Photography quandary...
Discussion
I hope I can explain my little problem...
I've had a Canon 350D for a good few years now, possibly since 2004. Half the reason I got it was due to seeing photos on here and other forums but also because the Jessops sales guy was damn good at upselling. :-)
Over the years I sold the kit lens, bought and sold a Tamron 24-75 F2.8 and eventually ended up with two lenses which are amongst the best that Canon makes. I've got the 17-40 F4 L and a 70-200 F4 L IS.
Other than the camera body which is flaking paint and far from being the latest bit of kit, I'm happy with the gear and the pictures I can get. The 70-200 F4 L IS in particular is awesome and really enhances my mediocre skills!
Now to my issue! I very rarely seem to use my camera kit, except when on holiday. I think the last time I used the kit was in Barbados last year (10 months ago!!) and I've not picked it up since, despite having opportunities. This annoys me lots, especially when I think I've got a grands worth of glass lying around, being used properly a few times a year at most!
I think my issue is with the size/weight of the gear - I just find it a chore, although less so when on holiday as I usually have a day rucksack.
I've started thinking about selling my gear and getting something like a Panasonic GF1 which would be FAR more portable, especially with the 20mm pancake lens but then that leads to other issues...! I'd miss the quality of the L series lenses, the decent micro 4/3rd lenses are horrendously expensive, I'd have to start again with a new system (micro 4/3rds), I'd know I'd taken a step back...
Ideally I'd love to keep my current kit as that's the easiest option, but I don’t think I'm using it enough to justify!! I know I could sell the lenses for around what I paid but I'm loath to do so as I know that anything else I buy (i.e the 4/3rds Panny stuff) is just inferior.
I don't really know what to do - I enjoy photography but my current gear prevents me from getting as much use as I'd like (for nights out, casual day trips...etc), but then I'm loath to take a step back and sell up as I know I'll miss the pics I used to be able to take and I'll have regrets...
I have a sneaky suspicion that the answer to my problem might be a new lens... something like a 35mm F2.0 prime?
I've had a Canon 350D for a good few years now, possibly since 2004. Half the reason I got it was due to seeing photos on here and other forums but also because the Jessops sales guy was damn good at upselling. :-)
Over the years I sold the kit lens, bought and sold a Tamron 24-75 F2.8 and eventually ended up with two lenses which are amongst the best that Canon makes. I've got the 17-40 F4 L and a 70-200 F4 L IS.
Other than the camera body which is flaking paint and far from being the latest bit of kit, I'm happy with the gear and the pictures I can get. The 70-200 F4 L IS in particular is awesome and really enhances my mediocre skills!
Now to my issue! I very rarely seem to use my camera kit, except when on holiday. I think the last time I used the kit was in Barbados last year (10 months ago!!) and I've not picked it up since, despite having opportunities. This annoys me lots, especially when I think I've got a grands worth of glass lying around, being used properly a few times a year at most!
I think my issue is with the size/weight of the gear - I just find it a chore, although less so when on holiday as I usually have a day rucksack.
I've started thinking about selling my gear and getting something like a Panasonic GF1 which would be FAR more portable, especially with the 20mm pancake lens but then that leads to other issues...! I'd miss the quality of the L series lenses, the decent micro 4/3rd lenses are horrendously expensive, I'd have to start again with a new system (micro 4/3rds), I'd know I'd taken a step back...
Ideally I'd love to keep my current kit as that's the easiest option, but I don’t think I'm using it enough to justify!! I know I could sell the lenses for around what I paid but I'm loath to do so as I know that anything else I buy (i.e the 4/3rds Panny stuff) is just inferior.
I don't really know what to do - I enjoy photography but my current gear prevents me from getting as much use as I'd like (for nights out, casual day trips...etc), but then I'm loath to take a step back and sell up as I know I'll miss the pics I used to be able to take and I'll have regrets...
I have a sneaky suspicion that the answer to my problem might be a new lens... something like a 35mm F2.0 prime?
The 35 f2 prime is nice, very small and light, BUT... remember that the best camera in the world is the one you have with you, so if you're not using the EOS because it is too heavy sell and get something you'll take with you more often. The micro 4/3 stuff is pretty good these days, I know plenty of pros who use them as smaller systems.
