What camera do I buy? / general gear talk

Canon EF-S 24mm is a lovely lens.

As for the strap, the restrap camera strap is excellent. I use it longer so it sits on my lower back too : https://restrap.com/products/sling-camera-strap-ks-add-on

I believe there is a LFGSS forum discount code too.

Not a bad idea actually, thanks!

Any nice wrist strap recommendations? Shoulder ones annoy me and eBay seems to be full of tat.

Make your own out of paracord?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZokaJdl8No

I've got some straps from this place, I like them and they do a wrist strap.

These look great, cheers

2 questions, unrelated to each other.

No 1. Does anyone use Olympus OM-D? The automatic setting has been taking very washed out photos, there is no depth to the colours at all. When I use any of the priority options or full manual the colours are very rich. Would anyone be willing to share their colour settings so I can see where I have gone wrong/can improve?

No 2. Has anyone used the Ricoh GXR. I really want one, purely as something to play with, it looks amazing and weird. I don't need it at all but its so enticing... However for a 2nd hand camera with scarce parts its a lot of money. Especially If it turns out I'd not get on with it. Ive also seen you can get it with an M mount box which would be cool.

Collective advisors...

This is going to sound daft, but I’ve been going through a load stuff that my brother and I have stored in my lock-up and I found a Canon AE-1 that he inherited from some lad great aunt.

As soon as things get back to normal I’ll get it serviced.

I had the GXR and really loved the results from that camera. As long as the light is good and the subject isn't moving it's great and the B/W shots had a beautiful filmic quality.

The GXR is used extensively by an extremely well regarded fine art photographer I work with here and he has very few bad things to say about it. I would get one if the price was right.

Thanks ^ and^^. I have my eye on one at a local (ish) camera shop, its going for around £450 with the A16(?) zoom lens. Its in great condition. I love the style and feel of it, the way the sensor and lenses interchange is brilliant too.

Holy shit that's a lot of dosh.

I know, especially as its a bit more than the GRii that's next to it and is infinitely more practical.

You've looked at ebay? Even a full kit could be had for much less - don't discount the 10mp one, that's what I had.

I use OM-D (an EM5.2) but not much help on colour as 90% of my output Is B&W so I have the jpeg set up in B&W to give me an idea what it’s going to look like, but then process the RAW file (through Luminar 4 then Silver-FX Pro). If the priority options give you a look you’re happy with, can you not just use those settings in auto? Is it possible you’ve accidentally clicked an option in the crazy complicated Olympus menus that is washing out the colour in the auto option?

Ian

I think I have nudged some option in a sub menu somewhere, its very frustrating. I usually use the camera in aperture priority, but occasionally use the auto for some things where I don't know what I'm doing.

I suppose I am getting better at making decisions and learning a bit more this way, so its not all bad.

Wrong thread sorry

Need some help, my Sony A7 mrk2 has a frozen shutter curtain rendering the whole camera as a brick, have tried a few things but nothing seems to unfreeze the shutter curtain.
Any experience the same issue of have any tips?

Seems quite common from reading up on it. If it’s still within warranty I wouldn’t touch it and simply send it in. If not, there’s a few “solutions” online but very often it’s merely a temporary solution. I’m afraid service is your best and most reliable shot.

Got myself a handlebar bag for my upcoming gravelbike which will predominantly work as a camera bag. I took the XT2 out together with the 35mm F2 on of my recent rides and found the setup too big / annoying to easily stop / snap and put it back. I’m now playing with the thought of an X100v. Sure another (bigger) bag is an option but I like to keep it light.

Although all the previous versions of the x100 can be had considerably cheaper, I know from myself I’m a pixel peeper and I could get frustrated by the lack of image sharpness when used wide open.

Oh, First world problems!

Got one of the new Fuji xc35mm f2 recently and for £165 you can't really go wrong!

Thanks, its out of warranty and the two camera shops I trust are both shut and I'm loathed to send it it off.

Just make sure to ship it insured and you're good in my opinion. Not sure how expensive a potential repair can be to be honest.

Anyone have good first-hand experience of 2x or greater macro?

I have the Canon 100mm macro but looking at the Laowa 100mm 2x and wondering about the difference (apart from 'well, twice the magnification...'). Would be interested to see the same subject through both lenses from same position etc.

Separately still tempted by this: https://cvp.com/product/laowa-ve2414cc-24mm-f14-2x-macro-probe-canon-ef-ci

Good question. Yes I have experience with this. It’s a nightmare frankly, the depth of field becomes stupid small, you need stupid amounts of light, and then you have to deal with diffraction and reciprocity failure simultaneously.

Why not rent a Canon MPE 65 to see what it’s like?