I agree with majority of what you've said, I'm still excited to buy a pricey glass for my ancient Canon, but a lot of what you just said only applies to studio photography. When you're out on a rough evening hike through the mountains, and take a super sharp picture with a handheld 600mm, with ridiculously high ISO, but barely any grain, and the whole setup weighs less than a DSLR body, you start to appreciate how far the camera bodies have improved over the last decade. All the stabilisation systems, dual ISOs, new sensors and all that jazz, doesn't matter when it's on a tripod with lights around, but that's only one scenario out of the huge variety of types of photography.
My thoughts as well. I think it's a mix of both, the changes from model to model are indeed not as big as they're being advertised. But over the years, they can still make a huge difference. When I was new to photography, I was able to take decent pictures with my 2019 camera that my friend with his 2012 camera wouldn't even try. ISO performance has evolved so much in recent years, along with image stabilization and autofocus, that it really does make a difference when you're shooting in difficult lighting situations.
@@holdfast5332 Sorry I don't quite understand how I missed the point. I clearly stated that what he mentioned applies mainly to studio photography, where you have super controlled conditions with lights, stands, reflectors, etc. There is a time and place for every type of equipment, also for that drone you've mentioned. In the scenario I've described there is a big chance I couldn't safely or legally use a drone (for example: national park, airport proximity, wild animals, etc) and even if I could, it's not going to replace the look, ease of use and speed of 600mm lens. Even if that mountain goat decided to wait 10min for me to set up the drone, it would most likely run away when I would fly the drone anywhere close to it. I do use drones, gopros, new fancy cameras, old cameras with vintage manual lenses, and each one of them has a valid use in different scenarios and final look, that often you cannot replicate with any other gear.
Thanks for this. I have a teenage daughter who is getting into photography and, like most people her age, she easily falls for the marketing hype regarding new camera bodies. I always try to explain to her that you spend most of your money on glass, not the body. Better to have a pro lens on a consumer body vs. the other way around. But why would she listen to me? - I'm just her father that has been taking pictures for 20 years. What do I know? Better it comes from an actual pro. I'll share this video with her ASAP.
Agree on lenses ... but also think most serious amateur photographer understand their importance and grave the good ones (and spend serious money on them). Not sure about lighting and lighting modifiers. Clearly, if you do portraits this may be important, but a lot of amateur photographers focus on landscapes and street
I think amateurs rotate through bodies because their photos aren’t great in the beginning. So they look for a magic solution. The answer isn’t a new camera body it’s learning. Whether it’s TH-cam, taking a photography course or reading a book (e.g. Understanding Exposure), they won’t progress until they practice what they are learning by taking lots of photos. I went through this stage myself, thinking I’d outgrown my camera. But it wasn’t true then, and it isn’t true now. Most people will never outgrow their equipment. Once I learned to invest in quality glass the images I produced were far better than anything I’d obtained by switching bodies. I’m now comfortable on old equipment, not needing to jump ever couple years between bodies or even systems. However there are some “professional” TH-camrs out there I see pushing people to jump systems particularly to Fuji and Leica (a few years ago everyone was jumping to Sony). It’s a big investment for people to switch especially if they’ve invested in lenses and I find their “gear” videos are just encouraging the problem. Thanks for telling us what real photographers invest in!
Thanks for this Marina, very good advice and so true. Am new to the photography world and was looking for the magic solution. Glad I did not buy a new camera (I have an EOS R) will invest in light modifiers and lenses instead.
It really does boil down to how good the photographer is. We always seem to get into conversations about gear and it all goes back to the person behind the camera. I still go back to my basic fundamentals and they never fail. Different tools for different reasons. Thanks for sharing!
I started my photography journey with the random Nikon DSLR I found in the closet. I bought a "better than kit lens" and went shooting. Every upgrade in equipment I've done has been informed by my pictures. Better focus for shooting moving birds; more keepers. More megapixels; I can crop further and get a decent picture. Better strap; don't drop the camera.
If you're doing studio work or working in some other controlled seeing the camera really doesn't matter much. Get into concert photography and the difference between that 10 year old camera and the low light sensitivity of my a7iv is actually very substantial. Right tool for the right job imo 🙃 but if you don't know why you need that camera upgrade it's probably a waste
There’s a few upgrades that improved my imagery and workflow. Upgrading to premium glass and a flash with fast recycle time has been the biggest impact. One thing that sucks at a event or shoot is waiting for the flash to recycle. If I want the image to look grungy, I can always add something in front of the lens. During my years as an assistant, I’ve noticed many professional photographers use a standard kit. For example, one fine art photographer uses of Canon 430 as his main flash, but he uses Canon L glass . Another photographer only uses a plastic 50mm and 100mm 1.8 as her main lens. So it definitely depends on our preference and workflow. I also believe a particular technique used by a photographer highlights their creative ability. This can include lighting, storytelling, presentation, and composition which gives an overall feel to their imagery. The one thing we should never skimp on is confidence, research, and action.
Batteries. People are willing to settle for Chinese brand 3rd party batteries. Not I. I need OEM canon, GoPro, Sony batteries. Reliability matters and starts with batteries.
I would suggest to amateurs not to hurry and go by too much gear and use one light to start and do the best out of it and then slowly add. I saw amateurs getting a ton of lights and the result was really bad
You're the antithesis of a TH-cam photographer. The only time most of them will tell you the general "Gear doesn't matter." Is as a pallette cleanser before trying to sell you more new shit. Thank you for doing the lord's work 🙌🏼
Ha... I shoot with a 15 year old camera, the 5d mark II because I like the filmlike look. And lets face it, with the human eye being only able to see how many pixels... you can only go so far, unless you plan on blowing the print up to the size of a barn door. I would affirm that it also has something to do with confidence. Those pros who use those 15 year bodies are confident it'll do what they want it to do. The one go-to lens I have 24-70 f4, has a macro mode which is a throwback from the 90's.
I just upgraded a year ago from the 5d II after having it for more than 10 years. I loved the camera, but the R5 I bought completely blows it out of the water. That being said, I'll keep my R5 at least 10 or 15 years if it holds out. Bodies are more important than they used to be. IBIS that works with the in lens IS makes tripods darn near unnecessary. I know, let the derogatory comments start. Shutter speeds are amazing, so if you are taking action shots, it is easier to catch that moment. High ISO performance and dynamic range are better. This doesn't mean getting the best glass isn't important; in fact, it may be more important with the high-resolution sensors. I love my L glass and prefer it, although Sigma Art lenses are intriguing, and one or two may be in my future if/when they can make RF mount versions. The Canon RF15-35 f2.8 is outrageously good.
did you confuse eye AF with eye controlled AF? They are completely different things. For example a wedding or portrait photographer it is very helpful to know that the picture will be sharp, and on the eye perfectly. Do that with a 1ds 10 frames/second.... You are a pro, with lot of knowledge, but on your own field. Photographing things on table. They are not moving, and you have plenty of time to takethe shot. For that kind of shooting yes, a 15 years old box is very fine.
Well said Thomas Scott is very focused on his specialty. Shoot wild life or landscape you want light kit with quick focus. Can’t ask an owl to hop back on a branch as you missed the shot! The body and focus ability counts. Scott has done weddings and yes you can do them on an old DSLR, agree lenses are very important here but again so are the bodies to reduce fatigue at the end of a 12 hour day. The wedding pro I was shooting with last month was after a new body that would do silent shooting high frame rate with no rolling shutter. They had modern lenses, but Who wants the sound of a flapping mirror when your making your vows on your special day.
