Simplifying MY Photography 

Totally agree, it’s not just cameras, modern cars are a prime example of manufacturers butting more than the driver needs. I use fujifilm and ignore the majority of the buttons and dials.

Well said. For example, I don't need any video function in a camera. I just want to take photos. All I need is aperture, time and ISO. Okay okay, and RAW/JPG and monochrome or color..... I started in 1982 with a Canon F1. There was a ring for aperture and a pointer for time in the viewfinder. The two reconciled, that was it. Wonderfully simple.

Interesting. Personally, I’m ok with all the extra buttons dials and features in new camera, even though I don’t use them all. I find that they allow me to customize my cameras to operate in a way that works for me, which is simply.

I think the best part of this video is that you're right; and so is someone who wants a camera where there's an easily accessed custom button or dial right under fingertip.

The most simple is a apsc dslr with a 18-55 kitlens. Not too heavy, optical viewfinder, good enough lens with some flexibility. Shutter priority, auto iso, auto focus, awb, there you go! Turn off beeps and lights, just RAW that's it. Just like a bicycle 3 speed hub.

Agreed. I am waiting for a non hybrid camera for only stills. This may eliminate some of the buttons reduce the weight and generally keep things simplier.

That’s part of what I love about my little Fuji XE4, it’s SO simple!

I have some of the latest gear and I've watched so many photographers discuss all the benefits of all the latest gear but for me it comes down to exactly what you said and I have to add that I find myself going back to simplicity pretty much 90% of the time. It's nice to have the newest gear and to have all the options available, but when I'm out and about enjoying my walk and with my camera at the ready - my mind set to easy and simplicity. Thank you for your words - nice to see I'm not the only one - have a lovely day....

we all had a great laugh at this,, many thanx, your cameras arent preventing this, you are.

Food for thought ! Great video, thank you. I loved my M10 for its simplicity. Too expensive to carry and depreciate, not as good image wise as hyped up to be. Nowhere near as good as Fuji / Hasselblad medium format.....(all sold). I use the X-T5, which I like a lot. I've just bought a X-T1 with 24, 35 & 50mm manual lenses. I think I may "lock" some of its features, going for simplicity. Subjectively I'm looking for simplicity. Hence I enjoyed you take on simplicity.

One of the reasons I recently bought an Olympus XA and am in the process of having an Olympus 35RD restored, ISO set at the beginning, shutter speed, aperture and focus with a rangefinder . Apart from a 10 second self timer that is about it, manual wind on and rewind with rewind button. The simplicity and lack of interference from the camera suddenly leaping into a menu or focussing on something random is lovely. Maybe I am just getting nostalgic as I entered my 60s!

Great video. I try to learn to get to the few things I need quickly and ignore the rest: The functions I use regularly are: Aperture, Shutter, ISO, Exposure comp. Sometimes/occasionally: bracketing, change focus points, changing to electronic shutter, burst mode on and off. Your video got me thinking and used the above list to check how fast I could manipulate my key functions and practice doing it one way i.e. doing it the same way each time even though there is more than one way to do certain things (my camera is fairly new and I still forget certain things).

No, the "limitations of a prime lens" don't scare me, Craig. I find the flexibility of a zoom lens suits my style of photography better. Being a retired amateur with limited funds to spend, my 12 year-old Nikon D7000 with two zooms (an 18-200 Nikor and a 10-24 Nikor) meet most of my modest ambitions. You mentioned the Leica M11. Out of curiosity I just Googled that camera and they're around $AU14,000 here in Australia. For that, I could fly to Scarborough and try to duplicate those wonderful shots in this video.! Meanwhile I'll stick to my D7000 and just ignore the functions I don't use. My first camera was a Kodak Starflash, bought around 1965. It had a shutter release lever, a film advance and a film rewind knob. Now THAT was simple! Cheers from DownUnder 🦘

I think I get the simplicity argument to some extent. I think the key question is, "does the camera give adequately fast access to the desired functionality on the go?" I'm probably less than one percent of the photographer I could be if I was determined to only acquire and use a 23mm and/or 35mm prime. But do I have the time to do that and will I get more enjoyment and satisfaction with a wider range of focal length choices. For me its the latter and I think I'm thoughtful enough to judge if I can do what I want without overspending or carrying too much gear. The question "Do you really see the world in that many field of views?" borders on the inane to me. Of course not. But for any given range of subjects the ability to frame and/or achieve depth of field that I desire is valuable to me. So why not facilitate that in my lens choice, be it primes or reasonable quality zooms!!!???

