Having Two different camera systems?

[Pilotrob56]

Hi everybody, I need some advice on what to do. A couple years ago I was having trouble with my Canon EOS Rebel T6s APS-C camera. There was a power problem, the camera would just shut off and I would have to open the battery door and wiggle the battery around or take it out and put it back in to get the camera to work again. This happened sporadic. I cleaned the contacts but never changed the battery. Anyway I ended up getting rid of it and got a Panasonic G100 (M4/3). I love the camera so much I bought a Panasonic G9 and now I very rarely use the G100. I mostly Macro shoot and sometimes wildlife shoot. I have five lens for my M4/3 cameras. Got the bases mostly covered with focal length.

I am really starting to miss the color and image quality from that Canon. I was thinking of trading my G100 in for another T6s. The lens are cheaper now for it. I could get a macro, 40mm and a 75-300mm fairly reasonable. Would that be a bad move? Having two different camera systems? Any advice on this would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

 

[ahaslett]

I have used MFT and FE both for just over 10 years. The better performance of MFT bodies, especially IBIS, and greater lens selection kept my FE use mainly for landscape and casual portraits.

I now mainly shoot OM5, A7CR and OM1 mk i. The FE lens ecosystem is now larger and more competitive than MFT, but MFT has unique options and the small sensor low light AF advantage (especially the OM1) also matters sometimes.

Every single one of my 5 bodies has a different menu system and jpeg engine. As a landscape shooter, I switched to RAW only years ago and Capture One avoids the worst features of LR, while missing some of its functionality.

Shooting RAW avoids a lot of pain in terms of differences between bodies and simplifies workflow.

Some people find having multiple identical cameras works best for them. I find the opposite in terms of choosing the right body and lens set for any outing or trip.

I think it’s a very personal thing, so only you can know. Think in terms of kits you would take out and which bags you would use.

Another advantage of multiple systems is you have more opportunities when something you want is on discount.

Andrew

 

[Planterz]

It makes sense if one system can do what the other can't. It doesn't matter if that thing (or those things) are macro, telephoto, portrait bokeh, or simply fitting in your carry-on luggage.

Money is the biggest limiting factor, of course, which is why it makes a lot of sense to at least try to stick within a single brand/mount/ecosystem. Sometimes though one system can't do what you want, or doesn't do it as well as another.

 

[ahaslett]

It makes sense if one system can do what the other can't. It doesn't matter if that thing (or those things) are macro, telephoto, portrait bokeh, or simply fitting in your carry-on luggage.

Money is the biggest limiting factor, of course, which is why it makes a lot of sense to at least try to stick within a single brand/mount/ecosystem. Sometimes though one system can't do what you want, or doesn't do it as well as another.

Having more than one system creates more opportunities for GAS but also for reducing the cost of achieving a particular shooting envelope.

For example, I’d be happy with an A1ii, A7CR and RX1Riii for around £14,000. I’d have a bit of a problem with the weight of a 200-600 G, but it would be cheaper than my OM 300/4 used.

Instead, I have a used A7Riv, discounted A7CR, OM1 mk i and OM5. Total cost as bought £7,000. You can’t match capability across systems but that would be my one system pick.

I’d be a bit stuck for smaller WA lenses without MFT. No IS on the RX1Riii would force me to carry an A7CR when sometimes I’d take the OM5.

Andrew

 

[yardcoyote]

I have four and shoot three regularly, so I obviously see nothing wrong with it! Not every system serves every need. Sometimes you just want something different. It's your art and your life. You don't have to be "sensible" according to somebody else's definition. Get what serves your art and makes you happy in your life, assuming you can afford it without financial damage to you and your household. Certainly older secondhand Canon DSLR gear is unlikely to break the bank.

The only significant real world problems with shooting across multiple systems are ensuring sufficient safe storage and the darn batteries. Buying them, keeping them sorted, charging them, and making sure there is a fresh battery available for each camera whenever you want to shoot with it can be a bit of a hassle. Color coded battery cases help. I like the little pouches with the Velcro flap closures.

 

[Ruedon]

It makes a lot of sense to look for a new system if the current system is approaching end of life. In my case it was Nikon F and I upgraded to ... Nikon Z. At the moment I'm using both in parallel. ... Panasonic doesn't seem to offer a transition path from MFT to the new S system.

I wouldn't look for a T6s though. I'm pretty sure that recent Canons with RF mount have the same color science, while offering a lot more.

