Even though I've been close to selling everything and making a drastic change, I'd also agree with your wife and father. Maybe just set things aside for a while and see what develops.
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Personal gear review
- Thread starter Bobby T
- Start date
Even though I've been close to selling everything and making a drastic change, I'd also agree with your wife and father. Maybe just set things aside for a while and see what develops.
- Location
- The Netherlands
My condolences and all the best in this difficult period.
I haven't been shooting much either. The tree outside my apartment balcony was cut down due to the roots destroying the waterline into the building, so my location for bird photos is gone. Current health precludes roaming in the wilds looking for birds.
I do have a monthly monochrome project with my X100F I'm still working. I do struggle at times to find material. Sometimes I can find a theme for the month, other times it ends up being a mashup of whatever I can shoot.
One of my other hobbies that has developed over the last three years has been collecting traditional-style pocket knives. New manufacture, not searching for collectables or worn out classics. Playing with product-type and snapshots for those.
I'm in the "put most of the gear down for a while and see what happens" phase. May keep some or most of my stuff. Or get rid of most of it. Or dump almost all and try a Monochrom for a few years.
I do have a monthly monochrome project with my X100F I'm still working. I do struggle at times to find material. Sometimes I can find a theme for the month, other times it ends up being a mashup of whatever I can shoot.
One of my other hobbies that has developed over the last three years has been collecting traditional-style pocket knives. New manufacture, not searching for collectables or worn out classics. Playing with product-type and snapshots for those.
I'm in the "put most of the gear down for a while and see what happens" phase. May keep some or most of my stuff. Or get rid of most of it. Or dump almost all and try a Monochrom for a few years.
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Biro, sorry to hear of all your troubles. Hoping for the best for you and your family.
Having slept on it. I realized I should have phrased something differently. @John King is correct in saying changing gear won’t break a slump. What I should have said in my reply is that having the gear I enjoy shooting with the most will make the experience far more enjoyable when I do get back at it.
Having slept on it. I realized I should have phrased something differently. @John King is correct in saying changing gear won’t break a slump. What I should have said in my reply is that having the gear I enjoy shooting with the most will make the experience far more enjoyable when I do get back at it.
I can identify, haven't made over a hand-full of pictures in several months. I think COVID changed our lives. It planted a seed of grief that has, in me, almost touched depression. Nothing is quite the same and I've yet to completely adjust to the new normal. Working in a hospital where I see it every day likely doesn't help. I will retire November 5th and am hoping to step back and regain some sense of curiosity and wonder. Bobby, I agree with your loved one's advice. It is never a good idea to make a major decision during a 'funk'. Wait it out and see what happens; I'll do the same.
Dean Smith
Veteran
- Location
- Near Kingsville, Texas
Is this funk a form of seasonal affective disorder? I, too, have been in the funk for a while and contemplated dumping my gear and following other pursuits. My daughter said I shouldn’t and I’m glad I didn’t. Slowly, I creeping out of the funk by working on a monochrome project.
Bobby hang in there; and follow the advice from your wife and dad.
Bobby hang in there; and follow the advice from your wife and dad.
Thank you.
It’s not any kind of seasonal disorder. Although the events and social climate of the past year and half have had an affect. But aside from that. I just started getting more and more bored with shooting. I still love looking at photos. And I am on here and Instagram several times a day.
It’s not any kind of seasonal disorder. Although the events and social climate of the past year and half have had an affect. But aside from that. I just started getting more and more bored with shooting. I still love looking at photos. And I am on here and Instagram several times a day.
- Location
- Seattle
- Name
- Andrew
If I remember right, you were pretty involved in the On Taking Pictures group, in the days of Google + and the podcast. Do you ever go and relisten? I've been listening to the whole series through again, I still enjoy listening to Bill and Jeffery, and pondering the more philosophical aspects of photography. Sometimes it helps give more meaning when I am kind of tired with the motions of photographing. I go through spurts where I'm thinking about photography far more than actually doing it.
Oh man, great memory. I was really involved in that group. We had such a diverse mix of photographers. Relistening is an excellent idea. I will start going through the old shows. Those guys could really go deep in discussions. May have to start listening to The Candid Frame again too. Ibarionex Perello really gets deep into the philosophy and heart of photography also. Thanks for the suggestion!
- Location
- Jersey Shore
- Name
- Steve
Boy, do I hear this. I'm in the news business, so I can't get away from the headlines. At least I don't work in a hospital like you do.
