What is the maximum number of cameras you need

[Andrew Reid]

I think all needs can be broken down into 3 cameras.

So first we have a do-it-all high spec camera, such as EOS R5 II or Nikon Z8, Panasonic S1R II or Sony a1. If your client is asking for 4K/120p you'll be able to deliver. If your creative endeavor needs 8K and so on... Or you just want the absolute maximum image quality for $3k+

But second we must have an art camera. That's for taking on trips and personal strolls around town, bit of street photography but high fun factor, unique ergonomics, plus good enough video to capture nice 4K in low light, perhaps with decent autofocus. I'm thinking Fuji X-Pro3, Sigma BF or Fp-L or Fuji X100 VI. If you don't care about video on this camera then Sony RX1R is a lovely walk-around artistic camera with a high fun factor.

Then third we absolutely do need a high-end smartphone camera.

Of course 3 doesn't cut it for a lot of professional work situations, so your choices might vary!

But these I reckon are the main categories.

Just depends on price.

You can get a good high spec work camera for much less than $3k like the Fuji X-H2S.

If I were to add a fourth category it would be a medium format camera, such as the GFX 50R, GFX 100 or a Hasselblad.

But so far I have about 25 categories in reality...

High-spec all-rounder (Z8, EOS R5, GFX 100)

Art cameras (Sigma Fp-L, X100 VI, Sony RX1)

Retro digicams (Powershot G6, and about 500 others)

CCD cameras (Olympus E300, E-1, Hasselblad H3D II Kodak 39 megapixel and others)

Foveon cameras (Sigma Merrill stuff)

Infrared modded cameras (in my case took the IR cut out of my  RX100 IV and Panasonic GX80)

Impulse buy cameras

Cameras I have bought twice

Cameras bought to sell for a profit

Latest cheap camera that I end up not needing

DSLRs

DSLRs with Magic Lantern Raw Video

Sony E-mount cameras for Leica AF adapters

Zoomy cameras with fixed zoom lens (FZ1000)

Broken cameras I am trying to fix at the moment

Run & gun shot getters with a smol sensor (Nikon V2)

Cameras with a CD drive (Sony Mavica)

And compacts with a flash and CCD sensor for the Polaroid look

I am forgetting anything?

[MrSMW]

Only 2 principal categories for me; work + personal.

Work can be broken down into 4 categories; static video, roaming video, hi res stills, lower res stills.

I have/need 6 cameras in total; 5x work + 1x personal.

The personal is either (day to day), phone.

The personal for trips is whichever of my pro cameras I fancy, ie, I simply re-purpose rather than have anything dedicated as such.

This year for work, 5 is the magic number; 3x video + 2x stills.

It might seem a lot to someone else, for a one man band, but it isn't really.

I have 2x S5ii on static longer duration video duty + 1x S9 on freestanding monopod run & gun roaming, 1x A7RV with 3x zooms for principal hi res stills with Zf + 40mm prime as my candid 'low' res stills unit.

I don't have anything surplus to requirement and don't keep kit I don't use unless it's cheap stuff/bits & bobs, but not cameras.

I have a few lenses I either can't shift or haven't bothered to, but probably will soon.

Ultimately, I have tools not toys, but only because tools pay my bills and I find I don't get enough out of having dedicated toys as such when. I can repurpose a tool!

The closest I have to a 'toy' or fun camera is probably the Zf and I am just deciding right now actually for a portrait shoot in Paris next week, whether to take the A7RV with 28-75 or the Zf with just the 40.

I think I will probably just go with the Nikon...

[BTM_Pix]

1 hour ago, Andrew Reid said:

 

I am forgetting anything?

Cameras that have been entrusted to DHL and are now MIA.

Also, did you not buy that Lytro Illum in the end ?

[Andrew Reid]

The Lytro was a step too far even for me!

The category of cameras from MPB lost by DHL continues to be a thing.

Soon there might have to be a new category... Free MPB stock as compensation for fuckups.

[maxJ4380]

2 hours ago, Andrew Reid said:

I think all needs can be broken down into 3 cameras.

