Ageing photographers and the weight. Simplicate and add lightness.

[kdphotography]

Up until recently, for just about any "serious" outings I would always favor lugging along my Cambo + IQ4 kit with any number of lenses (and sturdy tripod, of course). But time is taking its toll on me and since acquiring the Hasselblad X2D and more recently the 907x-CFV100c, I've really found joy in using the smaller Hassy kit(s). The X2D's IBIS opens up possibilities to shoot hand-held, but I find it to be noticeably heavier and bulkier than my old X1D. The 907, however, was a revelation - although missing IBIS, without the side grip it's so much easier to pack efficiently. I can either slip it into a small Think Tank sling with two lenses, or carry my entire 4 lens kit in an f-stop small ICU:
View attachment 212857
(clockwise from upper left: 907x-CFV100c w/XCD 90; XCD 30, XCD 55V; XCD 21; spare battery + Peak Design strap)

The ICU fits in an f-stop Guru 25 liter bag with plenty of room on top for filters and/or an extra lens. I haven't weighed the final kit but at least I don't groan when I lift the pack onto my back.

I shoot mainly on a tripod - the RRS universal L-bracket A/S plate fits the 907x perfectly, adds very little extra bulk to the body, and doesn't interfere with hand held shooting.

And the image quality is simply fabulous, so apart from missing movements and tilt on the tech cam, this has been a good alternative for me when I'm traveling or just don't feel up to hauling around lead bricks.

John

That's just sexy.

 

[Geoff]

Two approaches: M10M with the 35 2.5 CV Skopar for small, 50mm 'cron otherwise; or.... X2D with 45P, sometimes with 30 and/or 65mm in a sling bag.
The X2D is remarkable, IBIS, etc. but LR or Phocus
M10M uses C1, but no color. Tradeoffs....
Shift camera with its tripod stays at home for walk arounds. Sadly.

 

[jng]

So, 25x17 or 44x33? That's almost 3.5 times the sensor area for less than 2 times the weight!

Matt

44x33. Were you seriously asking?

 

[MGrayson]

44x33. Were you seriously asking?

No, not at all.

 

[anyone]

Seems the fstop ICU small is the default here. I use it also. Now at times I feel it’s oversized (!) and wonder what sort of inserts you use when you just take the 907x + one or two lenses? To my knowledge there is no fstop ICU that is smaller?

 

[jng]

Seems the fstop ICU small is the default here. I use it also. Now at times I feel it’s oversized (!) and wonder what sort of inserts you use when you just take the 907x + one or two lenses? To my knowledge there is no fstop ICU that is smaller?

I use the Turn Style 5 V2.0 sling from Think Tank. There's enough space for the camera w/one lens mounted and another lens nestled in behind it if it's one of the smaller ones. f-stop sells some smaller inserts, but I haven't really looked into these.

John

 

[MGrayson]

Seems the fstop ICU small is the default here. I use it also. Now at times I feel it’s oversized (!) and wonder what sort of inserts you use when you just take the 907x + one or two lenses? To my knowledge there is no fstop ICU that is smaller?

In truth, I use a Compagnon Element no matter how little equipment I'm carrying. It just sits on me more comfortably than anything else. I've used an f-stop Guru (and three or four other f-stop bags and eight or so ICU's) for decades, but the Compagnon is a better match for me. For the really heavy loads I will never actually carry, there's the Atlas.

 

[jng]

In truth, I use a Compagnon Element no matter how little equipment I'm carrying. It just sits on me more comfortably than anything else. I've used an f-stop Guru (and three or four other f-stop bags and eight or so ICU's) for decades, but the Compagnon is a better match for me. For the really heavy loads I will never actually carry, there's the Atlas.

Matt,

Oh, dear. I wasn't aware of Compagnon... And my closets are already overflowing with camera bags I don't use. Do you know whether the small f-stop ICU will fit inside the compartment of the 30L pack (the dimensions suggest it will be a snug fit)? I know, seems silly to do this but I like being able to keep my kit organized in ICUs so I can just grab, load and go.

John

 

[MGrayson]

Matt,

Oh, dear. I wasn't aware of Compagnon... And my closets are already overflowing with camera bags I don't use. Do you know whether the small f-stop ICU will fit inside the compartment of the 30L pack (the dimensions suggest it will be a snug fit)? I know, seems silly to do this but I like being able to keep my kit organized in ICUs so I can just grab, load and go.

John

John,

The Compagnon is fairly deep, so I the small would certainly fit. But it would mean redundant layers of padding. If the f-stop bags work for you, and you like the ICU's, then I'd stick with them.

Amazing how easy it is to tell someone else not to buy gear!

This guy is wearing one, although I can't be sure if it's the 30L or the 20L. I have the 30L.

Matt

 

[Bill Caulfeild-Browne]

As I get deeper into the wrong end of the age distribution, the type of gear that I can use changes. I used to able to carry around a P1 back, DF body and heavy lenses. That is impossible now. Even my wonderful GFX 100II is too heavy for anything more than a short excursion, and I just carry the body plus one mounted GF lens. I am prevented from carrying my tech camera very often, because adding a stable tripod to the load is just such a bother. Yes, age sucks.

So, I am thinking about a way forward. One option is a GF/M adaptor, to use my favourite Leica lenses on the GFX (in 35 mm crop mode). That will be heavier than a small FF camera, but much more flexible and capable. I am trying that but the jury is still out. Another option, of course, is to just get a FF camera for walkabout. I would be reluctant to do that - for reasons that are more emotional than practical.

How have you dealt with this?.