Update on where my thoughts landed. After more talking with my dad and thinking things over. The X-T3 and 18mm 1.4 have been sold. Both are solid performers. And I really thought at first that the 18mm was going to work out. But the more I shot with it the more I realized I was missing the extra 2mm, or 4mm if you add in the crop factor. Also the 56mm 1.2 is up for sale. Which I still need to list here.
With that said, I am not getting out of photography. There is some gear in bound. Those who have known me for a while. Or followed my gear switching from working seasons, like cons etc., to personal shooting can probably guess what is coming. Also I still have the X100F.
With that said, I am not getting out of photography. There is some gear in bound. Those who have known me for a while. Or followed my gear switching from working seasons, like cons etc., to personal shooting can probably guess what is coming. Also I still have the X100F.
- Location
- Seattle
- Name
- Andrew
After much thought, I've decided to let the Pentax KP go. It's hard because it's one of those cameras I know I'm going to miss, but I find I don't readily convert back to DSLR shooting. I am spoiled by compact camera dimensions and weight, as well as (apparently) EVFs. I thought I'd be more ready to enjoy a DSLR viewfinder, but maybe it's that my eyes are aging or something, but I don't enjoy that reflex-mirror view like I used to. Analogue SLRs are different, what with their huge viewfinders, but APS-C reflex viewfinders? I think I'm not a fan.
I thought I would just keep shooting the KP when it mattered, and be happy with it sitting on the shelf the rest of the time, but it's one of those cameras that makes you feel a little guilty for not using it. Whether it's that money is tied up in it (when we are looking to increase savings for the eventual purchase of a home) or just the pure photographer-guilt of not wanting to shoot with something that I nonetheless really like.
Funny enough, while I thought I wanted to upgrade the file quality of my images, and went from a 20MP M4/3 sensor to a 24MP APS-C sensor with really good high-ISO capability, I trended back in the other direction, with my digital system camera being a comfortable 16MP M4/3 body like the ones I've used for years. I don't hold any illusions about the limitations of that series of sensors: noise intrudes fairly early on, cropping is rather limited, dynamic range isn't really great. But I think it's film shooting that has turned me back on to the M4/3 cameras.
Shooting 35mm film encourages me to engage the whole frame, since it's not really conducive to cropping more than trimming edges slightly. In that way, it makes composition more important than digital, plus, I feel I can see the quirks of the optics better, since you tend to see the true center of the optics when you look at the center of an uncropped film image, and the true edges when you look outwards form the center. If there's decreased edge sharpness, vignette, swirly bokeh, etc., you can see it in the image, and I like this. "Character" as it's called.
Shooting 16MP M4/3 has a similar thing going for it. Some of the lenses have character that's recognizable (like the 20/1.7, the 17/2.8 and possibly the 25/1.8 and 45/1.8). The EVF of the EM5 mkII makes it easy to compose for the whole frame, paying attention to elements on the edges. The dynamic range forces me to shoot more to preserve one end of the exposure range than the other, usually saving highlights and allowing shadows to go dark. Unlike a more advanced sensor like the APS-C KP's, you can't expect the shadows and highlights to both be hugely flexible at the same time. M4/3 feels "organic" to me in a way that some other systems don't, even though I will admit that it's probably just my long experience and comfort level with it.
I thought I would just keep shooting the KP when it mattered, and be happy with it sitting on the shelf the rest of the time, but it's one of those cameras that makes you feel a little guilty for not using it. Whether it's that money is tied up in it (when we are looking to increase savings for the eventual purchase of a home) or just the pure photographer-guilt of not wanting to shoot with something that I nonetheless really like.
Funny enough, while I thought I wanted to upgrade the file quality of my images, and went from a 20MP M4/3 sensor to a 24MP APS-C sensor with really good high-ISO capability, I trended back in the other direction, with my digital system camera being a comfortable 16MP M4/3 body like the ones I've used for years. I don't hold any illusions about the limitations of that series of sensors: noise intrudes fairly early on, cropping is rather limited, dynamic range isn't really great. But I think it's film shooting that has turned me back on to the M4/3 cameras.
Shooting 35mm film encourages me to engage the whole frame, since it's not really conducive to cropping more than trimming edges slightly. In that way, it makes composition more important than digital, plus, I feel I can see the quirks of the optics better, since you tend to see the true center of the optics when you look at the center of an uncropped film image, and the true edges when you look outwards form the center. If there's decreased edge sharpness, vignette, swirly bokeh, etc., you can see it in the image, and I like this. "Character" as it's called.
