p.1 #1 · Finding it harder to take my 7D with me places.
Basically, when I travel or go out, I want to have a good time instead of babysitting and hauling my gear.
I'm going to Carmel Valley with my gf in 2 weeks and although I want to take my DSLR with me for some nice landscapes, I just don't want to deal with the hassle of the bulk of it (carrying it with me on the plane, bringing it for snapshots in the park etc).
I'm really thinking of a smaller system but I am on a strict budget.
Basically I don't shoot much anymore and was even thinking of trading the 7D in for something smaller, but I can't bring myself to do it.
p.1 #3 · Finding it harder to take my 7D with me places.
depending on how much lens changing you do, and your need to fast focus and action, there are many options available. it is also whether its the body or lens that is too big. The nex system is a viable option, as is the new olympus, and even compacts such as g1x.
p.1 #5 · Finding it harder to take my 7D with me places.
RikWriter wrote:
Huh. My 7D never seemed that big to me, unless there was a supertele attached to it.
Plan was to take my 17-55 and my 70-300L ... I mean, those lenses are kinda bulky, and I really want to have a good time on this trip, I'm wondering if an NEX would do the trick ... I'm just confused honestly, I love the 7D and with the firmware 2.0 being released, I don't want to let it go.
But I'm always having to leave it behind because I find it a bother to bring sometimes. I mean, I only every use it when I'm shooting by myself looking for a landscape or if friends ask me to shoot something specific for them.
p.1 #8 · Finding it harder to take my 7D with me places.
Just travel with one lens and the camera body. You don't have to have the do it all kit just in case. Decide what is most important and bring the gear for that. If it is a hassle, and not an enjoyment, then selling and moving to something smaller isn't a bad option either.
p.1 #9 · Finding it harder to take my 7D with me places.
I have found that it's not the bulk of my 'gear' that is ever an issue but rather...sometimes I just don't want to be 'Mr. Photograpger Guy'. My advice...learn to just put the camera down and enjoy your vacation (or whatever event) without worrying about a picture. Personally, when I don't really want to lug around any of my DSLR's, even a P&S or an I-Phone is a hassle. Sometimes, I just don't bother with any camera if I want to be 'free' and enjoy myself...sometimes I want to carry a camera...sometimes not. I don't ever worry about 'missing a shot'...there will always be another.
p.1 #10 · Finding it harder to take my 7D with me places.
akin_t wrote:
Basically, when I travel or go out, I want to have a good time instead of babysitting and hauling my gear. I'm going to Carmel Valley with my gf in 2 weeks and although I want to take my DSLR with me for some nice landscapes, I just don't want to deal with the hassle of the bulk of it (carrying it with me on the plane, bringing it for snapshots in the park etc). I'm really thinking of a smaller system but I am on a strict budget. Basically I don't shoot much anymore and was even thinking of trading the 7D in for something smaller, but I can't bring myself to do it....Show more →
When you post a question, we'll attempt to answer it.
In the meantime, there are some things only you can answer, like How much do you really want to do photography? Turning out to be not quite as easy as it first seemed? Gotten to the point where you've learned enough of what it takes to make good photos that you find it is more than you are willing to do?
p.1 #11 · Finding it harder to take my 7D with me places.
i just bought a OM-D kit for a very similar reason. my plan is to use the OM-D system and see if it can make me happy as a walk around kit and every day camera. if it works and i like the IQ, my plan is to only use my DSLR kit for paid shoots, studio work and any other serious shooting.
p.1 #12 · Finding it harder to take my 7D with me places.
I bought the 7D because it is a small and light camera, at least compared to what I used to carry. Slap a 15-85 on it and make due with the popup and small tripod and I'm set for weeks of hard traveling. If such a petite setup is too big & heavy you probably need to start hitting the gym!
Now I do own several smaller cameras--not because the 7d/5D2 are too heavy or big--but because sometimes I need to shoot incognito in certain venues. My fav is the micro 4/3 Oly cameras: small enough to tuck in a coat pocket or messenger bag but only a notch below the 7D in terms of IQ. I normally use an E-P3 with VF-1 (brightline optical finder) and pancake. The telezooms are so small you can sneak them in most anyplace and get amazingly tight images due to the 2X crop factor. However, none of the 4/3 cameras I've tried focus as well as the 7D in low light albeit they blaze in good light. Of course, you could just use your iPhone like everybody else if you're mainly doing snapshots of runts in the park.
p.1 #13 · Finding it harder to take my 7D with me places.
If the 7D is a PITA, sell it and buy a small kit that you like better. There are a ton of options.
