My Next camera will be an older camera
I’ve spoken quite a lot recently about why I don’t think that the majority of photographers need to upgrade to the latest and greatest cameras (you can find a video on the topic here: https://youtu.be/b8oIcfbR8EQ ). In the simplest terms, I think many photographers expect new cameras to make them better photographers, but it just doesn’t work like that.
A lot of people have used golf as a good analogy.
Owning the same golf clubs as the pros will not make you a better golfer. They may be slightly more forgiving (which probably translates to autofocus and IBIS capabilities of newer cameras) and they may give you a bit more confidence meaning you will play or practice more. But that’s it. They won’t make you any better than you are now.
The thing that will make you better is practice, making mistakes (and learning from them), and just putting the time in. Thinking a new cmaera will help with these things is an expensive path towards disappointment. I’m not trying to tell anyone what to do, but I think that a lot of people who buy new cameras as soon as they come out would be better investing their money elsewhere if they want to take better pictures.
My CURRENT Gear
I currently run a Sony setup with 2 cameras - the A7SIII and the A7RV. I also own a collection of high quality Sony and Sigma Art glass. Currently, I make most of my income through producing video work, so video is my main area of focus. Video is the only reason I bought the A7RV. I care little for it’s ‘AI’ autofocus' capabilities, it’s (quite ridiculous) 61 megapixel sensor or any of the other photo-centric improvements it has over it’s predecessors.
I bought it solely because I needed a second video camera (to compliment my A7SIII) that gave me exactly the same video output and colour representation. I was tired of my footage not matching (I was running an A7RIII prior to this). I honestly don’t know half of the photography features it has!
Whilst it’s obviously an amazing camera, I don’t really have any affinity towards it. I don’t particularly enjoy using it to take photographs - something about it just lacks connection to me. I think it feels like it’s part computer, part camera and maybe that’s it?
That brings me onto my quest for a new (old) camera.
Downgrading
My current camera is one of the best full-frame cameras available at this time, certainly for landscape shooters which is mostly what I shoot. There is no upgrade path available at this time. Even if there was, I wouldn’t need one. So if I change cameras, the only real way is down!
I’ve been in a bit of a rut photographically for 12-18 months, and there are a number of factors playing into this (some of which I’m still trying to understand!). As I mentioned, one of them is my lack of love for the A7RV.
I’ve been criticised on YouTube for saying I’m not inspired by it but that’s just the truth - I’m not! I’ve got no real desire to shoot with it, nothing about it particularly makes me want to go out taking pictures. I hope that as I plan and enjoy more adventures this year that will change, but currently my mind is set on a camera with a bit more character….
Enter Fujifilm.
I’ve shot on Fujifilm cameras for around 8 years. I owned an X-T2 and an X-H1, but sold them when I went to work for myself as I needed a more reliable video solution which is when I switched to Sony. I’ve mentioned this in videos before, but I used to absolutely love shooting on my Fuji cameras. For whatever reason, it felt effortless and joyous. I loved having those cameras in my hand and didn’t really go anywhere without them. The same is still the case with my X100V which I’ve owned since mid 2020.
All shot on FujiFilm X100V / X-T2
People may point to my work as a reason why I feel the way I currently do. Given I associate (video) work with my Sony cameras, that can give me a pretty compelling reason why I might not want to pick them up to go out shooting on a Saturday morning. When I shot Fujifilm, that was my personal system that I used for my hobby. At that time, I worked in a photo/video studio where we used Canon, and maybe that separation help me maintain my photographic journey.
The way I currently feel, I’m keen to try and separate my systems once more (which admittedly feels stupidly extravagant).
I would love a Fujifilm system to play with when I’m not working, and I honestly believe that this will be a giant step in rejuvinating my photography. As mentioned, I do currently own an X100V, and for those who don’t know it is Fujifilm;s fixed lens camera, but the more I use it the more I hit its limitations. Namely poor low light capabilities due to lack of IBIS, average AF (which is fine 95% of the time but sometimes tricky when I’m photographing the kids), and the fixed lens which I know can be modified with adapters.
Based on all of this, and the fact that I know I don’t need the latest and greatest, I think my next camera will be the Fujiflm X-T4. I’d happily pick up an X-T3 if it had IBIS (maybe I will to save a bit of money - I’m going to have to buy lenses too after all!) but the main point I’m making is I DO NOT NEED AN X-T5! I know that relatively speaking, this is not an old camera by any stretch, but if I look at the cost of it vs the X-T5 it is a saving of about £750 / £950 which is potentially a couple of smaller lenses which might be all I initially need.
I’d probably also mention here too that I don’t need full frame either, I’ve got full frame cameras and I don’t want to use them! Yes, they can have their benefits which in itself is a whole different blog post, but to the vast majority of photographers (particularly hobbyists), it’s completely unnecessary.
What it comes down to is this
The most important thing about any camera is nothing to do with it’s technical capabilities.
It’s that it is something that you want to use.
📷 🎥 - Rick