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02/08/2006 07:11:15 PM · #1 |
...why people around here are upgrade-happy? Why is it that a lot of folks decide "OMG I must get the next $3000 camera because it's the latest and greatest thing," even if they have no professional need for it, or maybe not even have the means for it? I mean, really...do people need that much camera and eleventy "L" quality lenses to take snaps of their two year-olds? I honestly think sometimes that folks upgrade so much so that (a) it makes them feel like a better photographer because they have expensive gear, (b) they believe the technology will MAKE them a better photographer, and (c), they look more badass to the rest of the people taking pics of their two year-olds.
I also think that this compelling "need" to upgrade is fostered on this site by those who religiously post the "need" to buy the best and most expensive, no matter what. "I need a camera to give my 9 year-old daughter...what should I buy?" You know the answer will include the letters M, K, D, and S, and probably some 1s thrown in there too. And lots of Ls...definitely lots of Ls. It drives me up the freaking wall, but that's neither here nor there.
Now don't get me wrong, some folks have compelling reasons to upgrade, so I'm not including those folks. Some also have unlimited expendible income, so I hope they buy what makes them happy. I just wonder about the logic behind the decision to upgrade sometimes.
Has anyone ever felt pressured to buy up because of the conversations on this site? I thought it would make for an interesting discussion anyway. ;)
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02/08/2006 07:15:19 PM · #2 |
Laurie I have never felt pressure to buy up. I also think that most when they do upgrade it is like the old saying "keeping up with the Jones'"
Well not me. My kids come first. I feel like I have a pretty good setup now and am getting ready to start taking portraits for friends and family.
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02/08/2006 07:16:11 PM · #3 |
Originally posted by laurielblack:
...Some also have unlimited expendible income, so I hope they buy what makes them happy... |
And if any of those people are reading this and it would make them happy, I need a...... ;)
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02/08/2006 07:21:36 PM · #4 |
Not because of this site - I was born with the affliction - bleeding edge, early adopter, latest and greatest. It is only in the past couple years that I have learned to settle for last year's tech in return for paying only half the price.
I see your point, but everyone is responsible for themselves - nobody here can make anyone go out and spend money on something - it should be understood all opinons expressed are solely those of the poster.
In regards to your 9 year old daughter, I recall seeing nsbca7's profile showing he uses the Mattel Barbie Photo Designer Digital Camera - and he takes prety dang good pics (although sometimes he needs to add some motion blur to spruce 'em up). ;-P |
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02/08/2006 07:32:04 PM · #5 |
Originally posted by Art Roflmao:
In regards to your 9 year old daughter, I recall seeing nsbca7's profile showing he uses the Mattel Barbie Photo Designer Digital Camera - and he takes prety dang good pics (although sometimes he needs to add some motion blur to spruce 'em up). ;-P |
LMAO |
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02/08/2006 07:41:30 PM · #6 |
| Laurie - interesting post and something I've thought about quite a few times, every time I open my closet and see my huge camera bag with my DSLR and lenses that I just "had" to have. Thought they would make me a better photographer, my shots would be perfect, the whole nine yards. The only thing it succeeded in doing was frustrating the heck out of me and convincing me I sucked. So I went back to basics, bought a nice P&S and have lived happily ever after. Hey if people have the money and that's what they want to do with it, that's great. I'm just speaking from the other side of the coin. |
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02/08/2006 08:16:41 PM · #7 |
Originally posted by Tuckersmom:
Laurie - interesting post and something I've thought about quite a few times, every time I open my closet and see my huge camera bag with my DSLR and lenses that I just "had" to have. Thought they would make me a better photographer, my shots would be perfect, the whole nine yards. The only thing it succeeded in doing was frustrating the heck out of me and convincing me I sucked. So I went back to basics, bought a nice P&S and have lived happily ever after. Hey if people have the money and that's what they want to do with it, that's great. I'm just speaking from the other side of the coin. |
So.. whattya doin' with the bag full of DSLR stuff? I know a starving Artyste that could seriously, seriously use a donated back-up system |
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02/08/2006 08:27:02 PM · #8 |
i have to say that sometimes i do feel like i'm thought of as not being a "real" photographer or that i can't possibly know what i'm talking about with regard to comments or critiques because i don't shoot with a DSLR. :-/
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02/08/2006 08:29:22 PM · #9 |
| Glen - I'm hearing ya. I've been going back and forth about selling the stuff, I really do need to make up my mind, huh? Every once in a while I feel like I didn't give the stuff a chance and take it out and shoot, but at the same time use my P&S and you know what? Most of the "throw aways" are with my DSLR. I think it's just too complicated for my brain to comprehend. One of these days, it's so outta here :) |
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02/08/2006 08:29:41 PM · #10 |
Originally posted by sher9204:
i have to say that sometimes i do feel like i'm thought of as not being a "real" photographer or that i can't possibly know what i'm talking about with regard to comments or critiques because i don't shoot with a DSLR. :-/ |
I think you put that idea to rest with your 3 blues and a yellow. Not to mention all your other stats. :) |
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02/08/2006 08:34:13 PM · #11 |
I experience a degree of lens-envy. However, I think that this site is good for spreading knowledge about systems and equipment and how to upgrade: a couple of years ago, I had very little idea about the pros and cons, in reality. Now I know, I know better what it is that I always wanted (but did not previously know that I wanted it)!