Always a good reminder. Went out for a weekend photo walk with one camera and one prime - took some great shots. No paralysis in the art, all creativity.

I couldn't agree more about the complexity of today's cameras. I often carry a Lumix with me when out and about and a Fuji X-T5 for more serious photography. Trying to remember how each function works on each camera drives me nuts. I'm not talking about all the 'advanced' functions, just adjusting aperture, shutter speed and ISO. There ought to a "simplify" button that enables you to turn off all the extras so you can just take the picture.

I learned on (and still have and use) a Minolta SRT-100. You cannot get much more basic than that one. Sure, it has limitations, but some of (most of) my best photos were taken with it. Thanks you Craig for your wisdom!

Would be interesting to see a camera manufacturer offering cameras like cars. You can get a basic model with basic functionality, and if you want more you can buy it as additional extras. I really would like to see a digital camera with just the controls that analog cameras had back in the day - aperture controls on the lenses, a speed dial and a dial for ISO settings. Simplicity is not a limitation, it’s a liberation from clutter.

Great images, great video and great "food for thought". Cheers.

Really great perspective, Craig! Although I have several zoom/telephoto lenses I usually enjoy shooting with a 33mm lens the most! Its simplicity forces something that the convenience of a zoom doesn't. Actually, when I shot film I had three lenses: 28mm, 50mm, and 105mm and I happily used them for 25 years!

A great video. Modern cameras definitely have too many features that get in the way of the art of photography, but which may be useful for the trade or business of photography. I have an Olympus TG6 as an every day carry point and shoot camera. I opted for it as I needed something that could tolerate some possibly harsh treatment. It has 10 switches/buttons, but I have it set up for point and shoot, and it does the job.

Huge fan of this video, Craig. My current 'main' camera is a Fujifilm X-Pro 3 and I love its back-to-basics approach while it also provides me with technically excellent results. I suppose it takes me back to my film days which I do miss, but the costs for which are largely prohibitive these days. That being said, I find that I take an increasing number of photographs on my iPhone 14 Pro Max. Again, technically excellent in terms of output, and which allows me to focus on the scene, composition, lighting, etc, without also dealing in AF/AE Lock, Exposure Bracketing, Noise Reduction -2 or -3 or -4 or whatever. Very liberating as you say, but I know the other features are there should I need them, which invariably I don't. The plus side, which I do find helpful, is the ability to process the images in camera should I wish to. Again, liberating for those times when I simply can't or don't want to sit in front of my computer screen. Thanks again for another insightful video. Cheers!

I moved to Leica three years ago, it has been expensive, but I am so happy. I save so much time in everything, that I can do other things, like take more pictures and be outside...about one camera one lens...it depends, but if you do landscape/street/portraits one lens is enough...if you do other things, more nature/Sport etc maybe is not the best choice...

I've owned a Leica Q2 for 18 months and that £5k got me 7 dials/buttons. It was expensive but I have no regrets. Simple, high quality camera.

Each time I pick up my Leica camera it reminds me what I set out to do... simplify my photography. I purchased used knowing the price will not go down much further over time. I do have an OM-1 as well which is awesome, but it too has many buttons and features that I rarely use. Love the color of my 2009 Leica M9 CCD camera. Since the lcd is quite low res, I only use it to make sure my histogram is in the ball park.

