Rationalising my many cameras, lenses, systems, options

[Ron Poelman]

Not one word you read here will help, you already know that.
The real question is, why aren't you out taking your next photo ?
Only you can help with that answer.

 

[Rambow]

I have a sony pocket camera and it shoots very good 4K video, at least in good light, can't imagine the sony and panasonic being any worse.

The EM5 is an Olympus, so that one should definitely stay.

What's the problem here, not having one camera that does it all? I got news, no camera does it all, that's why i have more than two.

Unless you earn money with your cameras and since you already have everything you need, why throw it all away?

If you sell the M43 gear you will definitely regret it, along with the financial loss. Then you buy what, another sony or a canon you will also not be happy with? Then new lenses and accessories etc.

All for what? You already have more gear than most people ever will, i'm pretty sure you're not even using them all that much.

Investing that much money and effort only to quit seems illogical to me. And the cameras are fantastic, so they are not the issue here.

 

[Bob A L]

You cannot have too many cameras and if there is something the ones you have are not perfect at, there is a good chance that there is one that is, just don't try to find one that does everything to perfection, it does not exist. Don't try to replace the excellent cameras you have with a do it all, just keep adding till you get everything covered.

There is another solution if you are not a pro trying to make a living with your cameras, don't be so pickey and serious, have fun and enjoy the hobby.

 

[alcelc]

Interesting decision on picking up GH5S instead of GH5 at that time. Was the low lighting video performance sounded more important to you than IBIS, DUAL IS-2 and higher pixel count?

I think it is normal for us to have different perference on different time. As long as new tech or feature is avaliable, our requirement would be changed. Nothing wrong to upgrade.

Just think harder what you really needed. Look for the shortage of your next purchase other than spec. As long as we can avoid GAS, we can have a really useful tool rather than a piece of expensive collection.

 

[AlbertTheLazy]

I have had cameras that have been near enough perfect, for my use, in the past: Nikon FM2N, Leica M6, Nikon D300S, Olympus E-M10 Mark II. These cameras I contentedly used for many years, achieving a high degree of familiarly and competence of mechanical operation if not art.

I’d like to find that satisfaction again, but maybe video just ruins everything, at least during our present stage of transition.

It sounds like you do need two cameras. One for stills and one for video. The optimisations and physical layout are very different if you are taking both seriously. For example you haven't even mentioned sound.

But...

How seriously are you taking your video? Are you just taking individual clips that are sort of 'moving photos' or are you creating scripted and edited productions made up of a number of carefully set scenes?

I've spent a long time working professionally in both media using seriously expensive dedicated kit, but funnily enough the last 'real' video I made was a pro bono for a food bank, shot on a little compact camera. The 'client' loved it.

 

[Samuel Dilworth]

I think you should just learn to use your current Sony. Are you comfortable with the ins and outs of photography in general? Shooting in manual and all that?

Yes and yes to those questions. You’re probably right.

Right now to say the menus are too difficult is kind of a cop out. I've never used Sony, but plenty of people love them and create fantastic images despite the menus, so I feel like that's just a lazy excuse on that front....

The thing with this Sony is that the software doesn’t feel like a solid thing beneath your fingers. If you turn a dial four clicks, it might register three sluggish steps. The UI is remarkably ugly and cluttered with useless garbage and responds slowly to everything.

Maybe this slowness has something to do with the low power consumption (outstanding battery life)? I don’t know.

It’s amazing to me that the same company that made this focusing system and hardware UI design – something that naively seems hard to me – could mess up a simple software UI so badly.

But maybe I could become comfortable using this camera anyway. I suppose trying would indeed be my most sensible option.

 

[Samuel Dilworth]

You already have more gear than most people ever will, i'm pretty sure you're not even using them all that much.

I have lots of gear but do at least use some of it every day, which my intuition says is more than most people reading this thread.

 

[Samuel Dilworth]

Interesting decision on picking up GH5S instead of GH5 at that time. Was the low lighting video performance sounded more important to you than IBIS, DUAL IS-2 and higher pixel count?

