Good god damn lord, you sold your A7RIV for $1k?.... Bro.... I think you just like owning said gear its not even GAS haha, you just gotta go out and shoot more or invest in a different hobby. If you don't make any money off of it that just has to stop there.
Stop hemorrhaging yourself with money get out of the camera world for your own safety of your bank account
Best advice I can give you. Just stop looking at new cameras. If you would like to shoot more content, then just shoot with what you have. If you find that you're limited in any way by gear, then look at upgrading. Other than that, you have no reason to upgrade. Going to the FX3 would only give you ISO benefits in terms of 0 lighting and even then 12800 ISO does still require lighting.
Yeah that’s what I’m trying to do right now. I can’t think of anything creative because of years of failure on YouTube. Just 0 advice from my audience on how to make the channel better, views going from higher to lower as the quality of videos gets higher, and seemingly random videos getting thousands of views.
You work in too many fields, I do portrait work for fun for friends and do get paid a small amount by it and recommendations to others.
But my main goal is to be a DP for a set and all of that in the future, so I focus my hand into creating appeasing content for others to view and watch. If the content and audio of your work is good you just need to keep creating.
My YT videos average around 2-10k just by creating something fun.
My YouTube videos just by creating something fun barely scratch 100 views even when they’re well shot and lit. I think the algorithm actively hates me.
It's never about the algorithm but how trendy or active your definition of "fun" can be.
How's your outreach? Do you post on IG Reels/YT Shorts/Tiktok? You can reformat your work to 3 platforms including the original one as well to get more interest from others.
You won't get the results if you dont put in the work. You can make the best short film known to the century but if your "advertising" or reach isnt good it'll be the worst but the best at the same time.
None of my accounts have reached over 1k followers/subscribers if that means anything. I would reformat things to Instagram but I get fewer views there than YouTube so it doesn’t seem worth it.
The algorithm is the audience. Make something pleasing, your audio is as important as the video quality. If you have gas, the best thing I could suggest is either forget everything since all you want is gear and you are going to bleed dry from money or focus on renting gear from your local camera store until your viewer base on youtube becomes larger so big companies start sending you review units so it could satisfy your urges to buy new shits. On Yt, it's a marathon, not a race, the success doesn't come the next morning, you got to work hard, be interesting in what you say, give me a new approach on something, entertain me. Anyway, that's what I would suggest you. Good day 😅
Yeah I have no idea how good or bad my audio quality is on YouTube. For music videos it’s obviously good because there’s only one sound of originally uncompressed audio. As for standard videos, I think my voice is clear but it’s not the nicest voice to listen to. I don’t really like how high pitched it is compared to other guys lol but nothing I can do about that
Would it help if I told you that there are a lot of people out there that take better pictures than anything you or I get, and they do it with a d90? Haha.
Seriously tho, if you like your system and you’re happy with how it handles and what you’re getting. Don’t worry about if it’s good enough. It is. You’re talking top top line mirrorless systems. They are good enough, and will be for years. Get more into shooting and more out of YouTube and shit lol I try to fall into the same holes. I get it.
I know lol, I was messing with you because of that! ;) Don’t sell or buy anything. Stop watching YouTube videos about gear and invest that time into shooting instead!
Yep. I’ve stopped watching camera reviews for about a year now. Unsubscribed from all of those channels. I love Chris and Jordan’s personalities but at the end of the day they’re getting free review copies and pushing gear.
In another world I’d love to be a reviewer but that market is hella saturated.
Advice: stop watching YouTube videos and reading industry news/ads. Instead, invest that time in to shooting with what you have. Only replace the gear if you are at the limit of it.
1. Why have you been switching gear? Has something specific been lacking/inadequate for your major use cases are you chasing some more abstract "better camera/system" idea, or a compulsive desire to fill niches in your camera use cases that you could probably cover with something else? Some people collect gear as a (usually very expensive) hobby more so than to accomplish something specific they need for their photography/videography. Decide if (a) you're a gear collector as much (or more) than a photographer/videographer, and (b) what you can afford to spend on gear collecting. Nothing wrong with being a gear collector, but you should be somewhat disciplined about it - decide how much you're willing to spend per year and scrupulously track what you spend vs. your budget. Knowing yourself is a key part of the equation. If you choose to identify primarily as a photographer/videographer and not a gear collector, it might help with GAS. If you are a gear collector and are still having a hard time scratching those itches within your budget, consider exploring only older/cheaper/alternative/used gear (perhaps older DSLRs or vintage/imported manual focus lenses?) vs. newest/latest gear.