I have a G9, which has something like 20 buttons, dials, and switches. That said, I only use ten regularly: the three control dials(aperture, shutter speed, iso) , the shutter button, the focus mode selector(to flip into MF when AFC isn't doing what I want), the two front function buttons(AF-ON near and AF-ON far, also for times the AFC isn't cooperating), menu, playback, F2(back in the menus and delete in playback), the the power switch. Although I'm not overly bothered by the unused option(I guess, as a Scorpio, I find it easy to focus in on what I want? lol), I do occasionally hit the 'DISP' or Fn3(which changes between EVF, rear display, and auto) and have to fix my setup, but not too often.

Thanks Craig for another fine video...Last year, in a quest to find a simpler set up I went for a mint Leica SL because I loved the sleek, simple and un - cluttered design. Albeit there are around 10 buttons/dials altogether but there are no markings and lettering to be seen (except for the on/off switch). Also the menu system couldn't be simpler. Wonderful !! On the other hand my trusty Nikon D700 has around 30 buttons/dials almost all with markings - totally opposite to the Leica !! For me though, what swayed my decisions to buy these cameras was the output from their respective sensors with both having the quality I was looking for which Has to be the deal-breaker...!!

If there's too many buttons, have you thought of superglue? 😂

You're spot on with the value of simplicity. My choice: do I want to make artful images or do I want to play with a computer? For me, less is more. I own several Fuji cameras including the XT-3 and the X-100v. I find myself often returning to my first, now 10-year old, Fuji XE-2 with a prime lens, a simpler camera that, for me, restores the JOY of photography.

I remember back in the day the ISO switch used to be embedded in the shutter speed dial. You would have to pull the dial up to switch. Aperature was completely manual and was changed right on the lenses. I had the Minolta Maxxum.

Just found your channel and subscribed. I’ve been thinking about this topic as well. I feel the need to simplify my gear. Completely agree that the more complex the equipment, the less likely I am to use it, or use it correctly. I shoot Fujifilm and have the X-T5 and X-S20 at the moment. I own too many lenses - that is certainly an issue I hope to address this year. Thanks for sharing this. 😊

Well said and spot on!

Simplify my settings helps me tremendously for a quick decision, or made me focus on how I'd like to craft my photograph that day. Of course I prefer camera with more custom dials, so I don't jump into the abyss of menu 😅

I think that camera makers aren't learning from the successes of the mobile phones. The phones are really simple and they are taking better and better photos so in many situations they can completely replace the dedicated cameras. These are, on the other hand, getting more and more complex and difficult to use so I understand if people don't want to buy one. I'd like to see a drastically simplified system that doesn't require 6 months practice to learn.

I totally agree. I can't focus well with a Leica and use my Fuji X-Pro2 with aperture priority and exposure compensation. I use Voigtländer 18mm and 27mm, as well as Fuji 23/2 and 35/2 and always only take one lens with me. I love that.

Excellent message

Its always better to have options and simply ignore those you don't like or need than to be limited and cannot get what you like or need. BTW I love primes but I still want a mount in order to have the choice of which prime I want to take for the day and circumstances.

That's why I love shooting with Voigtländer* lenses: - They give me the task to turn in aperture and focus- the camera doesn't have access to these functions. - This leave me using the on/off and shutter button of the camera - that's it. Oh yes, sometimes I still use the exposure compensation which is set on one dial. * Yes, no zoom, no AF, no IS, no auto aperture, all mechanical as it was early in the last century. And yes, I always carry one lens&body only.

The simplest camera I currently have and use (with decent optical quality) is a Yashica Mat-124 G 6x6 TLR: Fixed "standard" lens, waist level finder for composing and focusing, aperture, exposure time, film transport - that's it. Granted, it does have an exposure meter, but since it is not fully reliable, I use something else (or use the sunny 16 rule). I would love to have one of those Leica M "D" models without a screen, but they are way out of budget! Had the opportunity to use one for a short photo walk - it feels like using a "classic" film Leica and was the most fun I ever had with a digital camera …

Uncanny. I was only thinking about this yesterday. I was musing on the fact that I'd never used the pixel-shift mode on my X-T5 and it led me to thinking how many other features I never use! Simplicity-wise I don't think I can beat my Mamiya 645 with waist-level finder. Shutter speed dial, aperture and focus rings on the lens, film winder, shutter-release. That's it. Doesn't even have a meter. I agree about stabilisation. Being able to shoot hand-held at half a second with a wide angle lens opens up huge possibilities for a more dynamic approach to seascapes.

