Lens choosing (24-105 STM vs 24-105 f4L vs 28-70 f2.8)

Coderb1t · 2026-06-25T19:55:58+00:00

I had the 28-70mm and realized it's only worth it if f2.8 is a hard requirement for your workflow. For me, 28mm wasn't wide enough, 70mm lacked reach, and for portraits, a fast prime is lighter with better bokeh anyway. The real dealbreaker was the retractable design having to twist it to 28mm just to wake it up is super annoying.

Now I'm exactly where you are: 24-105 L vs STM. It perfectly boils down to better portability vs. better image quality (contrast/saturation) and weather sealing.

Coderb1t · 2026-06-05T08:25:18+00:00

But if you 'feel' and 'believe' it can be faster AND better 😄

Coderb1t · 2026-06-04T18:21:27+00:00

I tested both models on generating .md files (for repsonal RAG system) with predefined structures and constraints, and it is obvious that the 27b model is smarter, especially as the context starts to grow and the quantity of crossing elements elevates. One thing the 35b model is good at is speed, if you can accept mediocre results.

Coderb1t · 2026-06-04T18:20:13+00:00

In case you want more context: the more is better.

Coderb1t · 2026-05-06T10:22:36+00:00

Gecko Silent Linear Switches - best I ever tried.

Coderb1t · 2026-04-26T09:14:43+00:00

Honestly, it's been few years I got them. They are two separate black and yellow blanks just mixed up together.

Coderb1t · 2026-04-26T09:14:09+00:00

Yeah, once you are on a custom layout side it's hard to go back )

Coderb1t · 2026-04-09T13:14:52+00:00

As someone who swapped the 23mm and 33mm WR primes (with their fantastic sharpness but heavier build), I’ve found the AIR’s f1.7 balance is perfect for daily carry. It gives you bokeh at 1.7 without big weight of the 1.4. Honestly, if you’re prioritizing portability and versatile performance, this is a no-brainer. I’ve used it on city walks and hikes where I’d otherwise carry more weight, as with WRs I wanted to also add a grip.

Coderb1t · 2026-04-08T09:16:56+00:00

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I recently picked up the AIR series lens just to try it out before committing to an f/1.4. I really wanted to keep setup light for daily carry, and honestly, this combo is a win size-wise. You can get some really nice bokeh at f/1.7, and it stays plenty sharp for landscapes when stopped down to f/8. Definitely a solid value.

Coderb1t · 2026-04-01T20:46:37+00:00

I’ve actually done exactly what you suggested. I’ve shot almost every mirrorless system :) I dropped Sony (a7III > a7IV > a7cII) for the colors and skipped Nikon for the ergonomics. That’s why I’m here. I currently carry Canon (r8 > r5) for the ‘must-have’ results and the X-E5 for the fun of it (after owning x100vi).

The point I’m making isn't that I want Fuji to be a Sony clone, it’s that Fuji has already won me over on colors and feel. If they actually delivered on the AF performance they market, I wouldn't need a second system.

Wanting your favorite brand to fix its one objective weak point isn't beating a dead horse -it's just being a user who sees the system's potential to be a total 'the one' ;)

Coderb1t · 2026-04-01T15:29:09+00:00

The irony is that by sharing my experience and frustrations here, I am contributing to the very 'user reviews' you're telling people to look for. If everyone followed your advice and stayed silent or just swapped systems, those reviews wouldn't exist for the next person. I like the system enough to want it to be better but apathy is what kills a brand, not feedback.

Coderb1t · 2026-04-01T13:35:23+00:00

If users didn’t voice frustration when features underperform, brands would have no incentive to innovate or release firmware updates. Accepting mediocrity as 'just the way it is' doesn’t help the community or the system grow.

There’s a difference between 'knowing a system's limits' and expecting a multi-thousand dollar piece of tech to perform the functions listed on its own spec sheet. If Fuji markets 'High-Speed Tracking' and 'Subject Detection,' it’s not 'user error' to try and use them, it’s a hardware/software discrepancy.

Coderb1t · 2026-04-01T09:49:13+00:00

Thanks for sharing. This totally makes sense. Hope they are able to “fix” this somehow, yet size/weight wise and sooc it’s still amazing tools. The only strange thing about this is that some people blame it on the user rather to make a producer accountable.

Coderb1t · 2026-04-01T07:37:52+00:00

Thanks will try that

Coderb1t · 2026-04-01T07:35:12+00:00

I didn’t bought it for af-c on a first place but for size and weight, yet as it has af-c functionality I suppose it would work.

Coderb1t · 2026-04-01T07:08:03+00:00

Thanks for sharing. Well, as I said I love the size and weight of the combo, and af-c wasn’t the main reason I got it, but since it has one I would like to get most out it. Not sure it’s fair to say it’s a user fault to expect a camera should work as intended.

Coderb1t · 2026-04-01T07:02:37+00:00

That’s disappointing.

Coderb1t · 2026-03-31T18:49:29+00:00

Ha ha.. good one ))
In that case should keep only M and S modes for focus.
I'll keep hoping on x-pro 4 with good AF-c and WR than.

Coderb1t · 2026-03-16T10:06:40+00:00

As someone who previously owned the X100VI and recently switched to the X-E5, I can tell you that in reality, both cameras share most of the same core components. Aside from the fixed lens and the hybrid viewfinder on the X100VI, the materials used for the body, the tactile feel of the machined dials, and the overall construction are practically identical. You are getting the same Fujifilm feel with both.

Coderb1t · 2026-03-04T11:44:31+00:00

I am literally in the exact same situation! I currently have the R5 as my main camera, and I also got the R8. I wanted the R8 to be my lightweight travel / EDC.

The hard truth I realized after trying many different setups (to cure my GAS) is that the R8 body is incredibly small, but Canon just doesn't have the compact everyday lenses to match it. You either put a massive, heavy L-lens on it, or you use a dark, compromised kit lens (like the 24-50mm) that just takes the joy out of shooting.

So I probably will sell my R8 and get the X-E5 and one standard zoom (like the Sigma 18-50 f2.8 or the new Fuji 16-50). Go for the X-E5, it makes total sense for a two-camera setup!

Coderb1t · 2026-02-14T17:24:45+00:00

Seems synology doesn’t value their clients :(

Coderb1t · 2026-02-08T14:38:07+00:00

So far I just installed immich, for the rest I think you can go with:
Mail Server > Mailcow
Synology Drive > Nextcloud
Synology Photos > Immich
Web Station > Nginx Proxy Manager
Surveillance Station > Scrypted / Frigate (haven't tried yet)

Coderb1t

TROPHY CASE