Best 5 accessories for RX100 cameras

February 16, 2020 in journal

You know how much I love my small RX100 cameras. I always carry one with me no matter what I'm doing, and that has led me to making some images I would've never made otherwise, including the current image of the month, "Golden Gate".

I love that these cameras are complete systems out of the box: no lenses to buy! There are some accessories, though, that I think are very useful and make these little devices even better image making machines. These are the 5+1 accessories for the RX100 series I have and use.

The Swans

February 11, 2020 in journal

I always carry one of my RX100s with me and try to take a few photos everyday no matter where I am or what I am doing. Most of these photographs are no good, but every once in a while, I run into a scene I love.

This was the case a couple of days ago coming back from the grocery store, shopping bag on the shoulder and camera in my pocket. It was a nice and calm night, and these two swans were hanging out on the river. I loved the contrast between the dark water and the white birds.

The RX100 doesn't excel in low light, but it is the best camera -by far- to carry along with the groceries. I took a few shots, hoping for the best, and kept walking. I really like the final image, an unexpected one that I was able to make only because I was carrying my camera with me.

More POV photography in the fog

February 06, 2020 in journal

It's fog season in my hometown, and I'm really enjoy making these little POV videos. Don't miss the first one, if you haven't watched it yet!

12 minutes of POV photography in the fog

January 25, 2020 in journal

A beautiful morning out with my RX100VA.

New addition to the family: RX100VII

November 14, 2019 in journal

I just doubled down on my approach to go compact with the purchase of the newest RX100, the mark VII.

The combo mark II + VA is near perfect for what I do. There were two main problems, though:

The mark II is falling apart, and I'm afraid it'll stop to work at any moment.
The lack of mic input in the VA has proven to be more painful than I initially thought, making my video workflow much more complicated.

The mark VII feels familiar in every sense, slightly bigger but the same camera. The mic input and the 200mm alone might be worth the huge price tag.

It's already been in the rain and heavy snow since I got it a couple of days ago, and it behaved like a champ. I'll share my final thoughts on this camera very soon for those who are on the fence.

Life update: fall trip and going compact

October 31, 2019 in journal

You already know about my fall trip and my decision to go compact on this trip. This is that same information but in video form, plus some of the highlights of my drive from NW Spain to SW Germany.

Going compact

October 29, 2019 in journal

Hello from Freiburg, Germany. I've been on the road for just a week but this trip is already very different in many ways when it comes to camera gear.

You might remember I was struggling with gear and decided to leave behind most of it. The result is this: I've gone compact, I've been shooting photos with my old Sony RX100ii and videos with the RX100VA.

The Dragonfly

July 24, 2019 in journal

Early this morning during my walk I ran across a couple of dragonflies, just laying on the sidewalk. I have no idea if they were sleeping, resting or dead. I do this walk / run every morning and I had never seen them do that before.

Of course, I had my RX100VA with me so I tried to make a few images. I was able to get really, really close, and they didn't move.

I think I'll bring my bigger camera and some extension tubes tomorrow, just in case. It could be a great opportunity to do some "macro-insect" photography.

The camera settings I use for photography on my Sony RX100VA

July 18, 2019 in journal

I love my RX100. I use it every single day.

While full-frame gets all the headlines these days, there's no better camera than the one you have with you, and the RX100 fits that bill perfectly.

Despite the small size, this is a very powerful camera, full of features and settings. I like to use it mostly as a point and shoot camera so I try to keep things as simple as possible. These are the settings I use for everyday and on-the-go photography.

Scars of war: my RX100, three months later

June 26, 2019 in journal

A few months ago, I decided to update my older RX100II and bought the newer RX100VA. I love the form factor and the high quality images this camera makes.

The video coming out of the RX100VA is nothing short of incredible, and I've been using it intensively for my YouTube channel since I got it on my hands.

Within the last three months, it's been through a lot - and it shows. It's got multiple scars from different trips and adventures:

The rubbery part where you rest your thumb has been falling apart since the camera got really hot in the deserts of Arizona.
The screen protector is shattered (and I'm hoping it's just the protector). It happened when I dropped the camera while taking pictures under Corona Arch in Utah.
Sometimes I still find sand from the Grand Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado. Or maybe it's from when I dropped it in the white sand of southern New Mexico (I also lost my ND filter there).
This gap next to the viewfinder is the newest addition. It happened when I, once again, dropped the camera. This time in Detroit, Michigan.

One could say the camera is falling apart. I say, those are scars to be proud of. A camera is meant to be used, not to be left on a shelf.

If you think this is a lot of damage after just three months, you don't want to know about the beating my previous RX100II got. And it stills works (mostly)!

I've used the RX100VA every single day, it's been to many places and I've made images I'm very proud of with it. And a lot of videos.

The condition of a camera can tell you a lot about the photographer. Get yours out as much as you can and make those images!

A weekend in Lisbon with my new video camera: Sony RX100VA

March 25, 2019 in journal

In my quest to minimize and downsize my camera gear, I decided to look for a replacement to my beloved but bulky Sony a6500 + Sigma 16mm f/1.4 combo.

A few days ago, I purchased a Sony RX100VA. Interestingly, this is full circle for me since the Sony RX100II was the camera that got me started in photography, and the one I used for video for many years.

I spent this past weekend in Lisbon, where I had the chance to test the new camera. This video shows some footage and images from this beautiful portuguese city, and I also talk about the good and bad things about the Sony RX100VA.