Thread: Almost slipped backwards...

I woke up last night around 2am and couldn't get readily back to sleep, started thinking about how I could do some creative trading for a new piece of kit. I began thinking that if there was one full frame DSLR I would own, it would be what I consider, one beautiful hunk o'kit...the Canon 1Ds

So, after much arguing with myself, I also almost traded my X-Pro 1 and Zeiss lenses for a 1Ds Markii.
Then I went out with my Zeiss 85mm f1.4 and shot a couple pics around the yard, it was then convinced that even though I was in the love bubble with the onetime flagship Canon, it appears older sensor technology, cannot compete with the newer. There are of course tradeoffs as each piece was designed with different purposes in mind, so not really apples to apples, in the end IQ wins out for me.


X-Pro 1/Zeiss 85mm f1.4

Anyone else have an occasional lapse of judgement when trading/buying/selling that you don't mind sharing a laugh about now?

In my case, I can readily think of two. Unfortunately, I went through with both of them; only much later did I realize how foolish I was.

The first time was in 1998, when I traded with a good friend my Canon T90 body for a Canon EOS IX. I had made the switch to the EOS system with an Elan II, and thought the IX would be a better sidekick. The one good thing about the trade is that my friend (who's an excellent photographer) has made very good use of the T90, and continues to use it to this day. I still have the EOS IX but no scanning facilities for APS film, so it never gets used.

The second time was in 2007, when I decided to sell my Contax G outfit. At the time, I had been shooting digital for 2 1/2 years, and thought I would never shoot film again. I remember that system with great fondness and really regret having sold it.

No other major lapses that I can remember.

Cheers,

Antonio

I miss my 5D. I sold it and my lenses a few years ago. My primary reason was to establish some discipline and a refresh in to my photography. For two years I shot with only a GF1 and two lenses. This was great for my photography, so in that sense I do not regret it. I did miss the quality of those 5D photographs. They were just delicious. The camera itself was fine, but not great.

So I often regretted the sale, but knew that over time I would find something that would give me that sense of loving the files again, and I have with my Fuji.

I do know the 5D went to a good home; a kid studying photography.

I love the IQ of my 1DSMKII. Even though it is getting long in the tooth, It is still my favorite camera along with the Nikon F. Instant AF, Instant CAF, battery life measured by calendar, after taking photos you can use as a construction tool. A great camera that still can still hold it's own against today's camera (admittedly losing ground, but it's an old camera). And there's a lot to say about lenses behind the camera also.

Gary

Ok ok, I could resist no longer, it's goodbye X-Pro 1, hello Canon 1Ds Mkii! I still have the Leica X1 so I believe I can still hang here, I am weak but my arms will be getting much stronger no doubt, lifting this up to my eye! It's fabulous BTW Gary.

Originally Posted by Gary

I love the IQ of my 1DSMKII. Even though it is getting long in the tooth, It is still my favorite camera along with the Nikon F. Instant AF, Instant CAF, battery life measured by calendar, after taking photos you can use as a construction tool. A great camera that still can still hold it's own against today's camera (admittedly losing ground, but it's an old camera). And there's a lot to say about lenses behind the camera also.

Gary

Originally Posted by BruPri

Ok ok, I could resist no longer, it's goodbye X-Pro 1, hello Canon 1Ds Mkii! I still have the Leica X1 so I believe I can still hang here, I am weak but my arms will be getting much stronger no doubt, lifting this up to my eye! It's fabulous BTW Gary.

Enjoy it! Fabulous camera.
I admire you for giving up the Fuji; not something that would be easy for me.

It was the FF sensor and auto focus that did it. Fuji can take some credit as it's making behemoth flagship DSLRS actually affordable!

I didn't think it was possible. Are you feeling OK? I hope you don;t regret your decision. Enjoy your your big, heavy camera

Well Luke, you see the new camera and I have this arrangement. I point it at what I want to shoot, and it focuses and captures in full frame, the exact image I want in a fraction of a second.
Enjoying every functional pound of it

I know that feeling. I've been trying to convince myself to sell the Nikon FF + lenses for several months. I'm down to that and the X Pro/X100. I rarely ever use it. Not because it's too big or too heavy. I just like what I get out of the Fuji better. That said I really like the Nikon 24-70 F2.8, 85mm F1.4, and the 35mm F1.4. After I get the new Fuji lenses I want, I'll probably upgrade to the D600 (36 megapixels is just too much for me) at some point in 2014. For some things you just can't beat a FF sensor and the faster shutter speeds. I personally think Fuji will go FF sometime in 3 to 5 years. They could probably cram one in the X Pro by adjusting the size of the lens mount. They also clearly understand how to make lenses. The 35mm is one of the two or three best lenses I own. I still think the Fuji has better IQ than my Nikon. I'm always amazed by it. It's probably not as good as the D600 though. One thing I am sure of is the metering and white balance are much better than on the Nikon. The files require a lot less work in Photoshop (if anything at all). Kudos to Fuji for releasing a lens roadmap that covers all the basic primes you need, although I suppose a 135mm equivalent would be nice if big, slow and pricey. I've got the 14 on pre-order and will be getting the 23, 27, and 56. The zooms look very interesting but not at F4 on the long end.