Anybody here ever switch systems?

[filmdood]

Blonde to redhead to brunette and back again -- what can I tell you?

 

[Spavinaw]

First my definition of system: A camera with at least two different interchangeable lenses.
My first system started with a Nikkormat FTN. Shortly after that the original Canon F-1 came out and I got one. After that it has been primarily Canon ever since, both SLR and RF. However, over the years I've run into all these deals I couldn't refuse, stuff that looked like fun, etc. If you collect/accumulate gear you know how this works. Anyway, here's my list:
Nikon Manual
Canon FL/FD
Canon EF
Canon EX
Canon Demi C
Pentax K
Mamiya M42
Mamiya CS
Minolta MC/MD
Minolta Autofocus
Kodak Signet
Contaflex 126
Rollei 126
Pentax 110
Graphic 2X3
Graphic 4X5
And as they say "Last but not least-LTM"

 

[wakarimasen]

I have almost the opposite problem - I feel I'd like to change systems, but just can't bring myself to do so. Instead, I retain Canon EF, Nikon Ai, Leica M and Bronica Etrs

 

[Nokton48]

I sold all of my Leica Ms and Canon RFs (and related stuff) and used part of the receipts to buy my dream Minolta SRT/SRM/XK system that I wanted when I was very young. Something I have returned to. And I have not regretted it at all.

001 by Nokton48, on Flickr

 

[Colin Corneau]

This is been my experience as well. At our newspaper we switched from Nikon (which I'd shot, from film to the D2Hs) to Canon. It was odd at first not knowing where all the buttons were, so to speak, but I grew to love the full-frame and video capabilities as well as the selection of lenses.
For my personal film work, I still have a few Nikons but use Leica and Hasselblad.
Honestly, beyond the technical needs you have what it boils down to is how comfortable with change you are. And it's good to change up once in a while.

I never regretted switching to original 5D as my first DSLR, after using F mount for over 30yrs (and OM before that). Nikon simply didn't have a FF digital at the time. The cost of switching to Nikon DSLRs now is not worth it as my Nikkors are mostly pre-AI.

Used film gear is a different matter - it can be very cheap to try other systems when you can buy an SLR and a bunch of primes for under $100. I have a number of different mount systems that I bought for much less than that. I'm enjoying playing with different system lenses. I suspect there's more than a few who are in the same boat.

For professionals relying on one system with a large investment, switching is a big decision.

 

[SolaresLarrave]

Well... since all of you responders have changed your camera system or added systems to your inventory... perhaps it's not so terrible a thing to do (other than the financial hit that comes with it).

Must admit that the Sony system does not appeal to me, but given that Hasselblad is now offering its dSLR at a price lower than the Sony A99 + 24-70 f2.8 lens, the thought crossed my mind. It's a larger file machine (23 MB), with a Zeiss lens and that's all I need.

Now... I'd have to sell all my Nikon gear (which covers the gamut, from the nice AF-S 24-70 to primes like the 50mm f1.4 and a Sigma macro 105mm, and my D700). That's the part I hate because selling is such a drag...

And there's the initial hit, in terms of money. Even though I can buy, assess, compare and decide to send it back or keep it, the Hassy/Sony thing ain't cheap.

But change is quite seductive... 😉 Oh, well, let's see how long this infatuation lasts.

 

[Spanik]

Never really changed systems as in got rid of one system and got a similar system of another brand. But I do have several systems and regulary switch between them or use one or the other depending on conditions. So I have and use 135, 120, TLR, SLR, RF.

 

[jammcat]

As film cameras and lenses are generally inexpensive, I have several systems in several formats going that I've pieced together over the years.

In terms of digital, I went from high end Canon --> M43 and don't regret it at all.

For fun with my old film lenses, I have an A7II.

 

[willie_901]

I abandoned the Nikon DSLR world I lived in for commercial work (interiors phtography) and adopted Fujifilm X-T1/lens system.

I have no regrets whatsoever.

 

[pvdhaar]

Switched and switched back.. ouch!

Couple of years ago, I ditched almost all of my Nikon DSLR gear for Sony mirrorless. But notwithstanding how nice and competent the E-mount Sony gear is, when I looked back at my images, there could only be one conclusion: my creativity really took a nose-dive... big time. That, probably caused by some irks of mirrorless that I could not get used to, recently led me to trade in the lot and switch back to a DSLR again. And it's like meeting an old friend again; instant power-on, no fly by wire manual focus, no lenses that reset focus/zoom all the time while setting up a scene..

Fortunatelty, I kept an SB-800 (workhorse flash) and a 35-70/2.8 (couldn't get enough trading it in at the time); an ideal kick-starter.