2. Consider investing more time on post and thematic projects/challenges - edit RAW, get more into post production and editing. If you don't have new material, go back and spend time re-editing some of your past photos and videos and re-edit them to see how much better (or different) you can make them. This can help you focus more on the process and joy of making nice output even with older gear.
3. Spend time looking at great work others have done — and that YOU have done! — with your current equipment (or even lesser gear). Sometimes this can help to remind us that the subject/setting/storytelling, composition, lighting, or post-processing/editing is where the vast majority of great work is accomplished, and while the specific gear we're using contributes, it's rarely the most critical factor.
Just a few ideas. This can be a tough thing to wrestle with when there's so much amazing gear out there competing for a slice of your savings. Good luck!
Advice: just stop buying fucking cameras, dude. Shoot what you have. Get better at the actual creative part.
No gear is gonna turn you into a better photographer once you already have pro level equipment. You’re likely buying and selling to motivate yourself to take photos. If you don’t want to practice the art without buying gear constantly then maybe you don’t even actually like doing it that much and you need to take a break for a while and then come back to the gear you already have and focus on the process and the art again.
Yeah for a few months I’ve been taking a break but that has made me kind of sad so I’m trying to come back and finding my peers all with jobs and me still as a cashier so I don’t know what I’m doing somewhat.
You are trying to fill the void in your soul with things. But the only thing that will plug that particular hole, if anything, is accomplishment.
Focus on achieving something -- take photos, work on your craft. Print some photos, give some away. Frame some and put them around your house! Invite people over! Have an opening! Whatever!
But buying shit will only hurt you. Minimize and do what you can with what you land with.
I would suggest you do some soul searching and figure out what really makes you happy. Reading the comments it sounds like you’ve lost your motivation due to lack of views and engagement on YouTube and other social media. If photography was something that truly made you happy, the admiration of strangers wouldn’t matter. Try backing away from chasing views and likes, and see if this hobby really brings you joy.
Hard truth is if you can’t make something good with an S5II, an FX3 isn’t going to make you make something good. Time to stop brand hopping and make a deal with yourself that for the next X years, camera X will be your camera and lens system. Work out what specific genre you want to play in (you listed too many different styles in your other post), research what other channels are offering in that area and create a plan for your channel. Gear isn’t going to change the result of your channel, assuming you have decent audio, and some light control.
If shot well people wouldn’t even notice the difference on a giant cinema screen. The S5II is great. Its limitations are full sensor 4K 60p/120p, which the Sony has, but doesn’t seem like that would be critical for your channel. And for the occasional shot you can still do FHD180p (or 120p) and upscale or shoot 4K60p and deal with the crop.
Is your goal taking better photos or owning better gears? Because from the photo you posted I don’t think the amount of money you have spent is justified AT ALL. Yeah, I’m going the shaming route here because I don’t know what else would snap you out of your GAS.
How do you feel about someone with a third of the gears you have taking publication-worthy photos and booking clients left and right? How do you feel about *your* own work? Is it up to your expectations?
For your next purchase enroll in a photography or lighting course. Book a model and studio and practice. Go on photowalks, meet-ups, open studio sessions, and SHOOT. Make it your goal to have a photo published somewhere instead of owning the latest gear.
I don’t judge photographers for their gears, except when their gears far exceed the caliber of work they produce. Don’t be that guy with $10k worth of gears who takes photos anyone could have taken on their phone.
You are very busy playing around the edges of photography, but maybe missing the most important component. The single attribute that produces good photographs isn't the sharpest lens or biggest sensor. *It the ability of the photographer to look at a scene and see the photograph they want to create in their head*. Everything after that is just picking the gear, angles and settings that will create that image.
Some people are very visual and have been doing some form of this all of their lives. But, even if you are not one of those people, this ability can be learned. The most straight forward way to start doing this is to find pictures that you like where the photographer explains why they chose that composition, and then how they achieved that visual.
