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Let's talk about your cameras and switching to something else

When you run a 365 project, it's obvious you somehow become friends with your camera. You probably spend more time with it than with your spouse.

It's been the case for me when I just started my first 365 project in 2013 using Canon EOS 50D. And it's the case for me now with my E-M5 and SH-2. I absolutely love all those cameras, but...

I switched to EM-5 because 50D DSLR was too big to carry around 365 days of the year. Then we got SH-2 which is brilliant. But it lacks one feature I really like in the EM-5 and that's EVF. When I'm using the SH-2 I subconsciously stick my face to it just to realize, there's nothing to look throught other than the screen.

And so... yes, I'm considering a switch. Don't get me wrong, both the EM-5 and SH-2 are great, but after almost three years of daily photo taking I feel like there's something better, more versatile out there. Especially due to the fact I'm more and more into video.

What I'm considering is Sony RX100 IV. But that's not the point.

What I'd like to ask you is what do you think of your cameras? What do you like most about those devices? Do you feel like you really became friends with your cameras during your 365 project? Is there something you really hate or a feature you really miss?

21 comments

Grace I switch between my d7000 and EM-5, depending on the subject. Mainly because I have a macro lens for the d7000 and don't have one for the olympus. I like my olympus for taking everywhere. I wish it wasn't so annoying to get into the bracketing options though, i'd probably do more bracketing shots if it was more convenient. Sometimes I'm tempted to buy a gopro, and I'd really love to be able to do some aerial shots with a drone, although I'd probably be very bad at controlling it!

Kazzi Bracketing shots got much more convenient with Mark II Oly cameras... and I strongly recommend Oly 60mm macro and Panas 30mm macro lenses, they are both great - but there are some rumors about new Olympus macro lens.

But the main reason I've decided to reply to Your comment is: at first everyone is bad at controlling drones. Every single one.
Just like everyone takes moderate pictures and noone is a master of lightroom or photoshop from the beginning.
But if You really want, if You give Yourself a try... and use word learn instead of fail, and then learn some more, there is ALWAYS an option to be good at something!

Grace Hi thanks for your comment :) I would like to learn one day, maybe when I can afford to get one. Also thats good to know about the mark II bracketing being better, wonder if they would update the firmware for the mark I so thats it would be easier to work. Otherwise i guess i'll look at upgrading in the future..

Chris Breitigan My Canon 5D M2 has become a good friend over the years. I like the fact that it's kind of on the bigger side, but at the same time there are moments where I wish I had something smaller/lighter. For me, one of the only real complaints I have about the camera is that in certain pictures it seems like the details get completely lost, like this shot for example: "Industrial Sunset"
The water just looks full of noise or something to me. Otherwise I haven't seriously considered switching, but perhaps in the future I might

Michael Gatton Looks like underexposure of the shadows from the bright backlight - sure you figured that already, but to some extent probably unavoidable unless you are doing multiple exposures and combining them. Also Canon seems to lag behind other camera makers with the dynamic range, so the hi-end Nikons and Sonys could maybe get a better image in that situation? (I shoot Canon, by the way).

Chris Breitigan Agreed on all points. It's just frustrating sometimes that there is a lack of detail in certain pictures. This shot would have been great for multiple exposures if I had time. If I ever decide to switch I would probably look into Sony or possibly Olympus.

Satoshi T Why I selected Canon DSLR: When I selected DSLR system in 2007, I need to select Nikon or Canon. The reason why I selected Canon system was ... 1)I believed large sensor is better and I have felt Nikon concentrated on the DX format and discard the FX format at that time. 2) I felt Canon's camera operation is simple and intuitive for me than Nikon's.

Now what I think: Canon camera and lenses are too heavy to tookapic outside. But I accustomed to Canon DPP and Digital Lens Optimiser software. If I can use Adobe LR and PS much the same as the DPP, I think I feel more free to select cameras.