I am definitely of a similar mindset. A Canon 5D mk 1 has been the simplest so far for me: very few buttons and menu options, and no video, with very long battery life, great build and wonderful image quality. It is a big heavy beast though.

Thanks for another great video. This past year I have rediscovered prime lenses. Now on my walk arounds I will take one lens to shot fr the day. Does make it a more interesting outing. And yes please build a camera without video. Sometimes wish is still had my first camera. The Konica TC with the kit 40mm.

Interesting video and one that got me thinking - thank you. The way I see it I don't need dozens of buttons and dials but the ones I do use are effectively just short cuts to avoid menu diving when out and about. Fewer buttons for me is likely to mean more menu scrolling so I prefer to have the choices I most often need close to hand or at least to finger. Just my 2 cents!

I agree with your premise 100%. I've always felt my ideal camera would be a digital version of my old OM-2n - add EVF, IBIS, simple autofocus, a sensor and off we go. No video. Sure - some features like focus peaking would be appreciated - but I don't use 90% of the menu options today so I wouldn't miss them. Yes a stripped down camera with basic features would be attractive to me - might tempt me to open my wallet for such a thing.

I like to shoot with 2 bodies - Olympus EM-1 MKIII & an OM-1. But I do also have an original EM-10 that I picked up 2nd hand. I take it out for fun sometimes with just the 25 & 45mm F1.8 primes. I do agree, it is fun to just strip it back to aperture, ISO & shutter speed.

For years I had an OM-E10 and the 17mm Olympus lens. I also had the 25 and 45 I think but hardly ever used them. I traveled all over Europe with that setup, and took thousands of photos. Never needed a zoom. These days I have 3 zoom lenses covering from 16mm to 200 or 300mm. Do I take better photos, not really, I take different photos. But I am still thinking about getting the new Pen and a 17mm. (and get ridge of my X-T3 setup which I do not like).

i like more buttons and features as it gives me the ability to customize them to my liking and also disable the others. also animal autofocus is handle in wildlife. just as trains would be handy for train spotters. the more features a camera has makes me happy actually, because it gives you the sense to explore more abilities of your camera. i was never into wildlife but my camera had animal eye autofocus so i begun to explore wildlife and enjoy it actually. same as my camera has fast fps, so i begun to take sports and enjoy it. in the sametime, i also like simplicity, so i customize my camera to be simple as possible, most times im actually in Auto mode or Shutter priority. so something for everyone.

I knew Holga had to make an appearance! I sometimes use Panasonic XS-1 in Dynamic Monotone mode, camera is miniscule and there are almost no options and buttons. I'd probably need to tape the zoom button to make it even simper to use. I've learned about that camera via 35hunter blog, where author uses many of the zoom lens as wide primes, never using the zoom function.

The Ricoh GRiiix has had a profoundly positive effect on the way I shoot now. This video pretty much covered this fellow libran’s reasons. One difference though. I’m favouring zooms over primes because they allow me to leave one lens attached to my camera instead of spending time debating what lenses to take on a trip, what to take out for the day, whether to change lenses in the field etc. Even having sub-par video performance has been a win for the Ricoh. No more deciding whether to shoot video or still. Decision is made for me.

I so enjoy working with a prime lens, so gets my creative side working.

Thanks for this Video. Ihave a Hasselblad 1x mark2 and it’s exactly what you talking. Greetings from Swiss

Very good Craig.

Totally agree to the point where 6 weeks ago I purchased a Leica Q3. Not cheap true, but a joy to use, no more spending 5, 10 minutes trying to find that menu option you need to change or what button do I need to use now. To me it’s like an autofocus Leica M with a great 28mm lens.