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02/08/2006 08:35:26 PM · #12 |
Originally posted by sher9204:
i have to say that sometimes i do feel like i'm thought of as not being a "real" photographer or that i can't possibly know what i'm talking about with regard to comments or critiques because i don't shoot with a DSLR. :-/ |
You'll never hear that from me. It's all in what we do with what we have.. and you do stuff that far surpasses many people that have far too much. |
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02/08/2006 08:37:58 PM · #13 |
People are upgrade happy because the companies keep throwing new, marginally better, products at the consumers. There's a large boom in the photo industry and the companies are making the most of it...I can't blame them.
Oh my God, I need a 5d because it's a 35mm sensor and it will...well...umm...yeah, it's full frame, and after careful research, I've deemed it necesary because it will give me more control of DOF!!! Even though the edges will be just about unuseable and I'll have to crop it down anyway, that doesn't matter, because ... it's full frame!
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02/09/2006 12:11:02 AM · #14 |
People buy up in every hobby to avoid having to spend the time to get better.
Golf, ski-ing, photography, tennis, anything else marketing folk can get at. It isn't something exclusive to photography.
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02/09/2006 01:10:37 AM · #15 |
| Right now, I'm still using the first digital camera I bought, in 2000 or so. |
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02/09/2006 01:11:33 AM · #16 |
Laurie, I really respect you, but no good lies down this path of thought. The problem is that each of us decides what reasons are "valid" for upgrading and what aren't. Rarely, will our own actions cross this line. We love to set the bar just below our feet.
I've thought the same thing at times. I'm a doctor for crying out loud. I make a good salary, but finding the money for even one lens a year is difficult for me to justify. I see people with nicer stuff and human nature takes over. If I can't have it, then they don't deserve it either.
Whatever the reasons others do what they do, the only important reasons are why you do what you do. For every person out there we think is unreasonable, there is another who thinks we belong to that group as well... |
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02/09/2006 01:58:21 AM · #17 |
| as for me, i keep lying to myself that i could win some ribbons if i somehow get a dSLR someday... |
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02/09/2006 02:19:43 AM · #18 |
I've had my 717 for going on 3 years now. I've been seriously wanting to upgrade since about October or so of last year. Since then, I've been saving and it's a long, long process for me due to other priorities and expenses. I want to upgrade because of the limitations of shooting with the 717. For what it does, it's an excellent camera, but there are some things it just doesn't do very well.
I have about $500 saved (it was a bit more, but financial crisis took a bite out of it!) and adding more bit by bit. We don't do credit other than our car and the mortgage, so it's just a not so patient wait. On the other hand, paying cash for something always feels right, gives me a lot of time to think about it and make sure it's what I want, and I do appreciate and enjoy the purchase much more.
I've decided on either a 10d or 20d. I'd go for the 10d if the right bargain came along, but if I can't get that for a really excellent price then I'm holding out for the 20d. |
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02/09/2006 03:01:53 AM · #19 |
| I'm currently shooting with a six year old camera, and a 5 year old camera. The older is really a P&S and the younger a semi-DSLR (a pro camera that doesn't have interchangeable lenses). I"m very happy with them and they serve my needs, for the most part. I've recently seen what a good DSLR can do in the hands of someone capable (which I'm probably not). However, it's become clear to me that I have a major need for a specific DSLR because of its ease of portability, as well as, its low price (for a 2 lens kit). I will upgrade in the near future, but not for reasons of feeling the need to run with the herd or get the latest and greatest. As a matter of fact, this camera is already being phased out for a newer model, but it fits my needs perfectly. |
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02/09/2006 03:48:23 AM · #20 |
I usually get for a better camera when I bump in some limits that keep me back from implementing my idea. I had a HP PhotoSmart before, and I missed manual settings and optical zoom, now I have an Olympus C-4000Z and I am not satisfied with focusing and weak optical zoom - only 3x -, I am only going for an SLR, because the non-SLR cameras I also prefer are almost in the same price. I bought the HP for fun, the Oly for learning - 1-2 years -, and I am planning to have the SLR for a longer period of time.
