Decisions Decisions..Too much gear

Has anyone else had the experience of not knowing what to shoot, due to having "too much" gear? Basically, I find it difficult to decide on what to shoot on a daily basis (before loading the gear into the bag) and sometimes just get frustrated & don't bother going out at all. Should I bring this lens or that lens? Do I go full frame or crop? Do I bring the tripod, filters, flash unit etc etc. I feel that my passion for photography is suffering because of this. I don't want to be carrying stuff around all day that I won't be likely to use either.

If you have nothing "specific" to shoot.. as with me (just a hobby), pick one lens and force yourself to use just that lens. That's what i do, anyways.

If you have too much gear and don't even go out from lack of decisions, you should try to get rid of some gear you rarely use. Instead of just going out, plan where and what you want to photograph and then pick the gear that suits it.

Recently I've been taking my tripod and a couple lenses on mountain hikes, but with the water I need to take, it makes for a heavy bag. So next week when I go out, I decided to forego the tripod (I rarely use it on the hike) and take just 2 lenses (tele, wide) which will lighten the load.

If I go to a mountain with waterfalls, then I lug the tripod and filters.

Thanks Guys. I like the one lens suggestion.

Going back many years, I found a body with a wide to short tele zoom, a short to mid-length zoom, and maybe a second body (but usually not) covered most everything for me. Longer tele for the times I knew I'd need it.

Now I have a T3i, 17-50 lens and a 50-150 lens. A tripod (often in the car) and a CPL, a ND, and a grad ND set me up with a small, light load. Maybe an upgrade to the camera one day....

Miki G wrote in post #16326188
, due to having "too much" gear? Basically, . I feel that my passion for photography is suffering because of this.

...it has nothing to do with having too much or less gear, it's about imagination and creativity, which is not for sale - thankfully!!!! just my observation and not facts!

meeko031 wrote in post #16327852
...it has nothing to do with having too much or less gear, it's about imagination and creativity, which is not for sale - thankfully!!!! just my observation and not facts!

I don't believe that I'm lacking in imagination or creativity in this case. The problem is exactly the opposite for me in most cases. For example, if I decide to take bird shots & bring a telephoto lens on a crop sensor body, tripod etc, I may notice some great macro opportunities on the way & not have a suitable lens with me. On the other hand, if I decided to bring gear which is suitable for macro, I might happen across a lovely landscape opportunity & again, not have the stuff needed with me. I don't have transport, so I can't bring everything with me ( especially if a long hike is involved ) & find that I always seem to miss out on more potential shots "by seeing too much", than by not seeing the subject that I originally planned for. I think that, perhaps, I should just concentrate on one genre & ignore the "what could have been" shots.

Miki G wrote in post #16328341
I think that, perhaps, I should just concentrate on one genre & ignore the "what could have been" shots.

...agreed, decide which you want to photograph prior to leaving the house then pack accordingly but deciding is the tough part!!!

good luck!

Well then, in your case its really simple, find your subject and sell the stuff that doesn't apply.

Discover your subject and vision first and then let the gear follow (as needed to get the shot)......it sounds like you may be doing things backwards.

http://www.swarthmore.​edu/SocSci/bschwar1/Sc​i.Amer.pdf

Heuristic failure. Can be cured by:
Random generators. Designate a number on a dice for each lens you have. Roll the dice.

OR

Set limits. One lens per month/week/year. Which becomes a project of 10 images to be printed... or put online... or whatever. You get to know a lens. Superzooms suck for this.

OR

Sell your gear and keep one normal lens ONLY. Make the lens ridiculously expensive. That cured it for me.

Thanks everybody. Problem solved.

I carry most everything I could possibly need in a Domke F-1x shoulder bag with their US Postal Service shoulder pad.
www.amazon.co.uk/Domke​-F-1X-Little-Bit-Bigger/dp/B00009R87T/
www.amazon.co.uk/Domke​-FA-031-U-S-P-O-Shoulder-Pad/dp/B00009R86L/

I don't have that much gear but my three lenses seem to cover what I come across in my walks.

To carry the tripod or just my monopod is a shoot to shoot decision.

I do sympathize with your dilemma and I appreciate your honesty. I'm like you. I have several interests and the lenses to get the photographs in each genre, for the most part, but I am never quite sure what I'll see if I'm out and about on a walk.