Paolo Bonello
3 from 36 on a good day.
What do you do?
I mean - you have more than one camera body and lens. Most likely different brands or at the very least, different specs.
So you need to choose a camera and lens/s for an afternoon outing and you're faced with a conundrum every single time you pack your bag.
So what conundrum do you face constantly?
For me it's my OM2n or 2s vs the Yashica GX or CC or GT or GSN for a leisurely afternoon photowalk. Even when I have decided which body (Oly or Yashica) I still have to pair down to which model. I don't carry both because the second body I carry is normally one of my P&S cameras, of which I'm faced with yet another conundrum, the Tiara, the Klasse, or the Nikon AF. I will admit I tend to know which P&S I want rather easily but even so I find it almost impossible to leave the klasse at home because it's my best P&S.
Don't even get me started on lenses for the Oly's. I also don't like carrying a lot of gear, filters, tripods or different lenses but I own a fair selection of each.
Just seems whenever I go to walk out the door I nearly break into a cold sweat for the pending decisions. OK, that's exaggerating but nonetheless I really think I'm going to have to sit down and think it through seriously once and for all and draw the line or write my own guide about which cameras and lenses I prefer using for what situations and possibly even let some gear go - for my own peace of mind. I think I buy gear for peace of mind that I will be prepared for anything but the conundrum imposed by all this gear is having the reverse effect. Ironic!
So tell us your conundrum? It would be good to hear that I'm not alone.
I mean - you have more than one camera body and lens. Most likely different brands or at the very least, different specs.
So you need to choose a camera and lens/s for an afternoon outing and you're faced with a conundrum every single time you pack your bag.
So what conundrum do you face constantly?
For me it's my OM2n or 2s vs the Yashica GX or CC or GT or GSN for a leisurely afternoon photowalk. Even when I have decided which body (Oly or Yashica) I still have to pair down to which model. I don't carry both because the second body I carry is normally one of my P&S cameras, of which I'm faced with yet another conundrum, the Tiara, the Klasse, or the Nikon AF. I will admit I tend to know which P&S I want rather easily but even so I find it almost impossible to leave the klasse at home because it's my best P&S.
Don't even get me started on lenses for the Oly's. I also don't like carrying a lot of gear, filters, tripods or different lenses but I own a fair selection of each.
Just seems whenever I go to walk out the door I nearly break into a cold sweat for the pending decisions. OK, that's exaggerating but nonetheless I really think I'm going to have to sit down and think it through seriously once and for all and draw the line or write my own guide about which cameras and lenses I prefer using for what situations and possibly even let some gear go - for my own peace of mind. I think I buy gear for peace of mind that I will be prepared for anything but the conundrum imposed by all this gear is having the reverse effect. Ironic!
So tell us your conundrum? It would be good to hear that I'm not alone.
ricnak
Well-known
I suffered your symptoms when I was younger. I could not leave the house unless I was carrying every camera/lens that I owned - just in case I might need it.
I don't like carrying gear and I don't like having too many choices. These days I limit myself to one system. I take one camera (no choice) and usually only one lens. My only decision is which lens.
I miss lots of photo opportunities. It doesn't seem to bother me anymore. Having less, feels like more freedom. If that makes any sense.
I don't like carrying gear and I don't like having too many choices. These days I limit myself to one system. I take one camera (no choice) and usually only one lens. My only decision is which lens.
I miss lots of photo opportunities. It doesn't seem to bother me anymore. Having less, feels like more freedom. If that makes any sense.
Paolo Bonello
3 from 36 on a good day.
ricnak, it makes sense. I try not to carry more than 2 cameras and no spare lenses but therein lies the problem. Which two? Which lens? I surely need to own less cameras that I like using. But in coming to that conclusion it adds yet more questions to be answered. Which should I keep and why? Which should I sell, how much?
btgc
Veteran
Paolo, I also have heap of gear but at the moment use only a few. Say, now when winter comes I do not like to carry daily metal bodied cameras on me. This makes me choosing from plastic P&S with wide fixed focal length lens or wide zoom. If I shoot indoors, I choose between large aperture or flash capabilities - that certainly narrows my choice. Need for [super]wide, normal or tele - also criteria to pick the tool.
