04 mai 2022

A, B C(amera)!

 There are the photographers that use solely one and only one camera (body) and they use it with serenity and outstanding competence like H.C.B., the late and famous Henry Cartier-Bresson. There are the others that have on hand multiple camera bodies that correspond as many different visual approaches of their subjects, like all those famous "Vietnam war" photographers. At the end, no specific rule will dictate to the potential photographers of this world how much photo gear they need to better master their art.

There can be many reasons to have more than one camera at our disposal. To have a back-up camera body, to have an instant availability for different focal length lenses, to be able to switch rapidly from different image formats or rendering (especially with analog cameras), etc. So, no justification is needed in that sense.

Which "B" camera to choose, that is the question (assuming that, for the "A" one, you have already selected)? Some will prefer to use camera models with the same interface, the same configuration profile, the same accessories. Others will be looking to expand the versatile of their photo equipment with different camera models that will be adaptable to specific photo projects or subjects. Again, there is no golden rule for choosing a "B" camera model.


We are all different sorts of photo travelers, but our individual various destinations can differ a lot. Travelers over the world, travelers over our countryside, our city, our neighborhood, our house and so on. Most photographers now like to carry less photo equipment which is almost a general universal trend observed since the last few decades. Big camera gadget bags have gradually almost disappeared of the photographic scenery except, may be, during the sport events or for photojournalists that are looking for credibility... There is also the lens evolution that the amount needed have been reduced over the years by the development of more flexible and good quality zoom optics. Today having more than two or three lenses alongside of one or two camera bodies is rare if not more exotic than useful.

From my modest experience none of my two camera models can be specifically called an "A" camera (priority) from the "B" one (back up) since they are different in their handling, interface, and configuration. I select each of them depending on the subject or the context I anticipate photographing. More precisely, my "action" camera model (Fujifilm X-S10) * is most of the time associated with a long telephoto zoom lens (Fujinon XC50-230mm OIS II) and the "contextual" camera (Fujifilm X-T20) may be combined with a standard zoom optic (Fujinon XF18-55mm OIS) or a "normal" prime lens (XC35mm F2). This can change over time since we are always looking for different visual experiences.

Do we need to have all this photo gear? Certainly not but why restrained our pleasure to try and experiment something else? Because each specific photographic tool can generate an original visual experience and, so, watch out, wallet and photo bag!
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* As it is in May 2022.

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