I am currently torn between 2 options for a travel,general purpose camera setup, i currently have a lumix gf7 and a 12-60 (24-120mm) lens which i find great but i like shooting at 12mm on apsc (18mm) cameras a lot, and miss that focal length. My 2 options are to but a second hand G9 and use 12-60 lens or buy a S5 and the 20-60mm lens, this will give me almost the focal length i love but with a reduction in telephoto length which i can accept, but wonder if it would be worth the upgrade.....

Hi Chris, I'm slowly catching up with your past videos and this one really resonates with me. When we come across a scene, whether that's landscape, street or any genre of photography it's all about looking at the scene as a whole. Capture the whole scene but as you say look at details within the shot. For me I look to capture a set of at least 3 images especially for Instagram (as it's 3 images across) that can be one image cropped differently or three separate images that have a connection to each other. I run tutorials and am always saying to the fellow photographers to look at the scene completely and look to capture at least 3 images.

Hi Chris - loved the video. Have you noticed that the "best" camera for you, doesn't necessarily match the camera that offers you the best image quality for the money? I never got on with any of the Sony alpha series cameras - too uncomfortable in the hand & the menu system... well. However the Sony auto focus & prime lenses gave superlative performance for the money, & much greater choice of zooms. My current camera of choice is a 10 year old Leica SL, coupled with a couple of the excellent Lumix S F/1.8 primes, (still probably not as good image wise as the similar Sony FE primes?) which together handle superbly. However I also own a 5 year old Lumix S1, which on so many other levels is a "better" camera than the SL & has all the bells & whistles that the SL lacks, but is not so enjoyable to use. It's not down solely to the build quality (or red dot?), but the simplified controls (once you've mastered the unlabelled buttons), grip & viewfinder (yes I know the S1 has greater resolution, but the screen feels more cluttered?) I daresay I could swap both the aforementioned cameras for the Lumix S5ii which would give me better auto focus and be lighter into the bargain. Somehow both the older cameras not only look the part but also would I'm sure be better balanced partners with the Lumix S 70-200mm F/2.8, when I can afford to purchase that lens!

Beautiful video, mate!

For a moment I thought you were going to say you got rid of the Lumix! 😂 agree mate if film wasn’t so expensive these days I think it would be my medium simply for the enjoyment that comes from using the bodies

Great concept. I do the same thing. I make photos and after a while a theme develops on its own. I've been working on a project of photographing the southern United States, and especially the subjects that represent an image of that region. I noticed I concentrated largely on old things that were iconic of the South and which are being esrased by change bot temporal and cultural. The preliminary title is "The Vanishing South."

Just watched this video on my tv and just had to come on my phone to comment. The first image was great but i had that itch that the mountain in the background was to central yet everything else was spot on, however your last image blow my socks off! That was absolutely 100% perfect. I would of been tempted to go vertical and that would of been a huge mistake. You have shown me to be much more open to wide angle landscape (camera orientation) images. Thank you. Also I love the look of your images going for a more natural look instead of going crazy with a soft light gradient for the sky to make it moodyer (ashamed that this my off been a root i would of taken, thus spoiling the image). You create beautiful work that inspires. Thank you, all the best.

As a working professional with "Enthusiast friends" I can break camera gear down to needs and wants and the level of justification for a purchase. Professional - Will new gear either make me money or save me money? If the answer is yes to either, then it is a buy. If it is a no, then it doesn't get purchased. A Client wont pay more because you have a shiny new camera, when they are already happy with your work. I am much more likely to buy, modifiers and lighting, new backdrops etc than new camera or lenses. I work in a studio mostly and have zero need for most new features (Subject detect, more than 1 shot at a time) If there is a noticeable (once printed) image quality difference that would lift my work to a new level, then that is different. but it would still need to either make me money or save me money. Enthusiasts don't need to justify a purchase other than to themselves, they can just buy it

Hi Chris, good on point video. I purchased the S5 mk2 last year from a local shop. It was not my first choice camera but I liked the way it felt in my hand. Only criticism was the sensitivity of the shutter release, a real hair trigger🤣 Regarding film do you process your own or use an agency and edit the negatives digitally? My wife has an old Leica film that is collecting dust and I was thinking about digging it out for B&W photography but didn’t want the big expense of sending away to have developed and printed. Maybe you could do a short video on this aspect. All the best👍

You’ve presented a great perspective on this topic. Sometimes it’s a bit surprising that you prefer to use a camera that is slightly slower and not as sharp in every shot. However, the way you use it and how accustomed you are to it makes the process much more enjoyable. For me, it’s similar - I still mostly prefer taking photos with my first camera, the Fujifilm X-T3, because of its tactile feel. I feel comfortable with its weight, menus, and overall handling. Is it the best? Of course not. My friend lent me a Nikon Z6 Mark I and Mark II, and even though those cameras gave me better results in certain situations, I still preferred using the X-T3, probably due to muscle memory. I also have the same camera as you for video - the LUMIX S5II - and lately, I’ve even enjoyed taking stills with it. However, I need to make more adjustments to the photos to match my Fujifilm preferences. By the way, you live in the same area as my family - what a great place for landscape photography! Especially from my perspective, as I live in a much more urbanized area in a different country.