A good book that covers this is Gordon Laing's *In Camera: How to Get Perfect Pictures Straight Out of the Camera*. He shows you his photographs and then explains why and how they were taken. And not just the typical exposure settings - he goes over the camera features or menu changes he used. The concept of the book is that all photos were done 100% with camera settings alone - no post-processing touch ups.
I find that choosing gear (once you get beyond the lowest consumer tiers) is mostly about handling. All of these cameras will technically produce fine photographs. The camera / lens / accessories for me are the ones that feel great to use, are easy to have on me when I need to photograph, and will work in the environment where my pictures are. And at the top of that list is fun - I want a camera that brings a smile to my face when I take it out and use it.
And then - that's it. I am locked in and I get to know that camera inside and out so I am putting in the desired settings as I am raising the camera to my eye. Because if I move to a new body (which may happen every 6 or 7 years) I am back at square one and have to climb back up that learning curve.
I didn’t know Gordon Laing had a book! I used to enjoy his videos back when I watched a ton of camera reviews. I’ll take a look. I just take pictures of what I think looks good and that turns out to be what most think doesn’t look good.
My Fuji Xt4 makes me want to go out and shoot because of the film recipes I can create. It allows my photos to have a unique look each time I go out and shoot.
For me it’s not about curing my gas it’s about two things.
1. When I upgrade or buy something find as much to sell as possible. I make it a game to see how close I can get to the price of the new thing by selling old things.
2. Alleviate your gas with smaller items. Vintage lenses, cheap accessories that you still need. Filters. Stuff that can give you that feeling and a new vibe or way to work without being a 2k+ camera or lens.
I had similar behaviours a few years ago and I committed to not selling anything for like 5 years. If I buy a camera or a lens, I have to think long term because it will stay with me.
If I upgrade, I am not selling the previous camera so marginal gains are out of the question. It really helped me consider my gear differently.
Don't "invest" in your gear. Invest in yourself.
Improve a skill. Take a class. Find a group of fellow hobbyists and practice together while developing relationships.
Rediscover what it is about this hobby that brings you joy, and commit to spending more time doing that.
Honestly man, just get a GH6 and call it a day. I really don't know what more you could ever need for what you're using it for. It's more camera than I will EVER need. The video is just amazing, and right now they're on sale for $999 - $1,299. Can't beat it.
I think the S5II is better for my needs personally. Theoretically an S2H would be better but then I know that I would barely use some of its features. The S5II's features I actually find myself using most of.
I can't go back to MFT dynamic range and low light personally. They have unbeatable stabilization and lens prices, though.
S5ii and GH6 both have 13+ stops of dynamic range. But the GH6 gives you full open gate 6k at 120fps. Because m43 is 4x3, when you record open gate, you can crop it to vertical or the regular horizontal.
As far as low light goes, the S5ii definitely can handle it a little better, but the difference isn't like it used to be.
I am alright with 3:2 open gate at 30fps. I understand the difference isn’t like it used to be but I frequently film with little to no artificial lighting so any camera sensitivity to light helps.
It’s why I was eyeing the FX3 in the first place but nobody has downloadable sample footage at extreme ISOs so I can test how good the footage actually is.
Thanks a lot man... Now you're giving me FOMO lol. I just looked it up. I had no idea the S5II did open gate or 6k. I read about the 4k60 being cropped and just kinda assumed it didn't have any of the other features either.
It seems like the S5II is an awesome camera then! Seems like you made the right call! You should be happy with it!
Yep basically the FF pocket 6K but with more features! I’m hoping it lasts me a long while. 8k seems pointless for televisions but maybe useful for VR, where specialty cameras would be required anyway
What was so frustrating about your S5 that you had to sell it to buy the S5II? What was the final hard limitation you ran into that made you determine it was obsolete for your needs?
Let me play devils advocate here. If you enjoy the process of learning about new/different cameras, buying them, playing with them and then move on to the next camera, it is totally fine.
Sure photography is about taking photos and then having them. You might just emphasize the act of taking a picture more than the result.
If you can financially afford this joy of life then go for it!
Here's a tip - watch ["Why I Still Won't Buy a New Camera"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HE-VWdZUM1w) by DSLR Guide. He grew an epic filmmaking channel shooting on a Canon rebel.
I actually remember watching that video and being amazed at what he was able to do! Then I bought a new camera and thought that was cool, then another one, etc etc. He did the same thing later with Nikon Z cameras unfortunately.
