Gear acquisition - need some advice

[binklewis]

Ok all - looking for some advice. I have a small part time business and shoot mostly outdoor portraits (but also do a lot of events, nature/wildlife and sports outside my little biz). I've been a canon shooter, and will be keeping my 7D mkii and 70-200 2.8 for sports for now, but for all other shooting I'm switching to Fuji land.

 

I currently have the x-t1, 18-55 f2-4 and 55-200 f/3.5 - 4.8.

I really like what I've gotten thus far, but I'm looking to augment and continue to build my Fuji system out, including a backup camera.

 

I've got a budget of about $1K US to spend, and I'm looking at what I can get for that, including used gear. I love buying used gear, so that appears to be a good route for me :-). I recently saw the rumors, so I know there is a supposed drop coming for some gear.

 

I've looked at the everything from an old used x-e1 on keh for a backup to used/new 60mm 2.4 to the 35 f/2 and of course the 1.4 twins and the wonderful 56 1.2.

 

New, without a price drop - one of the good lenses could do in my budget. However, when I start getting creative and pairing up a used 60mm with an old camera and maybe a reduced 35 f/2 on rumor day - I might come away with a great event/all around lens in the 35, a really nice portrait and macro lens in the 60, and squeeze in an old used x-e1 :-) or maybe on rumor day I just get a new 56 1.2 and 35 f/2, or maybe the 16-55 2.8 and sell off the 18-55 ...

 

I don't know - I'm all over the map - help me with your creative ideas for my somewhat limited budget!

 

 

Thanks,

 

Bink

http://binkdogphotography.com

http://www.facebook.com/binkdogphotography

[mdm]

Do yourself a favor and get old used x-e2 as x-e1 is a way too old.

[MacPhail]

Just an FYI Bink:  I'm getting a "content not available" for your FB page.

[frod]

I can only say that you have to really have a specific need for the 16-55 - it's not a significant upgrade to the 18-55 for most use cases.

[binklewis]

Just an FYI Bink: I'm getting a "content not available" for your FB page.

Wow thanks - hopefully a typo - I'll check it out :-)

[addicted2light]

If I were you, especially considering that what you shoot is all over the map, I'd get the following (all used, and you will possibly have some cash left in the end):

 

- XPro 1 (and update it to the latest firmware; they are selling for peanuts)

- 18/2

- 60 macro

 

This way you would expand your kit with gear that does something what you have already does not:

 

- the XPro 1 has the optical viewfinder, that comes in handy in low light and for shooting moving subjects, to check if someone / something is about to enter the frame you already chose

- the 18/2 makes a nice compact kit on the XPro 1, almost as small as an X100 (to be as small you'd need an XE2 or an XT10, but then you'd loose the optical viewfinder)

- the 60 macro is IMO a nicer portrait lens than the 56 (it's a matter of taste, I don't like the bokeh of the 56 and bokeh in many portraits plays a big role); and is a macro, of course!

- the 18 + the 60 make for my favorite small kit: a 28mm + a 90mm equivalent focal lengths. With just these two you can tackle almost everything, short of wildlife

 

My 2 cents

[binklewis]

Thanks addicted. Well I sort of followed your suggestions :-). I bought the 60 macro for portraits and macro fun. I've b

Never shot with a true macro lens so it should be fun. I think the 60 will be great for portraits based on looking at a lot of photos.

I saved some $$ on the camera - decided to get an old x-e1 on eBay - not sure what it is about this camera that keeps drawing me to it - can't wait to play with it! It's more than adequate for a backup and I love the look of old legacy glass - yes the x-e2 and x-pro1 are more capable, but this will be my always with me "beater" camera - so I didn't want to invest too much.

 

Still on the fence in my last lens - I think I could be happy with an 18 f2, a 14 2.8, a 23 1.4, a 35 1.4, or a 35 f2

 

With the price drop i'm leaning to the 35 f/2 , but I'm totally in love with the images from the 23 1.4 - just need to decide how much more I want to spend :-) the 18 f2 is also a great option like you said.

 

Oh the decisions !!

[darknj]

[...]

 

Oh the decisions !!

 

Oh don't worry about that, at one point, you will have them all

[jlmphotos]

The X-E1 was my first venture into the Fuji Mirrorless system and I LOVED IT!!!  Nothing wrong with it as a daily carry.  I can't tell you the thousands of images I created, and sell with that camera....