In future: In my home studio, I continue to use my Canon. but... everyday photo especially outside, I want to try Olympus system with LR :)

Elvinas Skabeikis As much as I love taking photos, I'm also more and more into video, although I can't find time to create timelapses I want to.
I even made a switch from Canon 6D to Panasonic GX7 a while ago for two reasons.
1) Money. Only had 70-200 F4 and few manual lenses for Canon 6D and couldn't afford others. You can't shoot everything with 70-200, right? Sold everything and got GX7, three lenses and a TTL flash and that was more than I needed at the moment.
2) Video quality. I hated and still hate how the Canon footage looks. Magic Lantern was the only way to get properly film looking video, but moire was just awfull.

Built in timelapse, EVF, e-shutter, focus peaking, these things are the best. Of course there are some downsides of the small sensor, but I can live with that :)

Lauren Huston I've been a Canon user since I started with DSLRs. Randomly last year I decided to move to Sony and haven't regretted it......
I probably spend more time with my camera than I do with any one human being (work people excepted).
That said, during my 365 project I've probably been spending more time with my phone camera than with my Sonys or Canons. Even my Sony A7 and A7S are too big to carry around every day. :(
(RAW support on a phone camera is an amazing thing and you'd be surprised the quality you can get out of a phone camera with it)

The Sony RX100 IV is supposed to be amazing from what I've heard ... I was considering it myself but then looked at the price tag. :(

tigg I'm intrigued by people making videos. Especially as it is way beyond me ... But what do people do with them? You can pass round a photo book, or whip out your phone to look at a photo to illustrate a point in the conversation ...but video? Clearly not a 5 second film of a car going past you would like to research! Video purely as art form? Possibly so. Educate me please, somebody! Think the only time i have used the video on my Olympus was to catch the sound of two Lancaster Bombers flying overhead. But do I ever look at it? No!

Paweł Kadysz How about telling a story?

tigg Yes, but to whom? Do you ever actually say to a friend over a mug of coffee 'have a look at the videos I took last week?' I'm not criticising anyone - there is clearly a massive market for video - but I wish I was motivated to use it. Apart from your beautiful family, give me an example of what you might video.

Paweł Kadysz And to whom do you show your photos?

I would show you some, I have plenty of videos from trips and vacations. Nicely edited. 4-8 minutes each. But I can't show them to you, since I don't think I'd get a permission from other people in the video. These are personal videos, and we show them to friends.

Don't get me wrong though, pics tell the story very well and it's not like I want to switch from taking photos to taking videos completely - that would be stupid. We did however go on one trip and we didn't take a single photo. Instead, we were only shooting video. I then edited it into a nice little movie.

tigg Normally a photo is referred to to illustrate a conversation with friends, work colleagues, or even strangers if meeting at an event. I did make an iMovie thing after one holiday but to be honest I'm not sure we ever played the dvd. Guess it all depends on your lifestyle. It certainly seems as if video is the feature that is on the developers focus. I must read the camera manual .....!

Eugene Alexeev I think still imagery is similar to a book. More is left up to the imagination of the viewer.

Bridget Braun Considering upgrading to a Canon 80D but can't part with my old Canon T1i, because it's been a great friend to me. Been switching between my Canon and my Fujifilm X-T10 (mirrorless), which is much easier to carry around. The user interface and dials were much harder to get used to that I ever imagined compared to the Canon, but I'm learning to love it! When I'm not able to bring my cameras with me, I always have my phone. Because.... the best camera is the one you have with you.

Eugene Alexeev My three options are phone (Nexus 5), Nikon D800 and D810, or a medium format system. I discovered early on that if I'm willing to carry a camera, I'm willing to carry a big and heavy one. I had a Fuji X100s and sold it after letting it sit dormant for over a year.

The thing I most love in a camera is a bright view finder. This is where medium format shines. A waist level viewfinder, or even a prism finder offer so much more than either of my Nikons can. Just glance into the viewfinder of an RZ67. Its hard to return to small, cramped, auto-everything bodies being produced today. I'd rather look at a huge, natural image on real glass...even if its inverted.

