Looking for a mirrorless CSC

Cast your vote

  • Fujifilm X-T2

    Votes: 19 59.4%

  • Olympus OM-D E M5 II

    Votes: 9 28.1%

  • Sony a7 II

    Votes: 4 12.5%
  • Total voters
    32
Peach

Peach

Messages
294
Name
Sharleigh
Edit My Images
Yes
Hey guys!

So been away for a few years (sorry) moved to a different city and got stuck into a different career. So far so good but I let my hobbies get left behind and now I'm wanting to upgrade my kit and get back in.

I didn't quite know how far camera technology had advanced until I started researching into equipment. I'm wanting to move on from a DSLR as it's not portable and weighing me down. I'm now looking for a lightweight mirrorless that is going to last for at least a few years and one that has a good range of prime lenses to choose from.

With my job I have control over the social media aspect of the business and would like to spend more time on marketing, creating a professional presence with high quality images. I'm a general manager of an independent food trader in central Manchester, so you've guessed it food photography! Also wanting to capture the guys cooking in action too. I need something thats great in low light, fast and has a good range of primes. I have been looking at a few models and would like opinions from users on the performance in capturing action shots in low light with clear sharp images, and also options on good value for money. So the cameras I'm interested in are;

Fujifilm X-T2 with the 16-50 lens kit and the 35mm 1.4 lens - no image stabilisation though? Is this a dealbreaker for the type of photography I want to do? Although I do find Fujifilm have the best range of lenses that are reasonable priced. Out of all options the 35mm 1.4 lens would possibly be my favourite, but do you chose a camera over lenses alone?

Olympus OM-D E M5 II with the 12-40 lens kit and 17 or 25mm 1.8 lens - fewer MPs but it has the image stabilisation.

Sony a7 II with the 28-70 lens kit and 50mm 1.8 - full frame so I know I'm going to get sharper images my only issue with Sony is the range of lenses and the higher price of the lenses. Don't know whether I should just suck it up and pay if it's really worth it or I'm going to be happy with the Fuji or Olympus.

As far as budget goes I'm happing shelling out £1,500 for the right kit - I would buy used from you guys as I know we all keep our gear in mint condition.

If anyone wants to throw a spanner in the works and suggest something else I'm happy for that too.

I look forward to reading all your replies! - sorry if there are similar threads, I did do a quick search and didn't find anything recent.
 
They all have their pros and cons, you'll get mixed opinions on here I'm sure. Sounds like you're more attracted to the Fuji? I had the XT1 and the 35mm 1.4, that was the lens I used mostly and I loved it. The 16-50 kit lens has OIS, but I'd skip that and spend a little more [used maybe] on the 18-55mm 2.8-4

I've not used the Em5 mkII but i do have the older mk1, smaller neater camera than the Fuji and the IBIS is really good - it's better again on the mkII. I can hand hold and get sharp images down to half a second without too much effort on the older model. If you tend to shoot mostly still life this can be a blessing, it helps keep ISO levels down a lot too, which is where M43 are weakest - high ISO

Not familiar with Sony's mirrorless so can't comment.

For that money I personally would look for a used Em1 mkII or Panasonic GH5 and a couple of cheap primes to start with.
 
X-T2 but Fuji is the only mirrorless I have tried so that is no help.

However the x-t1, kit lens and 35mm f 2 I have is excellent, well made and the lenses are much better than same price DSLR lenses I have owned.

Especially the bokeh, it is as good as far more expensive Nikon and Canon lenses IMO.

I`m sure the Sony and Olympus are good also so go to a shop and see what feels right.
 
X-T2 beats the X-T1 hands down in low light when using higher ISOs but holds its own quite well against it at the longer exposures needed at lower ISO values. Good luck finding a 2 and fast lens(es) for £1500...
 
Peach said:
Sony a7 II with the 28-70 lens kit and 50mm 1.8 - full frame so I know I'm going to get sharper images my only issue with Sony is the range of lenses and the higher price of the lenses. Don't know whether I should just suck it up and pay if it's really worth it or I'm going to be happy with the Fuji or Olympus.
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I love my Sony CSC but yes the lenses are an issue if you need to focus on anything moving quickly as they can't keep up with the camera's excellent focusing system. I would assume the Master range of lenses being ultrasonic will be more than capable but it's quite an investment. Most decent lenses are quite expensive and the lack of pro level used lenses is frustrating, especially the Sony 70-200mm f4 which isn't ultrasonic but does use a dual focusing mechanism which is apparently very quick but the damn price has actually increased over time! The auto eye focus, however, is truly a marvelous feature and the Sigma 30mm f1.4 is an amazing lens especially considering the price but it will struggle to keep up with fast moving subjects (sledging, dogs running, children moving quickly etc)
 
I've had both Olympus and Fuji system and to be fair they are both superb systems.

I settled in the end originally for an XT-1 and 18-55 and one more zoom lens. I've since upgraded to 2 XT-2 bodies and a whole load of glass. My previous kit was all Canon including a 5d2 and a 1d3 plus shed loads of L glass. I have not been disappointed in going over to Fuji.

