Hi Chris, this is so on point for me at the moment as I have recently sold all my m4/3 gear, which was all the latest Olympus camera and trinity of lenses and gone backwards to a Nikon d850 and a couple of primes... for 2 reasons... the Olympus menus are so deep and not structured and the grip on the d850 is to die for when in my hands... my time with the camera now is nigh on doubled... I have re found my mojo with photography... it is so important to be "in tune" with your gear.... its a bit like getting out of bed and always stubbing your toe... the day you move the side table and dont stub your toe is the day when you remember that day as being a good day... a simple adjustment... makes all the difference.... I put a lot of it now down to the fact we are losing camera shops.... as we did go in on a saturday and have a mooch around... "finding" that camera that felt right.... So thanks for adding to my thoughts that I have done the right thing... as many times everyone questions themselves... so cheers... Yoki...
Great video. I've cycled through the OMD M43 system then several Fujifilm cameras over the last 18 months before I found something I liked using AND does what I want; the Fujifilm X30 for a daily and X-S20 for stills and video. My history is black and white and 80's colour film with an old Zenit E.
Thanks for watching and sharing your experience David! I totally resonate with this. Finding the right camera is definitely a journey because finding the right fit isn't easy! It's a very personal decision and it's something that gear reviews can't always help you with - it's just about getting hands on and using it in the way you shoot. I'm glad you've found a setup that works for you, and might I add, that's a might fine combination 👌🏻📸 congrats!
You’ve presented a great perspective on this topic. Sometimes it’s a bit surprising that you prefer to use a camera that is slightly slower and not as sharp in every shot. However, the way you use it and how accustomed you are to it makes the process much more enjoyable. For me, it’s similar - I still mostly prefer taking photos with my first camera, the Fujifilm X-T3, because of its tactile feel. I feel comfortable with its weight, menus, and overall handling. Is it the best? Of course not. My friend lent me a Nikon Z6 Mark I and Mark II, and even though those cameras gave me better results in certain situations, I still preferred using the X-T3, probably due to muscle memory. I also have the same camera as you for video - the LUMIX S5II - and lately, I’ve even enjoyed taking stills with it. However, I need to make more adjustments to the photos to match my Fujifilm preferences. By the way, you live in the same area as my family - what a great place for landscape photography! Especially from my perspective, as I live in a much more urbanized area in a different country.
Always a good topic and discussion to have, and to revisit every so often. And I agree that gear doesn't matter in one circumstance, if you're just starting out in photography. As really any digital camera and lens from the last 10 years would be good enough to learn on, and post your work online or print at reasonable sizes. I guess I would also agree if you're a seasoned photographer, as you should be able to work within the limits of any setup. But as you said, what you need will always come down to what you shoot, as some niches require very specific features, lenses, lighting, etc. And once you have the gear you need, you will always expand into gear that you want, that makes shooting more enjoyable or enhances your creativity, that lets lets you experiment, or explore something new like film. And that is kind of the blessing and curse of photography, as you are constantly growing and changing, and there is always something new to learn.
Thanks for watching and for leaving such a thoughtful comment! You've summarised it perfectly! I think it's only inevitable that cameras allow us to grow as photographers but as we grow, we often outgrow our equipment as our needs change. That's why I try and distill it down to these two aspects (1. Does the camera enable me to shoot in the way I need it to? 2. Do I enjoy using the camera). I feel gear reviews always lead with specs/features/performance and the technological feets the camera has managed to achieve and it can make photographers feel that they need all of those features when, in reality, they probably don't. Then you end up falling into the cycle of trying to keep up with each new iteration of that camera.
Important topic covered here. In my view, ergonomics beats anything else, in particular versatility or number of features. It's what I learned when I got back to shooting film a couple of years ago. The simpler the setup of the camera, the easier to use it, the likelier it is that I come away with pictures I like because I use it more than a feature-packed camera. For me, my all-time favorites are cameras like the Nikon FM2 or even the Pentax MX (both purely mechanical cameras, very robust for the most part of it, and good glass available). Put in the right film and enjoy using it.
Thanks for watching my friend! I think film photography is the perfect example of the point I tried to make in this video. I think camera reviews try to sell us these high-performing cameras with so much technology and crazy specs and photographers can easily fall into the trap of thinking that they need all of those features when, in fact, they don't. For me, how camera feels to use is the most important and it's why, like you, I love using film cameras! Thanks for sharing your experience! 🙏🏻
The title attracted my attention because I just DOWNGRADED. I sold my M43 gear and bought a beautiful, used Sony Alpha 7R2 body and two Sony Zoom lenses. It's the ideal landscape kit for me and I just love it.
