KM-25
Well-known
Nice!
As far as Leica goes, I sold everything but one M3 and a 50 which I figured is all I needed and I was right. The only reason I would have considered an M9 or better is quiet, discreet shooting that Leica is known for but the X100 does a good bit better, bring on the X100s...
In terms of other cameras, I sold my D700s when the D800 came out and they had over 150,000 frames on them a piece. Besides the new X100s the D800 might be the last digital camera I ever buy due to how fast I am getting out of the digital rat race for paid work and really giving black and white fine art a go. By the end of this year, it looks like an all film and darkroom based workflow will make up about 50% of my annual income, what a freaking relief, hardly anymore digital!
Personally, I think the heyday of the spending sprees for big fat DSLRS are going to come to an end in the next 5-8 years and companies like Nikon and Canon with loads of near "Kodak" levels of corporate hubris are going to really be hurting. Leica, well, the cameras are definitely expensive as far as digital goes but the glass is just utterly stratospheric. And in an age where most photos are viewed at a fraction of their actual potential resolution or quality.....?....who knows how long this game of Seal-like vanity and photo-jewelry will show a profit for them.
I believe photography as we have known it is going to split into two distinct genres in the next 10 years:
1. Photography that is practiced in the traditional sense regardless of it being digital or film, will represent about 10% of what people see or are shown: "Photography".
2. Instagraming along the vein of the machine gun web posting of anything and everything that anyone with a smart phone sees fit, this will represent 90% of the still images the world consumes: "Instography".
Kind of looks like the ratio of film versus digital now that causes people to say things like "Film is Dead"....
In ten years those same kinds of one liner people will be saying "Photography is Dead".....mark my words..it's already happening and all because of lovely digital and the wondrous internet....
Bike Tourist
Well-known
I sold my last Leica about five years ago. My D600 is overkill for my microstock ventures. I can get acceptances with the Panasonic LX7. But there is the satisfaction of working with the larger camera and its lenses.
I think, for most people, the image uses are mostly online which tends to obscure the quality differences in the original file. I can;t remember the last time I made a print (or ordered one to be made).
Too bad.
I think, for most people, the image uses are mostly online which tends to obscure the quality differences in the original file. I can;t remember the last time I made a print (or ordered one to be made).
Too bad.
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Who cares? How long was the M4 'top dog'? And how many are still in use? As long as a camera does what you want, why change it? I can't say I have a burning desire to dump my M9 ('top dog' for just 3 years) and replace it with a Typ 240.
If your camera doesn't do what you NEED, and you're relying on it to earn a living, that's another matter. But as you say, how many people are in that situation? And how many, even of them, really need the 'upgrade' anyway?
You gave some very specific examples, such as sports photography, but even then, how much is down to ultra-fast autofocus and how much depends on knowing where to point the camera?
Finally, one of the things you pay for with a professional camera is durability, the ability to stand prolonged use -- which you're unlikely to get with a snapshot camera.
Cheers,
R.
willie_901
Veteran
I am still using two D700 bodies for gigs. I have no plans to upgrade until one of them breaks or is stolen. I have no plans for lenses either.
I can't decide to buy the next Fuji XTrans OVF/EVF body update or skip a XTrans release. My X-Pro 1 will become the back up for that one. I will also pick up two more XF lenses when they are released. This will complete my personal kit.
Until there is a fundimental breakthrough in sensor technology, I don't think about future camera purchases. Right now we digitize 40 to 50% of the light. If that number is significantly increased then my interest in new cameras will increase too.
On the other hand I did just spent just over $3K upgrading my 42 month old computer system. The old system is in storage as a back up. I will probably spend $300 more on external drives this year as well. This was money well spent as my post processing time per job has decreased.
I already ordered more prints this year (for myself) from the lab than all of last year. So money I might have spent chasing new Nikon stuff will go into prints.
I can't decide to buy the next Fuji XTrans OVF/EVF body update or skip a XTrans release. My X-Pro 1 will become the back up for that one. I will also pick up two more XF lenses when they are released. This will complete my personal kit.
Until there is a fundimental breakthrough in sensor technology, I don't think about future camera purchases. Right now we digitize 40 to 50% of the light. If that number is significantly increased then my interest in new cameras will increase too.
On the other hand I did just spent just over $3K upgrading my 42 month old computer system. The old system is in storage as a back up. I will probably spend $300 more on external drives this year as well. This was money well spent as my post processing time per job has decreased.
I already ordered more prints this year (for myself) from the lab than all of last year. So money I might have spent chasing new Nikon stuff will go into prints.