The more gear I get, the less I like photography.

Soothsayerman said:

Sell it all and get a Leica M9 and a 35mm summilux, or if that is too rich, wait for the fuji X100 and free yourself.

Click to expand...

Definitely the X100 - you won't be tempted to buy additional lenses for it.

• C

==
“No photographer is as good as the simplest camera.”

• Edward Steichen

Dont sell anything youll regret it. Over these last 35 years Ive often just grabbed a point and shoot and taken pics when on vacation or out and about. Yet inevitably I use my best stuff sooner or later. The shutterbug is a chronic condition.

If I ever do find myself on that path, I'd probably stop. Fortunately, that has not ever afflicted me. I think part of the reason is that photography remains an artistic pursuit rather than a technical one, and it remains a hobby (that occasionally pays) rather than a career. Most of the people who seem to get frustrated, tired, or annoyed by photography, those who are unhappy with new tools and lenses, complain routinely about noise issues or other image quality issues, are often either professionals for which photography is their primary or only source of income, or they are the real technophiles who seem to be more addicted to the camera mechanicals and technical specs and output. Not always - I accept that there are techheads AND professionals quite happy with photography too.

I have bought more and more gear - from a single P&S to 3 cameras, and more lenses and accessories than I can even travel with at once. Yet I remain blissfully happy when I'm shooting. I love photography. I don't have any interest in studio shooting, wedding shoots, or other types of shooting that feel too 'joblike'. I've done some hired shoots, but always freelance, mostly outdoors, natural light. It allows me to keep enjoying the process, rather than getting frustrated with too much filler, stock type shooting, posing, and trying to meet the variable wishes of a 'client'. Again, nothing against those who do - it just isn't for me. I feel if I had a home studio, I'd probably begin to get tired of photography. If I shot weddings/children/pets or other posed-type shooting, I could see where I'd start to dread photography after a while.

If you have to do this type of shooting, I don't know what to advise if you're not having fun with it anymore - if possible, take a break, but if not, then try releasing some of the technical overanalysis and let your instincts guide you while you explore the artistic side. If you don't have to do this type of photography - then I'd suggest getting out of the home studio, and trying different types of photography - get outdoors and enjoy the scenery around you - take in the beauty of the world and capture it with your camera - the diversity of people, the strength and power of buildings and cities, the color and texture of foliage and natural areas, the amazing design and variety of nature's creatures. Try night shots with a tripod - take time to set up and experiment. Rather than worry about all of the gear you've got, pick and choose a few pieces of gear to bring on any given shoot - 1 or 2 lenses, camera, maybe a filter or two, flash, or tripod. Sometimes, just pick a single lens, and stick with it all day - challenge yourself and make it a prime.

Maybe it'll break the funk.

--
Justin
galleries: http://www.pbase.com/zackiedawg

You don't need to be producing great art, you just have to refresh your eyes and brain. The camera is a tool, your brain is the master.

Or - try setting limits and challenges. Use only one focal length. Shoot grayscale only. Make still life arrangements out of common household objects. How many red objects can you photograph in 30 minutes?

Or - go to adult ed. evening art class.

First - sorry for all the typos in my OP. I blame my tiny netbook keyboard!

Thanks for all the replies and some great ideas and points being made. If I think back to my favorite photography of the past 12 months, it has been walking around the city or country with just a small camera, or just my SLR and standard zoom. I think I need to get back to just being OK with a small camera for my fun shooting. I am leaning toward just dropping my SLR kit down to just my 30mm and 85mm primes and use those for the shots I feel like I have to get - namely family portraits and events. Maybe I will pick up that TL500 I saw on sale to use for my walkaround day-to-day cam and leave the SLR for shots where it really is needed.

Everyday I bring my SLR to work with me. Every morning I put a different lens on it. That's it. That's my lens for the day. Most days it's the 28-75 Tamron. Today it's a 50mm prime. Tomorrow it may be a 10-22. It's nice to make yourself work. Most days I don't shoot anything, but if I need to I have a cam at the ready.

Ofcourse all the above doesn't apply to days I'm working shooting vs at a desk job... those days the whole kit goes for a travel including strobes, tripods, stands, etc.

Steve

tkbslc said:

First - sorry for all the typos in my OP. I blame my tiny netbook keyboard!

Thanks for all the replies and some great ideas and points being made. If I think back to my favorite photography of the past 12 months, it has been walking around the city or country with just a small camera, or just my SLR and standard zoom. I think I need to get back to just being OK with a small camera for my fun shooting. I am leaning toward just dropping my SLR kit down to just my 30mm and 85mm primes and use those for the shots I feel like I have to get - namely family portraits and events. Maybe I will pick up that TL500 I saw on sale to use for my walkaround day-to-day cam and leave the SLR for shots where it really is needed.

Click to expand...

