potica69

Greetings!

I've been doing above-average quality photography for over 45 years now using Minolta, Sony, and Nikon gear over the years (cameras and lenses). I am just a hobby photographer, and I like to take photos that to me are a cut above the average cellphone pic.

All technology evolves and usually improves. New and improved versions of product A,B,C,D etc. supposedly get better every couple of years, so "Buy the new and improved model and you will be happier". (and we got you to spend more money). Been there, done that.

I reached a point in life maybe 5 years ago when I realized the current photographic gear I currently have is very adequate for all my photographic needs. I no longer buy new cameras or lenses.

Here is my current gear:

Nikon D7200

Lenses:

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II Lens

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 16-80mm f/2.8-4E ED VR Lens

AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G

SB-700 Speedlight

Various filters

For me, this is all the gear I need.

Any constructive feedback? Thanks.

BebuLamar

What kind of feedback you would want? Your gear is fine for you and your photos are good enough for you. Only you would know that.

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

If you are doing "above average" photography with the gear you are using, and you are satisfied with that, then good on ya!! What happens when you decide to up your game?

terryMc Loc: Arizona's White Mountains

All I can say is that according to the experts here, all you need is a cell phone to get high level professional quality images, because it's what you see and how you see it that's important, not whether you have an expensive camera or not. Your gear is probably overkill, so I would sell it all and get an IPhone. You probably already have one.

Or...

Others will say that you don't need any camera to get great pictures, you can just type your vision into a computer to get better images than come from any camera. AI is the future, so get in now. Be an early adopter. Get ahead of the curve.

Or do what I do, which is whatever I want to, because arguing over gear and whether this or that is better is an exercise in futility. You'll never hear anything new or different...

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Providing he wants his game upped.....

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

If everything works for you, that's great!

My 10+ year old cameras work for me.

What kind of feedback are you anticipating?

potica69

Spot on! Thank you. Since the cellphone arrived, a paradigm shift has occured. The cellphone photos and videos are quickly replacing the high-end camera.

What say you?

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

I say I don't follow paradigms.
Or trends, or pixels, or gee-whiz-bang.

I use what I feel like using.

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

Yes!

Grahame Loc: Fiji

I'm not seeing any evidence of cellphone cameras producing equivalent or better sports action pics than high-end cameras are capable of.

mr spock Loc: Fairfield CT

Not sure I understand the purpose of your post
If you're happy..... we're happy.

User ID

Thank you verrrrry much for describing all of your gear, and the origins of it. I am inspired. My own personal gear is likewise fine for me, but the specifics of inventory, and its origins, aint nobodys bidnez but my own.

TonyP Loc: New Zealand

Yes, the cell phone/camera useage has exploded in certain segments of society, but I think maybe you are influenced by those who are more interested in social media on a computer display, and getting thumbs up on pics of their food or latest holiday etc.
On a predominantly 'photography' orientated forum like UHH, (sometimes with a social bias ), many members are more interested in making pictures they are more than proud of to display on the wall, and striving to achieve a result that is more than the just 'above an average' photo.
Like it or not, technology has progressed over the years and prices for 'professional' type cameras has fallen, especially in the 'used' market. Their are reasons that very advanced and pro photographers use these expensive cameras. And keen hobbyists, striving to emulate their peers, can now take advantage of the technological advancements that pro's have known about for years.
But of course they have an additional price to pay. And that's time.
Time learning the same skills as the pro's.
An expensive modern camera requires the photographer to spend time learning how to get the best performance out of the technology, which includes of course, saving the RAW files and spending time developing the 'modern' Negative (sic).
A new camera alone doth not an artist make

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

The average photographer is always at his best

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

If the equipment meets one's wants and needs, that is really as good as it gets.

My equipment meets my needs at this time. And there's newer equipment that will meet my needs slightly better than my present equipment. Time to buy? Not until I buy other nonphotographic items like anniversary, Christmas, and many other items - and only after saving for that specific photo item. It is not necessary to buy the latest and greatest the moment it comes out.

As long as one is happy working with the equipment they have, it is kind of hard to do better.