BobT Loc: southern Minnesota

This question appears every so often. Felt it was time...again.
Has anyone trimmed all their camera gear down to a P&S as their #1 go-to camera? Have you gotten rid of all of the cameras and lenses, and now resort to the simpler life of ONE, one piece, camera?
This thought occurs to me often, but haven't had the guts to flip the switch yet. I currently have 4 cameras.
DSLR + 3 lenses: 15-85, 50 1.8, 70-200 f4
SX50 HS
SX230 (14X zoom..pocket size)
XZ-1 (4X zoom w/ 1.8 aperture..pocket size)
If I would really spend the time and make an effort to get the very most that I could from a single camera, I think I could do it.
But I'd like to hear if any of you have wrestled (successfully or unsuccessfully) with such thoughts and/or actions.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

You know, sometimes it's tempting. I spent two weeks in China with a little Canon Elph film camera on my belt, and I got some great pictures. I shutter (:D) to think what it would have been like toting a DSLR and three lenses.

On the other hand, I like the technology and extreme flexibility of the DSLR system. The possibilities are endless. When I shoot with a little pocket camera, I feel like I am not doing all I can with the shot. I think I'll stick with both P&S and DSLR for a while.

PrairieSeasons Loc: Red River of the North

I still have two DSLRs and more lenses than I want to tell my wife about. And there are times that nothing but a DSLR will do - particularly when using a constant f/2.8 zoom. I still use DSLRs almost exclusively for product photography, but for the past few years have been using a P&S almost exclusively for travel.

We were in Paris a few years ago and had a two day pass on the Hop On-Hop Off bus system. I had a DSLR with me and my wife had a Fujifilm f100. It became very apparent climbing up to the upper deck of these buses multiple times that the DSLR hanging around my neck was detracting from my enjoyment of the sights.

Since then, I've carried a P&S exclusively on travel using airplanes or other public transportation and have not missed the DSLR.

bw3 Loc: Vermillion, SD

BobT -- I did it! Got too old, camera gear got too heavy unless there was a tree or a tripod to lean on. I reluctantly sold off the 5D and various lenses -- bought a SX50 HS, which you already have. It does all I really want to do anymore. Can't say I'm really happy with it because of all the crap they build into them, but I am amazed at the quality of the photos. Larger, heavier DSLR cameras and lenses easier to use for me but I'm gonna live through it. Carry it with me wherever I go -- still stick the lens cap in my pocket and have yet had to worry about lint, dust or dirt getting on the lens from this practice. :-)

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

And people can't help but stare at someone with a large camera around his neck. P&S are almost invisible, since they are everywhere - like cell phones.

Picdude Loc: Ohio

I've used both SLR film and P&S digital. I actually think DSLR and P&S are BOTH good things to have in the arsenal. 4 cameras though.....I'd spend too much time trying to decide which one to take and use.

warrior Loc: Paso Robles CA

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

dragonfist Loc: Stafford, N.Y.

I went to p&s only over a year ago and it works well for me. That being said I never print over 5x7 so the small sensor works fine and I can use the controls on the camera intuitively. If you are unsure perhaps a 4/3 system might be the way to go. Get a lens that will meet your needs and go with that. They aren't much larger than some p&s cameras.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

My primary camera is a shirt pocket Sony RX100. By backup camera is a 3 year old Sony HX9V, which is the same size. I shoot RAW, video and make big prints. I use a monopod a lot, but my primary tripod is a Gorillapod. My only computer is a laptop that has Lightroom and both Elements on it.

I went to Maui for a couple weeks and my entire system (except for printer) was in my carry on with my other travel needs. I did not check baggage.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Those Gorillapods are great, aren't they! I had my doubts at first, but they can be used as a regular tripod or wrapped around almost anything.

As for packing for a trip, that's always my goal - one bag for everything. No more waiting at the carousel to retrieve broken luggage.

BobT Loc: southern Minnesota

Picdude,

You nailed it. The decision making process is probably the greatest disadvantage of having several cameras. I'd hate to count the number of times that I've set out the gear I thought I would use the night before the "shoot", only to change my mind at least once, if not more times, and end up taking something completely different. My wife always smiles as I prepare the night before now. She is quite sure that what I have "ready to go" is not what actually ends up going.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Bob, I tried it about 15 years ago for about 10 years. Had about 5 P&S's, some film and some digital. In perfect light they took great fotos. When pushed, they were crappy.
I really missed taking real pictures, especially when it was an awesome scene. The little cameras didn't last very long either, but they were cheap, not to mention plasticky.
I missed real photography so much that I had to come back. I was trying to get rid of all the bulky gear, now I have even more.
What I found out was, if you're a real photographer, you need real gear.
And if your really serious, you need a lot of it. SS

RaydancePhoto

I switched to Sony a while back to lighten the load. The gear is still heavy if I take the whole camera bag. As an example, when I was using Canon, my 70-200 2.8 was 76 oz I believe, my 70-210 f/4 Minolta lens is 15 oz. I feel the Minolta lens is as good as the Canon was, takes a bit more light than the f/2.8 Canon, but the Sony's have really good low light capabilities so I really don't miss the 2.8. I shoot at ISO 1600 with no hesitation. The Sony body's are lighter as well.

At the same time, I got a Sony RX-100 p/s, it is one fantastic camera. Very small, large sensor, superb lens that starts at f/1.8, the zoom lens does not have the reach I would like, and still the resolution is such that I can crop 1/2 the photo away and still get a good 16x20 print.

As much as I like the Sony SLT's, I long for a single camera that does all I want to do with a camera. I have seen a lot of pics with the SX-50 Canon and that camera seems like a good choice at the present time for a 1 camera life style. The 50x zoom lens is impressive.

Fuji has developed a new sensor for their SLR line, it is a vast improvement over sensors available up to now. The new sensor does away with the low pass filter that inherently introduces blur, albeit very minor, it is still a blur. Their new sensor has 29 stops of dynamic range, that is a real game changer + they have rearranged the pixels to gain a sharper and more true to life image. ISO will be expanded to levels we did not think were possible. To begin with, Fuji plans to put the new sensor in their SLR line, but I am sure they will also put the same technology in a high end p/s camera coupled with a quality Fujinon lens. Something like the Fuji S100fs, which is a nice p/s camera, with a super high quality lens. http://www.fujifilmusa.com/products/digital_cameras/x/fujifilm_x_pro1/features/

I am going to wait a couple years and see what Fuji comes out with. If I get my wish, I am pretty sure I will go with just the one p/s camera and sell my DSLR gear.

phillsam Loc: De Queen Arkansas

I didn't ditch any of my equipment yet, but did get the Canon SX50, love it.

jim charron Loc: Ontario Canada

Fuji has developed a new sensor for their SLR line, it is a vast improvement over sensors available up to now. The new sensor does away with the low pass filter that inherently introduces blur, albeit very minor, it is still a blur. Their new sensor has 29 stops of dynamic range, that is a real game changer + they have rearranged the pixels to gain a sharper and more true to life image. ISO will be expanded to levels we did not think were possible. To begin with, Fuji plans to put the new sensor in their SLR line, but I am sure they will also put the same technology in a high end p/s camera coupled with a quality Fujinon lens. Something like the Fuji S100fs, which is a nice p/s camera, with a super high quality lens. http://www.fujifilmusa.com/products/digital_cameras/x/fujifilm_x_pro1/features/

I am going to wait a couple years and see what Fuji comes out with. If I get my wish, I am pretty sure I will go with just the one p/s camera and sell my DSLR gear.[/quote]

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