I'd echo what Simpo said - get a compact that you can carry with you at all times. I know what you mean about wanting a really expensive one to keep the quality, but I work on the basis that I too don't take a lot of photographs, so a cheap compact is useful for those occasions that crop up when you think 'I wish I had my camera with me.' It doesn't matter that IQ isn't comparable to teh DSLR, as most of the time it's a matter of any photograph is better than no photograph at all.
On the occasions when I know I definitely want to be taking decent images, I'll take my 40D and whatever lens I think will fit the purpose, which saves me having to lug all of them around.
On the occasions when I know I definitely want to be taking decent images, I'll take my 40D and whatever lens I think will fit the purpose, which saves me having to lug all of them around.
I say 'MAN UP' will you...! 350d and a walkabout lens is nothing in a comfortable carrying device! I regularly 2 bodys, zooms, primes, laptop and various other crap I should take out my kit bag and dont find it that much of a chore, bung it in the boot and its always there.
On a more serious note 3/4's are looking the nuts thesedays and as more and more demand comes of them the lens prices are sure to come down.
On a more serious note 3/4's are looking the nuts thesedays and as more and more demand comes of them the lens prices are sure to come down.
cannedheat said:
I've started thinking about selling my gear and getting something like a Panasonic GF1 which would be FAR more portable, especially with the 20mm pancake lens but then that leads to other issues...! I'd miss the quality of the L series lenses, the decent micro 4/3rd lenses are horrendously expensive, I'd have to start again with a new system (micro 4/3rds), I'd know I'd taken a step back...
Ideally I'd love to keep my current kit as that's the easiest option, but I don’t think I'm using it enough to justify!! I know I could sell the lenses for around what I paid but I'm loath to do so as I know that anything else I buy (i.e the 4/3rds Panny stuff) is just inferior.
I'm in the same position as you in as much as I know I'd never take a proper camera anywhere as I'm too lazy and sometimes it's just not practical (skiing for example). I ended up graduating from a Canon G9 up to a GF1 with the 20mm lens.Ideally I'd love to keep my current kit as that's the easiest option, but I don’t think I'm using it enough to justify!! I know I could sell the lenses for around what I paid but I'm loath to do so as I know that anything else I buy (i.e the 4/3rds Panny stuff) is just inferior.
The first thing to say is that it's not as good as a proper DSLR. The picture quality will be roughly in the same ball park as your DSLR but you don't get an optical viewfinder and thing like autofocusing are much slower, although significantly better than a compact. The 20mm f/1.7 is an excellent bit of kit and mine lives with a circular polariser on 90% of the time.
I'm actually quite enjoying the challenge of having only 40mm to play with. There are times when a bit more reach would be useful but I find myself trying to come up with different ways of capturing the moment instead. I think it's helping to improve my composition.
The main thing is that for me there's no point in having the best camera in the world if it is at home the whole time. There is no point being in a place or situation where you think "Wow, this would have been a great photo if only I had my camera and my xyz lens" when you could have just taken a slightly inferior photo with the GF1. At least you'd have captured the moment. The GF1 is small enough to fit in a large jacket pocket or goes almost unnoticed slung over the shoulder.
I do have a few comparison shots of the GF1 next time my old G9 before I sold it if you're interested in a size comparison. There are lots of pictures of the GF1 next to DSLRs online for the comparison in the other direction.
... 
... buy a compact and sell me your lenses !!Maybe want to look at some more convenient bags?
I've got a lowepro slingshot that I love, and it means the camera goes more places than it normally would. The only thing about it is that when going on holiday it's not got enough storage for everything you'd want to carry in your hand luggage for a long haul flight. No space for the netbook, a novel, shades and paperwork for travelling etc.
Up until now my solution has been to cram it into a north face modem backpack which does the job, just, but is a massive PITA when packing in a rush with a hangover, which is my normal state.
I've just bought a crumpler italian connection which is more of a normal backpack and will be wicked for the flight stage of holidays, but I know I'll miss the slingshot when out and about on daytrips as the crumpler will seem pretty big and cumbersome.
Defo worth doing some research on carrying options though, as what's the point in have hundreds or thousands of pounds worth of kit that you can't/won't carry about and use?
I've got a lowepro slingshot that I love, and it means the camera goes more places than it normally would. The only thing about it is that when going on holiday it's not got enough storage for everything you'd want to carry in your hand luggage for a long haul flight. No space for the netbook, a novel, shades and paperwork for travelling etc.
