New cameras? I don't care and I don't follow as I can't afford them.
Recently I figured out for myself that I no longer care about the new cameras.
I am even training my news feed software to show me less of this type of marketing "news".
There are several reasons for this behavior of mine but I have to admit that the prices of the new cameras is the major one.
I understand that the Covid period, then the wars, increasing as we speak, followed by raising two-digits inflation has skyrocketed the prices of the new equipment.
So, for instance today I compared the price of the equivalent equipment kit I have bought when I began my pro photog career with the new kits, that is a proper full-frame camera plus pro-version of one lens of my favorite photographic brand.
The price back then was about EUR 3,000.
Today I would have to pay between EUR 4,300 and 4,800 and that on average is 50% increase.
Even if you compare an entry-pro level equipment, back then it was in the range of EUR 500, today, it is over EUR 1000. That's not quite encouraging if someone is starting right now.
Well, probably such prices are ok generally, but the problem here is that clients can be charged that much more, enough to cover both for the equipment, the increased expenses and cost of living and let's not forget, some profit has to be kept away and saved.
The profession of the photographer does not need to be certified as it is in a big extent a form of art. Probably someone who is better at marketing their services or someone who has good connections, would do much better than a seasoned photographer with many years of experience.
Put it that way, nobody is going to be hurt if a photographer doesn't do their work properly, compared to let's say doctors or lawyers, or police officers, or firefighters.
Let's get back to the prices though.
As I am communicating with other photographers too, many of them share their disappointment of the skyrocketing photo-equipment prices. So I am definitely not the only one who would just stick up with their existing cameras until they do the job.
Not that I don't want these 40 frames per second.
Or the increased ISO sensitivity.
Or the awesome 8-steps stabilization existing inside the camera body itself.
Or the decreased weight and sizes of the new cameras.
Or the slick new design. ;)
It is just that nobody wants to spend that much on something that is more of "I would want" than "I actually need" to do the job.
Another side of the story is that new cameras are being released much more frequently than before. I remember I waited for years, between the releases of Canon EOS 5D Mark III and Mark IV.
Now-a-days, it is so hard to keep up with all those new mirrorless cameras that are getting released every other month. They also have similar specs. Isn't that a bit confusing to you too? To me, this kills a bit of the thrill. Probably all of the thrill. Often, this feels like photo corporations caring much more about their profits than the real needs of their customers and fans.
Let's do another comparison.
Someone, working in the field of IT, let's say a QA or a Dev, would most probably have a salary, that is at least 2, 3 times bigger than the salary of a photographer. As I am comparing freelancing here, all a freelance IT would need is a powerful PC+monitor/laptop. That usually costs much less than what would a new high-end, pro photo kit cost. So a pro photographer has to spend much more of their income on acquiring their "work tools".
Not to mention that insuring photo gear is either way too expensive, or a pain in the *ss, or both, if possible at all.
So, long story short, sorry, photo manufacturers, but for the time being, I am sticking up with my existing cameras and lenses, as long as they work as expected.
My photos today are from a shared photo-travel with other photogs and enthusiasts.
You are kindly invited and more than welcome to join "The Photographic Society" Community on HIVE here: @hive-142821, where photographers and enthusiasts share not only their works but also discuss concepts and techniques, and also some hot topics and news about our favorite art.
Thank you for your time and support, please check out below few other ways to aid and encourage me in my endeavors and stay in touch!
Some of my favorite photographs and digital art, along with some of my recent visuals, all in the highest resolution and quality, are all available for licensing inside my searchable portfolio at Alamy: https://www.alamy.com/portfolio/112427.html
Are you a fan of NFTs? Check out my portfolio while some of my best photographs and digital art are still on sale: https://opensea.io/LightCaptured
Check out some of my visuals available in high resolution, you could get a license here for publicly utilizing my works, all approved by the quality review team of Adobe, Inc.: https://stock.adobe.com/contributor/206416265/lightcaptured
Copyright: Light Captured
All the photographs, digital art and text in my posts, unless specified otherwise, are my own property and created by me.
For licensing my photos, please contact me!
I wish you one great day; stay safe, stay strong and let your muse be always on your shoulder!
The divider I use in my posts I have created in Adobe Express.