Just do not feel guilty you have a gear which do not use enough. If it's expensive and can be used to finance something you need or want more - sell it. If it's inexpensive (for you, anyway) - keep it as an eye candy or curiosity item. Carpenter can have tools his grandfather used but which don't get much use nowadays - does it makes any problem? It's nice to know history.
Just do not feel guilty you have a gear which do not use enough. If it's expensive and can be used to finance something you need or want more - sell it. If it's inexpensive (for you, anyway) - keep it as an eye candy or curiosity item. Carpenter can have tools his grandfather used but which don't get much use nowadays - does it makes any problem? It's nice to know history.
Paolo Bonello
3 from 36 on a good day.
btgc, thanks for snapping me out of GAS guilt.
Chriscrawfordphoto
Real Men Shoot Film.
I carry a bag with a Leica M6, 28, 35, 50 and 75mm lenses and a handheld meter EVERYWHERE I go. I own a lot of other gear and will often choose something else, like the Hasselblad or a 35mm SLR for specific projects, but the Leica goes everywhere and a LOT of my best work is stuff I discover while out and about doing other stuff. Having the Leica with me at all times makes that possible.
kossi008
Photon Counter
I try to always have at least one camera and one lens with me wherever I go. My system of choices is very simple:
1. b/w -> ZI or color -> Nex,
2a: one lens: 35mm for the ZI or 28 mm for the Nex
2b: two lenses: 28/50 for the ZI or 21/35 for the Nex
2c: three lenses: 21/35/75 for the ZI or 15/28/50 for the Nex
2d: more than 3 lenses: forget it, unless it's a project...
The above applies when I go somewhere where I don't know what to expect. Specific circumstances warrant specific deviations from these rules (e.g. I might pick the 21 as the *only* lens for the ZI if I know I'm going to shoot a wide-angle scene on my way to work)...
1. b/w -> ZI or color -> Nex,
2a: one lens: 35mm for the ZI or 28 mm for the Nex
2b: two lenses: 28/50 for the ZI or 21/35 for the Nex
2c: three lenses: 21/35/75 for the ZI or 15/28/50 for the Nex
2d: more than 3 lenses: forget it, unless it's a project...
The above applies when I go somewhere where I don't know what to expect. Specific circumstances warrant specific deviations from these rules (e.g. I might pick the 21 as the *only* lens for the ZI if I know I'm going to shoot a wide-angle scene on my way to work)...
Paolo Bonello
3 from 36 on a good day.
Chris sounds like the M6 plus four lenses is a conundrum beating combination for a leisurely photowalk or opportune capture. You would be ready for just about anything with that. I guess I am trying to do something similar with the OM kit, a 28 a 50 and a tele but I haven't got the tele yet. I do have a tele converter but I don't like using it. The fuji klasse at 38mm also comes along for the ride. Perhaps if I want to travel light I can just bring the Klasse and an OM with a 85 or 90 on it. Oh may as well throw the 28 in the bag for good measure. You see my point. I can't really decide but I think I'm getting close.
kossi 008. I admire the specifics of decision making process. Wish I could organize my thoughts like that
Damn I didn't even touch on digital. I forgot about my d7000.
You know all this talk of carrying precise gear sets and I can't help thinking that in retrospect a very high percentage of my favourite shots I was carrying just one camera and one focal length and I can never remember those shots I missed.
kossi 008. I admire the specifics of decision making process. Wish I could organize my thoughts like that
Damn I didn't even touch on digital. I forgot about my d7000.
You know all this talk of carrying precise gear sets and I can't help thinking that in retrospect a very high percentage of my favourite shots I was carrying just one camera and one focal length and I can never remember those shots I missed.
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Chriscrawfordphoto
Real Men Shoot Film.
Paolo,
I love the OM system. An OM-4T body and 28/2.8, 35/2, 50/1.4, and 85/2 lenses were my normal carry system before I was able to afford a Leica...which is most of my life as a photographer. I still have all my OM gear (which includes a lot more lenses and two more 4T bodies!), but they don't get as much use anymore.
