Gear vs actual shooting

[Jayson1231]

Hello to everyone! Long time reader, first time poster. I have been reading this forum since before I have acquired my XT2 from 3 yrs ago.
Started from Nikon gear then wanted light because of having a kid so exchanged everything to just an XT2 and 35f2. Then acquired Rokinon 12 f2. Added a grip and then the 16-55 (much respect to Greg and Jerry). Exchanged Rokinon and 35 to 35f1.4 (partly coz of funds). Enjoyed it and now the zoom is collecting dust. Cannot juggle it when I go out due to carrying baby stuff. Now, I want to sell everything to fund the x100v.
My question is, was there someone else who have taken this road and have become very happy with just a one camera gear?
I shoot mostly environmental portraits, family, some landscapes, want to delve more into street.
I am in no way a professional shooter and want something more than what my iPhone Pro Max can give.

Thanks so much!

 

[bastibe]

There are a few people I have met and less people I actually know who have gone down that route of one camera (you meant one-prime, right?) only for everything.

The X100 series is of those 3 camera (models) that come to mind:

• Fuji X100
• Leica Q
• SONY RX1

Add the Ricoh GR to that list. A number of people thrive on just that camera. For me it is a perfect sidekick camera to my Fuji.

 

[deednets]

There are a few people I have met and less people I actually know who have gone down that route of one camera (you meant one-prime, right?) only for everything.

The X100 series is of those 3 camera (models) that come to mind:

• Fuji X100
• Leica Q
• SONY RX1

Add the Ricoh GR to that list. A number of people thrive on just that camera. For me it is a perfect sidekick camera to my Fuji.

Indeed.

But quite a stripped down version when compared to the other 3:

• No EVF (the old RX1 & RX1r could be used with the external EVF, the new one has one built in)
• No direct dials
• No filter thread without adapters (never looked too deeply into what's available)

Image quality is fine on the GR, but not the same or similar camera appeal I think.

Deed

 

[a_c_skinner]

My immediate thought too, get a small lens for the X-T2. The 27/2.8 can be had cheaply in the used market and is excellent.

 

[David Lal]

My question is, was there someone else who have taken this road and have become very happy with just a one camera gear?

I have the X100F and I love it because I can easily carry it around and do things with it that I cannot do with my other cameras which are all Nikon DSLRs. However, for me, it would not be sufficient by itself.

Fortunately, unlike the local seagulls, I do not suffer from gear acquisition syndrome:

Nik D300; Nik 16-85; subject distance ± 30cm ~ image unachievable with X100F (?)



Thought: Do you actually need the X100V? Perhaps the X100F, which is very similar would do and could be much cheaper. Mine was secondhand but only 50 clicks on it and cost me about GBP£ 500.

 

[EOS GUY]

Yes,

I had an X100 T and then an SL1 and 24mm F2.8

Now an X-T2 and 23mm F2

You might misss the large X-T2 viewfinder Maybe just get a 23mm F2 and sell everything else?

It's a brilliant lens.

Used X-T2 only goes for £500 in perfect condition with boxes etc these days, 450 no box and some blemishes....

 

[Jayson1231]

My question is, was there someone else who have taken this road and have become very happy with just a one camera gear?

I have the X100F and I love it because I can easily carry it around and do things with it that I cannot do with my other cameras which are all Nikon DSLRs. However, for me, it would not be sufficient by itself.

Fortunately, unlike the local seagulls, I do not suffer from gear acquisition syndrome:

Nik D300; Nik 16-85; subject distance ± 30cm ~ image unachievable with X100F (?)



Thought: Do you actually need the X100V? Perhaps the X100F, which is very similar would do and could be much cheaper. Mine was secondhand but only 50 clicks on it and cost me about GBP£ 500.

Excellent shot! I think that I am aiming to soften the blow by getting the weathersealing option. And also the tilting screen. Part of the reason why I considered to move to fixed lens is because the x100v is more XT2-ish?

 

[Jayson1231]

Yes,

I had an X100 T and then an SL1 and 24mm F2.8

Now an X-T2 and 23mm F2

You might misss the large X-T2 viewfinder Maybe just get a 23mm F2 and sell everything else?

It's a brilliant lens.

Used X-T2 only goes for £500 in perfect condition with boxes etc these days, 450 no box and some blemishes....

Noted. It’s just that the 23mmf2 still protrudes quite much on the camera front. And they say the one on the V is better. They say.

--
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The earth laughs in flowers.
-Ralph Waldo Emmerson
Above all else, peacefulness, love and harmony.
- Noel Shoestring

 

[Greg7579]

Jason, I think you would absolutely love the X100v. Going to one fixed lens compact camera can be done and has been done. The X100v is loads of fun and there have been many people who reduced their equipment list to just this camera. There are many people who do shoot only the X100f or newer v.

It even happens with the Leica Q2 sometimes.

But to give up the ability to change lenses on a very capable ILC with a great EVF?

That is something I could not fathom but it might work for you.

--
Greg Johnson, San Antonio, Texas
https://www.flickr.com/photos/139148982@N02/albums

 

[Jayson1231]

Jason, I think you would absolutely love the X100v. Going to one fixed lens compact camera can be done and has been done. The X100v is loads of fun and there have been many people who reduced their equipment list to just this camera. There are many people who do shoot only the X100f or newer v.

It even happens with the Leica Q2 sometimes.

But to give up the ability to change lenses on a very capable ILC with a great EVF?

That is something I could not fathom but it might work for you.

I am a gear lover that is for sure. Maybe this time I want to focus on just shooting photos. ILC for me tends to have the option of going after more lenses, rather than focusing on one. As going through reviews of the x100 cameras, they say it can point you to becoming a better photographer per se.

