Hi,
What is odd about it? I obviously don't buy products I don't feel I can afford.
On the other hand, let's look at some considerations:
- I need a reasonable set of equipment, including long lenses and ultrawides.
- I print at A2 size normally and I feel that 16 MP is good enough for that size with careful work
- Nikon, Sony, Leica can give me around 36 MP, an obvious advantage for prints larger than A2
- I can use Zeiss Otuses on the Nikon, they may be as good as the Leica
- I can put any lens on the Sony, with adapters, but adapters also have tolerances
- Long lenses dominate the weight of the kit, so small cameras are not a great advantage
- If I can build a reasonable equipment with small packing size it is a good thing
- Can I transport the essential equipment within weight and size limits on international flights?
Some examples:
- I considered switching from Sony to Nikon, but decided to stay with Sony.
- I did consider getting a Pentax 645D, but cost was a bit to high and I was skeptical about the lenses.
- I did buy a Hasselblad 555ELD/P45+ and five lenses, all used. The Hasselblad and the lenses can be had dirt cheap. Not the wisest buy I ever did, but I like it.
- I have some interest in the new Sony A7-s but I won't buy any present model. If they have a 50M (or so) model, with phase detection on sensor and electronic first curtain on shutter I would have a serious look. It fits into my present system and adds some benefits. I would probably buy a standard zoom and a few Loxia lenses.
- I really wouldn't mind to have a technical camera with a digital back, but I don't know if the work flow suits me.
- I had a Hartblei HCam on my buying plan to be used with the P45+ and the Zeiss lenses but now I don't feel like I would put more money into the Hasselblad system.
- I am going to retire in some years. I probably want an equipment that is complete and which I can carry. I will be able to spend less money on equipment and I will have time for travel.
This kind of reasoning always goes on. When I bought the Hasselblad, my original idea was to buy lenses from 50 to 150 mm and add a Hartblei HCam and a Canon 24 TS something like 18 months later. But I was lacking a real wide angle so I got a 40/4, that works well for me. I also bought a flexbody, and now I am not sure that tilts are as useful as I expected, so the Hartblei is not any longer on the buying list.
I can carry the Hasselblad kit and the Sony Alpha 99 with say four lenses in my Gura Gear Kiboko, and it fits carry on size limits on almost any flight but it doesn't fit most weight limits (around 14 kg).
Best regards
Erik
"Will I ever buy their products? No, I cannot afford them. Would I buy if I could afford them? I would check against my perceived needs, quite possibly I would. Or, I would buy a Panasonic GH4, or stay with Sony or something else."
There's something a bit odd about this statement.