I can take RAW Fuji files and do just about nothing in the way of sharpening or colour management. What I get out of the Camera is pretty much perfect unless your a huge pixel peeper. The quality of Fuji kit in my opinion is just a tad better than the Olympus and the one thing that comes out in conversation is that Fuji seem to be a photographers needs company rather than a rush a new model out company like Nikon or Canon. Theres a lot of thought goes into firmware upgrades and patches and no single model seems to get their unfair share. Their range seems to be concise and to the point with no frills. Recently there seems to be more and more admins being developed by third parties too as in flashguns etc.

Again only my personal opinion.
 
Nod said:
X-T2 beats the X-T1 hands down in low light when using higher ISOs but holds its own quite well against it at the longer exposures needed at lower ISO values. Good luck finding a 2 and fast lens(es) for £1500...
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There's about a stop in it, if even. Second hand it should be easy enough to get an XT-2 [bunch of them on ebay right now below 1K], 35 1.4 [they have sold on here for £250] and have change left over towards either a kit lens or something like a 50F2
 
Cagey75 said:
There's about a stop in it, if even. Second hand it should be easy enough to get an XT-2 [bunch of them on ebay right now below 1K], 35 1.4 [they have sold on here for £250] and have change left over towards either a kit lens or something like a 50F2
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I'd put it at 2, if not more. I'll use 1000 quite happily on the 1 but 3200 seems cleaner to me on the 2, possibly helped by the extra pixels. That's when printing the whole frame to A3+.
 
@Peach you say you like the X-T2 but no image stabilisation. Are you aware the new X-H1 has been launched which adds image stabilisation (as well as more video functionality if that’s of interest) though more expensive than the X-T1.
 
You don' need an X-T2. If you are doing food photography you will be on a tripod. You can pick up a good s/h X-T1 for £400 ( I'll sell you mine for that!) A 56mm lens for less than £500 can be bought on here. Get the 18-55 for under £200 - they come up regularly at that price and you are well set. That allows money for a tripod and maybe flash.
 
Eloise said:
@Peach you say you like the X-T2 but no image stabilisation. Are you aware the new X-H1 has been launched which adds image stabilisation (as well as more video functionality if that’s of interest) though more expensive than the X-T1.
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Yeah but that's pretty par out my price range if I want to spend a decent amount on a lens.
Thanks though!
 
tijuana taxi said:
Guessing they will be an importer of grey cameras, never heard of them and quick Google should provide information as to their validity.
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grey cameras?
I've emailed them and they seem genuine enough, I was a little concerned about why they're £350 off rrp but their sales rep assured me they're new stock
 
mickledore said:
You don' need an X-T2. If you are doing food photography you will be on a tripod. You can pick up a good s/h X-T1 for £400 ( I'll sell you mine for that!) A 56mm lens for less than £500 can be bought on here. Get the 18-55 for under £200 - they come up regularly at that price and you are well set. That allows money for a tripod and maybe flash.
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I don't plan on using a tripod, that's my reason for going mirrorless so I can be completely portable. I don't want to mess around with staging food shots either, just want things as they come out the kitchen and the team in action. I like a candid artisan approach rather like the rustic food I'm putting out (it's pizza by the way)

The big question is I guess is do I need IS?
 
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Peach said:
Yeah but that's pretty par out my price range if I want to spend a decent amount on a lens.
Thanks though!
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It's well within £1500. £400 + £500 + £200. That makes £1,100. But then I went to school when we were taught sums.
If you can't add that lot up then maybe you are in the wrong business
 
mickledore said:
It's well within £1500. £400 + £500 + £200. That makes £1,100. But then I went to school when we were taught sums.
If you can't add that lot up then maybe you are in the wrong business
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That comment was in response to the X-H1 which is priced at £1699
 
Nod said:
I'd put it at 2, if not more. I'll use 1000 quite happily on the 1 but 3200 seems cleaner to me on the 2, possibly helped by the extra pixels. That's when printing the whole frame to A3+.
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Depends on what bothers you then, I wasn't afraid to use my XT1 at 3200. With my M43 cameras I keep it below 1600, I'll get grain, but so what? When i want really clean images I'll use off cam flash anyway
 
Peach said:
grey cameras?
I've emailed them and they seem genuine enough, I was a little concerned about why they're £350 off rrp but their sales rep assured me they're new stock
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You choice, but why are they that much cheaper than every other UK shop?
Still think they will be grey importers, in other words not imported via Fujifilm UK

Quick Google suggests a Hong Kong company with a dropbox address in Cheltenham,
 
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mickledore said:
But then I went to school when we were taught sums.
If you can't add that lot up then maybe you are in the wrong business
Click to expand...

This is the most out of order comment I have seen on this forum, mistake or no mistake.
 
mickledore said:
Your barge pole or mine?
Click to expand...

Both and then some, if you want to buy grey I would at least use one of the established companies like Digitalrev

Just had another look at Pro Camera, two year warranty you can bet will be via them and why no next day delivery if its UK stock?
 