I like the projected framelines in a Leica, they help me get level photos easier because I can line the frames up with things in the image. I had a hard time with SLRs for some reason with handheld work, getting shots where the camera was slightly tilted. You would think the edges of the viewfinder in an SLR would allow me to line stuff up just as well as the projected frames of a rangefinder camera, but it doesn't work that way for me.
Still, the OM kit worked for me for many years. I began collecting it when I was 11 years old! Some of my best work was shot on Olympus gear. A great system, and the spot metering system in the OM-4, 4T, 3, and 3Ti bodies is INCREDIBLE.
lynnb
Veteran
Paolo I have exactly the same same dilemma. "Decision lock" can make it hard to leave the house quickly. The problem is too much choice. The solution for me was to simplify as much as possible, and decide in advance which gear suits which situations.
I rarely leave the house without the LX3 or XA depending on whether I'm in a digital or film mood. Sometimes both. Light, easy, one focal length with the XA and a nice focal length range with the LX3. I have a FED-3, MjuII and Trip 35 but these tend to stay at home unless I want to carry both bw and colour film.
If I want to take nature shots, I take a DSLR with 24-90/105 FF equivalent zoom, a tripod, and sometimes a 50/1.4 and a 100 macro lens. That's much heavier, and it's only taken out on those occasions. Sometimes I take both a FF and crop body - overkill.
Portraits, the decision is easy: first decide film or digital. For film I use an SLR (two bodies if shooting both bw and colour) and some primes; for digital, 5D with 24-105, primes, and flash gear. Heavy bag but well prepared. If I had a w/a prime I'd ditch the 24-105 which is a nature lens.
So it depends whether your shooting is structured or unstructured. For structured shooting a heavy bag with lots of options works for me. For unstructured shooting minimalism is best.
I rarely leave the house without the LX3 or XA depending on whether I'm in a digital or film mood. Sometimes both. Light, easy, one focal length with the XA and a nice focal length range with the LX3. I have a FED-3, MjuII and Trip 35 but these tend to stay at home unless I want to carry both bw and colour film.
If I want to take nature shots, I take a DSLR with 24-90/105 FF equivalent zoom, a tripod, and sometimes a 50/1.4 and a 100 macro lens. That's much heavier, and it's only taken out on those occasions. Sometimes I take both a FF and crop body - overkill.
Portraits, the decision is easy: first decide film or digital. For film I use an SLR (two bodies if shooting both bw and colour) and some primes; for digital, 5D with 24-105, primes, and flash gear. Heavy bag but well prepared. If I had a w/a prime I'd ditch the 24-105 which is a nature lens.
So it depends whether your shooting is structured or unstructured. For structured shooting a heavy bag with lots of options works for me. For unstructured shooting minimalism is best.
Brian Legge
Veteran
I've been leaning towards a 6x6 folder with a normal lens and a rangefinder with a 35mm lens recently. Compact and lots of options. Maybe a TLR if I want to be a bit more discrete.
If I want just rangefinder and max flexibility, I take a ltm rangefinder with 135mm, 50mm and 21mm lenses.
If I'm going to be in an very dynamic environment with lots of metering challenges, I may bring either a Yashica CCN or other fixed lens rangefinder with some form of optional auto exposure.
If I want medium format wide angle, I take a Bronica SQA w/50mm and usually a small rangefinder for quick shots.
I have some gear which doesn't fit any of the niches above. Thats the stuff in my queue to sell, with the exception of some Nikon lenses I know I'd end up buying again at some point.
Of course, if I have film of the desired speed loaded in a camera, I usually just take it by default. I often come home with incomplete rolls which makes the decision making the next shoot simple
If I want just rangefinder and max flexibility, I take a ltm rangefinder with 135mm, 50mm and 21mm lenses.
If I'm going to be in an very dynamic environment with lots of metering challenges, I may bring either a Yashica CCN or other fixed lens rangefinder with some form of optional auto exposure.
If I want medium format wide angle, I take a Bronica SQA w/50mm and usually a small rangefinder for quick shots.
