Posted by Dennis Plank on April 5, 2017 at 3:14 PM
An interesting take on things, Paul. I know this has been the longest time since I've done an "upgrade" since I got into digital photography. While there are some features I'd like to see (and expect to in the not too distant future), I feel no real urgency about getting anything better. That's good for me, because I can spend the money on trips instead of gear.
Yes, interesting. But not really surprising. I see this article as addressing the point and shoot market for the most part - the people who used to buy pocket cameras but stopped when smart phone cameras became essentially as good and also had the advantage of always being at hand.
But I also think the author is correct about high end digital cameras reaching a plateau, with rapidly diminishing incentive to upgrade. I think this market segment is much like the market for high end film SLR's before digital took over. It took Nikon a long time to get from the original Nikon F to the Nikon F6.
Checking old notes I can track my own camera history:
Film: Nikkormat FTn 1973, EL 1976 (gave me auto exposure), FE 1979 (smaller body with nice external motor), 8008 in 1989 (AF, internal motor), N90S in 1997 (required for my 300/2.8 AF-S).
Digital: D70 in 2004 (6MP), D200 in 2006 (10MP, better viewfinder, better IF, professional build), D300 in 2011 (12MP, better AF), D7200 in 2015 (24MP, better AF, bigger buffer, higher frame rate, smaller lighter body, SD memory cards).
Over this entire period I've been able to gradually adjust my set of lenses. My 300/2.8 AF-S was my primary optic from 1998 until this year, covering 6 years of film and 13 years of digital over five generations of camera bodies. And my manual focus 200/4 macro that I bought new in 1980 still works on my digital cameras and still sees occasional use.
I don't see any substantial reason to upgrade from the D7200 at this point. I don't need more MP and don't know what I'd really do with substantially larger files. But I could be swayed by an even better AF system.
I hope that the consumer level stuff will somehow mange to keep the major camera companies in business so that we can continue to have repair and other services available. But I'm not clamoring for an incrementally better DX camera. And I have zero interest in returning to the world of film.
Dennis and Richard, once folks have a system working that meets their personal needs then many times there is no requirement or desire for change. I would think like with many objects we purchase in life there are only so many horns, whistles, and bells that get folks into the showroom never mind a new purchase.
Although the point about future service and support is of certain concern. However, many times non OEM folks step in for that support. Maybe not at the same level as an OEM supplier, but there are a few out there now that do a darn good job already with outdated or discontinued products.
Anyway, thanks for taking the time to read the article and sharing your views.....
btw: @ Richard, I too had the 8008 & N90s. My N90s was used with my 300 f2.8 also.....
Posted by Jim Erhardt on April 10, 2017 at 11:48 AM
Good read, and I can relate - my Canon 60D does everything I need it to do and I can find better things to spend $$ on vs. upgrading to a newer body.
I can find better things to spend $$ on vs. upgrading to a newer body.
Totally agree, Jim. If it works there is no need to upgrade IMO.
Posted by Kent Staubus on April 15, 2017 at 12:41 AM
I was skipping every other generation of Nikon, and currently use Nikon D800E. I plan on entirely skipping the D810 and will wait for the D810 successor to be out long enough to become available used for <$2,000. The D800E does all I want, and I really hate putting big money into digital camera bodies as they lose value so fast.
OTOH, I've been spending big on ancient cameras & lenses the past five years. I now have two lenses from the 1840s, four from the 1850s, and six or seven from 1905-1928. Also have a 5x7 camera from 1925 and a 4x5 from 1905, along with a number of smaller cameras from 1914 to 1954 (including Leicas & Rolleiflex.) I love using these! I have just as much fun shooting these as I do my D800E. I don't mind spending the money on ancient cameras/lenses as these seem to hold their value well. When I get tired of one (or more likely need to sell off a few so I can buy something more exotic!), I have always got back what I paid if not more. There is a Voigtlander Vitessa (1954), a Dagor 100mm (1914), and two 8 inch Voigtlander Petzals (1847, 1864) sitting on my desk as I type this. I haven't bought anything new from Nikon in several years now.
Discussion
6 replieshttps://petapixel.com/2017/04/04/death-digital-photography-know/
But I also think the author is correct about high end digital cameras reaching a plateau, with rapidly diminishing incentive to upgrade. I think this market segment is much like the market for high end film SLR's before digital took over. It took Nikon a long time to get from the original Nikon F to the Nikon F6.
Checking old notes I can track my own camera history:
Film: Nikkormat FTn 1973, EL 1976 (gave me auto exposure), FE 1979 (smaller body with nice external motor), 8008 in 1989 (AF, internal motor), N90S in 1997 (required for my 300/2.8 AF-S).
Digital: D70 in 2004 (6MP), D200 in 2006 (10MP, better viewfinder, better IF, professional build), D300 in 2011 (12MP, better AF), D7200 in 2015 (24MP, better AF, bigger buffer, higher frame rate, smaller lighter body, SD memory cards).
Over this entire period I've been able to gradually adjust my set of lenses. My 300/2.8 AF-S was my primary optic from 1998 until this year, covering 6 years of film and 13 years of digital over five generations of camera bodies. And my manual focus 200/4 macro that I bought new in 1980 still works on my digital cameras and still sees occasional use.
I don't see any substantial reason to upgrade from the D7200 at this point. I don't need more MP and don't know what I'd really do with substantially larger files. But I could be swayed by an even better AF system.
I hope that the consumer level stuff will somehow mange to keep the major camera companies in business so that we can continue to have repair and other services available. But I'm not clamoring for an incrementally better DX camera. And I have zero interest in returning to the world of film.
Although the point about future service and support is of certain concern. However, many times non OEM folks step in for that support. Maybe not at the same level as an OEM supplier, but there are a few out there now that do a darn good job already with outdated or discontinued products.
Anyway, thanks for taking the time to read the article and sharing your views.....
btw: @ Richard, I too had the 8008 & N90s. My N90s was used with my 300 f2.8 also.....
Totally agree, Jim. If it works there is no need to upgrade IMO.
OTOH, I've been spending big on ancient cameras & lenses the past five years. I now have two lenses from the 1840s, four from the 1850s, and six or seven from 1905-1928. Also have a 5x7 camera from 1925 and a 4x5 from 1905, along with a number of smaller cameras from 1914 to 1954 (including Leicas & Rolleiflex.) I love using these! I have just as much fun shooting these as I do my D800E. I don't mind spending the money on ancient cameras/lenses as these seem to hold their value well. When I get tired of one (or more likely need to sell off a few so I can buy something more exotic!), I have always got back what I paid if not more. There is a Voigtlander Vitessa (1954), a Dagor 100mm (1914), and two 8 inch Voigtlander Petzals (1847, 1864) sitting on my desk as I type this.
Kent in SD