Sony I'm almost sold on the RX1..........

KevJake

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Dorset UK
Name
Kev
Hi All,

I've just joined the forum after finding the site while researching the RX1.

I'm a Fuji x100 owner interested in travel photography mainly. I'm almost sold on the RX1 but before I take the plunge I would like to ask the forum members, what did it for you? I mean if there was a single thing about the RX1 that tipped the scale for you what was it?

Thanks...Kev
 
the silver-tongued Gubrz here said it best. That lens is made out of ground up unicorn horn powder. And it's matched perfectly to that sensor.....and the controls feel good, too. If they ever make one with an integrated viewfinder on the left, I'm buying one.
 
That lens is made out of unicorn powder. And it's matched perfectly to that sensor.....and the controls feel good, too. If they ever make one with an integrated viewfinder on the left, I'm buying one.

I fear that this might be the tipping point for me too! I really can't countenance spending this much money on the RX1, so I'm really (I mean REALLY) hoping that they DON'T make one with a viewfinder...:(:)
 
The differences between the RX1 and the X100s are pretty subtle in most conditions (although somewhat less subtle compared to the original X100). I wrote a pretty extensive comparison a few months ago here...

In terms of image quality, the RX1 has notably better DR and is at least a full stop better in low light - I'd argue more than a full stop but then I have to defend my conclusions technically and I'm not really very well equipped to do that! And then there's just the amazing magic of the RX1's lens, which I can't explain any better than by repeating the "unicorn powder" assertion. Its just a really amazingly special lens and its as well mated to the sensor as it could possibly be.

Whether these things add up to being worth the price difference is a very tough call. I'd say the differences in the quality of the images and the shooting experiences are a LOT more subtle than the price difference, which isn't even slightly subtle. So everyone has to make that call for themselves. I went for the RX1, which generally isn't like me given the choice between those two options. But I wanted one no-compromise camera in my kit and the RX1 is that for me. I don't need it. If I hadn't bought it I'd find it VERY easy to rationalize why I hadn't. But I did and I love the damn thing and I'm not looking back. But I can't recommend it unconditionally when the X100s is sitting there being so close to as good for so much less money. You have to figure that one out for yourself...

I doubt you'll have many regrets either way - there isn't a bad choice there...

-Ray
 
Kev

To answer your question on why I (eventually) purchased a RX1.


I was immediately intersted in the RX1 when it was announced for the simple reason that my most used lens is a 35mm and I rarely shoot at less than f8.0. In fact I joked several times with my photo buddies that if Leica ever produced a 35mm f8 that would be a lens I would buy immediately.

I gave up on the Leica DRF route when their products became ridiculously expensive and technically behind the market, and sold my entire system. However, there has always been a slight feeling of regret since divesting myself of my M8 and lenses, so when the RX-1 was announced I saw a way of having my cake and eating it.

A lower cost alternative to a M9 with a 35 f2 summicron lookalike - in some ways it was a no-brainer. On top of that I was in the right place at the right time to get a used one for a significant discount to the new price (in other words I did not have to suffer the instant depreciation implicit in all new purchases be they cameras or washing machines or cars).

What I would say in defence of the subjectively heavy cost of the RX-1 is this. Firstly, the sensor is first-rate - the best of any digital sensor I have owned in the last 10 years and rightly so because it is state-of-the-art. The dynamic range is awesome. It actually records what you see - it is possible but not easy to blow highlights which is wonderful for any kind of landscape photography. Secondly, the colours are extraordinary - although some might say over-saturated. I don't mind taking colour out of photographs which is a lot easier than putting it in. Finally, the lens at f2 is beautiful enough to satisfy the shallow dof that sometimes one wants but sharp enough at f8 to make pixel-sharp images.

I would add the EVF is essential and despite what people say easily as good as an OVF (and in fact I believe in a few years we'll look back and think of optical viewfinders as being 'quaint'). And I would also recommend the lens hood, a good lens protector and the Gariz half case to put it in. One aspect I particularly like of the EVF is that it can be viewed at 90 degrees to the film plane - just like my Hasselblads which makes low shots easier to take (which at my age with my back is a boon).

Is it perfect? No. Can it produce perfect images? Yes. You have to consider your style of photography and decide if you can live with a dedicated lens.

I would in an instant, sell my RX1 for a interchangeable lens version with Zeiss glass but I suspect that will be very difficult to produce if stories about the distance between the back of the lens and the sensor are to be believed.

Just my two cents.

LouisB
 
It's expensive and I understand completely. I brought mine primarily for travel. In my view, the image quality just can't be ignored and I'm still wowed by it each time I look at my travel pictures. The idea of having all that in such a small package is really quite beguiling! Good luck with your decision :)
 
Why am I torturing myself by reading this thread?

Because, IIRC, you were offered one as a gift and wouldn't take it!

However pure and good your intentions may have been, I'd be kicking myself in the head - HARD - on a daily basis over that one! I might even see if I could rent one of these guys and have him do it for me!

9192898411_45ae115322_b.jpg

20130702-SDIM0311-Edit by ramboorider1, on Flickr

:026: :026: :026: :026: :026:

-Ray
 
Why am I torturing myself by reading this thread?

You KNOW how to end the pain....just do it. :)

here is my take (on top of everything else that's been said)

I really liked my X100S...I really did. Was it the most bullet proof camera ever made? Hardly... Did it have the best lens? No...but I liked it. It felt "right" and if it was stopped down, it took great looking images.

Now...having said that...I like the RX1 just as much or more because of the image quality...it's simply amazing. The dynamic range is not to be believed...I have taken some great images at ISO 10,000 and above and you could not tell...literally wouldn't have known it. The detail and grain had to be seen to be believed.


My peeve is that I loved the Hybrid OVF of the X100S...and i'm not a huge fan of the EVF or OVF of the RX1...don't get me wrong...they work well...and are fine but that Hybrid OVF of the X100S is in another league.

I've not regretted my decision to dump the X100S in the least...because the RX1 can do it all...extreme ultra sharp close ups....shallow depth of field, landscape...moderate portraits...environmental portraits...even street (with some slight annoyances)

It's a ton of cash but hey! What isn't these days?
 
I would buy one tonight if it came with a wider lens, When i first started out I loved the 35mm lens, but turned to the wide side a long time ago, 21 or 28 would be good but 24 would be perfect. Add a hybrid vf and it would be my main camera
 
I would buy one tonight if it came with a wider lens, When i first started out I loved the 35mm lens, but turned to the wide side a long time ago, 21 or 28 would be good but 24 would be perfect. Add a hybrid vf and it would be my main camera

I wonder if Sony'd ever do a "wide angle screw on adapter" like the X100S has? I'd buy that.

And agreed...if this had a Hybrid OVF...My camera buying days would be over....forever.
 
...because you really want one and just need a bit of time to mentally and emotionally come to terms with that (...and to figure out how to get it past the new boss). You know I'm right. Yes you do.

lol....I don't even want to know what Ray is talking about !

The "new boss" offered to get me one as my post "wedding gift." I was overcome with guilt at the price tag, and declined it!
 
I totally agree with everyone here that the RX1 is a fabulous camera body and lens. It is incredible and I can afford it. However, being a cheapass, an EOS M w/22mm is close enough :p.
 
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