Start Over, Begin Again

...Just a quick question, for fun. Another "mental exercise," or theoretical question, or thought-experiment:

...If all your equipment were stolen, and the insurance settlement was very generous and you got more or less all the cash out of it you could (but it's still real money, and your money), and you had to start all over—begin again from the beginning—what would you buy in late 2016? Which direction would you go? Clean sheet.

Just curious.

Mike

Original contents copyright 2016 by Michael C. Johnston and/or the bylined author. All Rights Reserved. Links in this post may be to our affiliates; sales through affiliate links may benefit this site.

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Featured Comments from:

Ned Bunnell: "That’s a great question and sure to prompt a myriad of responses.

"For me, it’d actually be easy. First, my wife would probably be ecstatic. She’s always chiding me for having all this gear that I seemingly never use. She still has not fully comprehended why I recently had Kanto Camera Service in Japan completely overhaul my M4 and repaint it in a sumptuous black. She’d probably tell me that losing all my equipment was ironically a good thing. We’re retired and actively trying to reduce all of our possessions.

"I’d immediately get another Ricoh GR. Since it’s been my primary camera for the past four years and fits my hand like a fine glove, there’d be no reason to consider switching cameras. For me it combines the best in compact size, wonderful one-hand ergonomics and a lens and sensor that is still sharper than many new SLRs. I also thoroughly enjoy its 28mm FOV. But above all else, I love its discreet profile. For me, it’s the ideal take anywhere camera. And since I’m at the point in life that I have nothing else to prove photographically except enjoy that act of shooting what I like, there’d be little ROI on getting a whole bunch of new gear.

"I recently posted a photo and a few comments on my Instagram feed about smaller sometimes being better. It also touches on reasons why my iPhone SE and the GR just happen to be perfect for me."

Ed Hawco: "That actually happened to me in 1993 when I was a part-time student in the faculty of Fine Arts at university, majoring in Photography. Although I was also working full time, I was dead broke and was working with a pile of failing and mismatched Minoltas and third-party lenses. Until the fateful burglar struck. I cannot believe the insurance company just coughed up, because it was so perfect I barely believed it wasn't fraud myself. That time I went full Nikon (F90 body, FE2 body, 28mm and 50mm primes, and whatever the 80–200mm zoom of the day was.)

"If it happened now I'd go full Fuji. I'd get an X-T2, the best kit lens available for it, and a couple of standout primes (a 28mm equivalent and a very fast 'normal.') And I'd also get an X100T that I'd probably use more often." 

Robstrong: "This happened to me once, in 2008. I fell in the ocean at a wedding rehearsal dinner (the next day's wedding was the first one I ever shot professionally). Short term, I raced to Best Buy the next morning and bought a Canon 40D kit. Long term, insurance and eBay paid me handsomely (some people like buying saltwater damaged lenses, as it turns out), and I ditched my photojournalist-standard zoom kit (16–35mm, 50mm, 70–200mm) in favor all primes: 24mm, 35mm, 50mm, 100mm, and eventually 135mm, which is my arsenal to this day."

Hugh: "Canon 35mm ƒ/1.4L Mark II, 85mm ƒ/1.2L Mark II, 135mm ƒ/2L and the 5D3 or 4. Exactly what I have now. No thinking needed. It just works."

Edd Fuller: "I would probably set about replacing the gear that was lost. Life's too short. I want to spend my time making photographs, not learning my way around a new system."

BERND REINHARDT: "This is a very difficult question I've had to ask myself lately because the value of some of my Leica gear has skyrocketed since I got it. I would definitely buy Leica rangefinders and lenses again, but maybe not as many as I already own. My problem is that one of my lenses in particular is a highly valued collectible and it is also the lens I use the most. I am not sure whether I would get the same lens again, or replace it with a newer non-collectible version of the lens (which unfortunately has different rendering.) My biggest issue with the high value of my gear is that I need to pay the hefty premiums to insure it properly or take the risk of loss."

Mike replies: I vote: keep using the expensive lens. Being used is a better destiny for a lens than being precious.

Kalli: "Oh, here's a real answer, which I'd probably never be brave enough to implement in the real world. Turns out one can order the Sigma SD Quattro. With the Sigma 30mm ƒ/1.4 as a kit lens, it's not an expensive package compared to a lot of other stuff I'd be looking at. Having to change image processing software would be a pain, though…."