My first camera was a Kodak Brownie. I don’t even remember if it had a manual. My X-T5 has an almost 400 page manual to go with those 26 buttons. And I love it. I really dislike the LCD screen menus. But not to worry, Craig. I am sure voice - enabled AI will return you to simple.

To each his or her own. I like simple, but also like having the flexibility of buttons and dials. My "simple" kit is a Fujifilm X-T20 with an 18-55mm. I have lots of other lenses, and I use them when I "need" them. I used to shoot only with Point n Shoot cameras after I stopped shooting film (I'm 78). I captured some nice images, even with a small sensor. I'll keep my buttons and dials, so I have them when I choose to use them.

Challenging video, as usual. Thank you. Two thoughts. Simple does not mean the same for everyone necessarily. So offers on the market will have to appeal to a wider slice of users. With capabilities I may not need or like. (Although I agree that there might be ... how did you call it ... a runoff of specs these days. I don't like or need all the video capabilities, for instance. So I look for a solid and easy to shut those out of my handling the camera.) I still believe simplification lies to a certain degree with the photographer. I want to have options and make the decision myself. I make my choices (lens, camera settings, accessories, ...) towards what I need and towards simplified operations after that , and then I lock myself in with these choices for the project at hand. But I want those to be my decisions, not so much choices locked by the manufacturer. And then I consciously live with my (locked) decision. Until next project.

I want an Digital Argus C3 with an easier lens changing system. LOL. Seriously, I'm with you. Something simpler would be great.

The simplest camera I've owned (apart from instamatics as a kid) is a Minox 35 MB - a film camera I used to take with me working in Africa. I still have it! Regarding simplification of modern cameras I've been thinking for a while that a great addition would be a "simple" or "retro" mode which would disable auto exposure, autofocus and review of photos taken and only allow you 36 shots before you had to switch off for five minutes. Also you would have to decide ISO before taking each set of 36 frames!

Lived there for 13 years - love at first sight.

Great video Craig. Just wondered how the Freewell filters can let you do long exposures without a tripod? I thought you might get blurry shots. Sounds like a good system though.

Hi! I have had a Fuji X-M1 with a 41mm- equivalent lens as my EDC for the last six years, and it has 13 external controls. I’ve been enjoying photography for over 40 years, and this is possibly my favourite camera I’ve ever owned. (It’s not my only camera, though….I also regularly shoot with pair of Fuji X-E2s, one with a 53mm and the other with an 84 - 306mm equivalent zoom). Before buying the X-M1, I remember reading a blog post from a pro photographer from when the camera was launched back in 2013. It was entitled ‘A loss of control’, and bemoaned the fact that it was such a ‘dumbing down’ of the Fuji ethos of having traditional dials and aperture rings. I guess there’ll always be purists and modernisers wherever you look in human history….. P.S. It’s a shame that Fuji has become such a celebrated brand over the past couple of years….if my cameras ever needed replacing, instead of £100(which is what I paid for my X-M1), I’d need to spend £400 - if I could find one for sale at any price, that is!

very well said sir--your experienced hand had done many good composition clicks here--love from Assam,India--

If there was less buttons to press on cameras most RU-vid photographers would have nothing to talk about! Wouldn't it be great if there was just F stops and shutter speeds plus a light meter on your camera! the latter is not really needed but would make things a little easier! I only ever carry one camera and a short zoom but have I just bought a prime 35mm and having fun with that for awhile, thank you for your thoughts on simplicity....it all makes sense!

Totally agree.. I have a Sony A7 used with a 1970s Helios 44-2 lens … small and to go Manual.. it’s a delight. Set to ISO 400, f8 and 12 feet … point and shoot from the hip for Street Photography …. Some great photos 😁

Aperture and SIGMA lenses? You'll need the camera's control to change aperture. Built-in levels of my X-T4? Love it, missed it on earlier cameras. But besides my X-T4 I bought an "old" Fujifilm X-M1 recently as an "everyday carry" camera and use the 15-45 mm zoom on it mostly. The zoom is just the simplification of two fixed width lenses in one, because it's (mostly) either on 15 or on 45 mm. As for features, I love that Fuji calculates the number of intermediate pictures needed for stacking (i.e. focus bracketing) which I had to do manually on my Canon EOS cameras.

