I’m seeking some advice based on the collective experience and wisdom of the members of this forum. I am very happy with my 645Z and my 645D before that and my 645N and 67II before that. However, nowadays I am less inclined to hike or travel with heavy systems. So I am considering a lighter system that will be comparable to the quality of a 645Z. GFX 50R is an obvious choice and at least at the wide end the lenses are lighter and more compact; interestingly, the Pentax lenses tend to be lighter at the long end and an adapter is available that would allow tilt and shift with Pentax lenses. I’m not convinced a few less pounds will be that significant in a pack, but hand weight of camera and lens is important too. Carrying a 645Z with the 28-45mm is like carrying a brick (but with a good grip
). Another option is a Sony A7r III or Nikon Z7, but will I always end up carrying, or wishing I was carrying, the 645Z? Any thoughts or experiences welcomed. Thanks,
Tom
I am sitting on some of this same fence Tom. I love my XF system, but as a heavy body+back+monstrous lenses get stuffed into a pack, it can become very unwieldy. Lately, I have been trying to force myself to pick a lens and use it exclusively during an outing. That makes the XF+IQ45+single lens fairly comfortable. But I also look at the cabinet somewhat forlornly when I leave the house, as I know I am forcing compromises. Probably why my pick has increasingly been the S-K 40-80 zoom. It is an impressive, and versatile, lens.
FWIW, my philosophy—even when I was much younger and carried 50+-pound packs—is that a few less pounds
always matter. Sometimes it's for different reasons,
e.g., on a multi-day trip. including tent, sleeping bag, etc., each ounce matters. But even on a short trip, one pound of photo gear is one pound of something else one does not carry,
e.g., a bottle of wine for a picnic lunch. But they still matter.
So, I am patiently, or not so much, waiting to see what Hassy is going to do. I have a sling-pack that goes over one shoulder, that easily holds the X1D and three lenses, batteries, some filters, etc. So far, I have been a renter only of the X1D. But if the MkII preserves the form factor, I am likely going to be a buyer. For some trips/ventures, that combo of IQ and low weight is very compelling. I love the IQ4, but even with the small Cambo and carefully chosen tech lenses, the weight adds up quickly, sometimes to the point where it becomes an issue.
When I travel, this calculus takes on other dimensions. I am trying out a Leica Q2 to see what its like to travel very compactly but with decent IQ. My Z7 is a nice rig, and with the 24-70, 14-30, and maybe a 100-400, it makes a very complete system. But even as nice as its IQ is, it doesn't have the same appeal as either the Phase or Hassy sensors. As I said, I am hoping Hassy does not disappoint.