Thanks for watching Burny! Perhaps I should change the title to 'change your camera' as opposed to upgrade because your switch certainly falls in line with the feelings i'm trying to express in this video! I think that's a great move, the A7R cameras are fantastic for landscapes and having zoom lenses will give you a load of flexibility when it comes to fine tuning composition! Enjoy your camera! 😊
Another great topic of discussion Chris, gave me a lot of food for thought. I have been thinking I should possibly upgrade my camera but could not decide if I really need too. The part of the video that particular made me think was you saying does your camera do what you want it to. Thank you Chris.
The whole 'need vs want' conundrum is a tricky thing but these 2 questions really do help me objectively weigh up that type of decision. I'm somewhat fortunate that I have a clear standard of what I need my camera do to in terms of my TH-cam videos, my commercial work, and my personal projects so there's a benchmark there and if i'm unable to meet that standard for whatever reason then it's always been a catalyst for change for me. I feel that camera reviews often lead with how exemplary the specs are and try to showcase the crazy specs and capabilities and almost make us believe that we need all of these features/specs but, in my experience, quite often they don't reflect the things that are important to me in terms of how I like to shoot. I'm glad this video was of some use, Jim, thanks as always for watching! Enjoy the rest of your week! 😊
Hi Chris, good on point video. I purchased the S5 mk2 last year from a local shop. It was not my first choice camera but I liked the way it felt in my hand. Only criticism was the sensitivity of the shutter release, a real hair trigger🤣 Regarding film do you process your own or use an agency and edit the negatives digitally? My wife has an old Leica film that is collecting dust and I was thinking about digging it out for B&W photography but didn’t want the big expense of sending away to have developed and printed. Maybe you could do a short video on this aspect. All the best👍
How it makes you feel. That's it. Like most things in life - I forgive my Fuji many things simply because it is still like my (still working) Fujica from the '70s.
Thanks for watching Andy! I think your perspective is spot on! 👍🏻 If your Fuji makes you want to get out and take photos and if you enjoy the process and the results it gives you then it's certainly the right camera for you!
Relatable topic, often addressed on YT. Needs v wants. Feature set + ergonomics = usability. When a camera feels like it is part of you then the real joy of photography begins and images can improve. The A7 was my first FF mirrorless, too, Chris - light weight, noisy shutter, had to swap out replaceable lens mount for light leak issue, poor battery, but adapted my old film cam lenses. Had flash shoe issues, too, as I remember. Did you find the same? Cheers!
Thanks for watching Paul and great to know you were a fellow A7 user too! As troublesome as that camera could be at times! I didn't experience all of those quirks but I certainly can resonate with many of them! Noisy shutter, for sure! And poor battery life! Shooting with that camera on cold days was a nightmare - so many spare batteries needed! The video capabilities were the real deal-breaker eventually but it was a decent introduction into full frame mirrorless!
Great video, very insightful, I've subscribed 👍 I feel like you undersold the guitar analogy though, in terms of how an instrument 'feels' not just sounds. In very much the same way a certain camera just makes you smile when you're shooting it in a situation that really suits it. If I'm going to play some classic blues, I'm probably going to be more at home playing a 335 than a strat for how it feels as well as sounds. That being said there have been many blues legends who have chosen the strat 😂 it's such a subjective minefield!...same with cameras
Thanks for watching and subscribing Peter! I'm really grateful of the support 🙏🏻. You're absolutely right, I could harp on about guitars all day but I was unsure about including the comparison so tried to keep it simple 😅. I know not everyone is a guitar player but it's definitely something I can nerd out about! I've always been a strat player but a 335 for blues has been tempting me for a long time now! 😄
Some great points here. I'm in this position right now, I'm starting to look at other cameras as my video skill start to grow, and I feel like the autofocus on the X-T5 is going to get in the way. The issue I have is that I love using that camera, so it's going to be a hard decision to make as to whether I switch or not!
Thanks for watching Chris! I feel your pain, I had the same dilemma when choosing the Lumix (I was looking at Fuji's too). The photographer in me wanted to choose Fuji and I think if I just did photography I'd have bought an XT5 or the XH2 (maybe even the GFX if I could afford it 😅). But I can't dismiss the fact that video is as big a part of my work as photography and therefore I had to go with the sensible option. I guess the other option is to keep your XT5 for photos and get a more dedicated video camera like a Sony FX30 or even the Lumix S5ii.
