What Camera Do I Choose Next? A Journey Through Needs, Wants, and Gear Lust

By: Jon Swindall
If you're anything like me, deciding on a camera feels like staring into a buffet where everything looks delicious—and expensive. My dilemma? I’m between cameras, juggling the tools of the trade for wildly different shoots, and wondering if bigger always means better. Here's how I’m navigating the chaos and what I'm learning about my evolving needs.

The Problem: Too Many Options, Too Many Demands
Over the years, I’ve shot everything: portraits, golf courses, cityscapes, wildlife, and tourism gigs. Some days I need to produce museum-quality prints; other days, it’s quick snapshots for marketing. It’s not just about finding a camera—it’s about finding the right system to support my unpredictable workload.
On top of that, I’ve developed a bit of a bias for larger sensors. Blame my cinematography background. The jump from 16mm to 35mm film ingrained a “bigger is better” mentality and a pursuit of shallower depth of field. These days, medium format is calling my name. But...