Hi Chris, this is so on point for me at the moment as I have recently sold all my m4/3 gear, which was all the latest Olympus camera and trinity of lenses and gone backwards to a Nikon d850 and a couple of primes... for 2 reasons... the Olympus menus are so deep and not structured and the grip on the d850 is to die for when in my hands... my time with the camera now is nigh on doubled... I have re found my mojo with photography... it is so important to be "in tune" with your gear.... its a bit like getting out of bed and always stubbing your toe... the day you move the side table and dont stub your toe is the day when you remember that day as being a good day... a simple adjustment... makes all the difference.... I put a lot of it now down to the fact we are losing camera shops.... as we did go in on a saturday and have a mooch around... "finding" that camera that felt right.... So thanks for adding to my thoughts that I have done the right thing... as many times everyone questions themselves... so cheers... Yoki...

Great video. I've cycled through the OMD M43 system then several Fujifilm cameras over the last 18 months before I found something I liked using AND does what I want; the Fujifilm X30 for a daily and X-S20 for stills and video. My history is black and white and 80's colour film with an old Zenit E.

Some great points here. I'm in this position right now, I'm starting to look at other cameras as my video skill start to grow, and I feel like the autofocus on the X-T5 is going to get in the way. The issue I have is that I love using that camera, so it's going to be a hard decision to make as to whether I switch or not!

How it makes you feel. That's it. Like most things in life - I forgive my Fuji many things simply because it is still like my (still working) Fujica from the '70s.

Always a good topic and discussion to have, and to revisit every so often. And I agree that gear doesn't matter in one circumstance, if you're just starting out in photography. As really any digital camera and lens from the last 10 years would be good enough to learn on, and post your work online or print at reasonable sizes. I guess I would also agree if you're a seasoned photographer, as you should be able to work within the limits of any setup. But as you said, what you need will always come down to what you shoot, as some niches require very specific features, lenses, lighting, etc. And once you have the gear you need, you will always expand into gear that you want, that makes shooting more enjoyable or enhances your creativity, that lets lets you experiment, or explore something new like film. And that is kind of the blessing and curse of photography, as you are constantly growing and changing, and there is always something new to learn.

I ask myself whether my skill matches the camera? Having reached a Nikon D850 I know the camera is better than me! So this is my camera for the foreseeable, until my skill level improves. (I also snap with a Sony rx100v - great fun).

Another great topic of discussion Chris, gave me a lot of food for thought. I have been thinking I should possibly upgrade my camera but could not decide if I really need too. The part of the video that particular made me think was you saying does your camera do what you want it to. Thank you Chris.

Great video, very insightful, I've subscribed 👍 I feel like you undersold the guitar analogy though, in terms of how an instrument 'feels' not just sounds. In very much the same way a certain camera just makes you smile when you're shooting it in a situation that really suits it. If I'm going to play some classic blues, I'm probably going to be more at home playing a 335 than a strat for how it feels as well as sounds. That being said there have been many blues legends who have chosen the strat 😂 it's such a subjective minefield!...same with cameras

Relatable topic, often addressed on YT. Needs v wants. Feature set + ergonomics = usability. When a camera feels like it is part of you then the real joy of photography begins and images can improve. The A7 was my first FF mirrorless, too, Chris - light weight, noisy shutter, had to swap out replaceable lens mount for light leak issue, poor battery, but adapted my old film cam lenses. Had flash shoe issues, too, as I remember. Did you find the same? Cheers!

I liked the guitar comparison, but for twenty five years I have concentrated on different lenses for existing bodies. It's a policy which has served me well.

Important topic covered here. In my view, ergonomics beats anything else, in particular versatility or number of features. It's what I learned when I got back to shooting film a couple of years ago. The simpler the setup of the camera, the easier to use it, the likelier it is that I come away with pictures I like because I use it more than a feature-packed camera. For me, my all-time favorites are cameras like the Nikon FM2 or even the Pentax MX (both purely mechanical cameras, very robust for the most part of it, and good glass available). Put in the right film and enjoy using it.

Thanks for watching! A bit of a hot take but it's something that's been on my mind recently! 📸

The title attracted my attention because I just DOWNGRADED. I sold my M43 gear and bought a beautiful, used Sony Alpha 7R2 body and two Sony Zoom lenses. It's the ideal landscape kit for me and I just love it.

Brillant miss Trawsfynydd lived for about 15 years there enjoyed everyday, but had to go back to london as my wife got cancer ,. One day will go back there KEEP IT UP “

Hi Chris. Check out photographer Chris Chapman and his work documenting Dartmoor. May give you some ideas for your area.