In my opinion the body is important but in different ways than the lens. I think some mentioned focus stacking, tracking, better sensor less noise, fps - all very important depending on what you are doing. I don’t think it’s all hype, features are added based on the needs of photographers that have always been there and technology is finally making some of these features possible. IBIS, and focus peaking are huge fairly recent improvements and IBIS can reduce the cost of glass as you don’t necessarily need to buy lenses with optical image stabilization which drives lens costs up. There are many settings that can be used on today’s cameras to help the photographer in ways a lens cannot, and these are getting better as they evolve and will only get better with the evolution in AI. Look at phone cameras and where they are compared to where they’ve been and it’s not all improvements in the lenses. Lenses are important, and are good investments as they do not depreciate nearly as quickly as the bodies, but disregarding technological improvement to the bodies as just hype I would say is incorrect. Most importantly though is the photographers understanding of the use of these features built into the bodies, their own creativity, and their understanding of all their gear as well as software that is used in post. It all works together and the tough part is deciding what we truly need, it’s different for everyone. As an amateur/hobbyist, I invest in good lenses, good bodies, and good software… I don’t buy all the stuff pro’s buy because I’m not professional, but I do want to be the best I can be and that means I do need good equipment including some of the features of the new bodies, high fps for wildlife photography, silent electronic shutter, good video capabilities, IBIS, focus peaking, EVF - are all game changers with the newer bodies for me… it’s not hype, it’s helped me a lot.
Yes when I was a camera sales person I always told the my favourite clients, for others my job was to convince them the body they bought last year was crap and this years model was the best thing since slice bread. ( True story only the names of the innocent have been changed )
Looking into a video camera at the moment as my EOS R has issues with video (focus breathing being the main issue - but learning to overcome with manual focus). But my best purchase and now something I won’t skimp on are definitely modifiers. After purchasing my first Broncolor modifier, I bought a second and now won’t buy anything else. I am looking at a second hand reflector dish but need to keep my “I want it” voice in check. Next best purchase was the 5DSR (looking to get a backup body in the near future) which has been an awesome camera to use along with the EOS R (such a workhorse of a body for a great price and at 30mpx, Canon doesn’t have anything else to replace it for photos).
Thanks for this, you made a thing click in my brain, I used to be a mechanic, and I drive an old beater… and it’s great because it could get destroyed and I wouldn’t care, and it’s a tool, nothing more. Wish cars were as modular as modern camera systems though.
SO nice to hear an upvote for Nikons these days!!! I grew up with that brilliant minimalist 60s advertising slogan: just a glorious B&W picture, and the slogan: "For the photographer who wants Nikon pictures!" So I have used many, still do, and love 'em. As the world has turned to Canons, Sonys, and Fujis... I can only say, Nikons still take a lovely photo....
What I refuse is to buy camera bodies. I have one. It works, and not a top of the line by any means. It was a gift. An entry level camera. I have three lenses , two off camera speedlites, softbox, batteries, lighting, transmitters, backgrounds and recently a cheap monolight . I want to create. I want to evolve. I don’t have the budget for pro bodies and gear. It is much better than spending 6,000 on one body and lens and only having that to work with. Know your gear. Know its limitations. Make it a part of you. Of course there is composition, rule of thirds, exposure triangle, lens compression etc. it is what the photographer does with what they have. Not the camera.
Agreed. Not a pro. Done some work though. Met Joel Grimes and took an in person class of his. Nice guy. Said many similar things and we got to test and see them. Bought 1 highly rated lens and I could see that difference. So stunningly clear images. Same camera. New images. Thank you this your video should help a few, including me.
Tether tools cables are definitely a bit dodgy now, you're the second person I've heard mention Area 51 cables, will have to check them out. I don't totally agree on the camera body comment, I think your possibly coming at it from a studio / product angle, forgetting that shooting moving subjects, especially at wide apertures, the newer bodies can make a Huge difference. 'Pro photographer' covers a wide range of disciplines, and I totally get that most won't need the 'new fancy tech' but it's definitely super useful in some areas, if you know it will save you a decent amount of time, money or stress, then it's possibly worth the upgrade. Not to say I haven't been totally guilty of buying some updates I didn't' need 🙈 but others have been a huge help. Great points on the whole though 🙌
I agree, I spend my money on lenses but I cannot afford to upgrade often. I'm will get a 2nd hand D850, a Zeiss Milvus 15mmF2.8 and a 2nd hand 400mmF2.8 G VR to my Nikon system. I use D700 and D800E today. I stay in the F-system but in the future I will get a Fuji GFX 100S for landscape due to be able to crop to panorama without losing to much Mpix.
Great video very informative as a professional photographer Los Angeles my go to light is a ring light and the rest of my lights I’ve had forever are Normans some of my heads I’ve had for the last 30 years plus and they still work like you said light is light!
Hi Scott, question: Whenever you have your 100mm Zeiss Milvus on video, you always call it the "makro-planar" version, while also stating it's the newer version with the lens coating. Based on Zeiss' product catalog however (!), the Zeiss Makro-Planar T 100mm f/2 came out first, in 2010, and was then followed by the Zeiss Milvus 2/100M (special coating version), in 2015. Could you clarify which one it is we are seeing in your videos, or what the mix-up is here? Thanks!
The eye Af of the 80's was not the same thing at all, it did not focus on the subjects eye, what it did was use ir sensors in the eye piece to determine what area of the viewfinder you was looking at and change the af spot to roughly that area, it was very crude, very flaky and was quickly abandoned, gotta say as a landscape photographer it's not relevant but when shooting birds it's a game changer, many portrait photographers swear by it too and not just the shills promoting products who never ever ever critique a product.
100%, not needed for all work, but for some industries / situations, its incredibly useful. Also feels daft investing in good glass for a Lens mount that's being replaced.
Great advice. Lens is everything, just upgraded my canon 70-200 f2.8 I purchased 13 years ago second hand with the RF version, that old lens has made who knows how much for me over the years, was a no brainer to upgrade to the RF version now I’m looking to go full RF mount. Have never understood the whole upgrade your camera body every year and those that seem to do it are the ones that don’t need the performance advantages of yearly new tech, they would be better of honing their craft.
On the post-production side of things, I have seen tremendous value in not skimping on a powerful computer and robust/diverse file backup solutions. Fortunately I have really only ever had one instance of a shoot getting corrupted, but backups saved the work and kept things organized so there was hardly a hiccup in my workflow
Backing up is so important. If a digital file doesn't exist on three devices (one of which is off-site), it is at risk. I use SyncToy because although it is dated and amateurish, it is simple and it works. The other thing with backups is constant curation - backups take up time and space. Backing up junk or unnecessary duplicates wastes both of those which discourages prompt backing up. I have a workflow policy of only bringing forward the keepers. I only pull off the cards the things I want to keep - the junk gets erased when I format the card for next use. That gives me a short time to change my mind. I frequently have "For Trash" folders where I put files that have served their purpose and won't need to be retained after the project is finished. Again, that gives me a short time to change my mind but saves me having to go back and clean-up later because I never find time to do that.
where we can buy that cables in EU? im sick of tethertools... they dont work.... sometimes i lost 30min for then to start to work, and in the middle of the shoot they stop again :(
I make a very comfortable living shooting special portraits and I use a D700 and an 85mm Nikon f1.8 AF-D lens. I tried a Zeiss for $1000 and I could not see the difference. Peter Coulson uses a $5000 75mm Leica M Summicron on a Leica S 24MP body. He is booked out for months.
