Should I keep my DSLR?

[squirrel$$$bandit]

I semi-can't-believe I'm writing this, but I'm seriously considering selling my entire DSLR rig and going micro-4/3. I've got the Pentax K-7, which I early-adopted a couple of months ago. It is a great camera...but all I've done since then is use my Leicas and R-D1.

I've got a Pana GF-1 on order, and if I like it, I may switch entirely to m4/3 for ultra-wide (7-14mm zoom!) and ultra-long, which are the reasons I have a DSLR rig at all. I would keep my LX, Pentax-M 24-35 zoom, and Pentax-A 50/1.7, and sell the K-7, 31/1.8, 15/3.5, 55-300 zoom, and 100/2.8. m4/3 is smaller, lighter, more RF-like, and takes EVERY FREAKING LENS EVER MADE. And if I want some full frame goodness, that's what film is for (and what I shoot more than half the time anyway).

I hate to fuss so much over gear. But m4/3 seems like such nerdy fun, what with all the adapters, and ever since the M7, I just don't use the Pentax. The one thing I would really miss is the 31/1.8, but for what it's worth I could have a 35/1.2 from CV and use it on my M's, R-D1, AND m4/3.

Because really. I don't shoot sports, birds, or airplanes, and 95% of my favorite photos I've ever taken come from mirrorless cameras.

your thoughts?

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

And let me tell you why I'm obsessing over this today--I decided to spend the whole day PRINTING all my favorite B&W's from the past year. It was GREAT FUN--and NOT ONE OF THEM was from my DSLR. Zero. And suddenly I was like...wait...

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

I had two D-SLRs that I never used. I gave my son one but I am keeping the other, though I do not ever use it for my fine-art photo work. It comes in handy for family snapshots and photographing things for ebay and anything else where you need a good color photo fast to document something. Mine's a Nikon D200, wouldn't get enouh for it to buy something better nor would the money I'd get from it compensate for me not having a digital camera on those occasions when I need one.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

I could actually get a premium for my Pentax gear right now--the K-7 is new and still expensive, and the 31mm went way, way up in price this year--I would actually make a profit on it...

 

[helen.HH]

I'm in the sell it Camp....
particularly w/ DSLRs
there will ALWAYS be a new one out tomorrow
Best - H

 

[ChrisN]

And let me tell you why I'm obsessing over this today--I decided to spend the whole day PRINTING all my favorite B&W's from the past year. It was GREAT FUN--and NOT ONE OF THEM was from my DSLR. Zero. And suddenly I was like...wait...

Have you been reading Mike Johnston? 🙂 (http://theonlinephotographer.typepad.com/the_online_photographer/2009/10/editingby-magic.html)

Sell or keep? It doesn't really matter, as the K-7 can easily be replaced whenever you want - it sounds like the cost is not an issue for you.

I'd try to hang onto the lenses, though, if you have any Pentax primes. Buy yourself a good 35mm body to use them with B&W film.

 

[Steve Karr]

I just bought a DSLR... OOOOOO.... Fuji S2 with a Nikkor 50mm 1.4 ... $ 250.00

But I use it to test flash vs. ambient when I shoot the Leica or Rollei. Polaroid is either gone or expensive, so this is the cheapest way. I don't even use a chip in the camera. One shot to ram.

Never, ever shoot DSLR when "Films in the House" Boom Chic a Boom.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

Like I said, I have, and will keep, the LX. But I hadn't seen that Mike Johnston piece, huh. No, it's actually a really nice camera--I'm surprised he's not more enthusiastic.

Cost is indeed an issue for me--if I were rich, I'd just keep every camera and lens I came across! I have a good job, but I'm limited in how much I spend on photography, which is not my source of income...and I don't like to have money invested in stuff I'm not using.

I have to think it over, though...you may be right about the primes.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

Never, ever shoot DSLR when "Films in the House" Boom Chic a Boom.

😀 It's surprising to me...I am really interested in digital cameras and quite enjoy trying new stuff...but when it comes down to it, I usually shoot film. It's not even the look...it's the process. I really feel like I'm DOING something.

 

[Frank Petronio]

I've been amazed by the quality I got out of the Pany G1 and kit lens, a lot of my stuff up until last week (and six months prior) was shot with it. Sure the K7 is marginally better IQ but not that much I bet. The G1 files stood up nicely to my old Nikon D300 files.

