Changing Systems

[mant01]

I was wondering how many people have used one system for a long time then made a complete switch over to another? how did you find it? do you have any regrets? would you do it again knowing what you know now?

 

[Fuji Dave]

I was wondering how many people have used one system for a long time then made a complete switch over to another? how did you find it? do you have any regrets? would you do it again knowing what you know now?

I was all Canon 70D, 1100D and 9 lenses one of which was the Sigma 150-600mm C. Got fed up of the weight so got rid and switched to all Fuji and best move I ever did for me.

 

[Raymond Lin]

I would say most people will answer "I made the switch and it has been the best thing I've ever done".

Partly because deep down nobody want to admit they made a mistake….and partly because they have looked at the options and the new system now fits for their purpose. The question you ask isn't not whether people have regrets changing, the question is whether the system you are looking at suits your current needs compare to what you have.

Most people will say the weight saving is the best thing ever.

 

[troutfisher]

I was all Canon 70D, 1100D and 9 lenses one of which was the Sigma 150-600mm C. Got fed up of the weight so got rid and switched to all Fuji and best move I ever did for me.

I did the same I kept my 5DMk2 ans TS-E lens have never used them so I think they are off to MPB
Best move I made going to Fuji I take my camera with me now as its not too heavy

 

[Fuji Dave]

I would say most people will answer "I made the switch and it has been the best thing I've ever done".

Partly because deep down nobody want to admit they made a mistake….and partly because they have looked at the options and the new system now fits for their purpose. The question you ask isn't not whether people have regrets changing, the question is whether the system you are looking at suits your current needs compare to what you have.

Most people will say the weight saving is the best thing ever.

100% best move I did, and NOT a mistake either, plus for me Fuji colours are better than canon and the glass is great too
PS: Plus the weight is 10 times better.

 

[Raymond Lin]

100% best move I did, and NOT a mistake either, plus for me Fuji colours are better than canon and the glass is great too
PS: Plus the weight is 10 times better.

I shoot raw, it makes little difference what colours each camera is really.

This question is so personal, it is hard to read the answer and apply to someone else. Because we would all be starting at a different system and switching to another. OP hasn't actually specified which system he has so if he is a M4/3 shooter and thinking swapping to a Hassleblad for studio work, his criteria would be different to someone who shoots outdoors all day, weight would be irrelevant.

FYI...

 

[Deleted member 49428]

I would say most people will answer "I made the switch and it has been the best thing I've ever done".

Partly because deep down nobody want to admit they made a mistake….and partly because they have looked at the options and the new system now fits for their purpose. The question you ask isn't not whether people have regrets changing, the question is whether the system you are looking at suits your current needs compare to what you have.

Most people will say the weight saving is the best thing ever.

Made the switch from A6000 to X-T2 instead of upgrading to 6300, 6500 or A7III (II). Wouldn't say it's my best move ever since it's a sidestep and the A6000 has a lot of great features + it is a very light and portable kit with a 12mm f/2, 24mm f/1,8 and 60mm f/2,8. Image Quality wise I don't expect any difference but the X-T2 feels more intuitive to me.

 

[Fuji Dave]

At the end of the day, I am happy and I also shoot Raw but Jpeg too

 

[Cagey75]

I switch around every couple of years, I don't care what I use so long as I'm happy shooting. The gear is only your tool set. I wonder are electricians as brand loyal as the average casual photographer? "Eww, Black and Decker?? I only use Bosch mate!"

 

[mant01]

I shoot raw, it makes little difference what colours each camera is really.

This question is so personal, it is hard to read the answer and apply to someone else. Because we would all be starting at a different system and switching to another. OP hasn't actually specified which system he has so if he is a M4/3 shooter and thinking swapping to a Hassleblad for studio work, his criteria would be different to someone who shoots outdoors all day, weight would be irrelevant.

FYI...

This isn't really a personal thing for me I was just curious what experience other people have had with a switch.

 

[mant01]

I switch around every couple of years, I don't care what I use so long as I'm happy shooting. The gear is only your tool set. I wonder are electricians as brand loyal as the average casual photographer? "Eww, Black and Decker?? I only use Bosch mate!"

lol Sounds like me. I went from Canon to Fuji to Sony and now Nikon.

 

[Raymond Lin]

This isn't really a personal thing for me I was just curious what experience other people have had with a switch.

They all have their advantages, having multiple systems on hand I can do comparisons between them quite easily.

