What’s in my Camera Bag Today ?

I started this writing, not quite knowing where I wanted to go with my photography in the future,
because ten cameras with an equally large collection of lenses from two brands is not very handy to use.
So, what to do with my Fujifilm gear and/or Olympus gear?
I turned this writing into a chronological one over a period of several weeks as the decisions and actions developed.

May – June 2022

Loyal followers of Open Source Photograpy have probably been wondering for months why, after switching from Pentax to Fujifilm, I now also have a whole series of Olympus cameras in my equipment.
Well that’s a good question !

Anyone who has recently visited the “Gear” page will have noticed that things change regularly.
Currently my Olympus gear set is bigger than my Fujifilm gear. This is also due to the fact that the offer of micro 4/3 lenses is larger than Fujifilm lenses, but not only that, the prices are lower and the lenses are smaller and lighter.
I also just bought a second-hand E-M1 MKII with a Panasonic Leica 100-400mm specifically for bird photography. These two together cost me barely the price of a Fujifilm XF 100-400mm, and that kit is a lot bigger and heavier. A logical choice.

So what’s happening ?

End of June 2022

Ok, why did I choose Fujifilm in the first place after Pentax?
Well, the camera that won me over was the X-T1,
especially the dedicated shutter and iso dials attracted me the most,
back to an old school type of camera that was light and compact – just like the old days.
After trying different Fujifilm cameras (X-E, X-T two digit and X-T one digit types) I also discovered the great image stabilization of an Olympus EM10 MKI – I certainly wanted that in a Fujifilm camera.
However, the X-T3 came, and no image stabilization…
Then the X-T4, which did have image stabilization, but then again a lot bigger, heavier and also much more expensive.
With the X-H1, I thought I had found the perfect compromise, and we’ll see where Fujifilm takes us.

Just recently, I said goodbye to my old Fuji X100, a camera I never thought I’d get rid of, but I have to many cameras that i don’t use.

Start of July 2022

Then the X-H2s came out – is this where Fujifilm wants to take us ?
Don’t get me wrong, at first glance this looks like a great camera, and there have been a lot of improvements over the X-H1 – but is it realy better ?
And where did those dedicated dials go ?

I’m starting to notice more and more that when I go out, I take the E-M5 MKII’s with me if I don’t want to carry too much gear,
and that I take the new E-M1 MKII for the better work,
especially because it fits well in hand and is still a very small and light kit to carry, even with super telephoto.

I’ve put one of the two X-H1’s up for sale, along with the XF 70-300mm with TC1.4 – two the same Fuji camera’s have become unnecessary, and the great XF 70-300mm is increasingly being replaced by the Pana-Leica 100- 400mm which has a much greater reach.

09/07/2022

Although it’s hard to take the obvious step, I eventually realized that the Olympus system was more suited to the type of photography I do most of the time.
The ergonomics, the low weight and compactness of the Olympus cameras ultimately outweigh the choice for the vintage style and dedicated dials of the Fujifilm system – which they themselves ultimately did not stay true to.

Under the Olympus moto “Break Free” I went to the Olympus eu website, where there is currently a promotion on the Olympus E-M1 Mark III.

In the end I took the plunge and opted for a new adventure with the E-M1 Mark III + 12-40mm F2.8 PRO kit.

My complete Fujifilm system is now for sale,
although,
I haven’t put my X-T1 up for sale yet.
This is probably the “best camera” by Fujifilm ever made,
and still has one more advantage for me, which is the sensor and the dedicated dials, these dials make it probably the best camera for use with vintage lenses – something that is a bit more difficult for Olympus cameras due to the crop factor.