What I Shoot With and Why

Canon ESO 60D, 35mm f/2 EF, ISO 200

I've used a lot of different cameras since I began this humble blog. Some I still use; others I've sold, or still own but don't use. The list of those I've used the most so far includes:

Nikon FM3A (own but seldom use)
Olympus OM-1 (own but seldom use)
Canon EOS F-1n (own but seldom use)
Canon EOS 30D (sold)
Olympus E-520 (sold)
Pentax K5 (returned to Pentax)
Canon EOS 7D (returned to Canon)
Canon 5D Mark III (returned to Canon)
Nikon D7000 (sold)

This doesn't include cameras I've used for a week or less because of an assignment, a user review, or general curiosity. As you can see, I favor mid-range cameras; those that are somewhere between the smallest and largest and between the most and least expensive. I suspect most readers of this blog have similar tastes, which is why you may be interested to know what I'm using now and why.

Nikon V1, Nikkor 10-30mm f/3.5-5.6, ISO 400

At present, 90% of my work is done with a Canon EOS 60D and a Nikon V1. I bought the 60D to replace the Nikon D7000, which I was never able to get to focus consistently and reliably. (This was my personal experience. I've only used one D7000 and have no idea if this problem is widespread.) Aside from the focusing issue, my main reason for buying the 60D was so I could use the four Canon EF lenses I still own and rent practically any other lens I might need. Even though I seldom take on pro assignments these days, I still want to be able to should the need arise. The EOS 60D also allows me to shoot with portable and studio flash units. This is something the Nikon V1 can't do.

Because of its size and weight, the 60D is my preferred rig for shooting at home, when portability isn't an issue. That said, the 60D with a 28mm f/2.8 EF is still small and light enough to carry all day on a wrist strap or in a small shoulder bag. Because I don't own any Canon lenses slower than f/2.8 and the 60D has a much larger sensor than the V1, the 60D is also better for available light shooting without flash. Fast lenses reduce the need to shoot at absurdly high ISOs and then complain about the results.

Nikon V1, Nikkor 18.5mm f/1.8, ISO 400

The Nikon V1 is my "everyday-carry camera." I was initially attracted to it because of its small size,  low weight, and sturdiness, which make it perfect for travel, outdoor family activities, or an afternoon of street photograpy. Interchangeable lenses and a built-in eyelevel viewfinder made it even more attractive. What sealed the deal was its lightning fast, amazingly accurate focus and above-average metering accuracy. I know some photographers are put off by the V1's smaller sensor, but to my mind these folks aren't much different from film photographers who lugged around Hasselblads because 35mm cameras produced "inferior results." Either you appreciate the small camera esthetic or you don't. I do.

Canon EOS 60D, 28mm f/2.8 EF, ISO 100

All in all, these two cameras cover enough bases for me that I have little need or interest in buying anything else--mainly because the extra money spent wouldn't result in enough more image quality or convenience to make it worth the cost. If your situation is anything like mine (more than enough good cameras, not enough time), this could explain why camera sales have slowed considerably over the past six months. What about you? Do you have enough cameras? If not, will you ever?

 

Comments

[Lou Doench]

My new to me OMD-EM5 will be enough camera for me for quite some time. My Pentax K-7 is just gathering dust at this point.

[Florian Freimoser]

I use a micro four thirds camera for almost all my photography and would only consider buying a new one if my current camera breaks down (even though there are new and tempting cameras available). I agree that it makes sense to own different and complementary types of cameras at the same time, but I would hardly ever use a bigger camera and therefore do not intend on buying one.

[Chris Klug]

I spent a number of years experimenting, and now I"ve decided on my basic rig, one for film and one for digital. I am selling off the ones I played with but found wanting for one reason or the other.

Keeping: Zeiss Ikon, Nikon F100, Fuji X-Pro 1.

