Do you or someone you know have TOO MUCH CAMERA?

Interpret the subject as you please. I can probably rant on and on about people I know who have more camera than they need and share some funny stories. However, I too fall into this category.

I cannot claim to use every single function of my 5D3s' capabilities. For example, I've never programmed my custom shooting modes... I probably should. There are also a few features I've played with, but haven't really utilized - e.g. My Menu, double exposures, lens microadjustments, even AE lock... list goes on.

• My #1 offense: Video.
  
• My #2 offense: Off-camera flash.
  

I don't think it's a matter of having "too much camera" so much as they just throw feature after feature at it, and all I really care about is whether it meets my needs.

I rarely shoot actiony stuff but when I do, I'm glad to have the decent AF. I shoot in manual a lot, but I'm glad to have the configurable exposure modes. The extra resolution and DR of the 5D Mark IV make me want to upgrade from the III. I don't care so much about the fact that it's added in refinements in almost every other area, or other features like GPS that I wouldn't mind having.

When it comes down to it, most of the features are superfluous to me. 4K isn't even on my radar. Based on how you describe it, I'd say almost any modern camera is too much for any one user, but they're trying to draw in a huge variety of users.

Too much camera would suggest to me that the person doesn't have the skill to make the most of the camera, regardless of how they use it or however many of its features they do or don't use.

My wife is "using" my 70D. I ended up with a 1D IV after a stint with a 7D2.

Anyway, it's too much camera for her. She has to ask me repeatedly what the settings should be. She can't seem to be bothered by the technical stuff.

Now, that being said.... she takes amazing photographs and I mean Amazing. She gets bird photos I miss and her interior stuff she does for her work come out looking like she hired a professional.

So, she's weak on the technical side.... but way ahead of me on the creative side. I'm trying to learn how to think like she does... within my own limitations. Some of this stuff you just can't teach/learn. And I'm patient when she asks me how to set up her camera.

Colorblinded wrote in post #18279523
I'd say almost any modern camera is too much for any one user, but they're trying to draw in a huge variety of users.

Too much camera would suggest to me that the person doesn't have the skill to make the most of the camera, regardless of how they use it or however many of its features they do or don't use.

I agree with you that almost any modern camera carries a lot of features for any one user. I did say to interpret the topic as you pleased, so I appreciate your response. To me, too much camera could mean what you said - above and beyond a person's capability to use - but it could also mean too much camera than I need or want. Since it may just be like you said - they keep throwing feature after feature into a camera - then maybe I'm not to blame that my camera is too much!

Phoenixkh wrote in post #18279532
My wife is "using" my 70D... it's too much camera for her... that being said.... she takes amazing photographs

Mine, too. My wife often walks away with a far better photo than I do using her Windows phone. She knows how to choose the angle or stitch the panorama... her composition skills are just flat out better than mine. She just doesn't desire to carry a DSLR around.

No such thing as too much camera; just features that are available to experiment with and learn from, IMO.

I suppose you are correct.. if we are staying all actual and factual

But i assumed the OP was trying to have a little fun with this thread

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Nathan wrote in post #18279463

My #1 offense: .........

My #2 offense: ........
What makes you or someone else guilty of having too much camera?

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I don't see where having excess gear is offensive, or something that someone can be "guilty" of.
Guilt infers some kind of wrongdoing, and there is nothing wrong with having more than one needs.

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It's more like cameras nowadays have TOO MUCH BS. All I wanna do is make photographs: manual mode is more than enough for that.

I think my 5Ds do video.

And I thought having a black cloth to drape over my head and shoulders was the height of over indulgence.

I think I need to modernise and move into the twentieth century.

Tom Reichner wrote in post #18280631
I don't see where having excess gear is offensive, or something that someone can be "guilty" of.
Guilt infers some kind of wrongdoing, and there is nothing wrong with having more than one needs.

Depends on how seriously you take my question. Did I dip my hand into the cookie jar? Guilty, as charged. Was it wrong? I no think so!

On the other hand, the point of this thread is just to get you thinking a little bit. I'm certainly guilty of shaming those "photographers" who carry around DSLRs set to Auto. At the same time, though... there are features I don't use on my camera, too. That means the only thing that separates us is a matter of degree. That said, maybe I should look into those features I set aside. I played with them before... why not play with them until I know how to use them? If I decide I don't need them - video, for example - then so be it.

Let's take what's (more or less) too much camera and make it just right.

john crossley wrote in post #18280688
And I thought having a black cloth to drape over my head and shoulders was the height of over indulgence.

I think I need to modernise and move into the twentieth century.

Well, as a matter of fact, the black cloth is mighty invaluable when you're shooting under full sun and need to chimp. I've used one myself.

Almost everyone I know has too much camera. That's not a bad thing, though.
I used to know this guy (VERY German) who always had the latest equipment, but always showed me the SAME needle-sharp Panatomic-X prints! I liked him a lot 'cause I'd buy his "obsolete" stuff at an excellent price when the new models came out. I could always sell his old stuff I already had for more than I'd paid for the new. Wish he was still around!!!

I had a relative who came into some money and wanted to buy a good camera. Knowing her skills and likely motivation for learning all the ins and outs of her camera, I recommended a Rebel. Set it on green box mode and you're good to go I told her. Apparently a salesman convinced her that anything less than a 7D was too limiting of her horizons.

You can probably guess where this is going.

We did a shoot together once. She complained to me that it was really hard for her to get a lot of her shots in focus. I was shooting a 40D at the time and wasn't familiar with the 7D. I told her I'd take a look and see if anything popped out at me. Well, pop it did. She had one focus point set and it was the one all the way on the left. I'm not sure how she managed it. I fixed it, switched it to P mode, and handed it back to her.

This kind of thing happened more than once.

So yes, sometimes a person can have too much camera.