[Yossarian]

I use the flexbody (and D200 / 35mm PC) for furniture.  But I'd rather have something wider than 50mm (35mm equivalent).

Cambo do a decent thing that you plug onto a DSLR and then stick LF lenses on the front. I might try one out at some point.

http://www.cambo.com/Html/products_photo/set01/english/internet/Group735.html

[dave]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Moveable-Camera-Adapter-For-Nikon-Camera-To-4x5-Camera_W0QQitemZ400072934644QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Photography_DigitalCamAccess_RL?hash=item5d263484f4&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

or fuck it you could probably make one yourself for fuck all. grab any trashed lens and a sheet plywood. just be sure to leave enough space for the prism/flash overhang.

[DubDom]

We are playing camera poker?

I was just making suggestions -if it's poker then you win!

[dave]

One step closer to the Barley dream



Been out 3 weeks in japan - where's yours?

[cofe]

Ricoh GXR:



Looks well specious.

[dave]

i'm seeing a hotshoe, like it.

[Obi-Wan is lost...]

General camera pron

Used to use one of these bad boys at college

[dave]

Nice. I was looking at getting one not so long ago. Talked myself out of it in the end.

[Tris]

Ricoh GXR:

I like the fact you can change the sensor as well as the lens, cool stuff 

http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/09/ricoh-gxr-camera-system-swaps-out-the-sensor-along-with-the-lens/

[Johnny Brown]

Less cool is that you have to change the lens with the sensor. Good to see thinking that is well outside the fucking box though.

[Tris]

 

Yeah - but a good starter for 10... maybe next year the sensors will be independent?

[dave]

What would be the fucking bomb is if nikon brought out a system of digital backs for all their classic legacy cameras, like the FE/FM series, F3, F4 etc. All these have removable back film doors so mechanically it would work, they'd just have to cram the processing unit, memory card and battery into the space the film spools normally take up. It'll never happen but its a sweet dream.

[Johnny Brown]

An OM one would be even better - the backs are interchangeable across the whole system so one would fit all. And the cameras were better, though the OTF metering would need a tweak. The Olympus mailing list have been dreaming about one for years.

[dave]

the nikons meter through the prism so no issues there. although with an LCD on the back metering is largely irrelevent anyway. The olympus back thing certainly is fortuitous.

I do wonder if the Leica M9 will turn nikon's head vis a vis how a light MF digital body (even one with all the bullshit rangefinder limitations) would sell. Once they stop chasing the pixels and the marketing features maybe they would bring out a stripped down full frame DM3A or something eventually. The digital range at the moment is either light DX bodies where you're basically stuck with huge zooms, or huge FX bodies that you can put light primes on. We need a small light body for small light primes.

[Tris]

The digital range at the moment is either light DX bodies where you're basically stuck with huge zooms, or huge FX bodies that you can put light primes on. We need a small light body for small light primes.

Feckin spot on - and one without bollocks HD video too!!

[SA Chris]

Imagine all these old bodies gathering dust skyrocketing in value if it ever happened.

[Johnny Brown]

The reasons I've been looking at MF digital backs is for the big viewfinder and proper manual control. Its much easier to work a camera unconsciously without the obfuscation of button-press and dial-in etc. That is why Leicas will always be popular with the reportage crowd. Nothing the manufacturers do with formats/ size etc is addressing this.

[chummer]

Anyone used the Ricoh GX200?  I have a reasonably good Samsung digital which is on it's last legs and needs replacing and a 35mm GR1s which was brilliant especially on trips. I'm not sure about the zoom on the GX200, it would be handy but how much image quality will I be sacrificing? I'll mainly be using it on routes and for landscape, being able to use it with gloves or one handed would be good. Anything comparable or better come out in the recently?
I saw your GX100 recomendation Johnny Brown, any advice on the above?

[Tris]

Another contender is the Panasonic LX3 - seems popular with a fair few people. I own neither so can't really say more, sorry. Have seen lots of reviews comparing these two though (LX3 and GX200). Oh and the Canon G10/G11.

I did buy the Panasonic FX150 as RAW files are important to me, but didn't want to spend loads and get the LX3...

[chummer]

Tris, do you remember which one came out on top in the reviews? I believe the G10 isn't quite as good??

[Tris]

It's horses for courses I believe

Here's the big review/comparison of the 3 cameras:

http://photo.net/equipment/prosumer-digital/lx3-g10-gx200-review

[Johnny Brown]

I got the GX100 second-hand for a lot less than a new GX200. There didn't seem to be any features worth the extra on the 200. The quality of the lens is impressive, no complaints - certainly equal resolution to a good 35mm slide.

The LX3 gives you a faster lens but less zoom at the long end (24-50 instead of 24-72), and a nifty choice of aspect ratios.

The G9/10/11 are very different, much bigger cameras. Much longer zoom range though not as wide. The only reason they get lumped together is due to similar prices and the fact they shoot raw. Decide whether you want a compact or a camera first.

[dave]

my pop-in-law has got a G9/10 (i forget which). The manual interface seems good but its pretty big, dense, built like a brick shithouse and not pocketable in the slightest.

[duncan]

my pop-in-law has got a G9/10 (i forget which). The manual interface seems good but its pretty big, dense, built like a brick shithouse and not pocketable in the slightest.

That was my impression after fondling one.  Mind you this fella uses a G10 and seems to manage and produces some excellent photos.  I guess he's usually wearing a big anorak with big pockets though.

Choice for me came down to the GX200 or the LX3.  Every shop I went to was prepared to do a deal on the Ricoh and the Panny was like rocking-horse shit.  So I bought the Panny.  I can't actually remember why now...  I do remember the electronic viewfinder on the GX200 seemed like a good idea but gave me a headache after a very short time.

I find the LX3 a little fiddly to use one-handed and still miss an optical viewfinder when the sun is bright, but I'm happy to carry it on quite hard (for me) routes and have been very happy with the quality of the images it is capable of producing.  A 24mm (equivalent) lens is a real boon.

[chummer]

Decide whether you want a compact or a camera first

Definately a compact, if was after a camera, for the money, I would get an SLR. I would get a GR2 or 3 but was distracted by the bonus of having a zoom on the GX models. If the quality is as you say Johnny then I think I'll go for the GX100 or 200 depending how much I can get the latter for. Having said that I've just looked at the LX3 and just can't fookin make me mind up....I suppose the extra zoom is the deciding factor for me, if you're going to have zoom I suppose it may as well be greater than 50mm.