Sony RX1 Accessories
This is the spot where I'll post thoughts and information on accessories for the RX1. I'll add more content over time, starting with filters and lens hoods and then moving to the EVF and cases.
Filter
Even though it might have a slight impact on lens performance, I always use a protective filter. If I'm working in dusty or wet conditions, I want to be able to wipe the front of the lens without having to worry about scratching the lens' front element. A scratch on the front element would really degrade the performance of the lens, besides being very expensive to fix. Which filter? I always use B+W MRC UV-Haze Filters. They're fairly resistant and easy to clean. For the RX1, I use the regular 49mm one, not the slim variety. I've tried the slim filter and it does not work with either of the bayonet hoods below.
Lens Hoods
Despite the cost, I chose the original Sony LHP-1 Lens Hood (link to Amazon US). At the moment it's the only bayonet mount hood available for the RX1 (or so I thought). I don't like the hoods that screw onto a filter: these jam against the filter's threads so that when you remove the hood, the filter comes off with it. Then you can fiddle around trying to separate the two. No thanks.
A few days after I took possession of my RX1 and the Sony lens hood, I thought I'd try some other 49mm bayonet-mount lens hoods I happened to have around. To my surprise, the lens hood that ships with the E-mount Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* E24mm F1.8 ZA is also a perfect match for the RX1's bayonet-mount. Not only that, it can be reversed over the lens barrel for storage. It mounts with the B+W filter attached, will give you even more protection against stray light and does not cause any vignetting. Naturally you can't shoot with this hood reversed since it covers the control rings on the lens barrel (see photos above). Note, the ALC-SH116 hood that ships with the E 50/1.8 OSS does not fit, only the ALC-SH114 that ships with the E 24/1.8 fits the RX1.
While the larger hood should provide even more protection against flare, it's less convenient to use. The vented hood designed for the RX1 is so small that it can be left in front of the lens when you stow the camera. The larger ALC-SH114 needs to be reversed when storing the camera.....unless you have a very large bag, which defeats the purpose of owning the world's smallest full frame camera.
External Viewfinder
I bought this camera in part because it is small. If integrating a viewfinder would have increased the size of the body in any significant way, I would have been against that. As it is, I only use a viewfinder some of the time, so I don't need an integrated viewfinder that increases the camera's bulk all of the time.
Sometimes I prefer composing photos on the rear screen; the process feels looser and more fluid. But there are also situations where I prefer using the viewfinder. When glare overwhelms the rear screen, I'm even forced to rely on the viewfinder. In this case a viewfinder becomes essential for both framing and reviewing photos. Every once in a while I don't want the light from the rear screen to disturb others around me. Then the EVF is ideal as well.
I didn't consider an optical viewfinder: it'd be impossible to review photos in an optical viewfinder. As far as I'm concerned, optical viewfinders are nothing more than a dumb chunk of glass, leaving me blind as to what the camera is up to. I need to see if the camera achieved focus where I wanted, never mind other vital feedback like visual confirmation of exposure.
As electronic viewfinders go, Sony's FDA-EV1MK (link to Amazon US) is the best I've used to date. The specifications are identical to the viewfinders for the NEX-5N/5R and the one integrated in the NEX-7. The Improved low light performance I'm experiencing is probably due to the cleaner feed from the much larger sensor.
The EVF ships with a larger, softer, rubber eye-cup. Less stray light comes in around the edges, but I still have to press my bespectacled eyes into the cup to see the whole frame. Sometimes, it's just enough force to cause the viewfinder to pop up on its hinge unintentionally; that requires an index finger to hold the viewfinder down while shooting. Why Sony can't add a lever to lock the hinge is beyond me. The diopter correction slider can also be moved inadvertently while stowing the camera or EVF. Thankfully it doesn't happen very often. If it did, I'd fix the slider in place with a piece of black electrical tape.
Switching between the rear screen and EVF can be done either via an eye sensor or a switch (after turning FINDER/LCD Setting to manual in the menu). I use the manual switch when I want to use either the screen or EVF full time. The eye sensor works fine. The EVF takes longer to wake up after turning the camera on, otherwise the lag from switching between the LCD and EVF is minimal. The fact that the EVF tilts up is useful in some circumstances, but not as useful as a tilting screen would have been.
Stowing the RX1 with the EVF attached is a pain. There are bags that fit the combination, but these are so large that they compromise the camera's compactness. Since I don't use the external EVF all the time, I store it separately, in a side pouch of my camera bag.
Despite some ergonomic issues, I still consider the external electronic viewfinder essential. Not only does it provide a large and detailed view, there are times when using the rear screen is undesirable or impractical.
Camera Pouches
I've accumulated quite a few camera cases, pouches and bags over time. Of those, 5 accommodate the RX1, most with one or more attached accessories. Although a bit of a tedious subject, I've included them here to spare some of you the expense of buying bags that won't work.
All pouches can be carried either with a strap or via the belt loop (my preference). Weights do not include the case's shoulder strap since I don't use it. The photos show in what configuration and how the camera fits into each case.
Lowepro Dashpoint 30
75g
fits RX1 sideways + Sony LHP-1 Lens Hood + leather camera strap
extra pouch for SD card, but no space to store spare battery
minimal padding thickness
Vanguard Isa 8H
95gg
fits RX1 with lens facing up + Sony LHP-1 Lens Hood + leather camera strap
fits RX1 upright + leather camera strap
external pocket stores extra battery and SD card
weight of camera causes case to angle forward when attached via the belt loop
Vanguard ICS Bag 12
125g
fits RX1 upright + Sony LHP-1 Lens Hood + leather camera strap (tight fit)
fits RX1 upright + leather camera strap (easy fit)
internal pouch for SD card
external compartment for rain cover and extra battery
good protection through thick padding
weight of camera causes case to angle forward when attached via the belt loop
Olympus Pen Bag Small
125g
fits RX1 sideways + Sony LHP-1 Lens Hood + leather camera strap
spacious but no extra compartments for batteries and SD cards
Lowepro Apex 100 AW
175g
fits RX1 upright or with lens facing down + Sony LHP-1 Lens Hood + leather camera strap
side pouch to stow EVF (without case)
additional compartments to stow extra batteries and SD cards
RX1 can be stored facing up with EVF attached (tight fit)
external compartment stows rain cover
greatest protection through thick padding and stiff base
I've settled on the Lowepro Apex 100 AW as my everyday pouch for carrying the RX1. It's the only one that fits the camera with the lens hood attached as well as all my accessories, including 2 extra batteries, extra SD card and the EVF. In addition the Lowepro's thick padding should protect the camera from any shocks.
My second choice, is the Lowepro Dashpoint 30. It's a very light case with good fit and ergonomics. Although I might wish for a little thicker padding, this pouch is pretty ideal for outings where I'm not going to be taking a lot of photos but still want to have a camera with me. For these I don't need all the accessories.
The next installment will cover batteries, an external flash and...