Why Your Expensive Camera DOESN’T MATTER

INSTAGRAM: TheMonochromeMemoirs / PerlaImages

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[MrYankee]

I just discovered you yesterday Will, and immediately subbed..I upgraded from a d3300 to a D7100 a couple yrs ago because of the build and controls on the 7100..of course since then, there has been the 7200, 7500, and the ultimate crop D500..but.. I am so happy with my "old" d7100 and have no desire to change..videos like yours keep my head straight..thanks ! the $ I save goes towards quality used FF lenses :)

[thephotographerseye]

You mean to tell me if I by a Leica M10 I'm not going to be a better photographer? Darn!!!
Oh for the love of Bugs Bunny's mother!! what am I going to do now. I guess I'll have to stick
with what I have. Great video, buddy!

[schmidt]

Agree 100%. I'm just learning. Spent $300 on a Nikon D7100 and $200 on a D700 a couple of years later. Still learning with both and having fun. They are better cameras than I am a photographer. So hope to use both for a while. Love the channel.

[JohnMayfield-NS]

I agree with pretty much everything you said. When it comes to get and someone asks me I put it as: Better gear will make many things easier and a few things possible.

Also agree with people getting bored of the "wow" images. Scroll through basically any social media, I swear everyone is using the same presets. It's the really creative, or raw, natural shots, that grab my attention.

[jtes]

Well said brother . Plenty of low cost options out there . Cameras such as the D7000, D600 series along with the D700 can make it a low cost entry point .

[chaser]

We used to shoot weddings with a Pentax, one 50mm lens and a crude Honeywell flash or with a lone Yashicamat and a flash. That is it other than a few rolls of film and spare batteries. (pro or rookie!)

[TheMonochromeMemoirs]

Hopefully this answered some questions for all you new guys out there. Any other questions feel free to ask - Will

[edc]

I have 3 D700s and a D4. I love these cameras and I got them in mint condition cheap with a low SC. I have a D850 but love using my older Nikons! It is all about the light and composition. Love your videos!

[jjccllgg]

My 2 cents experience. I am a non-pro enthusiast. Been shooting since the days of film with Minoltas, Nikons and Konicas. Nowaday, I shoot mostly Pentax DSLRs. I travel a lot for long periods of time. If I want to travel light and cover all my needs (I love street photography and all-around travel), I use a Ricoh GRii and a Leica C-lux. These cameras have proven to provide high quaity results. I have a XZ-10 Olympus as a backup tha can produce excellent quality. Thank you for your video! And you are RIGHT! It is very similar to wine tasting!! Blind tasting will yield you interesting results. Same with photos.

[jpdj]

A D700 is a great camera. We have to understand that 4x the megapixels are needed to get 2x detail resolution. Do we need 45 MP? Generally not. We get so much detail in headshots that we need to blur e.g. pores in our images.

[jpdj]

I feel we should split these debates in three: artistic, technical, cognitive development. And then bring these together.

[LMActionsports]

What I did when I started out I found a nice used Nikon D7100 and I buy some nice glass for it. And you can find some really nice older Nikon glass that is still razor sharp. I’m not a big fan kit lenses but you can use some older Nikon D lenses that will take amazing pictures. Even the older manual focus Nikon lenses will produce great images. I am not a fan of the Nikon d3000 & d5000 series cameras due not being able to use the older screw driven lenses. I prefer at least a D 7000 series camera or an older FX body that has the focus motor built into the body. And starting out on DSLR I feel will make you a better photographer than going straight to Mirrorless. Enjoy what you do have And don’t worry what everybody else is using. Practice with what you have

[seanfshannon]

Great video and couldn't agree more! I wish I could tell every person starting in photography what to buy. And my answer would always be if you want to go Nikon, buy a D700 and a 50mm 1.8G. If you want to go canon buy a 5D classic or 5D II and the 50mm 1.8 STM. And instead of spending extra money on fancy cameras or lenses, invest in lighting. Get a decent light stand and a 2' x 3' softbox and either a speedlight or a reasonably priced studio light like an Alien Bee or similar. And a reflector. Just that for starters and build from there!

