Not Rationality, But Ten Years of Regret — Why I Bought the RX1R III

I am 39 years old. I have two kids — 9 and 2.

I have had a feeling for a while now that the next ten years will be the peak of my photography — both in terms of physical energy and in terms of having subjects worth photographing. And right in the middle of that feeling, I could not stop thinking about the Sony RX1R III.

Not just thinking about it — I had already started planning around buying it.

An Evening at the Park, Without a Camera

A little while ago, I went to the park with my younger kid (2 years old) in the evening. The low slanting light was falling across the sandbox, and my child was playing, completely absorbed in their own world. The light and that expression were just perfect. All I had with me was my phone.

The α7C II was at home. I had only stepped out for a quick errand. I took some shots on my phone, but walked home with that nagging feeling that something was off.

The photos existed. But they were not the light I had wanted to capture.

I wished I had a real camera with me in that moment. Because that light will never come again.

There are probably many other days like that. A meal on a trip. A random walk home. The instant my child notices something new. The α7C II is not there for any of those scenes.

My Kit Is Already Complete (And That Is the Problem)

Here is what I currently own:

• Sony α7C II
• Sony α7 IV
• SEL2470GM2
• SEL7200G
• SEL40F25G

Cameras I have tried and sold:

• FUJI X-E5
• RICOH GR3
• α6400

On paper, there is nothing to complain about. My usual setup is the α7C II + SEL40F25G (40mm F2.5), a roughly 700g system.

Image quality is more than sufficient. I am happy with the photos I take.

The problem is not the quality — it is how often I actually take it with me.

700g is not heavy. But on days when I am just popping out, I somehow leave it behind. Those evenings at the park quietly pile up.

My History with Lighter Cameras — and What I Learned

I tried the Ricoh GR III in search of something lighter. I ended up selling it — the plastic feel and APS-C image quality bothered me.

I tried the Fujifilm X-E series too. Sold it for the same reason.

I loved the rendering of Zeiss lenses. But I sold that one because of the size.

Looking at that pattern, I understand myself pretty well now. I have a stubbornly inflexible need for image quality and build quality. Sacrificing image quality for the sake of lighter weight just does not work for me. (I knew this all along. I always knew.)

Which means my actual requirement is: light body, full-frame image quality.

Why the RX1R III

I came across it in someone's review and started researching. Here are the key specs:

• Full-frame 61MP sensor (not APS-C)
• Zeiss 35mm F2 fixed lens
• Body approx. 498g (lens included)
• Crop mode gives 50mm and 70mm equivalent fields of view
• Premium build quality and presence

A camera that is full-frame and this small barely exists in the world. The RX1R III feels less like an option and more like the only answer.

The fixed 35mm lens does not bother me much either.

I normally shoot with a 40mm prime, so the feel is similar. If anything, the slightly wider angle lets me capture more context around the subject. With the crop function I can get 50mm and 70mm equivalents, and it should be easier for selfies too (40mm was a bit tight). Rather than a constraint, it honestly sounds kind of fun.

The Reasons Not to Buy — Laid Out Honestly

There are genuine concerns too.

• No interchangeable lenses
• Expensive (around ¥600,000)
• The α7C II can already take great photos

That last point is the hard one. Purely on rational grounds, this camera is unnecessary. I can take equally good — or better — photos with what I already own. That is just a fact.

"So you don't need to buy it then, right?"

Well... yeah. (I know.)

Changing the Question Changed the Answer

When I asked "Is this camera necessary for performance?", the answer was NO.

But then I changed the question.

"Do I need this camera to carry a camera more often?"

That answer is YES.

What I want to photograph is not event snapshots. It's the evening light at the park. An unguarded expression during a meal on a trip. Small moments in everyday life. The scenes I have missed on the days I left the α7C II at home.

For that kind of photography, this camera fits.

The Fact That My Younger Child Is Still 2

My younger child is only 2 years old. This period of their life will never come again.

My older one is 9 now, and in a few years they might start refusing to come out with me (I hope not, but they probably will).

When I look back through my photos someday, I do not want to feel regret about the days I did not bring my camera. I did not want a future where the days of leaving it at home — because it was a hassle, because it was heavy — quietly piled up.

How I Plan to Use Both

• RX1R III: Everyday life, family, street. The camera I carry every day.
• α7C II + GM lens: Events, telephoto, situations where I cannot afford to miss the shot.

Two-camera setup. Clear roles. The α7C II does not disappear — it just has a different job.

"Won't carrying two cameras make things heavier?"

I take them out on different days, so it's fine. (Self-answered.)

Three Questions I Asked Myself

1. Can I naturally imagine carrying this camera every day?

Yes.

2. Do I want to prioritize how often I carry a camera over how flexible my gear is?

Yes.

3. Am I willing to pay for the experience of shooting?

Yes.

Conclusion

As a piece of equipment, it is not rationally necessary. I will admit that.

But I know myself well enough by now to know that I am the type who regrets not buying something far more than the type who regrets buying it.

If I had been holding the RX1R III instead of my phone at that evening park — I think that alone would have made it worth it.

The RX1R III is not a camera you buy for its specs. It's the price I pay to increase the density of photographs in these next ten years.

So. I'm buying it.