D800, to take on holiday or not, that's the question.

I'm off to Mallorca at the weekend for a week with my wife and mother for what will probably be a fairly relaxed affair with no agenda, particularly not around photography. I'm trying to decide whether to take a minimalist kit of my D800, 24-120, 105 Macro and Fuji X100T, or just take the X100T with convertor lenses. My wife is also taking her D7100, 18-200 and Tamron 90mm Macro. When I put all of the stuff in my messenger bag it will be around 10kg. My dilemma is caused by my wife taking a DSLR, not because I can't get by without one. I know if we are somewhere that needs a bit more reach than 50mm equiv I will be jealous of her longer lens. Also if she decides to spend a few hours shooting bugs in the nice bright sun it will be the same. I could take my 7100 body instead of the 800 but that doesn't save much on the grand scheme of things.

So, do I man up and just take the Fuji, or admit defeat and adopt my usual strategy of taking things I probably won't use, but will hate lugging around? I was actually reading about a guy earlier who said the best thing about replacing his DSLRs with the X100 was not having to make any decisions when leaving the house anymore. Now I'm not contemplating getting rid of my Nikon's but I do totally appreciate his point.

Take the D800. If you don't you'll regret it. If you want to look at what's waiting for you there, you can peak in my gallery under Mallorca.

Even if I'm really jealous, I'll wish you a great trip over there.

Marcel said:

Take the D800. If you don't you'll regret it.

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Agreed. You didn't buy that D800 so it could decorate a shelf... (I assume.)
....

I faced the same dilemma last week with our trip to Los Angeles: take the D800 or just rely on my bridge camera, the Sony RX-100. I only took the Sony, but saw many opportunities (The Getty Museum, Muscle Beach, the Santa Monica pier) where I could have had great fun with the D800. On the other hand, I was able to fly with just one small bag without the DSLR.

I vote for the D800 too my friend! A great shot with the D800 is something way above your average camera! You might get some shots worthy of hanging on the wall as an awesome show piece! It is a chance you won't have if you don't bring the D800!

Well guys thanks for the replies and I think I got the answer I expected from this forum. I actually mentally predicted a response from #Bill16 along those lines as I was effectively questioning the family honour

If I get anything nice #Marcel I will be sure to post it here and continue the jealousy I didn't realise that you would travel from your part of the world to Mallorca. For us it's only two hours.

I'm going to take it and the X100 and see which I take the most pictures with. That will confirm what I do when we go to Cyprus next month.

If I was going somewhere with photography as a primary goal it would be D800 and a bag of lenses all the way, but I must admit that hasn't been in the agenda for several months. That said, the X100T does take very high quality images as long as I can fill the frame with one of the lenses.


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Well I tried! Lol

Geoffc said:

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If I get anything nice #Marcel I will be sure to post it here and continue the jealousy I didn't realise that you would travel from your part of the world to Mallorca. For us it's only two hours.

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I was there for 2 weeks of fantastic cycling 5 years ago and it's in my plans to go back someday. Make sure to drive to Cape Formentor if you get close to Alcudia. It's just wonderful all over.

Enjoy!

I "only" had my D300 when I was there and I'd go back with the D800. Here are the two reasons why: Cathedral of Santa Maria of Palma de Mallorca (more commonly referred to as La Seu) and you never know what might happen on the train to Sóller.

Geoffc said:

I'm going to take it and the X100 and see which I take the most pictures with. That will confirm what I do when we go to Cyprus next month.

If I was going somewhere with photography as a primary goal it would be D800 and a bag of lenses all the way, but I must admit that hasn't been in the agenda for several months. That said, the X100T does take very high quality images as long as I can fill the frame with one of the lenses.

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I'll be very curious which you use more and anticipating the follow-up. I purchased a X-T1 about two weeks ago and will have my first opportunity to use it out and about this week-end and in a few weeks in New Orleans. If I'm happy with it, I'll be bringing it instead of my D800E for two weeks in Croatia next spring.

Eduard said:

I'll be very curious which you use more and anticipating the follow-up. I purchased a X-T1 about two weeks ago and will have my first opportunity to use it out and about this week-end and in a few weeks in New Orleans. If I'm happy with it, I'll be bringing it instead of my D800E for two weeks in Croatia next spring.

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Eduard

I think I know the answer already. I will take more with the X100 as I will take it everywhere except in the swimming pool. However that's not the full picture ( no pun intended). I will use the D800 for things the X100 can't do like focus quickly, take very high res shots, detailed macro, zoom beyond 50mm with the teleconverter etc etc. the question is, how often is this an issue on holiday?

Also, whilst the X100 takes very very good images, I don't think they look quite as crisp as my Bayer sensor Nikons. I think I'm probably comparing excellent with awesome. I'm sure some will argue that's just my raw processing.

I do wonder if one day I will end up with something like the XT1, but it would have to make a huge difference to the weight and bulk. My friend has one that I can play with, so who knows. I could have got one instead of the X100, but it was a deliberate choice to get something small with less options when leaving the house.


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Mallorca ? Without the full frame magic box?

Unthinkable! The 24/120 kit zoom should suffice /assume you have a comfortable high end strap?


cant wait to see pics!

hrstrat57 said:

Mallorca ? Without the full frame magic box?

Unthinkable! The 24/120 kit zoom should suffice /assume you have a comfortable high end strap?


cant wait to see pics!

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Black rapid sport straps. I can walk around all day with that on.


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