I recently discovered the work of Luke Fontana who has shot with some of Hollywoods top celebrities. 95% of his work is done with just a D800 (pretty cheap used these days), a 50mm 1.8G, an Elinchrom D-Lite RX4 and a 39" Elinchrom Squarebox. That's it!

[christopherm]

I find your channel very intriguing and different in a good way. So many other youtubers / photographers are so cookie cutter in their presentation, and love how grounded these videos are.

I don’t shoot professionally, but learned from the best in the industry when I supported artists at ILM/LucasFilm. I picked up photography to better understand the industry lingo and got sucked into doing dance photography with my Nikon D750.

To a point, I think I look at upgrades differently. Instead of the immediate cost. I look at how it will be used over time. I got the D750 when it launched some 5 years ago. Currently waiting on my order for my Sony A7R IV. The cost of the Sony will be worth it’s use over time. I really need IBIS since I shoot primes and run and gun photography with dance. The autofocus jump is also something I look forward to. We all have our reasons for upgrades, and I don’t think the fact that I don’t shoot for money should be a factor in my choice of cameras down the line. But more about the added features that come with time and technology moving forward. I consider myself more of a hybrid photographer. Not a beginner, but not pro either. That may change soon as I look at options going forward. But I’m currently dealing with my battle with cancer right now, and I’m using photography as my outlet for now.

Ultimately I would love to be an additional photographer for a wedding shoot just to have the experience and learn from those who do it as their bread and butter. I wouldn’t look to charge a dime, just be an extra camera and eye for the day to learn and make some connections.

~ Christopher M

[DrZirdrz]

I use d3100 +50mm 1.8 AF or 1.8D. It works fine, but I lack the semi-auto modes for non-CPU lenses from the 80s, because I own 70-210 and 75-150 both series E.
You can achieve great images on low budget cameras. It just takes more effort with all the manual control.

[PQPhotography]

Will... Your words are like gospel 😊. I debate with my photographer friends about gear and different cameras. Sony, nikon, Canon all have great output but it's the eye that makes a great shot. I bought my Z6 for the ease of use and the better focus. I still have a D610 and I have no problem using that for a shoot.. Again.. Well said. 💯 Percent

[JeffreyOakarPhotos]

Shout out to you buddy for mentioning my comment! I just saw this today...August, September and October have been crazy busy but I eventually get to all your videos. Keep up the great content!

[greenmedic]

Considering that the majority of field professional photography was done with 35mm SLRs prior to the maturation of the DSLR market, one should be able to take stunning images with a 35mm fully manual SLR and a 50mm manual focus prime if they know what they're doing.

But, recommending the right equipment for the job and the needs of the user, while remaining within budget will make the task much faster and easier. You will have a higher hit rate with more current gear. Full stop. And while the obsession with file resolution took a temporary break (now back with full force), it's hard to recommend shooting anything that produces less than 24MP images to provide the maximum options for output, particularly if considering commercial use.

It would hurt to take the shot or shots of a lifetime with a camera that shot lower res images through lower quality glass if alternatives were available. Still can be done for under $1k with a bit of knowledge and the used market.

[duanemcclun]

Hi Will....

Another thought provoking video!! Another well thought out video!!

I can't disagree with what you said but I would add a couple thoughts that I don't think you talked about.

You suggested someone who is just starting out to get the D700 and I don't disagree with you but I would strongly recommend for new photographers to get the D700 NOW!!

My reason for suggesting it is I would love to have a D700 but I have too much invested in DX lenses for my D300, D3300, D7100, and D7200.

I do have a 50mm f1. 8 G lens I could use with a D700 but my point is the time to do that is when you're starting and not already invested in a certain format or lenses especially if you are not professionally into photography.

And your other point on many photographers going back to minimalist photography I can relate.

With the purchase of my Pixel 3A cell phone Im going to shoot with it to challenge me - to make me more aware of lighting, composition, etc.

Best of luck in your photography journey.

Duane

[jamesjackson]

While I shot Sony now I have shot Nikon in the past. Sony have two cameras that are best bang for the buck and Nikon has a few also in my opinion.

D700 great output
D800e Great detail and output
D7100 apsc and great

A7rii great output and detail
A7riii still a lot a cash but worth every penny
A6300

Nikon has a stable of lens. Calibration is key tho. 105dc is flawless if you can get the focus right. 180 also.