Up until now my solution has been to cram it into a north face modem backpack which does the job, just, but is a massive PITA when packing in a rush with a hangover, which is my normal state.
I've just bought a crumpler italian connection which is more of a normal backpack and will be wicked for the flight stage of holidays, but I know I'll miss the slingshot when out and about on daytrips as the crumpler will seem pretty big and cumbersome.
Defo worth doing some research on carrying options though, as what's the point in have hundreds or thousands of pounds worth of kit that you can't/won't carry about and use?
BigAlinEmbra said:
Maybe want to look at some more convenient bags?
I've got a lowepro slingshot that I love, and it means the camera goes more places than it normally would. The only thing about it is that when going on holiday it's not got enough storage for everything you'd want to carry in your hand luggage for a long haul flight. No space for the netbook, a novel, shades and paperwork for travelling etc.
Up until now my solution has been to cram it into a north face modem backpack which does the job, just, but is a massive PITA when packing in a rush with a hangover, which is my normal state.
I've just bought a crumpler italian connection which is more of a normal backpack and will be wicked for the flight stage of holidays, but I know I'll miss the slingshot when out and about on daytrips as the crumpler will seem pretty big and cumbersome.
Defo worth doing some research on carrying options though, as what's the point in have hundreds or thousands of pounds worth of kit that you can't/won't carry about and use?
I've looked at slingshots in the past but I'm not sure they'd help. I think it's the idea of having a big cumbersome package with me which puts me off taking the kit out.I've got a lowepro slingshot that I love, and it means the camera goes more places than it normally would. The only thing about it is that when going on holiday it's not got enough storage for everything you'd want to carry in your hand luggage for a long haul flight. No space for the netbook, a novel, shades and paperwork for travelling etc.
Up until now my solution has been to cram it into a north face modem backpack which does the job, just, but is a massive PITA when packing in a rush with a hangover, which is my normal state.
I've just bought a crumpler italian connection which is more of a normal backpack and will be wicked for the flight stage of holidays, but I know I'll miss the slingshot when out and about on daytrips as the crumpler will seem pretty big and cumbersome.
Defo worth doing some research on carrying options though, as what's the point in have hundreds or thousands of pounds worth of kit that you can't/won't carry about and use?
I think I might wait until after Photokina in Germany next week as some new compacts (Canon G12/Leica D Lux 5) or micro 4/3rd lenses might be launched which could give food for thought.
I have a feeling that what I want doesn't exist
The Panasonic GF1 is close, as is the Canon G11 - I want quality (build and picture), compactness, decent features, reasonable price (sub £1k)....etc.Don't worry about it.
Buy a compact that will fit in the pocket of anything you may wear and be sure to carry that at all times. Buy a new one every year when the old one breaks/you lose it.
If you don't use your dSLR much that just tells you that you don't want to be snapping away all the time. Live with it. 98% of camera buyers are just like you. Even those that think of themselves as advanced amateurs.
Keep the decent kit for when you feel like using it. Doesn't matter when that is. The lenses have an extended life but the bodies are not so resistant to the passage of time. Be prepared to write off the body 'cos the replacement 3 generation beyond is selling on eBay for the price of a half decent bag of wine gums. There's not too much difference between a camera and a mobile phone. How often to you change your phone? How much do you expect to sell you old one for?
Now, stop worrying about it and pick the bloody kit up and play with it. It likes to be fondled and will make you feel good about yourself. Any snap will do.
Buy a compact that will fit in the pocket of anything you may wear and be sure to carry that at all times. Buy a new one every year when the old one breaks/you lose it.
If you don't use your dSLR much that just tells you that you don't want to be snapping away all the time. Live with it. 98% of camera buyers are just like you. Even those that think of themselves as advanced amateurs.
Keep the decent kit for when you feel like using it. Doesn't matter when that is. The lenses have an extended life but the bodies are not so resistant to the passage of time. Be prepared to write off the body 'cos the replacement 3 generation beyond is selling on eBay for the price of a half decent bag of wine gums. There's not too much difference between a camera and a mobile phone. How often to you change your phone? How much do you expect to sell you old one for?
Now, stop worrying about it and pick the bloody kit up and play with it. It likes to be fondled and will make you feel good about yourself. Any snap will do.
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