[SET Man]

Hey!

   This came about when I had a conversation with my boss about digital cameras. Remembered the good old day of film when you use your favorite SLR for years and the improvement will come in a form of a better film?

   But these days seem different now. It is me or it is that every time you turn around there is a new digital camera coming out? 

   You know you buy a brand new digi-cam today than 6 months later a new model come out! With, ooooooh!.... 2 more mega pixels, screen with 0.5" bigger, and more features that you will never use.

  Now your camera that you've just bought a few months ago worth much much less! 

  Let me ask you a question here. How many digital camera have you bought the past five years?

  Take my boss for example. Before digital he work with 4X5 and sometime 35mm. His main 35mm film cam was and still is the Nikon F3 which he bought since it first came out in 1980. Than digital came along and since most clients now ask for digital he made the switch. For someone who've never bought a new camera for 20 years. He is now on his 3rd DSLRs since he first bought one 5 years ago! Amazingly he skipped the auto focus 35mm film cam era.

   And not to be out done I'm about to get my 3rd DSLR also! And of course what to do with my old DSLR? Well, to sell it now won't get me much. So I gave it to my younger brother for his birthday this month. Well, the resale value for digi-cam is horrible I would say.

  So, as a photographer I guess digital doesn't really save me much money and time at the end than. 

   No I'm not against digital... eventhough I still prefer film for certain thing like B&W. I'm actually for it. Digital already surpassed film in some area now a day. And I do have more control with digital... with more time spent on it in front of computer of course. But it seem like I ended up spending more money on digital equipment more than I used to as I would with film equipment in a short period of time. 

   But I do think that we are at the point where digital cam is developing very rapidly and maybe it will slow down a bit in the future... or maybe not.

   So, I guess this could be pretty much pointless rant to some. But this had been in my head for a while now. And wonder if anyone feel the same way I do or at least have gone through a few digi-cams like me... or more?

   And you've thought that audio upgrading is bad right?

   Anyway, thank you for listening to my rant 

Take care,
Buddy
   

[jcpix]

Hey Buddy,

Yes, digital is not cheaper then film as many people thought it would be in the beginning. My first digital camera cost $12,000 and was outdated in two years.    As cameras improve and files got larger, so did the need for more horsepower in your computer and hard drives.  I do think we are starting to slow down on the "upgrade" front. I've heard many photographers and editors say we are close to the quality of slide film, which set the standard for many years. It's a fun time to be in photography IMO, as the changes seem to always improve the final product.  That said, there is something to be said for a B&W 4x5 film image.  

jc

[TONEPUB]

I think it's like hifi in the sense that you buy as much camera as you need.

If you don't do it for a living and you aren't printing much bigger than 11 x 17,
almost anything will do.  It also depends on what kind of pictures you like to
take, will determine which camera/featurset appeals to you the most.

I was doing mostly studio stuff with the magazine, but now I'm shooting a lot
of live shows.  My EOS 5D is pretty good, but the performance of the Nikon
D3 is looking pretty impressive, so who knows?  I might make the move
but I hate to switch lenses...

In the past five years, I've probably had about ten DSLR's between Nikon,
Canon and Olympus, but if push came to shove, I could probably stay with
my 5D till it croaks.  It does 95% of everything I need a camera to do and
I'm very comfortable with it.  

In the end it's about creating the image, and any tool that lets me concentrate
on that is ok!

[Photon46]

I find the frequency of upgrades to computers, printers, and software financially disturbing. When we went digital at work, we bought a Canon EOS 1Ds Mk.II and that is a fine piece of equipment. I don't feel any need to upgrade that any time soon. But the other end of things; printers, computers, software. Seemingly a never ending drive to obsolescence. I bought my 4x5 enlarger and Schnieder Componon-S lenses twenty years ago, they are still up to date functionally. On the other hand, every five years or so your computer and printer reach the end of their useful lifepan and manufacturers have little incentive to maintain them. Our Epson 9600 wide format printer basically has no factory support in my opinion. Epson is remarkably uninterested in providing technical assistance in resolving problems, hoping you you get fed up and just buy a new one. Seems like every time you turn around, Photoshop has a new iteration to buy/learn.
 Like jc says, digital doesn't supplant the need for film completely. At least not for me. There are times I still need the capabilities of my 4x5. Also, there are still times we even use our gigantic static copy camera to make large wet chemistry films when particular aspects of digital films are objectionable.

