All these NEW cameras look great but....

[bl0at3r]

....it doesn't mean the outgoing models are poo does it? :shrug:

I have enough money to buy a D4 and 24-70, but as a hobbyist with a tendency to get bored quickly and a constant nag of buyers remorse in my ear, I am not sure I can be bothered to spend the best part of £6K on a camera - I would probably feel the same about £4K on a 5D3 and 24-70L and £3.3K on a D800 and 24-70 too if I'm honest.

So I am considering my options (as I seem to do more frequently than actually take photos!)

Stick with the choice of outgoing FF models - 5D2 and 24-70 / D700 and 24-70 for around £2300
Look at the Crop bodies - D7000 or the 7D again (have had 2x 7D's) and lens for around £1900
Revisit the M4/3 arena with an OM-D / Panasonic GX1 and lenses for around £1500

My shooting is erratic and I have no particular genre preference over another, neither do I have any allegiance to a brand. I have owned FF / Crop and M43 kit in the past but currently have a D3100 with 18-55VR kit lens.

The least amount of money spent the better really but not at the expense of flexibility and enjoyment from one type of 'system'.

Any suggestions to assist me please before I tear out what little hair I have left!

 

[RSMarco]

lol,
I'm a bit like you in some respects and I'm currently deciding if I go FF from my current 60D (which is a very good camera BTW). I'm always careful with money but I know one day, I'll look back and think 'why did I waste part of my life thinking to much'..?

Just go with what YOU feel is best for you and enjoy.

 

[modchild]

I've just sold my 5DMkII, 7D and a Canon 100-400 L lens so I can go out and get a 5D MkIII. The MkII is a fantastic camera as is the 7D and I wouldn't hesitate recommending either of them. It's just that I want the best of both of them rolled into 1 camera so I don't have to lug all my gear about. I have a Sigma 150-500 OS which used to go with the 5DMkII and the 100-400 went on the 7D, but decided to keep the Sigma for the extra reach on the 5DMkIII.

 

[gary43]

Hi Alan

Might consider what I did which was to have a play with the Sony a77; I liked it a lot so have now got lots of alpha mount gear.

The a77 may not be the best camera out there but then again it is not that expensive and if you like gadgets and do not do all your shooting at high iso it is a great alternative to the Canikon offerings.

Most of all it is a LOT of fun to use/play with.

Just a thought.

Gary

 

[freecom2]

My shooting is erratic and I have no particular genre preference over another, neither do I have any allegiance to a brand. I have owned FF / Crop and M43 kit in the past but currently have a D3100 with 18-55VR kit lens.

Lots of discussion about all the possible prices and combinations of cameras and lenses - but at no point do you say if the D3100 is limiting you, and if so how. If it is fulfilling your criteria (and it is a lot of camera for the money, I am always very impressed by it) then why have anything more? Maybe throw a nice G prime in there for a few hundred if you want some flexibility in low light, but other then that buying big full frame cameras with massive pro-spec lenses might be superfluous.

 

[woof woof]

I have owned FF / Crop and M43 kit in the past but currently have a D3100 with 18-55VR kit lens.

You could just stick with what you have, for about a decade I used a Nikon 35mm SLR and just one lens. Or you could get something to take out when you don't want to take your DSLR. You've been down the MFT route before and could do again or maybe go for a top end compact like a LX5 or X10.

 

[ikolpdog]

....it doesn't mean the outgoing models are poo does it? :shrug:

I have enough money to buy a D4 and 24-70, but as a hobbyist with a tendency to get bored quickly and a constant nag of buyers remorse in my ear, I am not sure I can be bothered to spend the best part of £6K on a camera - I would probably feel the same about £4K on a 5D3 and 24-70L and £3.3K on a D800 and 24-70 too if I'm honest.

So I am considering my options (as I seem to do more frequently than actually take photos!)

Stick with the choice of outgoing FF models - 5D2 and 24-70 / D700 and 24-70 for around £2300
Look at the Crop bodies - D7000 or the 7D again (have had 2x 7D's) and lens for around £1900
Revisit the M4/3 arena with an OM-D / Panasonic GX1 and lenses for around £1500

My shooting is erratic and I have no particular genre preference over another, neither do I have any allegiance to a brand. I have owned FF / Crop and M43 kit in the past but currently have a D3100 with 18-55VR kit lens.