The low-light performance appealed, but I went with the GH5S mainly because I was videoing cyclists from the side from another moving vehicle, which shows terrible rolling-shutter artefacts with most cameras.

The GH5S had the fastest readout short of the marginally faster α7S III at three times the price.

Progress in readout speed has been surprisingly slow (to me; I’m sure it hasn’t surprised sensor designers), such that the GH5S is still one of the fastest consumer cameras available (I think the latest Sony Venice is like five times faster). That’s one reason I favour keeping it. It makes very nice video of moving things or from moving platforms.

And it looks like I’ll be waiting a long time for an affordable Sony with a similar readout time. The α7 IV went backwards, to my great surprise.

 

[Samuel Dilworth]

How seriously are you taking your video? Are you just taking individual clips that are sort of 'moving photos' or are you creating scripted and edited productions made up of a number of carefully set scenes?

Mostly the former, e.g. this family holiday video for which the E-M5 Mark III’s amazing stabilisation was ideal:

But I also do B-roll for audio interviews and mini documentaries (aspiring to do more of the latter when my toddler gives me back some free time). I don’t do narrative video of the cinematic sort.

For audio I mainly use Sony UWP-D21 for wireless lavs and a MixPre-3 with various AKG, Rode, and Audio-Technica microphones.

I’m not thrilled with the α7C’s audio features either. The α7 IV is a great leap forward, with four-channel 24-bit internal recording and other major benefits. In fact, Sony has stolen a march on everyone else in mirrorless audio.

So I would say I take video more seriously than many photographers, but clearly I’m a dilettante in the sense that I only do this for fun, not money or obligation.

I've spent a long time working professionally in both media using seriously expensive dedicated kit, but funnily enough the last 'real' video I made was a pro bono for a food bank, shot on a little compact camera. The 'client' loved it.

I get it. And I don’t need professional-class equipment (although I have some audio stuff that might qualify anyway, because I do like doing things right wherever possible).

 

[sportyaccordy]

IMO you need to figure out what you need from a camera system and work backwards through process of elimination to arrive at what you should buy. […] That kind of narrows it down a good bit there. The obvious first place to look IMO would be Fuji.

LOL. Fix your problem of too many camera systems with just one more!

I won’t do that, in part because I can’t stomach selling all my stuff (which I would need to do to fund such a move).

Besides, I love the E-mount lenses and think Sony will eventually catch up with cameras I like. They’re basically there with the α7 IV minus the flat-top style and a faster sensor.

So you don't want to sell any of your gear, but you can't justify having it all........ what exactly are you trying to accomplish?

I guess if Sony is your top choice sell the M43 stuff and focus there. There's definitely enough there to build a complete system.

 

[dmanthree]

If you don't relish buying or selling, then you're stuck with what you have. Forever.

Hint: sell two bodies and get one that does everything you want. Keep the lenses.

 

[Chris Noble]

I have a conundrum for you. It begins with my having too many cameras:

• Panasonic GH5S
• Olympus E-M5 Mark III
• Sony α7C

I also have too many lenses. (You know it’s too many when you can’t recall what you have in the cupboard without thinking hard.)

Thoughts? Strong opinions? Brickbats?

You obviously enjoy buying camera equipment. Don't fight it, or make yourself feel guilty over it; keep on buying more. Life is short, we should spend it doing what we enjoy.

 

[i8z]

There is nothing wrong with having three cameras systems that you use when you feel like it. I don't like to think of my cameras as tools, but that is what they are. You use them to take photos or videos. I had an a7c and I loved the camera but I never really dug the smaller viewfinder. However, the autofocus was amazing and I took great cameras with it. I sold it to a friend and although my other digital cameras are not as good as it was, I still find value in them. My canon 6d Mk II gets used around the house or for trips where I take a car. My Sony Rx1 comes with me when I want to shoot at night on a tripod. My other cameras are point and shoots that travel with me by plane.

I don't think you need to rationalize what you have and why you have it. Shoot what you like and make memories.

 

[tko]

I assume the reason you got all those cameras to take photos, correct? Isn't sharing your photos and doing something with them the only viable form of rationalization?