Osiris30 said:

Everyday I bring my SLR to work with me. Every morning I put a different lens on it. That's it. That's my lens for the day. Most days it's the 28-75 Tamron. Today it's a 50mm prime. Tomorrow it may be a 10-22. It's nice to make yourself work. Most days I don't shoot anything, but if I need to I have a cam at the ready.

Ofcourse all the above doesn't apply to days I'm working shooting vs at a desk job... those days the whole kit goes for a travel including strobes, tripods, stands, etc.

Steve

Click to expand...

But I don't do that. I've had the SLR kit for 3 years and I have brought it to work with me maybe 3 times. I just hate having it on me unless I know I will need it. Even a basic SLR with a small prime needs it's own bag and a place to stash it. I won't bring an SLR with me just in case. I've thought about it and then on the way out I just don't want to bother. It's not for me. As such, I only use my SLR on planned shoots, and the unplanned ones are what I enjoy and what made me get into photography in the first place.

I don't do that either...and I love photography. But having a 9-5 office type job it isn't convenient to haul even a small prime lensed-DSLR everywhere I go. So I actually have an ultracompact pocket camera I bring with me everywhere for those 'just-in-case' shots or spontaneous sightings. The DSLR comes along on weekends, for a cruise or to head out for a fun shoot - landscape, wildlife, architecture, candids...whatever strikes my fancy.

I'd definitely recommend a 2 or 3 camera idea. Having an ultracompact can be great, because it is truly so small you don't even know you have it - but can still get shots of moments you wish you had a camera for. I've considered picking up a compact advanced camera of some form as a middle grounder - something like a mirrorless interchangeable, or a larger-sensored high end P&S...it wouldn't need to be as pocketable as the ultracompact, and could deliver better quality...I might use it alongside my DSLR for scenics, or travel with only that camera when I just want to travel lighter or smaller.

--
Justin
galleries: http://www.pbase.com/zackiedawg

Well working downtown, there's no better way to do street photography than have your camera, and given when I'm at the desk job, I'm at the desk, it's not hauling it everywhere, bring it with me in the morning, chuck it on the desk, take it out when I need to take a break..

Mind you I also don't baby my SLRs like some folks (not passing judgement, just making a statement). To me it's a tool for a job, not a loved one (even though I do love it), so I pay far less attention to its health and well being than maybe others would... IE: Bag? What's a bag? It's got a strap on it

Steve

zackiedawg said:

I don't do that either...and I love photography. But having a 9-5 office type job it isn't convenient to haul even a small prime lensed-DSLR everywhere I go. So I actually have an ultracompact pocket camera I bring with me everywhere for those 'just-in-case' shots or spontaneous sightings. The DSLR comes along on weekends, for a cruise or to head out for a fun shoot - landscape, wildlife, architecture, candids...whatever strikes my fancy.

I'd definitely recommend a 2 or 3 camera idea. Having an ultracompact can be great, because it is truly so small you don't even know you have it - but can still get shots of moments you wish you had a camera for. I've considered picking up a compact advanced camera of some form as a middle grounder - something like a mirrorless interchangeable, or a larger-sensored high end P&S...it wouldn't need to be as pocketable as the ultracompact, and could deliver better quality...I might use it alongside my DSLR for scenics, or travel with only that camera when I just want to travel lighter or smaller.

--
Justin
galleries: http://www.pbase.com/zackiedawg

Click to expand...

I take my D700 with me every time I leave the house, I like to think that some of my most satisfying shots have been achieved because i had the camera with me, because I always expect my next image to be a lifetime best I always shoot raw as a matter of course, I travel through life as the eternal optimist !

I no longer work but in the days I did I used to carry my F4 in a pannier on my cycle to and from work every day, lunch breaks I was around our town, some days nothing, some days something really special, no good regretting a missed opportunity.
--

A selection of my images can be found at http://www.photo-genesis.net follow the galleries link then select the Jacks gallery

Just give it all to me and then you can enjoy life again!

--
Zone8

The photograph isolates and perpetuates a moment of time: an important and revealing moment, or an unimportant and meaningless one, depending upon the photographer's understanding of his subject and mastery of his process. -Edward Weston
http://www.photosnowdonia.co.uk/ZPS
LINK: For B+W with Epson 1400 using black ink only:

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1003&message=33148491&q=zone8+1400+b+w+plain&qf=m

tkbslc said:

Anyone on a similar path of frustration?

Click to expand...

That's why I bought a Canon G12, that suit's about 80% of my photography. For the rest I still carry my heavy DSLR equipment.

A nice compromise, I'm happy with.

--
Greetings from Germany

Chris™

and didn't get additional lenses for about a year, then added one a year (third party). There's a lot you can do with a "normal view" prime ( 30mm if you are shooting with crop camera). I did a lot of fiddling with unusual viewpoints (12" from ground), reverse-prime plus bellows macro, "what is this?" photos of common objects, solarization, filters, etc.

