Low light and street shooter options

[MJP]

The Pentax K-3 is unpredictable to bad to dire in low light. For everything else it's okay.

But I particularly like low light togging at high ISO without the noise. K-3's sensor is about the worst option for this (24mp APS-C). Street togging is also factor in this, a smaller, less conspicuous combo.

So, low light options are down to:

1. 12 mega pixel full frame Bayer sensor Sony A7s with Novoflex Pentax-K and M42 adapters;

2. 16 mega pixel crop format X-Trans II Fujifilm XT-1 with Fujinon 56mm f/1.2 and 35mm f1.4.

Some notes:

• Both options come to a similar amount of money;
• Both are a similar size (I've had it with lots of big heavy gear, takes the pleasure out of it);
• I have two f/1.2 lenses in PK mount already;
• The Fuji will have AF,
• The Sony will be manual focus only (which at f/1.2 is a nightmare) using adapted Pentax and M42 lenses;
• Novoflex also do PK>Fuji-X and M42>Fuji-X adapters so I can use all existing lenses on the Fuji too, albeit manual focus;
• Both the XT-1 and A7s appear to offer extraordinary low light/high ISO/low noise performance;
• Metabones Speed Booster available for both mounts but not for Pentax lenses;
• A7s offers superb video options although 4K needs an expensive externally recorder.

By far the cheapest option is the third, a Sony A7 or A7r, but I'm bothered about shutter shake.

Any input welcome.

Edited June 28, 2014 by MJP

[rhythmworx]

The sony has a live view focus peeking I believe but then you have to be in live view

Will either the Fuji or the Sony meter with your lenses?

[MJP]

The sony has a live view focus peeking I believe but then you have to be in live view

Will either the Fuji or the Sony meter with your lenses?

I know the K-3 automatically goes to spot metering when a manual focus legacy lens is attached. Don't know about the others.

[rhythmworx]

The Nikon 610 is a good contender against the Sony.

From DxO mark, couldn't include the Fuji, unfortunately they have no stats for that.

http://www.dxomark.com/Cameras/Compare/Side-by-side/Sony-A7R-versus-Pentax-K-3-versus-Nikon-D610___917_914_915

This could come in handy to help metering which ever model you eventually choose, there's an adaptor to mount it on the hot shoe. It can measure both incidental and reflected light.

http://www.gossen-photo.de/english/foto_p_digiflash.php

Edited June 28, 2014 by rhythmworx

[MJP]

With EVF's, what you see is what you get, so metering can be performed manually.

Really don't want an incompatible DSLR, especially Nikon as they're so behind the curve and with reliability problems, big and heavy.

[fimgirl]

With EVF's, what you see is what you get, so metering can be performed manually.

Really don't want an incompatible DSLR, especially Nikon as they're so behind the curve and with reliability problems, big and heavy.

With MIRRORLESS wysiwyg - EVF's alone don't provide this facility.

I've played with the XT-1 and it is very impressive. As are the Fuji lenses. I have the XE-1 which is good up to 1600 ISO but gets noisy thereon. I'm seriously considering upgrading but am waiting to see if an X-Pro 2 comes on board at Photokina. If low light and low weight is the criteria I would certainly consider it. The colours are punchy, the files can really be abused without loss and the lens range is expanding nicely. I believe that Fuji really do listen to the customers needs also. Firmware updates are regular and mostly provide significant enhancements.

There's a lot to like.

Hope this helps.

[MJP]

With EVF's, what you see is what you get, so metering can be performed manually.

Really don't want an incompatible DSLR, especially Nikon as they're so behind the curve and with reliability problems, big and heavy.

With MIRRORLESS wysiwyg - EVF's alone don't provide this facility.

I've played with the XT-1 and it is very impressive. As are the Fuji lenses. I have the XE-1 which is good up to 1600 ISO but gets noisy thereon. I'm seriously considering upgrading but am waiting to see if an X-Pro 2 comes on board at Photokina. If low light and low weight is the criteria I would certainly consider it. The colours are punchy, the files can really be abused without loss and the lens range is expanding nicely. I believe that Fuji really do listen to the customers needs also. Firmware updates are regular and mostly provide significant enhancements.

There's a lot to like.

Hope this helps.

Thanks Fim, the XT-1 with 56/1.2 is a most tempting standalone option for low light/street. Can be done for around £1500.

[vaultdweller0013]

Shutter shake should only effect the A7r -- A7 will be fine. The "issue" with the A7r is that Sony couldn't get an electric front curtain shutter to work, so it has a full mechanical shutter (the new D810 (Sony sensor) is supposed to have EFCS, so hopefully this issue has been solved for the next genration) . A7 has EFCS and I haven't read any reports of shutter shake issues with it. At the same time, even with the A7r the shutter shake issue has been reported pretty much only for heavy telephoto lens on tripods at or around 1/120s shutter speed. This is based on my research of the cameras a a potential replacement/supplement to my a99, so take it for what its worth; I eventually decided to see what Sony will do with the (rumored) a99ii. Plus, it didn't want to give up in-body stabilization, which would be the main reason I wouldn't go with an a7/r/s for low light, especially since Sony has stated that compactness is the primary goal of the a7 system, so I wouldn't expect any stabalized f1.4 lenses any time soon.

[MJP]

Shutter shake should only effect the A7r -- A7 will be fine. The "issue" with the A7r is that Sony couldn't get an electric front curtain shutter to work, so it has a full mechanical shutter (the new D810 (Sony sensor) is supposed to have EFCS, so hopefully this issue has been solved for the next genration) . A7 has EFCS and I haven't read any reports of shutter shake issues with it. At the same time, even with the A7r the shutter shake issue has been reported pretty much only for heavy telephoto lens on tripods at or around 1/120s shutter speed. This is based on my research of the cameras a a potential replacement/supplement to my a99, so take it for what its worth; I eventually decided to see what Sony will do with the (rumored) a99ii. Plus, it didn't want to give up in-body stabilization, which would be the main reason I wouldn't go with an a7/r/s for low light, especially since Sony has stated that compactness is the primary goal of the a7 system, so I wouldn't expect any stabalized f1.4 lenses any time soon.

Thanks. As a Pentax shooter I do like the in-body 5-axis shake reduction and unstabilized screw-drive lenses which keeps the whole system small yet stabilised.

The A7r shutter shake and lack of SR is what has prevented me from ordering one. I'm just not confident I could get sharp shots.

[MJP]

Steve Huff review of the Sony A7s . . .

http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/2014/07/01/the-sony-a7s-digital-camera-review-wow-period/

Sure you will see some noise and loss of detail but THIS IS 80,000 ISO! No other camera in this price range could even get close to this. In fact, I am not so sure any other camera at all could get this type of performance at ISO 80,000. If so, I have not seen it.

Edited July 6, 2014 by MJP