 |
| Swimming pool. Sevierville, Tennessee. (click to enlarge) |
A couple weeks ago, in response to my wrap-up post about my recent road trip, here, I received a question asking if I planned on keeping my three different camera systems. I currently have an OM-1, a Fujifilm X-T5 and X-H2S as well as a Nikon Z7II along with a few lenses for each.
In the past I may have gone on about the pros and cons of the different sensor sizes, more or fewer pixels and lens selection. But I didn't. My response was simple. Since then I've not been able to get my answer out of my head. I keep coming back to it. It just makes so much sense.
What was my answer? I responded by saying that for now I would not be selling any of my gear (since I already own it and don't need the money from selling it) but in the future, if I did sell, it would be the Nikon. Why? Because I don't believe full frame will make my photographs any better. Also, full frame won’t make my photography any more enjoyable. Simple as that. I get everything I want and need out of my other two systems.
In the past full frame made a difference in some of my images. The key word here is ‘past.’ Full frame was less convenient and more expensive but I was willing to make the compromise for the difference in image quality, autofocus speed and resolution. As sensors, image processors and software editing plug-ins have dramatically improved over the years, for the kinds of photography I do, full frame no longer makes a difference. Full frame cameras won’t improve what I get from my smaller sensor cameras. Full frame won’t make my photography any more enjoyable.
For the first time in memory I have lost any desire to have a full frame digital camera. Seriously. During those times in the past when I didn’t own a full frame camera, I always had that gnawing feeling in the back of my mind that I wanted one—even needed one. That feeling is now gone. Very liberating. It feels like a deep, cleansing breath of fresh mountain air. Wow!
Thanks for looking. Enjoy!
Dennis A. Mook
All content on this blog is © 2013-2023 Dennis A. Mook. All Rights Reserved. Feel free to point to this blog from your website with full attribution. Permission may be granted for commercial use. Please contact Mr. Mook to discuss permission to reproduce the blog posts and/or images.
In general I agree with you but I still see something in full frame that I cannot fully identify. It reminds me of the difference in film between medium format and 4x5. It was not grain or sharpness but something in the smoothness from the resolution. The differences are not deal breakers but I still see them in some of my images but not all which even makes it more frustrating.
ReplyDeleteUnderstood. I used to feel that way as well. Each of us has to decide what ‘sufficiency’ is. Clarity has come to me recently. Thankfully! lol
DeleteI moved to digital with a D300, but as soon as the D700 was released I leaped at the chance to go to full frame. All was well until the the clock ticked past my 80th birthday and suddenly everything seemed to weigh twice as much. Whilst not being keen to return cropped sensors, I thought I’d give the Fujifilm XE3 a try. Suffice to say I’m now using and it along with a XT3 and a XH2s along with the excellent post-processing tools we have, and don’t miss heavy full frame gear in the least
ReplyDeleteThank you for your story. I’m glad you have found a kit that meets all of your needs.
DeleteI’ve been a Nikon guy since my 1975 F2s, and I still love my Nikon gear. When I switched from film to digital, my choice was a D750. Not much later, Nikon rolled out the Z50 kit, at a price that made it feasible to buy as a second camera and still keep the D750.
ReplyDeleteThe Z50 has never disappointed, but because of the slow development of Nikon’s APS-C lenses, I did go with a Z5 with a 28-75 zoom (f2.8, nice and fast, good bokeh) for pretty much all I do. But that Z50 is still around, still works fabulously, and it could become again my “only” camera.
Thank you for your comment. I, too, have owned and used Nikons since 1975 and they have never let me down. Please don’t think I don’t like my Nikons, I do! I just don’t have a fully built-out Nikon kit and with my OM and Fujifilm gear, I see no reason to buy additional Nikon lenses when those other two kits fulfill my needs. I still have several Nikons on my display shelf that I’ve used over the years. They will always hold a special place for me.
Delete