I never used a tether cable. As for the lens. I can't afford a expensive one. I need to get booked for 20 shoots to afford a expensive one. But it's a bit of the story of the chicken and the egg on that.. right now I got a body and a 50mm, it will have to do till I get more bookings. As for the lights I use Godox light with Godox modifiers. Best thing my money allows me to buy.
i dont get the obsession with metal lens hoods. i'd much rather have a plastic lens hood. they weight less and in the event of an impact they are more elastic and therefore capable of absorbing shock and warping out of the way rather than deforming or transferring that shock directly to the lens. they are also less reflective and will give less of a glare from reflections bouncing off the inside of the hood onto the front element.
I was in around $3500.00 with the first camera and lens I purchased new. I have purchased two more lens since then for around the same amount, but the last lens, my EF 100-400 L II, I purchased used and saved over $1000.00. I believe buying yesterdays latest and greatest is the way to go with most everything. The Canon 5D MK iv, and 5DSR are overkill for most hobbyist, and if you have a good collection of EF lens already, they are a no brainer. The Canon R5 in five more years will probably be old tech at a lot lower price, and it will still be impressive. It appears the shutterless revelation is about come on big time in camera world, and TH-cam salesmen will be convincing the masses that their R5 is ancient. Everyone needs an AI controlled camera with a 100mp sensor, that shoots 120fps, and stacks 20 of them into the perfect picture of ducks, landscapes, and fakebook selfies.
Thanks for this non commercial, non biaised video! I fully agree and put the emphasis on the same philosophy on my channel. Old cameras are doing a great job up until now and to do so, depending on the result the photographer wants to achieve, they deserve high quality lenses.
The difference between what you buy for business and I’d buy for hobby is my horizon for use is far broader yet less critical. Your beautiful resolving lens may not be my choice for photographing a Grizzly at 100 meters. My hobby includes shooting macro, studio, landscape, portrait, wildlife, street and Astro. The breadth of tools prohibits investing beyond L series glass… however much l’d like to. Thank you for another enjoyable diversion.
Hmm - metal lens cap - terrible because in an impact it will transfer force to the bayonet.. better a bit of plastic that will absorb some energy then pop off. Expensive lenses ? 70-200 f4 is susually fine (yes Ive had things like 85 .12) Bueaty dish? Round highlight in the eyes look stupid because highlights are usually caused by window which are usually square. Better a £25 softbox. Happy shooting :)
You called it GEAR instead of KIT! Are you pandering to a broader (American) audience? j/k great content as ALWAYS !! Can I say this: I got a little "excited" when I heard you flick the metal ring of the lens...PS Love the audio modifier (@3:02)
I see a similarity in amateurs obsessed with new camera bodies and pros obsessed with lenses and gear. Both seem to spend more time spending lots of money than shooting pictures. One of the most amazing photographers I know goes out to shoot every day with a cheap phone and comes back with gold. But I understand that investing in reliable gear is insurance against failure when you're being paid to deliver.
What is your personal opinion of the Canon EOS 5DS vs the new Canon EOS R5? Is it worth purchasing a used EOS 5DS over an EOS R5? Curious of your opinion from your experience with the EOS 5DS. Thanks
I shoot live music with a Nikon D3S, and seems like every show I shoot the other photographers have got a new camera, asking me if I’m not upgrading soon. Well that old Nikon can focus in almost complete darkness, and will produce excellent shots at iso 12800 if exposed properly. I can even pull that up a full stop in post if necessary. No reason to spend two grand or more on a mirrorless. My money is in the glass and editing tools (iPad pro/Mac mini M2). Got a D810 for studio/slower work, beautiful 36mp files. No need to upgrade that either. Lights, modifiers and glass, and boom stands to make my life easier.
I've been shooting since the 80s ( 35mm / 6x7 / 4x5 / 8x10 ) and I am surprised that you shoot with old Canons with limited dynamic range compared to something from the last 10 years. The newer sensors have much better dynamic range than the old ones. Looking at your portfolio the lighting looks a little harsh ( you've got top of the line Braun lighting gear ), and I'm sure some of that is from shooting with old Canon sensors.
I absolutely agree it's all about the lenses! I will add to that though software and computer kit and a wealth of knowledge using the software really helps, maybe because I am a designer and photographer I have a bias, but I don’t think I am alone in this as it’s predominantly photography these days.
In defence of the plastic lens hood, it does the same job as a metal one. It's lighter. It absorbs shock better if knocked or dropped, without damaging the lens. Still overpriced though.
I'm an amateur travel photographer and get through camera bodies like Kodakchrome 64. Lenses last, bodies don't. I've just purchased my 5th body in 8 years.
So I have a Sony 24 prime 1.4, A Sony 24-70 GMii and a 70-200gmii. I use the Sony A7iii for photos, and I feel I need the A1 version 2 when it comes out. Maybe if I learned how to use manual focus, I wouldnt think I need the best of the best. What I see with my photos as a newer hobbiest with 30 years of hobby experience, I continually miss shots. Especially action shots. I suck at manual focus, and the person never is in the right spot or pose, and I feel I need a more FPS with high pixels to crop. I bought the sony A7iii for video, I wanted to do youtube and that was the best at the time for it, so being I invested in somy G Master lenses. I really cant go to a older model of camera for these lenses.
I will not skimp on camera batteries. As a Nikon shooter I only use Nikon batteries. I only use SanDisk SD memory cards. Nikon, Sony, or Delkin XQD cards.
Excelletn advice. I alwats tell folks getting into photography not to spend too much money on the camera body. Spend your money on the glass. I tell them that buying a $5,000 dollar camera body then adding a $300 lens is like getting lasic surgery then wearing kiddie sunglasses. Cheap glass usually turns into hours on the computer correcting for lens distortions unless, you're wanting those distortions for creative purposes.
Tether Tools sucks!! The worst! When I think of all the time I wasted talking to Nikon Pro Services only to find out the problem was Tether Tools!! Area 51 is far superior!! I have not had one disconnect since witching over a year ago. It was daily with Tether Tools. Awful. #thieves
I wish I had seen this before I bought my Tether tools USB-C to USB-C cable. Oddly, it does work on my PC, but when it comes to my laptop it doesn't work at all. It is a real pain.
Thanks again for your Video! ......... Some items especially for Videography would be: Universal Batteries (NP-F &/or V-Mount).....you can adapt these to any camera and they will relief you of the major PITA of handling multiple batteries & chargers .....also bought a lot of them used......v-mounts for 50€ all day long because no one else would trust a used battery.....but you can buy 8 instead of 1.....of 6 v-mounts i bought for very cheap (one even for 20€+shipping ) only one had a defect (did discharge very fast.....yes the 20€one but was also listed as "untested" so i should've known better)......maybe they don'T have full capacity anymore but the should be at least at 70-80% from what i can tell (but i didn't measure anything ).......
But, if amateurs don't buy tons of unnecessary gear, the equipment production would be so niche we'd all be paying Hasselblad prices for Pentax quality.
