Which camera would be the most fun?

You walk out of your house in the morning; could photo anything from dragonflies to landscapes and all in between.
In addition to your Canon 7d MK 2, which camera would be the most fun to have along: Canon 5DS or a Pentax 645D? Why?

Hmm, an interesting question from a couple of angles. I'll be curious to hear other opinions.

The body is the last thing I think about. I usually have something mind that's more narrow than bugs to mountains. I start with: do I need to create light? Small flash? Big flash? Modifiers? Then I think about lenses. I'm fortunate to have several to choose from. Then I pick the body that best fits that lens (or two, or few).

If I were to think about "full frame" vs. "medium format" then I'm still thinking about the look of the optics that go along with either choice. As I write this, I'm amusing myself with the thought that "full" is small compared to "medium". Oh, those marketing people and their terminology.

My initial thought:
Go with the 5DS with a 50mm lens.
This set has some limitations over the 645D.
Therefore you have to think outside the (645D) box and get creative.
E.g. use the Brenizer method to mimic the 645D.
And while you are at it, maybe some bracketing for a slight HDR touch.

Or:
Shoot JPG not Raw, then set the picture style to Monochrome. Just to limit yourself even more.

Hmm 7DII - > X-T3
P645 - > GFX 50R
Add some analogue 6x6's like the Zero 2000 pinhole, the Holga, perhaps a TLR and/or maybe my RZ67PROII and you've got lots of fun going on

Honestly there's no need for a MF Digital at all so the X-T3 and some fun 6x6 cameras will be what I'll take on vacation

Since I have owned a Canon 7D, 1D, 1DMII, XT, 5D, 1DSMIII, then a Nikon D2H, D800, then Sony a6000, a7rmiii and a Pentax 645D I will answer that question.

If I could only take one camera/lens It would be the Pentax 645D/120 FA F4 Macro combo. The CCD sensor of the 645D will give you the most vivid colors straight out of camera. The 645 fa 120 f4 macro is a well reknowned lens that makes a great all around lens for your dragonfly or landscape photos due to it's macro and sharpness and excellent bokeh for portraits and street photography. You also shouldn't underestimate how well the camera does with it's 100 - 1600 iso limitation. It's very film like and cleans up in post quite nicely. In that regard I compare it to the original Canon 5D in that aspect as those were some of my favorite files I have ever taken.

Though it doesn't likely make as much difference to most people two things that stand out to me when I do take the 645D out is how comfortable the deep grip is and how well balanced the camera seems when shooting. The simple and easy to use menu system stands out from the other bodies as well. Very intuitive. My Sony a7riii menu system gives me migraines in comparison while trying to change settings.

Fuji disposable's where it's at. If you can get 27 keepers on one of those you're a rock star.

If I need pictures, I use Canons. If I need fun, I have Leicas.

Teton wrote in post #19074037
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You walk out of your house in the morning; could photo anything from dragonflies to landscapes and all in between.
In addition to your Canon 7d MK 2, which camera would be the most fun to have along: Canon 5DS or a Pentax 645D? Why?
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I don't think that when it comes to using the two cameras you mentioned, that the camera body would be what determines how much fun you have. . I think the lens lineup that goes with the 5DS vs. the lens lineup that goes with the 645D would be what truly determines how much fun you have shooting.

So for us to help you to decide which would be more fun for you to shoot, you should let us know which lenses you would have/get for the 645D and which lenses you would have/get for the 5DS. . Once you do that, then I could try to help you decide which you would have more fun with.


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Tom
First of all, I should apologize for asking a poorly thought out question. Obviously, no one would know what constitutes my idea of fun with a camera.


