5 Things to Consider Before Buying a New Camera

I get asked pretty much every day what camera I think someone should buy. And the answer is easy, I have no idea. None what so ever. And even if they can specify a budget and what they want to use it for, it's still a very personal thing and down to taste. But here are five tips to consider before buying.

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[gearreallydoesntmatter]

Find a used camera at MPB. And if you do, you also help support this channel by using the links below:

[TheBigNegative-PhotoChannel]

Budget stretching is the worst. How many times have I wanted to buy a Canon 600D and ended up with a Hasselblad. damn. 🤐

[NaihanchinKempo]

Old saying "Beware of the man with one gun, he knows how to use it"

[titasghosh]

Man, I ditched all my canon gear, settled for just a xt-30 and a 35mm lens. Never been happier.

[satrioarif]

Hi Mattias, this is some sort of weird letter but bear with me a bit here.
I worked on little photography stuff for a few years back but dropped it because of life. Then I discovered your channel, you made me realize that photography can be something so personal and not only to please clients or other people I don't care about. I'm starting new with blank pages and forgot all the knowledge I have and having a blast taking pictures of my city. Feels like I can truly express what I want, in the way I want it. I'm using cheap 8 years old fuji just because I like how it feels in my hand and that's it. No idea what the picture or megapixels.

It's a long shot as I'm easily got bored but I hope one day I have enough portfolio and confidence to message you some work I'm proud of.

Note: Plz don't reply I'm really shy and still insecure about it lmao

[STANDRDUSER]

Two months ago, with you and Damien as further insight, I purchased the Sigma SDQH. It’s a niche type of camera that I love. I did the research, I accepted the caveats as the positives heavily outweighed the negatives. Portraits, Landscapes with 21:9, and infrared capabilities, I’m so in love. The colors are vibrant and bold. Coupling M42 with Focus Peaking is so much fun. Thanks for your time in making helpful and informative content. :)

[johnburrow]

Thank you! Someone asked me the other day for advice; I simply replied “go out and take photos.” It is that simple. Do. The. Thing.

Been a while!

[NinjaMonkeyPrime]

6:08 "You can't buy experience" Well shoot. I was hoping I could.

[andreatilli]

me: don't need anything for this Christmas
Mattias: *uploads new video*
wallet: oh no

[Fotofanlife]

Another excellent video - thank you. I concur with each of your points. Both in my early retail photo career (1970s-80s), then as a school teacher (30+ years, retired), I bought used and used what I bought to its potential. Even now, our main DSLRs are vintage Pentax K20D and K-m with a bevy of lenses (zoom and prime), also bought used and thoroughly enjoyed. I like a 'Yankee' New England sentiment, "Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without." When one of our two Pentaxes wears out, I'll move up to a K-70 or KP, but until then I'm happy to dream. God jul från Kanada

[MeAMuse]

Lol, comes 1 day after I just bought a brand new camera (for a change). The A7RIII was on sale for $2k (800 off) and actually the price a used one has been going for (have been monitoring for months). I have been making do with the A7R2 for years now -but needed better autofocus since I now do some wildlife photography. (my big tip is to buy gear when you need it to solve a creative problem). I originally bought the original A7 for 900 - sold it for 650 after taking 30K photos. I would have sold the A7R2, but it' screen is broken and has a few other quirks from a hard life - it's worth more as a backup / second body than what I could get for selling it.

[utai]

oops, i just bought a yashica from 1954

[matthieuzglurg]

I bought a Canon M50 a few years back when it came out. It is a wonderful camera considering the size, with very good features and image quality. I already use vintage lenses on it so AF and such is absolutely useless to me. I always havr been bothered by the lack of control on the M50 and the impression of having a toy in my hands.

I settled a few weeks back on a used Fuji X-T1 and I have never been happier, the camera feels awesome, the images are great and man the controls and the EVF do everything. And the M50 isn't wasted, I still have a B camera with a stabilized telephoto for when I do landscapes shots without a tripod

[AnandaGarden]

Because I've owned cameras for 54 years I'm able to say that some cameras are just plain fun, and the fun factor has little correlation with price - but a tight correlation with how many photos you take and how happy you'll be with them. The Fuji X-E2 was fun! But so was the Nikon F4 which had a strange way of going invisible - I could shoot in a tight group of people and the big F4 wouldn't be intrusive at all. Some modern cameras are too complex - you spend too much time on the camera. The camera should disappear, like great running shoes. Cheers, Mattias, I always enjoy your thoughts.

[dunkkid]

Good video! I needed to see this one, "Gear Acquisition Syndrome" has been in full effect for a while.

Growing and devoting time to my skills is most important

[snappiness]

Cool, now I have a concise video to share with everyone that asks me the same question! Agree with all these points. I also struggle following them myself xD

[onlyonelens]

Exactly what I needed to hear as I'm debating where to land the in used Fuji line-up this week, important reality checks. Can't thank you enough for reviews and insights over the years!

[ivanstevens]

Some sensible advice there. I do exactly as you say keep going over spec sheets. I want to go mirrorless and then wondering whether XT3 or XT4 or just go full frame. Madness I tell

[thechrisyoung]

Coming from a golf background the advice is much the same: practice, practice, practice. New golf clubs doesn't make you a better golfer, likewise new gear doesn't make you a better photographer! Great video as always, Mattias.

[thedondeluxe]

In short: Buy a camera that will inspire you to go out shooting every day :-)