I liked the guitar comparison, but for twenty five years I have concentrated on different lenses for existing bodies. It's a policy which has served me well.
Thanks for watching! I was unsure about including the guitar comparison but I think there are a lot of similarities - whilst any guitar is capable of making music in the right hands, some guitars are more suited to certain musical scenarios and I feel cameras are often the same depending on what we shoot and what our needs are. Lenses are an important part of the equation too so i'm glad you mentioned that. Lenses can definitely alter our perception/experience of the camera. I think it just boils down to whether you're happy using your system in a practical setting - it's about removing those friction points for me :)
As a working professional with "Enthusiast friends" I can break camera gear down to needs and wants and the level of justification for a purchase. Professional - Will new gear either make me money or save me money? If the answer is yes to either, then it is a buy. If it is a no, then it doesn't get purchased. A Client wont pay more because you have a shiny new camera, when they are already happy with your work. I am much more likely to buy, modifiers and lighting, new backdrops etc than new camera or lenses. I work in a studio mostly and have zero need for most new features (Subject detect, more than 1 shot at a time) If there is a noticeable (once printed) image quality difference that would lift my work to a new level, then that is different. but it would still need to either make me money or save me money. Enthusiasts don't need to justify a purchase other than to themselves, they can just buy it
I ask myself whether my skill matches the camera? Having reached a Nikon D850 I know the camera is better than me! So this is my camera for the foreseeable, until my skill level improves. (I also snap with a Sony rx100v - great fun).
This is a great perspective! I think our camera should help us grow as photographers and it's only natural to outgrow our equipment as we become more skilled/knowledgable and demand more from our equipment. Going for the most highly-spec'd camera is only useful if the photographer is going to make use of those features - for me, in many cases, I don't. I have a very clear benchmark for what I need my camera to do and i'm only interested in the specs that help me achieve that standard - I certainly won't be getting a Hasselblad (unless I get one for free 😄) haha
@ 👍though I also think I should now apply my increased knowledge to an earlier camera. To see what difference it makes. As always I suspect it will be my greater awareness of composition etc that wins out.
Thanks for watching! A bit of a hot take but it's something that's been on my mind recently! 📸
Hi Chris, this is so on point for me at the moment as I have recently sold all my m4/3 gear, which was all the latest Olympus camera and trinity of lenses and gone backwards to a Nikon d850 and a couple of primes... for 2 reasons... the Olympus menus are so deep and not structured and the grip on the d850 is to die for when in my hands... my time with the camera now is nigh on doubled... I have re found my mojo with photography... it is so important to be "in tune" with your gear.... its a bit like getting out of bed and always stubbing your toe... the day you move the side table and dont stub your toe is the day when you remember that day as being a good day... a simple adjustment... makes all the difference.... I put a lot of it now down to the fact we are losing camera shops.... as we did go in on a saturday and have a mooch around... "finding" that camera that felt right.... So thanks for adding to my thoughts that I have done the right thing... as many times everyone questions themselves... so cheers... Yoki...
Great video. I've cycled through the OMD M43 system then several Fujifilm cameras over the last 18 months before I found something I liked using AND does what I want; the Fujifilm X30 for a daily and X-S20 for stills and video. My history is black and white and 80's colour film with an old Zenit E.
Thanks for watching and sharing your experience David! I totally resonate with this. Finding the right camera is definitely a journey because finding the right fit isn't easy! It's a very personal decision and it's something that gear reviews can't always help you with - it's just about getting hands on and using it in the way you shoot. I'm glad you've found a setup that works for you, and might I add, that's a might fine combination 👌🏻📸 congrats!
You’ve presented a great perspective on this topic. Sometimes it’s a bit surprising that you prefer to use a camera that is slightly slower and not as sharp in every shot. However, the way you use it and how accustomed you are to it makes the process much more enjoyable.
For me, it’s similar - I still mostly prefer taking photos with my first camera, the Fujifilm X-T3, because of its tactile feel. I feel comfortable with its weight, menus, and overall handling. Is it the best? Of course not. My friend lent me a Nikon Z6 Mark I and Mark II, and even though those cameras gave me better results in certain situations, I still preferred using the X-T3, probably due to muscle memory.
I also have the same camera as you for video - the LUMIX S5II - and lately, I’ve even enjoyed taking stills with it. However, I need to make more adjustments to the photos to match my Fujifilm preferences.
By the way, you live in the same area as my family - what a great place for landscape photography! Especially from my perspective, as I live in a much more urbanized area in a different country.
