11 cameras in 2 years. The 'optimal solution for parents' I reached after paying 3 million yen in tuition

Many people who take up photography as a hobby say that they step into the 'gear swamp' at least once. However, my swamp might have been a little too deep.

In the past two years, I have owned 11 cameras.

I have wandered through every format, from full-frame and APS-C to palm-sized high-end compact cameras. While I made excuses like 'I'm basically sticking to entry-level and basic models...', when I consider the transaction fees for trading and the cost of swapping out lens assets, I have paid a tuition fee so high that I'm terrified to look at the numbers.

Today, after all those twists and turns and major failures, I will talk about the 'optimal solution for me right now' that I have finally reached.

If you are currently spending your nights scouring YouTube for review videos, thinking, 'I want to shoot with better image quality' or 'I'm curious about that legendary camera,' please stop for a moment and read this article. I should be able to convey the 'cruel reality of cameras and lifestyle' that you will never see from catalog specs or the words of influencers.

A two-year journey: The 'list of 11' in search of the best partner

Here is the list of my beloved yet sinful partners that I have repeatedly bought and sold over the past two years.

• Canon: EOS R8 / EOS R6 Mark II

• Nikon: Zfc / Z5 / Z50 II / Zf / Z5 II

• RICOH: GR IIIx

• FUJIFILM: X-T5 / X-M5 / X-E4

The manufacturers' philosophies and sensor sizes are all over the place. It is truly a history of wandering. Moreover, since I bought most of these new, the total purchase amount is over 3 million yen. I have also sold them each time I swapped them out, so in terms of the net difference, it's about 1.2 million yen, but I have paid such a large amount of 'tuition'.
After all those trades, the following four elite cameras are what I currently have in my possession.

1. Nikon Z5 (Old lens base: for hobby time enjoying the inconvenience)

2. RICOH GR IIIx (Daily snapshots: a partner always in my bag)

3. FUJIFILM X-M5 (Travel/Family photos: my current main camera)

4. FUJIFILM X-E4 (For appreciation and outings, loving its one-of-a-kind minimalist design)

You might think, 'Isn't four cameras too many?' However, for me right now, the role of each is clear with not a millimeter of overlap.

Why did I let go of undisputed super-legendary cameras that the world raves about, like the EOS R6 Mark II and Nikon Zf, and settle for this lineup that might seem like a spec downgrade at first glance? The reason lay not in the camera's performance, but in the conflict with my own 'lifestyle (child-rearing)'.

The curse of 'someday, full-frame' and the '1.3kg wall' that stood before high image quality

When you start photography, you always hear the phrase, 'Someday, full-frame.' I was one of those completely trapped by that curse.

The overwhelming AF performance of the EOS R6 Mark II that captures eyes in an instant even in dark places, and the classic brass dials of the Nikon Zf that ignite the desire to own it. The bokeh and rich gradation of the photos I actually took with them were breathtakingly beautiful. I was convinced at the time, 'This is what a camera is, I can shoot anything with this, there's no need to buy another one'.

A typical example of my standard equipment at the time was the Nikon Zf + NIKKOR Z 24-120mm F4 S. It was an absolute justice obtained with a total weight of 1.3kg, combining the latest Nikon body with a legendary lens. However, this 1.3kg of justice would crumble before the reality of daily life.

I have two children who still need a lot of care. Although both are now in elementary school, until recently, going out on holidays meant carrying a heavy backpack stuffed with changes of clothes, diapers, snacks, and bottled tea. If we walked a little, I'd hear, 'Carry me!'

With a stuffed backpack on my back, a 1.3kg camera and lens in my right hand, and holding my child's hand with my left. I managed to get through it a few times with sheer willpower. However, it is impossible to carry a child while having a 1.3kg lump of iron hanging from your neck. It would ruin your neck. Gradually, my body became honest, and the moment I stepped out the front door, I found myself thinking more and more,'It's heavy today, maybe I should leave the camera behind.'

No matter how great a masterpiece camera is, if it's sleeping in a dry cabinet, it's just an ornament. The phrase 'lightness is justice' is often said in the world. At first, I dismissed it, thinking, 'It's obviously better to have good image quality even if it's a little heavy,' or 'I should just bring it out with willpower,' but the reality was cruel. The advantage of the overwhelming expressive power of full-frame was easily defeated by the reality of physical weight and inconvenience.

The day I gave in to the weight and left it at the door, I realized for the first time: the value of a camera lies not in the dry cabinet, but on the path I walk with my children and in the daily life of holding their hands.

