I was busy being amazed at how well the refurbished Nikon 24-120mm lens was working for me on an ancient, used Nikon D700 (see above) when I chanced to click on Lloyd Chamber's camera site today and read the back and forth between him and Thom Hogan. All of a sudden it seemed that camera design and camera marketing were life and death issues.There was a mini-argument about whether or not Nikon could actually do innovative design work and then more wonkiness ensured.
If we could harness the human potential squandered across the web, reading tea leaves and trying to guess about future camera introductions, we would have already landed on Mars and cured cancer.
I'm pretty much ignoring all the misspent energy about future cameras this month. It's too hot to argue with anyone about much beyond who drank the last beer?
Eric Rose asked me 'how much better a Nikon mirrorless had to be than a GH5 before I switch systems?'
I thought about it for a while but I'd just come back from a very warm walk with the D700 and the recently acquired (but still ancient) Nikon 105mm f2.8D micro lens and I was busy being re-amazed at the incredible sharpness and
lush colors I was able to get with that old combination of utensils.
All the cameras on the market are so good now it's almost like we've been invited to a fabulous dinner and instead of enjoying the food we're all hellbent on critiquing the forks and spoons.
In direct response to Eric I have to say that the idea of yet another mirrorless system holds far less allure for me than buying and using the epitome of mature technology as represented by the Nikon D850 or even the D810. Beyond that it's really all about lenses. My jump into Sigma Art lenses has whetted my appetite for more. I've owned the 24-35mm f2.0 and the 50mm f1.4 but I'd like to grab (along with a D850) one of the 85mm 1.4s and a 135mm Art as well before I think about anything else.
The sad thing about my M4:3 system is that my selection of lenses (8-18mm Pana/Leica, 12-100mm f4.0 Olympus Pro and the 40-150mm f2.8 Olympus Pro ----as well as a motley assortment of primes), along with the two GH5 bodies represents a perfect, and perfectly sorted system for me. There's nothing in the mix I feel compelled to change and nothing I'm pining to add. Maybe one more audio interface but that hardly counts.
I can hardly wait for more Nikon mirrorless rumors to hit Lloyd's site; I love reading cat fights between verbose landscape photographers ---- I mean, really!? Landscapes? Who cares if the lenses are sharp? Now portraits......that's a whole different matter. (kidding, just kidding...).
14 comments:
Somehow, I had never heard of Lloyd Chambers so I did a Google search. That is quite a list of must haves for the new Nikons he posted. I think he will be disappointed. I may be missing something but I am not sure I would need most of the things on his list. I am OK with my m4/3 kit and would be fine with a Nikon D7500. A D850 would be a dream camera if I could afford it and had the discipline to get the most from it. The new Nikons, I am sure, will be nice but out of my price range, too. Most Bloggers don't seem to get the fact that camera gear has gotten too expensive for a lot of their would be customers.
Let me just smear some vaseline over the filter on my lens...
Hey! Don't forget the important stuff: What is that exhibit in your photograph?
And btw, if you haven't already, check out the TED talk on TOP re finding your vision in the digital age.
I have not needed many of the "improvements" that the last few iterations of camera bodies introduced. I'm not sure that many others do, either, other than for those with measuring sticks and insecurities.
Caveat: I'm not immune to the drool factor of new widgets but I'm trying hard to focus on the images (pun intended).
Cheers
I quit following so-called industry experts after they let their ego run rampant and devolve into trivial and tangential back and forth. Few combine equal measures of expertise in technology and art to provide mature appraisal and use of the latest tools, without commercial or career bias. That’s why I appreciate those who rediscover and report on vintage tools to regain perspective. Otherwise, obsession with the next great thing becomes an addictive diversion from developing better self awareness.
Your last comment on landscape photography should chum the online waters nicely.
Who is Lloyd Chambers? (No, seriously - I have no idea). Then again, don't bother - I really don't need or want any more photography related websites to read beyond VSL, TOP and occasionally Thom's site.
In any case, I am happy with the refurbished D7200 I bought a couple of years ago and will likely get another when I find a good deal on one as a backup. That should hold me over, oh, until about 2020 or '21 before I get another bout of GAS.
Ken
Kirk - your comment about dinner and cutlery was priceless - I loved it! Hit then nail on the head, and funny too. I most often read your blog via rss, and rarely comment, but couldn't let that one pass.
Cheers,
Rob
It’s hard to find a bad camera, these days. That said, it is also a lot harder to find a revolutionary camera. I doubt the Nikon will be it. Sure, the Nikon will sell well, especially if they get their adapter strategy right, but I think there’s a lack of realism from the pundits going on at the moment.
I play strictly in the used market these days. The price of new cameras and lenses is very hard to justify for a hobbyist like me. I still shoot with a Nikon D300, an Olympus EP-2 and EPL-1. Everything bought used for as little money as possible. I had a Sony RX100, the first version until it finally died but I paid so little for it that I'm not upset. I used the hell out of that little camera and got my money's worth. I may pick up another one. I just don't see myself purchasing a new camera, maybe not ever again. The capabilities of the used ones are more than enough for my needs.
It may be best to keep expectations low. Although with the ramp up and hype that may be hard. Nikon's ramp up to the DF release ended with a huge flop. Even though I really like that camera, only missing video for me.
This new campaign may go down to over hype Df flop or under hype D850 success. We will have to see.
I too like new technology and gadgets so I'm looking forward to see the new Nikon mirrorless camera.
I don't have any of the requirements that the self proclaimed experts have as it is usually just empty talk.
Nikon will no doubt release a great camera (as usual), but on the other hand I will strongly suggest anyone starting/continuing with photography to buy used gear. There is so much great used gear on the market today for next to nothing.
As an example I got a Nikon Coolpix A which I use for travel etc. and the image quality is just amazing due to a great lens and no AA filter. It may be 5 years old, but it is so good that it easily competes with or is better than anything newer. Used price around $250-$300.
I have been thinking about getting a used d800e. Cheapest one so far has been 744euro. Hope the new mirrorless Nikons will be a hit. Would mean a lot of nice used obsolete cameras.
Pah !
When the Nikon mirrorless arrives, I predict Kirk will fall completely in love.
The file quality of his D700 and D800, the ability to use his Nikon glass, great video and codec - all fronted up by a rich and luscious EVF. Looking at the VSL gear history, such a camera would be irresistible.
Not long to wait now.
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