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Why I have 14 XF Lenses, How I do Travel Kit and Why I Just Went MF - Warning - Long Post

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Greg7579 said:
De Fotoman said:
I want to spoil the party but, could it be that you have a little bit to much money to spend?
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Yes, you are right. It is.

But it depends on where you are in your life and is a matter of perspective.

My best friend just dropped 17,000 dollars on a racing bicycle to ride on weekends with a bunch of old guys for exercise.

I have another friend who decided to take piano lessons at 60 so he dropped 35 thousand dollars on a grand piano.

My other buddy just bought an expensive Mercedes he does not need because he had an itch. He didn't need it.

Now I have nowhere near the money of those guys. Not even close.
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You haven't taken into account the Porsche you will need to buy off your wife with ;-)

However, at some point when the question becomes something like "I busted my hump for years to get where we are and do I want to enjoy it or leave it to my ungrateful kid?"

At least for me the answer is easy. Of course for every camera I buy my wife thinks she can buy another race horse, sigh. But we don't have a lot of years left to enjoy the fruits of our labour and I'm still working with and have an interest in a start up. Greg, have fun exploring medium format. When I got my RB67 years ago I really enjoyed it because it made me slow down and take in the scene before I set up the camera. The RB led to a 4x5 and for years all I used was the RB and the 4x5. Report back since I have interest in the GFXR - but that will mean another race horse on the cost center.

Greg7579 said:
But I can afford the gear or I wouldn't be buying it.

But yes, it is pretty ridiculous and I would not recommend it for anyone younger than me that is financially responsible with Family obligations.

No way I would have done it even ten years ago when I had kids in college.

But now I can so I do.

But the GFX purchase last week was probably nuts.

Greg Johnson, San Antonio, Texas
https://www.flickr.com/photos/139148982@N02/albums
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Dr_J said:
Wow. Good story.

I guess there's travel and... there's travel.

On my recent family car tour of California I had 3 lenses + X-T2 with me (14, 18-55 and 55-200) and it was enough to carry for me.

But when I go on multi-day tours by bicycle I usually just carry X-T2 and 18-55. That's it.

Your choices would certainly be different if you had to carry all that gear all the time. Moving it around by plane or car really doesn't do justice.
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In the past three years I have spent probably 5 months in the car in US and Canadian National Parks - all by car, driving for weeks on end.

When I do that, I take everything I own. Every lens. Every camera.

But I have a big SUV and l load that baby down.

Don't buy camera gear you don't use. 😜

Greg Johnson, San Antonio, Texas

Greg Johnson’s albums | Flickr

www.flickr.com www.flickr.com
 
Greg - You don't have to explain to anyone that you made a life for yourself that allows you to indulge your photographic whims. I get the want to take it all with you (and only using 1-3 per 'session' on your tours).

For how you operate typically, MF is a curious choice. I get if it's only about curiosity, wondering what the experience is like. But I wonder if you're looking to shake up usual practices, or do you expect MF bring something new to your practices?

I have to say, I put fuji MF out of mind, until a few months ago my son asked me what I thought of it (and only then did I get curious). I sorta wanta go there, VERY curious for the experience, but I have other things to take on for the foreseeable future, and a lot in mind for what I have yet to do with what's in hand, to date so. . . to try to explain why I'm asking [g].

--
...Bob, NYC
.
"Well, sometimes the magic works. . . Sometimes, it doesn't." - Chief Dan George, Little Big Man
.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bobtullis/
http://www.bobtullis.com
.
 
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Greg7579 said:
After getting the XT-1 with the 18-55, I quickly added the 10-24 and 55-200 and had a fantastic little travel zoom package that took me from 10mm all the way through 200 with great IQ. It was awesome. I loved it. That started it for me -- the switch to the whole Fuji ergo and wonderful cameras and glass.

For travel you need wide, normal and compression/reach and that great little zoom trio gets it better than anything out there at incredible ergo, IQ, size and weight. I still recommend it constantly even though I don't use it myself anymore.
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Hi Greg;

I use it still! (small variation)

When I travel by air I like to keep it light, yet have awesome IQ and full range from very wide to moderate telephoto, and IBIS (for dark still places) so this kit,

the X-H1body, 16-55/2.8, the 10-24/4.0 and the 55-200 all fits in a small 10" X 10" Domke F-5XC bag along with spare batteries, strap, and SD cards.

With this kit I am prepared for 99% of travel requirements, safaris excepted!