Great video Chris. I’m new to the channel and chose to subscribe since I too need to just “get out and shoot”. And a project is something I’ve been mulling over to get me going. I love the photos… they were reminiscent of my great grandfather’s farm that I loved to visit as a young boy. Now, I too am a granddad of 4 grandchildren, so I found your sharing of your own experience with your granddad to be very inspiring. Thank you, and I look forward to the next episode.

Hi Chris. Will you give yourself a period of time, the four seasons of a year for example, that gives you a deadline to work towards or will it be ongoing over a number of years? Projects are a good way of having a reason to continue taking non commercial pictures. This exploration of place and provenance could yeild many rewards on many levels. Have a good week ahead.

Great video. I also photograph the countryside here in holland where I live.

I think it’s a great idea Chris. I say this as a 59 year old that is thinking of going back to where I spent the first 25 years of my life and photographing those memories. My issue it’s a large 70’s council estate in Birmingham, a rather scary place.

Absolutely. I think making notes regularly help with developing a clear vision of what you are looking for in the long run. But the downside can be a distraction, if there are too many ideas floating around in your head. Keeping ideas as simple and concise as possible is key I think. I live in Northwest Florida. Last year I went on a roadtrip to Texas, Arizona and New Mexico. And had so many ideas that honestly it was a distraction. Driving too much and not smelling the fresh air or so to speak. Missing the little but significant things. But alas, we learn as both people and photographers.

Great idea for a project. I’ve been thinking about a project for this year so may copy yours. Thanks.

Great video Chris! Love the concept of your project. I haven't really got an ongoing project at the moment, but I am trying to build on my street photography skills throughout this year. Also where is your fleece from? Love it!

A great idea to get to know a new area! Bit of an aside, but you might enjoy Mike Parker’s book “All The Wide Border” if you haven’t read it already for some reflections on a similar theme.

Interesting thanks - am beginning a first project myself. Helpful to her your thoughts.

Perfect timing, so relatable. I’m thinking about doing my first project. All these pointers are fantastic 🎉thanks. Looking forward to the rest of the Borderlands project.

I didn’t think you could fly a drone in a National Park!

Sounds this is going to be an interesting project. Looking forward to see what you are coming up with. I am playing around with some ideas for photo projects but am far from having settlded on one single project.

Great video Chris, as always. Love the title of the project, Borderlands says what it is, but also has a fab feel to it. Where I live we are part rural and 2 miles out of the city and I love to go into the rural locations especially on winter days, fog and frost and for me the ideal shot is crops after harvesting, corn fields where some of the cobs and husks are left behind. Regards colour, black and white, both have their merits, some shots suit b&w and others colour works best. In our location, we are close to fast food restaurants so we are always seeing McDonalds wrappers, boxes and drink cartons in the hedgerows and on the roads. For me that is an interest, as it's a juxtaposition to the landscape.

Interesting project. Look forward to seeing it develop. Thanks for the inspiration.

Enjoyed this a lot mate and absolutely love your ideas, especially the line between what people feel is a home to them! Cant wait to see where you go with it! 🎉

Loving your production, Chris - even the talkover to gentle piano music works so well. I should have recorded all my thoughts in life too - could have ended up being an Author by now?? I grew up on farms near these three counties, albeit Wrexham is still in Clwyd to me. My grandfather would hand milk his cows with a bucket floating in the River Vyrnwy floods which entered the cowshed. My gran would carry the bucket out and pour it into the churns.

Interesting concept, I live in south Wales, on the edge of the valleys and their mining heritage, it might be interesting for me to explore that in some way - I’ll let it stew for a bit! I kind of have the opposite approach to ideas though, I don’t make a note of it straight away, if I forget it then it probably wasn’t worth pursuing!

Another great video Chris, this sounds like a brilliant project, with a very personal connection which I think will really enhance the pictures you take, as I believe that you have to have an affinity and emotional connection to your images to produce better photographs. Looking forward to seeing the progress of your project.

Sounds like an exciting project. Get warm. See you in the Borderlands. :)

Pensive video that should help viewers build their own photo projects. My take-always: project basis should have deep meaning; project content can morph and grow organically over time. In sum: let the project come to you - don’t over-think. Notes and map pins good tips. A current, longer term project of mine is to photograph those automotive “vanity” plates on vehicles. Some are quite clever and can suggest the owner’s work, hobby, sports preference, etc. Some are difficult to interpret. Have to photograph them on the fly as I find them - they disappear fast. Great fun. You sound kind of nasal in this one, Chris. Hope your cold doesn’t linger. Cheers!

Lovely video Chris. This has definitely made me want to do a little photography project for myself

Great video……looking forward to future episodes

Your farm photos really remind me of james ravillious photography. Check him out he created the beauford archive of rural life in Devon farm life village sceans, local characters, etc

What a wonderful idea for a project and the reasons behind it, Chris! I love this theme of exploring identity in local landscapes. And you’re off to a great start with the photos you’ve shared here. Be really interesting to follow your journey here, particularly excited to see how you get on incorporating portraits, if you end up trying that. Well done mate.

Nice video Chris, I'm on a similar journey myself, looking forward to seeing how this develops!