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tijuana taxi said:
You choice, but why are they that much cheaper than every other UK shop?
Still think they will be grey importers, in other words not imported via Fujifilm UK

Quick Google suggests a Hong Kong company with a dropbox address in Cheltenham,
Click to expand...
Ah! Thanks for that, guess I’ll be staying well clear of them.
 
mickledore said:
Fine. P*ssed off with this weather.
Where are we going next?
York, maybe?
Manchester?
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York sounds ok although I have been there a good few times, Manchester is a bit too far timewise for me in a day.

Have to give it some thought where and when plus I've got a couple of European trips coming up to Berlin and Ghent
 
How about this used option...

Panasonic GX80 + G Vario 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 and either the Panasonic 15mm f1.7 or Olympus 17mm f1.8.

Or the expensive used option...

A Sony A7 of some sort + 28-70mm f3.5-5.6 and 35mm f2.8.

I keep looking at Fuji but the XTrans thing puts me off as I know I'd keep looking and seeing something.
 
At the moment the best bang for buck (imo) is the Fuji X-T20 with xf 18-55mm 2.8-4 @ £999, pretty much unbeatable
 
Hogboy said:
At the moment the best bang for buck (imo) is the Fuji X-T20 with xf 18-55mm 2.8-4 @ £999, pretty much unbeatable
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Bang on. Throw in a 35/2 (which focuses quicker than the 35/1.4 indoors and in lower light) and you're all set. Lovely camera.
 
Hogboy said:
At the moment the best bang for buck (imo) is the Fuji X-T20 with xf 18-55mm 2.8-4 @ £999, pretty much unbeatable
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Not IMO, I got a brand new G80 and a 25mm 1.7 for a lot less and I'd much rather it over an XT20. For me IBIS is a huge bonus, it really suits my style - not as a crutch, I have very steady hands anyway, just means I get even more out of the IBIS assistance. The fully articulated touch screen is great, the EVF is as good as any on Fuji cam's and I've been mucking about with 4K video that takes full advantage of that IBIS also. I find it a fun camera to use and it's ergonomically more comfortable than the Fuji also. There's a lot you can get these days below £1K
 
Look at MPB if you have not already done so they have a good range of used cameras from all manufacturers
 
Unfortunately it's compromises, like everything. For the best IQ it's obviously going to be the Sony A7II but as you've mentioned it's going to probably be the most expensive as a system, and like for like lenses are going to be bigger and heavier just by the pure nature of having to cover the larger sensor. I was trying to find the perfect (for me) lighter alternative to my D750 and had the Olympus EM10, EM5-II then tried the 1" compacts but didn't like them so tried the Fuji Xt1, didn't like the rendering so have gone back to Olympus with the EM1 and am more than happy and am now settled on my light weight set up. IQ is great, Olly system is the lightest of the lot (like for like) and ergonomically for me the EM1 is superb. I'm happy using it up to ISO 6400, which is pretty impressive for a relatively small sensor. Yes there's noise, but not too bad and doesn't detract too much from the image imo. Is this the kind of stuff you'll be shooting, or is it a more controlled environment?

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5V_FDB1ydo&t=361s



As for IBIS, if you're shooting people in action then IBIS isn't necessary as shutter speed will be relatively high.



.
 
If I had to pick I would get the Sony A7II and Zeiss 55mm f1.8, but I am biased :D
 
If you're considering the grey importers, there are some that are recommended. To name a couple, E-infinity have the X-T2 for £919 or £1139 with the 18-55 lens. Panamoz are £1000 and £1200 for the same and have extended warranties. If you want to buy UK stock and save some money, try the fuji refurb store, an X-T2 with the 18-55 is £1399 or £1099 body only.

I'm a big fan of the X-T2 but as others have said, an X-T20 or even X-T10 should be more than sufficient for your intended use. 56mm would be a good choice.
 
snerkler said:
Unfortunately it's compromises, like everything. For the best IQ it's obviously going to be the Sony A7II but as you've mentioned it's going to probably be the most expensive as a system, and like for like lenses are going to be bigger and heavier just by the pure nature of having to cover the larger sensor. I was trying to find the perfect (for me) lighter alternative to my D750 and had the Olympus EM10, EM5-II then tried the 1" compacts but didn't like them so tried the Fuji Xt1, didn't like the rendering so have gone back to Olympus with the EM1 and am more than happy and am now settled on my light weight set up. IQ is great, Olly system is the lightest of the lot (like for like) and ergonomically for me the EM1 is superb. I'm happy using it up to ISO 6400, which is pretty impressive for a relatively small sensor. Yes there's noise, but not too bad and doesn't detract too much from the image imo. Is this the kind of stuff you'll be shooting, or is it a more controlled environment?

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5V_FDB1ydo&t=361s



As for IBIS, if you're shooting people in action then IBIS isn't necessary as shutter speed will be relatively high.



.
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It'll be great for the food stills, but yeah no use for people in action. Better to have it than not though IMO
 
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