I’ve been having a lot of thoughts about cameras lately. I have been rethinking my camera setup, my lens setup and my general photography. The first casualty of my shakeup was my Olympus gear. Find out more as I share my thoughts.
My initial thoughts lately have been that I should sell all my gear (both Fujifilm X-T3 and lenses along with the Olympus EPL8 and its lenses) and move into the full frame ecosystem. I eyed up the Nikon Z5, Z6 and Z7, along with various Sony models. I could afford to get one of my choices along with one, possibly two lenses.
I put my gear up for sale and instantly sold all my Olympus gear. The E-PL8 was and is a great camera, however, it’s been on my mind for a long time that it could easily be replaced by one of my growing collection of CCD cameras for the uses I was putting it through (family photos and general walk around camera). My recent trip away with the Nikon P50 proved how obsolete that Olympus had become to my needs.
That has left me briefly (at the time of writing this) with my Fujifilm gear up for sale… And my mind ticking over!
My thoughts went from buying a full frame camera to just “upgrading” to the Fujifilm X-T5. A newer camera, with IBIS, 40mp sensor, improved autofocus, more simulations and bigger battery, just to name a few differences. That would mean I could simply keep my lenses, sell the X-T3 and get the X-T5.
Forward to the next day…
And then I slept on it. I tossed and turned with the demons in my head about buying a new camera and listened to a voice of reason. My X-T3 really does everything I need it to do. I’ve never missed having in body stabilisation, I’ve never thought 26mp was too little, I’ve never struggled with autofocus and I edit raw files mostly, so the extra simulations are available anyway!
I have the money from the Olympus sale that I can use to boost my lens collection. Currently I have the XC50-230mm along with the F/1.4 Viltrox lenses (13mm, 23mm & 56mm) and the TTArtisans 7.5mm. As you see, I am now missing a zoom for the wider angles, so the XF16-80mm F/4 is tempting!
Stay tuned for what happens next!
One Camera One Lens Photography 
Hey Mark ! I can perfectly follow your thinking about selling the Olympus E-PL8, because you can replace it perfectly with your compact cameras, they also give wonderful results, we recently experienced that.
The second decision is more crucial, reminds me of my decision to switch from Fujifilm to Olympus, that was not an easy step.
I was scared as hell to let my wonderful X-H1 cameras and lenses go, and to make the wrong decision.
So, been there 🙂
I’m curious how it will continue.
Take care my friend !
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Thank you 🙏 it’s a tough time, and to be honest, I just love my X-T3 too much!
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It’s not going to be an easy choice Mark. On paper full frame will always be better, the question is do you need full frame?
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I’ll be staying with Fujifilm… And the X-T3. I’ll just use the money from my Olympus for a lens. It’s the perfect system, at the right point đź‘Ś
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I’ve been thinking about selling my Fuji X-T3 and the two lenses I have for it. Where are you selling your gear? Any recommendations, and do’s and don’ts for selling ones gear?
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I tend to use MPB Photographic. however, after much research and thought, I will be keeping my X-T3 as many people with theX-T5 say it is not as huge an upgrade as we are made to believe.
I will however be buying a new lens with the money I made from selling my Olympus camera and its lenses (I sold it privately). I am looking at getting the XF16-80.
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That’s one of the two lenses I have for my Fuji rig. I hope you like it! I find I rarely use it! I only take it with me when I’m traveling and not taking my Nikon gear.
I’ve used Craigslist for selling gear before with success, but it does seem to take forever to sell sometimes…months! Plus there’s a lot of spam to wade through to get to the serious buyers.
I’m glad you were able to sell your gear quickly and now you can move on to getting that new lens!
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Yep, I’ve considered upgrading too Mark, but the XT 3 I bought really cheap does the job, also my XS10. I really thought I’d upgrade to the XS20. No it’s all too much gas. Wants and needs .
Consider the Tamron 18-300 Mark. I love mine so versatile at both ends. I usually just take that out for the day.
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I was thinking of the 18-300! I’ll have a think about it.
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Mark, consider getting the XC15-45mmF3.5-5.6 OIS PZ. It’s sharp, light, small, inexpensive, and has OIS. I find it is my most used lens, particularly for street photography.
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I had that lens for many years, and actually wrote about how I both love and hate it at the same time.
I loved the image quality, and the zoom range, but the electronic zoom always annoyed me, and I would always have trouble with it with gloves on.
But yes, that’s a damn fine lens to consider now I think about it!
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Well, I hope you have realised that it’s the photographer 99% of time and not the camera that gives you great images, though a good camera helps. There is not much difference between a FF and a micro four thirds once you get used to it. I sold my FF etc to go MFT and not ever regretted it. I get good images from my Olympus Em1 Mk2 (I sold the other one) and Great images from my two E-M1X cameras. I got 20mpix cameras and wanted a 24mpix camera or higher, then realised I had a 24pix once and can’t find any difference between them. I Crop more than half my 20mpix image and You’ll never know unless I told you. So Mark, please don’t get carried away with Lusting after a better camera, there really isn’t one. You are an Excellent photographer with a gift for photography, use it n forget buying a very expensive camera that needs very, very expensive lenses. Keep up the Good Work.
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I’ll be staying where I am đź‘Ś i thought the same in the end!
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Hi Mark. Glad you overcame the demons but sorry the Olympus family has lost someone. I found using two systems a little confusing with the OM-1 and X100V. I eventually sold the X100V to pay for another Olympus lens. I soon regretted it though as I loved the Fujifilm camera. Now that I’ve seen the used market value of the X100V I should have raised enough for two or three lens. But alas.
Interesting you mentioned the compacts. I saw a YouTube video yesterday and the creator was using a Canon G10. Honestly, if he had said FF I would have believed him. The shots were excellent. I have the subsequent G11 so hope to bring it back into action for street.
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