Thinking about selling all my photo gear and buying a nice point and shoot!
AmbientMike Offline • • • • • • [X]
p.2 #1 · Thinking about selling all my photo gear and buying a nice point and shoot!
If you take the 400 2.8 out of it, is the op even going to get enough to get the latest 24-70/2.8 much less a body or even a X100VI and his 24-70/2.8 is probably good to begin with. Is he having any problems getting stuff in focus because if he's not and not doing video more difficult to justify an upgrade
I used to carry roughly 5 lbs in a simple shoulder bag not really too heavy imo.
D800 has more pixels and DR, even D3x I mean 24mp is hardly obsolete. 12mp aps I'd still use it, probably get a lot of pushback calling it current though
p.2 #2 · Thinking about selling all my photo gear and buying a nice point and shoot!
One other thought, related to the value question — e.g. is the gear worth enough to bother selling. If you don't need the money (or the bother of selling for a small return), I wonder if there's a young photographer around who might be thrilled to have a "real camera" and lenses... and you could just give it to them.
At the same time, your clear implication that there might still be times when you want a "real camera" suggests that you could simply hang on to the gear in case you want to use it again at some point — as long as you have space to store it and you don't need the cash from a sale.
p.2 #3 · Thinking about selling all my photo gear and buying a nice point and shoot!
One other thought, related to the value question — e.g. whether the gear is worth enough to bother selling. If you don't need the money (or the bother of selling for a small return), I wonder if there's a young aspiring photographer around who might be thrilled to have a "real camera" and lenses... and you could just give it to them.
At the same time, your clear implication that there might still be times when you want a "real camera" suggests that you could simply hang on to the gear in case you want to use it again at some point — as long as you have space to store it and you don't need the cash from a sale.
YMMV.
Jan 22, 2026 at 10:58 PM
AmbientMike Offline • • • • • • [X]
p.2 #4 · Thinking about selling all my photo gear and buying a nice point and shoot!
It is worth quite a bit actually if the op needs the money. But a new 400 2.8 is over $14k, for one, so maybe don't get in too big of a hurry if you have any interest in using it. You won't be able to replicate it on new gear unless you spend much, much, more imo
But it sounds like the op is thinking since it's older there must be much better new gear. But sensor iq has stalled over the last decade or more and the gear is still pretty good compared to new. Its not like it used to be, going from 8 to 18mp aps over 5 years
I've shot Canon 18 and 24 mp aps tons, not a huge difference imo. Looking at Fuji I didn't see a difference between 16 and 24mp resolution on online files though I didn't look that hard either. If the op likes the coolpix A just continue to use it, is my suggestion sensor iq should still be good
p.2 #5 · Thinking about selling all my photo gear and buying a nice point and shoot!
I have been there. In the late 2000s I had a Nikon D200 with the 28–70 and 70–200, and I slowly stopped taking pictures. Life happens, you get busy, etc. I decided I wanted something small, an everyday carry. Something that would be a joy to use and would get out of the way.
After reading a CraigMod article, I bought a Panasonic GF1 and the 20mm f1.7 lens. And do you know what? It was liberating.
I would say either sell your current gear, or just buy a lightweight, small camera of your choice. A Fuji X100, Ricoh GR, something else. Follow your heart. Downsize to something you will actually take with you. I bet you will love it. I did. No regrets.
Actually, one regret. I later sold that GF1, and I wish I hadn't. I am waiting for the GR IVx to come out so I can finally replace it.
p.2 #6 · Thinking about selling all my photo gear and buying a nice point and shoot!
The OP is not asking if new gear equivalent to his old gear would be better.
His issue is an entirely different tone. He isn’t enjoying photography with his current gear and he is contemplating two things:
1. Moving to a smaller, less-expensive, and “less serous” camera for the kind of photography he does now.
2. Whether or not he should sell his old, very different gear when he does this or hang onto it, even though he doesn’t see himself using it much if at all.
p.2 #7 · Thinking about selling all my photo gear and buying a nice point and shoot!
Yes, I was trying to encourage him with #1. I downsized along a similar path and enjoyed it very much.
It was also subtle, but I left off version numbers with the X100 and Ricoh GR on purpose. I didn't want to imply he needed brand new. Older ones are great too.
Regarding #2, I touched on it, but I should have been more clear. He can keep his current gear or sell it. But I would wait if he can. To elaborate, I think it's always nice to use your next camera for a while, before selling your current one. Just in case you do not like the new one after living with it for awhile. But sometimes we need to sell the current gear to afford the next gear. So even if he's not using it currently, I would still hold onto it (if possible) until he lands on something he likes more.
p.2 #10 · Thinking about selling all my photo gear and buying a nice point and shoot!
If you really want to go all in on one point and shoot, I do think the IV is worth it. I messed around with a friend's new IV and it really doesn't fix the issues with the III that are likely to make you lose it. The wheel issue in particular just seems like it affects all models at some point.
p.2 #11 · Thinking about selling all my photo gear and buying a nice point and shoot!
nickw_ wrote:
Yes, I was trying to encourage him with #1. I downsized along a similar path and enjoyed it very much.
It was also subtle, but I left off version numbers with the X100 and Ricoh GR on purpose. I didn't want to imply he needed brand new. Older ones are great too.
Regarding #2, I touched on it, but I should have been more clear. He can keep his current gear or sell it. But I would wait if he can. To elaborate, I think it's always nice to use your next camera for a while, before selling your current one. Just in case you do not like the new one after living with it for awhile. But sometimes we need to sell the current gear to afford the next gear. So even if he's not using it currently, I would still hold onto it (if possible) until he lands on something he likes more. ...Show more →
Nothing in that post for me to disagree with! :-)
When you come right down to it, my guess is that our (missing?) OP would probably be served by some kind of “less serious” but smaller camera for a while. And I would (and did) suggest hanging onto the old stuff for a little while to see how he feels after he tries the the new thing.
Jan 29, 2026 at 11:26 PM
AmbientMike Offline • • • • • • [X]
p.2 #12 · Thinking about selling all my photo gear and buying a nice point and shoot!
I wish I still had my inexpensive older pickup , (see original post) keep the gear is my recommendation
Having a hard time comprehending anyone selling such versatile setup , I do take photography seriously, to use p&s. I guess that's what people do? Might be hard to improve significantly on Coolpix A, though, I might not be in a big hurry to upgrade at least
