In 2023, we seem to be bombarded with so many new cameras and tech throughout the year. It seems to kick up a notch every October when new releases intensify. However, just how relevant are all of these latest releases to us as individual users? Will they dramatically change how you take photos or even the results?
When it comes to camera gear, there is no such thing as a bad camera these days. The simple fact is that the camera released today will still take the same quality photos as the camera released last year or even the year before. Yet, we still see innovation after innovation that promises to transform our images and improve them like never before.
In this thought provoking video from Rick Bebbington, he presents the argument that you don't need all these latest updates and that some of the images that are standing out at the moment have been taken on cameras that are five years or older. What are your thoughts on this? Do you get the latest and greatest camera and lenses, or have you stuck with your existing gear for as long as you can remember?
My experience with Mirrorless Cameras is that they improved quite a lot in the past ten years (handeling). The decade before DSLRs improved even more. I bought a new Camera every three to four years. As an Amateur I wait a while after the release of a new model untill the first discount. A camera I like is a camera that I use.
IMO it's not what the camera companies don't want you to know, it's just seems everyone wants a camera that does everything for them.
A new topic! :-) I'd be willing to bet that 98% of the members here are aware that the new stuff won't make you a better photographer. The new stuff may make your work easier and more efficient, but you still have to know what to do with the camera.
However, since this sort of video or article has appeared here countless times with the same message, maybe my bet about the 98% would be foolish.
I have a FS7 Sony. Great 10 year old 4K camera.
Does all what I want.
But..
Just got a FX6. Better picture quality and the dual ISO mode, Whoo, so much time saved and situation where i can close my iris and still have enough light..
I'm sorry, new gear is helping a lot...
I would agree with others here we have all seen this message that gear does not make you a better photographer countless times, however Rick's argument that taking photos has become too easy and that we need more challenges from our cameras makes no sense.
The more my camera allows me to lock on and focus on wildlife faster, work more seamlessly , and essentially allowing me to think less of the equipment that I am using, the more time I can spend on composition, storytelling, emotion, and really think of the image I want to make.
That is a win in my book. I am not out shooting to challenge myself on how my camera works but what I want to say.
Thank you Nikon, Canon, Sony, and others keep the improvements coming.
This. The more tech improves cameras, the more they get out of our way, the more attention we can pay to exposure and composition, and the less second guessing, chimping, and reshooting we need to do. Win win.
The newest camera I own is the GFX 100s and that's only because my dad bought it for himself, never used it, and then gave it to me for my birthday. All of my other cameras are 7 years old or older. All of my cameras have been used deals. The newest a camera has ever been to me besides the gfx100s is my fuji XT2 and it was already 5 years old when I bought it. All of my cameras take amazing photographs. The only real downsides are AF performance and low light capability. I also can't find affordable CF cards any where anymore for my D700 :(. What's super weird is that my old D100 seems to AF better with 5 AF points than my D800e with it's 51 af points lmao. Heck my N80 focus better than my D800e.