I have some gear which doesn't fit any of the niches above. Thats the stuff in my queue to sell, with the exception of some Nikon lenses I know I'd end up buying again at some point.
Of course, if I have film of the desired speed loaded in a camera, I usually just take it by default. I often come home with incomplete rolls which makes the decision making the next shoot simple
Leigh Youdale
Well-known
I'm going through a similar process. I am selling a complete two bodied Nikkormat FTN kit with lenses that I don't use at all any more. I switched to RF when my cataracts wouldn't let me focus the Nikons and although now they're fixed I'm an RF fan - not going back to SLR in any form.
I just sold a GF1 because I think m43 is going nowhere, especially seeing what Panasonic has done since the GF1 and with Olympus being in all sorts of strife. And the GF1 with zoom and EVF wasn't any more compact than a DSLR. And using "legacy" lenses on the GF1 was just "clunky" and ergonomically unsatisfying.
To replace it for general colour and travel use, snapshots, and compact carrying, and so I still have a digital camera I've just ordered an X10. My daughter has an LX3 and I was amazed to see the IQ from such a small sensor. It was just as good as m43 for my purposes, so I figure the X10 will be just about right and I must have a 'proper' viewfinder, which it has.
Then there's B&W to think about.
That leaves the M6, the R4A and a range of lenses. I just sold two M-mount lenses because of either duplication or they were too close in focal length to others. I frequently tend to shoot wider than the 28mm frame allows on the M6 but I now have a 21/25mm accessory viewfinder so when the X10 arrives I'm going to have to look long and hard at the 35mm RF's. The Bessa actually has some better features than the M6 but of course it's not as strongly built and lacks the "fondle" element. One of them will go. Lenses used are mainly 21/28/35/50/90. In the past I've used the 25 but sold it as it was too close to the 21 and 28 on either side. So now it's mostly the 21 or 28 and the 35. I'd usually carry three lenses plus one body.
I haven't got around to looking at the three Rolleiflex I own. Carrying all three in a bag with spot meter and other accessories is good exercise but hardly "walk-around-town" stuff. In fact unless I can get reasonably close to where I want to photograph by car I tend to leave them at home and take the M6. As they're very different cameras to a 35mm RF I think I'll probably keep them for special purposes and projects. At least they're not losing value while you watch them, unlike most digital offerings. (Another reason for getting the X10 rather than something more expensive).
I just sold a GF1 because I think m43 is going nowhere, especially seeing what Panasonic has done since the GF1 and with Olympus being in all sorts of strife. And the GF1 with zoom and EVF wasn't any more compact than a DSLR. And using "legacy" lenses on the GF1 was just "clunky" and ergonomically unsatisfying.
To replace it for general colour and travel use, snapshots, and compact carrying, and so I still have a digital camera I've just ordered an X10. My daughter has an LX3 and I was amazed to see the IQ from such a small sensor. It was just as good as m43 for my purposes, so I figure the X10 will be just about right and I must have a 'proper' viewfinder, which it has.
Then there's B&W to think about.
That leaves the M6, the R4A and a range of lenses. I just sold two M-mount lenses because of either duplication or they were too close in focal length to others. I frequently tend to shoot wider than the 28mm frame allows on the M6 but I now have a 21/25mm accessory viewfinder so when the X10 arrives I'm going to have to look long and hard at the 35mm RF's. The Bessa actually has some better features than the M6 but of course it's not as strongly built and lacks the "fondle" element. One of them will go. Lenses used are mainly 21/28/35/50/90. In the past I've used the 25 but sold it as it was too close to the 21 and 28 on either side. So now it's mostly the 21 or 28 and the 35. I'd usually carry three lenses plus one body.
I haven't got around to looking at the three Rolleiflex I own. Carrying all three in a bag with spot meter and other accessories is good exercise but hardly "walk-around-town" stuff. In fact unless I can get reasonably close to where I want to photograph by car I tend to leave them at home and take the M6. As they're very different cameras to a 35mm RF I think I'll probably keep them for special purposes and projects. At least they're not losing value while you watch them, unlike most digital offerings. (Another reason for getting the X10 rather than something more expensive).
