Hacker News Reader

Comment by jebarker | Hacker News Reader

I'm at the early stages of learning photography. I've always taken lots of photos, but without much skill or care. I have an entry level DSLR and understand that the quality of my photos is almost entirely determined by my skill as a photographer. However, I don't really enjoy using the DSLR due to the size and weight. Any recommendations on what might be a better setup for me? I like travel and nature photography, but would sacrifice zoom for a more enjoyable experience.

EDIT: I should add that the answer isn't a smartphone. I understand that phone cameras are now great, but I don't enjoy using them either. There's something aesthetically and ergonomically pleasing about a traditional camera.

View on HN

The Fuji X100V is practically a meme in some circles now https://fujifilm-x.com/en-us/products/cameras/x100v/

Compact, lightweight, the built-in 23mm lens is good for most travel and nature shots you'd be taking as an amateur (from a fellow amateur, no insult intended)

If you're looking for something "aesthetic" and "ergonomic" Fuji is #1

Seconded for anything Fujifilm in the mid-to-high end.

The way they put dedicated dial with marking for all the principal part of the exposure trifecta (shutter speed, aperture, ISO) just clicks right with how my brain works.

My holiday kit is a X-T3 paired with a 23mm, 14mm and 50-230. Everything fits in a sling bag (the Peak design one); I can carry it in fanny pack mode if I need to have a backpack.

I watched some video reviews and am definitely tempted. Cost is high though given my amateur status. I can afford it, I just don't feel worthy!

Personally I love my Ricoh GR III. There are two versions, one is 28mm and another is 40mm (GR IIIX). They are fixed lens which sounds bad, but in reality it prevents you from constantly thinking about buying new lenses and switching lenses.

There is essentially no other camera that can fit in your pocket. So if you want interchangeable lens, it kinda doesn't matter what you get at all because they will all require a camera bag.

EDIT: btw, when buying camera gear I highly suggest buying used, places like keh, mpb and b&h used department are great and I've never had a problem.

EDIT 2: Wanted to say that personally I have an interchangeable lens camera _and_ a Richoh, and think of the Richoh as costing about the same as a (nice) lens. The more you do photography the more you will realize there isn't just one thing you can buy and be happy with forever, you'll be constantly buying and selling used gear, so don't fret it :shrug:

Yeah, I've noticed when reading about options that it's probably helpful to not try and find one size fits all devices. They the to cost more and yet still be compromised.

I believe that, in terms of compactness and image quality, it is hard to beat Sony's mirrorless, but personally I can't stand their ergonomics.

Well then you can just use a Nikon

I got a micro 4/3 (panasonic gx85) that I quite like some years ago, but I'm not sure I would recommend it today.

Micro four thirds (u43) cameras are generally much smaller than DSLRs, and even quite a bit smaller than full-frame MILCs (mostly because the lenses are smaller). Their optical performance isn't as good a full-frame DSLR, but they are close enough to be a good substitute. I have a u43 Olympus E-M5 III, and also a FF Panasonic S5, and although the Panasonic is "better", the Olympus is so much easier to stuff into a bag that it's still my camera of choice most of the time.

I should note that not all u43 cameras are small - Olympus / OM have a top-end "1" model that is large and clunky. But the "5" and "10" models are nice and compact. I think the Panasonics and the Olympus / OM PENs are pretty small too.

There is then a useful range of lenses that lets you trade off performance, zoom range, and size; there are great, tiny primes; decent, tiny zooms; and great, chunkier zooms.

In particular, the Pansonic Lumix G 12-32mm lens is 24 mm long. I can put that on my E-M5 and carry it in a jacket pocket. People have managed to take photos with it:

https://www.flickr.com/groups/vario1232f3556/pool/

I bought a peak clip clone, you can get a Spyder or one of the clones. Keep the strap on you for the peak and you'll be taking way more photos than you'll know what to do with.

I rarely bother now because of crime, I just pocket a pancake and mirrorless.

Kind of in the same boat - but I've found that just like this article mentions, there's nothing small enough that I have found that is always with me when needed other than my iPhone... so I've used that to justify getting the version with the best camera at times when I upgrade.

Get/Make a camera case for your smartphone ... I'm only half joking.

That's actually not a terrible idea! 3D print something to improve the ergonomics and provide real controls

Reply on news.ycombinator.com