Kenneth Tanaka: "For me the question is better framed as what system would I keep if I had to jettison all but one. Without a doubt my answer would be my Sony A7 cameras. They represent, for me, the ideal nexus of technology, features, compactness, superb image quality, and, most importantly, flexibility and adaptability. They have established the new standard in generalist photographic instruments.

"I could jettison nearly every other camera with few practical consequences. The exception is my Panasonic Lumix GX85, which has become my favorite small, go-anywhere camera this summer. I love this thing and would truly suffer practical consequences from its loss."

Wes: "Ask me again at the end of September."

Nigel: "I would stick with Micro 4/3 without hesitation as it has proved to be perfect for my needs. So it would be a couple of E-M5 Mark II's plus 7–14mm, 12–35mm, 35–100mm and the 60mm macro. I hike, and so the weight factor with Micro 4/3 is very good.

"I also do a lot of dark old Italian monument interiors. IBIS has proved a miraculous winner for these places where I cannot use a tripod. Lastly I like to have a camera I have learnt to use without having to think about where things are, how it works and what the output will be like."

Gordon Cahill: (partial comment): "Fortunately, as a working photographer with too many cameras that would be a big cheque. :) So.... Leica SL. The best all-'round camera I've ever worked with. It's fantastic with the Canon tilt-shift lenses I use every day."

David Brown: "Anybody that steals all of my camera gear is going to have to work at it. Stuff is stashed all over the house and darkroom (separate buildings). As for the original question: I don't know. Everything I have (even the digital) is relatively old...."

Comments

[Jon Schick]

I'd almost certainly stick with Fuji, with an XT1 and XPro1 (or their replacements if the payout covered them) plus the 18mm/35mm/60mm primes I currently have, and the 55-200 for occasional telephoto use. I'd also have to find a replacement mint condition Olympus E-1 and pair that with the 11-22 and 14-54 lenses because life isn't the same without it.

[Mattias]

I would find another 500cm with 80mm and then buy two Ricoh GR.

I'd be quite happy.

[tex andrews]

I'd replace my 645Z and lenses, flashes....with the exact same things. My A7R, plus lenses & etc....maybe the RX1RII?

[psu]

But I would consider getting a one or two fixed lens cameras instead. Esp. if the fixed lens is a decent zoom to telephoto.

[Dana]

........Mike....I would sit back and believe in providence and never
look through a camera again at the world but I would still read
your thingie. You are a talent beyond photography. Say!....I might
even use my brain as a sensor and enjoy the rest of the visit here
turning the pages in my mind.....

[James]

I'm a hybrid shooter, and I'd stay that way...

2 Nikon FGs; Nikkor 24mm f/2.8, 35mm f/2, 105 f/2.5 ; Nikon 50mm f/1.8 E and 75-150mm E.

Fuji XPro 2 or XT2; Fuji 10-24 f/4, Fuji 18mm f/2, 23mm f/1.4 35mm f/2, 60mm Macro.

I probably wouldn't replace the Crown Graphic... I don't use it enough, and shame on me for that.

Sure, seems like a load of duplication, but everything has a current, if occasional use...

[Glenn Allenspach]

This one's easy. I'm deep into Sony E/FE stuff, and would get the current replacements.

[Rube]

I am with Ned B., the GRII all the way.

[Paulo Bizarro]

Easy, Sony Alpha FE MILC, as it is the system that takes the wonderful ZEISS lenses made for it.

[DavidB]

I would not replace my Nikon FX DSLR and assorted modern and legacy lenses. Instead, I might consider the Sony RX100 or RX10.

The rest of the money would go for a new mountain bike. Mountain bikes have been evolving even faster than cameras and my bike is now about 50 years old in "bike years."

And I could easily carry the RX100 or RX10 on the bike. Win-win.

[Bryan Hansel]

I currently use a Nikon D810 and a bunch of lenses. I'd get exactly the same setup that I have now, except replace the 70-200 f/2.8 with the f/4 version. Skip replacing the four or five lenses that I still have from film days and the buy an 85mm. I'd also skip replacing the RX100iii and use that extra money to buy a Fuji XT2 and a lens or two just to carry while biking or paddling.

Other than a few extra lenses that I don't need and the RX, which I'm not satisfied with, I have exactly what I need to do what I do.

[Kefyn Moss]

Been there, done that. Several times. And I would therefore end up with the Fuji X-T1/2 and lenses that I have now. The perfect camera doesn't exist but as cameras have evolved they are better in every way in general and the Fujis are the best compromise for me.

