Your view . . .

C

CJS

Messages
997
Edit My Images
Yes
I have put something like this up not so long ago . . . however life goes on, think more and circumstances take there turn.

I have not had the time in the past 12 months to do much picture taking, in the past 6 months, non at all. I have let this get me down . . . ? However, analising the situation, do I realy want DSLR type equipment, no one to impress. I have a D90 + a couple of lenses 18-70 and a 70-300 Sigma, also a Panisonic G1, 14-45 and 45-200, nothing exciting. Mine and my partners health has taken a dive this year, I have been wearing the apron since Easter, things are improving now, slowly. Mobility has degenerated to both of us on mobility scooters and walking with sticks. Not complaining just puting the situation out.

So, both Hazel and myself enjoy(ed) walking out and snapping pictures, she has a Canon A640 which is her love. Mobility scooters are new to us, the logic is drive to an area of interest, abandon the car (blue badge) and transfer to the scooters, camaras in hand.

The D90 is big, heavy and cumbersome, the G1 is better . . . As I say, I have lost the mojo a little, but still have the interest. I can stay with the G1, 14-45mm, or go to something a little more pratical size/lens wise? . . . I also have the 45-200mm lens, not used it above a couple of times, it will probably be in the 'for sale' ads some time soon?

My original thought were a Lumix TZ30, but it has no view finder and/or an animated screen. A search through the reviews has thrown up two possible options. A Fuji Fine Pix X10, lens is a bit short on zoom but makes up for it in speed and real camera feel? The Nikon P7100 is the other option, 28-200mm zoom, controls look familiar, has the appearance of a large compact, I like it a lot, especialy the colour presentation in the reviews, I'm a Nikon man :naughty: The one down side of the P7100 is its continus shot speed; 1fps! . . . I rarly use CS, but . . . ???

Any views on the cameras, the logic? I know I could stick with the G1 . . . for the time being and re evaluate next year when we have worked out how life is going to pan out for us? The problem I feel, is, can I get the mojo up and running again without a change . . . :bang:

Do I sell the D90/lenses, brand new, only few hundred pics . . . both cameras feel like a burden, holding me back :bang: . . . sounds so silly but thats how it is :shrug:

CJS
 
Last edited:
Firstly, best wishes.

Secondly, camera stuff :D

If you really aren't using the DSLR set up selling it makes sense. If you haven't worked out exactly what you want yet why not hang on for a while as the rumour sites say that Panasonic, Sony, Canon and others are bringing new kit out in the next couple of months. Or you could hang on to your G1 set up and maybe add a macro or wide lens to shake things up a bit and take you in a different direction.
 
woof woof said:
Firstly, best wishes.

Secondly, camera stuff :D

If you really aren't using the DSLR set up selling it makes sense. If you haven't worked out exactly what you want yet why not hang on for a while as the rumour sites say that Panasonic, Sony, Canon and others are bringing new kit out in the next couple of months. Or you could hang on to your G1 set up and maybe add a macro or wide lens to shake things up a bit and take you in a different direction.
Click to expand...

Thanks Woof Woof, I realy am screwed up. Yes, I have not used the Nikon in 12 months, the sale of which would help finance any move??? I'm tearing myself apart, I used to realy enjoy my photography for its own sake. Cant keep away from the site, but on the other hand, cameras stay in their cupboard!!!:bang:


CJS
 
If the D90 is too heavy and awkward for you to use then it probably makes sense to sell it to change to something else.

The fun of photography is about capturing the image and the moment. And you don't have to have a big heavy camera to do that. If you move to a lighter kit that is practical for you to use, then hopefully the enjoyment of doing photography will return for you.

In the meantime, reading about it is helping to keep you in touch with it all until you are ready and able to get back out with a camera.
 
I don't get to go out with my camera as much as I'd like as I'm spending much of my time caring for someone these days. I've been doing some nightime photography and I get Thursday afternoons (sometimes) and the odd holiday. I enjoy taking pictures, processing them and viewing them and I like the gear too so as long as I take any pictures I'm still an amateur photographer :D Just like you :D

In your place I think I would sell the DSLR and use the money to buy maybe one or two lenses for the G1, a wide and/or a macro (I like flower shots.) That way you can use the DSLR to fund something new that might bring some more interest.

Actually it doesn't have to be new kit... I've been thinking of getting an adapter and legacy lens, something like an Olympus OM 50mm f1.7 or a Canon FD 50mm. Something like that could probably be had for well under £100.
 