Selling: Bessa R2a, Nikon F3, Canon EOS 3, Canon 5D

I have adaptors that let me use M-mount glass on my X-Pro 1 as well as Nikon glass. Part of what I was trying to do was corral my lens collection in such a way so as to maximize them across multiple camera bodies.

[Christine Bogan]

After trying several cameras I'm now very happy with what I have. Most of the time I use my mft cameras, a pen epl3 and epm2. Just for occasional use it is a Nikon d3200. I like mft better for my photography. Some old gear still is in the house.

[Dan Paris]

I recently downsized my DSLR system and am now happy that I've got what I need.

Recently sold: Nikon D7000 (with focus problems), 4 lenses, 2 flashes, dozen filters, misc gear. Recently bought: Oly OM-D EM-5, Panasonic 12-35 f/2.8, Oly R600 flash, 2 filters
Still using: Canon S90 P&S (a fantastic little pocket rocket), ancient Manfrotto tripod.

It's still early days using the Olympus system. I'm much more willing to cart it around because of how small and lightweight it is. And the image quality is very, very good for such a small sensor. But the EVF is merely OK and the buttons are tiny, making it somewhat frustrating to use at times. These are the compromises I accepted when I bought it. Maybe in the future when Oly resolves these issues I'll upgrade the body... but probably not for several years. And for now, I've got exactly what I need.

[Mark Kinsman]

I have more than I need with Canon, Olympus and a Fuji. The later two were as alternatives to the weight of carrying full frame and L glass. With the changing demands of the market (diminished print sales etc.), and advances in technology, I think the Oly or Fuji system could meet any need for image quality. While there are always features we'd like or want, I think we've hit the level of good enough with most mid to upper level models, regardless of brand. A recent trip to NY with just the Oly, proved it was all the kit I needed for street and tourist photography, all in a bag I carried all day with no problem.

[Tim]

Aye, similar taste here - getting cheaper, if anything.

I used to be the chap who lugged around a Hassie because 35mm produced inferior results - with the scanner I was prepared to afford. (When you've got LF as well as MF, a V700 flatbed will suffice; throw 35mm into the mix and that's a dedicated film scanner for just one format. Pointless; didn't happen.)

The current hardware is still a 3.5-year-old Lumix GH2, and I still love it for the ergonomics; I've got by without upgrading mostly by not shooting much low-light stuff, and by adjusting the workflow to centre around enfuse - panorama or super-resolution, I get my 6000px-long images one way or another and am glad. That said, Sony are producing some seriously tempting gear although at such a rate that I'm still waiting for the product-range to settle, revealing the One True Nex-t Toy(TM).

[Joe Dasbach]

Gordon, what lenses do you enjoy on your Nikon v1? a favorite?

[Gordon Lewis]

Joe,

My favorite lens for the V1 is the 18.5mm f/1.8 Nikkor, which is roughly equivalent to a 50mm f/1.8 for 35mm film format. I also own the 10-30mm kit zoom but rarely use it because of its slow maximum aperture.

Gordon | Shutterfinger

[Timothy]

For the past 18 months I've been shooting with a m4/3 camera with face recognition auto focus. This is miles ahead of my full frame Canon camera as it locks onto a face and magically the eyeball is 99.9% of the time tack sharp. I don't miss not having to search for the most appropriate focus point on my Canon 5DMKII. The same Canon focus points also inconveniently disrespect the rule of thirds which I find very annoying. Now with m4/3, my shots are almost always sharp and correctly composed.
The Olympus prime lenses are tiny, light weight and extraordinary sharp wide open with very nice bokeh.
I have no need to change for a while yet.

[Brad Calkins]

I have to agree - I suspect the reason sales are slowing is that cameras are mostly excellent these days (as opposed to the idea that cell phones are taking over). I know few people who are limited by their current dSLR.

I've switched to a micro four thirds system rather than having the dSLR plus smaller camera pairing. Micro fours thirds is ideal for me as it does double duty for both my serious needs and my family photos.