Here's how it all fits:

Domke F-5XC, X-H1, 16-55, 55-200, 10-24
Domke F-5XC, X-H1, 16-55, 55-200, 10-24

55-200 and 10-24 in lower zipped compartment
55-200 and 10-24 in lower zipped compartment

X-H1 with attached 16-55 in upper zipped compartment
X-H1 with attached 16-55 in upper zipped compartment

All in a relatively light 10 inch X 10 inch unobtrusive package
All in a relatively light 10 inch X 10 inch unobtrusive package

George
 
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No, that's great Jerry. I don't own this thread and my post is just food for thought.

I did not set out to buy all that gear and it took years as I became more devoted to my serious hobby, especially after I retired.

I went through phases on the lenses and people might learn something from that. I need to sell my 18-55, 10-24, 55-200, and probably the three F2 little primes because I just don't use them any more. The Brick killed my three little primes. I could live without the 56. That would take me from 14 down to 7 and it would be more sensible and then no one would think I'm eccentric.

GFX? I think this will be an interesting experiment and I don't know if I will like it. It was probably nuts. I almost instead bought the Sony a7Riii 42 MP for landscapes instead of GFX MF. The Sony would be much more quick and nimble. Probably makes more sense for me. But I played with that camera for a day and I just didn't like the ergo or feel. But Sony is really a fine camera.

But really, my XH-1 and great Fuji glass is really perfect for my needs and does landscapes just fine, so we shall see.

Besides, I really do try to help guys with lens choices and in fact spend a lot of time on it. I know these lenses and how they fit into various strategies and budgets.

Greg Johnson, San Antonio, Texas

Greg Johnson’s albums | Flickr

www.flickr.com www.flickr.com
 
De Fotoman said:
I want to spoil the party but, could it be that you have a little bit to much money to spend?
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For some of us, our gear addiction makes us look like we're made of money. However, it's different strokes for different folks.

Some people would consume enough in various fine wines/spirits in a single evening to pay for one or more of my lenses. One evening.

I used to have a car hobby. My photography hobby pales in comparison to what was spent on that.

A friend of mine has a carbon fiber bike...

And so on.

Some of the members here are a bit older, many retired. Full careers spent in decent employ. Let us enjoy our hobbies without prejudice please.

Oh and since this is a travel-related thread: Some people like to travel in style or at least in standard accommodations. I travel frugally. Because I take long trips, the savings alone in room and board via the basic way I travel would easily fund a red-badged lens--per trip.
 
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markusw said:
ViMa said:
Greg7579 said:
[snip]

Greg Johnson, San Antonio, Texas
https://www.flickr.com/photos/139148982@N02/albums
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I saw that you were the thread starter and the number 14 and for a bit I thought you bought the XF 14mm and I got quite excited. Alas.

Still, thank you for the very detailed analysis and story as well. I still have to groom my wife to help with photography. Also, she's quite tiny and that doesn't help with having her carry my gear. Maybe I should have gone with Olympus instead.
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Hahahhahahaha :) The best kit is the one your wife can carry :)
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Ha-ha! :-) Almost spit out my breakfast! (I know you were joking.) Happy New Year!
 
Bob, the MF thing is probably nuts. But I talked to a pro who believes it changed his whole outlook on photography and shook him to the bone.

He fell in love with MF.

I agonized about it because I thought it was irresponsible and it actually made me feel guilty.

So it is something I will be very open about. Maybe I won't like it. Maybe I'm not good enough to shoot MF. Maybe it will actually hold me back because of the challenges of shooting it well. I am aware of all the advantages and disadvantages, and no, I do not print big. I don't print at all!

Or maybe I will really like it.

I can't wait to get home and shoot one shot off my balcony and pixel peep the detail.

I wonder if I will see any worms in the foliage? 😃

Greg Johnson, San Antonio, Texas

Greg Johnson’s albums | Flickr

www.flickr.com www.flickr.com
 
ViMa said:
ViMa wrote:
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ViMa said:
Still, thank you for the very detailed analysis and story as well. I still have to groom my wife to help with photography. Also, she's quite tiny and that doesn't help with having her carry my gear.
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My wife she abides my camera equipment but I have to bribe her by her buying a new race horse. So you need to figure out you wife's hot button - a 911 Porsche, clothes, jewelry and pay the price my man pay the price.

:-D
 
Greg7579 said:
Bob, the MF thing is probably nuts. But I talked to a pro who believes it changed his whole outlook on photography and shook him to the bone.

He fell in love with MF.

I agonized about it because I thought it was irresponsible and it actually made me feel guilty.