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Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
I like many here have more choices than I need ... but when it comes down to it and I can't be bothered torturing myself over what to actually use (it is optional you know) I grab the OM-1 with a 50mm on it and a 35mm and 85mm in the bag.
What I can't do with that combo isn't worth doing and making that choice fairly quickly is my self imposed discipline. Getting rid of most of my rangefinders was one of the best moves I've made because one descision that alway bothered me was the one that always tortured me the most ... "Rangefinder or SLR?"
What I can't do with that combo isn't worth doing and making that choice fairly quickly is my self imposed discipline. Getting rid of most of my rangefinders was one of the best moves I've made because one descision that alway bothered me was the one that always tortured me the most ... "Rangefinder or SLR?"
SciAggie
Well-known
I don't toture myself over gear. I usually carry two bodies in my 5Xc bag; my M8 and M7 loaded with B&W film. I have a 35, 50, and 75mm lens always. Depending on where I am going, I throw in either the 15 or 90. I just base my choices on experience. If I find myself wishing for something I don't have I chalk it up to experience.
Like Keith, there are very few instances where I miss a shot because I didn't have the exact gear I needed. All of this is considering gear for when I'm just tooling around. If I know exactly what I'm going to shoot then I take exactly what gear is best for the job at hand.
Like Keith, there are very few instances where I miss a shot because I didn't have the exact gear I needed. All of this is considering gear for when I'm just tooling around. If I know exactly what I'm going to shoot then I take exactly what gear is best for the job at hand.
rxmd
May contain traces of nut
Back when I came out of being a gearhead I started to see this like I see getting dressed. As in getting dressed, there is really no conundrum unless you decide to create one for yourself.
I have a few good pieces of clothing. Some of them are "my best X", like your Klasse, but if I wear several jackets at once because one of them is my best it's ridiculous. So I choose them for the occasion. There are some that I wear really rarely because the occasions are rare, but I don't freak out about that (because really, how often do you wear a cutaway, or need an underwater camera?) I don't wear something even though the occasion has arisen a few times, I give it away. And of course there are occasions where it's hard to choose, because there is more than one shirt or pair of boots, but a few minutes feeling like an idiot in your underpants in front of the open wardrobe takes care of that.
I have a few good pieces of clothing. Some of them are "my best X", like your Klasse, but if I wear several jackets at once because one of them is my best it's ridiculous. So I choose them for the occasion. There are some that I wear really rarely because the occasions are rare, but I don't freak out about that (because really, how often do you wear a cutaway, or need an underwater camera?) I don't wear something even though the occasion has arisen a few times, I give it away. And of course there are occasions where it's hard to choose, because there is more than one shirt or pair of boots, but a few minutes feeling like an idiot in your underpants in front of the open wardrobe takes care of that.
djcphoto
An Englishman Abroad
I'm usually in a rush when leaving the house so I've solved the problem by only having one bag packed and ready to go (M3 and 35, 50, 90 and 135, in a Domke F6). That way, when the inevitable indecision hits about which camera/system to take, the thought of gathering up everything I need and finding and configuring a suitable bag is more than enough incentive to just grab the Domke and run!
My other gear does get used, but typically for more considered outings where I know I'll need something specific (medium or large format, for example).
My other gear does get used, but typically for more considered outings where I know I'll need something specific (medium or large format, for example).
rbiemer
Unabashed Amateur
I mostly don't use a camera bag but I do carry a camera with me nearly always. So, if I'm just going out for my usual daily routine, I have a camera with a 50 hanging from my shoulder, another roll or two of film in a pocket, and occasionally a meter.
If, on the other hand, I am going out specifically to photograph, then I will carry what I think I need to make the photos I'm hoping for.
For example; today is a regular work day for me so I will be leaving later with my Bessa R and the Jupiter-8. I just started a roll and will not worry about having another with me today. The R's meter is sufficient so no separate meter today either.