It really depends what you do, I always look at a camera, a system like a window of opportunity of what it can do, together with your skill and what images you can do with it. This needs to be balance out with what images you need from it. If the images that you want from it are within that window, you can keep narrowing that window from the particular system and it won't impact you. If you go too small, your images will suffer. (I hope that make sense).

I find my Canon system gives me the maximum window for what i do, there are situations where my Fuji or Sony can't do, or not as well and vice versa. I find the Canon to be more complete so have not completely ditched it (or any of it really). However I have others because for other things, they are perfectly adequate, more than adequate, perhaps more suited.

 

[Jelster]

I also swapped Canon for Fuji.

I did lose out on a couple of aspects. My 6D gave me the full frame lovelyness that I once craved. My 7D2 gave me fantastic focus tracking for birds in flight.

My X-T2's can't track as well as my 7D2, and it isn't full frame, but I don't miss either. If truth be known, I was never that great (and still aren't) at shooting BIF, and although the 6D was FF, it wasn't a great processor or sensor match really. My landscape work is better with the Fuji than it ever was with the Canon, and I rarely shoot people. The T2's do everything I need, and more. What's more, I take them out more often, and enjoy using them more than I did my Canon gear.

So, no regrets. It cost me a bit as even though I had a bunch of L lenses, they couldn't fund the whole swap for new Fuji kit, but I knew that was going to be the case. I believe that with Fuji, you get a better base colour image to start with at RAW level. I also had to change how I edited my work. I'm still learning that bit, but I love the change I made.

Would I change again? Maybe, but the kit would have to be as light as the Fuji gear, and as enjoyable to use.

 

[john.margetts]

I switch around every couple of years, I don't care what I use so long as I'm happy shooting. The gear is only your tool set. I wonder are electricians as brand loyal as the average casual photographer? "Eww, Black and Decker?? I only use Bosch mate!"

When I worked in a boatyard, our boss went for Black and Decker instead of the Bosch we already had on a price basis - said boss was a manager, not a boatbuilder. It was a nightmare. A Black and Decker drill is very good for someone who drills 100 holes each year. It is no good at all for someone who drills 100+ holes every day.

 

[Nod]

Nikon to Nikon + Fuji. There are things that the Nikons do better than the Fujis but it's the Fujis that get most use. If I had to keep just one system, it would be the Fujis.

 

[john.margetts]

I was wondering how many people have used one system for a long time then made a complete switch over to another? how did you find it? do you have any regrets? would you do it again knowing what you know now?

Not sure why you would want to do a complete change-over. I have multiple systems - medium format film SLR, 35 mm film SLR and rangefinder, APS-C DSLR digital and M43 digital. Each has its own strengths and weaknesses. In London yesterday, I would not have been happy with anything else than the M43 digital. For church exteriors, medium format SLR (Bronica ETRs) out-performs all the others (I would like a 10x8 field camera but cannot afford one).

 

[bumper]

I used Nikon for years then had various new bodies with oil issues on the sensors. Decided to change to Fuji, best move I ever made. Loved my xp1s then had xp2s, xt2s and xt10. Somehow I sold my xp1s, worst decision I ever made. I loved those cameras and never settled with the xp2 or the xt10. Got along with the xt2 but decided to sell for Canon gear. I regret it now. The canon gear weighs a ton and I just haven't settled with any of them. They take great shots but they don't feel like Fujis, battery life is great too but I really miss my xp1s (& lugging a dozen batteries around).

The grass isn't always greener.

 

[tijuana taxi]

Not sure why you would want to do a complete change-over. I have multiple systems - medium format film SLR, 35 mm film SLR and rangefinder, APS-C DSLR digital and M43 digital. Each has its own strengths and weaknesses. In London yesterday, I would not have been happy with anything else than the M43 digital. For church exteriors, medium format SLR (Bronica ETRs) out-performs all the others (I would like a 10x8 field camera but cannot afford one).

Because I don't want all that lot, not really a gear head and prefer spending cash on going places to photograph.
One camera and a couple of lenses in the backpack does for me, I changed from Canon FF to Fuji four or five years ago.

Fair enough if for some people its more about the collecting, but these days I just want to take photos.
Also important that I'm reasonably confident I will return with acceptable (to me anyway) pictures from places I will probably never visit again.
This for me means confidence and simplicity in what I'm using and one system leans itself to that

 

[trevorbray]

Because I don't want all that lot, not really a gear head and prefer spending cash on going places to photograph.
One camera and a couple of lenses in the backpack does for me, I changed from Canon FF to Fuji four or five years ago.

