Bells and Whistles: I would like to do a informal survey. How many of us, use all the bells and whistles our cameras have to offer? If your camera has video, do you use it often? Do...

Retired fat guy with a camera Loc: Colorado

I would like to do a informal survey.
How many of us, use all the bells and whistles our cameras have to offer?
If your camera has video, do you use it often?
Do you really use a 64,954,846 ISO?
What other features did you have to have, only to find you really didn't need them.
If you could be so kind, would you please state your age.
I am trying to learn if younger photographer's use their cameras differently than me, an old, very un-hip, kinda guy.
I am 63. I have two main cameras. A Canon 1D Mark lll and a 1Ds Mark lll. I have 2 more bodies that are gathering dust, the original Canon 1Ds and a 1D Mark III that has issues. I had a shutter replaced and it only makes images, if the shutter is less than 300th of a second. I was told it was a firmware issue. Oh well. You might have deduced, I like 1D bodies.
I have owned a 10D, a 50D, and a 5D. They were all good cameras, and I got great images out of them all. But, I was never totally satisfied with them. I researched, and read and then read some more [I did not ask this forum, which one to buy] and finally decided on the Mark lll's. I have not regretted that choice for a second. Plus, I got them all for $1,680.37 [including shipping on two of them]. 4 pro cameras, that had low shutter counts, for less than anyone of them new.
I shoot anything that catches my eye, birds, barns, people, landscapes, it doesn't matter. I have 4, L lenses, ranging from a 24mm - to a 300 mm L prime lens. I also have a 1.4 extender that I am not wild about.
My camera and lenses fit my needs. Although, I do want a 100mm L and a 17-40 mm L, but who doesn't want more glass?
So, to make a long story longer.
I take pictures, I have no desire to make movies, one bell gone.
My idea of a late, wild, night, is staying up and watching 2 movies, instead of just one, eating popcorn at home.
I am not in the clubs, or out past dark very often, So I do not need a camera, that has a 64,000 Iso, unless I am in a dark room, I rarely shoot anything over a 400 Iso. One whistle gone.
My prints are mostly 8x10's, both my cameras have enough mega pixels to take care of that size.
Do I need a 50 mega pixel camera? Nope. More bells and whistle I don't need.
How about you?
Inquiring mind want to know!

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

I have never used the video on my D800E. But I do like the 36 mega pixels.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

I'm 62
I have a 5D IV and 7D II and lenses ranging from 16mm to 500mm primes. Shoot like you but more serious about bird and wildlife photography. But have done a fair amount of landscape and macro. Done a little fashion photography. Did my brothers final celebration of life and am not that good with people.

Do I use all the bells and whistles? No. Video? Sometimes but not often but want to do more. I am doing video with a drone quad copter now and love it. Use WiFi, sometimes but mostly it's just a "see what my camera can do?" thing. Use HDR, yes sometimes. Use the internal Intervalometer, yes. Very handy. Use custom menus, yes most definitely. Use those super hi ISO values, not a chance but have gone as high as 6400. But if I were a private eye and was snooping on cheating wives or husbands those really high values could come in handy. Do I use or need the high megapixels? Yes, I love to print on my Pro-1000 and can easily do 22x17 photos and sometimes print 36x24 but have to send out to get that size. Do I use the GPS, no, because I don't really want people to know exactly where I stood to get my landscape photo etc. Why give up too much info. But it's there if I want to use it for vacation pics and such.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

Retired fat guy with a camera wrote:

