Which one?

noimmunity · 02-18-2012

I'm planning a project for a five-day event in Taiwan at the beginning of April. Since some of the event's key situations will occur in very low light, I would like to augment my kit to include a small form factor high-ISO digital body.

My first choice has been the XPro-1, but it seems impossible to get one in my hands here in France before the event, and the prices in the UK are about US$8-900 higher than in the US.

I'm starting to think about alternatives. An X100 or a Nex5n. The Nex isn't a camera I'd really like to keep, and I hate selling. The X100 might be worth keeping even with an XPro-1 in my future. But that X100 is a lotta clams.

What to do

?

gavinlg · 02-18-2012

What kind of lighting conditions will you be photographing in? As much detail as you can manage!

noimmunity · 02-18-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by gavinlg

What kind of lighting conditions will you be photographing in? As much detail as you can manage!

Very dim lighting. Maybe a candle. Maybe a fire. Maybe light cast by streetlamps far away...

In the past, I've just used Tmax 3200, but I'd like to have color.

gavinlg · 02-18-2012

I would suggest you try an x100 before you buy it, or at least buy one that you could take back - at really low light levels without much contrast, the AF gives up a little before a DSLR would. Of course, it has a focus assist light, but if you're being discreet this isn't the best option. You can scale focus if you set it and forget it (say, at 2 meters or something), but manual focussing is slow in low light.

I would have no hesitation using mine in the conditions you list it in, but if it were a proper dedicated project, I'd probably pair it with my 5d, which is ultimately more dependable in super low light.

At the very least you could buy one with the option of returning it, just make sure you try it out in the conditions you want to use it in first.

noimmunity · 02-18-2012

Not sure how practical that may be here in Lyon...

But trying to figure this out through the net may be impossible, especially given all the options available.

Just too bad about the timing of the XPro-1...

noimmunity · 02-18-2012

Do I really have to buy a D700?!?

celluloidprop · 02-18-2012

If I had an important event in low-light, I'd probably rather have a D700 than anything short of a D3s (until the D4/D800). The X100 is good at 1600-3200, but the D700 was outstanding at 1600 and good at 3200/6400. At this point, you can't make up for the 36x24 real estate when it comes to noise and maintaining detail at high ISOs. Killer autofocus is a nice bonus.

noimmunity · 02-18-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by celluloidprop

If I had an important event in low-light, I'd probably rather have a D700 than anything short of a D3s (until the D4/D800). The X100 is good at 1600-3200, but the D700 was outstanding at 1600 and good at 3200/6400. At this point, you can't make up for the 36x24 real estate when it comes to noise and maintaining detail at high ISOs. Killer autofocus is a nice bonus.

I have no doubt that's true, but I really don't want to buy into that system/that body...

Spyro · 02-18-2012

If it is mostly non-fast moving subjects or gigantic prints I'd seriously consider the Nikon V1.
Not the best high iso in the world but seriously pocketable with a pancake f2.8 wide lens, silent, 3:2 aspect ratio, very good AF, tiny flashgun, good metering, very sharp imagery, lenses with VRii and decent built-in EVF. I havent seen the camera yet in person so keep that in mind, I'm just quoting specs.

For low light travel images with this camera have a quick browse through this set
http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/2012/0...y-colin-steel/
I thought it was pretty impressive for a small sensor camera

jippiejee · 02-18-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by noimmunity

Do I really have to buy a D700?!?

If it's only for that 5-day event, why not rent a system?

noimmunity · 02-18-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by jippiejee

If it's only for that 5-day event, why not rent a system?

It had occurred to me. Great idea! BUT...

...It would be new to me and I need to have some time in advance of the event to learn the system. Also, since I will be flying in from France, the time span is over two weeks. The cost doesn't seem practical.

It may be that this is all just a red herring and I will have to just decide to use what I have and wait for the XPro-1 (or else bite the bullet and source one from the UK).

semordnilap · 02-18-2012

I'm happy with the 5n... Haven't done any printing at high ISO but the files at 1600 are quite good on the screen and 3200 is very useable. The EVF adds cost but is just stellar, and once you get used to working with it is pretty good for manual focus. Since you already have m lenses, it does have it's advantages.