I am a friend to motorcycles. To cameras, I'm more of a caretaker. They are tools. I value their correct operation. There are times when they amaze me. Other times they punish me for being in a rush. Some days I feel the punishment on the spot. Other days I discover it during processing. Either way, it reminds me to slow down, look longer, reason about the subject, and take fewer images.

My last observation is this: using the Nikon bodies, I frequently wonder how much of the image is mine. I feel that they are so precise and "willing" to work for anyone that the images they produce sometimes reflect more of the machinery than the user. The Mamiya body is precise, but does not lend a hand in any way. You feed it batteries. You focus by hand, slowly. You set the aperture manually. You wind it up and lower the mirror. You press the shutter release. No electronics can question or override your choices. The camera snaps into action and admits a momentary beam of light. Every task is yours. The images it produces are yours...for better or worse.

Gogi Golzman wow my journey was long time ago
i actually started my first project in 2012 with no knowledge at all.
with a fuji camera that i dont even remember the name.
after couple months i bought canon 550d and a kit lens 18-55
and 55-250 lens.
at the time i started to work in the night life. with these cheap gear
and 2 years ago i took the canon 6d that was my little baby
and better lenses .
i gained knowledge and experience.
started to shoot weddings, private events, more night life, and the most beloved category, the urban style, a lot of dance competitions. break dancers, parkour artist and more.
couple moths ago i bought my canon 5d mark III
and now i work a lot with my 2 babies 6d an 5dm3
and bunch of prime lenses.
Sigma 35mm 1.4
Sigma 50mm 1.4
Sigma 15mm 2.8
Canon 135mm 2.0
Canon 85mm 1.8

and with all this heavy gear i don't know if to take something smaller for the project only.
because for my work i have the best gear that i bought with a lot of effort tears & pain lol.

365 Shades of Calvados My first camera with an interchangeable lens was the Sony nex-3 which is small, handy and has has great colors. Unfortunately it lacks an EVF or physical buttons and dials. Manual settings require searching for the features in the menu, so I am mostly forced to use the "Auto" mode. Also taking pictures in the sun can be a pain in the neck, since the LCD screen has very poor contrast. My next camera was the Olympus OMD-EM1 which is great although a little bigger and heavier, but the customization possibilities in the menu are astounding and the lenses are incredibly small. I also like the intuitive software it came with. For travels I would definitely choose the Olympus. The only thing I lacked in the Olympus was the full frame. I just couldn't get that awesome bokeh typical of FF DSLRs.
Finally I got myself a full frame from Nikon, the D750 and I am still discovering its possibilities. I love the fact that I can take a picture and crop a part of it and still have a great quality picture. The minus is its weight and size. Not exactly a discreet piece of equipment to take out for a walk with a 70-200mm lens.

I haven't tried filming with any of the photo camera, since I am more attached to my action cams, which are small, have a wide angle of 175 degrees, the battery lasts longer (no LCD screens) and they are easier to mount on a motorbike or in a car.

Joost van Halm Before the digital era I shot pentax (mx) and zenza bronica (S2A). After that it was first a minolta compact digital camera. Not so good... than a nikon d70 and after that the nikon d300s. This still is a very good workhorse of a camera. But it's very heavy. I wanted always have a good camera with me so now I have a fuji X100 and an X-Pro1 I use all of those three for different reasons and assignments and love all of them for different reasons. The X-Pro1 is my most used camera at this moment.

MyNeverEndingStory After reaching 20% of the commitment I feel I can express my opinion. I dreamt of a good amateur camera, so 2 years ago I got Nikon d5100 with 18-105mm lense. Affordable at the time, good reviews, plenty of effects and manual options, with a side-articulated 3.0" monitor and easy to hold in my small hands seemed like a good choice. Well, after a few weeks of carrying it with me, with other things that I carry daily ( I don't drive and I often leave in the morning and come back home after 10/12 hrs at work) I am physically exhausted and v. often wish I could just leave it home. Something smaller would be ideal, however I do not read professional magazines and have no clue what is new on the market. I have been thinking of buying a smaller size lense, but... once you start looking and reading you find yourself dreaming of that : dpreview.com/products/leica/co....