Having a small second camera along with your DSLR...

I love my Canon 5DIII, and all of the assorted lenses and such.

But, there are some times that I wish I had something really small to take around too. I've been looking at the Fuji X100s, and it looks like it's a great camera.

My fear is that if I get a really really nice small camera, my expensive DSLR will see less use. I mean clearly it will if I have a second camera... I just wonder how much.

What have you all found? Did it help your photography? Or make you lazy ?

I forsee certain times, where it's just not feasible to bring a camera bag with me. I just don't want to get in the "ah, just leave the big camera at home" mindset all the time.

once you have a smaller portable camera, you will definitely be seeing less your DSLR.
but IMO this can be good for your photography, it means you will always have a camera with you encouraging you take pictures.

I haven't used my 5DII in months now, the last time I used it was on July 1st to test out the new 70-200 f4L that I bought and before that was in May at the local Zoo.
the 5DII now only gets used for portraits or feel like using it for landscape, otherwise it's the X100s or the Leica M6 that's always in my bag and my day to day camera

That's why I have an iPhone!

Seriously, though, I've had the same thought -- especially in social situations where the big guns might scare the fauna. I'm thinking about the Canon M, so that I do have the option to use my lenses.

That sort of scares me, I spent like $15k on lenses and my 5DIII. But I am not alone I know.

Leica M6 AND the Fuji? Must be nice Is the Fuji everything that it's said to be?

I like to ski in the winter, I can totally see bringing something like the X100 to take great ski photos. The 5DIII with a backpack, not so much, and if I fell I could break it.

AlFooteIII wrote in post #16113424
That's why I have an iPhone!

Seriously, though, I've had the same thought -- especially in social situations where the big guns might scare the fauna. I'm thinking about the Canon M, so that I do have the option to use my lenses.

I thought about that too. The M attached to my 70-200 F2.8 would be funny I like the Fuji though with the quick access to dials, over using menus and a screen viewfinder.

I post a lot of my photos to Facebook. The other day I posted an iPhone photo and someone commented on how they always love my photography. I was like "grrr, I used my iPhone to take that!".

In addition the the DSLR, I purchased the OMD at release. However, I still found the OMD to be too bulky even though I had the 14mm pancake attached at all times, so I sold the OMD to buy the Panasonic G3 (for the m43 lenses) and a Ricoh GRD IV (before the release of the Ricoh GR).

In addition to considering the X100s, you could also look at the GR, IMO it's even more discrete than the fuji and it's been an awesome street photography camera for me, especially with the great user interface (3 custom settings on a point and shoot! even the 6D doesn't have that many) as well as the use of snap focus points (half press would do multi-point focus, one-time full press would auto set focus to 1.5 meters without me even batting a lash).

It didn't make me lazy, it was just two different tools for two different styles.

I bought the G12 two or so years ago for that reason, something light, shoots raw, decent quality. Back then I did not want to carry all my gear to Germany for 2 weeks of xmas vacation with possible rain and snow (i.e. 40D would stay at home anyway). Nice camera, though I just recently found that I had not used it in almost one year. Either 40D was with me or I just used the iphone for snaps and found photography.

I'm now running around with my new 5D3 and two lenses, plus the G12 for your European vacation. If big was too bulky for all day I took the G12.

I'm gonna look at newer small cameras when I get back home, something fast for street photography and to carry if the big gear is just not practical. So I use them all, some more, some less. I usually have my DSLR sitting around ready to grab whereas the G12 is usually in my closet. I'm sure that helps in keeping my big one used and happy

Sounds kinda of like my other hobby, DJ'ing. I went back and forth, use controllers and laptops, CD decks, vinyl... now I have it all and it's kind of a "right tool for the right occasion" thing.

Ryan0751 wrote in post #16113362
My fear is that if I get a really really nice small camera, my expensive DSLR will see less use. I mean clearly it will if I have a second camera... I just wonder how much.