The camera you carry is the one that gets you the pictures. Get a point and shoot with fixed lens. I have thought about getting the Pentax Optio waterproof camera.

The question is ... WHY did you do all that upgrading ?

After 20+ years of SLR photography, I've been through my share of equipment. I worked my way up to a bagful or high end lenses for nature photography (and didn't regret it - it fit in a backpack and I hauled it out happily when I went shooting) and back down again (as I shifted away from nature photography) and am at the point now where any future purchases are purpose-driven. Sure, I get gear lust occasionally, but more often, I want something that's not available than all the stuff that is.

I now have an APS-C DSLR kit with about half a dozen lenses, but usually carry 1-2 with me when I leave the house. And a Sony NEX with the two basic lenses. My plan is to migrate my every day handheld shooting to the NEX as the lenses I want become available, and reserve the DSLR for specialty use; mostly sports & indoor gym events with 70-200.

But even the DSLR isn't too unwieldy when I'm only carrying a couple lenses.

Re: chasing your kid around at the park. I take a dual approach. Sometimes I want good pictures and know I need fast AF, fast lens & larger sensor, so bring my DSLR somewhere even though I know it's ... awkward. Other times, I bring my NEX or my little digicam and get what I can get. I have a pair of studio lights - had them just over a year and keep meaning to start using them, but need to pick a backdrop system. I'll have some fun with it, but I know it's not going to be my cup of tea, so I won't start inviting friends & family over. I shoot what I want and get out of shooting what I don't want. I do share photos of concerts & recitals with other school families .. even though it's not my favorite photography, I enjoy it very much.

When I travel - vacations primarily - I'll pack a bagful of gear, chargers, etc and keep it all in the place we're staying, then carry just what I need on any given day. On a recent weeklong trip to Disney - a big deal - first time for us in 20 years; first time ever for my daughter, I brought just the NEX and who cares if I didn't get shallow DOF. I opted to enjoy it and let the other guys lug the 70-200/2.8s (I did see quite a few of them !) On a family vacation to Wildwood NJ, I carried my DSLR to the boardwalk & amusement park one or two nights (with one lens only) and my digicam the rest of the time.

So I guess after all of that, my advice is to temper things ... don't feel you need to treat everything as a photographic opportunity that has to be optimized ... be purpose-driven, not a jack of all trades; shoot what you like and bring the gear to handle things you like to shoot. (I can spend a day out with my 28/2 and be perfectly happy finding all sorts of things to shoot and happily ignoring all the stuff that would have required a 200). When I carry multiple lenses, say to a birthday party, I tend to use one lens for a while - maybe the tele while kids are outside, or the midrange zoom while it's bright out, switch to a fast prime when it gets darker ... or swap back & forth two or three times between 85 & 28.

I don't know if any of that helps ... but good luck finding joy in photography !

p.s. I often feel like I'd love to simplify drastically and dump everything in exchange for say, the Fuji X100 ... I'd have fun with it ... but I'd really miss shooting the 85/1.4 and the 70-200/2.8. So I settle on a kit that has just what I need to shoot just what I like to shoot.

• Dennis

--
Gallery at http://kingofthebeasts.smugmug.com

Taking a camera everywhere actually makes me feel less accomplished, because I'll sometimes see potential shots, but won't take the time it will take to do it justice. I'm on my way to work or on my way home. There's more than enough to shoot (and catalog and PP) when I do have my camera without finding more to shoot ! I'd love to have more time to go out shooting (or more leisure time in general, esp. travel time, which is when I generally have a camera on me) but I haven't really regretted not carrying a camera everywhere I go. The grab shots I see that I can't shoot are usually things that wouldn't make great pictures anyway. However, certain times of the year, I'll make a point of bringing the camera - bag, couple lenses, tripod, and allowing extra time on the drive, and will find wildlife off the side of the road; deer usually, but last year a coyote, when the light is at a great point in the sky during my commute. After doing the same commute for 16 years, you get a good sense for that !

• Dennis

--
Gallery at http://kingofthebeasts.smugmug.com

Sometimes I carry one lens; sometimes I carry just about everything. Today the only thing I had with me was my Canon A720. Couldn't pass up these shots though.

Not all the ice had melted (this is looking up a slight hill; the light grey is the sidewalk).



But in places where it had melted, it left some interesting traces behind.



Wished I'd had a DSLR along but the best camera is the one you have with you.
--
Gear listed in profile under "plan."

Someone stop me before I buy again, please!
Dave

There is a point you reach where you carry around so much equipment that you miss out on the joy and experiences you are trying to photograph and preserve. Best to enjoy it yourself in real time rather than showing your friends what your family saw.

