The cameras you choose—and those you decide to skip—shape the kind of photographer you become. Every camera you pick up nudges you in a certain direction, subtly guiding the images you create and the style you adopt.
Coming to you from Craig Roberts, this reflective video explores cameras he has never owned, yet significantly influenced his photographic journey. Roberts starts by sharing the extensive list of cameras he’s used since starting in 1986—from film classics like the Canon T90 to digital favorites like the Fuji X-T5. But this isn't another standard gear roundup; Roberts instead focuses on the cameras that got away, those he considered but passed on for practical or financial reasons. For example, Roberts began his journey with a Pentax P3, choosing simplicity over the more sophisticated Olympus OM10. This seemingly small decision, he suggests, might have influenced how quickly he appreciated the finer details of camera operation. Later, his decision to opt for a secondhand Mamiya RZ67 instead of the pricier Hasselblad 500 changed the way he experienced medium format photography, shaping his compositions and framing style.
Roberts candidly admits that each choice involved trade-offs, both financial and artistic. Not owning certain cameras meant missing out on unique experiences, such as framing square compositions through the Hasselblad’s iconic viewfinder or exploring the expansive possibilities of panoramic images with the XPan, Fuji’s legendary 35mm panoramic camera. Interestingly, while Roberts eventually did invest in Fuji's GX617 panoramic camera, he still wonders how the smaller, more portable XPan might have further refined his photographic eye. This insight reveals something deeper: cameras aren't just tools—they influence your vision and the kinds of images you chase.
He also discusses his transition to digital cameras, starting with the Canon 5D series and eventually embracing mirrorless with Olympus Micro Four Thirds cameras, attracted primarily by their compact size and advanced image stabilization. Yet even here, Roberts imagines alternative paths, mentioning Panasonic's S-series cameras—full frame machines he found compelling, though ultimately too cumbersome for his style of handheld shooting. He reflects openly about how these alternate choices might have affected his photographic approach, recognizing that every gear decision subtly shapes your work’s trajectory.
Perhaps most revealing is his renewed interest in film. Recently returning to analog photography, Roberts finally purchased a Nikon FM2, a mechanical classic he’d previously admired from afar. Now he wonders whether his journey might someday include Leica—perhaps an M6—acknowledging that the distinctive experience of rangefinder shooting might yet transform his work again. His openness about these considerations underscores a critical truth: choosing a camera isn't merely practical or budgetary—it's deeply personal and creatively influential.
Roberts’s video challenges you to reflect on your camera choices. What cameras have you overlooked that might have shifted your photographic direction? And what might your next camera choice mean for your creative future? Check out the video above for the full rundown from Roberts.
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