Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

You do realize I was posting mostly in jest with a truckload of sarcasm, don't you?

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Um, nope on the jest, yep on the sarcasm But I apologize for quoting you; that was just plain wrong.

Bill_de Loc: US

Funny post. I have commented a couple of times what a difference UHH is from a woodworking forum I belong to. There everyone encourages spending more, even if you have to sell your first born. Around here there are folks who only respond to "what should I buy" threads with recommendations on how to save money.

--

Bipod

Bicyle -- not expensive
"Mountain" bike -- expensive
Titanium frame mountain bike -- very expensive
Folding titanium frame mountain bike -- mega-bucks!
But why would anyone want one?

Answer: so they can say they own one. And what will they do with it?
Ride it around the block on Saturday afternoon.

You pay for quality. But you pay even more for small, light, portable,
convenient, exotic and sexy. None of that should be mistaken for good.
(After all, the consumer's idea of a great camera is a smart phone!)

World shipments of digital cameras have declined over 70% since 2011.
The camera industry has responded by:
* cutting costs
* keeping prices high
* maintaining incompatible lens mounts, so lens brands do not compete head on
* continuing to set prices, rather than letting them be determined by supply and demand.

The latest cost-cutting measure is mirrorless (MILCs) -- much cheaper to assemble
than DLSRs. Plus the EVF can do things that an optical viewfinder can't do:
like drain the battery and introduce a time lag. Gee whiz high-tech!

Even better, you get to replace all your Nikon or Canon DSLR lenses! What fun!
(And think of how that will help to support the high standard of living in Japan.)

The number of lens mounts has just doubled in a shrinking market--that's unsutainable.
Though they won't admit it, the plan is for F-mount and EF-mount to go away.
(which will ll put hundreds of thousands of excellent F and EF lenses on the
used market).

Just say "no". Buy a used film camera.

If you don't mind paying more for a used lens, a 4" x 5" sheet film camera loaded with B&W
film can have better resolution, dynamic range and depth-of-field than any camera made by
Nikon or Canon -- at a fraction of the price.

Even a medium format 120/220 roll film camera will perform as well as a digital camera
costing $6000 or more. Of course it's not as convenient--boo hoo.

Gee, why do Don McCullin and Bruce Barnbaum shoot film? Maybe because they
aren't rich and they want results like the following--
McCullin:
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/00/0e/65/000e65f77b7ccf4272d1fdd3ce209e48.jpg
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/00/0e/65/000e65f77b7ccf4272d1fdd3ce209e48.jpg
Barnbaum:
http://www.afterimagegallery.com/barnbaumswiftcurrent.jpg
http://www.fourfriendsgallery.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Bruce-Barnbaum03-1.jpg
http://www.fourfriendsgallery.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Bruce-Barnbaum04-1.jpg

The decisions to heat your house with a nuclear reactor or to take photographs
with a computer turn out to be rather expensive and complicated. Moreover, it
makes you dependent on vendors and locks you into certain brands. To heck with that.

Bill_de Loc: US

There is a flip side to all this. I know a number of people who put so much effort into saving money that they don't realize they could earn twice what they save with half the effort. All they would need to do is retune their thought process.

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Dr.Nikon Loc: Honolulu Hawaii

Nicely put blue ...

CADGUY Loc: Watsonville, CA

My grandfather was a very good photographer using a Kodak Brownee camera. I have had 4X5 down to 35mm film camera's and the main difference I've seen is that the larger the format, the more I could blow up the negative and still have good sharpness. I have no desire to print larger than 11" X 14".
I now have a Nikon D40 that I don't think I will upgrade because I'm happy with it, it does all I want.

duck72 Loc: Laurel Ridge, PA

"Tripod trolls" (and $$ attachments) are among the worst. Just sayin' too. Yes, a $50 tripod might be a "little" rickety. We get it.

Largobob

Oh, Linda....please say it ain't so! Not an M4/3's and lenses? Have you no respect?

<big grin>

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Although you always hear that it's the photographer, not the gear, that takes the picture, gear makes a big difference. A professional photographer is not going to shop at the Salvation Army to buy his equipment.

Jimmy T Loc: Virginia

Not my intent to hijack this thread. I must say that I look up to both Gene and Linda for their civility, and always providing great technical and practical photographic information. Thank you both for ALL that you do!

catchlight.. Loc: Wisconsin USA- Halden Norway

Lots of Trolls out there for sure that will give bad advise...

It took a long time for digital to catch up to film, and it still is not finished evolving.

Sometimes you can loose your way and miss out on what is possible because someone (or a forum) convinces you not to spend. They may have a conservative personality or themselves go beyond an amateur level. There are many different types of cameras and lenses that do different things.

I personally would recommend for you to buy the best "used" camera you can find that suites the direction you feel strongly about... That will get you much further than paying retail for a ho hum camera with poor glass.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

I’d submit that smart pros are good business people. They start modestly and become proficient. Then they buy the good stuff on the revenue they generate from good work. The smartest ones are choosy. They only buy the essential items for frequent use. They rent exotic lenses and other items needed for special jobs.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

ALWAYS good advice. There’s plenty of great used gear available.

Jimmy T Loc: Virginia

I guess that I am one of the folks that you are talking about. Photography is my passion. I have a Canon 6D, 5DIV, and two Canon "L" zoom lenses. A lot of $$$ to be sure, however, the expense has been spread over the past twelve years, that were planned for and "saved-up" for. Another thing that I might add is that I am the "Poster Boy" for not being able to buy a good shot by using high-end equipment, grin. Until recently, I was pretty sure that I wouldn't spend any more on Canon gear if they hadn't come out with their new EOS R mirror-less line. I'm saving for that now, grin. Remember to always use an adjustable camera (it makes you feel like you are in charge, grin) and learn from your mistakes. What other hobby lets you shoot people and cut off their heads??? Now please, don't get me started on golf . . . Merry Christmas and a Healthy, Happy New Year to You and Yours, Remembering the Reason for the Season, JimmyT Sends.