I went the opposite way - picked up a NEX kit as a small travel set and found that I really like full size DSLR better. I enjoy photography as my art medium, and a small fiddly camera doesn't suit me as well (even if I take more shots with it).
p.1 #15 · Finding it harder to take my 7D with me places.
mco_970 wrote:
I went the opposite way - picked up a NEX kit as a small travel set and found that I really like full size DSLR better. I enjoy photography as my art medium, and a small fiddly camera doesn't suit me as well (even if I take more shots with it).
I felt the same way and I did basically the same thing. I sold my NEX system, which is fine for snapshots, after a few months. To each his/her own though, I realize that.
p.1 #16 · Finding it harder to take my 7D with me places.
I usually bring a p&s along with me too for when I don't want to lug around my gear or it's not appropriate to have a giant camera. I always put up with hauling around a heavy backpack with all my gear because usually when I go somewhere I'm going to want to take pictures. But usually once the sun goes down I just stick the p&s in my pocket in case I want to capture a memory or two.
Sometimes if I'm trying to pack light but also want some decent pics, I'll just pack my rebel w/ 28-75 in a regular backpack with my workout clothes.
p.1 #17 · Finding it harder to take my 7D with me places.
I shoot professionally but always feel the need to take my camera for the other side of me. Lately I have wanted just a good point and shoot. I do get tired of the stress I sometimes put myself under, to get the shot. What I did was buy the new 40mm f2.8, and while I normally don't use the 7D very much, as I shoot FF, I will use that lens on it and if I can't get the shot, so what. Enjoy life, it's short.
p.1 #18 · Finding it harder to take my 7D with me places.
akin_t wrote:
Basically, when I travel or go out, I want to have a good time instead of babysitting and hauling my gear.
I'm going to Carmel Valley with my gf in 2 weeks and although I want to take my DSLR with me for some nice landscapes, I just don't want to deal with the hassle of the bulk of it (carrying it with me on the plane, bringing it for snapshots in the park etc).
I'm really thinking of a smaller system but I am on a strict budget.
Basically I don't shoot much anymore and was even thinking of trading the 7D in for something smaller, but I can't bring myself to do it....Show more →
While I don't have an issue with taking a DSLR on long hikes, I have just bought the Olympus OM-D E-M5 and if you want high quality in tiny package with all the features of a DSLR it's hard to beat. Good range of native glass and almost any alt glass can be adapted to it. IQ of m4/3 has improved dramatically and the camera has excellent AF. You can take the e-M5 and three lenses and still end up around a third the weight of the 7D and single zoom.
p.1 #19 · Finding it harder to take my 7D with me places.
Trip to a non-scenic place = photography a distant second ("social snapshots") = Canon 95.
However, when I go on a trip, that usually means I'll get new chances at photographs, so I bring my gear. Now, I might leave it in the car if we stop at a restaurant, etc (I have it all insured), but there's no way I'm leaving the good stuff at home. Note - I don't fly very often, so that would perhaps change things.
Maybe it's me, but I don't really separate "trip" and 'photography', as I enjoy taking photos while on a trip. I will usually pare down the kit if, for example, I'm going to be mountain biking or hiking (yeah, a D700 + full size aluminum tripod + 85 1.4 + bigma + tamron 28-75 + flash is NOT a travel kit while mud/mountain biking! Lesson learned.)
You might consider a m43 setup, though - the OMD-5 looks small enough to be unobtrusive, especially if you just slap a travel zoom on it or small prime.
p.1 #20 · Finding it harder to take my 7D with me places.
I wouldn't recommend selling your 7D, and your profile shows you have two very nice lenses for it. I supplement my DSLRs with a G series. I recently upgraded my G10 with a G1X and in my opinion its image quality equals that of the 7D + 15-85 (which I own). DxO testing confirms that here. I recently used the G1X on a Greek island trip that I describe here.
People complain that its heavy, and at 1.2 lbs it is not a S95, but its much lighter and smaller than your 7D + 17-55. Its a bit pricey at $700-800 but not a lot more than a 15-85 lens. It does not have nearly the AF and speed of your 7D but you wouldn't use it for that kind of photography. What it does have is IQ equal to the 7D in a compact package. The sensors have the same pixel pitch and height, differing only in the pixel width - 4:3 vs 3:2. It easily does ISO 1600. On my trip, I preferred my 5D for the landscape and archaeological sites, but the G1X was great wandering around the small towns and being out at night. And I liked not feeling like I was sacrificing any IQ by having a point & shoot. It would compliment your 7D nicely when you had the 70-300 mounted.
