Every photographer faces the decision about what cameras to own, but it's not just about brands like Canon, Sony, or Nikon. It’s about understanding the role each camera plays in your photography, matching gear with purpose to truly improve how and why you shoot.
Coming to you from Andrew Lanxon Photography, this thoughtful video suggests there are three types of cameras you should have: the workhorse, the everyday carry, and the artful camera. Lanxon explains that a workhorse camera, like his Canon R5, handles almost any situation effortlessly, from weddings and portraits to product photography. This camera, usually full frame with excellent autofocus, is reliable for professional assignments and versatile enough for creative experiments. Though heavy and expensive, it's essential because it guarantees you can deliver quality in any circumstance.
Lanxon then introduces the everyday carry camera, such as the Fuji X100VI or the Leica Q3—cameras compact enough to take everywhere. This isn't about capturing flawless fine art photos; instead, it’s about spontaneous moments, casual gatherings, or street photography where subtlety is crucial. It's small, fast, and unobtrusive, designed to stay close at hand without burdening you. This type of camera often holds your personal memories and serves as a fun, stress-free companion. It’s crucial because it removes barriers between you and candid, genuine photography.
However, it’s the third type—the artful camera—that often truly influences your photography style. This could be an older film camera or something unique. Lanxon points out these cameras aren't necessarily the easiest or cheapest, but they push you creatively, compelling you to slow down and carefully consider each shot. This thoughtful, deliberate approach leads to images you're genuinely proud of, fostering growth and innovation in your work. Lanxon's own unexpected journey into film photography with a Mamiya 645 highlights how embracing unfamiliar gear can profoundly reshape your approach.
Lanxon notes that while some cameras can occasionally cross into multiple categories depending on the scenario, ideally, you'd have dedicated cameras for specific tasks. Having clear roles assigned to each camera helps you navigate diverse photographic challenges seamlessly. Ultimately, it's about balancing practicality and creativity to maintain flexibility without overwhelming yourself with gear. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Lanxon.
My 3 Fuji XT5, Fuji GFX 50s II Fuji GFX 100s II .... all three cameras have distinct differences and purposes. I may end up selling the GFX 50 but my issue is if something ever happened to my GFX 100 and it needed repairs I'd be stuck without a GFX. I was tempted to sell my XT5 and get an X 100VI .... but I decided that I liked the tilt screen better on the XT5 at the moment. I really don't have a yearning for another camera. I also have two drones and a DJI pocket three for a little bit of vlogging stuff.
This guy must have a printing press for making money. A $7,000 Leica for an everyday carry camera? You can't be serious. How does one bowl with a camera strapped around your neck? Or does he leave it on a seat or table just begging for someone to steal it. The one camera nearly everyone has, a cellphone, seems like a better choice for everyday spontaneous photos. And while I can appreciate an old 4*5 film camera for nostalgic reasons, there's certainly no reason at all that his R5 is incapable of producing the most artful of fine art images. Unless you collect cameras for the fun of it, one camera and a cellphone will do fine.