So first we have a do-it-all high spec camera, ✅ 

        well its on its way...

But second we must have an art camera.✅ 

        i kinda like the idea of an inferred camera

Then third we absolutely do need a high-end smartphone camera.✅

        yep got one of those pretty happy with it.

Run & gun shot getters with a smol sensor (Nikon V2) 

did you mean small ? as a smol sensor is news to me, also didn't nikon kill off the v1 and v2 system in super quick time?

 

[MurtlandPhoto]

Current setup for work:

Panasonic S5iix, S5ii, S1H, Osmo Pocket 3, and an S1Rii once it's out. I'll downsize a bit once I have it. I've always liked having two cameras that perfectly match and then one or two more that can easily match for bigger shoots. Although, it's much easier to match any modern camera than in years past. The vast majority of my shoots are just one or two cameras: two for interviews, one for b-roll. 

For personal stuff:

iPhone 15 Pro. Occasionally I'll use one of my Panny's for this.

I've gotten hugely into film again lately. My collection has kinda exploded in short order. Nikon F100, Nikon FE2, Leica M6, Voigtlander Bessa R2, and I just added a Fuji GW690iii. Shooting film has really reignited a dormant part of my creative brain. The limitations of not having the capacity of 3000 photos on an SD card or being able to preview and immediately review my photos has been such a great exercise for my creativity. 

[Andrew Reid]

2 hours ago, maxJ4380 said:

 

Press enter to break up quotes my friend.

[MrSMW]

51 minutes ago, MurtlandPhoto said:

Panasonic S5iix, S5ii, S1H, Osmo Pocket 3, and an S1Rii once it's out

It's a very good mix and like you, I am not keen on mixing footage unless I have to.

Having said that, sometimes no choice such as when adding in stuff like action cams and drone, but I have not had anything especially jarring in any productions to date TO MY EYES, so it's fine.

I have been considering the Pocket 3 myself because it will be better as a gimbal cam than my S9 in 'gimbal mode', but it's a question of whether I really 'need' it or it's just one thing I don't actually 'need'.

But otherwise, I think there are another 2 camera types not in the mix above:

Action/dedicated gimbal camera and flying camera, AKA a drone.

[Django]

For me it would be:

1. Workhorse hybrid (R5/R5ii/R5C, Z8/Z9, S1Rii, A7RV/FX3 etc).

2. Compact personal/travel camera (Leica rangefinder, X100VI, Sigma FP/BF).

3. Cine camera for long format / high-end work (FS7, FX6, C70/C80, BMD, Komodo).

Anything else for me is a luxury/niche. I do have couple film cameras, including point & shoot favourite Yashica T4 (would love a Contax G2, Leica M7). Old SLR & DSLRs. 

The dream "art" video camera I want doesn't really exist, basically a new digital Bolex form factor with IBIS & NDs that shoots open-gate. I imagine Fuji could do that although it seems they're going another direction for their cine cam introduction..

[MrSMW]

1 hour ago, Django said:

would love a Contax G2

Which makes me think of another camera type, the one that does not exist but you wish it did.

For me, that would very much be take something such as the G2, to my eye, one of the most gorgeous cameras of all time, but reuse the chassis with more modern similar camera sized digital spec.

Retro-modded cameras!

I'm surprised that no one is doing this. Or maybe I just have not looked...

So I suppose this then...

1 hour ago, Django said:

The dream "art" video camera I want doesn't really exist, basically a new digital Bolex form factor with IBIS & NDs that shoots open-gate

 

[eatstoomuchjam]

There is a lot of "it depends" in the answer to this!

If we're going with "need," it probably would be a smartphone and a single higher-end mirrorless body.

But if we're going for stuff I'd like to have in order to feel happy, it brings in film gear and between medium and large format, there are a bunch that I have and enjoy - from a Gundlach 8x20 down to a Mamiya 7.  I don't really bother with smaller formats anymore since digital is just a lot better these days - and even 6x7-6x9 are effectively less good than the GFX 100 series so I use them more because I like the experience of shooting on film, costly though it might be.