I live on the eastern slope of the Rockies. My typical photography outing starts with me getting in the truck, and heading for some back roads. My goal, my idea of fun, is to get the sharpest, clearest pictures of interesting animals/animal behavior or landscapes or old buildings that I can find. The other day we found a grizzly within a mile of the house, and there are elk, deer, moose, eagles, hawks, pelicans, lots of shore birds, and other interesting subjects within a few minutes.
I have three good lenses for my Canon cameras:the EF 100 to 400, Version 2, a 70 to 200 2:8, and a EF 24 to 70 1:4. I shoot them on a 7d mk2 and a 5D MK2. Most of my opportunities to photo animals happen quickly, and I never know if I am going to be shooting into dark shade, bright sun orange combination of the two. I love it.
Every year, I try to upgrade something in my equipment, and this year I was considering upgrading the 5D MK2. Hence the enquiry about the Pentax. I like lots of pixels.
However, I think now that it makes more sense for me to stay in the Canon line since I have the goods lenses. If I went the 645 route, I would have to get lenses to accommodate what I want to do with the camera.
The 50 DS has my attention as does the EOS R and RP. Fast autofocus and low light performance are top considerations.
Thanks for you well thought out reply. Like all good photographers, you think glass first, camera second.

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Teton wrote in post #19077580
I live on the eastern slope of the Rockies. My typical photography outing starts with me getting in the truck, and heading for some back roads.

Lucky you!

Every year, I spend a lot of time, and money, getting myself to the eastern slope of the Rockies. . I absolutely love it there! . Wish there was some way I could afford to live there, but no matter what way I look at going about it, it doesn't seem possible. . Consider yourself very fortunate to live where you do.

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Teton wrote in post #19077580
My goal, my idea of fun, is to get the sharpest, clearest pictures of interesting animals/animal behavior or landscapes or old buildings that I can find. The other day we found a grizzly within a mile of the house, and there are elk, deer, moose, eagles, hawks, pelicans, lots of shore birds, and other interesting subjects within a few minutes.

Well if one of the things you want are sharply resolved images of wildlife, including birds, then I think the only logical choice (between the two given) is to stick with the Canon system you are in.

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Teton wrote in post #19077580
However, I think now that it makes more sense for me to stay in the Canon line since I have the goods lenses. If I went the 645 route, I would have to get lenses to accommodate what I want to do with the camera.

I don't think that Pentax even makes any lenses that would give you the same angle of view that Canon's lens lineup offers. . Remember that medium format is the opposite of "crop factor", so the focal lengths that you are used to with a full frame DSLR will give you a much smaller subject in the frame if used with a MF sensor. . Unless you are shooting very specialized, set-up-in-advance wildlife situations, I see MF as a huge downgrade from FF DSLR or FF mirrorless.


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Teton wrote in post #19077580
Every year, I try to upgrade something in my equipment, and this year I was considering upgrading the 5D MK2. Hence the enquiry about the Pentax. I like lots of pixels.
However, I think now that it makes more sense for me to stay in the Canon line since I have the goods lenses. If I went the 645 route, I would have to get lenses to accommodate what I want to do with the camera.
The 50 DS has my attention as does the EOS R and RP. Fast autofocus and low light performance are top considerations.
Thanks for you well thought out reply. Like all good photographers, you think glass first, camera second.

You have good glass for Canon. I would hold off and see where the R6 and R5 fall in terms of price and capabilities.

Your second post changes everything. If I were looking to take wildlife photos, I'd stick with Canon. I'm no wildlife photography expert, but I'm pretty sure the telephoto lens selection from Canon is much better than the same selection found for the 645 system. Also, your existing lens collection is an excellent start, if that is your focus. They'd work very well paired with the 5DS. For landscapes, the 5DS would also be a great choice.

I sound like I've decided the 5DS is the right choice, don't I? Maybe, however, if variety is part of your fun, you could always try a 645D for your landscape work. I can certainly see how that could be a lot of fun. Personally, I would be sorely tempted. There's nothing like trying a completely new camera system to get your creative juices flowing.

I didn't help very much, did I?

Personally I hate my 5DS's dynamic range and it sits unused in a cupboard somewhere except for rare occasions where I need a 12th camera body.

I think the R5 has the best autofocus and medium-format-like sensor in Canon's repertoire currently. Well worth the new price, and if cost is an issue, certainly a great option later down the line used. My jump from 5DS to D850 really makes shooting much more enjoyable as I don't have to rely on exposure bracketing nearly as much, which isn't possible with moving animals or is problematic with windy conditions and/or 15 stop filters.

I have noticed that my less expensive little Fuji digital cameras in my opinion imitate film colors very well.