So it is something I will be very open about. Maybe I won't like it. Maybe I'm not good enough to shoot MF. Maybe it will actually hold me back because of the challenges of shooting it well. I am aware of all the advantages and disadvantages, and no, I do not print big. I don't print at all!

Or maybe I will really like it.

I can't wait to get home and shoot one shot off my balcony and pixel peep the detail.

I wonder if I will see any worms in the foliage? 😃
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Thanks. This may well be the only life in which you get to choose to experience MF. Go for it. Why not?

--
...Bob, NYC
.
"Well, sometimes the magic works. . . Sometimes, it doesn't." - Chief Dan George, Little Big Man
.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bobtullis/
http://www.bobtullis.com
.
 
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Deed, I don't try to hide my mediocre work. I probably post more images here on this board than anyone.

I couldn't pick 5 images from shooting the past year for that thread. I have been traveling in Mexico since that thread came out. My studio PC is at home with all my RAF files and my wifi is too slow to post full-size jpegs here in San Miguel.

I'm not sure I would have picked my best 5. I have shot and posted thousands of images this year on Flickr from some pretty extensive travel shooting. I don't know which 5 are best.

As far as limiting myself to one lens, I remember you suggested that. I do that a lot.

I went out all day yesterday and shot with only the X100F. I will try to post ten of them on a thread later today or tomorrow.

I went out for three hours two days ago and walked all over this beautiful colonial town in Mexico and shot with nothing but the 8-16 at 8mm! Very difficult. A big challenge. I think I got two shots you ight like. But foreground is such a hard problem to overcome at 8mm!

Greg Johnson, San Antonio, Texas

Greg Johnson’s albums | Flickr

www.flickr.com www.flickr.com
 
markusw said:
On travel, I‘d like to operate in stealth mode. So I just take 2 lenses with me, 14 and 35. That‘s all I need. The other lenses are with me only for special reasons especially on paid jobs!

But I am glad to see that you get the same approach with MF now :) But 50MP is overkill for my needs.
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Markus, I am convinced that 50MP is overkill for 85% of the MF owners. I bet that 90% of great shots taken by MF guys could have been easily shot with FF or APSC Fuji and you would never know the difference unless pixel-peeping on a really nice 4K pro monitor or printing really big.

But they don't care and neither do I. MF guys are sort of like guys who shoot with high-end Leica gear. They do it because they do it and they see something special about it and it is what they want to do. And those guys are absolutely awesome photographers.

I was shocked when I started lurking on the MF board about a month ago.

I will be too chicken to ever post an image there.

Imagine the 100MP that is about to come out! Now that is crazy.

Greg Johnson, San Antonio, Texas

Greg Johnson’s albums | Flickr

www.flickr.com www.flickr.com
 
Greg7579 said:
Bob, the MF thing is probably nuts. But I talked to a pro who believes it changed his whole outlook on photography and shook him to the bone.
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Like most people in the 60's and 70's I started out with 35 mm. Then my first day in my photography class in art school - they passed out a 120 TLR to everyone and that was the only camera we could use for the assignments. There was a lot of complaining but It is pretty easy to tell the difference between a print made with a medium format negative than a 35 mm negative so the instructors cracked the whip.

Then when I finished I got my Leica and for street work there was no finer camera. Several years later - maybe 1977 I picked up a Mamiya RB67 and 127 f4 lens at the base commissary at Menwith Hill Station in Northern England when I was there for work for a really good price. It changed my life. I started to see the world as one sees it with a medium format - looking for forms and scenes that only a medium format could do justice. I still used my M4 for the street since it is a machine designed for that application. But the medium format opened up a new world.

Your X cameras are different tools than a medium format. The GFX does not make your X cameras obsolete but it will allow you to see the world a little differently if you are willing to see the world a little differently.

Relax and enjoy your new camera. Concentrate on the scenes and subjects that the medium format will excel at and enjoy yourself.
Greg7579 said:
He fell in love with MF.

I agonized about it because I thought it was irresponsible and it actually made me feel guilty.

So it is something I will be very open about. Maybe I won't like it. Maybe I'm not good enough to shoot MF. Maybe it will actually hold me back because of the challenges of shooting it well. I am aware of all the advantages and disadvantages, and no, I do not print big. I don't print at all!

Or maybe I will really like it.

I can't wait to get home and shoot one shot off my balcony and pixel peep the detail.