 

[ernest56]

Hi everybody, I need some advice on what to do. A couple years ago I was having trouble with my Canon EOS Rebel T6s APS-C camera. There was a power problem, the camera would just shut off and I would have to open the battery door and wiggle the battery around or take it out and put it back in to get the camera to work again. This happened sporadic. I cleaned the contacts but never changed the battery. Anyway I ended up getting rid of it and got a Panasonic G100 (M4/3). I love the camera so much I bought a Panasonic G9 and now I very rarely use the G100. I mostly Macro shoot and sometimes wildlife shoot. I have five lens for my M4/3 cameras. Got the bases mostly covered with focal length.

I am really starting to miss the color and image quality from that Canon. I was thinking of trading my G100 in for another T6s. The lens are cheaper now for it. I could get a macro, 40mm and a 75-300mm fairly reasonable. Would that be a bad move? Having two different camera systems? Any advice on this would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

Having two camera systems is not a bad move IMO. Lot's of people have two systems (one for everyday use and another just for travel.

There are pro's and con's. Duplicate batteries for two systems for one con. If you can afford it then why not? If it means you picking up the camera and going out to take pictures all the better.

However, The T6s is an older camera. If you are going down that road and getting a new Canon I would look at options for a newer model maybe even go mirrorless. You might like the new camera more than the G9 and the G9 will rarely be used. After all you miss the colour and the image quality from the Canon

Enjoyment is what is important. But using Canon for macro and M4/3 for wildlife good combo to have.

Good luck.

 

[Pilotrob56]

I appreciate everyones input and advice that was given. I have been thinking of what to do for a couple of days now. I decided to go ahead with it, I ordered a T6s from MPB. I know this camera and what it can do. I have seen the image quality and I really like it. I still have pictures form my other one. I got a 50 mm stm lens too. Even though it is an older camera I think it is still a good one that can produce some great pictures and movies. I think I will use it for wildlife and the G9 for macro or vice versa. I kept my G100 but still might trade it for a lens or something if I don`t start using it more.

Thanks again for the advice everybody!

 

[Ryan Schwartz]

Got into the Canon RF system while being primarily a Nikon Z shooter by getting a R50 V for video. Canon priced it pretty aggressively for what you get - APS-C sensor that shoots 4:2:2 10-bit video for under $1,000 USD. Nikon's offering with the Z30 feels a bit dated now as video is evolving faster than photo.

I like the two-system approach because it gives me a little curiosity as to whether the "grass is greener" on the other side or not. I guess it does feel like cheating on your spouse at a Coldplay concert a little bit.

--
Ryan
I unsubscribe from threads time to time, so if you reply to me and I don't respond, it's nothing personal. Either I have moved along, or I have don't have anything to add to the discussion.

 

[Pilotrob56]

Got into the Canon RF system while being primarily a Nikon Z shooter by getting a R50 V for video. Canon priced it pretty aggressively for what you get - APS-C sensor that shoots 4:2:2 10-bit video for under $1,000 USD. Nikon's offering with the Z30 feels a bit dated now as video is evolving faster than photo.

I like the two-system approach because it gives me a little curiosity as to whether the "grass is greener" on the other side or not. I guess it does feel like cheating on your spouse at a Coldplay concert a little bit.

Lol, I know what you mean. I have two really nice M4/3`s cameras and a good selection of lens. Even though they are completely different cameras the pictures kinda looked the same because of the same lens I was shooting through I guess. The pictures coming out of the old Canon DSlR just had a different look to them. The format, image quality and even the colors all looked different some how, in a good way. It is just a little harder to operate with the Live view than looking through a EVF. I am going to give the T6s another try with some lens I should have bought for it the first time I had it. I enjoy Macro the most so I ordered a macro lens for it right off the bat, lol.

 

[Craig Gillette]

The obvious differences would be battery and lens incompatibility, perhaps memory card and/or flash differences, too. Sometimes it's for a feature or features, sometimes just changing systems and not all at once. I overlapped systems at times as I was changing over. It adds complexity and may mean carrying more "duplicated" things where with a single system only "one" might go. when I first went mirrorless, I had just the one Sony body and lens. So, if wanting the full focal length range I had covered, all or almost the Nikon stuff went. Possibly taking both bodies but one mid-range. A casual amateur might have different risk/redundancy concerns than a pro shooter or limited opportunity "must perform" situation.

OTOH, if one has a light but suitably "complete" casual recreational system and a larger, heavier "professional' or bigger sensor, etc. it may be that it's one or the other and there's no mixing concerns.