Starting from scratch after 50 years.

[Baloo]

Starting from scratch after all my equipment was stolen.

Not sure what to go for.

Basic requirements to begin with,
Decent camera body
50mm Prime
100-300 mm fast quality zoom for model aeroplane pictures
Macro or at least a close up lens.
28mm

all lens sizes stated are for equivalent to full frame so for example if I go M4/3rds want a 25mm Prime.

Options.

Sony SLT,

Pros
Was perfectly happy with my A65, A77ii and A850.
Cheap excellent lenses, Minolta are a complete bargain, replacing my 300mmG with a modern lens equivalent going to cost a fortune for example.
Probably the cheapest way back in and I know the gear intimately.
The only lens I have left is a Minolta 28mm!

Cons
It is a redundant technology, whilst I had it all I was not bothered as it would outlast me and the A77ii and A850 gave me everything I required, but its a different equation investing now. I knew my gear from almost new and it was well looked after, not adverse to S/H but need either a warranty or to know its been cared for.

Micro 4/3rds

Pros
Panasonic G9 offers everything I need in a camera for now.
Lenses relatively cheap.
I doubt I would be enlarging very often to a really big size size so image quality likely to be enough.

Cons
I am not fond of the aspect ratio for landscapes.


New or newer cameras,

Not sure what is available on the market as not kept up. I know the A7 cameras are out because I do not like the ergonomics and that is important to me. Not keen on returning to DSLR so my question is what might I take a look at initial budget about a grand?

 

[woof woof]

Just about MFT and aspect ratios.

Do you know that wit a G9 you can select different aspect ratios in camera?

You can also crop post capture. If the aspect ratio is all that is stopping you from loving a G9 I think you should take a look at the in camera aspect ratios and/or cropping.

I've been with MFT since the GF1 but these days the image quality you can get elsewhere is beyond anything MFT can give so these days I only use MFT for long lenses and for the times I want a built in flash. I'm happy with the handing of the Sony A7 series cameras I suppose partly because I started with film when some cameras had pretty much zero ergonomics and no grip. The A7 seems like an ergonomic dream in comparison.

I also have a RF style A7cII and again I find the handling to be perfectly ok. Maybe you could have a look at one? The image quality is way beyond anything you can get from MFT and it's smaller than many MFT cameras.

Good luck choosing but I think looking at available aspect ratios and/or cropping with a G9 should be your first task if the camera otherwise suits you well.

 

[Baloo]

Just about MFT and aspect ratios.

Do you know that wit a G9 you can select different aspect ratios in camera?

You can also crop post capture. If the aspect ratio is all that is stopping you from loving a G9 I think you should take a look at the in camera aspect ratios and/or cropping.

I've been with MFT since the GF1 but these days the image quality you can get elsewhere is beyond anything MFT can give so these days I only use MFT for long lenses and for the times I want a built in flash. I'm happy with the handing of the Sony A7 series cameras I suppose partly because I started with film when some cameras had pretty much zero ergonomics and no grip. The A7 seems like an ergonomic dream in comparison.

I also have a RF style A7cII and again I find the handling to be perfectly ok. Maybe you could have a look at one? The image quality is way beyond anything you can get from MFT and it's smaller than many MFT cameras.

Good luck choosing but I think looking at available aspect ratios and/or cropping with a G9 should be your first task if the camera otherwise suits you well.

Must admit I do like the A7c didn't know it existed let alone there was already a MKii.