I have to disagree being an armature wildlife photographer newer bodies are fundamental for things like faster AF and faster fps and many other tricks can make the difference between getting the shot and not but not to say i don't love a good lens, I love a good lens
When I go birding, I can tell the pro's apart from the pro-sumers based on their gear choices. I frequently see an R5 body ($3700 USD) rocking a Sigma 150-600mm ($989) because they spent so much money on their camera body, they have no money left for good telephoto glass. Meanwhile, I will regularly see a pro still using an old Canon 7D (14 year old body, $250 USD on eBay) with a Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II ($12,999 USD) lens + a 1.4x extender ($449 USD) because what matters more than anything is the glass. They know what's up! I have befriended some of these pro folks with their "crappy camera bodies" but amazing glass and you better believe me when I say it. The photos they get with their prime glass is next level amazing. They have literally no shortage of jaw dropping stunners in their collection of shots. tldr; preach the glass advice! Technique, persistence, and glass will churn out keepers!
I just bought a 7D about five years since I sold my original one. I am amazed at what it can do - if you don’t blow any highlights. I caught the upgrade bug in that five years and that was semi successful, but I consigned the 7D to history because I didn’t get great results from it back then. It turns out knowledge and experience actually make a difference and blaming the old equipment in our rush to buy “new stuff” is and was a mistake!
So funny you mentioned a mechanics car. My dad now 72 has been a mechanic since he was 15, has never had a “nice” car but he’s also never had one that’s broken down or had to be recalled for a new engine (I’m thinking of Range Rovers here) loving your videos man.
I wish, I could afford better lenses, than the ones I have, but I can't justify the expense to myself since photography is how I unwind after work - it will never be how I earn a living. Where I can justify the expense is on redundant storage. It doesn't change the quality of the photos of course, but making sure photos aren't lost if an external hard drive dies or a cloud storage option is hacked or goes out of business, are money well spent.
Yes! I’ve been shooting for a long time (and used to be an assistant to a number of excellent commercial photographers) and what you say is the truth. People so often chase all the wrong things and wonder why it doesn’t make their work any better. Also, for people wanting good lighting gear, old strobes from the 80s and 90s really do represent a fantastic value. I paid the equivalent of about US $200 for my current Profoto kit and it’s all I need. Good modifiers can be staggeringly expensive, but it should also be said that you can get very close indeed by modifying cheaper modifiers or just building your own. I recently built my own Profoto ProBox equivalent, it’s working great, and cost me under $50 to make.
Absolutely love my Think Tank bag. I had a Manfrotto one but the zipper blew out on it and it dropped my 85mm F1.4 out. Thankfully all the damage was easily repaired at home. The robust zippers on the Think Tank bags is everything I needed to see after that. I have also been enjoying my Shimoda bag for hiking. Waterproofing over the zippers is brilliant.
The funny thing is the number of channels devoted to gear lust. They just show off the newest while I still use a 27 year old lens and a 15 year old camera that puts out stunning photographs.
This is great to know. Its the same with audio equipment. You don't need new speakers since those things hasn't changed since the 80s. The receiver is where the technology is.
I spend my money on two things. 1 lenses, specifically prime lenses. 2 lighting, weather it is a speed light or studio strobe you have to have good lighting.
Totally agree about old gear. I know than Broncolor and Profoto are top of the top in terms of quality and understand their high prices. On the other hand, I still use a Balcar Jet 1600 w.s with some light modifiers. Typical "savoir-faire français" with nice results.
My last 2 cameras were used ones. People forget that decent pics were been taken years ago with this now older gear. The crappy thing is batteries…old gear has after market batteries that never as good as the original.
Oh, how I love obsessing with gear! Sometimes I fear I am more a collector then a photographer… But I was able to restrict my GAS somewhat. I started out with an Olympus E-M10 about 8 years ago. My kit lens was awful. I heard the good advice soon and started adding lenses, first the really good Oly premium primes, 25mm, 45mm… then later the fantastic Oly 40-150mm f/2.8 pro zoom. Wow, that was a revelation! Added the E-M5 mk3 body with the grip for better balance and the 12-14mm f/2.8, then the 7-14mm f/2.8 to complete the holy trinity of Oly pro zooms… Yeah, lenses all the way! Recently I bought a used OM System OM-1 body. My first pro body! Great learning experience and a fantastic piece of kit with the right glass… Along came the 75mm f/1.8 and the 17mm f/1.8, the 20mm f/1.4 pro and the 45mm f/1.2 pro and finally the most fantastic 12-100mm f/4 pro… I needed a bigger bag too 😂 But now the 12-100 together with the 20 fit in the small bag I started with and cover most of my normal shooting needs. I would add to your advice: don’t switch systems, get all the greatest lenses for the system you have! I am so happy with MFT because the lenses are great and comparatively affordable. I love shooting people and my fast glass gives me all the shallow depth of field I long for. Did I mention how small and light the lenses are compared to full frame? These days I added my first full frame body, an Olympus OM-1 SLR from the 70ies with the Zuiko 50mm f/1.4, because I want to shoot that manual film glory for practice to improve my skills and maybe later some artistic reasons. There I go down the rabbit hole. I might need more vintage lenses and maybe, maybe a Yashica to try medium format film… but this is reserved for later, if I really catch fire with the film manual shooting ways. And it probably does not mean that I will drop shooting digital at all. LOL, I am just an enthusiast but man, I am addicted…
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I agree with majority of what you've said, I'm still excited to buy a pricey glass for my ancient Canon, but a lot of what you just said only applies to studio photography. When you're out on a rough evening hike through the mountains, and take a super sharp picture with a handheld 600mm, with ridiculously high ISO, but barely any grain, and the whole setup weighs less than a DSLR body, you start to appreciate how far the camera bodies have improved over the last decade. All the stabilisation systems, dual ISOs, new sensors and all that jazz, doesn't matter when it's on a tripod with lights around, but that's only one scenario out of the huge variety of types of photography.
Exactly my thoughts. Thanks for bringing this to attention.
My thoughts as well. I think it's a mix of both, the changes from model to model are indeed not as big as they're being advertised. But over the years, they can still make a huge difference. When I was new to photography, I was able to take decent pictures with my 2019 camera that my friend with his 2012 camera wouldn't even try. ISO performance has evolved so much in recent years, along with image stabilization and autofocus, that it really does make a difference when you're shooting in difficult lighting situations.
@@holdfast5332 Sorry I don't quite understand how I missed the point. I clearly stated that what he mentioned applies mainly to studio photography, where you have super controlled conditions with lights, stands, reflectors, etc.
There is a time and place for every type of equipment, also for that drone you've mentioned. In the scenario I've described there is a big chance I couldn't safely or legally use a drone (for example: national park, airport proximity, wild animals, etc) and even if I could, it's not going to replace the look, ease of use and speed of 600mm lens. Even if that mountain goat decided to wait 10min for me to set up the drone, it would most likely run away when I would fly the drone anywhere close to it.
I do use drones, gopros, new fancy cameras, old cameras with vintage manual lenses, and each one of them has a valid use in different scenarios and final look, that often you cannot replicate with any other gear.
Thanks for this. I have a teenage daughter who is getting into photography and, like most people her age, she easily falls for the marketing hype regarding new camera bodies. I always try to explain to her that you spend most of your money on glass, not the body. Better to have a pro lens on a consumer body vs. the other way around. But why would she listen to me? - I'm just her father that has been taking pictures for 20 years. What do I know? Better it comes from an actual pro. I'll share this video with her ASAP.