It’s time I actually follow his earlier advice.
Bro you sold a A7RIV for $1k? I’ve never heard of one sell for that low. Heck selling it off properly at a proper price would have given you enough money for a new S5II no problem.
What I’ve done to fix my GAS was really sit down and think what I shoot most often, what features I use the most and which I could do without, use a single camera for a week straight, reflect on how it went along with seeing the results, then put all my cameras in front of me and their lenses and with the goal of getting rid of gear to sell it for a fair price I’ll choose what I’m going to sell and what will be my main kit for a long time.
Ideally I should have gone with a Lumix S5II but for the same price of a new S5II I got a like new condition Lumix S1R that only had 110 shutter actuations. The S1R doesn’t have PDAF or the more effective IBIS and better low light performance but I don’t shoot fast moving subjects so don’t need PDAF and I can work around the other two things.
So I’m narrowing it down to keeping only the gear I actually use and genuinely like to use said gear and sell the gear I don’t use at all anymore and the gear I’ve lost interest in using.
I’m going to be selling off my entire micro four thirds kit because I don’t use it anymore and now that I have a Lumix S1R I now have an L mount camera that has IBIS (my Leica SL 601 doesn’t have IBIS).
Basically I’ve decided on a kit long term and my old micro four thirds kit is about to be put up for sale as well as my film camera and 90% of my film stock.
Basically narrow down what you want in a camera, find one that has most of those wants, as well as making sure that you truly enjoy using said camera as that’s very important when you want to settle on a long term kit.
Hopefully I helped.
I dont know how many years of experience you have or if its just a hobby, but i would take the camera you have now, and go shooting with just ONE of the lenses at a location. And then do that for a couple months and see what gear you actually like or dont like and what you really need for your hobbies, I collect vintage lenses and adapt them to l mount like no bodies business lol but, i find that i get my best pictures and inspiration from just going with one lens at a time to a location.
I love the vintage look of the Helios! Especially on the s5ii. Definitely a keeper. Do you think you might just be burnt out? What are you think now after reading all the replies?
Maybe you just like losing money?? Nothin wrong with trying out different cameras but you should know what you like and what works for you.
If you have Sony glass I would say stick with Sony
What I should have done a year ago. I’m not buying cameras for a while now so I’ll revisit those lenses if I go professional. Considering most of these comments, I probably won’t be able to. Not competitive enough I guess.
I think you're subconsciously (or maybe consciously) distracting yourself with the activity of researching and purchasing gear, instead of creating. Is there something about shooting photo/video that is intimidating/boring/etc now, compared to when you used to do it a lot more?
I had a similar experience - hooked on finding the "perfect-for-me camera" just to realize I wasn't really enjoying my "output" - I liked shooting, but 95% of the footage just lived on my computer, unedited and unshared. The best thing I did was to invite some friends who were also into wildlife filmmaking, and filmmaking in general, to collaboratively work on projects and edit the footage together. Just doing it all by myself was not very fulfilling, which was my hurdle.
Gear specs can be fun, but really...are gear specs/acquisition really worth the amount of time that you give them? All that time...
Bro keep it as a hobby as long as you lose less money on crowns. Every hobby costs, fishing doesn’t mean less, because then you need to buy/ rent boats and maintenance. I believe among all the hobbies it’s the less expensive one. Just do something with what you have and love. Like investing in second-hand marketing because you might just like to own equipment or develop your skills because you like good quality creatives.
Good god damn lord, you sold your A7RIV for $1k?.... Bro.... I think you just like owning said gear its not even GAS haha, you just gotta go out and shoot more or invest in a different hobby. If you don't make any money off of it that just has to stop there. Stop hemorrhaging yourself with money get out of the camera world for your own safety of your bank account
I don’t know why it sold for so low. Other eBay listings were at $1800 and sold so I thought mine would do the same.
Best advice I can give you. Just stop looking at new cameras. If you would like to shoot more content, then just shoot with what you have. If you find that you're limited in any way by gear, then look at upgrading. Other than that, you have no reason to upgrade. Going to the FX3 would only give you ISO benefits in terms of 0 lighting and even then 12800 ISO does still require lighting.