[Tubes 4 Ever]

First I am not a photographer by trade so I believe all the upgrade fever for me is solely impulse buying. If I think about what I have owned in both audio and photography, clearly most of the changes came because some friend said "this is the best" or a slick ad campaign told me "you gotta have this one". I have a PC that is now approaching 7 years old and believe me it is not the fastest on the planet but for email and basic photo processing it works fine. My MAC is 5 years old and significantly faster than any pc I use or own, at home or work, but it ain't very pretty or thin or lightweight or well you get the picture. I have owned probably 400 cameras in 20 years from vintage to digital and find myself back to using film and not looking back. I have a 3 MP Olympus for digital and guess what for kids and football and soccer it works just fine. The bottom line for me is the more time I spend using my toys the less time I spend reading about them the happier I am.

[ToddSTS]

These days megapixels equals marketing.  I recall reading an article recently about how, in the smaller cameras they are having a real problem with noise due to stuffing all the denser resolution sensors in a package that can't cool them adequately.  But hey, 12 is better than 8 right?

http://www.steves-digicams.com/techcorner/march_2008.html

I started with an Olympus E-10, and my big complaint wasn't mexapixels when I upgraded, it was the speed of the interface and start up times.  Still has a  nice fast lens on it though.

Todd

[PhilNYC]

Hey Buddy...next time you're looking to unload a DSLR, let me know...I've been wanting to get one...

[JohnR]

  Let me ask you a question here. How many digital camera have you bought the past five years?

One.... but the next one might be within two years of the previous one. But that would be a moving up a tier kind of upgrade not a my camera is obsolete now kind of upgrade... if that makes sense

What I don't understand is why the full frame Canon 5D is only a bit more expensive than the (DX) Nikon D300...

[SET Man]

Hey!

    Yes, I totally forgot about the computer parts of this equation also  Look at Photoshop they come out with new version pretty often. Also, the space to store all those photo also, luckily that the hard drive is getting cheaper.

    Talk about storage device. Remember the day when 1G of memory card would cost you $100? And that is for a slow one.

    You probably wonder why I would be buying new camera and what's wrong with my current? Well, there is nothing wrong with my camera now but it was based on the previous model of which lack a few things that I need and like. And the other thing, yes I do make a living with my camera. Not 100% on the total income but when I do need to I need a camera that I would feel comfortable with. So, that's why. If not I think I would be happy with this one for another 2 or 3 years I would say.

    With all of this I somehow still have my films camera of which I hope that someday I will dig it out of the shelf and use if once again. I don't I think I feel as much attachment to the digital cams as much as I did with my film cams

   Oh! But there is one thing that haven't change much for me since the beginning of digi-cam era. I still lusting over certain beautiful lens, especially with some newer one 

  Well, at the end of the day as TONEPUB said... it is all about creating the image. But still you can't help thinking about the gear part when you working.

Take care,
Buddy

[JohnR]

Well, are you going to tell us what you are going to buy?

[SET Man]

Well, are you going to tell us what you are going to buy?

Hey!

   Does it matter? You could take a guess what brand I use but I bet you will get it wrong the first time.

    OK, John I will let you know when I get it in about a month

 Take care,
Buddy

[SET Man]

Hey Buddy...next time you're looking to unload a DSLR, let me know...I've been wanting to get one...

Hey!

   Phil, I already gave the camera to my brother for his birthday this month.

   Not to worry, there are so many new DSLRs out there to choose from now. Newer model even the consumer and entry level one that could out perform older cam just 2 or 3 years ago. Including the one I gave to brother.

   Today you could actually pick a nice one up with kit lens for less than $1000. So many to choose from. These sub $1K DSLRs today would have cost nearly $2K just a few years ago and they are better too!

   Phil, maybe I we could talk next time I see you. Or check with Levi maybe he want to unload some camera too.

