Thanks guys.
LuminousAphid: I try my best to take good care of my gear because I think that it's a heck of a lot more efficient to maintain and occasionally repair than it is to just replace stuff. I clean all my gear regularly, but not obsessively. I don’t use a padded camera bag because I have found that I like my small backpack better in most situations so what I’m doing instead is wrapping the camera in al old t-shirt before stuffing it in my pack – considering that I don’t toss my bag or drop it from heights, I think that this is an OK way to go. Small habits like that add up over time. I can’t really speak to the long term durability of the M10 because ‘ve only had it for 4 months now, but I will say this: almost every setting is adjusted via the (very responsive) touch screen, so you don’t have nearly as many dials or buttons to get gummed up with bando-juice. This will probably help out in the long run. Another thing to think about is that because it’s so small and portable, I find it less likely to get banged around than something with a massive body and telephoto lens.
I’m not using any filters - I consider myself to be pretty amateur in the photography scene. Right now all I’m carrying around is the M10 with the stock lens it came with, (15-45mm) a tripod, and a couple spare batteries for when I’m out for 6+ hours.
This is the tripod I’m using and I highly recommend it – folds up nice and compact, doesn’t weigh too much, and it doesn’t cost an insane amount like those fancy carbon fiber ones. I also really like the leg adjuster things being twisties instead of folding clips. I’ve heard this method is more reliable.
http://www.amazon...._search_detailpage Siltgod – thanks! I try to shoot spots in a way that I experience them, just more intentionally composed than what you’d get with your full range of vision. Above all else, I try to capture that feeling that real people used to really inhabit the space and the impression of stories that they leave behind. Showcasing that succulent loneliness that you can get in empty spaces is a big plus, too.