Tomorrow I'm not working but will be having dinner with my sister and some friends to celebrate her birthday. For that I will bring my digital so I can share those photos with everybody pretty quickly. And if I see something more "artistic" I want for myself, it will work well enough.
Then on Saturday, I plan to shoot at one of the local waterfalls. For that outing, I will take my camera bag with my SLR and, its lens kit, and the Bessa and its lenses--so I can have both color and BW available.
Some of my family has said they think I have too many cameras but I don't.
I don't use all of it every day--or even every month--but then this is a hobby for me so my return on investment is more about the fun I have than about earning money. That makes things much easier for me than for anyone earning their living at this.
Rob
If, on the other hand, I am going out specifically to photograph, then I will carry what I think I need to make the photos I'm hoping for.
For example; today is a regular work day for me so I will be leaving later with my Bessa R and the Jupiter-8. I just started a roll and will not worry about having another with me today. The R's meter is sufficient so no separate meter today either.
Tomorrow I'm not working but will be having dinner with my sister and some friends to celebrate her birthday. For that I will bring my digital so I can share those photos with everybody pretty quickly. And if I see something more "artistic" I want for myself, it will work well enough.
Then on Saturday, I plan to shoot at one of the local waterfalls. For that outing, I will take my camera bag with my SLR and, its lens kit, and the Bessa and its lenses--so I can have both color and BW available.
Some of my family has said they think I have too many cameras but I don't.
I don't use all of it every day--or even every month--but then this is a hobby for me so my return on investment is more about the fun I have than about earning money. That makes things much easier for me than for anyone earning their living at this.
Rob
Steve M.
Veteran
Paolo, you've described why I'm cutting down to one camera and 2 lenses. My decisions should be about what shot I'm going to take when I push the shutter release, not all these peripheral concerns we all have that have nothing to do w/ the photo. I like Tri-X, so that's my one film, and I can focus a SLR easier than a RF at my age (besides, I really like seeing the image come into focus, vs seeing a RF patch line up). The simpler the better.
Texsport
Well-known
I think this dilemma is what lead to the XPan.
XPan + 30,45, and 90 cover a huge gamete of photographic possibilities.
I suffer from the "too many cameras" syndrome also.
Walking around kit generally includes my small stuff--- Leica M3 50/2 DR, Widelux 7, Bessa L 15/5.6, and XPan. For indoors I might add a Canon S95.
Texsport
XPan + 30,45, and 90 cover a huge gamete of photographic possibilities.
I suffer from the "too many cameras" syndrome also.
Walking around kit generally includes my small stuff--- Leica M3 50/2 DR, Widelux 7, Bessa L 15/5.6, and XPan. For indoors I might add a Canon S95.
Texsport
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Spicy
Well-known
I don't see it as a problem, I see it as an opportunity. On the days I only feel like bringing one body and one lens (which is happening more and more), I pick the one I figure will be the best for the place I have in mind (both where I'll be going and what I'll likely be shooting/want to shoot). If it's "wrong," come up with a way to deal with it.
Since it's a hobby and not a job, it's a chance to practice, not a blown opportunity. So you brought the wrong lens to the baseball game your friend ended up having an extra ticket to? Take wide angle shots of the crowd. Ended up going to a park and all you have is your wide-angle? Get some close focus shots concentrating on getting nice bokeh, or experiment with hyper-focalling/zone focus and shooting from the hip.
A camera is a camera and a lens is a lens. It's up to the photographer to use put them together and use them in novel/creative ways. If you find you have the "wrong lens" with you, that isn't what the problem is -- it's that you aren't creative enough to be using it.
Since it's a hobby and not a job, it's a chance to practice, not a blown opportunity. So you brought the wrong lens to the baseball game your friend ended up having an extra ticket to? Take wide angle shots of the crowd. Ended up going to a park and all you have is your wide-angle? Get some close focus shots concentrating on getting nice bokeh, or experiment with hyper-focalling/zone focus and shooting from the hip.
A camera is a camera and a lens is a lens. It's up to the photographer to use put them together and use them in novel/creative ways. If you find you have the "wrong lens" with you, that isn't what the problem is -- it's that you aren't creative enough to be using it.
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