Yearp! The most important part of a camera is the lens and not the body.
Let your daughter buy the camera so she can make her own mistake, this is how we evolved.
When it comes to camera gear marketing hype affects any age. GAS is real, and most of us on these pages have had it at some point.
Wait a second... I just typed this same message. I'm so glad I'm not the only one
We ALL learn the hard way 🤣
The reason we fall for it is because, like most people starting out, we start out being poor. 😅😅😅
Agree on lenses ... but also think most serious amateur photographer understand their importance and grave the good ones (and spend serious money on them). Not sure about lighting and lighting modifiers. Clearly, if you do portraits this may be important, but a lot of amateur photographers focus on landscapes and street
I think amateurs rotate through bodies because their photos aren’t great in the beginning. So they look for a magic solution. The answer isn’t a new camera body it’s learning. Whether it’s TH-cam, taking a photography course or reading a book (e.g. Understanding Exposure), they won’t progress until they practice what they are learning by taking lots of photos. I went through this stage myself, thinking I’d outgrown my camera. But it wasn’t true then, and it isn’t true now. Most people will never outgrow their equipment. Once I learned to invest in quality glass the images I produced were far better than anything I’d obtained by switching bodies. I’m now comfortable on old equipment, not needing to jump ever couple years between bodies or even systems. However there are some “professional” TH-camrs out there I see pushing people to jump systems particularly to Fuji and Leica (a few years ago everyone was jumping to Sony). It’s a big investment for people to switch especially if they’ve invested in lenses and I find their “gear” videos are just encouraging the problem. Thanks for telling us what real photographers invest in!
Thanks for this Marina, very good advice and so true. Am new to the photography world and was looking for the magic solution. Glad I did not buy a new camera (I have an EOS R) will invest in light modifiers and lenses instead.
It really does boil down to how good the photographer is. We always seem to get into conversations about gear and it all goes back to the person behind the camera. I still go back to my basic fundamentals and they never fail. Different tools for different reasons. Thanks for sharing!
I started my photography journey with the random Nikon DSLR I found in the closet. I bought a "better than kit lens" and went shooting. Every upgrade in equipment I've done has been informed by my pictures. Better focus for shooting moving birds; more keepers. More megapixels; I can crop further and get a decent picture. Better strap; don't drop the camera.
If you're doing studio work or working in some other controlled seeing the camera really doesn't matter much. Get into concert photography and the difference between that 10 year old camera and the low light sensitivity of my a7iv is actually very substantial. Right tool for the right job imo 🙃 but if you don't know why you need that camera upgrade it's probably a waste
There’s a few upgrades that improved my imagery and workflow. Upgrading to premium glass and a flash with fast recycle time has been the biggest impact. One thing that sucks at a event or shoot is waiting for the flash to recycle. If I want the image to look grungy, I can always add something in front of the lens.
During my years as an assistant, I’ve noticed many professional photographers use a standard kit. For example, one fine art photographer uses of Canon 430 as his main flash, but he uses Canon L glass . Another photographer only uses a plastic 50mm and 100mm 1.8 as her main lens. So it definitely depends on our preference and workflow.
I also believe a particular technique used by a photographer highlights their creative ability. This can include lighting, storytelling, presentation, and composition which gives an overall feel to their imagery.
The one thing we should never skimp on is confidence, research, and action.
Sadly you lost me at "thousands". I just don't have the cash. Fascinating to hear what the top end modifiers can go for though.
Key gear amateur photographer refuses to buy... And proceeds to list items worth tens of thousands of dollars........ Hmmmmmm
Batteries. People are willing to settle for Chinese brand 3rd party batteries. Not I. I need OEM canon, GoPro, Sony batteries. Reliability matters and starts with batteries.
I would suggest to amateurs not to hurry and go by too much gear and use one light to start and do the best out of it and then slowly add. I saw amateurs getting a ton of lights and the result was really bad
You're the antithesis of a TH-cam photographer. The only time most of them will tell you the general "Gear doesn't matter." Is as a pallette cleanser before trying to sell you more new shit. Thank you for doing the lord's work 🙌🏼
I wrote that before seeing the pinned comment about your course, though my own comment still stands 😅
I like my Tether Tools cables. I feel attacked 😅😅😅
Ha... I shoot with a 15 year old camera, the 5d mark II because I like the filmlike look. And lets face it, with the human eye being only able to see how many pixels... you can only go so far, unless you plan on blowing the print up to the size of a barn door.
I would affirm that it also has something to do with confidence. Those pros who use those 15 year bodies are confident it'll do what they want it to do.
The one go-to lens I have 24-70 f4, has a macro mode which is a throwback from the 90's.
I just upgraded a year ago from the 5d II after having it for more than 10 years. I loved the camera, but the R5 I bought completely blows it out of the water. That being said, I'll keep my R5 at least 10 or 15 years if it holds out. Bodies are more important than they used to be. IBIS that works with the in lens IS makes tripods darn near unnecessary. I know, let the derogatory comments start. Shutter speeds are amazing, so if you are taking action shots, it is easier to catch that moment. High ISO performance and dynamic range are better. This doesn't mean getting the best glass isn't important; in fact, it may be more important with the high-resolution sensors. I love my L glass and prefer it, although Sigma Art lenses are intriguing, and one or two may be in my future if/when they can make RF mount versions. The Canon RF15-35 f2.8 is outrageously good.
I never take any advice from a dude who says ... "just buy it."
Are you kidding me?
did you confuse eye AF with eye controlled AF? They are completely different things. For example a wedding or portrait photographer it is very helpful to know that the picture will be sharp, and on the eye perfectly. Do that with a 1ds 10 frames/second....
You are a pro, with lot of knowledge, but on your own field. Photographing things on table. They are not moving, and you have plenty of time to takethe shot. For that kind of shooting yes, a 15 years old box is very fine.
Well said Thomas Scott is very focused on his specialty. Shoot wild life or landscape you want light kit with quick focus. Can’t ask an owl to hop back on a branch as you missed the shot! The body and focus ability counts. Scott has done weddings and yes you can do them on an old DSLR, agree lenses are very important here but again so are the bodies to reduce fatigue at the end of a 12 hour day. The wedding pro I was shooting with last month was after a new body that would do silent shooting high frame rate with no rolling shutter. They had modern lenses, but Who wants the sound of a flapping mirror when your making your vows on your special day.
I bought a Tether Tools cable and it is unusable. It crashes the PC and the camera.
In my opinion the body is important but in different ways than the lens. I think some mentioned focus stacking, tracking, better sensor less noise, fps - all very important depending on what you are doing. I don’t think it’s all hype, features are added based on the needs of photographers that have always been there and technology is finally making some of these features possible. IBIS, and focus peaking are huge fairly recent improvements and IBIS can reduce the cost of glass as you don’t necessarily need to buy lenses with optical image stabilization which drives lens costs up. There are many settings that can be used on today’s cameras to help the photographer in ways a lens cannot, and these are getting better as they evolve and will only get better with the evolution in AI. Look at phone cameras and where they are compared to where they’ve been and it’s not all improvements in the lenses. Lenses are important, and are good investments as they do not depreciate nearly as quickly as the bodies, but disregarding technological improvement to the bodies as just hype I would say is incorrect. Most importantly though is the photographers understanding of the use of these features built into the bodies, their own creativity, and their understanding of all their gear as well as software that is used in post. It all works together and the tough part is deciding what we truly need, it’s different for everyone. As an amateur/hobbyist, I invest in good lenses, good bodies, and good software… I don’t buy all the stuff pro’s buy because I’m not professional, but I do want to be the best I can be and that means I do need good equipment including some of the features of the new bodies, high fps for wildlife photography, silent electronic shutter, good video capabilities, IBIS, focus peaking, EVF - are all game changers with the newer bodies for me… it’s not hype, it’s helped me a lot.
