Recent threads focused on specific cameras and lenses have devolved into general discussion about cameras and lenses from across different systems, so I thought I’d just start a thread as a place to talk generally about cameras, systems, lenses and GAS.
I’ll kick things off with a recent video by James Popsys centred on cameras and why he has quite a few. He claims that he doesn’t have lots because he needs them as a working professional but because he enjoys using different cameras. I agree with him on this, which is why I’m constantly researching different cameras.
He also claims that all cameras pretty much do the same thing, so there’s really not much difference between them. It’s mainly about the ergonomics, he claims.
And as predicted fairly accurately here, he is indeed thinking of selling his GFX after 1 year.
A friend from the local photo club recently acquired a Pixii camera that I’ll be able to try out soon. He’s a real camera collector, and a great guy. I’m looking forward to playing with that!
I had never really thought about camera ergonomics or “shooting experience” until you lot started talking about it here. I’ve always been focused on the end result, not the tools.
I do look on B&H, but I don’t really buy anything. Mostly I’m looking at backpacks because in love bags (but they’re crazy expensive) and the best bag I’ve owned is still the lowepro Aw450 and I’ve had that bag for ~8 years.
I don’t want much more for the GFX, I have a wide, mid, and zoom, and that stuff is heavy.
My Nikon kit is also as complete as I want it, I have 15mm up to 400mm.
The only thing that will get my money immediately now is Open Firmware. Don’t see that happening though.
I have the Lowepro BP24L AWIII, which is a nice size for a camera, a couple of lenses, lunch, jacket, etc. And then I have a Peak Design 6L sling for general walkabout. I’m not sure I’ve ever loved my bags though. I always feel I could do with a bit more space or carry even lighter. Might be my personality though, haven’t figured it out yet.
Do you ever feel 100MP is too much? I know you love your MP. Do you like it mostly for the cropping, because you print, or other reasons?
My GAS is being short circuited by my eyes (I have several vision problems) and my age in general. I’m at the stage of life where I could afford what I want, but I’m afraid I wouldn’t be able to make good or long use of it.
I’ve had two peak design bags, and while the design is good, their straps are wildly uncomfortable for me.
Next bag will probably be a Shimoda. I recently got a wandrd prvke 41L for the gfx gear, got a great price, but I want the bigger insert and they just don’t make them anymore. The straps are lovely though. The new version they just came out with looks like its much lower quality than the one I got (on close out). I haven’t put hands on it, but not sure I’d get the new version.
Only when I look at a graph of available disk space on my editing machine.
I haven’t printed large from this camera yet, but I have been liking shooting the xpan crop, and having 50mpix after crop is nice.
Sorry to hear about your vision problems Tim. I have had bad eyes since birth, and although I can see perfectly fine with corrective lenses, I fear them getting worse as I get older. I’m now at the stage that I need a reading-glass prescription on top of the other problems I have (far-sightedness, astigmatism), so I’m actually dual-wielding glasses these days. It’s a pain, but so far nothing more serious. My mother, however, has macular degeneration, so that’s quite a concern.
I have interests, and they drive my need for stuff. But, it’s specific, e.g., “I can’t see the scale model I’m making, need a macro lens.” Right now, my want-of-the-day isn’t even photography; yesterday one of the crew on the railcar restoration brought in a battery-powered nailer. For those not familiar, nailers are traditionally air-powered, with an attendant compressor and a lot of not-too-flexible hose. This from DeWalt even uses the 20V batteries I already have:
That’s not what I mean. Back in the 80s, I had much better gear than what I have now, which is a Nikon D3300 with cheap lenses.
I had been interested in OM System Micro 4/3 bodies, until that other thread alerted me that a Full Frame Nikon (either DSLR or mirrorless) would cost about the same. So, I considered them for a minute before realizing that I wouldn’t be able to use them well, mainly due to eye issues.
