When I was still shooting Canon, at the end before the switch to Fuji. I had three bodies and five lenses. A pair of 1Dmk2's and a 1Dmk3. With a Canon 24mm 1.4, Canon 24mm tilt shift, then the substitute holy trinity of Sigma 35mm 1.4, Sigma 85mm 1.4, and Canon 135 f2. The trinity lenses were for weddings and events. The 24L was for everyday stuff and landscapes. The 24mm tilt shift I used for urban exploring, cemeteries, and some landscape stuff.
When I first switched to Fuji I couldn't duplicate this kit, speaking in focal lengths. The 56mm hadn't been released yet. The 16mm and 90mm were still a long way off at the time(2014). So I adapted using the 18mm f2, 23mm 1.4, and 35mm 1.4. Trying the 18-55/55-200 pair on occasion. Then jumping on the 56mm when it was released. I also shot with some vintage lenses, including doing a wedding for a local indie filmmaker on all vintage glass. When the 16mm and 90mm were eventually released I added those. And all was right in the world. For a while.
During all of this time I was part of a very good media crew, shooting weddings, and had several regular events that I shot. On top of that, I was doing a lot of behind the scenes work. Coming to the end of 2017, nearly all of that came to an end. This is also the time we first discovered we were going to have 10-12 trees removed. So given the expense of that, we made no plans to travel in 2018. I didn't realize it at the time, but it left me in a confused photographic funk. While I still did reviews to see what, if any, changes I needed to make in kit. Also, the behind the scenes work I thought I was going to pick up, fell through. Which, in hindsight made the funk worse. If I remember right, I wound up selling a bunch of stuff and going to just the fujicrons and one body. Trying the minimalist route. I also had to sell my 16 at the time to help fund a jeep repair.
I think what first started snapping me out was digging out my lights and trying to get better at portraiture. And I got a few events lined up. Also I started shooting musicians again. Once I had focus, things started to move forward. As that was happening we came to the end of five years of negotiations at my day job. So along with new direction, I got a raise. Which meant traveling again, and gear money.
Que my inner gear whore!!
I immediately started hunting deals on everything. My portrait work hit a point where I was ready to upgrade lighting and modifiers. Along with that, I knew what gear I needed and why I needed it. So, I will now have a very similar kit to where I left off with Canon. There is the 23/56/90 combo for events, musicians, and behind the scenes work I stumble into. I have the 16mm for personal stuff, cemeteries, landscapes, exploring, etc. And the 35 along with the 23/56/90 for portrait work. My lighting has jumped up to a pair AD600's with an AD/Evolv 200 for lighting with several great modifiers. Two bodies with five lenses. I'm really happy and at peace with my work and my kit.
So, my question for everyone, if you're still with me. Has this ever happened to you? Does anyone else go through funks, or phases, where you just can't seem to get happy with your photos or your kit?
When I first switched to Fuji I couldn't duplicate this kit, speaking in focal lengths. The 56mm hadn't been released yet. The 16mm and 90mm were still a long way off at the time(2014). So I adapted using the 18mm f2, 23mm 1.4, and 35mm 1.4. Trying the 18-55/55-200 pair on occasion. Then jumping on the 56mm when it was released. I also shot with some vintage lenses, including doing a wedding for a local indie filmmaker on all vintage glass. When the 16mm and 90mm were eventually released I added those. And all was right in the world. For a while.
During all of this time I was part of a very good media crew, shooting weddings, and had several regular events that I shot. On top of that, I was doing a lot of behind the scenes work. Coming to the end of 2017, nearly all of that came to an end. This is also the time we first discovered we were going to have 10-12 trees removed. So given the expense of that, we made no plans to travel in 2018. I didn't realize it at the time, but it left me in a confused photographic funk. While I still did reviews to see what, if any, changes I needed to make in kit. Also, the behind the scenes work I thought I was going to pick up, fell through. Which, in hindsight made the funk worse. If I remember right, I wound up selling a bunch of stuff and going to just the fujicrons and one body. Trying the minimalist route. I also had to sell my 16 at the time to help fund a jeep repair.
I think what first started snapping me out was digging out my lights and trying to get better at portraiture. And I got a few events lined up. Also I started shooting musicians again. Once I had focus, things started to move forward. As that was happening we came to the end of five years of negotiations at my day job. So along with new direction, I got a raise. Which meant traveling again, and gear money.
Que my inner gear whore!!
I immediately started hunting deals on everything. My portrait work hit a point where I was ready to upgrade lighting and modifiers. Along with that, I knew what gear I needed and why I needed it. So, I will now have a very similar kit to where I left off with Canon. There is the 23/56/90 combo for events, musicians, and behind the scenes work I stumble into. I have the 16mm for personal stuff, cemeteries, landscapes, exploring, etc. And the 35 along with the 23/56/90 for portrait work. My lighting has jumped up to a pair AD600's with an AD/Evolv 200 for lighting with several great modifiers. Two bodies with five lenses. I'm really happy and at peace with my work and my kit.
So, my question for everyone, if you're still with me. Has this ever happened to you? Does anyone else go through funks, or phases, where you just can't seem to get happy with your photos or your kit?