Do We Really Only Need Three Cameras? (In Theory)

[lalan45]

I’ve been thinking about camera needs lately, and I feel like, at the most basic level, everything can be broken down into three main cameras.

First is the do-it-all, high-spec work camera. This is the one you use when clients ask for serious specs like 4K/120p or even 8K, or when you just want the best possible image quality. Cameras like the EOS R5 II, Nikon Z8, Sony a1, or Panasonic S1R II fit here. They’re expensive, but they can handle almost anything.

Second is what I’d call an “art camera.” This is for personal use, travel, street photography, and just having fun. Ergonomics, size, and character matter more here, but it still needs to shoot good 4K video and work well in low light. Think Fuji X-Pro3, X100 VI, Sigma fp or fp-L, or even the Sony RX1R if video isn’t important. These are the cameras you actually want to carry around.

Third is the high-end smartphone camera. Like it or not, this one is essential now and fills a lot of gaps.

Of course, three cameras don’t really cover everything for professional work, and budget changes things a lot. You can get very capable work cameras for well under $3k, like the Fuji X-H2S. And if I added a fourth “serious” category, it would be medium format, like the Fuji GFX line or Hasselblad.

But in reality… things get out of control fast. I somehow end up with way more “categories,” like high-spec all-rounders, art cameras, retro digicams, CCD cameras, Foveon cameras, IR-modded cameras, impulse buys, cameras I bought twice, cameras bought to flip, broken cameras I’m fixing, run-and-gun small sensor bodies, weird stuff like Mavicas with CD drives, and compact CCD cameras with flash for that Polaroid look.

I’m sure I’m forgetting a few. What camera “category” am I missing?

[kye]

I suspect that most people will have different "categories" depending on what they're doing, but I absolutely like the thinking behind this.  The more we can make sense of what we do and how we do it, the more clarity we can get and the faster we can get a kit that works and then focus on using it.

As I only shoot personal projects, I don't need a work camera, so my main category is my run-n-gun travel camera, the GH7, which is used exclusively hand-held.  
For daytime use it's the GH7 with 14-140mm zoom, which has incredible stabilisation, and the zoom lens means I can capture almost anything I can see.  It also has an integrated fan, great image quality, strong codecs, etc.
For night use I can use the GH7 with 12-35mm F2.8 and get great neutral images.
For funky night cinema I can pair it with fast primes like the Voigtlander 17.5mm F0.95 or Speedbooster with Takumar 50mm F1.4.

The second camera is (of course) my phone, which I recently upgraded to the iPhone 17 Pro from the 12 Mini.  The combination of Apple Log, internal Prores HQ, and the 0.5x / 1x / 2x / 4x / 8x cameras makes it incredible for travel.  I'm waiting for a good vND solution to come out.  Apart from the low-light, it's basically an all-in-one solution now.

Some time ago smartphones replaced my waterproof camera category which was previously GoPro / Sony X3000 action cameras.

I used to have a fourth "category" which was a backup camera and used for time-lapses, but now the iPhone is good enough in the unlikely event of something happening to the GH7 and I don't really shoot time-lapses anymore so I don't really need one, but I still have an "itch" for something else.

Random thoughts:

• It could be something very retro, like something with poor video quality that was nostalgic in some way, and graded to look either digital or analog electronic or film
  My OG BMPCC and BMMCC and GF3 all come to mind for this.
• It could be something very stylised / attitude like being super fisheye or 360 or something
• It could be something very niche in how you'd use it, like it could be mounted on something for a unique perspective, or could be on a pole for strange perspectives..  or even something like an action camera that you wear on your wrist and take a 10s clip every 15 minutes, or pocketable camera that you record a clip with every so often.

The whole point would be a tool that would make me use it differently to how I normally use / think about shooting, and therefore be a fun and creative addition.

[kye]

In my latest review of my gear, I started taking note of things I want to use but haven't found a use for.  Certain things have an X-factor and in creative endeavours it's useful to listen to that voice.  Equipment can be inspirational sometimes.

[Andrew - EOSHD]

14 hours ago, lalan45 said:

First is the do-it-all, high-spec work camera. This is the one you use when clients ask for serious specs like 4K/120p or even 8K, or when you just want the best possible image quality. Cameras like the EOS R5 II, Nikon Z8, Sony a1, or Panasonic S1R II fit here. They’re expensive, but they can handle almost anything.

Having owned (and sold) a lot of the high-end stuff I have given up a bit on the idea of an 'end-game' camera, because limitations breed creativity and part of the enjoyment of camera tech is experiencing 'camera culture', all the rich tapestry of ways to get an image and how different tools inspire different shooting styles, altering the creative vision.

So when you lock yourself into 1, or even 3 capable models, you always yearn for something more weird. Well, I do anyway.

Everyone should have an old beater camera for instance where carrying flashy experience gear makes you nervous. I always feel tense with an expensive camera, if an accident happens, or it gets nicked, it'd be a fucking disaster.

Everyone should try an old CCD model, they do have a different look. I recommend original Canon 1D with Panasonic APS-H CCD, Minolta 5D or a Canon Powershot G10.

And the reason you can't stick to just one format is there's so many nice and unique lenses for other sensor sizes.

Actually that's where a Sigma Fp-L comes in handy with the crop modes and Cinema DNG 4K even at 2x crop for the Super 16mm look and C-mount lenses.

I'm still in favour of small sensor options, like a Panasonic G9 II or Olympus OM-1... Full frame look is not always what you want.