Always a good topic and discussion to have, and to revisit every so often. And I agree that gear doesn't matter in one circumstance, if you're just starting out in photography. As really any digital camera and lens from the last 10 years would be good enough to learn on, and post your work online or print at reasonable sizes. I guess I would also agree if you're a seasoned photographer, as you should be able to work within the limits of any setup. But as you said, what you need will always come down to what you shoot, as some niches require very specific features, lenses, lighting, etc. And once you have the gear you need, you will always expand into gear that you want, that makes shooting more enjoyable or enhances your creativity, that lets lets you experiment, or explore something new like film. And that is kind of the blessing and curse of photography, as you are constantly growing and changing, and there is always something new to learn.
Thanks for watching and for leaving such a thoughtful comment! You've summarised it perfectly! I think it's only inevitable that cameras allow us to grow as photographers but as we grow, we often outgrow our equipment as our needs change. That's why I try and distill it down to these two aspects (1. Does the camera enable me to shoot in the way I need it to? 2. Do I enjoy using the camera). I feel gear reviews always lead with specs/features/performance and the technological feets the camera has managed to achieve and it can make photographers feel that they need all of those features when, in reality, they probably don't. Then you end up falling into the cycle of trying to keep up with each new iteration of that camera.
Important topic covered here. In my view, ergonomics beats anything else, in particular versatility or number of features. It's what I learned when I got back to shooting film a couple of years ago. The simpler the setup of the camera, the easier to use it, the likelier it is that I come away with pictures I like because I use it more than a feature-packed camera. For me, my all-time favorites are cameras like the Nikon FM2 or even the Pentax MX (both purely mechanical cameras, very robust for the most part of it, and good glass available). Put in the right film and enjoy using it.
Thanks for watching my friend! I think film photography is the perfect example of the point I tried to make in this video. I think camera reviews try to sell us these high-performing cameras with so much technology and crazy specs and photographers can easily fall into the trap of thinking that they need all of those features when, in fact, they don't. For me, how camera feels to use is the most important and it's why, like you, I love using film cameras! Thanks for sharing your experience! 🙏🏻
The title attracted my attention because I just DOWNGRADED. I sold my M43 gear and bought a beautiful, used Sony Alpha 7R2 body and two Sony Zoom lenses. It's the ideal landscape kit for me and I just love it.
Thanks for watching Burny! Perhaps I should change the title to 'change your camera' as opposed to upgrade because your switch certainly falls in line with the feelings i'm trying to express in this video! I think that's a great move, the A7R cameras are fantastic for landscapes and having zoom lenses will give you a load of flexibility when it comes to fine tuning composition! Enjoy your camera! 😊
Another great topic of discussion Chris, gave me a lot of food for thought. I have been thinking I should possibly upgrade my camera but could not decide if I really need too. The part of the video that particular made me think was you saying does your camera do what you want it to. Thank you Chris.
The whole 'need vs want' conundrum is a tricky thing but these 2 questions really do help me objectively weigh up that type of decision. I'm somewhat fortunate that I have a clear standard of what I need my camera do to in terms of my TH-cam videos, my commercial work, and my personal projects so there's a benchmark there and if i'm unable to meet that standard for whatever reason then it's always been a catalyst for change for me. I feel that camera reviews often lead with how exemplary the specs are and try to showcase the crazy specs and capabilities and almost make us believe that we need all of these features/specs but, in my experience, quite often they don't reflect the things that are important to me in terms of how I like to shoot. I'm glad this video was of some use, Jim, thanks as always for watching! Enjoy the rest of your week! 😊
Hi Chris, good on point video. I purchased the S5 mk2 last year from a local shop. It was not my first choice camera but I liked the way it felt in my hand. Only criticism was the sensitivity of the shutter release, a real hair trigger🤣
Regarding film do you process your own or use an agency and edit the negatives digitally? My wife has an old Leica film that is collecting dust and I was thinking about digging it out for B&W photography but didn’t want the big expense of sending away to have developed and printed.
Maybe you could do a short video on this aspect.
All the best👍
How it makes you feel. That's it. Like most things in life - I forgive my Fuji many things simply because it is still like my (still working) Fujica from the '70s.
Thanks for watching Andy! I think your perspective is spot on! 👍🏻 If your Fuji makes you want to get out and take photos and if you enjoy the process and the results it gives you then it's certainly the right camera for you!