Hi from NYC. Your photos have such a strong graphic (even some geometry) composition there on the coast, where I'd fall short. Nikon DSLR for a few years did throw me off . I added a Zf, too, and with manual lenses, I well take note of your points.

Nikon FE, those were the days Mind you my D40x was fairly simple and doesn't have video, which I never use Nowadays I've had to use the LCD more on my cameras, since I unfortunately got a stroke in my right eye 😱

Fuji allows you to repurpose most dials.

It is not just photography. I'm driving a car from the 20th century and I hesitate to buy a modern one. My digital camera is a micro four thirds. I use it most in aperture priority mode and use a button for exposure compentation. I try not to botter about the other features, but sometimes it feels as if I don't use it as intended. Like you I would just prefer shutterspeed, aperture, iso and focus. So I'm now going back to analog, not for better pictures, but for the joy of taking photos. I hope to find a Conon P with a 50mm lens.

The simplest camera I have ever used is a box Brownie that my parents bought in 195?. The first SLR camera I owned is a Pentax Spotmatic that I bought in 1969. Although more complicated than the Brownie it is still a simple camera. I still have them and they both still work and get used occasionally.

Simple, just ignore the buttons

Quite a few years ago I had the Sony a6000 for this exact reason, very simple and I kinda still miss it. These days I have two cameras the Panasonic G9 for big adventures and wildlife and the simple GX9 for everyday.

My simplest is a zeiss ikon nettar, no built in range finder, I've never taken a decent photo with it, and externaly range finders are a pain. I have a zorki 4k tthat I got started with, that worked out alright, but longer term, I just didn't get on with rangefinders. Simplest that I really enjoy is a TLR, after that my Oly OM1n. My fanciest film camera is an OM4ti, and the auto-exposure on it is great, but It's not really necessary (and I've been known to accidentally leave exposure compensation set and messing up a bunch of shots). I have an Oly em5 mk3. I leave the back screen flipped around and usually shoot in A. I did try out the in-camera focus stacking the other day, that is pretty cool!

3:33 "Buttons and dials can easily get knocked-it's not just a case of not using them if I don't want to." I rarely have a problem with controls getting bumped. Yes, it really is just a case of not using them if I don't want to. There's nothing keeping me from running my camera with simplified settings. I can shoot raw and forget about everything related to JPEG rendering. If I like, I can set ISO 200, aperture priority, manual focus and use that camera just like my old 35mm SLR that I learned on. All it requires is some mental clarity and self-discipline. Providing that isn't the camera's job.

That's why I keep grabbing the x-e1 , x-e3 instead of my x-t2/x-t30 ... (and my old vintage Sovjet rangefinders)

The DJI Action 4 is amazing... Love mine

Thanks, Craig. Yes, photography can get too complicated. I often put my camera in Program mode and try to focus more on composition. There is no shame in using Program mode. It's there for a reason! ;-)

I do like my two dials as used for aperture and shutter speed, plus the exposure compensation dial. Button for ISO as well. That'd do me. I think...

When I bought an old Olympus E M5 mk1, I was terrified when I checked how many things I had to decide what I should use. Should that be on or off? What about that? What does it even mean? If I choose wrong now, will it make bad photos for me? I counted that I had to make about 250 decisions before it was set! Was that really neccesary? Yes, simplifying my photography sounds very wise. Missing the 70’s with my film cameras. Not that much to choose from.

