Throughout your photography journey, camera gear inevitably evolves. Understanding how much image quality and camera functionality have improved over time directly impacts your buying decisions and creative possibilities.
Coming to you from Scott Choucino with Tin House Studio, this practical video compares cameras used throughout Choucino’s career, including the Canon 1DS Mark II, 5D Mark II, 5DS R, and Fuji GFX 100S. He tests them in two realistic scenarios: a high-ISO environment and a challenging studio setting. This isn't a superficial pixel-counting comparison; Choucino examines tangible differences like dynamic range, noise management, and how each camera handles tricky lighting. For instance, the Canon 1DS Mark II, despite its age, still holds its own in terms of sharpness but struggles significantly with sensor dust and dynamic range limitations. Watching these tests unfold will make clear the practical differences and the incremental improvements each generation of camera brings to real-world photography.
Continuing the evaluation, Choucino highlights how certain cameras, despite their age, remain incredibly useful. The 5D Mark II is notable for its capability to manage highlights better than its predecessor, attributed partly to improved lens quality. The high-resolution Canon 5DSR excels in detail capture, especially with superior lenses like the Zeiss Milvus 100mm. Still, as Choucino shows, high resolution alone isn't everything; handling colors and shadows accurately matters significantly. The Fuji GFX 100S offers unmatched detail and dynamic range ideal for meticulous studio work but may feel clinical in natural light scenarios. Understanding these nuances helps you determine the type of gear that aligns best with your style and practical needs.
One key insight Choucino emphasizes is the ongoing debate around high-ISO performance and noise. Contrary to popular belief, noise isn't always the enemy; it can contribute positively to an image's character, particularly in documentary-style photography. He advocates accepting noise as part of the visual texture, rather than always seeking to eliminate it through post-processing. Additionally, lens choice emerges as crucial, sometimes more so than sensor advancements. A quality lens paired with an older camera can outperform newer models equipped with lesser optics, reinforcing the idea that investing wisely in lenses can have a lasting impact on your work.
Another notable takeaway involves build quality and the overall tactile experience of different cameras. Choucino shows clear affection for certain camera bodies because of how they feel and handle, not merely their technical specifications. This preference indicates that ergonomics and the sensory experience of using a camera matter significantly in your photography practice. The sturdy feel and satisfying shutter sound of the older Canon 1DS Mark II, despite its technical limitations, illustrate how these physical factors can affect creative motivation and shooting enjoyment. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Choucino.
I changed from nikon d850 to Fuji GFX. I liked fujufilm raws better. Im a landscape photographer so megapixels are useful. The GFX 100s Ii is wonderful. I find it suits me. Feels good. GFX lenses are wonderful. I pixel peep. I print large too. 1.5 meters. The extra megapixels are worth it
I enjoy the feeling of GFX 100s ii camera in my hands. Its finding a camera you like the feeling of.
But dont do we need to upgrade ...? No but it may inspire you. It shouldn't be seen as Taboo to uprade!
Like all these things there is no one size fits all answer. Whether a camera up-grade or cross-grade is worth it depends on what the new camera offers in way of tanglible improvements over what you currently use. It also depends upon how vital these improvements are to what and how you photograph. If you are a macro photographer and the new camera offers enhancements that would improve your workflow, hit rate and image quality then you just have to decide how important these new features are. While one new feature may be unimportant to one photographer it may well be crucial to another. At the end of the day each photographer has to decide for themselves. Or like a friend of mine who has more money than sense, you may well decide that you just want a shiny new camera and are prepared to splash the cash and to hell with trying to justify it.