Camera Nerdery Ramblefest: Not What I Could Do, But What I Should Do.
Subtitle: This whole Fujifilm Sensor Renaissance Thing Shook Me Up A Bit.
G.A.S. is real. I am a sufferer. While some would say I have failed miserably, they do not understand the damage I would do completely unchecked. I would try to own ALL of the cameras. My lovely wife…
…is very supportive and, as such, is an enabler. Often, I am the one who has to say no when she says go for it. And yes… I am completely aware of how fortunate I am. Always have been. Always will be.
And as a side show to my recent return to Fujifilm shenanigans, I was hit with two G.A.S. waves.
1. An APS-C 40MP chip driven sell off.
I was so impressed with the 40MP chip in the X100VI that it almost caused a Sony sell off funded run on Fujifilm X mount gear. My “thinking” (If it can be called that.).
- This AF is great.
- I really like the image quality.
- This has more MP than the A7C II.
- Will you look at that? An X-T5 costs less than an A7C II. And then…
- Hold on! I could get an X-T5 that has the same sensor as the X100VI with all the dials and switches I could ever want.
But it is never that easy.
Get that X!
Issue 1:
(As always taken in the context of this all being a first-world, please distract me from the madness, “problem” affair.)
I have recently found the Sony FE prime lens I have long looked for, and it cost me peanuts.
What do I replace it with?
That took me down a first party and third party prime lens research jamboree that netted no clear victor. The easy answer would be the Fujifilm 35mm f/1.4, which I have always been aesthetically drawn to, but I also must admit that it has one of, if not the, lowest Flickr album sample image counts of any 50mm-ish lens I have ever used. So… Though my memory holds it in high esteem, reality could not have matched this assessment in the real world. It took me years to choose a daily carry 50mm lens from Sony. And I have no desire to start that process over with a different mount.
Issue 2:
The A7C II is currently my big boy “real session” backup camera, intended to keep a wide-ish lens out in front of it. Once again after years of lens churn I have settled on a “winner”.
And as Tamron has done before to me, they have since released yet another lens that may take the wide zoom throne. See above for why that is problematic if I start over again with a different mount.
Issue 3:
The precious.
I flipping adore this lens. ADORE it, I say.
The closest lens to this for Fujifilm X is another Tamron lens that, despite being a great lens, I am sure, does not really cut it. A full frame equivalent of 26-105mm would not be a suitable replacement for the 35-150mm. And after having used that lens for multiple events and weddings as well as portraits, as part of a two zoom kit,…
…I could not see myself going back to a lens trinity setup again.
But mainly… That 35-150mm is going nowhere, as I knew that would be an instant regret that would be nearly impossible for me to undo. Then after more days of a research frenzy, unsuccesfully attempting to identify a suitable lens replacement, a last nail in the coffin came along.
I held an X-T5 in my hand.
Another confirmation of why I am so fortunate to have a local camera shop. On paper, spec wise and aesthetically, I thought I would prefer the X-T5. In hand?… Nope. I was surprised. Perhaps this is due to it being my second A7C and it feels like home in hand, but I would rather the A7C II. I cannot put a finger on why but back to back the A7C II was my choice. Don’t come at me, residents of Fuji-La. Personal opinion.
So those last whimpers of “Trade it all for X!”… faded completely away after that.
But I was not done yet. My inner G.A.S. demon has another trick up its sleeve.
2. Get that G!
This one did not last long.
My “plan” here was to pick up a GFX50R (CauseitspurdyandIhavebeentryingtojustifybuyingonesinceIlearnedofitsexistence… Unsuccessfully.) and the GF 100-200mm f/5.6 a bunch of letters signifying weather resistance and stabilization after that (used of course).
This one fizzled out quick. Went like this.
- Am I willing to give up stellar AF and IBIS for a larger, prettier camera with contrast only AF and no IBIS?
- …no.
- If I get the 100-200mm bunch of letters and numbers after will I let go of the Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8?
- …you just hush your mouth with such blasphe… <ahem> …no.
- Does a 50MP no IBIS having meh AF camera make any sense when you already have access to a 61MP camera that is basically your dream full frame spec sheet come to life?
- …no.
- <deeply inhales> Is there any real benefit to be had, or are you just changing things up to be changing things up after you have found solutions that work for you?
- The second thing.
- Can’t you just appreciate the fact that Fujifilm now makes great APS-C and medium format sensors without causing yourself unnecessary drama and fiscal trauma?
- …yes.
And that was that.
Could I have done it?
Sure. I could have made either Fujifilm solution work.
Should I have done it?
No.
And with that, the G.A.S. fever subsided.
Will there be attacks in the future? Of course.
As long as there are new releases, misplaced epiphanies, and persistent high-speed internet access, there will always be recurrences. But, as of this moment, I am good.
Happy capturing.
-ELW
Eric L. Woods 