Totally agree. I’m a MFT shooter and every so often I think about going FF. Then I realize that my gear is not what’s limiting me. It’s my knowledge and skills as a photographer.
Yes, so much yes. I made a deal with myself. I buy myself a highend ff or mf camera as soon as my pictures are so good that I can only improve them with better iq. So I don`t have to worry about that for the next few or a few more years :-)
Just found and subscribed to your channel. I've enjoyed your videos. I noticed your Illinois State hat . My dad graduated from ISU in 1972. Our family kept a horse not far from campus at a place called Roders. I remember watching the progress of the building of the twin towers dorm during my rides on good old Prince. My dad took me to the planetarium on the ISU campus on multiple occasions. That time as you probably remember was during the exciting Apollo era.Those visits sparked an interest in astronomy I still have today. Thanks for your videos and especially your insights on the psychology of consumerism, FOMO, and learning to use and enjoy the equipment one has rather than spending your time searching for the next best spec monster.
Thanks for the video and this message! It has to be said. Not the camera takes the picture, it's the photograph! A good gear makes things easier but a photograph needs ideas, knowledge and luck of course to create a good picture!
Like I have said before in other comments, a good picture has little to do with the technology. As you have shown most of the really great photographs where taken years ago on out dated tech in less than ideal conditions. A great photograph has more to do with the context than the image quality. Honestly your are probably more likely to capture an iconic image with a phone now a days then with a high end camera. Simply because that is what you will have with you in that situation. My uncle was a really good photographer, he had a studio back in the 80's in Toledo Ohio. He did weddings, portriats and stuff for advertising like Ford/Mercury and stuff. I remember once when I was there he did a shoot with some models and live cougars in his studio. This before digital was even a thing, VCR's were just coming out then. When I wanted to start taking pictures he gave me an old Minolta range finder with a fixed lens. He said that was plenty, showed me the basics and said "just take pictures".
My dad was a commercial photographer and cinematographer and he would only shoot stills with an old 4X5 Speed Graphic. In his 80 years, he never saw, or heard of, a digital camera. When I expressed an interest in photography (age 16) he purchased a used Canon AE1 35mm film camera, with a prime 50 or 55mm lens (can't remember exactly), for me to get started. Then he built an 8X4 darkroom, in the garage, so I could process my B&W photos. All the equipment was second hand. I was in heaven. An added benefit of that dark room was I could lock the door and refuse entry, with the excuse I was developing prints. That gave a teen age boy the privacy to do what teen age boys do. I was so lucky we did not have digital back then. :-)
Great video as per usual :-) been watching all your videos since the Panasonic FZ 200 days just an idea - if you have time and patience what I find odd - most do not cover the topic in this way instead of doing reviews/discussions of full frame camera/apc /m4/3 etc why is it not easy to find videos/blogs on portrait photography cameras / landscape photography cameras etc like I would be very intersted in " birders photography cameras " I still got my FZ 300 and have been pushed to get new camera but have not gone that far ..yet like your wise words say getting into a new system in much more than the cost of camera body your wisedom and advice have many viewers happy - I believe much more than you even think cause I truly believe your words are wise and well thought through thumbs up from me ;-)
Thank you for your very kind words. I tried shooting birds in flight once and I couldn't even find them in my viewfinder, so much respect to you if you shoot them. Cameras that come to mind are the Canon 7D and the 7DII, Nikon D500 and perhaps the D300.
I think I am following the same steps as Dr Mike does,in the sense that I had and still have a lot of cameras and not all the time a new camera is a better camera. In the past the cameras were built to last, less electronics and more mechanical parts which meant that they weren't too sensitive. Also , the good thing now is that those cameras are sold for dirt cheap on websites such as ebay . The only thing that makes me buy another camera is just the bargains that I sometimes find that are too good to pass. And yes.. you need to stop at some point and actually make the time to go out shooting
Hello Doctor Mike, Thanks for your insights to remind us that composition is better than equipment time and again to keep us aware and not get carried away. I had bought fz200 used it for 4 years but bought an fz300 used after fz200 lcd was broke. No need to change and buy different lens like dslr. Other one is Sonya5100 with kit and cheaper f1.7 lens for low light situations since 2015. BTW just a suggestion, you can do some body language videos just for fun, if you have studied it and being psychology professor.