Fair enough if for some people its more about the collecting, but these days I just want to take photos.
Also important that I'm reasonably confident I will return with acceptable (to me anyway) pictures from places I will probably never visit again.
This for me means confidence and simplicity in what I'm using and one system leans itself to that

I need to take this approach..

 

[Deleted member 49428]

Not sure why you would want to do a complete change-over. I have multiple systems - medium format film SLR, 35 mm film SLR and rangefinder, APS-C DSLR digital and M43 digital. Each has its own strengths and weaknesses. In London yesterday, I would not have been happy with anything else than the M43 digital. For church exteriors, medium format SLR (Bronica ETRs) out-performs all the others (I would like a 10x8 field camera but cannot afford one).

Didn't realize analogue systems counted too. In that case. Added 6x6 to my 35mm nikon slrs. Sold the 6x6 (Bronica, shouldn't have) and got a P6x7, added a 6x6 TLR and then a 5x7" Sinar Norma, 4x5" Chamonix, mamiya 645Pro and latest analogue is the mamiya RZ67PROII.

 

[damianmkv]

I went Nikon -> Olympus -> Nikon. The original move in 2013 to m43 was based upon weight and I upgraded my e-m10 to an e-m1 when I found that its ability to track was poor.

Last year, I was going to change my e-m1 to the 1.2. I hired one and a Nikon d500 for the weekend and I was pleased with how easy the Nikon was. So I sold everything and changed systems for zero expense - if I'd upgraded it would've cost me £1500+

Regrets ? A couple based upon size / weight, speed of focus, wifi ( snapbridge is painfully rubbish ) etc. Apart from that, I really enjoy the d500. But it's not stopping me looking at a Fuji for travel...and that would be a slippery slope

 

[Nod]

Slippery is goood!!!

 

[Deleted member 49428]

Because I don't want all that lot, not really a gear head and prefer spending cash on going places to photograph.
One camera and a couple of lenses in the backpack does for me, I changed from Canon FF to Fuji four or five years ago.

Fair enough if for some people its more about the collecting, but these days I just want to take photos.
Also important that I'm reasonably confident I will return with acceptable (to me anyway) pictures from places I will probably never visit again.
This for me means confidence and simplicity in what I'm using and one system leans itself to that

Its not about collecting. Its about having fun photographing, using different approaches and processes.

 

[tijuana taxi]

Its not about collecting. Its about having fun photographing, using different approaches and processes.

Whatever floats your boat is good if you enjoy it, just prefer spending my time and money on other things

 

[Nelsinki]

Hi mant01,

I used Canon for many years before completely switching to Panasonic 4/3 system. I've used the system for 6 years and for most photography it is great. I have recently bought a Nikon outfit for some of my photography, preferring to go full frame again for some of my photography.

What I have learned is it's wise to do a thorough due diligence before investing in a lot of equipment. There is a lot of choice and all systems have their pros and cons so it's important to know exactly what's best within your budget. It is a huge decision to completely switch systems, especially when one has invested a lot in pro lenses, speedlites etc. I'm happy with the decision I made but there have been many times I'd wished I had full frame so eventually I decided to split my system so I have one that is lighter and smaller and better to carry around all day (4/3 system) and another for tripod work, landscapes, architecture and portraits (full frame).

Ultimately it's down to personal choice (and budget) as great pics can be taken on any camera. That's what I chose, I'm sure others will have chosen differently. The main thing is to enjoy photography, keep taking great photos and always be willing to learn.

I find it useful to go out on photo shoots so we can swap equipment occasionally and give some other lenses and cameras a go, that's the ultimate test as to what's best - as long as the photos are great too.

Let us know if you decide to switch or stay, be interesting to see why you decided such.

Cheers - Nelsinki

 

[Deleted member 49428]

Whatever floats your boat is good if you enjoy it, just prefer spending my time and money on other things

Though you could argue it should be possible to take the same pictures No matter the gear I often find spending time under a darkcloth composing my image on the groundglass of a 4x5" viewcamera lead to different images than what i get from the same scene with my digital. The same can be said for the 6x7. Its different approaches different experiences in this fantastic hobby of photography and once paid for, the pennies analog gear costs these days its all about spending time taking pictures and processing them.

 

[Carousels Spin]

Just started my second change, from Fuji to Olympus.