Anyone want an Olympus C-4000Z? :-)))
Message edited by author 2006-02-09 03:48:45. |
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02/09/2006 07:17:18 AM · #21 |
Originally posted by Art Roflmao:
Originally posted by sher9204:
i have to say that sometimes i do feel like i'm thought of as not being a "real" photographer or that i can't possibly know what i'm talking about with regard to comments or critiques because i don't shoot with a DSLR. :-/ |
I think you put that idea to rest with your 3 blues and a yellow. Not to mention all your other stats. :) |
Ditto! |
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02/09/2006 07:33:40 AM · #22 |
Originally posted by laurielblack:
...why people around here are upgrade-happy? Why is it that a lot of folks decide "OMG I must get the next $3000 camera because it's the latest and greatest thing," even if they have no professional need for it, or maybe not even have the means for it? I mean, really...do people need that much camera and eleventy "L" quality lenses to take snaps of their two year-olds? I honestly think sometimes that folks upgrade so much so that (a) it makes them feel like a better photographer because they have expensive gear, (b) they believe the technology will MAKE them a better photographer, and (c), they look more badass to the rest of the people taking pics of their two year-olds.
I also think that this compelling "need" to upgrade is fostered on this site by those who religiously post the "need" to buy the best and most expensive, no matter what. "I need a camera to give my 9 year-old daughter...what should I buy?" You know the answer will include the letters M, K, D, and S, and probably some 1s thrown in there too. And lots of Ls...definitely lots of Ls. It drives me up the freaking wall, but that's neither here nor there.
Now don't get me wrong, some folks have compelling reasons to upgrade, so I'm not including those folks. Some also have unlimited expendible income, so I hope they buy what makes them happy. I just wonder about the logic behind the decision to upgrade sometimes.
Has anyone ever felt pressured to buy up because of the conversations on this site? I thought it would make for an interesting discussion anyway. ;) |
How strange that you should post this as I was thinking of something along the same lines last night!
Your right, some people do need to upgrade but there are others that seem to catch ''the upgrade virus'' it almost becomes an obsession with some of them!
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02/09/2006 07:48:50 AM · #23 |
Originally posted by sher9204:
i have to say that sometimes i do feel like i'm thought of as not being a "real" photographer or that i can't possibly know what i'm talking about with regard to comments or critiques because i don't shoot with a DSLR. :-/ |
BINGO! me too! ...and usually the first question after seeing my images is "what camera do shoot with?" and then the disappointment when I tell them.. but it's actually quite funny now.
after all what makes an artist..the paintbrush or the eye? |
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02/09/2006 07:50:13 AM · #24 |
Originally posted by vadvirag:
I usually get for a better camera when I bump in some limits that keep me back from implementing my idea. I had a HP PhotoSmart before, and I missed manual settings and optical zoom, now I have an Olympus C-4000Z and I am not satisfied with focusing and weak optical zoom - only 3x -, I am only going for an SLR, because the non-SLR cameras I also prefer are almost in the same price. I bought the HP for fun, the Oly for learning - 1-2 years -, and I am planning to have the SLR for a longer period of time.
Anyone want an Olympus C-4000Z? :-))) |
Ummmmmmmmmmmmmm my blue ribbon image was shot with an Olympus C-4000z...so you might get a fabulous price for that baby! I LOVE THAT CAMERA!~ |
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02/09/2006 08:01:18 AM · #25 |
Originally posted by crayon:
as for me, i keep lying to myself that i could win some ribbons if i somehow get a dSLR someday... |
heh...then it's "oh well if I had this lens or that lens I'd get a ribbon" then it's "well my body is kind of slow, 3fps isn't fast enough, I definately need 5fps and a second body because that way I can have two lenses mounted at once, then I'll ribbon" then it's "oh well I need this flash or that flash or these strobes" blah blah blah...it's a vicious cycle.
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