[fuzzynormal]

9 hours ago, Andrew - EOSHD said:

try an old CCD model

The farther I get from it, the more I yearn to go back to using my old XH-A1.  Just for fun, but also ... kind of a really great IQ under good conditions.

[j_one]

My personal kit resembles OP categories, though I'd add some refinements to those categories for my use case:
 

1) The "on-set" IO cam: This is "usually" the big daddy unit that that has all the ports and power needed to get through a shoot day with 3+ crew. It usually is going to be some box-style or camcorder-style body that has SDI for others to monitor. Solid body. It should be designed (or rigged out) to last several hours without the need to hot swap batteries. Size rarely deters build options/needs since this unit will be on sticks 80% of the time. This cam usually has the most robust codecs, media, and IQ, though it isn't a given due to modern mirrorless units closing that gap. Not always the first option for the solo operator, depends on shoot needs and client.

2) The "fill in the gaps" hybrid/gimbal cam: to be used for all abstract shots that could benefit from a lighter/smaller body. Handheld + IBIS, gimbal, steadicam, overhead shot, second angle...this fills in the use cases where the big camera can't.  This unit is usually faster to boot up to and operate, might have some kind of PDAF autofocus system, etc. This camera is also first pic for any "videography" jobs that require you to float around. This cam preferably has the same lens mount as the first camera. Usually a box cam or low mp hybrid mirrorless. A much better tool for vertical shooting, (smaller body to flip, open gate etc)

2b) The hybrid stills monster: Basically the hybrid camera from before, but with an emphasis on photography features. So your hybrid flagships that can produce images of the highest fidelity (R5/II Z8/9 A1/ii S1rii). They don't have to be 30mp+, but it seems most flagships are anyway.

3) The quirky character cam: The one most people have to ask "what is that" because its rarely seen out in the wild. The one that looks like its more of a struggle to operate because of some quirky compromises or functions in design...but that's the pull. Whether it be the operating ethos, the IQ, or both, you don't expect others to understand why you use this camera because it's just for you. (

4) Smartphone. Yeah, I'm definitely finding myself intercutting more and more iphone prores LT footage with the other cams for most videography jobs (3rd angle, pick up shots etc) and nobody bats an eye...not fun to operate AT ALL but I cannot deny the IQ coming from phones nowadays relative to the time it takes to set up the shot (literal seconds). Any shot with deep focus and adequate lighting can be handled by the right phone if you need it in a pinch.

 

[BTM_Pix]

I don’t know about when you’re in Reality only needing three cameras but here in Delusionville it’s eight minimum.

[MrSMW]

I suspect the OP is a bot, but it’s an interesting question nonetheless.

I only need one type personally and that is a compact, hybrid, hi res monster because with that I can do it all. And am, so 😛

[Ninpo33]

For 10 years I have been traveling globally shooting docs and magazine content. Years ago I streamlined everything down to 3 cameras plus mobile phone. Similar to your categories above but trying to reach a modular “swiss army knife” style of kit. I got pretty streamlined at one point with crop sensor cameras and speedboosters all sharing the same mount. 

1. The do it all 6k/8k flagship but focused on video. Maybe rigged up with Raw recorder as needed and bigger IO unit for better audio. 

2. The high res stills camera that still shoots solid 4k or better video. 2nd angle in interviews and used for product photos or studio portraits. Photographing media and printed materials for later use in documentaries. 

3. High end compact street cam. Third angle for interviews when needed and BTS. Nice to have as a backup in the camera bag in case something goes wrong with the other gear. Pocketable and fast for intimate and candid shots. Stealing low light B-Roll and mounting up in the rafters for high angle shots or in car interiors.

4. iphone 15 pro camera for BTS and quick stuff in the moment. Rigged up next to the A cam for vertical social media stuff. 

it’s nice being able to have 3 lenses and crop modes for S35 to give you a multitude of focal length options. Pair that with speedboosters and you can really cover a lot of ground with a small bit of kit. 

I would now add the Vlog cam as necessary these days so either the iphone does that job or maybe a Osmo pocket 3/4 in addition to the above. 

 

These are combos I’ve been playing with. 

 

Lumix S1H

Lumix S1R

Lumix S9

 

Fuji GFX 100ii

Fuji X-H2s

Fuji X-M5

 

Sony A1

Sony A9iii

Sony ZVE1 

 

Leica SL2

Sigma FP-L

Leica Q2

 

Sony A7CR

Sony ZVe1

 

 

 

 

 

 

[zerocool22]

Oh shit, I have too many cameras.

[kye]

3 hours ago, zerocool22 said:

Oh shit, I have too many cameras.

I'm pretty sure that in 1927, as photography became more accessible, all the great scientific and mathematical minds of the time converged in Paris and after a fortnight of rigorous collaboration they proved mathematically that one can, in fact, never have too many cameras.

[BTM_Pix]

All paid for by Pathé and everyone on the trip etched postcards home saying “Game Changer”.

[MrSMW]

The bottom right dude, is that the notoriously dageurreotype-shy, Louis 'Rolling' Shutter?

 

[Geoff_L]

1 hour ago, MrSMW said:

The bottom right dude, is that the notoriously dageurreotype-shy, Louis 'Rolling' Shutter?

 

Hm, it seems to me rather like Jean-René douze-fps but I could be wrong!

[MrSMW]

14 minutes ago, Geoff_L said:

Hm, it seems to me rather like Jean-René douze-fps but I could be wrong!

It could possibly be him, - they do look quite similar in black & white.

The centre bottom dude is Cam Mackay’s great great great grandfather, Dances With Cameras. That one I am positive about. I think…