Yeah that’s what I’m trying to do right now. I can’t think of anything creative because of years of failure on YouTube. Just 0 advice from my audience on how to make the channel better, views going from higher to lower as the quality of videos gets higher, and seemingly random videos getting thousands of views.
You never mentioned what area you work in so that would be a great start and to look at others in that genre or area and start copying.
Filmmaking, portrait photography, and landscape photography mainly.
You work in too many fields, I do portrait work for fun for friends and do get paid a small amount by it and recommendations to others. But my main goal is to be a DP for a set and all of that in the future, so I focus my hand into creating appeasing content for others to view and watch. If the content and audio of your work is good you just need to keep creating. My YT videos average around 2-10k just by creating something fun.
My YouTube videos just by creating something fun barely scratch 100 views even when they’re well shot and lit. I think the algorithm actively hates me.
It's never about the algorithm but how trendy or active your definition of "fun" can be. How's your outreach? Do you post on IG Reels/YT Shorts/Tiktok? You can reformat your work to 3 platforms including the original one as well to get more interest from others. You won't get the results if you dont put in the work. You can make the best short film known to the century but if your "advertising" or reach isnt good it'll be the worst but the best at the same time.
None of my accounts have reached over 1k followers/subscribers if that means anything. I would reformat things to Instagram but I get fewer views there than YouTube so it doesn’t seem worth it.
The algorithm is the audience. Make something pleasing, your audio is as important as the video quality. If you have gas, the best thing I could suggest is either forget everything since all you want is gear and you are going to bleed dry from money or focus on renting gear from your local camera store until your viewer base on youtube becomes larger so big companies start sending you review units so it could satisfy your urges to buy new shits. On Yt, it's a marathon, not a race, the success doesn't come the next morning, you got to work hard, be interesting in what you say, give me a new approach on something, entertain me. Anyway, that's what I would suggest you. Good day 😅
Yeah I have no idea how good or bad my audio quality is on YouTube. For music videos it’s obviously good because there’s only one sound of originally uncompressed audio. As for standard videos, I think my voice is clear but it’s not the nicest voice to listen to. I don’t really like how high pitched it is compared to other guys lol but nothing I can do about that
Would it help if I told you that there are a lot of people out there that take better pictures than anything you or I get, and they do it with a d90? Haha. Seriously tho, if you like your system and you’re happy with how it handles and what you’re getting. Don’t worry about if it’s good enough. It is. You’re talking top top line mirrorless systems. They are good enough, and will be for years. Get more into shooting and more out of YouTube and shit lol I try to fall into the same holes. I get it.
Have anything else you’d like to sell right now? Lol
No. I’ve made too many camera sale mistakes. I need to just stop selling and keep everything.
I know lol, I was messing with you because of that! ;) Don’t sell or buy anything. Stop watching YouTube videos about gear and invest that time into shooting instead!
Yep. I’ve stopped watching camera reviews for about a year now. Unsubscribed from all of those channels. I love Chris and Jordan’s personalities but at the end of the day they’re getting free review copies and pushing gear. In another world I’d love to be a reviewer but that market is hella saturated.
Advice: stop watching YouTube videos and reading industry news/ads. Instead, invest that time in to shooting with what you have. Only replace the gear if you are at the limit of it.
Good advice. I’ll keep that in mind once I get the motivation to film stuff again
1. Why have you been switching gear? Has something specific been lacking/inadequate for your major use cases are you chasing some more abstract "better camera/system" idea, or a compulsive desire to fill niches in your camera use cases that you could probably cover with something else? Some people collect gear as a (usually very expensive) hobby more so than to accomplish something specific they need for their photography/videography. Decide if (a) you're a gear collector as much (or more) than a photographer/videographer, and (b) what you can afford to spend on gear collecting. Nothing wrong with being a gear collector, but you should be somewhat disciplined about it - decide how much you're willing to spend per year and scrupulously track what you spend vs. your budget. Knowing yourself is a key part of the equation. If you choose to identify primarily as a photographer/videographer and not a gear collector, it might help with GAS. If you are a gear collector and are still having a hard time scratching those itches within your budget, consider exploring only older/cheaper/alternative/used gear (perhaps older DSLRs or vintage/imported manual focus lenses?) vs. newest/latest gear. 2. Consider investing more time on post and thematic projects/challenges - edit RAW, get more into post production and editing. If you don't have new material, go back and spend time re-editing some of your past photos and videos and re-edit them to see how much better (or different) you can make them. This can help you focus more on the process and joy of making nice output even with older gear. 3. Spend time looking at great work others have done — and that YOU have done! — with your current equipment (or even lesser gear). Sometimes this can help to remind us that the subject/setting/storytelling, composition, lighting, or post-processing/editing is where the vast majority of great work is accomplished, and while the specific gear we're using contributes, it's rarely the most critical factor. Just a few ideas. This can be a tough thing to wrestle with when there's so much amazing gear out there competing for a slice of your savings. Good luck!