For video, my current kit (K-X, Komodo, Ronin 4D 8K, GFX 100 II, R5, C70, E2-F6, and E2-S6G) treats me well.  I'll be trading in some or all of the last 3 toward an UC 12K soon, though...  though I might keep the E2-S6G for car-mounted purposes, especially on dusty roads, since it's passively cooled and global shutter (the former is important for not having to clean a crapload of dust out of the camera's cooling system).  But as much as I love the C70 and the F6, I'm just not taking them out enough.

With the UC12K, I think it'll become my main camera.  The K-X will be more or less dedicated to Fujinon MK zooms/DJI Focus for fast turn-around stuff (unless the AF performance is night and day better with the new (or some upcoming) firmware.  The R4D, of course, the gimbal camera (I also ordered the Flex unit so the R4D will also be the "put the camera in strange/small places" camera).  The OG Komodo is rigged up to be super light so I can use it for car stuff (on non-dusty roads!) or handheld.  GFX 100 II is my stills/travel camera.  R5 is a very small/light camera that is unobtrusive to use so I can bring it and shoot in places where the other cameras would draw attention.

[mercer]

As a hobbyist, it becomes a bit tougher to justify multiple cameras compared to someone who is making money with their tools. So the "proper" answer should be 1 camera. But as an enthusiast, that isn't always possible.

I've tried to only have cameras that offer different features... AF, IBIS, etc...

I also don't use cameras as hybrids. I have cameras I use for video... 5D3 ML Raw, the Sigma FP and R7 I have on loan from a friend and then I shoot stills on an old Pentax DSLR (K10D) and a few old film SLRs.

[newfoundmass]

For me I only really need three cameras, and they're what I have:

Lumix S5 (2)

Lumix S5II X (1)

They cover all of my professional needs and I also just enjoy using them for my own personal use.

I do plan on picking up a S1R when the used price goes down even more. Having a high resolution stills camera for promotional pictures I think would be useful. I could also use it for backstage promotional videos at my wrestling events.

I've also debated getting the Lumix S9 as an everyday carry camera. I really don't enjoy using my phone to shoot photos and video. It just doesn't give me that good feeling I get when using a real camera. I sometimes feel like I'm in the minority though in that regard.

[Al Dolega]

Just two, really.

-"Main" camera- hybrid/mirrorless for photos and high-IQ video. In the process of downsizing this from S5iiX and a bunch of big/heavy native glass to a G9ii with two native zooms, three tiny native primes, and a tiny cheap Meike fisheye. Streamlined my cage/rig, dropped the rails I didn't often use. Simplified my filtration and hoods. Built up a set of the Meike mini-cine lenses and have a rail/FF/mattebox setup that can quickly swap onto the camera when I need it. Got a way smaller flash trigger and flashes for photo. Motivation is mostly to drop a ton of size and weight and most importantly investment. I'm no longer making money with my gear, so no reason to drag a Pelican with $8K of stuff with me.

-"Zoomy" camera- camcorder with servo zoom to be able to follow action. Canon XF405 has filled this role for five years or so, it does have shortcomings and I would love to upgrade to have 10bit, better handling, better AF, 4K120 etc but don't want to move to a bigger cam or drop more money. If XF605's get real cheap this year or next I might bite, still bigger than I want though. The NX800/Z200 are the better buy now really, not much more than the Canon used, but are even bigger. Ideally Sony does a Z90-ish replacement that stays in that size range with the XF405, but with the Z200 specs. Even then I would be waiting for that to depreciate on the used market so not something that would happen soon.

Then there's a drone, and I would like to start incorporating a bit of gimbal stuff. Debating size/IQ/complexity tradeoffs on both of these, I have a Mini2 and a Pocket 1 but not really satisfied with the IQ or focal length on either. I also have an RSC2 that probably isn't worth selling that I could just throw the main cam on, but my track record with doing that for personal stuff has been zero, a Pocket 3 is more likely to get brought and actually used.

When used S1H's consistently drop below $1K I might grab one for slower, prettier shooting with the Nikkors and Minolta MDs that I've had gathering dust for years.

