Hello! Newb alert!

superDove

New Member
Hello everyone.
This looks like a friendly place to hang out! Have read some really useful info here and have been inspired from everyones work.
Over the last couple of years I've discovered that I enjoy taking and sharing photos.
I started with a MFT Panny G1, when that broke I bought a G2, then got given a G3 but didn't like the grip. I played around with bird photography and digiscoping for a bit but got fed up with lugging kit.
I started cycling to work and realised that I never wanted to take my camera with me because it was too awkward to carry. I thought about just using my smartphone but just couldn't get excited about it so I bought a Sony hx50 compact and Evf.
I really don't like having a separate evf. Twice I've nearly lost and I can't relax and use the camera because I'm paranoid about the evf dropping off (it's slid out half way occasionally). I also find it inconvenient to get the evf from the secure pocket in my man bag and out it on.
Have been blown away by the Ricoh GR images and am now contemplating selling what I've got now and getting one.
I'm massage therapist and haptics are really important to me. I really want something responsive that also gives me the opportunity to develop my photography skills.
I'm looking at taking pics for my work blog, for family get together, travel photography and for landscapes when I go cycling. I love the unobtrusiveness of some of the new 'serious' compacts coming out that have amazing image quality.
I feel like this is a really exciting time for camera technology and that it is progressing so quickly, sometimes it's hard to keep up.
Would love to do nature photography more seriously but spending thousands on glass just isn't an option for me at the moment.
I'm working in London, England several days a week and I'm hoping that photography will help me appreciate being in the city more.
I've only discovered a couple of downsides I can see so far in all this. The time I've spent reading reviews, blogs and forums online. Seriously I've spent more time reading about photography in the last year than I did spend doing my uni dissertation. The second issue is the kit acquisition desire syndrome. So I've made a contract with myself that I can only have one camera at a time from now on! It's gonna be tough!
James

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Hello Dave.

Was there a question in your burst of info there?

I had a G1 and it was (and still is) a great image making machine....I've been thinking of getting one again with a tele lens. The GR is pretty wow, but of course, only for slightly wide normal shots, but it's kinda mainly what people see.

You may need to do a bit of soul searching (or wallet emptying) to find what you seek, but cameras above a basic point and shoot from the last year or so or more than good enough if one is willing to learn the back arts of composition, exposure and post processing.

Welcome aboard.
 
Welcome, James!

I can promise that you'll experience a ton of GAS once you get involved here (and we hope you do become involved!). I became a complete lunatic about new gear after I joined. Prior to being here, I had one DSLR, one bridge camera, and one compact (and my phone). Then, I got caught up here and Pentax Forums and in one year managed to acquire and resell 2 DSLRs and a couple of lenses, and acquire and keep 3 serious compacts. I've subsequently acquired a couple more and have my eye on the GR, also.

Don't say you werent warned! :D
 
Welcome James! Sticking to just one camera is a lot moree disciplined than most of us here, I hope you find "that special one"! The GR is probably as good a bet as any in that regard... Looking forward to seeing some shots!
 
Hello Dave.

Was there a question in your burst of info there?

More like a loosely disciplined stream of consciousness type thing. That's how my mind works. Barely.

I loved my G1. With the Olympus 45mm 1.8 I felt like I could do no wrong if you know what I mean. I bought the Panny 100-300mm as a poor man's birding kit and really liked the image quality but needed good conditions and the AF was slow and I got frustrated. Still haven't reconciled how to replace bird photography, I'm hoping I can get as excited about a different type of photography.

meh
 
I still miss the Panasonic 100-300mm. For me, there is no better solution for reach while retaining high quality, unless you want to spend thousands with a DSLR set-up (and deal with the extra weight as well). Any of the newer bodies should aid greatly in focusing speed.
 
Hi and welcome.

If you want to chat about cameras etc come into Park Cameras in Rathbone Place in London for a chat. It's where I work (Tuesdays only-rest of week in our main shop in Burgess Hill, Sussex). I have GAS most of the time and working in a camera shop does me no favours! LOL
 
I still miss the Panasonic 100-300mm. For me, there is no better solution for reach while retaining high quality, unless you want to spend thousands with a DSLR set-up (and deal with the extra weight as well). Any of the newer bodies should aid greatly in focusing speed.

I was holding on for a better MFT lens but it wasn't happening so sold my kit. Aren't there rumours about a 300mm f4 Olympus lens now? If that's any good that could tempt me back into birding photos.

Here's some old pics from the 100-300mm.

9u2ynenu.jpg


e4evage2.jpg


zeryzyvu.jpg


meh
 
Hi and welcome.

If you want to chat about cameras etc come into Park Cameras in Rathbone Place in London for a chat. It's where I work (Tuesdays only-rest of week in our main shop in Burgess Hill, Sussex). I have GAS most of the time and working in a camera shop does me no favours! LOL

I'm working in a gym by Marble Arch but am rarely there on Tuesdays. I'll get down there at some point though so will duct tape my wallet shut and give you a shout before I head down.

meh
 
Welcome James.
It is just about possible to manage on one camera if money is tight. I've been "making do" with one camera for the past year or so, but it is and M Mount GXR so, with adapters, I'm getting a regular fix buying legasy lenses for it on ebay. Last one cost me 99p plus postage! (Olympus Zuiko 35 70 zoom)
 
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