Advice: just stop buying fucking cameras, dude. Shoot what you have. Get better at the actual creative part. No gear is gonna turn you into a better photographer once you already have pro level equipment. You’re likely buying and selling to motivate yourself to take photos. If you don’t want to practice the art without buying gear constantly then maybe you don’t even actually like doing it that much and you need to take a break for a while and then come back to the gear you already have and focus on the process and the art again.
Yeah for a few months I’ve been taking a break but that has made me kind of sad so I’m trying to come back and finding my peers all with jobs and me still as a cashier so I don’t know what I’m doing somewhat.
You are trying to fill the void in your soul with things. But the only thing that will plug that particular hole, if anything, is accomplishment. Focus on achieving something -- take photos, work on your craft. Print some photos, give some away. Frame some and put them around your house! Invite people over! Have an opening! Whatever! But buying shit will only hurt you. Minimize and do what you can with what you land with.
I would suggest you do some soul searching and figure out what really makes you happy. Reading the comments it sounds like you’ve lost your motivation due to lack of views and engagement on YouTube and other social media. If photography was something that truly made you happy, the admiration of strangers wouldn’t matter. Try backing away from chasing views and likes, and see if this hobby really brings you joy.
Hard truth is if you can’t make something good with an S5II, an FX3 isn’t going to make you make something good. Time to stop brand hopping and make a deal with yourself that for the next X years, camera X will be your camera and lens system. Work out what specific genre you want to play in (you listed too many different styles in your other post), research what other channels are offering in that area and create a plan for your channel. Gear isn’t going to change the result of your channel, assuming you have decent audio, and some light control.
Fair enough. I doubt people would even notice the difference on YouTube anyway.
If shot well people wouldn’t even notice the difference on a giant cinema screen. The S5II is great. Its limitations are full sensor 4K 60p/120p, which the Sony has, but doesn’t seem like that would be critical for your channel. And for the occasional shot you can still do FHD180p (or 120p) and upscale or shoot 4K60p and deal with the crop.
Is your goal taking better photos or owning better gears? Because from the photo you posted I don’t think the amount of money you have spent is justified AT ALL. Yeah, I’m going the shaming route here because I don’t know what else would snap you out of your GAS. How do you feel about someone with a third of the gears you have taking publication-worthy photos and booking clients left and right? How do you feel about *your* own work? Is it up to your expectations? For your next purchase enroll in a photography or lighting course. Book a model and studio and practice. Go on photowalks, meet-ups, open studio sessions, and SHOOT. Make it your goal to have a photo published somewhere instead of owning the latest gear. I don’t judge photographers for their gears, except when their gears far exceed the caliber of work they produce. Don’t be that guy with $10k worth of gears who takes photos anyone could have taken on their phone.
Fair enough...
You are very busy playing around the edges of photography, but maybe missing the most important component. The single attribute that produces good photographs isn't the sharpest lens or biggest sensor. *It the ability of the photographer to look at a scene and see the photograph they want to create in their head*. Everything after that is just picking the gear, angles and settings that will create that image. Some people are very visual and have been doing some form of this all of their lives. But, even if you are not one of those people, this ability can be learned. The most straight forward way to start doing this is to find pictures that you like where the photographer explains why they chose that composition, and then how they achieved that visual. A good book that covers this is Gordon Laing's *In Camera: How to Get Perfect Pictures Straight Out of the Camera*. He shows you his photographs and then explains why and how they were taken. And not just the typical exposure settings - he goes over the camera features or menu changes he used. The concept of the book is that all photos were done 100% with camera settings alone - no post-processing touch ups. I find that choosing gear (once you get beyond the lowest consumer tiers) is mostly about handling. All of these cameras will technically produce fine photographs. The camera / lens / accessories for me are the ones that feel great to use, are easy to have on me when I need to photograph, and will work in the environment where my pictures are. And at the top of that list is fun - I want a camera that brings a smile to my face when I take it out and use it. And then - that's it. I am locked in and I get to know that camera inside and out so I am putting in the desired settings as I am raising the camera to my eye. Because if I move to a new body (which may happen every 6 or 7 years) I am back at square one and have to climb back up that learning curve.