The same happened with my motorcycling, which I had been enjoying for more than 50 years. My eye problems forced me to give it up and sell my motorbike, which was a 170 mph capable Honda race replica.
I chose high end gear half based on what I’m trying to achieve and half on what looks fun. I also collect older film cameras when I find something unusual that I will shoot with at least occasionally. It combines nearly sensible spending on new gear and some fun with old kit when I find a good price on something unusual.
I guess in my view the capture, composition and editing is more important than the camera gear to me now that I only shoot for my own pleasure. But that being said I make sure I have the gear I need and my wife and friends say another camera …another lens…how many do you have? My latest camera is a Canon R7 which I enjoy. I put a Sigma 16-300 mm lens which I recommend for people who travel a lot. I have also recently bought some relatively affordable manual lenses for my R7 that are made in China. These include a fisheye that is so wide it captures the hand grip of my R7. A 9mm prime and a interesting 85mm tilt macro lens. Now the macro lens looks like a great find while a fisheye is just crazy stupid lens for most subjects that I shouldn’t have bought, but I am sure will be fun when I find the right subjects.
I think I’ve read that there are some visually-impaired folks who take photos to better experience the world. Maybe it’s easier to review a static image on a large monitor. Food for thought, anyway.
I’ve got some minor issues myself. It’s getting more difficult to see at night.
Does anyone use L mount here?
I really like the idea of it in principle, but I think this article makes a good point that it’s missing entry-level bodies. The S9 is the only entry-level camera, but it makes some compromises that will put people off, such as lack of viewfinder, no grip, etc.
I saw a manufacturer refurbished S9 with the 20-60mm kit lens on Panasonic’s official eBay site for £699, cheaper than secondhand body alone on mpb, I think, but I still couldn’t justify a purchase. Maybe if there was an evf version, and a few more tiny primes. Other than lower price and similar operations to my existing lumix m43 gear, the Sony a7cii seems a better package.
Get it. I got a Shimoda Action X40 V2 last year. I went on a trip for a week with pretty much all my gear. The straps, belt, and the bag itself were sooooo comfortable that I never really noticed the weight.
I’ve come to the point where I’m so satisfied with my new OM-1 mark ii, (my previous E-M1.3 last year got sacrificed to Poseidon together with an older 50-200 SWD …), and the set of lenses and other equipment that I have, that I really don’t see the need for anymore gear. Just feel very privileged to be in a position where we can work with such fine photographic equipment that today is offered us.
Except of course:
my 40 year quest for the perfect camera bag/backpack still goes on
that new OM 50-200/2.8 seems to be something I could really “need” – but ought to give the 40-150/2.8 + 1.4 tele-extender I first replaced the SWD with, some more mileage before finally considering the weight, size, versatility and price aspects.
What I do spend photo money on these days is participating in workshops with photo artists. If there is any potential for improving on my images – which my images clearly indicate, the question is more about my general aptitude … – this is a fun way to go. Besides any lessons learned from the workshops, there are all these nice people I meet.
Over the last few years, we have phased out the last of our student gear. Furniture, projector, computers, furniture, amplifier, screens, furniture, cameras, printer. While this has used quite a lot of money, it has markedly decreased the amount of attention I spend on gear.
Is that actually a reduction of GAS, or merely a phase-change? I think the latter.
As for camera gear, I am nowadays surprisingly happy with what I have. The X-T5/16-80 performed admirably on vacation, as did the GRIV/X-M5/27. I know that “better” gear exists, but I fail to see how that would actually improve my process or pictures.
And this despite the fact that various friends have given me access to more gear than ever before. It probably helps that I found a photography club with whom I go on a weekly photo walk; the challenge is far greater to find pleasing compositions every week in the same area, than the technicalities of the capture.
Yeah, the DSLR large is the correct depth for the pack. If you get the large mirrorless, you have to fill 2" of depth somehow so that stuff stays in the core unit, and then you have to deal with said 2" of crap every time you go into the pack.