I actually found that the opposite happened. When I got a (very good at the time) Sony H-5 several years ago, I did so with the intention of using it as a backup to my "big" DSLRs. Well, truth is, I almost never, ever used it. And when I did use it, I always regretted doing so, because I knew that any image I took with it would have been better (from an IQ standpoint) if the image would have been taken with the DSLR instead.

I asked myself the question, "Do I even want a photo taken with a P&S?" I realized that the answer was an emphatic "NO".

So, I gave the P&S to my wife to use for the family snapshots she likes to take, and now only use the DSLRs. I don't have any desire to ever take a photo with a "small camera" - ever again.

I barely use my G9. I think if it was a mirrorless or ... ahem ... an M9 ... different story.

Ryan0751 wrote in post #16113436
That sort of scares me, I spent like $15k on lenses and my 5DIII. But I am not alone I know.

Leica M6 AND the Fuji? Must be nice Is the Fuji everything that it's said to be?

I like to ski in the winter, I can totally see bringing something like the X100 to take great ski photos. The 5DIII with a backpack, not so much, and if I fell I could break it.

with fw 1.03, the Fuji X100s is damn near perfect, focuses pretty quick now and IQ is fantastic. I'm testing it out as my landscape camera too.

Tom Reichner wrote in post #16113655
I actually found that the opposite happened. When I got a (very good at the time) Sony H-5 several years ago, I did so with the intention of using it as a backup to my "big" DSLRs. Well, truth is, I almost never, ever used it. And when I did use it, I always regretted doing so, because I knew that any image I took with it would have been better (from an IQ standpoint) if the image would have been taken with the DSLR instead.

I asked myself the question, "Do I even want a photo taken with a P&S?" I realized that the answer was an emphatic "NO".

So, I gave the P&S to my wife to use for the family snapshots she likes to take, and now only use the DSLRs. I don't have any desire to ever take a photo with a "small camera" - ever again.

small cameras have evolved a lot for the past 5 years and IMO the IQ they can produce is DSLR comparable. the OMD, Fuji X, NEX 6 and 7 takes images comparable to a DSLR, the RX1 even surpasses APS-C DSLR.
one thing though where the DSLR will always shine though is with telephoto lens

For my personal work it is a Leica M Monochrom and 34 1.4 summilux FLE. I also use it for some of my commercial assignments.

I think that a P&S is an invaluable tool. I don't use it for any jobs, but a number of the photos (photos that otherwise I would not have) end up in the coffee table books that I give to the family as gifts. My P&S is not high end, but it is waterproof which is a necessity for my lifestyle. It's also good for fast video clips.
Get yourself one and try it. I love mine.

The only time i dont use my LX5 is when im on a paid shoot. Its so much lighter and more convenient to bring around than a DSLR. Its also a lot less inconspicuous which lets me just blend with the street/crowd and i feel that that allows me to shoot better since im more relaxed.

whuband wrote in post #16113984
I think that a P&S is an invaluable tool. I don't use it for any jobs, but a number of the photos (photos that otherwise I would not have) end up in the coffee table books that I give to the family as gifts. My P&S is not high end, but it is waterproof which is a necessity for my lifestyle. It's also good for fast video clips.
Get yourself one and try it. I love mine.

treck_dialect wrote in post #16114007
The only time i dont use my LX5 is when im on a paid shoot. Its so much lighter and more convenient to bring around than a DSLR. Its also a lot less inconspicuous which lets me just blend with the street/crowd and i feel that that allows me to shoot better since im more relaxed.

2 days ago I was looking for a P&S film camera, a Ricoh GR1S or Contax T2 but then I saw the on-going price for one (300$+), that made me wonder why not just buy a small digital P&S like a S95, S100 or S110.
I use my fiance's Panasonic TS3 (great weatherproof camera) from time to time so I might test it out on the street one of these days.

even Daido Moriyama uses P&S cameras on the street
http://vimeo.com/52692​514