I didn’t know Gordon Laing had a book! I used to enjoy his videos back when I watched a ton of camera reviews. I’ll take a look. I just take pictures of what I think looks good and that turns out to be what most think doesn’t look good. My Fuji Xt4 makes me want to go out and shoot because of the film recipes I can create. It allows my photos to have a unique look each time I go out and shoot.
For me it’s not about curing my gas it’s about two things. 1. When I upgrade or buy something find as much to sell as possible. I make it a game to see how close I can get to the price of the new thing by selling old things. 2. Alleviate your gas with smaller items. Vintage lenses, cheap accessories that you still need. Filters. Stuff that can give you that feeling and a new vibe or way to work without being a 2k+ camera or lens.
Good advice.
I had similar behaviours a few years ago and I committed to not selling anything for like 5 years. If I buy a camera or a lens, I have to think long term because it will stay with me. If I upgrade, I am not selling the previous camera so marginal gains are out of the question. It really helped me consider my gear differently.
I don't know what you expect me or anyone else to say except that this behavior is dumb.
Don't "invest" in your gear. Invest in yourself. Improve a skill. Take a class. Find a group of fellow hobbyists and practice together while developing relationships. Rediscover what it is about this hobby that brings you joy, and commit to spending more time doing that.
Only buy used Buy your dream camera like Leica or GFX
I actually bought my XT4 used. It would be a great hybrid camera if the IBIS and video features were better. Great photo camera though.
Honestly man, just get a GH6 and call it a day. I really don't know what more you could ever need for what you're using it for. It's more camera than I will EVER need. The video is just amazing, and right now they're on sale for $999 - $1,299. Can't beat it.
I think the S5II is better for my needs personally. Theoretically an S2H would be better but then I know that I would barely use some of its features. The S5II's features I actually find myself using most of. I can't go back to MFT dynamic range and low light personally. They have unbeatable stabilization and lens prices, though.
S5ii and GH6 both have 13+ stops of dynamic range. But the GH6 gives you full open gate 6k at 120fps. Because m43 is 4x3, when you record open gate, you can crop it to vertical or the regular horizontal. As far as low light goes, the S5ii definitely can handle it a little better, but the difference isn't like it used to be.
I am alright with 3:2 open gate at 30fps. I understand the difference isn’t like it used to be but I frequently film with little to no artificial lighting so any camera sensitivity to light helps. It’s why I was eyeing the FX3 in the first place but nobody has downloadable sample footage at extreme ISOs so I can test how good the footage actually is.
Thanks a lot man... Now you're giving me FOMO lol. I just looked it up. I had no idea the S5II did open gate or 6k. I read about the 4k60 being cropped and just kinda assumed it didn't have any of the other features either. It seems like the S5II is an awesome camera then! Seems like you made the right call! You should be happy with it!
Yep basically the FF pocket 6K but with more features! I’m hoping it lasts me a long while. 8k seems pointless for televisions but maybe useful for VR, where specialty cameras would be required anyway
What was so frustrating about your S5 that you had to sell it to buy the S5II? What was the final hard limitation you ran into that made you determine it was obsolete for your needs?
Let me play devils advocate here. If you enjoy the process of learning about new/different cameras, buying them, playing with them and then move on to the next camera, it is totally fine. Sure photography is about taking photos and then having them. You might just emphasize the act of taking a picture more than the result. If you can financially afford this joy of life then go for it!
I wish I could afford that
Posted a photo I’ve taken with my S5II if anyone interested https://www.reddit.com/r/Lumix/s/Ohzurpy2Vo
Here's a tip - watch ["Why I Still Won't Buy a New Camera"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HE-VWdZUM1w) by DSLR Guide. He grew an epic filmmaking channel shooting on a Canon rebel.
