MontyBigglesworth

Cheers for the help guys! I am planning to buy a load of batteries, I actually had 6 with the Digilux and numbered them so I would use them in order! I just found out there are two Fuji X forums - very similar interface which is why I got confused about my profile being cancelled, I actually was on a diffrent site! I have been using the other one more so I'm going to keep using that one as I have four threads on there rather than the one I have on here. Maybe we'll chat again on the other forum! Cheers!

History: I'm a big lover of “hands on” cameras with knobs, dials and buttons; I have just sold my Leica Digilux 3 and before that I owned a Digilux 2. I bought the Digilux 2 for the mechanical controls; focus ring, aperature ring, speed dial etc. which I loved, it was like using my original Minolta 35mm film from the 1990s again! The Digilux 2 eventually wore out so I replaced it with a Digilux 3 (a four thirds SLR) which seemed a natural progression. Though the Digilux 3 was technically better than the Digilux 2 and took better pictures I found it a pain to lug about due to it being so big and heavy- believe me it was very heavy! XT1: A year ago I saw the Fuji XT1, I though it looked perfect. It had all the knobs, dials and buttons I could dream of, I never dreamed I'd see an ISO dial on a camera- wow it was like someone was reading my dreams! I was only put off by the electronic viewfinder. Since then I have seen so many reviews raving about it I thought, what I'd go for it! Anyway, here are my thoughts on what to buy with the XT1, if anyone has any comments I'd love to hear them! Flash: I am looking to get an XT1 with the Fuji EF-X20 flash, I can get one second hand for about £100. It's a lot smaller than the Metz Flash I had before, however the XT1 is so sensitive compared to the Digilux I expect to use it more as a fill in flash than to fill a room in dark situations. I also like the way it fits on the camera, it's not massive but big enough to do the job, it also looks the part and matches the XT1s style. The Metz flash I had was almost as big as the XT1 and I would rather not have something that big again! Lenses: I am looking at buying the XT1 body then buying the 23mm 1.4 prime lens- probably second hand for about £400 but there are some companies selling them new for not much more. I reviewed the last pictures I took with the Digilux (holiday to Amsterdam) and most of the shots were wide angle shots of people in bars, streets or buildings. I did have a 70-300mm zoom with a four thirds adapter but I rarely ever used this other than messing about once or twice. What's everyone's opinion on a 23mm F1.4 prime? I love the manual aperture and focusing ring, one thing I missed on the Digilux 2 was that I could pre-focus it on my lap and know it would be correct for the shot the moment I lifted it up and pressed the button. I really have my heart set on getting a prime lens over a zoom and my gut feeling is that 23mm is the best focal length. I am sure 16mm would be too wide. I looked at 35mm which is more like the 49mm I had on my old 35mm film SLRs but I do like taking wide shots so I reckon it may be a bit too restrictive. What's everyone's opinion on primes? Anyone got any opinions on what the "best focal length" is? Most of the shots I do are in the street or landscapes, I rarely do portrait shots or macro shots. If I was going to get a zoom I'd probably go for the XC 50-230. Yes, I know this is no where near as good quality as the 23mm prime but I'd probably not use it enough to warrant the cost of an XF lens – I know I can pick an XC zoom up on eBay for about £100. If I did find myself using it more than I expected then I could upgrade to an XF zoom later. One other option is to buy an X mount to something else adapter and buy an old manual zoom like I used on the Digilux. Anyone had any experience with X Mount Lens adapters? Bag: I am also after a bag as I gave the Lowe Slingshot 300 away with the Digilux. I really don't want a bag anywhere near that size and even looked at the Amazon Basics Medium DSLR gadget bag which has some cracking reviews! All I want is a bag I can put over my shoulder to store the XT1 with a prime lens, the flash and a compact zoom like the 50-230mm. I'll store the charger separately and I'll probably not carry my tripod around with my like I did with the Digilux as I never used it that much and it got in the way. Again, any bag ideas people have would be appreciated! Lastly, can anyone recommend a good UK seller? I will probably buy most of my stuff second hand on eBay but I'd like to buy the XT1 body new. There are some companies with too good to be true prices which I am very wary of! Sorry that's a bit of a mammoth introduction, I am really just open to any kit suggestions people have! Cheers! Rob