 

[ntblowz]

For me 3 camera is deal setup, 2 workhorse and 1 for casual

1 main cam for handheld/gimbal and 1 tripod with big zoom for convenience during events (or prime if just interview type), I know people like to talk down on those 10x travel zoom but they are so handy for event work, and with FF or APSC as base they handle lowlight more better than camcorder even though the aperture is not that high.

[IronFilm]

Sony FS7 & F3 , low budget videography / corporate / etc types of shoots. 

OG BMPCC, probably should sell this maybe. Ditto the handful of GH1/G3/GF3/etc bodies I still have from when I started out with doing multicam wedding shoots for a handful of years, but haven't done that in ages!

Nikon D90 / D50 / Nikon D5200, to use with my collection of Nikon lens for casual photography fun / hobby. D50 was my first ever camera, worthless now, so why sell it? Keep it for sentimental value. D5200 is my "best" Nikon camera, but won't work with the AF-D lenses I have, but the D90 will. 

Fujifilm X-A3, I'm digging this camera the most for my casual fun photography I'm doing. It's fun to use. I've even doubled down and got a cheap Fujifilm X-T2! Hasn't arrived yet though. 

Panasonic GH4, I used this a bit for vlogging, and even thought this should become my main non-cine camera. But dunno, maybe I should ditch it and the rest of MFT, and have the X-T2 not just for photos but video? If I get the battery grip for the X-T2 (to unlock longer recording times). 

Yeah I know the X-T2 video quality and features isn't up to the highest standards by modern day expectations, but for the needs here I've not got much, and I'm merely comparing it up against the performance of a Panasonic GH4. So, it makes sense, perhaps?

 

https://www.eoshd.com/news/shooting-fuji-x-t2-italy-samsung-nx1-sony-a6300-beater/ 

 

[Thpriest]

2 Lumix S5mk2 x2 for work. Often one on a tripod connected to sound filming for hours and the other doing B-roll, interviews and photos.

Both being the same makes editing easier and quicker.

[Andrew Reid]

6 hours ago, IronFilm said:

Sony FS7 & F3 , low budget videography / corporate / etc types of shoots.

OG BMPCC, probably should sell this maybe. Ditto the handful of GH1/G3/GF3/etc bodies I still have from when I started out with doing multicam wedding shoots for a handful of years, but haven't done that in ages!

Nikon D90 / D50 / Nikon D5200, to use with my collection of Nikon lens for casual photography fun / hobby. D50 was my first ever camera, worthless now, so why sell it? Keep it for sentimental value. D5200 is my "best" Nikon camera, but won't work with the AF-D lenses I have, but the D90 will.

Fujifilm X-A3, I'm digging this camera the most for my casual fun photography I'm doing. It's fun to use. I've even doubled down and got a cheap Fujifilm X-T2! Hasn't arrived yet though. 

Panasonic GH4, I used this a bit for vlogging, and even thought this should become my main non-cine camera. But dunno, maybe I should ditch it and the rest of MFT, and have the X-T2 not just for photos but video? If I get the battery grip for the X-T2 (to unlock longer recording times). 

Yeah I know the X-T2 video quality and features isn't up to the highest standards by modern day expectations, but for the needs here I've not got much, and I'm merely comparing it up against the performance of a Panasonic GH4. So, it makes sense, perhaps?

Have you thought about a full frame camera to replace those Nikons? D700 can be had for $200 these days.

A Canon 5D Mark II for video perhaps? Magic Lantern Raw still very nice looking today.

I would also sell the GH4, X-A3, X-T2 and get an X-T3 which is a big step up from both and under $600 used.

Not sure what the price is in Aussie dollars though 🙂

[MurtlandPhoto]

8 hours ago, IronFilm said:

D50 was my first ever camera, worthless now, so why sell it? Keep it for sentimental value

It's a pretty good infrared camera if you're into that. I dust mine off every few years for it.

[maxJ4380]

1 hour ago, Andrew Reid said:

 

Not sure what the price is in Aussie dollars though 🙂

Good value if your travelling to aus with your tourist $$, bad value if your a local wanting to buy anything abroad and don't forget the gst.  I fear it will only get worse with that idiot in the white house.