Curiously (not reading anything into it of course ;-) by the time I posted this, which is later as I'm in Australia, there were 99 comments and the camera brands mentioned in order from most to least for the top 6 were Fuji, Sony, Nikon, Canon, Olympus and Panasonic.

[Gato]

I wish to revise my answer. The first version was excessively wordy and technical.

I would replace the stuff I actually use and have enough left over for a down payment on a Miata.

[Charles Lanteigne]

Same thing I'm currently using... The next level up is wildly more expensive, so it's realistically as good as it can get for me.

[BERND REINHARDT]

"Mike replies: I vote: keep using the expensive lens. Being used is a better destiny for a lens than being precious."

Oh no Mike, I completely agree. I'm not worried about resale value. My point is that I feel like I have to keep it insured at its current value, or be stressed out about theft.

[Steve Jacob]

I'd buy exactly what I have now...

Xpro2 and 8 Fuji lenses. I may not rebuy all of them and I'd go on holiday with the saving.

[Jeffrey Behr]

Fortunately, the same as I have now, a Pentax K-1 with a bunch of Zeiss ZK- and, if necessary, ZF.2-series lenses.

Jeffrey B.

[Eliott James]

Probably the Pentax K1 with their 3 new lens, for landscape work and more mp for larger prints.

[Bill Wheeler]

I am SO glad I had my s95 with me when someone stole all of my camera equipment. Everything. Luckily for me, they also stole all my darkroom equipment! And my photo archive, negatives and prints. All gone. Free, free, free at last. Bill

[John Robison]

Despite my previous silly flip answer now that I had time to think I'd probably just buy the same favorite 35mm and replace my Pen F (a real Pen F that uses film) with a couple of good clean bodies and every lens I could lay my hands on including the 25mm f2.8 and 70mm f2 and a 38mm f2.8 pancake if I could find one. Absolutely lovely camera.

[Rick Popham]

Another Fuji wannabe here. I'd go with an X-T2 based system with as many lenses as the insurance settlement allowed.

I'm currently shooting with two systems: Nikon FX (D800), and micro 4/3 (Olympus OMDs). I think that right now the Fujis occupy the sweet spot between image quality, size/weight and price.

But then I haven't tried a Sony yet ...

[Philip Lanum]

I has this happen to me twice. First time I got enough out of three Fujica bodies to get a Pentax SF-1. I did get the Fujica stuff back 5 yeaes later). I went digital with a Pentax *istDs and later a Pentax K10D. All of my Pentax cameras were stolen and with the replacement policy I got a Pentax K20D. The local Police found my cameras in a pawn shop and returned them to me. If this happens again, I would probably buy a point and shoot and just shoot JPEGs.

[Gareth]

Straight replacement for what I have now - couple of Fuji X bodies and a few lenses: 18-55, 50-140, 16, 23, 35 (I'd probably go back to the f/1.4 rather than the current f/2, for lack of digital correction and light-collecting properties), and replace the Samyang 12mm with the 10-24 or Zeiss Touit 12mm. I'd replace the 18 and 27 because of their compactness, although don't use them much since getting the 16 and 23.
Every time I import a set of raw+jpg images into Lightroom and take a quick look through the results my heart is lifted by what these lenses and the X-Trans sensor can produce. Never felt like this about any of the numerous other systems owned over the past 40 years. And I really can't find the need for a slapping mirror.
Just spent the weekend photographing a local music festival in light ranging from high contrast sunshine to that of a murky, atmospheric marquee, using mainly the 50-140 f/2.8 and 23 f/1.4. No problems whatsoever, fabulous results, minimal processing time and no physical fatigue!

[David]

I've considered this - If stolen, lost, destroyed...
I can't change to anything different from M43 until someone else makes a lens like the Olympus 40-150 f2.8. As they say, "only when you pry it from my cold dead hands..."

[Alex]

Right now I would do the same as in the last six years: Stay with MFT.

This year I seriously upgraded the bodies. Bought an E-P5 new at less than half for what it was selling a couple of years ago. Bought an E-M5 second hand at a quarter of what it used to cost new.

Get another 1.8/17mm, 1.7/20mm, 1.8/45mm and 60mm macro, (might add a 25mm) and be hapyy because I have found all I need a long time ago.

[Jean]

Repurchase Fuji X-pro2 (x2) and X100T, maybe replace Nikon D750 with X-T2, and replace Nikon FX glass with more Fuji lenses. Definitely get the f/2 23mm and 50mm when they are available. The 35/2 is excellent, and so is the X-pro2.