Last edited:
Hi CJS, I feel for you both with the health issues, but at least you are enjoying getting out, sounds like you have a lot of fun together
As for cameras, I have had both X10 and P7000 ( Dad has the P7100 and really likes it). The Nikons zoom is hard to beat but I think the X10 is an all round better camera and if you mainly use the G1 with 14-42, then the x10's zoom isn't going to be an issue
The bigger sensor in the X10 will give you better iq and I think you should consider this over zoom

Go and look at an X10. It really is an impressive camera and I am sure you would enjoy it. And it does 7 - 12 fps!

Allan
 
Hi CJS, I'm sorry to hear of the downturn in you and Hazels health.

I think your taking the right tack in sitting down and trying to work out what would work best for you.

I'm going to give another vote for the x10, I've been taking a close look at compacts myself lately and have to admit that little compact ticks all the right boxes.

If you can I would hang onto your other gear for as long as you can while you work out what works best for you.

When I was working things out with regard to my abilities a while back I went through a compact (G11) then a G1 set up and finally settled on a Canon 500D as its about 100grams (4oz) lighter than the D90 (500D = 530 grams body weight) but even now I wouldn't get rid of what I have, I would just add to it if I was fortunate enough.

You can pick up the x10 for about £349 from what I've seen...
 
you also may want to consider the new Sony RX100.
Reviews are few & far between atm as it is brand new but what there are all pretty much describe it as a game changer.
 
Hi CJS

Hope things do pick up for you both, both in health and mojo :)

Following on from Ian's point, have you thought about a newer Nikon DSLR - do they do a lighter body (as with the Canon xxxD range) ? Would this help and you would still be able to use your lenses? Or is it the combined weight of body and lenses that is the issue ?

What would be your first choice to use - a DSLR or a compact sysytem ?

Personaly, I'd give it a few months as it appears things are improving some and see how you get on with your equipment you have, see if your mojo returns, are you tending to use your compact system or keep trying to use your DSLR and if you are struggling with the weight - is it the weight of body and any lens or just 1 specific lens ? If you are tending to use your compact system, then I'd make the decision, sell up and buy a new compact system ...

I'm not going to try to convert you over, but the Canon 55-250IS is a great lens especially for the cost and it is a low weight aswell, this coupled with say the 500D Ian suggested, could reduce the weight significantly if youa re wanting to stay DSLR route (do Nikon do a similar lens ?) ...

My FIL struggles with the weight of his camera / has severe left shoulder problems and was loosing his mojo, we looked around, discussed various options and ended up with a small monopod support that slings round his neck, so taking some weight and also giving him extra support - has done the trick and he's happy again, I know this probably isn't practical for yourselves, but sometimes solutions are out there...

Hope things continue to improve :thumbs:
 
Last edited:
Thanks all for the replies, its good to know there are people who care, thanks again.

An issue with me is that I'm not ultra-critical of my pictures and I dont pixel peep, I look at the quality of pictures I see from very basic modern compacts, natural, spur of the moment and composition seems to 'turn me on', I have no interest in contrived pictures.

So my thinking, the heavy, bulky Nikon D90, all very nice but I can meet my needs with less . . . ? The G1 sits at one end of my need for lighter, more compact equipment, it fits the lighter requirement but not so well in the compact department. It is so user friendly, and that 14-45mm lens is a peach.

Our life’s are changing, they have to change as the parameters alter. I see a DSLR as a pair of six guns hung about my person, heavy, incongruous and demanding. Light, convenient and practical are my needs . . . the D90 will present a bargain to someone?

Feels a bit . . . :tumbleweed: at the moment, perhaps, because this is all new to me, having to accommodate the changes that getting older imposes. I retired a few months ago, that really shut the door of gods waiting room :|

Making the best of it, adapt and enjoy the freedom . . . mobility via the scooters, I can still drive, so widen the destinations, if I can afford the diesel! The idea of ‘street photography’ is very appealing , the thinking ticks a lot of boxes, compact camera, old f*rt on electric scooter, no one will take any notice . . . ?

Thanks again, perhaps the light is dawning? . . . CJS :thinking:
 
Last edited:
Further thoughts on street photography, a 'Gorola tripod' with ball head wraped around the stearing colum would make a great mount for a light camera??? Makes the G1 a much more viable option with its fully animated screen, Hazels A630 also has a full moving screen. Making more sence as I think about it . . . ?
CJS
 
Whatever you do as regards a camera is really secondary, but important for independance sake. I truely hope both you and your partner get well enough to gain your mobility back. I've got back problems which limits my freedom and so I know how frustrating life can be.
A good advanced compact or CSC would be my choice when I can no longer manage to handle my dslr's, I used to have Panasonic FZ bridge cameras before I got a dslr and I know how good they were then, and they're bound to have improved.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top