StunnedDuck Loc: Central Florida

I have a Canon 7D with a number of lenses from a wide angle zoom to the mammoth Tamron 150-600. Once upon a time I lived in the Pacific Northwest and spent a lot of time with landscape/nature photography. A recent move back to my home state of Florida has sapped all my enthusiasm. I'm tired of palm tree and beach photos. Fortunately there are planes, trains, and automobiles and I can travel to other destinations. But traveling with all my equipment is a pain. Went to Paris, jazzed about historical and architectural photography, and lugged the big camera and several lenses around. Got great photos that are, in the end, nothing more than reasonably okay travel snapshots. The Tamron was a recent, post-move purchase intended to help me get into bird photography. I've read a number of articles here and know the Tamron is not a well-loved lens, but though I live just miles from a bird sanctuary, my skills are not improving and it's not really all that satisfying anyway.

Most photographers do not reduce themselves to using less capable cameras. I am considering such a drastic move. Thinking about the Nikon CoolPix P900 to play with the zoom, or maybe a near equivalent in the Canon product line. As you can tell, I have no real direction. My major interest is nature photography -- from flowers to mountain vistas. With grandchildren now I've been experimenting with people photography but have no interest in portraiture or studio work, tend to just like taking candids of the kids at play. I'd like to think I have SOME creativity, but I'm not finding anything that stirs my soul.

Suggestions or ideas to help me find my way? TIA.

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

Oh my! I have no idea what to say. Is it possibly time to just take a break from all the heavy gear get a decent point and shoot or a bridge (you mentioned the P900 in your post). You could just keep that with you and take some shots of something that "speaks" to you.

BTW, I have the Tamron 150-600 and really love it. I do lots of wildlife and BIF. That lens has been to 3 continents so far, including Antarctica.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

StunnedDuck, welcome to the forum! Here's a recent topic that might speak to your feelings and situation:

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-439754-1.html

It is nine pages long, but throughout there are truly excellent insights and advice (and photo ideas) from participants.

Regarding your comment, "Most photographers do not reduce themselves to using less capable cameras" you will find many folks on this site who have downsized, whether for health or convenience.

Your artistry and creativity will not be adversely affected, I assure you!

Just Fred Loc: Darwin's Waiting Room

Wow, StunnedDuck, you're in roughly the same quandry as I am. I recently posted about wanting to re-photograph the Mayan ruins at Tulum, but didn't want to take all the gear I took with me last time (Nikon, so there's no point in listing it all). After three pages of super responses, I finally opted to buy the CoolPix P900. It hasn't arrived yet, so I can't comment on its suitability for my purposes, but I'm going with the smaller, fixed-lens, super zoom, 24-megapixel bridge camera that everyone speaks so highly about.

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

Thanks for that link, Linda. Very interesting. Right now, I am trying to see and capture new things through my lens and have been struggling to get out of my rut. We head for Arizona in a few weeks and will be on a week long road trip with very old friends. I can guarantee that the photo ops will be VERY different from what I see here on the NJ coast. My wide angle will probably get some serious use as well as my tripod. Better get some practice with that thing before we head out!

Thanks for the inspiraton!

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

Isn't the P900 a 16 MP bridge camera?

StunnedDuck Loc: Central Florida

Thank you, Linda. I see you are from Maine and I'm hoping an upcoming vacation to Acadia NP will help revive me. That and a historic tour of Boston should bring some life to me photographically, and I may opt to buy a bridge camera so I'm not fretting about lugging everything around. It's reassuring to know that others hit the creative wall from time to time!!!

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

Florida offers much more than palm trees and beaches. From November to April is prime time for migratory birds and Florida has a multitude of national and state wildlife reserves, preserves, and refuges, as well as privately owned places. Plus the natural beauty of the swamps and bayous. There are many botanical gardens (the Naples Botanical Garden is my favorite). And don't miss the Everglades. Don't be discouraged, there is a wide variety of subjects to photograph.

Just Fred Loc: Darwin's Waiting Room

Yes, sorry. I mixed up my D7100 with the P900.

PalePictures Loc: Traveling

If I ever decide to change I will go mirrorless. I still think it is the future.
I would look at one of the Sony Alpha cameras.
I may switch in a few years. The quality of a camera like the A7RII is as good as any DSLR.
It is also much lighter. My main reason for the change is the fact that mirrorless cameras are lighter.
Best of luck.

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

Thank heaven! I was all set to order the P900 to replace my 12MP Canon sx50. You just saved me the price of the P900!

sloscheider Loc: Minnesota

I would give some thought to the controls you commonly use and how you shoot. Aperture or shutter priority? You will want a camera that offers easy access to those controls. There are some great compact cameras, some with interchangeable lenses, some with fixed lenses, that offer varying degrees of manual controls. Do you need a viewfinder? Make a list of what you need and then go shopping for the camera that has those features.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

Well...you have realized something.

Photography is pointless.

It has no inherent meaning or worth. Who cares if you or I take that 100th picture of a nice looking flower? In the end...what meaning does it have?

For me, taking pictures of my family and documenting things we do together helps. It means that I can fill a shoebox with memories for when I'm too old to shoot and I can give my kids and grandkids some memories also. That's why I shoot what I do, and with the gear that I do. Simple, family snaps.

I carry a point and shoot camera that only has a shutter button. I shoot film so that I can't even look to see how the shot came out, at least that keeps me in the moment instead of thinking about the camera.

You will have to figure out what to do and how to get your mind around this...I think it's a personal thing, nobody can solve it for you.

travisdeland Loc: deland, FL

Go to the Florida Birding Festival, in April, take a few courses, meet people:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2017-floridas-birding-photo-fest-tickets-29584601339

these type of events are a great way to learn new things, and re-inspire.

Jerrin1 Loc: Wolverhampton, England

Consider a mirrorless camera. Sell/part exchange your current gear and take a look at an Olympus EM1 mark II (I have one and it is brilliant), a Fuji X-T2 or a Sony. All are lightweight and offer you the choice of interchangeable lenses. As a previously keen photographer you will understand the benefit of interchangeable lenses over a fixed lens with it's compromised maximum f-stop and performance. Some compacts/bridge cameras only allow you to shoot Jpeg and you may wish to shoot RAW. Take a look at the following for wildlife photography, as this is what I use, together with a Nikon D500: Olympus EM1 mark II + Olympus 12 - 100mm f4 PRO + PanaLeica 100 - 400 f4/6.3. Both zooms are lightweight, I have the 12 - 100 and only recently sold my 100 - 400 (I have the Oly 300mm f4 PRO). Fuji produce similar lenses to fit the X-T2 and may suit you better.