lwerthe1mer Loc: Birmingham, Alabama

I have been a casual photographer for many years. I understand the exposure triangle and composition parameters, but there is so much I don't know.

I have traded upwards over the years from various Canons and now find myself owning a full-frame Sony a7ii, and a few lenses, including the 35 mm 2.8, the 70-200 f4 G lens and the 28-70 kit lens.

In my discouraged state of mind, I'm considering downgrading back to Canon, probably an 80D, or maybe venturing into smaller format Nikons.

Is this crazy? Should I just continue to struggle with the excellent equipment I currently use?

BebuLamar

You would gain nothing downgrading. Regardless of your skill good equipment doesn't hurt. By down grading I don't think you gain any money due to your resale value is much less than your purchase price.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Yes, and YES.....

lwerthe1mer Loc: Birmingham, Alabama

Your comments are exactly what I anticipated. I appreciate your strong and clear guidance.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

Perhaps you should ask yourself why you are discouraged, and what you think you would gain from a 'downgrade'? The Sony is an excellent camera, but so is the Canon 80D, as are some of the modern mirrorless cameras. If you want to get a smaller lighter system then that is possible by going to a small sensor / mirrorless system, but most of these cameras are equally complicated if you learn to use them fully. What is it that you don't like about the Sony?

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

Tell me, what exactly is the problem? What are you struggling with? I don't think a different camera will help. If you think you don't understand some of the bells and whistles or menus of your camera, it's not that important. I don't understand a few of the menu choices either. The main thing is that you understand exposure, composition, and interesting subject matter. The rest is not important.

motion blur or stop action - shutter speed
depth of field - aperture settings
too dark - faster shutter
too light - slower shutter
exposure all over the place, check ISO (no auto ISO) and check metering. Avoid spot metering if exposure is all over the place.

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

The answer may depend in part on your physical health and current abilities. Beset by medical issues at 71, I have great difficulty getting out much to pursue my photographic hobby. I'm at a discouraging point where I may sell most of my gear and rely on one advanced compact. If such is not your problem, don't quit what you once loved - find ways to love it again. /Ralph

cbw60

I would not down grade. If you are taking nice photos enjoy them. On this form or on another you can always ask questions about what you have.

bpulv Loc: Buena Park, CA

lwerthe1mer,

All of the other comments so far are of value. My addition would be that, ignoring the financial implications, you might be better off with a less intimidating camera. Consider this; I remember an article I read in the 60's where the author said that he bought a Hasselblad system and could not get acceptable results. He finally figured out that the equipment was so expensive and intimidating that when he used it he was so subconsciously concerned about damaging his equipment that he could not devote himself 100% to achieving the results he expected. He concluded by saying that he sold the Hasselblad, bought less expensive (and less complicated) equipment and started getting the results he was accustomed to.

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

Since you are considering the Canon 80D (a fine camera) I suspect the main difference is size and weight, as well as FF vs APS-C and all that implies.

To advise you better, we really need to know what is on your mind - what don't you like about the Sony?

BebuLamar

I stand by my comment that good equipment never hurt. It doesn't improve much if the photographer doesn't have the skill but it doesn't hurt. A cheap camera is almost always more difficult to use.

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

I would not call it downgrading, but if your circumstances desires have changed perhaps a change in equipment would be beneficial, only you can answer that, many of us have two levels of equipment, eg G15 and T1i + T4i, so we can use what we think we need, Bob.

repleo Loc: Boston

"
.....In my discouraged state of mind,....."

Downgrading your equipment is not going to cure your problem. You need new challenges, maybe even a new hobby.

lwerthe1mer Loc: Birmingham, Alabama

This response below to my post fairly accurately describes the reason for my initial post. Perhaps my upgrade to the Sony a7ii changed my expectations and led to my ridiculous belief that I am supposed to be a better photographer. Moving back to my old Canon days, with a system I had used for years, perhaps seemed like a move that would make me relax more with my photography and thereby relief my current disappointments.

I have posted several of my photos on UHH, and some of them were, in my opinion, pretty darn good. Most of the photos I posted were generated by my a7ii, so I've gotten some good results with my a7ii. I have just felt "all thumbs" lately, and was searching for a simpler world that probably doesn't exist. I'm probably in a slump, caused in part by me not spending enough time with my camera equipment lately.

I greatly appreciate all of your comments and have decided that I just need to spend more time with my photography and work through my slump (with my a7ii). I should know that it is the person behind the camera, and not the camera, who makes good photos, and I guess I just needed someone to tell me what I already know.

Many thanks to all of you.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

Send it to me...I'll trade you for a point and shoot.