Yes when I was a camera sales person I always told the my favourite clients, for others my job was to convince them the body they bought last year was crap and this years model was the best thing since slice bread. ( True story only the names of the innocent have been changed )
Looking into a video camera at the moment as my EOS R has issues with video (focus breathing being the main issue - but learning to overcome with manual focus). But my best purchase and now something I won’t skimp on are definitely modifiers. After purchasing my first Broncolor modifier, I bought a second and now won’t buy anything else. I am looking at a second hand reflector dish but need to keep my “I want it” voice in check. Next best purchase was the 5DSR (looking to get a backup body in the near future) which has been an awesome camera to use along with the EOS R (such a workhorse of a body for a great price and at 30mpx, Canon doesn’t have anything else to replace it for photos).
Thanks for this, you made a thing click in my brain, I used to be a mechanic, and I drive an old beater… and it’s great because it could get destroyed and I wouldn’t care, and it’s a tool, nothing more. Wish cars were as modular as modern camera systems though.
Ive only just begun photographing and I use old Nikon bodys and they are awesome
SO nice to hear an upvote for Nikons these days!!! I grew up with that brilliant minimalist 60s advertising slogan: just a glorious B&W picture, and the slogan: "For the photographer who wants Nikon pictures!" So I have used many, still do, and love 'em. As the world has turned to Canons, Sonys, and Fujis... I can only say, Nikons still take a lovely photo....
camera body are like underwear or socks :)) for some people
What I refuse is to buy camera bodies. I have one. It works, and not a top of the line by any means. It was a gift. An entry level camera. I have three lenses , two off camera speedlites, softbox, batteries, lighting, transmitters, backgrounds and recently a cheap monolight . I want to create. I want to evolve. I don’t have the budget for pro bodies and gear. It is much better than spending 6,000 on one body and lens and only having that to work with.
Know your gear. Know its limitations. Make it a part of you. Of course there is composition, rule of thirds, exposure triangle, lens compression etc. it is what the photographer does with what they have. Not the camera.
Agreed. Not a pro. Done some work though. Met Joel Grimes and took an in person class of his. Nice guy. Said many similar things and we got to test and see them. Bought 1 highly rated lens and I could see that difference. So stunningly clear images. Same camera. New images. Thank you this your video should help a few, including me.
Tether tools cables are definitely a bit dodgy now, you're the second person I've heard mention Area 51 cables, will have to check them out.
I don't totally agree on the camera body comment, I think your possibly coming at it from a studio / product angle, forgetting that shooting moving subjects, especially at wide apertures, the newer bodies can make a Huge difference. 'Pro photographer' covers a wide range of disciplines, and I totally get that most won't need the 'new fancy tech' but it's definitely super useful in some areas,
if you know it will save you a decent amount of time, money or stress, then it's possibly worth the upgrade.
Not to say I haven't been totally guilty of buying some updates I didn't' need 🙈 but others have been a huge help.
Great points on the whole though 🙌
I agree, I spend my money on lenses but I cannot afford to upgrade often. I'm will get a 2nd hand D850, a Zeiss Milvus 15mmF2.8 and a 2nd hand 400mmF2.8 G VR to my Nikon system. I use D700 and D800E today. I stay in the F-system but in the future I will get a Fuji GFX 100S for landscape due to be able to crop to panorama without losing to much Mpix.
Great video very informative as a professional photographer Los Angeles my go to light is a ring light and the rest of my lights I’ve had forever are Normans some of my heads I’ve had for the last 30 years plus and they still work like you said light is light!
Hi Scott, question: Whenever you have your 100mm Zeiss Milvus on video, you always call it the "makro-planar" version, while also stating it's the newer version with the lens coating. Based on Zeiss' product catalog however (!), the Zeiss Makro-Planar T 100mm f/2 came out first, in 2010, and was then followed by the Zeiss Milvus 2/100M (special coating version), in 2015. Could you clarify which one it is we are seeing in your videos, or what the mix-up is here? Thanks!
The eye Af of the 80's was not the same thing at all, it did not focus on the subjects eye, what it did was use ir sensors in the eye piece to determine what area of the viewfinder you was looking at and change the af spot to roughly that area, it was very crude, very flaky and was quickly abandoned, gotta say as a landscape photographer it's not relevant but when shooting birds it's a game changer, many portrait photographers swear by it too and not just the shills promoting products who never ever ever critique a product.
100%, not needed for all work, but for some industries / situations, its incredibly useful. Also feels daft investing in good glass for a Lens mount that's being replaced.
I don't think he's saying it was the same thing. Eye Control AF was reintroduced with the Canon R3.
How do you film, to SD card in camera or is it via som sort of cable directly to a computer? Thank you.
Great advice.
Lens is everything, just upgraded my canon 70-200 f2.8 I purchased 13 years ago second hand with the RF version, that old lens has made who knows how much for me over the years, was a no brainer to upgrade to the RF version now I’m looking to go full RF mount.
Have never understood the whole upgrade your camera body every year and those that seem to do it are the ones that don’t need the performance advantages of yearly new tech, they would be better of honing their craft.
On the post-production side of things, I have seen tremendous value in not skimping on a powerful computer and robust/diverse file backup solutions. Fortunately I have really only ever had one instance of a shoot getting corrupted, but backups saved the work and kept things organized so there was hardly a hiccup in my workflow
Backing up is so important. If a digital file doesn't exist on three devices (one of which is off-site), it is at risk. I use SyncToy because although it is dated and amateurish, it is simple and it works.
The other thing with backups is constant curation - backups take up time and space. Backing up junk or unnecessary duplicates wastes both of those which discourages prompt backing up. I have a workflow policy of only bringing forward the keepers. I only pull off the cards the things I want to keep - the junk gets erased when I format the card for next use. That gives me a short time to change my mind. I frequently have "For Trash" folders where I put files that have served their purpose and won't need to be retained after the project is finished. Again, that gives me a short time to change my mind but saves me having to go back and clean-up later because I never find time to do that.
How do you know my shameful gear-buying habits as an amateur? I can’t help trying new bodies. I really should rent.
where we can buy that cables in EU?
im sick of tethertools... they dont work.... sometimes i lost 30min for then to start to work, and in the middle of the shoot they stop again :(
I have a bunch of broncolor pulso packs and heads and they just work perfectly... Even managed to run my car over a Mobil once... still works fine..
Zeiss....... Hmmm - Manual focus perfection!
I make a very comfortable living shooting special portraits and I use a D700 and an 85mm Nikon f1.8 AF-D lens. I tried a Zeiss for $1000 and I could not see the difference. Peter Coulson uses a $5000 75mm Leica M Summicron on a Leica S 24MP body. He is booked out for months.
I never used a tether cable. As for the lens. I can't afford a expensive one. I need to get booked for 20 shoots to afford a expensive one. But it's a bit of the story of the chicken and the egg on that.. right now I got a body and a 50mm, it will have to do till I get more bookings.