Shooting 16MP M4/3 has a similar thing going for it. Some of the lenses have character that's recognizable (like the 20/1.7, the 17/2.8 and possibly the 25/1.8 and 45/1.8). The EVF of the EM5 mkII makes it easy to compose for the whole frame, paying attention to elements on the edges. The dynamic range forces me to shoot more to preserve one end of the exposure range than the other, usually saving highlights and allowing shadows to go dark. Unlike a more advanced sensor like the APS-C KP's, you can't expect the shadows and highlights to both be hugely flexible at the same time. M4/3 feels "organic" to me in a way that some other systems don't, even though I will admit that it's probably just my long experience and comfort level with it.
tonyturley
Legend
- Location
- Scott Depot, WV, USA
- Name
- Tony
I can relate to Bobby & Steve - I haven't been that inspired to do much photo work for some time. Some days go by that I never pick up a camera. Other days I might take a snap or two if I see something mildly interesting. Yesterday I was surprised. I put my camera in a bar bag on my bike basically out of habit, not expecting to see anything interesting. But riding at sunrise, with the sun becoming more visible through the trees, I found several spots that yielded a handful of pleasing compositions. In this case, the quirky character of the 60-ish year old Pen F lens on my X-T2 gave me a quality I could not have reproduced with a modern XF lens. It was the only working legacy lens I kept when I cleared out several boxes of photo gear some time around the end of 2019.
I've realized that I fell into an annual pattern. Having a working season part of the year. When I would sell a X-Pro2 and fujicrons to get a X-T body and either the 2.8 zooms or the larger aperture primes. Shooting events, bands, portraits, etc. Then around August, I would sell that to get a X-Pro2 with primes. Fujicrons most of the time. For vacation travel, landscapes, some portraits, and chasing my family around.
2020 and 2021 had me not actually making it far into, if at all, doing the working shoot portion of my pattern. At this point I plan to just shoot whatever comes up with the X-Pro2, or other X-Pro if that happens, and fujicron kit. Also, not actively seeking anything which would be work. I have good friends in a few bands I like to hang out with if I want to shoot performances. Plus a lot of friends and acquaintances who will be happy to do portrait collaborations. Keeping everything I shoot to stuff which is fun. If I get some bright idea around January for a new working idea. Please smack me!!!
2020 and 2021 had me not actually making it far into, if at all, doing the working shoot portion of my pattern. At this point I plan to just shoot whatever comes up with the X-Pro2, or other X-Pro if that happens, and fujicron kit. Also, not actively seeking anything which would be work. I have good friends in a few bands I like to hang out with if I want to shoot performances. Plus a lot of friends and acquaintances who will be happy to do portrait collaborations. Keeping everything I shoot to stuff which is fun. If I get some bright idea around January for a new working idea. Please smack me!!!
tonyturley
Legend
- Location
- Scott Depot, WV, USA
- Name
- Tony
Please smack you? We've all seen your photo. None of us have a death wish.
I am lusting after stupid 4500 € camera purchases (while at least I am trying to sell 2000 € worth of gear). Of course the new camera needs new lenses so add in an extra grand or three.
I could go for it if I was happy where I currently lived. Cheap living, no need for car, cheap train rides to major cities. But here I am, longing after one or another direction. All relocating and real estate woes will mean major expenses and downpayments (associated with new debts) which is why I just can't do anything but to bite my hand.
Probably the best thing ever to have these sorts of relocation woes. May they ever continue!
I could go for it if I was happy where I currently lived. Cheap living, no need for car, cheap train rides to major cities. But here I am, longing after one or another direction. All relocating and real estate woes will mean major expenses and downpayments (associated with new debts) which is why I just can't do anything but to bite my hand.
Probably the best thing ever to have these sorts of relocation woes. May they ever continue!
- Location
- Beaumaris, Melbourne, Australia
- Name
- John ...
Mike, I don't know, but maybe you should re-examine your priorities?I am lusting after stupid 4500 € camera purchases (while at least I am trying to sell 2000 € worth of gear). Of course the new camera needs new lenses so add in an extra grand or three.
I could go for it if I was happy where I currently lived. Cheap living, no need for car, cheap train rides to major cities. But here I am, longing after one or another direction. All relocating and real estate woes will mean major expenses and downpayments (associated with new debts) which is why I just can't do anything but to bite my hand.
Probably the best thing ever to have these sorts of relocation woes. May they ever continue!
Self introspection is hard, let's go shopping!!!
- Location
- Beaumaris, Melbourne, Australia
- Name
- John ...
Yes, it is.However, it is the duty of the old (and buggered!) like me, to pass on what little wisdom we have gained, so that the young can make different mistakes from the ones my generation made ...
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