Two systems

Earlier today I was visiting my local camera shop and was talking to one of the managers. He had a Sony A77 out and I told him it was interesting but that I've got all Canon Equipment. He replied that he was a two system person, and went on to tell me he owned and enjoyed both Canon and Nikon.

My question is: how many of you have two systems, and why?

Atm, I have three systems. Soon it will be four. My main reason is to have every option available.

Beats me.

I have Canon and Pentax systems. Why? I bailed on Pentax when they had very bad quality control issues with the K5; and because their top of the line SDM lenses tend to fail; and because their high end dSLRs (K7 to K5II) don't communicate properly with their flashes. And because Canon doesn't have any of those issues, and because they produce a high quality dSLR (60D) with a tilt swivel screen. And because they make the G1X, which blew my socks off. I still keep all my Pentax gear, but I am by no means sorry I went with Canon.

But it was expensive. You should be aware of that: if you buy high quality lenses to go with your new body, it will hurt.

I have two systems. Canon EF and Yashica C/Y. Why? Each offers specific exclusive advantages, features simply not available on the other. I can't get decent digital scans of images anywhere that rival native digital photography. I won't take a $1,500 camera and lens setup into a harsh environment. If I trash an old Yashica body and lens, even the good ones are available for next to nothing on e-bay. About two years ago, I got someone's deceased mother's camera bag and contents for $50, including shipping. It contained: 1 FX-3 Super 2000 body in excellent shape, 1 standard DSB 50mm f/1.9, 1 50mm f/1.9 MLc, 1 28mm f/2.8, a Vivitar (Tokina) 28-105 and an automatic flash unit, all in working order. I kept the camera and the 50 MLc and donated the rest to charity. What a steal!

Some really good equipment is out there for next to nothing if you are willing to shoot film. I have a Yashica 135 f/2.8 MLc for next to nothing, a Series 1 70-210 for $99. When printing at normal sizes, up to 8x10 or so, I don't see a bunch of difference between these lenses and their modern counterparts, the 135L and the 70-200 f/4.

I tried shooting EF film (Elan 7NE) and it didn't work for me. I like the totally manual aspect of old-style film photography.

jdizzle wrote in post #16012472
Atm, I have three systems. Soon it will be four. My main reason is to have every option available.

Gear Acquisition Syndrome

There can be good reason to have two systems.
For example (like myself) one might want to have a lightweight mirrorless system for certain occasions, and a DSLR with the big lenses for when they're needed.

I don't really see the point in having two very similar systems though.

Azathoth wrote in post #16013461
Gear Acquisition Syndrome

I'm no where near that category.

I am monogamous Can't afford more than one system.

benesotor wrote in post #16013909
There can be good reason to have two systems.
For example (like myself) one might want to have a lightweight mirrorless system for certain occasions, and a DSLR with the big lenses for when they're needed.

I don't really see the point in having two very similar systems though.

This is me too. Canon DSLR's, Olympus mirrorless.

Canon EF and Canon EF-M are my two systems, between them I can adapt just about any lens so I'm happy

benesotor wrote in post #16013909
There can be good reason to have two systems.
For example (like myself) one might want to have a lightweight mirrorless system for certain occasions, and a DSLR with the big lenses for when they're needed.

I don't really see the point in having two very similar systems though.

This is the exact reason I'm looking at an Oly mirrorless camera. I love how not only can you get high quality better than P&S images while still being very close to P&S size. I figure I'd use it as a vacation camera or a travel camera and my 50D is for my portrait/nature/sports photography oh and RAW video

jdizzle wrote in post #16014057
I'm no where near that category.

Riiight:

When you go out and shoot photos, do you toss a coin to choose what body you bring?

jdizzle wrote in post #16014057
I'm no where near that category.

Really? Someone who will soon have FOUR systems....what other possible reason is there?

jdizzle wrote in post #16012472
Atm, I have three systems. Soon it will be four. My main reason is to have every option available.

And why is that?