--
Greg Johnson, San Antonio, Texas
https://www.flickr.com/photos/139148982@N02/albums

 

[DarnGoodPhotos]

If you are happy with the one focal length (and digital "zoom") then it will be great. Just set your 16-55 to 23mm and see how well it works for you.

 

[7rvar]

It's all situational. If you can maintain a minimal kit that suits your lifestyle then that's ideal.

I find it difficult (frustrating?) buying and selling so I wind up with more than I need. But then I don't want to take losses rebuying things I use only occasionally.

 

[Paul Hoppe]

From time to time I miss the ability to change lenses but I guess my style of photography does not demand much in terms of focal variety. I mean if see something that is worthy of being captured I make it work somehow. This seems to me the most interesting part.

But as others have said this can be mere phase to try something new and different and grow in another way that involves less gear instead of more. Maybe get a used X100F instead of the V. I would not go back to the T which was a pretty slow camera with terrible battery life.

 

[Jayson1231]

If you are happy with the one focal length (and digital "zoom") then it will be great. Just set your 16-55 to 23mm and see how well it works for you.

funny enough, I have just done this very same thing hours ago. My 35 1.4 was glued to the camera for a while now. Thanks

--
www.darngoodphotos.com

 

[Jayson1231]

From time to time I miss the ability to change lenses but I guess my style of photography does not demand much in terms of focal variety. I mean if see something that is worthy of being captured I make it work somehow. This seems to me the most interesting part.

But as others have said this can be mere phase to try something new and different and grow in another way that involves less gear instead of more. Maybe get a used X100F instead of the V. I would not go back to the T which was a pretty slow camera with terrible battery life.

yeah same here. If I can spot a good enough deal for the F. Or just wait till the V drops a bit more? Which I dont see happening anytime soon.

--
Imaginative Thoughts and Thoughtful Images
www.thedullchannel.com

 

[jjz2]

It's all situational. If you can maintain a minimal kit that suits your lifestyle then that's ideal.

I find it difficult (frustrating?) buying and selling so I wind up with more than I need. But then I don't want to take losses rebuying things I use only occasionally.

This is same for me... I will often overbuy (sometimes just to try) then get rid of a few.



My wife thinks I’m crazy for doing it but I enjoy trying diff lenses to see how they work for me.



I view buying and selling used lenses like long term rentals. If I keep it for 6 months to try it out, it generally doesn’t lose value and the only thing lose is maybe the EBay transaction fee. Cheaper than renting.

 

[bastibe]

I view buying and selling used lenses like long term rentals. If I keep it for 6 months to try it out, it generally doesn’t lose value and the only thing lose is maybe the EBay transaction fee. Cheaper than renting.

Exactly. Trying stuff out is fun, and can be very instructive. And it truly cures my GAS to try something and experience why it is not for me. That's something the endless "what if" of online debates can't satisfy.

 

[Greg7579]

Jason, I think you would absolutely love the X100v. Going to one fixed lens compact camera can be done and has been done. The X100v is loads of fun and there have been many people who reduced their equipment list to just this camera. There are many people who do shoot only the X100f or newer v.

It even happens with the Leica Q2 sometimes.

But to give up the ability to change lenses on a very capable ILC with a great EVF?

That is something I could not fathom but it might work for you.

I am a gear lover that is for sure. Maybe this time I want to focus on just shooting photos. ILC for me tends to have the option of going after more lenses, rather than focusing on one. As going through reviews of the x100 cameras, they say it can point you to becoming a better photographer per se.

That is true for many people. It is also not a bad way to learn. My Dad was a great photographer. 50 tears ago when I was 13 years old, my Dad made me shoot for 6 months with nothing but a Nifty 50. He wanted me to learn to see and feel that 50mm before trying wider and longer.

My problem has always been that I do not have the eye that my Dad instinctively always had, so for me, part of the fun is using a wide variety of lenses and sensor sizes. In other words - gear.

 

[DarnGoodPhotos]

If you are happy with the one focal length (and digital "zoom") then it will be great. Just set your 16-55 to 23mm and see how well it works for you.

funny enough, I have just done this very same thing hours ago. My 35 1.4 was glued to the camera for a while now. Thanks

FWIW pairing the X100V with an XT# camera with a wide like the XF14 and a long zoom like the XF55-200 would be great. This would clearly define the roles of the X100V and XT#.

 

[bowportes]

Jason, I think you would absolutely love the X100v. Going to one fixed lens compact camera can be done and has been done. The X100v is loads of fun and there have been many people who reduced their equipment list to just this camera. There are many people who do shoot only the X100f or newer v.

It even happens with the Leica Q2 sometimes.

But to give up the ability to change lenses on a very capable ILC with a great EVF?

That is something I could not fathom but it might work for you.

I am a gear lover that is for sure. Maybe this time I want to focus on just shooting photos. ILC for me tends to have the option of going after more lenses, rather than focusing on one. As going through reviews of the x100 cameras, they say it can point you to becoming a better photographer per se.

That is true for many people. It is also not a bad way to learn. My Dad was a great photographer. 50 tears ago when I was 13 years old, my Dad made me shoot for 6 months with nothing but a Nifty 50. He wanted me to learn to see and feel that 50mm before trying wider and longer.

My problem has always been that I do not have the eye that my Dad instinctively always had, so for me, part of the fun is using a wide variety of lenses and sensor sizes. In other words - gear.

 

[Nate Kong]

Before committing to the X100v, it might be a good idea for you to look through your old photos and see how often you use 23mm (or 35mm ff eqv) focal length. If there are not many of them, I would suggest you limit yourself to 23mm on your zoom lens and shoot with that for a few weeks to see how much you like it.

It is true that you can improve your photography by limiting options but you can also do that with the gears you already have.