Started on Canon, had a 5DII but realised it just spent time in the cupboard because I couldn't be bothered to cart it around with me. My father had just got a Fuji XE1 (I think; it's hard to remember exactly what happened in what order!) which I borrowed for a day, and I don't think I picked up the Canon again beyond selling it.

Was a happy Fuji user for a few years, then started to get itchy camera fingers about a year ago; I wanted IBIS so I'd have a wider lens choice - Fuji lenses are lovely, but so many aren't stabilised and I'm not steady enough to use unstabilised lenses. Because going up again in weight and size would be a backwards step, the Sony full frames were immediately ruled out (and, later, the XH1.) A lot of companies didn't offer a lens line up that excited me. After a lot of deliberation I decided on M43, and bought an Olympus EM5II and 12-40 on here.

It's early days, but so far I'm very happy. Did a photography day inside a cathedral without once putting it on a tripod or raising it from 200 ISO. I was very worried that the smaller sensor would lead to a decrease in image quality, but if it has I've not noticed it (and I'm bad for being a pixel peeper.) I'm already eyeing up what lenses I want next, and am looking forward to exploring more with it. Will I change again in the future? Maybe. I like experimenting with gear, and who knows what's coming next. But for now, this is good.

 

[jj_glos]

I was wondering how many people have used one system for a long time then made a complete switch over to another? how did you find it? do you have any regrets? would you do it again knowing what you know now?

I bought into Fuji already having a Canon setup. I'm glad I kept the Canon setup as it still delivers in areas Fuji can't. Main differences are just FF v crop sensors and C-AF performance. Myself I much prefer the Canon colours, but Fuji is still nice. Once/if Canon bring out a half decent FF mirrorless I'll be selling off much of the Fuji setup.

When I was mainly using a 1Ds2 the kit size difference to mirrorless was pretty big When I want to take a couple of lenses and camera in a bag, whilst Fuji is lighter the difference I hardly notice and I've started to take the Canon kit out more (5D4 is a lot smaller than the 1Ds2!).

I've enjoyed using the Fuji setup, but if I was to do it again I'd just get a X100 to go along with the Canon setup. Something I did actually start off with, but GAS intervened!

 

[tijuana taxi]

If by changing you get more from your hobby that justifies the outlay.
Majority of the above posts back that premise up, so that must be saying it's worth a try

 

[woof woof]

I had a compacts and other small film cameras and then a Nikon SLR for a loooooong time, probably in the region of 15 years or so, but when going for my first DSLR after a disaster with a Fuji S602 which for me was just too slow in operation to shoot anything but still life everyone said that Canon had a clear lead so that's what I went with and I stuck with Canon for something over 10 years. To be honest I was never really happy with the bulk and weight of DSLR's compared to the relatively small and lightweight SLR's so when mirrorless came along I went for a Panny GF1 and I now have a Panny GX80 and a Sony A7.

I have to say that every switch was a move forward for me. Towards the end with film I found that the quality of prints I was getting back nosedived. Maybe they were cutting costs to compete with digital but whatever the reason I quickly decided that I'd had enough. Once I'd switched to digital I went back to film briefly but it was never going to work and I haven't used film for years now. Ditto the switch from DSLR to mirrorless, it's been a success and I'd never willingly go back now.

 

[snerkler]

I shoot raw, it makes little difference what colours each camera is really.

This question is so personal, it is hard to read the answer and apply to someone else. Because we would all be starting at a different system and switching to another. OP hasn't actually specified which system he has so if he is a M4/3 shooter and thinking swapping to a Hassleblad for studio work, his criteria would be different to someone who shoots outdoors all day, weight would be irrelevant.

FYI...

Whilst you ‘can’ mess with the colours in RAW to taste it is extremely difficult to develop a preset that works across the board and having to constantly fettle colours can be annoying. This is true of all systems of course, but if you have a camera that naturally produces pleasing colours most of the time then it is less faff.

Of course, if you only shoot scenes where you use such things as the colour passport checker then it really doesn’t matter

 

[Simplythebeast]

I switch around every couple of years, I don't care what I use so long as I'm happy shooting. The gear is only your tool set. I wonder are electricians as brand loyal as the average casual photographer? "Eww, Black and Decker?? I only use Bosch mate!"

They would be if having bought a power tool they were then locked into a ‘sytem’ and could only use drill bits etc from the same company I suppose.