$PIZZA slices delivered:
lightcaptured tipped dimascastillo90
lightcaptured tipped fotostef (x2)
@lightcaptured(4/15) tipped @greddyforce (x4)
lightcaptured tipped qurator
lightcaptured tipped maxwellmarcusart
pixresteemer tipped lightcaptured
lightcaptured tipped itravelrox
Haha, the more features they add, the more expensive it becomes and they made us believe it is better than the previous. Same applies to mobile phone industries.
I think they new cameras are really getting better. That much better? I can't tell. Huge competition among the brands but it seems it's only in terms of features and specs, they pretty much have similar too high prices...
!PIZZA
Thanks so much, I'll do my best! :)
!PIZZA
The only thing I was kind of jealous about the new models was the high sensitivity but with the new noise reduction feature in lightroom, I can easily live without it! I intend to stick to my gear until it is considered ancient :)
Exactly :)
However, some of my photo friends have switched to the new models because of their awesome autofocusing abilities.
Thank you and !PIZZA :)
Right, it's the autofocus too! I think of it when I try to take pictures of my overactive dog but usually my subjects are not moving so fast :)
True. For action/sports/wildlife photography the new camera are probably a true blessing but for general/portrait/landscape/travel photography spending that much just doesn't feel right to me :)
!PIZZA
This post was curated by @visualshots to support your work.
Delegations are welcome
Join our photography community Visual Shots
Be part of our Curation Trail
Join to our Discord Channel
| 25 HP | 50 HP | 100 HP | 200 HP | 500 HP | 1000 HP |
Manually curated by @dimascastillo90
!discovery 40
!VSC
@dimascastillo90 has sent VSC to @lightcaptured
This post was rewarded with 0.1 VSC to support your work.
Join our photography communityVisual Shots
Check here to view or trade VSC Tokens
Be part of our Curation Trail
@dimascastillo90 ha enviado VSC a @lightcaptured
Éste post fue recompensado con 0.1 VSC para apoyar tu trabajo.
Únete a nuestra comunidad de fotografía Visual Shots
Consulte aquí para ver o intercambiar VSC Tokens
Se parte de nuestro Trail de Curación
Much appreciated, buddy! Thanks for the token too, here's some !PIZZA :)
This post was shared and voted inside the discord by the curators team of discovery-it
Join our Community and follow our Curation Trail
Discovery-it is also a Witness, vote for us here
Delegate to us for passive income. Check our 80% fee-back Program
Same sentiment, my Nikon D5100 is 10 years old. :D
Old but gold, in terms of good photo quality ;)
!PIZZA
True. :D
I had wanted a new camera for a long while too but I put that thought off for a while. Thats until my old nikon fell and broke in half. After that I got myself a mirrorless Nikon Z6 II. Quite expensive 3k buy but I love it and its a huge upgrade from my old one.
Yes, sometime we're forced to buy the new stuff :)
Congrats! It seems to me it has quite good specs, did you get any new lens with it or you use your old lenses with a converter?
!PIZZA
Yeah, I did get Nikon 24-70 f4 lens too. That is directly for nikon mirrorless cameras. I also had to buy an adapter( fckn expensive, another 200eur 😀) to use other non mirrorless lenses I have.
Funny (actually not funny) how the prices of the "competitors" are almost the same.
I've never owned 24-70 lens, I've rented a few times though. Perfect for event and street photography, IMHO.
!PIZZA
That 24-70 is quite great for a kit lens. Usually, you don't get much performance out of a kit lens but this one seems to be different. Its also an S-line marked lens that marks the higher performance on mirrorless lenses. Same meaning as a golden ring on Nikon lenses and a red ring on canon DSLR lenses.
I think Nikon are doing a pretty good job with their lenses.
I have used 24-70 f/2.8 by Canon and I find a noticeable difference between their f/4.0 and the f/2.8 versions. Of course, the price is much bigger and it's heavier too.
!PIZZA
There is 2.8 available of my mirrorless lens too but yeah, it costs like crazy and comparing them side by side. I didnt find much difference, except the 2.8 light capabilityes. Maybe someday 😀
My original thought of the post, exactly! Too bloody expensive.
Moreover, probably not the best investment, unfortunately, given where the whole world is going to...
!PIZZA
State of the art, top of the line equipment would be pretty sweet but yeahhhh, who can afford it right now?
That's why I am snatching up old top of the line stuff, if it was good enough for my grandparents, it's good enough for me, right?
Right! I am a big supporter of the "use until it no longer could be fixed".
Money is always a factor but I believe we all have to think more about preserving our planet and less about huge corporate profits.