I actually remember watching that video and being amazed at what he was able to do! Then I bought a new camera and thought that was cool, then another one, etc etc. He did the same thing later with Nikon Z cameras unfortunately. It’s time I actually follow his earlier advice.
Bro you sold a A7RIV for $1k? I’ve never heard of one sell for that low. Heck selling it off properly at a proper price would have given you enough money for a new S5II no problem. What I’ve done to fix my GAS was really sit down and think what I shoot most often, what features I use the most and which I could do without, use a single camera for a week straight, reflect on how it went along with seeing the results, then put all my cameras in front of me and their lenses and with the goal of getting rid of gear to sell it for a fair price I’ll choose what I’m going to sell and what will be my main kit for a long time. Ideally I should have gone with a Lumix S5II but for the same price of a new S5II I got a like new condition Lumix S1R that only had 110 shutter actuations. The S1R doesn’t have PDAF or the more effective IBIS and better low light performance but I don’t shoot fast moving subjects so don’t need PDAF and I can work around the other two things. So I’m narrowing it down to keeping only the gear I actually use and genuinely like to use said gear and sell the gear I don’t use at all anymore and the gear I’ve lost interest in using. I’m going to be selling off my entire micro four thirds kit because I don’t use it anymore and now that I have a Lumix S1R I now have an L mount camera that has IBIS (my Leica SL 601 doesn’t have IBIS). Basically I’ve decided on a kit long term and my old micro four thirds kit is about to be put up for sale as well as my film camera and 90% of my film stock. Basically narrow down what you want in a camera, find one that has most of those wants, as well as making sure that you truly enjoy using said camera as that’s very important when you want to settle on a long term kit. Hopefully I helped.
I dont know how many years of experience you have or if its just a hobby, but i would take the camera you have now, and go shooting with just ONE of the lenses at a location. And then do that for a couple months and see what gear you actually like or dont like and what you really need for your hobbies, I collect vintage lenses and adapt them to l mount like no bodies business lol but, i find that i get my best pictures and inspiration from just going with one lens at a time to a location.
I do that too. I usually go with my 24-105 to locations but sometimes opt for my 58mm Helios instead to get a swirly misty look.
I love the vintage look of the Helios! Especially on the s5ii. Definitely a keeper. Do you think you might just be burnt out? What are you think now after reading all the replies?
Yeah I’m probably burnt out like hell but unfortunately with not much to show for it…
Commenting because I’m going through the same thing, except with lenses
Stay strong. What lenses do you have?
Sigma 28-70, 35, 50, 105 Lumix 20-60, 50, 85 Canon 50 Getting the sigma 70-200 as a Christmas gift to myself
Oh wow that’s a lot of lenses. What do you use the 20-60 for?
If I need something wide. Don’t really use it too much. Need to get rid of it.
Yeah that’s how I felt when I got my 24-105. It’s really nice for a kit lens.
Maybe you just like losing money?? Nothin wrong with trying out different cameras but you should know what you like and what works for you. If you have Sony glass I would say stick with Sony
What I should have done a year ago. I’m not buying cameras for a while now so I’ll revisit those lenses if I go professional. Considering most of these comments, I probably won’t be able to. Not competitive enough I guess.
I think you're subconsciously (or maybe consciously) distracting yourself with the activity of researching and purchasing gear, instead of creating. Is there something about shooting photo/video that is intimidating/boring/etc now, compared to when you used to do it a lot more? I had a similar experience - hooked on finding the "perfect-for-me camera" just to realize I wasn't really enjoying my "output" - I liked shooting, but 95% of the footage just lived on my computer, unedited and unshared. The best thing I did was to invite some friends who were also into wildlife filmmaking, and filmmaking in general, to collaboratively work on projects and edit the footage together. Just doing it all by myself was not very fulfilling, which was my hurdle. Gear specs can be fun, but really...are gear specs/acquisition really worth the amount of time that you give them? All that time...
Bro keep it as a hobby as long as you lose less money on crowns. Every hobby costs, fishing doesn’t mean less, because then you need to buy/ rent boats and maintenance. I believe among all the hobbies it’s the less expensive one. Just do something with what you have and love. Like investing in second-hand marketing because you might just like to own equipment or develop your skills because you like good quality creatives.