The Only Three Cameras You Need
Over the last seven years of doing photography, I’ve been very lucky to own a ton of different cameras. From the Fujifilm XT3, all the way up to the Leica Q3. From a Ricoh GR to a Sony A7R.
On one hand, I look at this and think of myself as the consumerism final boss; on the other hand, I see it as learning what works for me. Part of this experimenting is realising that you only need three cameras to satisfy every possible photography requirement, and once you have these, then for the most part, your desire to own more gear fades away.
I’m fully aware that in the current climate, saying that you need three cameras can come across as incredibly tone-deaf, and for sure, you don’t need three. However, I feel that most of us already own at least two of them, if not all.
Workhorse
This is your primary camera, the one you take when you want to focus on your photography and have the best chances of capturing what you want. For most people, it’s their only camera and the one they would use for 95% of all their photography. It might not be the most fun or engaging camera, but it’s a tool to do a job. If you were to go on a big photography trip, this is the camera you would take. If you were asked to shoot a friend’s wedding, this is the camera you would rely on. If you had to get the most important shot of your life, this is the tool you would reach for. For me, it’s the Sony A7RV. It’s not pretty, it’s not small, and it’s not as engaging as an M Leica; however, if I need the best chance at getting the shot, this is it.
Fun
This is the camera you would use for fun and casual days out. For many people, it’s an old film camera or a digital camera from 2010. For some people, it’s a Leica M11, a Fuji X100, or even a Hasselblad. These cameras require a slower, more deliberate approach, and where they lack in technical ability, they make up for it in user experience and engagement. It’s the camera you’d take with you on a relaxed walk by the beach or throw around your neck for a summer’s evening walk through the city. It’s a camera you’d take pleasure in picking up, interacting with, and using. It’s not a tool to do a job; it’s what makes you enjoy photography. For me, this is my Sony A7CR. It’s small, light, very comfortable to hold, and a camera I enjoy using.
Daily Carry
This is the most important camera because it’s a camera that’s always on you regardless of where and when. As the saying goes, the best camera is the one you have on you. For 99% of us, this is our phone. For some of us, this is a compact system such as the Ricoh GR or the Sony RX. For others, it can be an old film point-and-shoot. The only two requirements are that it’s pocketable and will come everywhere with you. For me, this is an iPhone Pro, as it’s a camera I always have on me.
Between these three systems, you’re basically covered for every scenario, desire, and requirement. As I’ve mentioned before, this is not a “you must have this in order to get amazing photos” nonsense. Please don’t go out and spend money you might not have just because an internet nobody suggested a different camera to the one you have. For most people, their phone is sufficient to get started, and any camera from the last five years will do the job.