[Graham Byrnes]

I'd buy it all again. I think the APS format is right for my needs, I like the reach it gives me with a 70-200, and the K3 is excellent value for money. It works fine with my mostly 3rd party lenses and has effective IBIS and good low-light performance. Good view finder, good enough AF, small, light and not so mechanically noisy. I might update a few things: my 2003 era Sigma 24-70 isn't really up to it anymore, although I can do without it in favour of the 17-50. The 70-200 of the same age is still good enough. It might be tricky to find some of those bargain used lenses again (the 300/2.8 that I had to have as a nice toy, for a fraction of the cost of a canikon). There are a few things I wouldn't bother with (the 2x extender).
I really can't see anything that would tempt me away.

[Sorbo]

Well, that is one mean question! ;)
Two years ago I changed priorities from "as fast and technically perfect as possible" to "as much character as possible", bought a used D700 and since then I collected some beautiful vintage Nikon glass that gives me the look I tried to achieve, since I switched to digital photography. I had an episode of about 2 years, when I sold all digital gear to buy the wonderful Zeiss Ikon zm along with the 50mm f/1.5 Sonnar and although I loved the results I switched back again just for convenience. No, I never wanted to achieve a film look with my digital photography, but a look with an equal amount of character regardless of its heritage. I am quite happy now, but still miss the juicy black and white tones that film can deliver.
So my answer would be that I'd keep a Ricoh GR for convenience, but my main setup would be a Mamiya 7 with the 80mm f/4 lens, with development and prints made by myself.
Cheers, and thanks a lot for your wonderful and "must check for new entry everyday" blog. Please apologize my bad english.

[Dave]

I'd probably get a Hasselblad film camera, some Holgas, and either a Fuji x100T or XPro2 and 3 primes.

I'm currently trying to decide if my single x100T with no other digitals is good enough for what I want to do.

[Doug Howk]

Starting over, I'd shoot with a 5X7 camera in combination with a 5X7 enlarger. Currently, I only have 4X5 enlargers; therefore any negatives larger than 4X5 are contact printed. To me, 5X7 is minimum size for contact printing; yet it would be nice to also enlarge them as another option.

[David Stone]

Now you have me kind of wishing that would happen. A full reset might be refreshing. I'd have to think long and hard, well not too hard, about which direction to go.

[James Weekes]

Yikes. I would probably spend a lot of money at Lens Rentals trying the cameras and lenses that I have never even seen. I have bought a couple of Sonys, a6000 and RX10, when they were replaced by newer models. I like them both but return to M4/3 when I want to shoot and not think about the camera. Never held a Fuji but have never really heard a bad word about them. Sigh.

[Tim]

I'm pretty content with what I've got so would probably replace it outright.
Oly - Pen-F, brace of PRO lenses. Only thing I might do is swap some of the primes for more zooms, particularly a 14-45 kit effort.

That, and wait until photokina to see about the Mk.II coming out...

[Steve]

I would just buy another X Pro 2 and X00T. I could not possibly be happier with the cameras and lenses.

[Jim Natale]

A bit late getting to this question. A longtime reader here (from the start), so when Kenneth Tanaka mentions the Panasonic GX85 as his everyday alternative, that catches my attention. Am happily using a GX7 for its portability, but it has always seemed a good camera that would be even better if thinner and with enhanced IBIS. Although the GX85 came along and checks those boxes, I've not upgraded. Did notice that at least two other readers gave the new model their nod, too. Resistance is nervously eyeing the door.

[Tom Bell]

Just spent a day today photographing with friends.

I picked up my loved Pentax K5 and 21, 35 macro and 77 FA ltd. What a weight ..... and we had as usual some walking to do. Then I picked up my bag with Olympus OMD EM5 with primes 12/17/25/45/60 macro with the 12-40 2.8 and the Panasonic 100-300 ... all in a tiny Lower Bag and weighing next to nothing.

Much as I am tempted I think I would wave my Pentax system goodbye. The only change would be the newer version of the EM5 as it would do that clever thing to enable bigger depth of field with the macro lens.

So it is in the end M43 for me .. but I would like to replace my Fuji X100 Black with the two extra 28/50mm f2 lenses. Its slow focusing irritates but it is none the less a pleasure every time I take it out.

