Thread: Oh my... what have I done.

Firstly I need to say I'm laying the blame fair and square at the feet of soundimageplus (David), whom I have never met or spoken to on a one to one basis. But I'm doing it anyway.

I have been shooting professionally for nearly 20 years and have been a Canon user for longer than that. I shoot mainly weddings. I've spent the last couple of years a bit frustrated with my gear and have tried in vain to alleviate that by.... buying more gear. At my last wedding I had nearly 20 kilos (44lbs) of stuff. And used almost all of it. But it's getting in the way. Rather than encouraging creativity, it's destroying it.

After I got my EP-1 a year ago I started to contemplate how I could reduce my gear load. I picked up an EPL1 and housing for fun with a viewfinder. And then an EP-2 came up over at m4/3 at I grabbed that. I soon realised that for about 80% of what I do that m4/3 would be more than enough. So I bought lenses. Lots of them. 17mm, 20, PL25, 45 macro, 45-200, 9-18. the list goes on. Got a flash or two. So now I've got 18-400mm (equiv) covered in less than 4 kilos. Then i start reading soundimagplus' blog and posts here and mu-43.com. And he's thinking the same thing as me (well that's my version).

Long story. Sorry. Short ending.

Yesterday I put ALL my Canon gear on e(vil)bay. 20 years worth of stuff. I'm replacing it with a new M9, three lenses (all Voigtlanders), an m4/3 leica adaptor and a GH-2 for when I need AF. I haven't been this excited in years. And I'm going to shoot all my commercial and personal work using nothing with a mirror. This should be interesting.

So hope you don't mind, but there may be a stupid question or two in the next few weeks. I've owned several rangefinders, but never a Leica.

Thanks soundimageplus. I mean that. I owe you a beer.

Gordon

p.s. On the way out of the store I saw a m4/3 25mm 0.95 Nocton on the shelf, for less than you can get them on eBay. Couldn't resist

So no more Oly's?
:(
But if you are happy is all that counts

A bold move for a professional photographer ... I really admire your decisiveness and confidence

Originally Posted by flash

Yesterday I put ALL my Canon gear on e(vil)bay.

You're dead to me...

But seriously, brave move. I'm intrigued to know how you new setup will compare to your old DSLR gear, although more in operational terms than outright image quality.

Welcome to the world of smaller cameras Gordon!!! Glad to have you aboard! :)

Gordon, I really enjoyed reading this. It was a great addition to my morning coffee!

Phew! For a moment, I thought you were going to tell us that you've bought one of those new Fuji X100 jobbies.

Keep in touch though and let us know your experiences.

That's it. Leica M9 and Pan GH2 !
Congrats on your decision.
I'm sure you want regret.
Size and weight matters...a lot!

Originally Posted by pdh

A bold move for a professional photographer ... I really admire your decisiveness and confidence

If by decisiveness you mean, procrastinating and umming and ahhhing for nearly two years. Then yes, that's me. Mr Decisive

Confident yes. Although there are butterflies this is a careful, deliberate and considered opinion. I've slowly integrated smaller camera ( the Pens) into my workflow. For a while I've only has a few primes on my Canon bodies and zooms on the Pens and it's worked fine. More than fine, actually. The GH2 means I can be confident that the times I doo need a zoom are well covered and in most places where I use a zoom lens the extra DOF will be a help, not a hindrance.

I have also chosen now as I am soon to take 6 weeks off for a family holiday. I'll use that time to get to know the M9 inside and out.

Gordon

Originally Posted by Luckypenguin

You're dead to me...

But seriously, brave move. I'm intrigued to know how you new setup will compare to your old DSLR gear, although more in operational terms than outright image quality.

I'll miss you.....

I should have mentioned that I shoot weddings as part of a duo. So there will be plenty of fat white lenses. I just won't be using or carrying them. I've got down to three primes and a 5D2 body of late at weddings. I only need a zoom for some of the reception and a long lens for a few shots during the ceremony. The GH2 will be perfect for this.

Gordon

Gordon