But the main issue was having the wrong lens on at the wrong moment, and yes if I was going out on my own dedicating an afternoon to photography then a second body is certainly one option, but not something I’m looking to entertain in the immediate future…
FOMO is a terrible thing, and FLA (Focal Length Anxiety) is a particular affliction that many photographers suffer from. IMO it is much more rewarding to work with you have, rather than take a bag full of kit, and then have the issues with re-configuring. Whilst I appreciate the flexibility of a superzoom, the reality (IMO) is as follows:-
Superzooms are very compromised lens designs, so optically they are not the best lenses out there. Anything over a 3x zoom often sacifices IQ for flexibility,
Many become lazy photographers, relying on the zoom rather than working the scene.
Years ago I carried a bag full of kit (either a selection of zooms, or a large bag of primes), but these days I often take one of two fixed focal length , I feel that I'm a better photographer because of it (and I ceryainly enjoy it more)
If I am not on a specific photography trip, I decide on a lens before I set off, and just keep that lens on, more often than not it is the lens built into the X100V. I may miss some shots, but if I am not there specifically for photography it doesn't matter. I can usually plan to return with the correct lens, and crucially the time to concentrate on the image.
Absolutely ^^^ usually one camera/one fixed lens, unless its a photo trip when its usually 2 cameras and 2 fixed lenses!!
Also…maybe somewhat controversially - I’m really not bothered about aperture. Seeing as the majority of lenses seem to be sharpest around f8* and I’m just not fussed about chasing apertures below f2.8.
Unless someone can enlighten me about what I’m missing; but for what I’m generally snapping (wildlife, landscapes, mountain bikes) super-fast lenses aren’t a priority…
*according to some YouTubers who have tried more lenses than me
Shooting at F8 at 300mm requires excellent light or fantastic stabilisation in order to keep the shutter speed at a sensible value to get a sharp image, this may result in the ISO being bumped considerably, resulting in more noise in the image, so not only is the resultant image optically compromised but its noisy as well.
Many of us go down these sort of paths on our photography journey, and sometimes its an itch that just needs scratching. Whilst I can appreciate the desire to capture every possibility, I feel that this stops you enjoying the moment. If I see something that I don't have the kit for, I view it, watch it and bank it in my brain photobank, remember to enjoy the moment, you don't have to record everything.
We are all dfiferent, but in 10 years time you are likely to have similar views............................ just saying, and hopefully providing advice that will save you some money..... but I get that itchs need scratching!
Although a lot of digital gear has passed through my hands (at one point I had 4 x X-series bodies and 13 interchangeable lenses), these days I only own 3 digital cameras and have 4 native AF lenses between them - and 2 of the bodies have fixed focal lengths physically attcahed! I don't feel I'm missing out.
