Do You Zoom?

Compact cameras are a bit different to DSLRs in that many controls are in menus or fairly inaccessible without effort.

I was thinking that quite a few people I know with zoom compacts rarely zoom, unless they are concentrating. Most shots might be made just at the widest setting, most subjects being close ones of family, friends, pets, etc.

Is this actually so? Is the initial reaction simply to use the camera as is? If so, then perhaps the fixed lens of the GR and similar is not so limiting for many. The reason for asking is that Sue might take up the GR and I was pondering about the limitations of the fixed lens. I know that depends on her shooting style, but then I wondered about it generally.

Any thoughts?

I'm afraid I haven't used a compact since getting my DSLR's John, it's just not the same experience for me. I do like to use the K-01 though, with either the DA XS 40mm, or a Pentax-M 50mm F1.4 and I don't find the fixed focal length limiting, I just work harder to get a good angle and the right shot.

Regards
David

I often use the zoom on the MX-1, even straying into the digital range occasionally if necessary (and the images are still good on screen or up to A4 print), as the zoom range is comparable to using the standard zoom lens, i.e. the 18-135mm, which is often on my K-5 II.

Cheers.
Philip

My Panasonic DMC FX550 sits unloved and unused in a drawer only seeing the light of day when my wife uses it to take images for ebay use.

I used it for about 3 months before buying my first Pentax DSLR - and yes I used zoom - nice 5x zoom Leica lens.

I have just taken it out of the drawer whilst writing this - I had forgotten what a nice little compact this is - wonder how it would compare to my Q? - may have to have a play with it.

Carl

I carry my little I-10 with me at all times and the 5 times zoom is always used. Also like MrB Philip I also stray into the digital from time to time.
CHEERS Vic.

I also use the MX-1 optical zoom, though I have disabled digital zoom throughout.

Thanks for the replies, just to round off the thought, do you think the fixed lens compacts are just too restricting, or could you cope with that?

My thought was that they were OK, but fell down on focus not being close enough and not being suitable for that just-in-case-something-happens readiness.

I think it's a bit of a 'horses for courses' question John. Personally - unless my entire use for a compact was 'family snaps' I would find a fixed focus lens too limiting.

I could 'make do' if I had to - would just prefer not to.

Carl

Most of us don't buy a fixed lens camera without knowing what we're going into and where the limits might be.
Close focus? Well the MX-1 can focus as close as 1cm.
As far as readiness, well you know what I grab when my cats are doing something spontaneously silly or when I hear something unusual happening outside, like some birds,yep - it's the MX-1.
I don't have time to grab the DLSR and think about if I have the right lens on it..

Yes, I agree. What I've found is, despite the obvious high quality of results, the usefulness of the GR is somewhat less than the usefulness of the MX-1 or the WG series.

It's surprising what quality we can pull out of these smaller sensor cameras.

I don't have a compact but when I have been asked by people to take photos of them and they give me their compact, I zoom. They are always pleased with the result.

I don't have a compact either, though I have thought a lot about getting one. My photographer mate has a rather expensive German one which has a fixed lens which delivers an exceptional quality I struggle to match. Having said that he constantly pokes a gentle fun at my zooming ability so I regularly have to use a prime to stifle his jibes. Me, I'm happy to zoom away most of the time.
Regards, Rob

On the WG3 use the optical zoom quite often but as the camera is only used for when I am away working it is only in use every other month.

For me at the minute I don't think I would be comfortable with the fixed focus for a compact, even 4x optical comes in useful now and again.

You've got to be pretty lucky to find yourself standing in the right place to frame the scene as you want with a fixed lens. The obvious answer is to walk a few feet or rely on cropping later. Maybe I'm just getting lazy but a zoom seems the preferred option.

Like others, I'm amazed by the results from the MX-1's small sensor, even if it does have one of those new-fangled zoom thingies. Doubt I could be bothered adapting to fixed lens now. I got more than enough exercise in film days with my 50mm and 28mm.

Al

There's an obvious attraction in a big sensor/fixed lens compact but I'd find not having a zoom far too restrictive. I know people like cameras such as the Fuji X100 for street photography but you sort of know what you're going to get in those circumstances.

I use the two extremes of my MX-1 at the tele-end for for portraits, close-ups of, say, flowers or architectural details and the wide end for views, buildings, landscapes etc. I love the flexibility and choice of perspectives the zoom offers; the usual advice of using your feet to zoom is just daft, as you then have to change your position which alters the viewing angle of the original shot.

I happily took only the MX-1 on holiday to Majorca and it did everything I wanted it to.

It's also perfect for a day out when you don't want to be burdened by a DSLR.

Interior close-up


Exterior wide-angle


Exterior telephoto