 

[KENTGA]

It's your final decision but I'm a Canon nut and have bought about 12-15 bodies and lots of lenses---- some I've never used. I'm 81 and have 3 R mirrorless bodies and these will probably be my last. Love the R5. Also the Sony RX100VI for lightweight travel.

Kent

 

[bridge77]

I have a conundrum for you. It begins with my having too many cameras:

• Panasonic GH5S
• Olympus E-M5 Mark III
• Sony α7C

I also have too many lenses. (You know it’s too many when you can’t recall what you have in the cupboard without thinking hard.)

Thoughts? Strong opinions? Brickbats?

You obviously enjoy buying camera equipment. Don't fight it, or make yourself feel guilty over it; keep on buying more. Life is short, we should spend it doing what we enjoy.

if you feel guilty having cameras, easy fix could be to trade them in for one good one perhaps. i have some old cameras and when i want something different the Big Box used dealers are glad to take them. trading cameras really helps a person figure out what works best for them. staying on the low $ used end makes it fun for me; if one breaks/gets lost then not many tears.

usually wearing a camera wrist strap helps me cope with the dropped camera problem.

 

[davel33]

I simply enjoy owning one camera more than three, if it’s the right camera.

But you said you don't want to buy/sell any longer?

There are many brands out there that you haven't tried that might suit you better.

There are several firms who will give you a trade-in allowance who will also offer you a wide variety of options.

Plus if you find a real camera store, you can walk in and play with it first. Plus take your old body/lens's for trade in right there and then. Over the past 10 years its the only way I buy/sale.

Good luck

 

[gloaming]

I would suggest that you do some self-evaluation to understand why you end up with deficient or defective choices when you elect to purchase. There's something you're missing when/if you do your research. Do you ever construct a decision matrix and assign weights to the 'must-haves' and the 'really-nice-to-haves'?

IOW, this seems, to an old codger like myself who has 'been there', to be an emotional pursuit of some kind. At some point in the process, you get a prick of elation about something and you press "Buy now". If I am mistaken, then you're not finding some factors, not including in your decision-making some factors, or you're overriding your own criteria.

Shouldn't this stop? You have repeated this erroneous process three times, at least.

What do you like, and what must be included in any future purchases? Label them, assign them weight values, and place them prominently in a matrix. Then, figure out what you don't like or what is missing from each, and make them prominent in your matrix in some way, again with weight values.

From there, if you can prevent yourself from sabotaging your decision with extraneous or emotional influences, your choice will come down to two clear contenders, and probably not three.

 

[mfinley]

He is a gear hoarder. He finds one or two features on a camera that address a very specific unique purpose and buys that camera just to accomplish that, since it's so specific it won't accomplish his other specific criteria so he buys another camera to accomplish that and so on and so on... he wants a reason to accumulate and covet lots of photography gear

 

[MoreCowbell]

I have a conundrum for you. It begins with my having too many cameras:

Not possible

I also have too many lenses.

Pretty sure that's not possible either.

What’s more, I’m not perfectly happy with any of these cameras.

Of course not. That's why it is necessary for one to have many

I’m looking to simplify and rationalise. But how?

Anything worth doing at all is worth doing excessively.

I would propose that you stop looking at the situation as being a problem. And then take a half hour or so to peruse the B&H website.

Let’s start with why I got these cameras in the first place.

For me, it was about the girls. It was always about the girls.

Ideally I’d have one true camera for the next five years, as I did with my E-M10 Mark II before video broke everything for me.

Boring. If you have so few cameras and lenses that you actually know what you have you're not with the program. And not in support of the national economy. Be a better citizen, buy stuff.

Thoughts? Strong opinions? Brickbats?

If I thought about having only one camera, which is terribly disturbing for me, but if I did think about such a depressing state of affairs I'd think strongly about a Nikon D850 as an outstanding example of a top end general purpose camera. And if you can abide the thought of an EVF (I can't, but I understand some actually like the vastly things ) then the forthcoming Z8 is likely going to be the equivalent plus a bit more.

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