That realization changed everything about how I approach cameras.

The true mobility of a camera, taught to me by the savior GR IIIx

The RICOH GR IIIx saved me when I was crushed by my failure to prioritize specs. The size that fits in a pocket, the lightning-fast startup, and the uncompromising image quality that you wouldn't imagine from such a small body. Meeting this camera completely changed my shooting style.

While holding my child's hand, I can quickly take it out of my pocket with my free hand, turn it on with one hand, and snap a photo. The simple joy of having a camera surely at hand the moment I think, 'I want to shoot!' has increased significantly compared to when I had a full-frame camera. The palm-sized GR IIIx now always has a fixed spot in my outing bag.

Since I started using the GR extensively, my criteria for choosing a camera have completely shifted from'how beautifully can I shoot'to'how easily can I take it out'

The time liberated by FUJIFILM.

The next challenge I faced after deciding to prioritize mobility was RAW processing.
Until then, after the children were asleep, I would spend my nights developing photos taken in RAW one by one on my PC using Lightroom. However, this was in the midst of childcare that was already demanding. It was mentally and physically difficult to face the PC while sacrificing work, housework, childcare, and sleep. Even though there were many other things I wanted to do, my nights would end just by developing photos.

That was when I encounteredFUJIFILM's Film Simulation.
The moment I press the shutter, my favorite colors and atmosphere are already created. The thrill of finishing with a quality in a straight-out-of-camera JPEG that makes me think, 'This is fine, no, this is perfect!' was shocking. Being able to skip the entire process of RAW development was not just an efficiency improvement for me, but a way to regain 'time and mental space to purely enjoy the camera'.

I have moved from the X-T5, which once vividly captured family memories as my main camera, to the X-M5 in search of even more compactness, but the FUJIFILM system, which allows me to enjoy the best colors easily at any time, is now the absolute star of our home.

Luxuriously separating 'admiring' from 'using'

As a result of pursuing practicality (lightness and color) in this way, an interesting change occurred within me. I became able to completely separate the roles I demand from a camera into 'practical use' and 'hobby'.

The division of roles among the four cameras I currently have on hand is exactly that answer.

• Nikon Z5 (Hobby/Romance)
  I want full-frame image quality. But if I carry that around every day, it gets heavy and I give up. That is precisely why I kept this Z5 as a hobby machine solely for enjoying the inconvenience of vintage lenses at my own pace. It is for luxurious adult time, the exact opposite of daily efficiency.

• FUJIFILM X-E4 (Affection/Ownership)
  This is a camera I fell in love with at first sight, not because of its performance or specs, but because of its sleek, minimalist appearance. Just having it and looking at it lifts my spirits. I have finally been able to forgive myself for choosing a camera for this reason, even if it took 11 tries.

• FUJIFILM X-M5 & RICOH GR IIIx (Daily/Practical)
  These two are our family's strongest tactical unit for not missing a single moment of time with my family, and I use them heavily on the front lines.

Trying to do everything with one camera leads to struggles with the contradictions of weight and specs. By dividing the roles, the significance of each camera became clear, and my attachment to the equipment deepened.

[Conclusion] '3 Questions' for choosing a camera without failure

11 cameras in 2 years. I have invested a lot of time and money and taken endless detours, but now I can finally enjoy a life with cameras from the bottom of my heart.

If you are currently struggling with choosing a new camera or replacing one, close the catalog and try asking yourself the following three questions.

Can you bring yourself to take it out even when your luggage is heaviest and you are exhausted?
→ In my experience, whether the total weight of the body plus lens is under 1kg was the turning point. Even if it is just the difference of one plastic bottle, lighter is always better.

Do you have the luxury of cutting into your precious evening time to face the development process after taking photos?
→ If you get hooked on development, time will melt away. I think being satisfied with straight-out-of-camera shots is much more important for enjoying photography in the long run.

Does that camera make you happy just by sitting on your desk and looking at it, even if you don't take any photos?
→ I bought the X-E4 not for its specs, but because I was drawn to its one-of-a-kind minimalist design. It is the first model I chose solely based on 'looks' after 11 tries. If it is always going to be by your side, it is okay to be that bold.

If you have a 'No' answer to any of these questions, that camera might not be able to be your partner. A camera with high specs is not necessarily a good camera for you. A camera that fits your lifestyle (the weight of your daily life, the amount of free time you have) is the best partner.

I hope this article serves as a hint to shorten your detours in choosing a camera, even if just a little.

Well then, have a great camera life!