Buying a new camera in '18?

A friend sent me this.

How to buy a high-end camera in 2018

To me, at least, the video is irrelevant - what do you think?

With less than $3,500, you can shoot films and photos like a professional.

Ahh, yes, I remember buying my first Fender and playing just like Clapton, my first pair of Nikes and shooting just like Michael Jordan, and best of all my first pair of Calvin Klein briefs and looking just like Marky Mark.

Ahh, yes, I remember buying my first Fender and playing just like Clapton

Had a virtually identical reaction - slightly different cast of examples, tho Clapton would make the cut. Mose? Monk?

"How to buy"... go to store or webshop, and pay. Done.

 

I get they wanted some sort of click-bait title, but this one is particularly poor.

The difficult part is to figure out how to pay for the camera. The rest is easy!

That article is too thin (i.e. doesn't go deep enough) to be stunning. Like @Sandy Vongries I already bought one of the DSLRs mentioned in there earlier; so for me the bottom line is: "Sleep on!", since I am apparently (at least partially) up to date. Why should I fuzz about that stuff? - Let's see what the 2020 remake suggests and buy it.

 

Video: IDK. - I haven't tried doing anything, due to a continuing lack of sufficiently tempting gear. By now I own one (<-is none!) somewhat promising / according to reviews capable camera but am badly lacking a PC to edit on and also some AFing lens wider than 115mm (equivalent) and am not sure if I could record sound. I suppose video is unlikely to become my main hobby. - I have too much experience in not editing stills, to be confident about myself spending eternities in post production and I also read somewhere that movie projects would benefit from getting shot according to a concept. Not my strength either. But: There have been video worthy moments in my life, so why not prepare for the next ones to come? I also like the idea of earning a lens cap on YouTube, once in a while.

New camera introductions only mean one thing-last year's best of the best will soon be half price. Time to start thinking of digital cameras as microwave ovens, television sets or any other disposable consumer product.

New camera introductions only mean one thing-last year's best of the best will soon be half price. Time to start thinking of digital cameras as microwave ovens, television sets or any other disposable consumer product.

Perhaps in terms of marketing and resale value. But, still, a camera allows me to be more proactive than a TV set. And, of course, my camera will always fall a little short because it can’t reheat my leftovers . . . :eek:

I just upgraded to a new F3 a few months ago........

I just upgraded to a new F3 a few months ago........

I'll see your F3 and raise an F4, F5. Just can't resist the best at a pittance.

I don't know if I'll be buying a new camera this year. If I am asked to do a wedding (not likely!) I'll just rent a pair of A7's or something. The Pentax Q system is fun, and it's not that expensive (though not cheap, either). I wouldn't mind finally trying out some Micro 4/3 and Fuji X cameras, and I can buy those used.

 

There are some film cameras I'd like to try, but for me, it's more important to get back into developing film at home, and maybe setting up a scanning rig. We have a lot of good, cheap film cameras. But no really good scanners. I would rather spend thousands on a scanner.

 

I'm looking forward to the 'relaunch' of Vine (which won't be called Vine because it's not being made by Vine proper). Vine is about creativity more than anything, and image quality is not the most important thing. So I will probably buy a telephoto lens for my iPhone which will cost $20 and be just good enough.

There are a lot of good deals in used DSLRs.

 

Even better deals on used film cameras.

A digital camera might lose half of its value if you re-sell it, but so does an automobile = the moment it leaves the dealer. The Sony A7Rii has been out for 2-1/2 years and sells new for $2800, compared to its introduction price of $3400. For me that's $600 for 60,000 images, and I still have it in my bag.

 

I think it's important to compare features and match them with your needs and wants (there is a difference). Resolution, speed, depth of the system, size, and cost are among the attributes to consider. I don't use my still camera much for video, but when I do it's as good or better than my pro video gear, and much less expensive up front. It lacks features like power zoom, dual memory card serial storage, and video controls on the outside rather than buried in menus. A couple times a year I shoot marathon video events (9+ hours), no breaks, hot swapping each card as it is filled for an empty one, after it switches seamlessly to the second card.

 

I don't worry much about selling cameras. By that time, they're worth more dead than alive. I recall once, in 1964, trading a Nikkorex on a Leica M2, and again in 2017, a Sony A7ii on a Sony A9. The A7Rii and A9 serve very well as a scanner, and are 5 times as fast (including prep).

 

I like Sony's approach to external controls. One dial for the operating mode and the other for focus, speed, and bracketing. ISO is easy to set from the back dial, and I either use a single speed (400 and forget) or Auto. For everything else, there are half a dozen programmable buttons.

Ed, I might have to change my mind on using a camera as a scanner, but only because of the A7rIII. The high res mode (whatever it's called) effectively gives you a Foveon-like image, if you know what I mean. It's not merely the extra detail, it's how it is achieved.

I you mean pixel shifting, I doubt there's anything to gain when "scanning" slides. The amount of detail in a slide is roughly equivalent to 12 MP. The A7 mod 3 sensors have an extraordinary dynamic range, approaching 15 stops. That might penetrate a bit deeper in the shadows of a contrasty slide, but there's little detail there to recover. I've used both 24 MP and 42 MP camera for slides, and either will do an excellent job. A good closeup lens is essential. I use a 55/2.8 AIS Micro-Nikkor.

Ahh, yes, I remember buying my first Fender and playing just like Clapton, my first pair of Nikes and shooting just like Michael Jordan, and best of all my first pair of Calvin Klein briefs and looking just like Marky Mark.

 

OMG, play me a song, let me watch your sweaty black body in motion. I want to have your baby... :eek:

 

Just spent $200 a couple months ago having an issue with my D7100 repaired. Like most cars I have owned, I am going to get at least 350K out of it! In the context of a 'standard' size DSLR (total physical package of B&L) the kit I have now will more than meet my needs over the next several years. I have been giving idle thought to various videography endeavors though. Nikon is not the best platform for that, but is OK to explore the options and reality of the thing. Why? Because I already own the damned thing. I am SO OVER getting some very expensive gear related wet dream going, spending thousands of dollars on got-to-have-it accessories and magic wands; only to find my real interest had more to do with buying something than the free exercise of any skill or artistic vision...

 

The one item in that contrived list of expensive junk that I think is honestly woody-fuel is the Fujifilm X100F. This camera is HOT, in the manner of a digital Leica... Perfect size for pocket excursions in urban explorations. Need to handle one, and then start the process of finding one in used or grey market flavor. Maybe toward the end of this year when I win the lottery.

 

My old Fender F-85 is in the living room. I dusted it and gave it the customary yearly attention just last week. Still can't play much of anything resembling a tune on it...

Edited March 21, 2018 by PapaTango

I think it's important to compare features and match them with your needs and wants (there is a difference).

I could put three cameras on my "immediate want" list (and a few more on "may want to try"- but I don't "need" any of them as none would do significantly better for me than the ones I've already got. And with Nikon hopefully about to spill the beans on their mirrorless offering(s) (and Canon too) any possible major photographic gear purchase is on hold until the cards are on the table. And then the wait will begin until a "need" will dictate which (likely used) camera will find its way into my bag.