What camera do I buy? / general gear talk

The hunt for a perfect camera strap continues.

Let me know when you find one that is comfortable and doesn't scream I JUST GOT MY FIRST DSLR.

Why and why, out of interest

Simple one made out of leather?

I’m just starting to get into leather belt making and other than the crudeness of my work the actual functionality of the finished product is easy to achieve - long way of saying DIY, my standard answer to most philosophical questions.

mmmm animal skin

U wan2 try either?

Get in touch with PS bag works, look for him on the gramz

Really enjoy my XT2, no regrets at all moving from FF 5DIII to Fuji. Changed about 3 years ago and haven’t looked back.

Just put it in a bag. Especially at this time of the year when it’s going to get covered in crap whilst cycling.

Want one for good weather when I dont want to take a bag/want easy access

I'm quite happy with my Peak Design straps for every day use. I wouldn't recommend for the bike though.

Thanks guys. Im asking as my sister had asked what I wanted for Christmas!

Oh and I've just received a billingham bag and they are fantastic. Fits a couple of rangefinders with lenses and a spare lens no problem.

Just picked up the Fuji 100-400 that've rented for the upcoming trip. What a beast! In terms of build quality it doesn't come close to my 50-140 or primes that I own though.

So, I've decided to bring the following (for both video and stills) for a two week trip to Kenya, including both beach orientated crap, safari and everything in between.

Fuji XH1 including grip
Fuji XT2 including grip
16-55 2.8
50-140 2.8
100-400 4.5 / 5.6 (rental)
1.4 extender
8 x SD cards
6 x battery
1 x WD wireless passport (allows unloading of SD cards to HD without Macbook / laptop)
1 x DJI Osmo Pocket

Peak Design Everyday backpack 20l
Peak Design Sling 10l

Decided to leave the primes at home despite I like them all. From both the 16-55 and 50-140 I know they're very capable lenses and I can reduce swapping lenses to a minimum this way. Got the 100-400 as I felt the 50-140 would be too short for safari even with the 1.4 extender.

I really enjoy nerding my way around the interwebz in preparation for such a trip. I can spend hours and hours watching videos and reading reviews about gear i.e. Obviously, I'll be shooting the typical holiday shots as in the end, it is our actual holiday but I've got some work related stuff to do as well. The misses does some modelling on the side and we've landed some assignments that we'll shoot during our holiday.

For me it's a good exercise as I normally don't do this type of photography. For me it's mostly bike related work. It makes you change your approach, perspective and editing which is a great experience.

I want a manual rangefinder analog camera, Leica esc without Leica prices... Suggestions?

A CL or CLE, hexar, zeiss ikon (these are all ‘electronic’). I personally dont like bessa, i’d rather shoot fm3 or something.

In all honesty get M2/M3, they are relatively cheap and excellent. With leica you dont lose money either.

There is a hexar at aperture right now

Nikon s2 are good as well

I've got the 55-200, agonised over the 50-140 before hand, but couldn't justify the price. Have you used both? Interested in whether the 50-140 should have been the one I chose.

The standard answer to that question is ‘Canon P’ if you don’t mind meterless mechanical

These are ok and more reliable than the later RD, SPs etc:

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F153753897700

@amey’s point about the cost of Ms is a good one. They effectively cost nothing (unless you drop them in the sea).

Any recommendations for a braided/rope neck strap that doesn’t have real leather on the ends ?

Not sure if the bindings are made of leather but I enjoyed my strap I got from this guy:

https://www.hyperioncamerastraps.com/collections/strap-colors

No experience with the 55-200 I’m afraid.

I bought the 50-140 just after I made the switch to Fuji and it became my workhorse. Sold it as I wanted to push myself to only work with primes (16 1.4 / 35 2.0 and 90 2.0) but ended up buying the 50-140 again simply because it’s so good and versatile. Still got all the primes which I really enjoy using as well, eager to see how the XH1 will handle those.

From my experience, I would not get a lens with an aperture higher than 2.8 unless you mostly shoot outdoors or landscape.

I bought the 55-200 to use whilst at the Barcelona GP, which was pretty bright- sounds like that was ideal for that lens.