I would like to do a informal survey.
How many of us, use all the bells and whistles our cameras have to offer?
If your camera has video, do you use it often?
Do you really use a 64,954,846 ISO?
What other features did you have to have, only to find you really didn't need them.
If you could be so kind, would you please state your age.
I am trying to learn if younger photographer's use their cameras differently than me, an old, very un-hip, kinda guy.
I am 63. I have two main cameras. A Canon 1D Mark lll and a 1Ds Mark lll. I have 2 more bodies that are gathering dust, the original Canon 1Ds and a 1D Mark III that has issues. I had a shutter replaced and it only makes images, if the shutter is less than 300th of a second. I was told it was a firmware issue. Oh well. You might have deduced, I like 1D bodies.
I have owned a 10D, a 50D, and a 5D. They were all good cameras, and I got great images out of them all. But, I was never totally satisfied with them. I researched, and read and then read some more [I did not ask this forum, which one to buy] and finally decided on the Mark lll's. I have not regretted that choice for a second. Plus, I got them all for $1,680.37 [including shipping on two of them]. 4 pro cameras, that had low shutter counts, for less than anyone of them new.
I shoot anything that catches my eye, birds, barns, people, landscapes, it doesn't matter. I have 4, L lenses, ranging from a 24mm - to a 300 mm L prime lens. I also have a 1.4 extender that I am not wild about.
My camera and lenses fit my needs. Although, I do want a 100mm L and a 17-40 mm L, but who doesn't want more glass?
So, to make a long story longer.
I take pictures, I have no desire to make movies, one bell gone.
My idea of a late, wild, night, is staying up and watching 2 movies, instead of just one, eating popcorn at home.
I am not in the clubs, or out past dark very often, So I do not need a camera, that has a 64,000 Iso, unless I am in a dark room, I rarely shoot anything over a 400 Iso. One whistle gone.
My prints are mostly 8x10's, both my cameras have enough mega pixels to take care of that size.
Do I need a 50 mega pixel camera? Nope. More bells and whistle I don't need.
How about you?
Inquiring mind want to know!

I would like to do a informal survey. br How many ... (show quote)

I will turn 69 in August
I have never shot video with any type of camera.
I have rarely used a pop-up flash and then only for fill flash.
I use Auto-ISO when photographing in changing light conditions, so an ISO higher than 400 is always a possibility.
My main camera is a Nikon Df. It has a 16MP sensor, and has no video and has no pop-up flash.
My second camera is a Nikon D7200 and it has a 24MP sensor.

If you were to look at Nikon's and Canon's PRO cameras you will find they have about 20MP sensors.

ken_stern Loc: Yorba Linda, Ca

The potential to produce higher quality photos is not at least in my opinion a bell & whistle -- Most of the other things you mentioned yes indeed - i CAN LIVE WITHOUT THEM
Considering all the 35's I have owned since 1968 -- The 5Ds I currently use is by far the highest quality photo / image producing 35mm I have ever enjoyed

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Retired fat guy with a camera wrote:

I would like to do a informal survey.
How many of us, use all the bells and whistles our cameras have to offer?
If your camera has video, do you use it often?
Do you really use a 64,954,846 ISO?
What other features did you have to have, only to find you really didn't need them.
If you could be so kind, would you please state your age.
I am trying to learn if younger photographer's use their cameras differently than me, an old, very un-hip, kinda guy.
I am 63. I have two main cameras. A Canon 1D Mark lll and a 1Ds Mark lll. I have 2 more bodies that are gathering dust, the original Canon 1Ds and a 1D Mark III that has issues. I had a shutter replaced and it only makes images, if the shutter is less than 300th of a second. I was told it was a firmware issue. Oh well. You might have deduced, I like 1D bodies.
I have owned a 10D, a 50D, and a 5D. They were all good cameras, and I got great images out of them all. But, I was never totally satisfied with them. I researched, and read and then read some more [I did not ask this forum, which one to buy] and finally decided on the Mark lll's. I have not regretted that choice for a second. Plus, I got them all for $1,680.37 [including shipping on two of them]. 4 pro cameras, that had low shutter counts, for less than anyone of them new.
I shoot anything that catches my eye, birds, barns, people, landscapes, it doesn't matter. I have 4, L lenses, ranging from a 24mm - to a 300 mm L prime lens. I also have a 1.4 extender that I am not wild about.
My camera and lenses fit my needs. Although, I do want a 100mm L and a 17-40 mm L, but who doesn't want more glass?
So, to make a long story longer.
I take pictures, I have no desire to make movies, one bell gone.
My idea of a late, wild, night, is staying up and watching 2 movies, instead of just one, eating popcorn at home.
I am not in the clubs, or out past dark very often, So I do not need a camera, that has a 64,000 Iso, unless I am in a dark room, I rarely shoot anything over a 400 Iso. One whistle gone.
My prints are mostly 8x10's, both my cameras have enough mega pixels to take care of that size.
Do I need a 50 mega pixel camera? Nope. More bells and whistle I don't need.
How about you?
Inquiring mind want to know!