 

[SolaresLarrave]

Hmmm... Thanks for sharing your experience, pvdhaar. That took some guts, changing systems AND format. I'm considering brands only... But very recently came to my senses and decided that I will simply explore the alternate choice. That means I'll send for the camera but won't keep it. Unless, of course, I take complete leave of my already scarce wits! 😉


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[taemo]

Canon DSLR -> Fuji X -> Sony A7 -> M240

not to mention all the shuffling and switching i've done with film too

 

[Tompas]

All my attempts to "switch" ended up by adding one more system...

Yes, that's my experience, too. 🙂

Started a long time ago with Pentax, since my father also is a longtime Pentax user. Currently an LX and a K-30 and a couple of old and new lenses, but I'm looking forward to the 'full frame' Pentax coming next year.

Then I got a Seagull 6x6 camera as a present, which was fun to use but quickly started to disintegrate. I found a very nice Mamiya C220f with 2 lenses as a substitute.

Then came my adventures in rangefinder land. First a couple of Bessas, now a have 2 Leicas, an M6 and an MD-2, and a Canon P. And lenses by Leitz, Voigtländer, Canon, Ricoh, and Konica.

Next I fulfilled my old little dream of a Pentax 67, currently broken and waiting to be sent off for repair. This camera I'll keep, because it's so very nice and because I shot one special photo of my then girlfriend and now wife with it. (Can't show you, she'd kill me.)

Then somehow I suddenly had a Nikon F4 with 3 very good Ai-S Nikkors and a 600mm Sigma mirror lens -- another dream camera of my youth. In the course of time I added an FM2/T and a D7000 with the 35mm DX lens (the latter to be quick enough for my 2 little children).

And now I'm having a Fuji X-T1 with 2 Fuji lenses, a Leica-M adapter and a T2 adapter to use my 8/500mm Beroflex 'Wundertüte' with. Me, the EVF sceptic... but this thing has big advantages at night or with very slow manual focus lenses like the Wundertüte -- at least when your eyes are not 17 any more.

If I ever should completely sell any one of this 'systems', I guess, it'll be the Nikon stuff because I don't really need two (D)SLR systems, do I?

Wait, no, you just cannot sell an FM2 Titan, can you? Oh, my...

 

[ColSebastianMoran]

Nikon from the beginning, from film to digital.

More recently, have largely switched to Sony mirrorless for most shooting. Smaller. Love being able to use MF lenses. And, my native Sony/Zeiss lenses are terrific. Favorite is Sony A6000 with Sony/Zeiss 55 f/1.8 for portraits.

Exception is long-lens birds and nature for which I think the DSLR is the right machine. Favorite is a crop body with one of the 300 f/4's and a monopod.

 

[FranZ]

When Olympus announced they wouldn't develop their F/T line of camera's anymore in favour of their MFT line, I got pissed, and dumped my whole system (3 bodies/8 lenses) and decided never to buy new gear anymore.
I switched to Fujy as a system, lately augmented with Sony (RX100M3 and RX1) every single item "new to me" except for a bag.
So far so good, but I have to admit that the IQ from the RX1 is tempting me to replace my RX1 with a RX1rm2 or switch completely to Sony with an A7RII based system, although the investement in Fuji with the recent priccedrops for 2nd hand gear is more or less prohibitive.

 

[jsrockit]

All of the time...

 

[presspass]

Too many times to go into detail. The big switches have been, in sequence, Konica to Canon FD, Canon FD to Olympus OMs, Olympus to Nikon SLR (which I've kept), Canon EOS, and after selling three times to buy other stuff, Leica rangefinder. Right now, there's Nikon manual focus SLR stuff with lenses ranging from 15 to 400, a limited EOS digital system for work, and more rangefinder stuff than I want to count. Still shoot all of it, even if I can't justify it.

 

[konicaman]

Sold my Canon EOS gear - all Fuji X now except for an LX100 as back up and travel camera. My shoulders are very happy and I hardly ever have to shoot RAW anymore as the jpg output of the Fujis is excellent - at least for reportage work.

 

[Nathan King]

I switched from my Canon F1N and FD glass to the Leica M6. I did it after a friend found a Kodak Retina iiic in an old box and had me try it out. Despite the tiny viewfinder I realized that I prefer rangefinders. I don't regret my decision for a moment.

 

[css9450]

Switched and switched back.. ouch!

I've posted before about a friend who has switched back and forth too many times to count.

He started with a Minolta system, then moved to Nikon AF, then traded all that in to get Canon AF. Then Nikon introduced something new, so all the Canon stuff got traded in for Nikon. When it came time to go digital, he traded all the Nikon gear to get Canon. Then he decided to go back to Nikon. Then it was Canon... Then Nikon.... etc, etc etc. He's bought and sold the same basic lineup of lenses several times.

Probably would have been better off keeping two parallel systems... Could use whichever fits the mood each day.