The moral of the story: You don't need the technically perfect picture. A good representation is adequate.

--mamallama

Hi Everybody ,

may i suggest ( to research / scientist ) to design a single lens with 8 - 850 mm f/1.4 ( IS / VR / SR ) with USM / HSM ( whatever it is ) and wight not more than 500 gms ?

any taker out there ? ( what these people are for then , )
Regards;

jayant atrey

I could be happy with a FF series the size of the M4/3rds lineup with AF... but that doesn't exist... so what I have done is gotten away a little from lens/body craze (although, I did recently upgrade, so maybe this is all premature, but this is the first time in a long time I don't constantly want to resell or buy more)...

I have a 5DII and a GF1... would it make more sense to have a 5DII and a 600D or a GH2 and a GF1? Perhaps... but not for me... for me, the 5DII produces much nicer files than my GF1... every time I take it out and look at the results, I think "I should take this out more often, what a difference..."

But I don't... and I do keep the GF1, 14-45, 45-200, and 20/1.7 in my work bag... it wouldn't be a devastating financial loss if something happened to it (I work in Afghanistan), and it takes great pictures... so great that until I take out the 5DII, I often think that just a M4/3rds kit would make me happy (maybe in a few more years)...

The secret is getting the lenses you want, and then not upgrading unless it's necessary... I do think about the 7-14 often, seems like a lot of money for my small kit, but I love wide, and I take the small kit with me more often, but the new Siggy 12-24 may solve that... then the 17-40 gets sold...

I do own a DSLR. I've got 6'000 shots on it after about two months. It can deliver good results. But do I LIKE it, do I ENJOY it? Nope.

Why? Because it's bulky, heavy, and conscpicuous. Therefore it weighs me down. Therefore I often make do with my iPhone 4, or a superzoom compact. So the theoretically great tool, the DSLR, misses TONS of photo opportunities.

Maybe some people are happy to become DSLR-carrying slaves (what other name to give to poor souls who have to lug all that stuff just to make a shot), but I am not and I find that this nearly completely blocks the creativity and the freedom I so much enjoy with simpler photographic tools.

And maybe some people are happy wondering whether that extra 70-200 f2.8 zoom is going to make their photography better (it never is the case), or that filter, or that extra bag will make lugging the stuff less painful. But personally I hate all this, and I also think that even just THINKING about all this, takes away energy that would be better spent thinking about how to better compose my next shot. So these technical speculations might satisfy techno-nerds, but certainly not artists.

So my DSLR increasingly gets to shoot only either at home, or when I do a planned photo expedition, which is obiously the opposite of art because art cannot be planned.

So yes, I'm like you:

• I love my superzoom. It's three years old, delivers good IQ (except in low light), focuses very precisely (often more precisely than a DSLR) though can't follow fast action. It's small enough to be taken anywhere, has decent manual controls. If it had higher IQ at higher ISO, and faster AF, there'd be no need for any other photographic tool
• I very much like my pocketable superzoom. I can take it anywhere, really, in any kind of wether, of business travel etc. And I get quite good results
• I love my iPhone 4, because it's quite a decent camera (and camcorder) with AF point selection much faster than on any DSLR. And I don't even have to carry the camera part of it given that it's included in the phone / data device.

Samples from my superzoom:
excellent detail on portrait
http://www.flickr.com/photos/antoinebach/2198963939/

excellent detail on macro
http://www.flickr.com/photos/antoinebach/2672682900/

not bad in high DR situation despite tiny chip
http://www.flickr.com/photos/antoinebach/3826337330/

great detail on impromptu macro shot (I'd never have taken a DSLR on a hike done with picnic for multiple people)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/antoinebach/3826959007/

great detail on portrait:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/antoinebach/2516447983/

can handle tough lights well
http://www.flickr.com/photos/antoinebach/3290145304/

samples from my compact superzoom:

landscape from plane on biz travel (DLSR was not an option)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/antoinebach/5183177872/

landscape on top of tough snowy mountain hike (DSLR was not an option)

so what is the DSLR good for then?

very shallow DOF (but needed to be on DSLR-dedicated hike)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/antoinebach/5367941009/

taking photos of social events in low light but that's not art at all
http://www.flickr.com/photos/antoinebach/5368128406/

low light photography here a landscape at dusk (but again, needed a DSLR-dedicated hike which is a pain)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/antoinebach/5344214904/

landscapes with nice detail (but once more, need DSLR-dedicated hike)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/antoinebach/5339720936/

subtle light on landscapes (but here was possible only because just 10mins walk away from mountain flat)

shallow DOF portraits aat home (but at the cost of buying a nearly $2'000 lens!)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/antoinebach/5261790055/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/antoinebach/5262393112/

low light portraits at home (candle light only)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/antoinebach/5269781788/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/antoinebach/5261790055/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/antoinebach/5336332840/