People need to think about what they are going to do with their photos. For most, they will publish on some photo sharing site, like Flicker, and on social media sites that reduce the quality of images. Their photos are largely being viewed on phones, pads and laptops, with a wide range of display qualities that can dramatically change how the photos look. That said, my Canon DSLR I purchased in 2009, for around $1000, was considered at the low end of mid range cameras, at that time. A photo I took with that camera was accepted for an exhibition (large framed prints) that traveled the country for a year. It was right in there with photos taken on $10,000 and $20,000 cameras. I followed a guy, on Flicker, that was shooting raw on a $265 Fuji bridge camera, with a fixed zoom. His photos were absolutely stunning. I have the same camera, and it produces good photos, but I was never able to do with it what this other guy could. At the end of the day, a good photo is about 60% photographer, 30% post and 10% camera/lens. With digital cameras the quality of the gear is about 20% body and 80% lens. Digital camera bodies come and go, as the technology evolves and slowly/strategically gets released by the manufacturers, but good glass is forever. For most photographers, the best strategy is to pick one brand (Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fuji, Panasonic) and stay with it. Buy a lower end body and spend most of your money on the lenses. In 5-10 years, buy a better body, and all that glass you purchased will still be relevant. If you don't want to go down the path of lugging around a ton of gear, there are plenty of very small mirrorless cameras on the market that will deliver stunning images for a fraction of the price and weight.
I got my first DSLR in 2003 (a Digital Rebel)... but I shot a couple weddings (by request) in the early 2000s. What did I use? A compact camera! I was helping some folks out who couldn't afford the price of a photographer on their limited budget. I got all of the main shots, and both parties were very grateful.
It’s not very often nowadays that I stumble upon an honest, intelligent video post like this. UA-cam is flooded with so-called influencers who are obviously sponsored by camera shops or camera brands. Not good! What’s worse is, lots of aspiring photographers and vloggers are influenced by influencers as intended! Consumers must act quickly and write to their congressmen to write a bill to penalize influencers who are not disclosing their sponsors in their video postings and subsequently UA-cam must put those videos down for not following rules. This is the only way we can distinguish an honest non-biased video post vs a biased commercial advertising by so-called influencers. That’s my two-cents.
I'm pretty sure that I have some podcasts on OCD. With that noted, I think what we call OCD in the US may be a bit different than the OCD Dx in the UK.
Totally agree. I’m a MFT shooter and every so often I think about going FF. Then I realize that my gear is not what’s limiting me. It’s my knowledge and skills as a photographer.
Brian Andrews amen
Yes, so much yes. I made a deal with myself. I buy myself a highend ff or mf camera as soon as my pictures are so good that I can only improve them with better iq. So I don`t have to worry about that for the next few or a few more years :-)
Just found and subscribed to your channel. I've enjoyed your videos. I noticed your Illinois State hat . My dad graduated from ISU in 1972. Our family kept a horse not far from campus at a place called Roders. I remember watching the progress of the building of the twin towers dorm during my rides on good old Prince. My dad took me to the planetarium on the ISU campus on multiple occasions. That time as you probably remember was during the exciting Apollo era.Those visits sparked an interest in astronomy I still have today. Thanks for your videos and especially your insights on the psychology of consumerism, FOMO, and learning to use and enjoy the equipment one has rather than spending your time searching for the next best spec monster.
Thanks for your comment. My son is an ISU grad.
Thanks for the video and this message! It has to be said. Not the camera takes the picture, it's the photograph! A good gear makes things easier but a photograph needs ideas, knowledge and luck of course to create a good picture!
true
Great video!. Thank you.
Like I have said before in other comments, a good picture has little to do with the technology. As you have shown most of the really great photographs where taken years ago on out dated tech in less than ideal conditions. A great photograph has more to do with the context than the image quality. Honestly your are probably more likely to capture an iconic image with a phone now a days then with a high end camera. Simply because that is what you will have with you in that situation.
My uncle was a really good photographer, he had a studio back in the 80's in Toledo Ohio. He did weddings, portriats and stuff for advertising like Ford/Mercury and stuff. I remember once when I was there he did a shoot with some models and live cougars in his studio. This before digital was even a thing, VCR's were just coming out then. When I wanted to start taking pictures he gave me an old Minolta range finder with a fixed lens. He said that was plenty, showed me the basics and said "just take pictures".
The most important technology on modern cameras is the shutter button. You have to take pictures to become good at taking pictures.
My dad was a commercial photographer and cinematographer and he would only shoot stills with an old 4X5 Speed Graphic. In his 80 years, he never saw, or heard of, a digital camera. When I expressed an interest in photography (age 16) he purchased a used Canon AE1 35mm film camera, with a prime 50 or 55mm lens (can't remember exactly), for me to get started. Then he built an 8X4 darkroom, in the garage, so I could process my B&W photos. All the equipment was second hand. I was in heaven. An added benefit of that dark room was I could lock the door and refuse entry, with the excuse I was developing prints. That gave a teen age boy the privacy to do what teen age boys do. I was so lucky we did not have digital back then. :-)
@@davidwill1320 LOL, great story!
