On 3/8/14, Brian Walters, discombobulated, unleashed: >The Fujis are indeed wonderful cameras, so I'm told. I'm seriously >considering buying one. But we aren't talking about a superannuated >old fart on the wrong side of 65 here. John wants a camera for a >modern young lady of the iPad/iPhone generation. She already has a >compact digital camera and, if presented with a nice new Fuji with a >manual focus lens attached as the sole lens option, she is going to be >a tad disappointed. > >If mirrorless ends up as the final option, by all means include the >adapter and Pentax lens and show her the fun that can be had with it. >But I really think the kit autofocus zoom is going to be a necessity, >whatever the final decision. > >The problem with Fuji is that the X-E1 body with the 18-55 standard >zoom is going to push the price to close to $1000 in Australia. I >don't know John's budget but I suspect that might be a bit high. Of >course, if a viewfinder isn't a necessity, the Fuji X-A1 kit can be >had for a reasonable sum and that might well be an affordable way into >the Fuji system.
The question is, does the recipient want to rattle off auto-everything pictures? Or does she want to learn about the relationships between light and time. If the former, then go for an auto-everything camera (in fact the Fujis do that as well). If the latter, then by all means go for an auto-everything camera that has manual override perhaps. The reason I recommended the Fuji, is that it has a traditional shutter speed control layout on top, and will accept the use of manual focus, and manual aperture lenses. This setup is very good for students of photography in that it is easy to see the said relationships working with (or indeed against) each other. Not always easy to see on auto cameras with manual override. And, of course, auto lenses can be added later if desired. Personally I would try and opt for a camera with either an optical or electronic viewfinder instead of just a rear LCD. Learning to compose while excluding all other peripheral vision can be useful. Again, if the intention is to just give her a decent camera that takes interchangeable lenses with which to try out, then this is perhaps moot. I'll tell you what though, if she gets a liking for it and wants more control, you might find that the camera he gets her becomes an interim affair that means she'll want to upgrade to something with better manual control. The realm of manual lenses is not just the over 65s! X-E1 bodies can be readily had off eekbay at good prices, even with an AF standard zoom. If that's too much or he prefers to buy new, I understand completely. -- Cheers, Cotty ___/\__ Broadcast, Corporate, || (O) | Web Video Production ---------- <www.seeingeye.tv> _____________________________ -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