 

[woof woof]

Whilst you ‘can’ mess with the colours in RAW to taste it is extremely difficult to develop a preset that works across the board and having to constantly fettle colours can be annoying. This is true of all systems of course, but if you have a camera that naturally produces pleasing colours most of the time then it is less faff.

Of course, if you only shoot scenes where you use such things as the colour passport checker then it really doesn’t matter

What I do find a little strange are the colours we often see on this and other sites, colours that maybe belong on some strange alien world. Whilst an alien world look may be nice now and again I personally wouldn't want them to be the norm. The other worldly JPEG's and filter / film effects we see seem to me to make the relatively small differences we see between different manufacturers raw files completely insignificant

 

[simonbarker]

Canon to Nikon to Sony.

The move to Nikon was mostly positive, I always found it a little clunky to handle compared to Canon (can't help what you learn with) but the camera in an of itself was quite a step up. At the time I was disappointed though, so many people saying how much better one brand was than the other, imagine my disappointment.

I'm quite happy with the Sony so far but that's mostly because I'm using better glass rather than the camera being a real improvement for me.

 

[snerkler]

What I do find a little strange are the colours we often see on this and other sites, colours that maybe belong on some strange alien world. Whilst an alien world look may be nice now and again I personally wouldn't want them to be the norm. The other worldly JPEG's and filter / film effects we see seem to me to make the relatively small differences we see between different manufacturers raw files completely insignificant

Of course, it depends if you're a jpeg or RAW shooter, and what your preference is. But that brings me back to my point, you shouldn't neglect the way a camera interprets colours just because you shoot RAW. Having a camera that naturally produces colours that are pleasing to you can save a lot of faff.

For example, I was recently giving serious consideration of jumping ship from Nikon to the Sony A7Riii and downloaded numerous sample RAW files and developed a preset to get the colours the way that I liked them which was great. However, I applied this preset to other photos and the colours were all wrong. This told me that for each series of photos there was going to be abroad chance that I was going to have to tweak the colours, which can be a real faff as you might know if you've tried it. Trying to balance the colour hues, luminance along with the calibration primaries etc can be very frustrating.

I personally prefer my colours to be as true a representation as possible, some prefer warmer tones, some more red etc etc., there is no right or wrong. However, I stand by my point that you shouldn't automatically dismiss the colours that a camera produces just because you shoot RAW

 

[woof woof]

Of course, it depends if you're a jpeg or RAW shooter, and what your preference is. But that brings me back to my point, you shouldn't neglect the way a camera interprets colours just because you shoot RAW. Having a camera that naturally produces colours that are pleasing to you can save a lot of faff.

For example, I was recently giving serious consideration of jumping ship from Nikon to the Sony A7Riii and downloaded numerous sample RAW files and developed a preset to get the colours the way that I liked them which was great. However, I applied this preset to other photos and the colours were all wrong. This told me that for each series of photos there was going to be abroad chance that I was going to have to tweak the colours, which can be a real faff as you might know if you've tried it. Trying to balance the colour hues, luminance along with the calibration primaries etc can be very frustrating.

I personally prefer my colours to be as true a representation as possible, some prefer warmer tones, some more red etc etc., there is no right or wrong. However, I stand by my point that you shouldn't automatically dismiss the colours that a camera produces just because you shoot RAW

You sure this isn't a WB/colour temp/tint/lighting issue?

Shooting raw I find that other than colour temp, tint and WB which will vary depending upon the scene it's all pretty much the same.

 

[soupdragon]

I have mused switching on a number of occasions.
Every so often a camera is released that has a feature I really feel would be useful.
The only thing that stops me is the enormous financial loss through selling second hand or PX.

 

[snerkler]

You sure this isn't a WB/colour temp/tint/lighting issue?

Shooting raw I find that other than colour temp, tint and WB which will vary depending upon the scene it's all pretty much the same.

Not from my experience, but if I've still got the RAWs I'll go back and double check. I know the first thing I did try and match was change WB and tint. But this is the problem isn't it, to get a preset that works across all photos is nigh on impossible. You'd either have to use a grey/white card and set up your own custom WB every time if you want everything to look pretty much the same every time.

I'm not saying that my oranges always look the same, and greens always look the same of course as there's so many light variables as well as other variables. But if I can start from a base that needs little to no tweaking the majority of the time then surely this is better?

As I say though, I'll go back and revisit those Sony RAWs if I've got them and see if I can get a preset that then only requires WB change