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Bramley Apple
Bramley Apple

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Upgrading vs Sidegrading.

Most people tend to switch camera system, trying to "upgrade", in the illusionary quest for perfection.
For example, they sell a comprehensive Nikon equipment (cameras, lenses, accessories) they bought with great struggles, to start all over again with Sony, maybe just for more MP or a faster autofocus.
And they lose a lot of money in the process!
I was listening at a YouTuber saying he was selling a huge Fujifilm APS-c kit to buy a single GFX camera and 2 lenses that are never going to replace the flexibility of the previous kit.
I don't think this is very wise, or convenient from an economic point of view, because switching is always very costly and you may find out you've made a mistake.

Fortunately I'm privileged enough I can afford to add more equipment to the one I already have, not necessarily for BETTER performances, but just to provide a DIFFERENT approach to photography, that's why I call it Sidegrading instead of Upgrading - adding instead of switching.
And I do it only when I have enough money to spare.

My privilege derives from a humble daily job in an assembly line, that provides me the means to survive, and a hobby that supports itself, thanks to the generous contributions of a few hundreds people who enjoy my project.
So, even if I am buying a new camera, I'm not selling every other camera I own, I'm keeping them all!
I still have my very first digital camera from 2009, a Nikon D300, albeit I'm not using it very frequently..., but it's there, just in case.
I've recently dusted off the Nikon D810 to use for flash photography, and got stunning results from it.
I always prefer to use the Leica SL2-S, because it is as if Leica has made it exactly to my taste (save for some small quirks), but in dangerous situations I rather pick up the Panasonic Lumix S1.
I will never give up my first digital Leica M, the M240 from 2014, the one I used for this photo of Martina, because outdoor it still has the edge on most other cameras.
Every camera that I have is the right tool for specific purposes, and no one is ideal for everything, there is no such camera on the market, and there will never be.
If you buy a hammer, however good it is, it is not going to help when you need a screwdriver, because there is the right tool for every specific task.
Even for the limited field of portraits and nudes, every kind of camera is bringing something different on the table.
I'm not talking of equivalent models from different brands here (like Nikon or Canon or Sony), those are pretty much equivalent and it is just a matter of preferences.
I'm talking about different sensor sizes, about DSLR vs rangefinders vs mirrorless: that is what makes a camera different from another, and more suited for specific purposes.
And don't get me started on the lenses!
NEVER sell a lens!!!
Especially now that we have mirrorless bodies on which we can adapt any kind of glass.
I'm even planning to dig out my 3 Mamiya RB 67 lenses from the 90ties to adapt on the new GFX camera, because they're capable of covering the whole sensor while supposedly provide a great quality image.
I'm sure also the Fujifilm GFX 50S II is going to find its place inside my workflow, and maybe it will turn out to be the sharpest tool in the drawer.

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Upgrading vs Sidegrading. Upgrading vs Sidegrading.

Comments

I remember having heard about the Dynax 7D, I used a Canon DSLR for work some years ago and enjoyed it, but the first Sony A7 was such a disappointment I will never try it again. Funny how the paths we take as photographers are so different, but we all have the same goal of making better pictures. Thanks for your feedback, I'm always interested in the technical side.

Bramley Apple

I have switched systems and sold all my stuff twice. But never because the other brand had a body that tested slightly better or a feature my brand was missing or something along those lines. On both occasions a disruptive technology revolution had happened. I was shooting on Minolta during analog times. I even had their first DLSR the Dynax 7D. But then Minolta struggled and the future of this mount was questionable. I sold everything and went for Canon. Used first the 7D and later the 5DS. Great cameras. When mirrorless took over, I had to admit that Canon positioned their RF system for people with deep pockets. I sold again and switched to Sony. I still like the ergonomics of the Canons more, but I am not using my equipment frequently enough to rectify the investment into their system.

Alexander Wolf-Reber

When you display your expertise in the realm of photography, I understand how you are able to create such beautiful pictures. I am glad to be a patron (in a small way) of your art.

Daniel974

I appreciate Martina's Beauty

Alan Jas


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