Anyone ever switch SLR systems?

[narsuitus]

I still use Pentax and Nikon cameras, however, the Nikon is the only one I developed into a system. I have a large inventory of lenses (14mm to 2000mm) and a variety of viewfinders, backs, motor drives, view screens, and other accessories for the Nikon. I only have three lenses (28, 50, and 135mm) for the Pentax.

Update from my 2012 post

I now have the following lenses for my Pentax Spotmatics:

Asahi 28mm f/3.5 Super-Multi-Coated Takumar

Asahi 50mm f/1.4 Super Takumar (8-element)

Asahi 105mm f/2.8 Super Takumar

Asahi 135mm f/3.5 Super Takumar

Asahi 200mm f/5.6 Super Takumar

Asahi 300mm f/6.3 preset Tele Takumar


Pentax System by Narsuitus, on Flickr

 

[polka]

First I had a Yashica Electro35 rangefinder, then I got a Topcon RE that I kept for a long time. Then I switched to a Canon EOS... but in the mean time, I used also very much a little Minox35.
And then I started collecting a lot of various SLRs and rangefinders, because they became very cheap. But now, I shoot mostly MF. Some times also an Olympus OM. Or a spotmatic with a Zenitar fisheye.

Polka

 

[flavio81]

Well, i started with Canon FD, switched to Nikon digital, then afterwards repented and went again to FD, then I added other systems, today I own:

Canon FD system -- 4 cameras, focal lengths 19 28 35 50 55 85 100 135 200

Canon EOS system -- 2 cameras, 24 50 85

Nikon --- 4 cameras, lenses 20 24 35(many) 50 58 135 200

Pentax M42 -- 3 cameras, lenses 28 35 55 85 135 200

Pentax K -- 3 cameras, only two lenses.

Mamiya RB67 -- 2 cameras, 5 lenses

Mamiya C330 - 2 cameras, 4 lenses.

For me, regarding the 35mm systems, it would be difficult to keep only one. Canon has IMO the best cameras (F-1 in all versions) and perhaps the sharpest lenses, my most interesting lenses are Nikkors (i wouldn't part away from my 58 or my shift 35mm lenses, or or the 35/2 Nikkor-O),

and Pentax is my newfound love, cameras (Spotmatic, MX, P30) are way more ergonomic than my Nikons and Canons, and the Takumar lenses are clearly the best built of all. And they are very good performers as well!!

 

[Eric Rose]

From Minolta to Nikon in the early 70's.

 

[blockend]

The most wonderful feeling cameras I have owned were the Canon T-90..

I briefly worked in the trade when the Canon T-series were about to be launched and thought they represented everything that was wrong with modern photography - I was using a plain prism Nikon F at the time. My views regarding the T's and the T90 in particular mellowed sufficiently over the years that I owned most of them. I could never describe the T90 as wonderful feeling. It was the prototype of jelly mould, wheel controlled, multi-function LCD dSLR cameras that exist to this day. With the added annoyance of multiple AA batteries and some functions hidden behind a body panel.

It's a robust and versatile camera much loved at the time, but wonderful feeling is about the last description I'd use.

That sounds like too many basic system changes.

If internet commentary is to be believed you haven't even started. People seem to swap between Canon, Fuji, Sony and Nikon systems and various sensor sizes on a monthly basis. I'm barely getting to know the controls in the time they've made the rounds.

 

[naaldvoerder]

Made a switch some 10 years ago, from Mimolta to Contax. Awesome machines. But cannot say it improved my photography much. If I were you I would stick with the Olympus system. From what I heart the camera's and lenses are awesome.

 

[flavio81]

Pentax System by Narsuitus, on Flickr

So much pornography should be illegal here.

POST MORE!

 

[johnha]

Many years ago I tried a switch from Pentax to Canon. I bought an EOS 5 (A2E) with grip and 28-135 IS lens, quite a large investment that turned out to be a huge waste. I already had a Z-1 and expected the much vaunted EOS 5 would be better. I wasn't prepared for the IS switch on the lens to break within weeks (fixed under warranty), then sold in favour of the humble 50/1.8 which was a much better choice. The camera broke out of warranty (mode dial) and languished with a half shot roll for years, lesson learned (expensively).

Later I considered a switch to a Minolta Dynax 9 (truly a groundbreaking camera) but by that point I'd learned my lesson and additional investment seemed more expensive.

 

[Alan Gales]

Back when I was 20 years old in the spring of 1982 I was planning a trip to Knoxville Tennessee for the World's Fair. I needed a camera so I asked my boss at Venture about the new Kodak Disc cameras. He told me not to buy that and put my money into a 35mm camera. He was marking down some display model cameras and I ended up with a new condition Canon AV-1 with flash for $85. I later added a cheap Vivitar (non series 1) zoom lens.