I would like to do a informal survey. br How many ... (show quote)

No, I've never used ISO 64 million either, didn't even know it existed, but I do go as high as 6400 but rarely beyond.
I DO use video on occasion and have shot a few internet commercials with it, so yes, every camera I will ever own will have video.
I don't have a lot of use for outdated equipment. Probably a little less than 1/2 of what I shoot is professionally, the rest for portfolio.
I use a Canon 1Dx and a 5Ds(they back each other up) with an assortment of lenses. With those two I can pretty much shoot anything, from moving REALLY fast to really slow!
I shoot sports and studio as well as landscape, travel and nature. I shoot girls, yes, lots of girls!!! LoL
It's impossible to have too much camera....., but you really know it when you have too little!!!
SS

Woodsman Loc: North of Peterborough Ontario

65 yrs old
Main Camera D7200 with 70-300mm lens (Sigma 150-600C alternate lens)
D7200 ISO auto with max ISO of 3200, shoot in manual mode, back button focus set
Second Camera Canon T3 with 55-250mm lens (lighter to carry than the D7200 when on long walks)
T3 ISO auto with max ISO of 800, shoot in shutter priority or manual mode, back button focus set
I do use exposure compensation a lot with both cameras when shooting into dark background or sky
rarely if ever use the standard kit lenses or smaller focal lengths
primary subject birds and wildlife
I do not print photos, view on computer screen only
Do not take video with either DSLR, for video use Nikon P510 which has a dedicated instant video button
For pocket camera use Panasonic ZS5, do not like quality of cell phone images.
Any Scene modes if available rarely used except snow mode with pocket cam
I do use the same wireless remote trigger on both DSLR's on occasion
BIgest waste of a feature IMHO on D7200 is Wifi to a smart device
Regrets: parting with my old film Pentax SPII and SP500 and screw mount lenses. Therefore have not
parted with any of my older digital cameras Minolta A1. Nikon D50, Canon A630

d3200prime

Retired fat guy with a camera wrote:

I would like to do a informal survey.
How many of us, use all the bells and whistles our cameras have to offer?
If your camera has video, do you use it often?
Do you really use a 64,954,846 ISO?
What other features did you have to have, only to find you really didn't need them.
If you could be so kind, would you please state your age.
I am trying to learn if younger photographer's use their cameras differently than me, an old, very un-hip, kinda guy.
I am 63. I have two main cameras. A Canon 1D Mark lll and a 1Ds Mark lll. I have 2 more bodies that are gathering dust, the original Canon 1Ds and a 1D Mark III that has issues. I had a shutter replaced and it only makes images, if the shutter is less than 300th of a second. I was told it was a firmware issue. Oh well. You might have deduced, I like 1D bodies.
I have owned a 10D, a 50D, and a 5D. They were all good cameras, and I got great images out of them all. But, I was never totally satisfied with them. I researched, and read and then read some more [I did not ask this forum, which one to buy] and finally decided on the Mark lll's. I have not regretted that choice for a second. Plus, I got them all for $1,680.37 [including shipping on two of them]. 4 pro cameras, that had low shutter counts, for less than anyone of them new.
I shoot anything that catches my eye, birds, barns, people, landscapes, it doesn't matter. I have 4, L lenses, ranging from a 24mm - to a 300 mm L prime lens. I also have a 1.4 extender that I am not wild about.
My camera and lenses fit my needs. Although, I do want a 100mm L and a 17-40 mm L, but who doesn't want more glass?
So, to make a long story longer.
I take pictures, I have no desire to make movies, one bell gone.
My idea of a late, wild, night, is staying up and watching 2 movies, instead of just one, eating popcorn at home.
I am not in the clubs, or out past dark very often, So I do not need a camera, that has a 64,000 Iso, unless I am in a dark room, I rarely shoot anything over a 400 Iso. One whistle gone.
My prints are mostly 8x10's, both my cameras have enough mega pixels to take care of that size.
Do I need a 50 mega pixel camera? Nope. More bells and whistle I don't need.
How about you?
Inquiring mind want to know!