I can't seem to embrace digital photography, but if I were to, it would be the new Ricoh. I have been on a similar mission to simplify my film photography. I use one format, 6x4.5 medium format. I mostly use one camera, a Mamiya M645 1000s and only two lenses, a 55mm and a 150mm. So that's a moderate wide angle for 90 percent of shots and a moderate telephoto for the remaining shots. Works for me

Hi Craig, there are to many features in new cameras that's for sure, do we really need Pet Portrait Mode or would it be better to stick to the basics and use a faster shutter speed. For most of us photographers we won't use the extra features not because we don't know how to use them, but it's a pain in the neck and slows down our photography. And talking about the back button i don't use it that much, i just don't feel comfortable using it. I'd rather take my time and use the shutter button, i'm in no hurry. Nice album cover as always. Thanks Craig. 😊

My simplest camera was the Olympus OM1 I bought in 1978. For the first year I just had the 50mm 1.8. Following year I added a 28mm lens. Used those for years (and still do sometimes 😀). 2016 I bought a Fuji XT2, and a few primes and the zoom that came with it. Just added an XT5. But I still shoot almost always in manual mode - I'm just so used to it. But my simplest regular camera is my Fuji X70 - I've had that since new. Fixed 28mm lens. Simple to use. Slips in a coat pocket easily - it's always with me. That means it gets used. I'm quite tempted by the Ricoh with its fixed 35mm though! Now, where's my wallet 😆

I count 16 on my A7R4 and I make use of almost all of them to have the camera set up for wildlife and also general shooting, other than exposure comp and the delete / review buttons. It would slow me down and result in missed shots to not have everything I need mapped to buttons or dials, albeit I could dispense with one if Sony gave the 200-600 full time manual focus override.

I use three buttons on my Fuji x-H2S… shutter speed, iso, and subject detections mode… then aperture on the lens barrels … done!

Agree 100%, I would love a stripped down digital camera that didn’t cost the earth. It’s probably the main reason I still shoot film (with a Leica 😊) as well as digital with older DSLRs.

I have the Q3 but now struggle with just one focal length. Really miss my favourite lens 70/200 often.

Fully agree. I bought nearly 30 different cameras over the last decade, but never use their vedio function.

I grew up on a Pentax K-1000 -- Simple & pure. I miss it.

I agree whole heartedly only would add stabilization for times higher ISO isn't enough.

I seriously though this was a parody channel until i watched other videos and read the comments and realised it wasn't. OH MY GOD

"Thought provoking vid Craig! Lately I've using my canon 5d1 and pentacon 135mm. There are a few buttons , no vid👍, got the histagram for a guide, you've got to work a little bit harder for your image, the tripod still has a job to do sometimes! I dont make money out of photography, so I dont need the latest gear etc, I just amuse myself persuing my hobby , even If that means having to make compromises sometimes! cheers."

I like that the fuji cameras have all those dials and buttons, coz it makes the camera look soo pretty! 😂.. I am on aperture priority like 99% of the time.. So i don't really need the shutter and iso dials... But pretty pretty 😍

Fujifilm x-e4 is the answer for your needs...what you wish for, others say it's a weakness not having programable buttons, you are the first saying that

Most important for me are aperture ring, shutter time dial, ISO dial, button to magnify the image in the viewfinder, custom button to punch in APSC mode, I do not need exposure compensation dial, I do not need ANY video function, there are a lot of tings I do not need.

This argument or philosophy mainly comes down to case usage. As a working professional I like the buttons, I like/need the customisation, some of this actually dictates the buying decision of what brand I seek out. The devil's in the details, it's not just a case of a camera have x feature, its about how it is implemented and how I can interact with it that is really important. But on downtime, photography that is less client brief orientated or time sensitive, I enjoy restricted approaches. As long as the buttons can be assigned to doing nothing, that's the most important thing. As you say an accidental knock of a dial or button can be annoying.

The problem is a simple camera for A is not the same as B. Manufacturer's dilemma. I remember when the XT5 was announced as the photographer's camera and reviewers kept comparing the video specs with the XH2. Why? Anyway I have a Sony A74. When I first bought it I spent several weeks refining how the buttons and dials were setup to meet my needs. Since then I have never looked in the menu and the camera just gets out of the way.

