For some reason, the topic of how many cameras I own often comes comes up in Barry Staver and my Noise, Grain & Cookies podcast. I can’t remember if that was our last one or the one I’m currently editing for release real soon now. Maybe it’s both!
Today’s Post by Joe Farace
The camera makes everyone a tourist in other people’s reality, and eventually in one’s own. —Susan Sontag
When Fujifilm announced the $4,899,GFX100RF 102-megapixel medium format digital camera, almost immediately I started getting e-mail from readers asking if I was going to jump into this medium format system. I must admit the temptation is there because, for some reason, working with a bigger sensor is starting to have strong appeal to me. Could it be the L-mount lens testing I was doing with the Panasonic Lumix S1R? Maybe…
The introduction of new cameras also generates questions from readers asking my advice about whether they should switch systems because many people always seem to want to own “the best” camera even if that’s a constantly moving target. If you’re already using the same system as that new dream camera and it’s simply going to be an upgrade that will improve your photography it may not be a bad idea—if you can afford it.
What’s my take
Based on my personal situation, here are some of my thoughts on the topic of switching camera systems. Some of my reasons may apply to you; some may not. It’s offered here only as a second opinion, just in case you’re considering changing to a different camera brand.
I know how to use the system that I already I own. I test and review lots of different cameras and no company does the same thing the same way. Switching systems means I’d have to remember that the lens mount rotates counterclockwise not clockwise and the controls for exposure compensation (and everything else) is somewhere other than where I expected.- I can’t afford it, right now. I own too many cameras, including some that were converted for IR capture. In the not-so-distant- past I sold a couple of my older DSLRs so I’m slowly getting some of this collective urge under control. I need to do the same with my older mirrorless cameras but they’re not worth much these days.
- I’m not sure how many lenses I actually own but I’ve sold a few of them too. Some are duplicates. Do I really need two 12-32mm Lumix mirrorless lenses? What am I going to do? Trade them for new Brand X gear and get 10 cents on a dollar or put them on, heaven forbid, Craig’s List?
- Will changing systems make a difference for the kind or quality of the photographs I make? Shooting the Lumix S1R may have changed my mind about switching but I still think the camera is big and heavy. Then Panasonic dangles the full-frame $1,699 Lumix S5 II in front of me and it’s a full-frame L-mount camera that’s as small the Micro Four-thirds Lumix G6 II.
- L-mount lenses are not cheap but Sigma’s L-Series primes that I’ve tested are somewhat affordable. Sigma also offers the MC-21 Mount Converter that will let me use Canon EF-mount lenses on L-mount mirrorless camera bodies. I’m trying to reconcile all these thoughts with #2.
How Mary Made This Photograph: This image is an oldie but a goodie, mainly because at that point Olympus had ditched the CCD sensor of it’s earlier cameras and started using what they called a LiveMOS aka NMOS sensor that uses N-channel MOS transistors that offer high sensitivity, low noise, and wide dynamic range, even at low light levels. To make this images,Mary used a 12.3-megapixel Olympus E-30, a Four-thirds format camera made before Oly jumped headlong to the Micro Four-thirds format and at a time when organizational changes within the company upset her—not usually a oood reason to switch systems but she was adamant— and she switched to shooting Nikons.. The lens she used was a Digital Zuiko 17mm f/2.8 lens with an exposure of 1/500 sec at f/10 and ISO 200. The JPEG file was converted to Monochrome using the High Structure (harsh) preset o Silver Efex.
Some Final Thoughts: If a new camera from another manufacturer than what you’re currently using makes your life easier, helps you make more money and you can afford it, go for it. I watched two friends go through this process of switching systems and it scared the hell out of me mainly because I’m such a cheapskate but these guys are serious pros who make a living with their gear. Would owning a 102 or even a 24-megapixel camera inspire some to spend more or even any money with me? I doubt it.
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