As for the lights I use Godox light with Godox modifiers. Best thing my money allows me to buy.
i dont get the obsession with metal lens hoods. i'd much rather have a plastic lens hood. they weight less and in the event of an impact they are more elastic and therefore capable of absorbing shock and warping out of the way rather than deforming or transferring that shock directly to the lens. they are also less reflective and will give less of a glare from reflections bouncing off the inside of the hood onto the front element.
I was in around $3500.00 with the first camera and lens I purchased new. I have purchased two more lens since then for around the same amount, but the last lens, my EF 100-400 L II, I purchased used and saved over $1000.00. I believe buying yesterdays latest and greatest is the way to go with most everything. The Canon 5D MK iv, and 5DSR are overkill for most hobbyist, and if you have a good collection of EF lens already, they are a no brainer. The Canon R5 in five more years will probably be old tech at a lot lower price, and it will still be impressive. It appears the shutterless revelation is about come on big time in camera world, and TH-cam salesmen will be convincing the masses that their R5 is ancient. Everyone needs an AI controlled camera with a 100mp sensor, that shoots 120fps, and stacks 20 of them into the perfect picture of ducks, landscapes, and fakebook selfies.
Thanks for this non commercial, non biaised video! I fully agree and put the emphasis on the same philosophy on my channel. Old cameras are doing a great job up until now and to do so, depending on the result the photographer wants to achieve, they deserve high quality lenses.
The difference between what you buy for business and I’d buy for hobby is my horizon for use is far broader yet less critical. Your beautiful resolving lens may not be my choice for photographing a Grizzly at 100 meters.
My hobby includes shooting macro, studio, landscape, portrait, wildlife, street and Astro.
The breadth of tools prohibits investing beyond L series glass… however much l’d like to.
Thank you for another enjoyable diversion.
Hmm - metal lens cap - terrible because in an impact it will transfer force to the bayonet.. better a bit of plastic that will absorb some energy then pop off. Expensive lenses ? 70-200 f4 is susually fine (yes Ive had things like 85 .12) Bueaty dish? Round highlight in the eyes look stupid because highlights are usually caused by window which are usually square. Better a £25 softbox. Happy shooting :)
You called it GEAR instead of KIT! Are you pandering to a broader (American) audience? j/k great content as ALWAYS !! Can I say this: I got a little "excited" when I heard you flick the metal ring of the lens...PS Love the audio modifier (@3:02)
yep a camera is just a box, sensor on the back and hole to mount the lens. In 20 years purchased just 3 DSLR and used just 2 of them.
I see a similarity in amateurs obsessed with new camera bodies and pros obsessed with lenses and gear. Both seem to spend more time spending lots of money than shooting pictures. One of the most amazing photographers I know goes out to shoot every day with a cheap phone and comes back with gold. But I understand that investing in reliable gear is insurance against failure when you're being paid to deliver.
What is your personal opinion of the Canon EOS 5DS vs the new Canon EOS R5? Is it worth purchasing a used EOS 5DS over an EOS R5? Curious of your opinion from your experience with the EOS 5DS. Thanks
I shoot live music with a Nikon D3S, and seems like every show I shoot the other photographers have got a new camera, asking me if I’m not upgrading soon. Well that old Nikon can focus in almost complete darkness, and will produce excellent shots at iso 12800 if exposed properly. I can even pull that up a full stop in post if necessary. No reason to spend two grand or more on a mirrorless. My money is in the glass and editing tools (iPad pro/Mac mini M2). Got a D810 for studio/slower work, beautiful 36mp files. No need to upgrade that either. Lights, modifiers and glass, and boom stands to make my life easier.
I've been shooting since the 80s ( 35mm / 6x7 / 4x5 / 8x10 ) and I am surprised that you shoot with old Canons with limited dynamic range compared to something from the last 10 years. The newer sensors have much better dynamic range than the old ones. Looking at your portfolio the lighting looks a little harsh ( you've got top of the line Braun lighting gear ), and I'm sure some of that is from shooting with old Canon sensors.
I absolutely agree it's all about the lenses! I will add to that though software and computer kit and a wealth of knowledge using the software really helps, maybe because I am a designer and photographer I have a bias, but I don’t think I am alone in this as it’s predominantly photography these days.
Which Mamiya Sekor is that? I have a 35/3.5 and 135/3.5 Mamiya Sekor lenses I haven’t utilised much
In defence of the plastic lens hood, it does the same job as a metal one. It's lighter. It absorbs shock better if knocked or dropped, without damaging the lens. Still overpriced though.
True! It sucks needing to replace one.
Shoes, camera harnesses and file storage/backups.
Good shoes are something everyone deserves in life.
I'm an amateur travel photographer and get through camera bodies like Kodakchrome 64. Lenses last, bodies don't. I've just purchased my 5th body in 8 years.
So I have a Sony 24 prime 1.4, A Sony 24-70 GMii and a 70-200gmii. I use the Sony A7iii for photos, and I feel I need the A1 version 2 when it comes out. Maybe if I learned how to use manual focus, I wouldnt think I need the best of the best.
What I see with my photos as a newer hobbiest with 30 years of hobby experience, I continually miss shots. Especially action shots. I suck at manual focus, and the person never is in the right spot or pose, and I feel I need a more FPS with high pixels to crop. I bought the sony A7iii for video, I wanted to do youtube and that was the best at the time for it, so being I invested in somy G Master lenses. I really cant go to a older model of camera for these lenses.
I will not skimp on camera batteries. As a Nikon shooter I only use Nikon batteries. I only use SanDisk SD memory cards. Nikon, Sony, or Delkin XQD cards.
Excelletn advice. I alwats tell folks getting into photography not to spend too much money on the camera body. Spend your money on the glass. I tell them that buying a $5,000 dollar camera body then adding a $300 lens is like getting lasic surgery then wearing kiddie sunglasses. Cheap glass usually turns into hours on the computer correcting for lens distortions unless, you're wanting those distortions for creative purposes.
No problems with mu USB-C TetherTools cable, used daily in my studio.
Tether Tools sucks!! The worst! When I think of all the time I wasted talking to Nikon Pro Services only to find out the problem was Tether Tools!! Area 51 is far superior!! I have not had one disconnect since witching over a year ago. It was daily with Tether Tools. Awful. #thieves
I wish I had seen this before I bought my Tether tools USB-C to USB-C cable. Oddly, it does work on my PC, but when it comes to my laptop it doesn't work at all. It is a real pain.
Thanks again for your Video! ......... Some items especially for Videography would be: Universal Batteries (NP-F &/or V-Mount).....you can adapt these to any camera and they will relief you of the major PITA of handling multiple batteries & chargers .....also bought a lot of them used......v-mounts for 50€ all day long because no one else would trust a used battery.....but you can buy 8 instead of 1.....of 6 v-mounts i bought for very cheap (one even for 20€+shipping ) only one had a defect (did discharge very fast.....yes the 20€one but was also listed as "untested" so i should've known better)......maybe they don'T have full capacity anymore but the should be at least at 70-80% from what i can tell (but i didn't measure anything
).......
Haha I'm watching this after buything the Sony A7RV earlier today to replace my A7RIII 😬
Light modifiers: reflectors, mobile 'clouds'; & stands. Even the self-moving voice-activated type!
