Last lap in weight reduction? Switch to Fuji XT-5 ...

[pnodrog]

My conclusion to weight is that lenses are the maim problem. There are plenty of full frame bodies available that do not weigh a lot more than the quality smaller sensor body options. So my travel and walk about option is a Z8 with the 28-400mm lens. It's a high ISO vs heavy fast lens and higher ISO wins for weight saving. For an even lighter combo a Z50 (DX) with the kit lenses.

At this point I don't believe the weight savings of other systems are sufficient for me to abandon the option of using a big heavy FF (FX) quality lens when absolutely needed.

[billtils]

No, I was not aware of that - thanks for letting me know David.

[billtils]

I checked it out David. If I have read the information correctly it applies to in-camera processing of jpeg images and I process my images from the camera as RAF files, so it's a good idea that does not fit with my workflow, but thanks for letting me know about it.

[billtils]

My conclusion to weight is that lenses are the maim problem. There are plenty of full frame bodies available that do not weigh a lot more than the quality smaller sensor body options. So my travel and walk about option is a Z8 with the 28-400mm lens. It's a high ISO vs heavy fast lens and higher ISO wins for weight saving. For an even lighter combo a Z50 (DX) with the kit lenses.

At this point I don't believe the weight savings of other systems are sufficient for me to abandon the option of using a big heavy FF (FX) quality lens when absolutely needed.

What you say is essentially correct Paul - the main culprit is indeed lens weight and there are lighter Nikon bodies but ... I don't do anything that needs a big heavy FX lens or body any more, and I was somewhat seduced by my interactions with the 3 Fuji X users in the camera club, 1 former Canon, 1 former Nikon and one don't know. Bottom line is I'm more than happy and got a reasonable rebate in the trade in deal (as in getting rid of a number if items that I haven't used in ages)..

[Manfred M]

Paul is spot on with his comments.

My medium format, 102 MP, Fujifilm GFX100s ii body (883g) weighs less than the full frame, 46 MP, Nikon Z8 (910g), both including memory card and battery. Add the lens and those weight savings are right out the window, as the larger image circle requires larger optical and mechanical elements. That is of course, why I am primarily using it as a studio camera.

Like Paul, my needs are not satisfied by an mFT or APS-C sensor, due to the large gallery sized prints I make. I find that the smaller cameras have too many other trade-offs that do not meet my needs, in fact, even full-frame was not where I needed to go.

I just got back from hauling my D810 with the 28 - 300mm and the 24mm shift-tilt lens around England and Ireland for three weeks. I also had my flash and large tripod with me. I did use all my gear.

[billtils]

Horses for courses!

[Manfred M]

Horses for courses!

Of course.

I know a number of people that have gone the lighter camera route at two of the photography clubs I belong to. Somewhere around 2/3 to 3/4 were happy with their decision to downsize. The demographics of both clubs is older people, over age 60, with the mean age in the 70s.

The remainder were not and either went back to their original systems or an upgrade of their larger cameras. The issues, so far as I can tell, were performance related, either image quality or they did not like the way the smaller camera bodies handled (ergonomics).