Take care,
Buddy

[JohnR]

We need to have a guessing contest to figure out what Buddy's next camera is going to be...

Hm, well, so far I'm guessing that it's not a Canon or a Nikon. So that leaves Pentax, Olympus, Fuji, Sigma, Sony, Panasonic, erm... Samsung...

[giantsteps]

 Hey Buddy...remember our conversation at Bugleboy's? Well I found the camera that has everything I want and within my budget. It's a hell of a lot of camera for an initial street price of US$350.00!  


http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-Coolpix-Digital-Vibration-Reduction/dp/B00176BDD4


 Frank

[PeteG]

I’ve been happy with my Minolta for the last ten years and a P&S digital I got five years ago which I’m very happy with too, but been dying for a D-SLR for 3 years now, was going to jump on one last year but heard about the new cameras coming out this year so I waited.
So I did the rounds to all the stores was going with Sony so I could use some of my old lenses but to me Nikon and Canon was just a better camera so ended up with a Canon XSi some lenses and PS3 (a lot to learn). I’m just blown away by these new digital cameras, it’s also nice to take 200 pics in a few hours get home and keep about 20 and just dump the rest.  Hopefully I won’t have to upgrade for at least ten years.

I guess I’ll take a DVD-R to a camera store for prints, my printer isn’t good enough for this camera, what do you guys do?     

[PhilNYC]

   Phil, I already gave the camera to my brother for his birthday this month.

Ok, I'll wait til next month...

[SET Man]

We need to have a guessing contest to figure out what Buddy's next camera is going to be...

Hm, well, so far I'm guessing that it's not a Canon or a Nikon. So that leaves Pentax, Olympus, Fuji, Sigma, Sony, Panasonic, erm... Samsung...

Hey!

   John you are pretty good. Yes, not the usual suspects... Canon or Nikon.

   Ready for this? I'm using Sony Well, it is a long story. But before that I was using Minolta of which no longer in camera business. Sony took over at first I was worry but now I'm glad they did.

   But a few years ago I almost switch camp but I didn't. So, I'm with Sony now of which used to be Minolta.... yeah I still usually get no respect with either one around my neck. 

   Anyway, my next DSLR will be the Sony A700... this one is based on the previous Minolta SLR and DSLR that I have and used to. Got everything I needed and should last me for a while. Of course at least until they come out with something new again 6 months from now! 

Take care,
Buddy

[SET Man]

I’ve been happy with my Minolta for the last ten years and a P&S digital I got five years ago which I’m very happy with too, but been dying for a D-SLR for 3 years now, was going to jump on one last year but heard about the new cameras coming out this year so I waited.
So I did the rounds to all the stores was going with Sony so I could use some of my old lenses but to me Nikon and Canon was just a better camera so ended up with a Canon XSi some lenses and PS3 (a lot to learn). I’m just blown away by these new digital cameras, it’s also nice to take 200 pics in a few hours get home and keep about 20 and just dump the rest.  Hopefully I won’t have to upgrade for at least ten years.

I guess I’ll take a DVD-R to a camera store for prints, my printer isn’t good enough for this camera, what do you guys do?     

Hey!

    I see you've already switched camp 

    I guess I'm a loner around here.

    Oh! BTW... you don't happen to have a Minolta AF 100mm f2 that you want to unload? aa

Take care,
Buddy

[PeteG]

Sorry, my son was all over it (no 100mm lens). He was on Craigslist Friday night looking for more lenses and accessories. I can’t believe how cheap some of the used 35mm cameras w/lenses are going for.

[SET Man]

Hey Buddy...remember our conversation at Bugleboy's? Well I found the camera that has everything I want and within my budget. It's a hell of a lot of camera for an initial street price of US$350.00! 


http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-Coolpix-Digital-Vibration-Reduction/dp/B00176BDD4


 Frank

Hey!

   Hmmm.... that looks like a lot of camera for the money. Looks great on the paper but you can't tell for sure until you have it in your hand. And it is brand new and not had been released yet.

   Yes, I remembered you mentioned that you need a camera with wider lens and this one got that and more! I don't even have anything that long for my DSLR cam

   Anyway, look like the price now is $399  

Take care,
Buddy