What camera do I buy? / general gear talk

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!

I've got the X Pro-3 with the F1.4 23mm, and the X100V - and I have to admit that of the two it's been the X100V that I've taken out with me every single time recently, it's a really good camera.

I've also got an XT-2 that seems to welded to the 16-55 F2.8 that I bought just before lock-down, and whilst it's much more versatile in terms of focal length the small size of the X100V means that when it comes to a choice of the two of them the X100 usually wins.

With that said, these choices have been when going for my government mandated hours walk, if heading out the door to take photographs I may make a different decision.

Yeah got the 16-55 2.8 as well and it's not exactly a featherweight. I do like it though and has replaced the use of my 16mm 1.4 for outdoor conditions at least. Whenever inside the 1.4 shines.

Every now and then I think about selling the XT2 but then again, I'll probably get a couple of 100 bucks for it and I'd be left without a backup for the XH1. I experienced first hand in Kenya how nice it is to have an actual back up with you.....

Optical viewfinder and RAF are two priorities for me as well.

Did you go for black or silver?

@platypus

Thanks - the 65 is. 1-5x right? So variable? To clarify i work in video so likely wouldn't have a need for something at that far end but it might be useful to figure out what's what in terms of magnification.

Interestingly though I just saw a review where someone bought it seemingly to scan 35mm slides. Tempting and I've certainly got the time on my hands now to work through about 120,000 exposures of my Provia/Velvia days.

Silver X100V, the fancy-pants coating for the X-Pro 3 that's not quite silver, the XT-2 I bought off here whilst waiting for the two rangefinders, and it's black.

Yeah I'll stick with the black probably. I like the finish of the X-Pro 3 you have but the plain silver is a bit too retro for my liking.

Got myself a handlebar bag for my upcoming gravelbike which will predominantly work as a camera bag.

What did you go for out of interest?
Have been looking for a bar/stem/top tube bag that will take up to a medium sized film SLR.

Not for touring etc, more for quick access to a camera whilst I'm riding around a city scouting locations.

It'll be too small for a DSLR. The XT2 is snug with the 35mm F2 and that's a short lens.

I found this one via the Radavist which seems to work quite well and definitely allows you easy access.

https://theradavist.com/2017/01/outershell-makes-the-best-on-the-bike-camera-bag/

On the subject of camera bar bags, I've got a Swift Paloma I picked up in Seattle and they recommended the below insert. I was a bit apprehensive, but it worked out perfectly. I can't see why it wouldn't fit in an Ortlieb / Similar Bar Bag and is terrific value for money.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Koolertron-Padded-Shockproof-Partition-Protective-Black/dp/B00FFY34PY/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=koolerton+shockproof+camear+photo+bag&qid=1589473352&sr=8-1-spell

Is it not a pain getting the camera out when the zip is right under the out-front mount?

If anyone needs a cheap stop gap bag this £10 special from eBay works pretty well with the belt loop as a handlebar loop and the carry loop fixed to the stem with a bit of electrical tape or a clip of some kind. Easily swallows up my Canon M6 with EVF so I think a X100 would easily go in there too. Possibly an XT with a prime too, not sure about a zoom though. I'm using it while I source something more robust.

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It’s not ideal no with the XT2 but definitely less of an issue / no issue with a smaller camera. It’s convenient for snacks etc whilst riding.

I’ve also got a medium sized pouch from Peak Designs that could work well with the X100V and a camera strap with stabilization strap.

I’ve got a Road Runner Point ‘N’ Shooter that’s been excellent.

Link

Which Billingham would be appropriate for an X-Pro3 plus the F1.4 35mm and the F1.4 23mm?

No experience with Billingham other than they’re quite pricey. Have you looked at Peak Designs by any chance? I’ve got a few of their bags a like them a lot!

I don’t like the bag on the inside of the handlebar. When climbing I’ll for sure bump my knee into it plus it’ll scuff up by painted stem. 😫

Looking at the website I reckon the Hadley would tick the boxes whilst keeping the size down to a minimum?

hadley small

that bag is magic, the only bag I have for last 4+ years, extremely hard wearing and seems like has infinite space inside sometimes

It helps when you never actually take your camera out of it, though.

They are lush. But heavy.

Really you need to buy a Landrover Defender to carry your Billington.

To be fair, I've never found I bump into it with me knees and I have really long legs. It is something you have to be aware of, however.

If my bikes were as nice as yours I wouldn't want to attach anything to them!

It's probably more linked to the length of the top tube. I've got (relative) long legs compared to my upper body which automatically makes the distance to my stem / headset quite compact.

60 cm CTC top tube good for something then ;)

In other news, my Fujifilm X-T4 with the 16-80mm lens should be arriving next week. I'm beyond excited. I've been waiting for delivery for a good few months and it'll be a massive step up from my Lumix LX100.

Before pre-ordering there was a Fujifilm Expert at the local Jessops and he had both the X-T4 and the X-Pro3. It was a real close call between the two, but the X-T4 just felt right in my hands.

I think the last time I was as excited about something was waiting for my N64 and Goldeneye at Christmas as a child, haha!