Just over two years ago I began a one month one camera (OMOC) project, in an effort to escape the feelings of overwhelm and indecision I was experiencing trying to pick which camera to use each time I headed out.
The idea was that if I had already chosen the camera at the start of the month, I wouldn’t spend ages debating which camera to use, but would just grab one and go.
Then enjoy the experience more, rather than constantly wondering if a different camera would have been a better choice.
It’s been very effective, and in conjunction with drastically thinning down my camera arsenal on the whole, has meant I’ve felt far more focused on enjoying and getting the most the camera in my hand.
I’ve got to know each camera better, and bonded with it more deeply. They’ve become fond friends, far more than fleeting flings.
Back in October, I embarked on another round of OMOC, with my latest Lumix acquisition, the FZ38.
I didn’t use any other camera in November or December either (aside from the usual family snapshots on my Sony Xperia phone and a Christmas card/calendar shoot with the Pentax K30), and the same has been true for January.
Whilst I haven’t shot a huge number of photos over this period (hundreds, rather than thousands), the Lumix is still plenty interesting and enjoyable enough that not I’m casting longing sideways glances at any other cameras, looking for a way out of my cameranogamy.
So it looks like for the first time since late 2011 when I bought my first “proper” camera (ie not the one in my phone), and used nothing else for seven months, I’ve stuck with just one machine for more than a month.
Long may it continue, the Lumix FZ38 seems to offer an excellent balance between a smaller compact digital body, and a larger DSLR – both physically and in terms of features.
How about you? What’s the longest you used just one camera for in the last year, and what were the benefits of committing to just one for this period?
Please let us know in the comments below (and don’t forget to tick the “Notify me of new comments via email” box to follow the conversation).
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35hunter 
Hi Dan, last year was dominated by Sony RX100 MK1. I bought it in a ‘pack’ with Sony a6000 which I didn’t touch because the RX100 gives me all I need. I also wanted to shoot more analog this autumn or use more my other digital camera Lumix G10…none of that. The RX100 is so small, simple and joyful that it’s hard to beat. I even sold the a6000 few weeks ago as being useless to me 😉
Now, since I also have the Olympus E-M10 MK1 and a new 30mm macro lens, I will probably use it more instead of RX100, but…we will see.
Marc I’ve been looking at the RX100 on and off for about five years! I looked with more intention about three or four months back, at the III model especially as it has an EVF. But then, since trying another camera with an EVF and not liking the whole concept of it much (I prefer a screen with compacts) I think I’d look at one of the original RX100s next time around.
What a great site for lenses and cameras. Keep up the good work.
Thanks Denis, I appreciate you visiting and commenting.
When I bought the Fuji X-T2 in 2018, I had budgeted for just one lens, the XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR. So that’s what I used the first 18 months. Then I bought an XF27mmF2.8. This provided a 41mm FF equivalent FOV perfect for casual and street photography, which I was getting into.
Until 2020, starting with the COVID pandemic, I used basically two cameras – the one I always had with me (iPhone 11 Pro), and my the camera I wanted to always have with me (Fuji X-T2). So there was never really a decision to be made.
But then I bought two film cameras last year (Minolta X-700 and XD-11) and suddenly I had to make two sets of choice problems.
* Film or Digital
* XD-11 or X-700
* Which film to load?
* Shoot the whole roll on one outing or over several?
What’s the right choice for someone who wants to shoot and blog as often as possible?
Having one camera and one lens (or a camera with a fixed lens) is the easiest way, and eliminates so many decisions!
Even one camera with two lenses – a zoom and a prime – works well too. The prime of course having a fixed focal length you can really get used to, and the zoom for when you need something wider or longer, or just more versatile.
I know what you mean about film and digital. For me digital is simpler, and reduces the choices. With SLRs, which I shot more than anything else, there’s always the three layers of choice – camera, lens, film. Even with just three of each, you still have 27 combinations to choose between!
I prefer a digital camera, with a fixed “output” in terms of look and colours, and a fixed lens, then I can concentrate on just finding compositions.