Chicago.

 

 

 

 

[Augsburger]

Jeff, I misread your post and thought you said "Chicago".  Where are the clouds and rain?

 

 

Very nice photos for a point and shoot. 

[VPI]

Thanks. Chicago has been awesome this week. One of my favorite cities.

[mikeymad]

mental note - visit Chi town.

fun with the 5s

[crappyjones123]

 

The snozberries taste like snozberries...

[Salt Peanuts]

Neither film nor camera were there.

 

_HDL7568 by Haj Okuda, on Flickr

[Jon L]

Vampire Puppy

 

EOSD5058dxo by drjlo1, on Flickr

[VPI]

Took the point and shoot after lunch.

 

 

 

[Salt Peanuts]

Jeff, did you get RX100 or RX100 II?  My EXIF viewer seems to be confused.  Also, how do you like it?

[VPI]

I picked up an open box RX100 MK1 at Best Buy for 379 since I did not have a camera in Chicago and got bored.  Came with everything and appears to be unused.

[Salt Peanuts]

Damn, that's a fantastic deal.  You can't even find one used at the price yet.

[VPI]

Yeah, I was going to get a Canon S120 but saw this in the cabinet.  Seemed really low as the new ones are still selling for 600.

[Iron_Dreamer]

Yeah, that's a pretty sweet deal.  I'd be more willing to forgive the soap-bar handling and soft corner quality at that price