Aaaarrggghhhh!!! I have too much kit!!!

cambsno

cambsno

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Have been on a bit of a spree the last few months, and it is starting to annoy me!!! Last year it was simple. Had the Canon S95 as a family camera, my D300 as the main one (with 24-70 and 50mm 1.4, with an addition of a 80-200 which was rarely used). Chuck in a Nikon F80 film camera which I rarely used and it was easy to simply take a camera out with me.

Now though my bag has grown! D700 is the main one, but do I take the 24-70 as its versitile, 50mm or 85mm for the lightness, dof and prime 'niceness', or do I take the 70-200 as I may need range? What about a wide angle optoin with the Tamron 17-35? Maybe I should take the D300 too to save swapping lenses - maybe the Tamron on the D700 and the 24-70 on the D300?

But then what about film? I like shooting it now and again and my cheapo F80 and 50mm gets nice results. But then I have a Rolleicord VA which is a beautiful camera and nice to shoot with...

And then I have the X100 which is my compact camera. Nice as it does video too.

I now seem to be agonising over what to take... oh for the days of 1 camera and 2 lenses!!!
 
Am in a similar position
I normally just take one body and lens as I like to travel light and be mobile but have missed shots because I've got the wrong lens:)
 
LOL, is that all you've got?

Joking aside, I've learnt to take out no more than either 2 or 3 primes, or a zoom. Nothing else. Actually, I will occasionally take one of my film cameras as well as the lenses are fully compatible.

I don't recall missing a shot, but there again, I rarely shoot anything that requires more than an 85mm focal length (which my primes and zooms cover), but if I'm doing something like an airshow, I'll take the 50-500.

If I had super human strength and stamina, I'd just have the 50-500 on my camera all the time, and have done with..........
 
Get a nice back-pack for the missus.
 
Having a similar "problem", I decided to have a travel kit so just took compacts and a bridge on holiday (XF-1, HS-30, D10). Have since bought an 18-270 to leave on the front of the D70 as a basic travel DSLR to take alongside the XF-1. Also just bought a new lightweight backpack for the basic travel kit, with space for other stuff as well - just need to get to the PO collection office since I was out collecting a parcel when the parcel was delivered...
 
Same here as well.
Last year I just had a D40 with the kit lens and 55-300;now its a D300 & grip with 16-85,80-200 push-pull and 50mm 1.8 nikkors.Also a Tokina 11-16 and Tamron adaptall 90 macro(& 1:1 tube) and 28 2.8.
The good thing is I seem to be using them all the bad news is I'm still looking at stuff(a 35 1.8 dx maybe and the 70-200 2.8 still keeps saying 'buy me':cuckoo:).
I have noticed I've been on here for just over a year now I think:thinking:;maybe it's a coincidence:suspect::lol:

Oh and I forgot there's also a rarely used SB-800,two bags and a Three-Legged Thing tripod.
 
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I used to be the same. I hated leaving anything out when heading off to shoot. But now I practice a little discipline, and think of what I want to shoot when out. Just pack accordingly. If I spot something photo-worthy in the distance and haven't got that long lens with me ... so be it. Murphy's law.
 
Even when I have had the full kit on my back, Nod's law has always dictated that if I've got a wide angle fitted, I need a tele and vive versa. While I do tend to favour the shorter end, I have found that the HS-30 bridge covers almost all eventualities (24-720mm 35mm equivalence) and its panorama settings allow most WA situations to be covered as well! (I can even crop in fairly heavily on the XF-1's shots and again, the pan settings cover wider than 24mm for me!)
 
Exactly the same here! Buying a Fuji x100 and leaving the lot at home.

x100 whole camera with a spare battery: 500g.
just the DSLR body: 1000g.

I've got:
-5D mark 2: 1000g.
-24-105mm f4L IS: 650g.
-17-40mm f4L: 350g.
-70-300mm f4-5.6: 400g.
-35mm f2: 200g.
-85mm f1.8: 350g.

Thinking of selling a few lenses, but all of them have their special uses......

The worst part of owning too much gear is when trying to sell them, and you think back to the wonderful images you created with it, hoping not to regret selling afterwards.
 
I don't find the choice too difficult, I'd be happy going out with just my D700 and UWA, but then as the 50mm is so small there's no issue with throwing it in the bag too.

I only carry the macro/telephoto/flashgun when I know I'm probably going to use them. Same with the tripod.
 
I know what you mean!!

I use 50mm as my general walkaround/kids at the park lens but since adding a 135L I get torn between the two [even though they are far apart]
The 100mm macro gets used very little.
The 17-40L/tripod/filters only when doing coastal/landscape.
 
Know exactly how you feel. I get into the same state every year or so and sell the lot. Then regret it and buy more stuff. Then regret that. The photos all look more-or-less the same whatever the kit.
 
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Yes.

Yes, I clearly see your problem. It's not easy... :(


But I think, I have it...

cambsno said:
I now seem to be agonising over what to take...
Click to expand...
That's it! Don't take! Give it away!

cambsno said:
oh for the days of 1 camera and 2 lenses!!!
Click to expand...
Okay, then keep the D700 and the two zooms 24-70 and 70-200.

Voila! Problem solved!
thankyou.gif
 
I don't see your problem. You should check out the kit some of the guys over on the MF Lenses Forum have.
 
One body with a 35mm and 85mm pairing usually keeps me covered. Plus, often, a monopod. These can be walked with for considerable distances. It's a range that gives a natural perspective without an intrusive style (as in "look at me, I'm a wide-angle"). Flare resistance is also good. Of course I'm not taking birds or insects ...

Tripod for special occasions.
 
Is it possible to have too much kit??????
 
Hey, I'm guilty here too on the G.A.S front ;) Recently I have been ruthless though, if I buy something [recently a fuji x100s and a Nikon 300mm] then something has to go! Sold a roller bag and my 24-70. I didn't have to, but it keeps a nice balance. I don't feel quite as vulgar with all my lovely gear taking up space in the house :)
 
Keep a D7000 and 17-55 f2.8, and a 50mm f1.4, with me in the car all the time. Hardly use the latter, but useful when its useful.

If I fly anywhere I take a D80 and an old kit 18-70. Less worry about loss or damage. I always shoot in RAW, the results are fine. I think its easy to get obsessed about kit. Expensive kit doesn't equate to good photographs. I actually think the whole latest gear thing is an ever increasing spiral of con.
 
All you guys with too much kit, feel free to donate some of it to me! Honestly, I don't mind :) :p
 
I'll give you ALL my gear, so long as you also take ALL of my bills too ;) there may be a bit of an imbalance.
 
kendo1 said:
I don't see your problem. You should check out the kit some of the guys over on the MF Lenses Forum have.
Click to expand...

Yes, I can relate... There are so many wonderful film cameras and lenses out there, at such ridiculous prices...
 
Even with my little lens collection (15-85mm, 85mm and 70-200mm) I find it annoying enough to carry those with my 7D and flash around! Considering switching to a standard 2 strap backpack as using my single strap slingshot bag starts to give me shoulder ache often enough... So I fully understand where you're coming from. ;)
 
I have a photographic rucksack & once made the mistake of loading it with 2 bodies one of which had a motor drive attached, 7 prime lenses the longest of which was a 300mm & a flash gun & going for a walk around London with it on a hot day. I weighed it when I got home & it was 25 pounds in weight all in. Knackered me.

I have never took that much gear out again. I get "you at it again" looks off the girlfriend now if I take more than one body & a couple of lenses on a day out.
 
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