Give me a digital version of a Canon A-1. Auto when you want it, plus A and S priority. Digital gets you auto ISO, which I like, but allow me to set the ISO range so I can limit the top end if I want. Limited exposure metering modes would be nice so I can select evaluative or center weighted as I need. I don't need multiple focus points or to move the point of focus - focus, then reframe. I would like a nice simulation of split prism for focusing, or a better manual focusing aid.

For me I can make my photography complicated by using all those features but I know that I don’t have to. You can ignore all the dials by putting them in auto mode them all these cameras with an abundance of dials become the Ricoh! 😁 Or you could buy a PASM dial camera and just set up your most used settings. I actually like the process of the dials and don’t feel like they get in the way but are just part of that process. 🤷

Everyone's journey is different; everyone's preferences are different. I understand why some folks - especially folks old enough to have shot on film and with manual focus primes when controls and the ways you could use a camera were much more limited (and when zoom lenses were mostly a small step above garbage in IQ). If you want that experience again, there's still film and instant cameras! Or you can just put the camera in Auto mode, shoot JPEG only, and focus on subject, composition and light! You don't even have to think about aperture or shutter speed or ISO or exposure compensation!!!! Personally I'm on a totally different journey and don't pine one bit for more simplicity in my gear; that's not to say I couldn't live with a shorter feature set. It's just that a shorter feature set or fewer buttons won't improve my enjoyment of photography, or my skill, one bit. In 99% of my photo outings, I'm finding subjects, setting up composition and focus, setting aperture for desired depth of field, making sure my shutter speed is as low as possible but sufficient to freeze motion and exposure is good - leave on AutoISO (since managing ISO is an unnecessary complexity!!!). I find it *absolutely trivially easy* to ignore features and/or button on a camera I don't use. For example, the "Scenes" modes or "Filters" modes or even P mode (I'm 96% A, 2% M, 1% S, 1% Auto). I also find the obsession with primes and disregard for zooms unrelatable and at times tedious or even condescending (even if unintentionally so) - as if you can't improve your photographic skill if you rely on the "crutch" of zooming rather than shuffling your feet and fighting to make compositions that work with a restricted focal length. Yes, primes "simplify" your experience and pare down your composition choices. But you simply cannot, despite what you say, always frame and reach what you want with primes (esp. short ones);; you can't always come back to a place to shoot again with a different set of lenses. You can't always come back to where you're shooting in this moment. The light may be different. The subject may be gone. These are poor, borderline intellectually dishonest justifications for favoring one or two primes. No, you choose primes because (a) you want to challenge yourself/practice "seeing" by intentionally limiting yourself to a particular focal length (b) you prefer the rendering/faster aperture settings/light-gathering/sharpness characteristics over zooms (c) primes may be lighter/smaller than zooms (d) you don't own any zooms that pair well with your camera body. To me, everything else is denial or some flavor of copium that modern zooms are simply the more flexible option - even if they fall short on max aperture, rendering/bokeh, or handling. You *ALWAYS* have the option to set a zoom lens at a particular focal length and not touch it. The real reasons to choose primes are the others I mentioned. All this said, it can be refreshing to find out what you really *need* vs. *want* in a camera body and/or your lens bag by trying something more pared down for some period of time. One could, for example, try shooting only with a focal length or two to learn how much they needed other focal lengths or zooms. For example, I recently tried a couple trips where I didn't take a lens longer than 120mm FF equivalent to see how much I missed longer tele lenses. Turned out I didn't miss them at all. I also recently tried a Lumix G100 which lacks IBIS. After having used only bodies that had IBIS for the last 6 years, I was skeptical that I'd find the experience acceptable. But if anything, I found I could live without IBIS for far more than I ever thought possible. Etc.

Scarcity (or limitations if you prefer) often increase creativity and original solutions. It's a well proven fact, often forgotten under the barrage of modern, oversaturated and gluttony inducing marketing. You need more! You cannot live without more! You will get better results with more!! Buy MORE!! BUY!!!