The least amount of money spent the better really but not at the expense of flexibility and enjoyment from one type of 'system'.

Any suggestions to assist me please before I tear out what little hair I have left!

Judging you purely on this single post it does appear that you are more into the technology than the artistic side of photography. You have already tasted pretty much the best of what is available and moved it on (two 7ds and it has only been out a couple of years).

As you appear to have the income to support your indulgence then why not, but how about looking in a less obvious direction. What about a digital Rangefinder?

A used Leica m8/Epson RD1 can be had easily within your budget, or why not go the whole hog for a new m9. Here you have everything you could desire, brand name, style, quality, performance, non-conformist. Plus it is compact enough to take to social gatherings, slipping easily into the pocket of your Hugo Boss, without looking like a tool with a sack full of camera gear.

As an ongoing hobby proposition there are plenty of jewel like lenses, both cost & quality, to keep you lusting for more. Although three carefully selected lenses would have you set for the next ten years, and they would look great next to the iPhone/Rolex/Mont Blanc/Porsche/BMW etc.

Six years ago I had the income for this type of toy and would have had one in a heartbeat if I had known they existed. Sadly, for me, my income is considerably reduced these days so I have to slum it with a 7d (and that took some saving for!).

 

[2Thumbs]

As you quoted: "So I am considering my options (as I seem to do more frequently than actually take photos!)"

You need to sort this problem out first. Go out and shoot, get better and have fun. Once you get to a point where your current gear is holding you back, you'll know exactly what to upgrade to.

 

[vrapan]

If you say you get easily bored with stuff why don't you just buy whatever you fancy... Chances are you will get the urge to swap soon whatever we suggest for whatever is worth the main prob I have with m43 now is no fast standard zoom. Since you are now shooting with a 18-55 this might not be a problem for you. Buy the kit omd and sell it to me once you get bored

 

[bl0at3r]

Wow - I'd have to pay for a shrink session elsewhere, but here we have 3 or 4 replies that know me better than I know myself

Thank you for telling me what I already know but had repressed

It happens whenever I go near the 'Talk Equipment' threads :bang:

The D3100 is very capable and with a couple of fast primes would make a nice compact kit.

I must take more pictures... I must take more pictures... I must take more pictures... I must take more pictures... I must take more pictures... I must take more pictures... I must take more pictures... I must take more pictures... I must take more pictures... I must take more pictures... I must take more pictures... I must take more pictures... I must take more pictures... I must take more pictures... I must take more pictures...

 

[bl0at3r]

Wow - I'd have to pay for a shrink session elsewhere, but here we have 3 or 4 replies that know me better than I know myself

Thank you for telling me what I already know but had repressed

It happens whenever I go near the 'Talk Equipment' threads :bang:

The D3100 is very capable and with a couple of fast primes would make a nice compact kit.

I must take more pictures... I must take more pictures... I must take more pictures... I must take more pictures... I must take more pictures... I must take more pictures... I must take more pictures... I must take more pictures... I must take more pictures... I must take more pictures... I must take more pictures... I must take more pictures... I must take more pictures... I must take more pictures... I must take more pictures...

Ok, I did what you suggested - started looking at buying a new lens, the 10.5mm fisheye - doesn't AF on my D3100 :thumbsdown:

Also, the D3100 doesn't have bracketing so I am back looking for a new body :bonk::bonk:

 

[LongLensPhotography]

Ok, I did what you suggested - started looking at buying a new lens, the 10.5mm fisheye - doesn't AF on my D3100 :thumbsdown:

Also, the D3100 doesn't have bracketing so I am back looking for a new body :bonk::bonk:

I for one fail to see why one would ever want (let alone use) AF on 10.5mm fisheye lens.

 

[desantnik]

I'd get out there and take some photos rather than spending money on kit for the sake of it.

With the money you have floating around you could visit some truly awesome locations for photography across the world...

 

[LongLensPhotography]

I'd get out there and take some photos rather than spending money on kit for the sake of it.

With the money you have floating around you could visit some truly awesome locations for photography across the world...

+1000 :rules:
well said