[Earl Dunbar]

The conundrum here is that any answer is influenced (perhaps nearly 100%) by the equipment one has already used over the used. Who would I be as a photographer had I not started with that C35V, then the OM-1, additional OMs, the M3, the SL66, the Toyo 45A, the Olympus 35SP (3 examples!) etc., etc.?

All that said, I would probably stick with my Chamonix 45 and three lenses - 75, 125 & 240A.

[Joe Iannazzone]

I had it happen 30 years ago when my Olympus OM system was stolen. I moved to A Nikon F3 then. I'm using Nikon DX gear now. If I were starting over I would have to decide between replacing my current gear with newer models while simplifying my lens collection (too much duplication now) or a Fuji X100T and trying to stay minimal.

[Kodachromeguy]

Oops, I forgot. In addition to a Rolleiflex or Fuji 6×9, I would want to replace my Leica M2 with another Leica film body and a few lenses. I think every photographer needs to occasionally use film to get back to more basic photography, slow down, and be more contemplative; for 35mm film, the Leica does a great job.

[Ash]

Exactly the same gear I shoot with now: the Fuji X-T1 and a few prime lenses.

If the settlement were generous enough I might add a lens.

[Ash]

The temptation would be there to acquire gear that pushes my photography in an entirely new direction.

An Olympus E-M1 with 40-150mm 2.8 and 300mm 4.0 lenses(and a trip to Yellowstone) would be a fun setup for learning wildlife photography.

[Antonio Ramirez]

I think it would be a tragedy to have my equipment stolen, but it would give me the opportunity to consolidate my three current systems (Canon, Nikon, and Leica M) into one coherent system. I think I would go for a Leica SL with the 24-90 zoom (for DSLR type duties), an M adapter, and a set of M lenses similar to what I currently own. A one body solution to what I am currently doing with three.

[Rob]

Almost certainly, I would stay with the Sony A7 series and the same set of lenses that I currently have. I chose them for a good reason, and I am very pleased with my kit.

I must say that I am surprised by all the Fuji love being expressed in this thread. I had no idea that Fuji was so popular, but it may be the favorite system at TOP.

[Jeff S in Colorado]

The logical thing for me to do would be to re-purchase a Sony A7-series camera with SEL35F28Z lens and another Panasonic DMC-GM5 with 12-32mm kit zoom.

But just for fun, I might like to try an RX1 Mk II instead of the A7. Why not? Much of my actual shooting is done with the 35mm lens anyhow.

As for the DMC-GM5, I've grown accustomed to it's lilliputian controls, and it's spot-focusing feature is great.

Much as I like my Sony SEL90M28G lens, it's typically shallow DOF doesn't always work to my advantage, and it's large to boot. A 45mm macro lens for the Micro 4/3 outfit might suffice for my needs.

Tripod: I sold an original Gitzo carbon fiber tripod and replaced it with a CF Manfrotto, but I think I want my Gitzo back, or maybe a newer version with non-rotating tubes.

Bag: Would love to try out this Porter / Nikon creation:

http://head-porter.org/porterxnikon/ptnk24.html

Film accounts for less than 5% of my total output and I don't expect that to increase much. But it gives me a great excuse to tinker with old cameras. But I would not re-purchase my Leica 3F + 50mm Summicron because that's too serious an outfit for what really is an un-serious part of my hobby. I seem to be having a blast with sub-$100 purchases, so why change that.

[Marino]

The new Hassie, X1D and the two(three) lenses. Period.

[Ravi bindra]

Definitely replace my Nikon S3 2000 with 50/1.4, Bessa 667 iii and my black Leica M3 abd R9 cameras with the same models. These I use regularly. The Contax RTS and the Olympus OM4 systems ... I could probably live without. The Nikons and Canons (FD and EOS) I can definitely live without.

For digital, i would replace my Leica SL with the same and my Micro 4/3 with the GX8 but would be severely tempted by the Fuji ... Would have to rent the Xpro and XT 2's. However, the future mirrorless Hasselblad is a distraction.

It is the lenses that are the hardest. The newer designed sharp as a razor lenses like the 50 Apo summicron, 90 apo, maybe will be the furst but building back the 80 R Summilux, FD 85/1.2, nikons, olypmus, zeiss variations of 80-105 lenses would all come down to the Leica 80 and another 85/2. Leica R macros of 60&100. plus the Nikon 58/1.4G are certain. Leica 90-280 zoom. Next hard one is how many 50's to buy from years gone by. They all have so much character.

[Tom Fangel]

After 49 years with Nikon changing to lightweight Fuji.