Only reason I dumped it was because I finally gave up on the hand cramps. They made the G1 too damn small for my XXL mitts (same with the Oly 420 I tried last year.) I liked almost everything else about it. Personally, I think the 20mm on the non-HD video G1 is the ticket, the built-in electronic viewfinder is better than any APS-sensor dslr I've used once you get used to it. And unlike the GF-1, it won't fall off into the gutter.

 

[peter_n]

I had two D-SLRs that I never used. I gave my son one but I am keeping the other, though I do not ever use it for my fine-art photo work. It comes in handy for family snapshots and photographing things for ebay and anything else where you need a good color photo fast to document something. Mine's a Nikon D200, wouldn't get enouh for it to buy something better nor would the money I'd get from it compensate for me not having a digital camera on those occasions when I need one.

I have exactly the same philosophy, and almost the same camera, mine is the Fuji version of the D200 - the S5. It's perfect for exactly what you describe. Absolutely no point in selling it.

 

[shadowfox]

Once Olympus comes out with an m4/3rd camera with swivel LCD, which is basically a thinner E-620, I'd be hard pressed not to switch.

I have a feeling that the days of DSLR is numbered. Good thing that I'll always have my film SLRs 🙂

 

[zenlibra]

I've been thinking the same thoughts recently. I have an original Digital Rebel and a 40D sitting here with uncharged batteries. I'm just enjoying film so much more using my Bessas and my Rollei.

 

[amateriat]

Oh, Dog, these threads are getting wilder by the day...

Yes, ditch the K7 while it's still hot-as-a-pistol on the market. Abso-freakin'-lutely keep the LX (never mind my disastrous experience as an "early adopter"; I still love that camera).

On the digital front, I've decided that film remains my main beat (hardly a revelation to those close to me), and I'll likely be turning out my present digi gear for a Nikon P6000 compact in the near future.

Have fun with that GF-1, and "say 'hello' to the New World for me!" 😉


- Barrett

 

[mrisney]

I have the GH1 and a Leica M4-P, a Mamiya C220, and a Mamiya 6, and am completely satisified. None of these cameras are reflex, and they whisper when I take a picture. Mirrors are non nessecary technology.

The G1/GF1/GH1 and EP-1 are small, fun, adapters make all those legcay lenses of yesteryear fun (AIS, Canon FD, OM Zuiko, Rokkor, Leica M & R, screw mount and KAF) . These lens are being sought after at camera stores and ebay, the enthusiasm is viral. I am with you, I think it will be interesting what the Olympus or perhaps a Pentax model of M 4/3 will be.

 

[ZeissFan]

Unlike a film camera, a consumer-level digital camera loses value steadily until it reaches the $200 mark. Then the price of these dSLRs appears to bottom out.

If you don't plan to use the camera for a while, I probably would sell it and get what you can now. If you plan to use it in the future, then keep it.

If you plan at some point to buy a newer model, sell it.

That's how I would look at it.

 

[Pablito]

I hate to fuss so much over gear..........

............your thoughts?

You must be a masochist!!!😱😱😱

 

[aizan]

drop it while it's hot.

 

[kuzano]

Just idle information here

Just idle information here

😀 It's surprising to me...I am really interested in digital cameras and quite enjoy trying new stuff...but when it comes down to it, I usually shoot film. It's not even the look...it's the process. I really feel like I'm DOING something.

Don't worry too much about this one. You'll get over it when the rush of new digital equipment overwhelms you and you choose film more increasingly to regain your sanity.

I got off the purchase merry go round for digital, and won't look again until the Olympus EP-2 surfaces. If that camera doesn't incorporate all the best features of Panasonic and Olympus micro cameras now in the market, I'll probably ditch digital altogether, except for a good point and shoot.

Doing too much otherwise with medium and large format.

 

[ryanwhalen]

I just made the change. I sold all of my Minolta lenses, and my Sony a700 for the GF1. I did it mainly because I couldn't justify having two parallel digital systems, and I wanted something small.

The gf1 with the 20mm is the closest thing to a digital CL as has yet been produced.

I don't miss the dslr yet, and I don't anticipate missing it anytime soon. Maybe on the occasion that I do telephoto action type shooting, but that's only once or twice a year...