It all began with a single choice. One that sent me through a path I would have never predicted.
Some decisions in life require a thorough and careful analysis before we decide to move ahead. Ideally, one must consider the future impact our selection will have.
And what did I do when I bought my first camera? Exactly the opposite.
It was a somewhat random choice. I knew I wanted a DSLR and that back then, Canon and Nikon were the best bets. But besides those considerations, I didn’t put any other thoughts. So, one day in 2008, I bought a Canon Rebel XS with the kit lens.
Why Canon and not Nikon? You might ask. Well, I could tell you it was for the noise handling, the dynamic range, the menu, handling, etc. But the truth is that I went for the one that was on sale that day. You see, I didn’t know anything about photography. That was the beginning of my journey as a photographer.
After learning a lot with my initial kit, I eventually moved to a mid-range DSLR, Canon 60D, a full-frame DSLR, Canon 6D, and a full-frame mirrorless Canon R. On the lens side, the advance was faster. I got a few Canon “L” lenses as soon as I could afford them.
That was my ecosystem built around Canon. I was happy with it, although I still consider the 60D as the body producing the better photos in colour tone and character.
But things were about to change.
Jumping ships
The more invested you are in an ecosystem, the harder it is to move to a different one. Difficult but possible.
And that is what I did this past summer.
I started thinking of changing equipment when I realized how much more expensive the new Canon RF equipment has become. I was also unhappy with the EOS R camera. Moving to a more recent body, like the R5, would increase my budget significantly.
At the same time, I started paying attention to Fujifilm, and the more I read and heard, the more I liked it. Yes, it was back to the APS-C sensor; however, their X system offers the best quality per dollar. You can buy excellent lenses from Fuji and third-party manufacturers. I was also ready to downsize and get away from the large, heavy lenses.
This was my journey; what worked for me and why might not apply to you or anyone else. I recommend you take time to consider if you want to change equipment. Learn as much as possible about the brand and gear you are considering buying. And plan for the transition.
I bought a Fujifilm camera and a couple of lenses to start. And I have no regret at all. And I now have a path forward for larger resolution with the latest 40M pixels H2 and X-T5 cameras launched by Fuji.
The conclusion
We all travel different paths and have different needs. And most of the things around photography, like any art, are highly subjective.
When changing photographic gear, you must decide what’s best for you. It would be best if you do your due diligence, learn as much as possible, and try to borrow or rent the equipment before you buy it.
Be ready for disruption; most likely, your workflow will have to change, some things will break, and you’ll have to adjust.
Then everything has to change, flashes, cables, remote triggers. Your filters will need a step-down ring, or you have to get new ones if going up in size. You have to have a replacement strategy for every single item.
And then there’s the handling of the camera: a new menu, different features, and different layouts of buttons and dials. Heck, in Fujifilm XF, the aperture is on the lens itself (although a dial can control it). Be ready to hate the changes initially, but things will get better if you persevere.
Suggestions
Decide if you want to go with the latest model or save some money by buying the previous version.
See if the new camera has a lens adaptor for your current lenses. You might be able to avoid having to replace all of them at once.
Sell your equipment individually; it’s more effort, but you will get more cash.
Avoid swapping the gear in a camera store; you will get much less money for it.
If there’s a rental shop near, consider renting it before buying.
Be patient.