But, if amateurs don't buy tons of unnecessary gear, the equipment production would be so niche we'd all be paying Hasselblad prices for Pentax quality.
Can you make video about Photography with mobile phone please?
I have to disagree being an armature wildlife photographer newer bodies are fundamental for things like faster AF and faster fps and many other tricks can make the difference between getting the shot and not
but not to say i don't love a good lens, I love a good lens
When I go birding, I can tell the pro's apart from the pro-sumers based on their gear choices. I frequently see an R5 body ($3700 USD) rocking a Sigma 150-600mm ($989) because they spent so much money on their camera body, they have no money left for good telephoto glass. Meanwhile, I will regularly see a pro still using an old Canon 7D (14 year old body, $250 USD on eBay) with a Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II ($12,999 USD) lens + a 1.4x extender ($449 USD) because what matters more than anything is the glass. They know what's up!
I have befriended some of these pro folks with their "crappy camera bodies" but amazing glass and you better believe me when I say it. The photos they get with their prime glass is next level amazing. They have literally no shortage of jaw dropping stunners in their collection of shots.
tldr; preach the glass advice! Technique, persistence, and glass will churn out keepers!
I just bought a 7D about five years since I sold my original one. I am amazed at what it can do - if you don’t blow any highlights. I caught the upgrade bug in that five years and that was semi successful, but I consigned the 7D to history because I didn’t get great results from it back then. It turns out knowledge and experience actually make a difference and blaming the old equipment in our rush to buy “new stuff” is and was a mistake!
So funny you mentioned a mechanics car. My dad now 72 has been a mechanic since he was 15, has never had a “nice” car but he’s also never had one that’s broken down or had to be recalled for a new engine (I’m thinking of Range Rovers here) loving your videos man.
I wish, I could afford better lenses, than the ones I have, but I can't justify the expense to myself since photography is how I unwind after work - it will never be how I earn a living.
Where I can justify the expense is on redundant storage. It doesn't change the quality of the photos of course, but making sure photos aren't lost if an external hard drive dies or a cloud storage option is hacked or goes out of business, are money well spent.
Yes! I’ve been shooting for a long time (and used to be an assistant to a number of excellent commercial photographers) and what you say is the truth. People so often chase all the wrong things and wonder why it doesn’t make their work any better.
Also, for people wanting good lighting gear, old strobes from the 80s and 90s really do represent a fantastic value. I paid the equivalent of about US $200 for my current Profoto kit and it’s all I need. Good modifiers can be staggeringly expensive, but it should also be said that you can get very close indeed by modifying cheaper modifiers or just building your own. I recently built my own Profoto ProBox equivalent, it’s working great, and cost me under $50 to make.
Changing camera bodies like disposable lighters lolz
A good bag, think tank best i have had up to now!
yes I have three think tank airports and they are all about 10 years old and going strong
Absolutely love my Think Tank bag. I had a Manfrotto one but the zipper blew out on it and it dropped my 85mm F1.4 out. Thankfully all the damage was easily repaired at home. The robust zippers on the Think Tank bags is everything I needed to see after that. I have also been enjoying my Shimoda bag for hiking. Waterproofing over the zippers is brilliant.
I buy mirror-less bodies so I can attach more different lenses on them. Canon SLR's I can attach my Takumars to them.
I think I´m on the wrong channel: I love photography, but it's strictly a hobby for me. You lost me at the "tethering" part.
I will never skimp on: 1) fast, quality memory cards 2) batteries and their chargers
C stands, don’t skimp on those; Backdrops, decent roller system, metal chains; grip gear, good strong, simple and fast to use. 👍
The funny thing is the number of channels devoted to gear lust. They just show off the newest while I still use a 27 year old lens and a 15 year old camera that puts out stunning photographs.
I agree. With Canon transitioning to mirrorless cameras, I've found bargains on used EF lenses.
This is great to know. Its the same with audio equipment. You don't need new speakers since those things hasn't changed since the 80s. The receiver is where the technology is.
I spend my money on two things. 1 lenses, specifically prime lenses. 2 lighting, weather it is a speed light or studio strobe you have to have good lighting.
For me shooting sports, the new eye autofocus bodies are a great advance. That said, I have no interest in upgrading from my nearly three year old R6.
2:22 How did the 80s pull off eye 👁 autofocus? Between no AI and too much coke, I don't see how that's possible 🤔
People geek out over camera specs because they shoot in Auto! They don't know how to shoot with their camera in manual mode! Lol
Totally agree about old gear. I know than Broncolor and Profoto are top of the top in terms of quality and understand their high prices. On the other hand, I still use a Balcar Jet 1600 w.s with some light modifiers. Typical "savoir-faire français" with nice results.
I have always told people lenses and lighting are the most important things in photography. I don't know anything about tether cables.
What was that modifier you showed? The Soft Lighter? Never heard of it. Great size.
"There are certain things that pro photographers spend money on..." and I was like, 'err, hair products?' 😉
Another interesting insight, thanks Scott.
The cost of repair can sometimes justify replacement.
The best way to summarize things for the amateur is this: you can go broke chasing technology.
I don't understand why a usb cable is $150 for 30 feet.
My last 2 cameras were used ones. People forget that decent pics were been taken years ago with this now older gear. The crappy thing is batteries…old gear has after market batteries that never as good as the original.
I guess if all you do is photography then you don’t need a new camera body, but you do for video if you want slow motion
I one time saw you talking about an opaque plexiglass. Was that you?
Sixteen mpx is enough for 90% of uses and more than 30 mpx is excessive for most uses.
Oh, how I love obsessing with gear! Sometimes I fear I am more a collector then a photographer… But I was able to restrict my GAS somewhat. I started out with an Olympus E-M10 about 8 years ago. My kit lens was awful. I heard the good advice soon and started adding lenses, first the really good Oly premium primes, 25mm, 45mm… then later the fantastic Oly 40-150mm f/2.8 pro zoom. Wow, that was a revelation! Added the E-M5 mk3 body with the grip for better balance and the 12-14mm f/2.8, then the 7-14mm f/2.8 to complete the holy trinity of Oly pro zooms… Yeah, lenses all the way! Recently I bought a used OM System OM-1 body. My first pro body! Great learning experience and a fantastic piece of kit with the right glass… Along came the 75mm f/1.8 and the 17mm f/1.8, the 20mm f/1.4 pro and the 45mm f/1.2 pro and finally the most fantastic 12-100mm f/4 pro… I needed a bigger bag too 😂 But now the 12-100 together with the 20 fit in the small bag I started with and cover most of my normal shooting needs.
I would add to your advice: don’t switch systems, get all the greatest lenses for the system you have! I am so happy with MFT because the lenses are great and comparatively affordable. I love shooting people and my fast glass gives me all the shallow depth of field I long for. Did I mention how small and light the lenses are compared to full frame?
These days I added my first full frame body, an Olympus OM-1 SLR from the 70ies with the Zuiko 50mm f/1.4, because I want to shoot that manual film glory for practice to improve my skills and maybe later some artistic reasons. There I go down the rabbit hole. I might need more vintage lenses and maybe, maybe a Yashica to try medium format film… but this is reserved for later, if I really catch fire with the film manual shooting ways. And it probably does not mean that I will drop shooting digital at all.
LOL, I am just an enthusiast but man, I am addicted…
Canon FD had metal lens hoot.
Canon EF 400MM has built in lens hood.