I'm with you. I'm a few weeks short of 80 and the weight of my Phase gear is just too much except for shooting places I can drive to. I now use Leica M's for pretty well everything involving walking (which I do a lot) and I find the image quality outstanding. The trouble is, every time I think of selling the XF/IQ4, I balk - it's just so good.

The other (emotional) factor in favour of the M is that it's the kind of mostly manual camera that I grew up with - call it nostalgia.

 

[jng]

John,

The Compagnon is fairly deep, so I the small would certainly fit. But it would mean redundant layers of padding. If the f-stop bags work for you, and you like the ICU's, then I'd stick with them.

Amazing how easy it is to tell someone else not to buy gear!

This guy is wearing one, although I can't be sure if it's the 30L or the 20L. I have the 30L.

Matt

Thanks, Matt. I was particularly interested in the side-to-side dimension, which they list @ 29 cm, pretty close to the small ICU's 29.2 cm width. Does it fit?

And yes, using the ICU in this pack would mean extra/wasted padding and therefore extra weight and bulk. But TBH the f-stop packs are just not that comfortable on me - the ultralight series sacrifices comfort for weight savings, which at the end of the day is counterproductive. The rear openings are also cut in such a way that makes it a bit of a chore to pull gear out of the ICU.

John

 

[MGrayson]

Thanks, Matt. I was particularly interested in the side-to-side dimension, which they list @ 29 cm, pretty close to the small ICU's 29.2 cm width. Does it fit?

And yes, using the ICU in this pack would mean extra/wasted padding and therefore extra weight and bulk. But TBH the f-stop packs are just not that comfortable on me - the ultralight series sacrifices comfort for weight savings, which at the end of the day is counterproductive. The rear openings are also cut in such a way that makes it a bit of a chore to pull gear out of the ICU.

John

OK!



And even if you have one of the deep "pro" ICU's - a tight fit, but possible. You can always remove the padding from the ICU lid.



I'm doing a terrible job of GAS mitigation...

Matt

 

[jng]

OK!



And even if you have one of the deep "pro" ICU's - a tight fit, but possible. You can always remove the padding from the ICU lid.



I'm doing a terrible job of GAS mitigation...

Matt

Hi Matt,

Dante thanks you.

Your friend,

John

 

[MGrayson]

Hi Matt,

Dante thanks you.

Your friend,

John

BTW, the side to side fit is not even tight. I could zip up the back without noticing it. And it's deceptively deep. The XCD 120 and 135 can fit standing upright with the pack lying on its back. This is good or bad depending how much overpacking one tends to do. For me, bad.

One nitpick - the shoulder straps have those extra connections to the main pack that go *above* the zipper. That means detaching the clips each time you open the bag. It's mildly annoying, and one can probably leave them unclipped permanently. A pack needs to be a good deal taller before those straps do anything for me, and the 20L doesn't even have them.

 

[algrove]

OP

It might worth a try to get the GFX50S II with 35-70 for around $3k. I have had the 100S (and will get a GFX 100xx soon), but for whatever reason I very much like the files the pre_BSi sensor gives on the 50S II. The files have an organic feel to them. I tries it since I had the 50R some years ago and always liked the files.

 

[JeffK]

I'm with you. I'm a few weeks short of 80 and the weight of my Phase gear is just too much except for shooting places I can drive to. I now use Leica M's for pretty well everything involving walking (which I do a lot) and I find the image quality outstanding. The trouble is, every time I think of selling the XF/IQ4, I balk - it's just so good.

The other (emotional) factor in favour of the M is that it's the kind of mostly manual camera that I grew up with - call it nostalgia.

The walking could be why you still can carry the XF at 80!!! Hope I do that well.

 

[MGrayson]

The walking could be why you still can carry the XF at 80!!! Hope I do that well.

Newly minted senior citizen here. I should carry @Bill Caulfeild-Browne's Phase One gear around for the exercise!

 

[cunim]

[[/QUOTE]

Newly minted senior citizen here. I should carry @Bill Caulfeild-Browne's Phase One gear around for the exercise!

If I wanted really good shots I would just carry @Bill Caulfeild-Browne. Mount an M11 on him and the weight is about the same as an XF with 120 macro.

As so often happens on this forum, there is a lot of useful information in the responses. Thanks to everyone. Sadly, I can't go the lightweight HB route because I need a good EVF to focus with. The X2D is a possibility but once you live with Fuji's tilt EVF it is hard to go back. The good news is that I am finding the combination of Leica lens and GFX is OK for walkabout and casual shots. If I feel serious that day, I'll use the native lenses and suffer the weight.

Rm3di + IQ4 + 40HR 2.7 kg
Rm3di + IQ4 + SK120 asph approx. 2.6 kg
GFX II + GF110 2.4 kg
GFX II + GF55 2.1 kg
GFX II + adapter + 90 mm summicron asph 1.8 kg
GFX II + ada[ter + 50 mm suimmilux asph 1.6 kg

In fact, if I really want the best platform I would take the Rm3di and a Rodenstock or Schneider lens. Not only is the lens a treat, but I value the T/S capabilities.

I would carry the tech camera much more often but it has two downsides. a) Need a tripod. b) Focus is hard for my old eyes. If I could put an EVF on that thing I would use it a lot more.

The real solution is for me to become a better photographer so I can take good shots with a pocket camera. Sigh. That one's not going to happen.

 

[MGrayson]

[

The 3di/40 HR weighs 1.8 kg as opposed to 1.8 kg for the GFX/Leica and 2.4 kg for the GFX + GF110.
[/QUOTE]

Does that weight include the DB? I always forget that detail, especially when pricing the system.

 

[anyone]

.. and thanks to this thread I now just ordered a F-Stop ICU Tiny Micro, which is half the size of the ICU small shallow.