Great video as per usual :-) been watching all your videos since the Panasonic FZ 200 days
just an idea - if you have time and patience
what I find odd - most do not cover the topic in this way
instead of doing reviews/discussions of full frame camera/apc /m4/3 etc
why is it not easy to find videos/blogs on
portrait photography cameras / landscape photography cameras etc
like I would be very intersted in " birders photography cameras "
I still got my FZ 300 and have been pushed to get new camera but have not gone that far ..yet
like your wise words say
getting into a new system in much more than the cost of camera body
your wisedom and advice have many viewers happy - I believe much more than you even think
cause I truly believe your words are wise and well thought through
thumbs up from me ;-)
Thank you for your very kind words. I tried shooting birds in flight once and I couldn't even find them in my viewfinder, so much respect to you if you shoot them. Cameras that come to mind are the Canon 7D and the 7DII, Nikon D500 and perhaps the D300.
Great content. Thanks. I really needed that reminder.. Subscribed your channel. You saved me thousands..
thank you!
@@Drmikekuna Your welcome. The webshops are campaining like mad this days. Its very easy to get "gear virus" :-D
I think I am following the same steps as Dr Mike does,in the sense that I had and still have a lot of cameras and not all the time a new camera is a better camera. In the past the cameras were built to last, less electronics and more mechanical parts which meant that they weren't too sensitive. Also , the good thing now is that those cameras are sold for dirt cheap on websites such as ebay . The only thing that makes me buy another camera is just the bargains that I sometimes find that are too good to pass. And yes.. you need to stop at some point and actually make the time to go out shooting
Amen
Hello Doctor Mike,
Thanks for your insights to remind us that composition is better than equipment time and again to keep us aware and not get carried away. I had bought fz200 used it for 4 years but bought an fz300 used after fz200 lcd was broke. No need to change and buy different lens like dslr. Other one is Sonya5100 with kit and cheaper f1.7 lens for low light situations since 2015.
BTW just a suggestion, you can do some body language videos just for fun, if you have studied it and being psychology professor.
People need to think about what they are going to do with their photos. For most, they will publish on some photo sharing site, like Flicker, and on social media sites that reduce the quality of images. Their photos are largely being viewed on phones, pads and laptops, with a wide range of display qualities that can dramatically change how the photos look. That said, my Canon DSLR I purchased in 2009, for around $1000, was considered at the low end of mid range cameras, at that time. A photo I took with that camera was accepted for an exhibition (large framed prints) that traveled the country for a year. It was right in there with photos taken on $10,000 and $20,000 cameras. I followed a guy, on Flicker, that was shooting raw on a $265 Fuji bridge camera, with a fixed zoom. His photos were absolutely stunning. I have the same camera, and it produces good photos, but I was never able to do with it what this other guy could. At the end of the day, a good photo is about 60% photographer, 30% post and 10% camera/lens. With digital cameras the quality of the gear is about 20% body and 80% lens. Digital camera bodies come and go, as the technology evolves and slowly/strategically gets released by the manufacturers, but good glass is forever. For most photographers, the best strategy is to pick one brand (Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fuji, Panasonic) and stay with it. Buy a lower end body and spend most of your money on the lenses. In 5-10 years, buy a better body, and all that glass you purchased will still be relevant. If you don't want to go down the path of lugging around a ton of gear, there are plenty of very small mirrorless cameras on the market that will deliver stunning images for a fraction of the price and weight.
I got my first DSLR in 2003 (a Digital Rebel)... but I shot a couple weddings (by request) in the early 2000s. What did I use? A compact camera! I was helping some folks out who couldn't afford the price of a photographer on their limited budget. I got all of the main shots, and both parties were very grateful.
It’s not very often nowadays that I stumble upon an honest, intelligent video post like this. UA-cam is flooded with so-called influencers who are obviously sponsored by camera shops or camera brands. Not good! What’s worse is, lots of aspiring photographers and vloggers are influenced by influencers as intended! Consumers must act quickly and write to their congressmen to write a bill to penalize influencers who are not disclosing their sponsors in their video postings and subsequently UA-cam must put those videos down for not following rules. This is the only way we can distinguish an honest non-biased video post vs a biased commercial advertising by so-called influencers. That’s my two-cents.
It can be very confusing for folks that are looking for advice instead of a commercial.
We still using Nikon D3 in our studio with 24 120 f/4 Dose the job fine
Absolutely. The D3 was, and is a fantastic camera. I have a D3S that I bought used. Great device.
If you watched a ton of camera reviews because you want to buy something or upgrade something so soon, go watch Mike to get back to your senses.
beautiful and honest video Dr Kuna
Thank you, I appreciate your kind comment.
WOW! all true...
thanks!
Namaste Sir,i was waiting for your video.Thank you for great content again.
anybody else read above comment in indian accent
Thanks so much, Rakesh.
I still love my d80
Ha, I also have a D80!
Hi , Dave here , UK...very nice video...Any chance of doing one on OCD, obsessive compulsive disorder ? Many Thanks, Dave.
I'm pretty sure that I have some podcasts on OCD. With that noted, I think what we call OCD in the US may be a bit different than the OCD Dx in the UK.
all the phones are good enough but a camera is a nicer toy...
If for example you prefer a cell phone over a say Nikon D850 with 600 mm lense to capture a bird in flight say 30 meters above ...