I wonder if I will see any worms in the foliage? 😃

Greg Johnson, San Antonio, Texas
https://www.flickr.com/photos/139148982@N02/albums
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lewiedude2 said:
I always love a really long Greg post replied and left in quotes! Based on my recollection, it was me that kept saying you should buy the 16-55 as you kept bashing it without ever using it....just saying.

MF for me is currently dead. I handled the GFX 50S a couple of weeks ago and found the size and ergo a tad out of my comfort zone. I had a Mamiya 7ii ages ago and may find the 50R to be more in my ergo wheel-house. But, I am waiting in the next generation MF sensor and processor from Fuji - in the next 50R.
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Greg is probably already secretly lusting for the soon to arrive GFX100.
 
Greg7579 said:
But it depends on where you are in your life and is a matter of perspective.

My best friend just dropped 17,000 dollars on a racing bicycle to ride on weekends with a bunch of old guys for exercise.

I have another friend who decided to take piano lessons at 60 so he dropped 35 thousand dollars on a grand piano.

My other buddy just bought an expensive Mercedes he does not need because he had an itch. He didn't need it.
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No offense but I don't think these are healthy perspectives. Lots of people spend money mindlessly because they think they need this that or the other.
 
Greg7579 said:
third son said:
Why not work at making better images with your existing gear instead of chasing the next best thing? These posts must be very cathartic to you in some strange way.
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This argument could have been made after the first lens purchase, before the next 13. I think OP, based on a very clear track record, will probably continue to spend on camera gear. I suspect he may never be totally satisfied with what he has.

But OTH he has the luxury to experiment so why not? Who cares.
Greg7579 said:
I hear you Man. I am trying my best to make better images. I am working hard shooting this week.
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But you don't need to. You only need to produce photos that you are happy with.
 
I have two challenges to OP to go along with the MF acquisition.

Challenge A) Next time you travel bring a single lens. Be it zoom or prime but bring only one. See what you produce. You won't miss any memories. This is an exercise I think you are long over due for.

Challenge B) Leave DP review for an extended period of time. I say this anecdotally but I believe it is very healthy. Much like leaving insta-gram or facebook for a bit. We sometimes develop weird internet personae's that we might feel obligated to upkeep. It becomes ridiculously time consuming but also can potentially validate bad habits. Not to say you have this problem but I noticed you commented about lurking on the MF forum. And now you have a MF camera. You seem intimidate to post a picture. This is how the formula works. You will now work produce something that seems acceptable to that forum. Someone will post something better with the next upgraded lens. You will follow suit. The cycle continues. Maybe I'm wrong but leaving social media for a bit can be very healthy.

It would be fun to walk around with your MF with a single lens for a month or two and shoot with nothing else but that. Continue to watch youtube videos, read, research, and practice your technique. Doing so on a single platform and lens. And leave whatever social media outlets you are heavily invested in. I truly believe these exercises help us grow. It has for me. It will free up time allowing us to refocus on the apects of the art we enjoy most.
 
crosson said:
I have two challenges to OP to go along with the MF acquisition.

Challenge A) Next time you travel bring a single lens. Be it zoom or prime but bring only one. See what you produce. You won't miss any memories. This is an exercise I think you are long over due for.

Challenge B) Leave DP review for an extended period of time. I say this anecdotally but I believe it is very healthy. Much like leaving insta-gram or facebook for a bit. We sometimes develop weird internet personae's that we might feel obligated to upkeep. It becomes ridiculously time consuming but also can potentially validate bad habits. Not to say you have this problem but I noticed you commented about lurking on the MF forum. And now you have a MF camera. You seem intimidate to post a picture. This is how the formula works. You will now work produce something that seems acceptable to that forum. Someone will post something better with the next upgraded lens. You will follow suit. The cycle continues. Maybe I'm wrong but leaving social media for a bit can be very healthy.

It would be fun to walk around with your MF with a single lens for a month or two and shoot with nothing else but that. Continue to watch youtube videos, read, research, and practice your technique. Doing so on a single platform and lens. And leave whatever social media outlets you are heavily invested in. I truly believe these exercises help us grow. It has for me. It will free up time allowing us to refocus on the apects of the art we enjoy most.
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This is a spot-on post. I'm on a 4-month hiatus from that darned Instagram and I feel a lot better for it.

I wanted to mention that Youtube videos can also be corrupting.

The X100F sitting on my desk was a result of watching one too many travel videos and the glorious images that pros can make with it...
 
A) ... he ain’t doing that.

B) ... he has spent time away from the forum. Sometimes because he has no internet and sometimes because he sits in a corner and is told to do so for days or weeks at a time. ;-)
 
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