That camera got me hooked on photography. After shooting it for a year and a half I decided that I wanted a camera that I could manually set everything instead of the aperture preferred only AV-1. After a friend's advice and my own research, I bought a Contax 139 Q. Eventually, I ended up with 5 Zeiss lenses for it. I shot that camera for years until the film advance jammed. Fortunately, I had by that time purchased a pair of very slightly used Contax 167MT camera bodies that a local doctor had used in his practice before he went digital.

I've sold both new and used 35mm cameras. I've had friends who owned various brands. I've long come to the conclusion that there is no one best camera or brand for everyone. Shoot what you like because you can get great results with any of them.

 

[flavio81]

I've had friends who owned various brands. I've long come to the conclusion that there is no one best camera or brand for everyone. Shoot what you like because you can get great results with any of them.

So true.

 

[mshchem]

Update from my 2012 post

I now have the following lenses for my Pentax Spotmatics:

Asahi 28mm f/3.5 Super-Multi-Coated Takumar

Asahi 50mm f/1.4 Super Takumar (8-element)

Asahi 105mm f/2.8 Super Takumar

Asahi 135mm f/3.5 Super Takumar

Asahi 200mm f/5.6 Super Takumar

Asahi 300mm f/6.3 preset Tele Takumar


Pentax System by Narsuitus, on Flickr

That's the stuff I started with. I have the 8 element 50 1.4 Super Takumar, it goes with a virgin SP500 ,like my first SLR. I don't shoot much 35 anymore. I went to Nikon in '73 due to intense marketing from EPOI.

 

[Photoguy365]

I started out with my dad's Canon AE-1 Program in my Photojournalism classes in college (Early 90s). I switched to Nikon about a year later when I started noticing that most of the Newspaper and Magazine photographers that I really admired were using Nikon systems. Picked up a Nikon FE2 and MD-12 and ran. Used that setup into being an actual photojournalist. I picked up a very nice F4s in my second year of newspaper work and used it until I left the field in 2002. I know people that went the opposite way from my classes. I stuck with Nikon because I made such a commitment in glass.

 

[Tony Egan]

Started with OM2n in 1982. Moved to Nikon in 2000 mainly due to ageing eyes and increased interest in gig/concert photography where autofocus was a big help. Also the 80-200mm F2.8 Nikon lens is the best I've ever used. First body was an F4 which I loved due to nice simple analog controls. Moved to F100 about 5 years ago as the focus indicator lights up a nice bright red which again helps in low light situations with musicians and performers moving about the stage a lot. Have since added an FM3a, (and D90 and D750) so I can use the many Nikon lens' I have since acquired. I eventually sold the OM2n but have since picked up two cheap OM1ns as I still like shooting the 50mm f1.4 Zuiko which is also a wonderful lens as is the 75-150 zoom.

So much for 35mm, I also now have every format up to 8x10 thanks to eBay! Every new camera has at least one great shot in it!

 

[film_man]

The great thing about today is that you can switch systems every other month and you loose very little, if at all, when it comes to money. Give it a go to take it out of your system and then you'll know if it works or not. Personally I don't think I've had a 35mm system for more than 3 years without switching. Then again I don't generally have more than 2-3 lenses at any one time. Right now it looks like the F3 is the one that will stay though. The only other system that I have not traded since buying it is the Nikonos but that's a special beast and will be the last 35mm camera to go (if it ever gets to that).

PS
Since 2000 I've gone Canon EOS to Nikon digital to Nikon F100 to OM (1 and 4Ti) to Canon EOS to Leica R8 to the F3. I think overall I probably lost £150-200 in all that (excluding the dSLR bodies).

 

[kivis]

I'm a Nikon Man. Tried out Olympus (4Ti) with some great lenses in early 90's. Then tried out Pentax (MX) around 2010. Loved them both, but never sold any of my Nikon stuff.I guess I am just too far down the Nikon rabbit hole.

 

[flavio81]

Picked up a Nikon FE2 and MD-12 and ran. Used that setup into being an actual photojournalist.

That's an excellent PJ setup. Once I had to be play university's photojournalist for a week-long event, and this is exactly the setup i used. The FE2 is excellent.

 

[Photoguy365]

That's an excellent PJ setup. Once I had to be play university's photojournalist for a week-long event, and this is exactly the setup i used. The FE2 is excellent.

Yes it was a great setup. I worked for my University’s PR department while attending classes. Basically taking grip and grins, and candid photos. The FE2 was always spot on.

 

[Dismayed]

I shot Nikon SLRs for a few decades, but then I switched to the newly introduced Contax N-mount. I sold the Contax when Kyocera pulled the plug on their camera business. So I went back to Nikon, but I recently sold my Nikon gear and switched to a Fuji X-mount (for digital). For film I shoot a Mamiya 7II and large format.

Switching is sometimes costly. Is anyone here interested in buying a a pristine copy of IBM OS/2 Warp?