I would like to do a informal survey. br How many ... (show quote)

What a coincidence. I'm with you. I was just pondering if any of the older nikon cameras come with just the basic features. A good solid pro camera without all the BS add-ons. I might be interested in one of those. They should be fairly cheap by now.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

61 and never use "P" mode.
I do shoot video with my Nikon D810 though.
and I shoot TTL with my Nikon flashes when they are on-camera.
Don't trust them off camera with remotes.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

d3200prime wrote:

What a coincidence. I'm with you. I was just pondering if any of the older nikon cameras come with just the basic features. A good solid pro camera without all the BS add-ons. I might be interested in one of those. They should be fairly cheap by now.

Nikon Df comes close.
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/df.htm

Acountry330 Loc: Dothan,Ala USA

II am 67 and have a D-800. Never used video but have used the high ISO values at times. Love the high mega pixels. The camera will do a lot more than I need it to do. But am very happy with it. I would like more frames per second but I am OK with what it will do I take pictures of most anything; Old Barns wildlife etc.

Woodsman Loc: North of Peterborough Ontario

d3200prime wrote:

What a coincidence. I'm with you. I was just pondering if any of the older nikon cameras come with just the basic features. A good solid pro camera without all the BS add-ons. I might be interested in one of those. They should be fairly cheap by now.

My fist DSLR was the D50, thought I was in heaven but boy was it limited by todays standards. I used entry level equipment for the most part for many years as I just shoot as a hobby but when I got the D7200 I realized what I was missing. The things I like the best on the D7200 is the fast recycle, fairly large picture buffer and I now shoot in a burst mode with lenses that focus fairly fast. Setting the cams to back button focus makes a world of difference for me as well. I would sure miss these features now and regret the years spent with entry level equipment. There were many times I was frustrated by missing shots I would not miss today. .

BebuLamar

d3200prime wrote:

What a coincidence. I'm with you. I was just pondering if any of the older nikon cameras come with just the basic features. A good solid pro camera without all the BS add-ons. I might be interested in one of those. They should be fairly cheap by now.

Fairly cheap? No way. Any such camera would cost more than a good prosumer camera. The Df is one example. It costs more not to have all those bells and whistles.

crazydaddio Loc: Toronto Ontario Canada

Age 53 - took my first photo 4 yrs ago.
Highly addicted - All genres of photography except landscapes (yawn)...ok..did a couple here and there...not my fav...

5Dmkiv 70D and 6d.
Video on 70D .... would consider 5dmkiv in the future now that I have the 16-35 lens.

Manual. Not above 3200iso. Single point AF always (tried all the others...back to center single pt (exception is for 1.4aperature where eye is in 3rd...will slide the single AF pt to cover it vs focus and recompose...to make sure sharp)

Autoexposure bracketing on tripod a couple times...bulb mode a couple times. Played with AF sensitivity settings...meh...white balance 80% pre-set....20% Kelvin. Never used smartphone to take pictures using canon connect but reserve the right to in the future...

Net: aperature..iso...shutter... raw....LOTS of speedlight work for artistic reasons in weddings and portraits....wifi-yes..GPS-vacations yes, customized controls - yes, AI servo 90%of the time.

the rest can be handled in post worst case :-)

...and always looking to learn something new or to increase perfection. Photos I took 2 yrs ago look like garbage to me now....PP skills are increasing parallel to photography skills. Even went back and PP some old raw files...hmmm not so bad afterall :-)

boomer826 Loc: Florida gulf coast

Going to be 60 in August. Never use the video aspect of my Nikons. I have a D300s and a D7100. I have never really used the high ISO settings either. I would rather have more FPS, Than video. I would also like to have a bigger screen also.