Author Topic: Pondering selling all my gear and consolidating  (Read 30399 times)

  • Offline zpyder

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Pondering selling all my gear and consolidating
on: April 23, 2022, 08:12:50 AM
I realised this evening that I haven't really picked up my SLR in the last few years. Pre-NZ I did a lot of photography, but since moving, I've not had the time to do anything, and find myself thinking "what's the point" when every tourist under the sun has also photographed what I'm looking at.

Having a toddler also I find I just use my phone as its always to hand, and not half bad.

So, I wondered, if I sold off all my gear, is there something more compact that doesn't need several different lenses, that I could buy with the money I get for my stuff, and preferably have something left over.

I've totally been out of the game so no longer know which brands are considered top of the game nor which models. Any idea? Budget is likely around £1000 I guess, may lbe a bit more if needed.

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  • Offline bear

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Re: Pondering selling all my gear and consolidating
Reply #1 on: April 23, 2022, 11:56:57 AM
Compacts, there are plenty, but look for one with a real viewfinder and not screen only.

  • Offline zpyder

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Re: Pondering selling all my gear and consolidating
Reply #2 on: April 23, 2022, 22:11:14 PM
Not sure I can bring myself to get a compact, I don't see there being too much more benefit from just using my phone in terms of sensor and lens size. I may be wrong though?

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Re: Pondering selling all my gear and consolidating
Reply #3 on: April 23, 2022, 22:50:48 PM
if you've not used the gear you have at all.... why bother replacing it at all?

sell up and treat yourself/family/whatever to something instead?

  • Offline zpyder

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Re: Pondering selling all my gear and consolidating
Reply #4 on: April 24, 2022, 10:40:50 AM
It's tempting, but it's hard to "give up". I mean, I spent the better part of 20 years actively doing photography and developing different skills, some of which are quite specialist. My kit is all over 10 years old now, but is professional grade stuff, and should be worth a few thousand at least. I've also got the knowledge and appreciation of what separates it from a camera phone, but appreciate that technology has come on leaps and bounds.

The issue is, my lifestyle has changed considerably. Rather than carrying a bag full of camera stuff around when travelling, and having the time to get a cool shot, I now carry bags of toddler stuff around and have only a few seconds to get a shot, and usually of said toddler.

My ultimate aim is to get rid of it all and hopefully pocket the change, but also retain "something" so I can keep my eye in so to speak.

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  • Offline bear

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Re: Pondering selling all my gear and consolidating
Reply #5 on: April 24, 2022, 13:10:47 PM
Optical zoom in a compact is real not multi lens as on a phone (My ixus have 5x).

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  • Offline Clock'd 0Ne

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Re: Pondering selling all my gear and consolidating
Reply #6 on: April 25, 2022, 09:10:28 AM
I would say keep some of the more niche, esoteric photography equipment for sure, in case you find time to come back to it in future.

  • Offline zpyder

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Re: Pondering selling all my gear and consolidating
Reply #7 on: April 28, 2022, 10:53:02 AM
To be honest it was hard putting the first thing up for sale, but after that it's been a lot easier to just be "sod it, it's going" and now I've got all the big things listed it's actually a bit of a relief, as whenever I opened the cupboard with the kit there gathering dust I felt bad.

Fact is, for the most part, I *can* get images I'm happy with, just using my phone, see the attached! These were from earlier this week.

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Re: Pondering selling all my gear and consolidating
Reply #8 on: April 30, 2022, 22:52:56 PM
those are fantastic photos, you have a real skill there :-)

  • Offline zpyder

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Re: Pondering selling all my gear and consolidating
Reply #9 on: June 29, 2022, 08:51:30 AM
Last of the kit sold today (macro rail).

Bought and have been using a Fujifilm X-T4 with a few different lenses.

The retro styling and control system, combined with film simulations, has kind of reinvigorated my photo mojo. Was quite a burden lifted when I got rid of my kit as I felt it was like a fresh start.

I was also horrified at how the world hacks moved on from SLR systems to mirrorless...last time I was gear hunting they still felt a bit gimmicky!

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Re: Pondering selling all my gear and consolidating
Reply #10 on: December 22, 2022, 09:49:18 AM
Just popped back to the forum, hadn't realised how long since I last visited.

Anyway, similar situation here, haven't opened the camera bag for at least 2 years (certainly not during the pandemic and maybe quite some time before it hit).

Not doing any harm keeping it but its certainly not doing anything currently, just too much weight to carry on walks so I use my phone and I don't dedicate time to specific photography days any more (air shows/motorsport events).

Not sure I'll sell as its still 'good' but its just taking up space at the moment. Hope the batteries haven't given up...

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