Relatable topic, often addressed on YT. Needs v wants. Feature set + ergonomics = usability. When a camera feels like it is part of you then the real joy of photography begins and images can improve. The A7 was my first FF mirrorless, too, Chris - light weight, noisy shutter, had to swap out replaceable lens mount for light leak issue, poor battery, but adapted my old film cam lenses. Had flash shoe issues, too, as I remember. Did you find the same? Cheers!
Thanks for watching Paul and great to know you were a fellow A7 user too! As troublesome as that camera could be at times! I didn't experience all of those quirks but I certainly can resonate with many of them! Noisy shutter, for sure! And poor battery life! Shooting with that camera on cold days was a nightmare - so many spare batteries needed! The video capabilities were the real deal-breaker eventually but it was a decent introduction into full frame mirrorless!
Great video, very insightful, I've subscribed 👍 I feel like you undersold the guitar analogy though, in terms of how an instrument 'feels' not just sounds. In very much the same way a certain camera just makes you smile when you're shooting it in a situation that really suits it. If I'm going to play some classic blues, I'm probably going to be more at home playing a 335 than a strat for how it feels as well as sounds. That being said there have been many blues legends who have chosen the strat 😂 it's such a subjective minefield!...same with cameras
Thanks for watching and subscribing Peter! I'm really grateful of the support 🙏🏻. You're absolutely right, I could harp on about guitars all day but I was unsure about including the comparison so tried to keep it simple 😅. I know not everyone is a guitar player but it's definitely something I can nerd out about! I've always been a strat player but a 335 for blues has been tempting me for a long time now! 😄
Some great points here. I'm in this position right now, I'm starting to look at other cameras as my video skill start to grow, and I feel like the autofocus on the X-T5 is going to get in the way. The issue I have is that I love using that camera, so it's going to be a hard decision to make as to whether I switch or not!
Thanks for watching Chris! I feel your pain, I had the same dilemma when choosing the Lumix (I was looking at Fuji's too). The photographer in me wanted to choose Fuji and I think if I just did photography I'd have bought an XT5 or the XH2 (maybe even the GFX if I could afford it 😅). But I can't dismiss the fact that video is as big a part of my work as photography and therefore I had to go with the sensible option. I guess the other option is to keep your XT5 for photos and get a more dedicated video camera like a Sony FX30 or even the Lumix S5ii.
I liked the guitar comparison, but for twenty five years I have concentrated on different lenses for existing bodies. It's a policy which has served me well.
Thanks for watching! I was unsure about including the guitar comparison but I think there are a lot of similarities - whilst any guitar is capable of making music in the right hands, some guitars are more suited to certain musical scenarios and I feel cameras are often the same depending on what we shoot and what our needs are. Lenses are an important part of the equation too so i'm glad you mentioned that. Lenses can definitely alter our perception/experience of the camera. I think it just boils down to whether you're happy using your system in a practical setting - it's about removing those friction points for me :)
I’m also now debating wether to sell my x100v after buying the Q3 or to keep it. I’m not sure if I’ll have a reason to use it
As a working professional with "Enthusiast friends" I can break camera gear down to needs and wants and the level of justification for a purchase.
Professional - Will new gear either make me money or save me money?
If the answer is yes to either, then it is a buy.
If it is a no, then it doesn't get purchased.
A Client wont pay more because you have a shiny new camera, when they are already happy with your work.
I am much more likely to buy, modifiers and lighting, new backdrops etc than new camera or lenses.
I work in a studio mostly and have zero need for most new features (Subject detect, more than 1 shot at a time) If there is a noticeable (once printed) image quality difference that would lift my work to a new level, then that is different. but it would still need to either make me money or save me money.
Enthusiasts don't need to justify a purchase other than to themselves, they can just buy it
I ask myself whether my skill matches the camera? Having reached a Nikon D850 I know the camera is better than me! So this is my camera for the foreseeable, until my skill level improves. (I also snap with a Sony rx100v - great fun).
This is a great perspective! I think our camera should help us grow as photographers and it's only natural to outgrow our equipment as we become more skilled/knowledgable and demand more from our equipment. Going for the most highly-spec'd camera is only useful if the photographer is going to make use of those features - for me, in many cases, I don't. I have a very clear benchmark for what I need my camera to do and i'm only interested in the specs that help me achieve that standard - I certainly won't be getting a Hasselblad (unless I get one for free 😄) haha
@ 👍though I also think I should now apply my increased knowledge to an earlier camera. To see what difference it makes. As always I suspect it will be my greater awareness of composition etc that wins out.