Why is choosing gear such a headache?

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ian-83

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Thinking about selling up my D7000 for something smaller as I have decided it's to big to lug around specially with the family in tow, but why is there so much choice out there I am finding it hard to narrow down to what I could get instead. So far it's a toss up between advanced compact or micro 4/3s system
 
I sorta know what you mean, BUT, if you aren't yet sure what you need, it's that that is making it difficult. Hang fire with what you have till you are sure.
 
I suppose that advantages of MFT over a compact are that you get a larger sensor and the ability to change lenses. The big plus for a compact is size.

You could take a look at the new Panasonic LX100, it's smallish and has a built in lens. Image quality should be good and although it may initially look expensive once you spec up a interchangeable body and a good lens it may look more reasonable.
 
simonblue said:
Why dont you get an cheaper compact to take around with the family,and keep the D7000 for photos trips :)
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This is what I have done. I have a xf1 with me in my work bag and only take the D90 if I really need it.
 
The main downside to my D7000 is the weight in a shoulder bag it's around 2kg hanging off one shoulder, drop to a 4/3 system and it'll be about half that or less. I don't get to do as much landscape as I like (young family) but still want the option to take decent pictures. I just think something smaller I will be more likely to take and use it more as I won't mind carrying a small weight with me.

simonblue said:
Why dont you get an cheaper compact to take around with the family,and keep the D7000 for photos trips :)
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I do have a compact which is a Olympus tough waterproof one, good for pictures in and around the pool on holiday but a bit lacking elsewhere.

Might just invest in a nicer compact, maybe the Nikon P7800.
 
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2 kgs nothing, try carrying 2 bodies 500mm f4 300mm f2.8 and 24-105mm f4 plus accessories :)
 
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Have a look at something like the Sony rx100 and keep your nikon, but it depends on your budget, as you say spoilt for choice
 
ian-83 said:
Thinking about selling up my D7000 for something smaller as I have decided it's to big to lug around specially with the family in tow, but why is there so much choice out there I am finding it hard to narrow down to what I could get instead. So far it's a toss up between advanced compact or micro 4/3s system
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I sold my D700 and 200, kept the 800 and bought a MFT system with the money I got from the sale of the two DSLR bodies. I really like the MFT system, it won`t do some things that the D800 will, but it does very well at most other things.

The biggest plus of the MFT is size and weight, you can take it anywhere in a small bag, holidays,days out for example. I would not be without a DSLR, mainly due to wildlife photography in crap light, but the MFT does all the other things for me.
 
Buy a nx3000 for 230 sell the lightroom 5 it comes free with for 100 and keep the d7000
 
ian-83 said:
The main downside to my D7000 is the weight in a shoulder bag it's around 2kg hanging off one shoulder, drop to a 4/3 system and it'll be about half that or less.
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The D7000 body weighs about 0.7kg. So it seems you've got a pretty heavy lens on it. Why not just get a small light family snap zoom for the D7000?
 
chris malcolm said:
The D7000 body weighs about 0.7kg. So it seems you've got a pretty heavy lens on it. Why not just get a small light family snap zoom for the D7000?
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Body weight I can find is 800 grams with battery, my lens 16-85 is 485 grams and my 35mm prime is 200 grams so that's 1.5kg plus the bag weight is about 2kg in total! Hence why if I drop to 4/3s it's only about half the weight including the bag.
 
I've got a D7100 but recently bought an OM-D EM5 to which I've added 14mm, 20mm, 45mm and 60mm lenses and they all fit in a small tamrac shoulder bag with space for charger, some filters and a gorillapod and head. It's becoming my travel camera for when I go away with the wife and kids or flying somewhere on hand luggage only. I've not tried the m43 zoom lenses and I'm sticking with primes at the moment but the camera bag goes more places now with the m43 than it does with the d7100 where it's a choice on anything other than a road trip. Not sure I would have been happy if I had dropped to a compact from a DSLR- m43 gives a lot of flexibility to my photography
 
Should be fun, not a headache :) Take your time, don't look up too much at once, don't rush into buying the first thing you read good reviews on - narrow it down to a few runners, and do some research on those alone. Make sure you're happy with whatever you decide. Best advice I could give at least. I've had the headaches when deciding on lenses/cameras etc ... usually end up going with my first instinct after all the searching
 
Well speaking as a guy with only heavy camera systems, I've been looking REALLY hard at the Sony a7 line up with the e-mount lenses. They're looking better and better every day. If only I didn't have so much money invested in Canon... anyway, they're small, but amazing. I used an a7s the other day at the sony plaza in NYC and it nearly made my credit cards jump out of my wallet!
 
Thanks for all the good advice, think I need to sit down and write up a short list and look at the pros and cons. Then try a few out. It's a shame there isn't any good camera stores where I live.
 
OldCarlos said:
Is Campkins near you? (presuming it's still a physical store, rather than just online now) http://www.campkinscameras.com/index.php?364&cat=455
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Campkins is about the only camera place but there range is limited, seems mostly Canon and Fuji and a bit of Nikon, they don't stock Panasonic which is one 4/3rds systems i want to look at. Currys and John Lewis stock them but sales staff aren't that helpful and the place's are always busy.

simonblue said:
Norwich is not to far,got Wex & LCE :)
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Might be my only option I been to WEX once before, amazing shop but my credit card might hate me!
 
ian-83 said:
Campkins is about the only camera place but there range is limited, seems mostly Canon and Fuji and a bit of Nikon, they don't stock Panasonic which is one 4/3rds systems i want to look at. Currys and John Lewis stock them but sales staff aren't that helpful and the place's are always busy.



Might be my only option I been to WEX once before, amazing shop but my credit card might hate me!
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Also the Local LCE in the city,has Fuji Olympus Panasonic & Sony CCS in :)
 
Be careful... I had the Fuji system which I loved, and gave excellent IQ but for young kids moving around you cannot beat a DSLR. The Xpro was a fantastic camera but in the end I sold and am concentrating on my new D750. I did have the X100 too, which again is not the best AF wise but available for around £300 and light so maybe get that as an addition and keep the DSLR for when you need it?

I guess I have got myself used to the weight. Even out on trips I will probably have had the D700 plus 2 lenses and a film camera (or 2).
 
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