Time to buy an expensive camera?

Choosing a new camera can be tough, so should you just buy an expensive one? This week, I'm answering that question whilst doing some WOODLAND photography in challenging conditions. Will the forest deliver..🤔? I think it might 😁

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Chapters:

00:45 - Gear matters
01:25 - What do you NEED?
02:17 - An overlooked advantage of entry-level cameras
04:37 - Don't listen to these people
05:49 - Spring is coming
07:07 - Woodland photography tips
08:47 - New presets
09:30 - An important consideration
11:15 - How can you choose?

[TheJoshuaPeg]

When was the last time you slid on some ice just for a giggle 🤔😅?

[michaelladd]

Joshua, I think you have hit the nail on the head with this video. Most people are not and never will be professional photographers. They get into photography for various reasons, but mostly to be able to take photos that go slightly beyond their smartphone camera capabilities. As you pointed out, these cameras need to be fairly easy to use and must be enjoyable to use. I also have the SL3(250d), and if I combine correct settings and good composition, it produces excellent photos. I thoroughly enjoy this little camera. You have carved out an uncommon YouTube niche in targeting the beginner and amateur photographers without constantly pushing new gear, gadgets, and more money for something they don't really need to fulfill their particular photography journey. Your videos are refreshing and appreciated by this old amateur. Thank you.

[ronwilson]

Spot on Joshua, I upgraded from the EOS 200d to R7 for two reasons, the auto AF and shutter speed, but that's because I love bird pictures, otherwise the 200D was perfect. While I use manual mode all the time, I do use Auto ISO, so keeping it simple, K.I.S.S. ( keep it stupidly simple) or ( keep it simple stupid)!!
I went to meet up with my local photographic club ( Shrewsbury) name & shame, they asked what camera I had, told them the 200D, they looked down their noses and said they don't teach photography !! so I finished my drink and walked out, Snobs !! Their loss.

[joaopccosta]

I 100% agree with you Joshua! Myself, I have started with a Sony a5000 with the 16-50 kit lens some 8 years ago. At a hobbyist level, the quality of those photos is passable. Good enough to post on social media I'd say. I have finally treated myself to a new Sony a6400 (so still not a flagship / pro camera I'd say) with a 50mm f1.8 prime lens and a sigma 18-50 f2.8. Why? Because now I know the limitations of the gear that I have used and why I couldn't stretch the gear any further. And I still use that a5000 as my backup camera because you never know, so I still get value out of it after all these years.
Your content is spot on! Cheers from Portugal!

[Whizzer_]

I hear you - I’m almost mentally broken by the end of Winter, which has crappy physical knock ons. Roll on spring!

[rolybaker]

I absolutely agree 100% with what you say. I posted on here about upgrading my 250d (a really sweet little camera) to the R6, Has my photography improved?...not a lot! I liked the AF and and eye focusing of the R6. I found the setting up and setting's changes of the R6 slow and laborious, not a problem to you younger guy's who may be a bit sharper and more dextrous with latest technology lol. (you should see me using a smartphone...embarrassing) What I wished I had done was upgrade my lens's first and then the body in a couple of years once I had learned what range of lens's I needed. I am upgrading my lens's now wow is that costing me! A bit more experience learning what range of lens's I needed would have saved me a lot of brass. The resale of my initial lens's is about 50-60% of what I paid for them.

[teresae.]

I've had my Canon 600D for about 10 years and have frequently put the hobby aside due to frustration with my poor photos. I kept trying to learn more about things like composition, shutter speed, aperture etc but everything was always just meh! This winter I treated myself to a Canon 50mm f/1.8 and instantly felt inspired so much more than I ever have with the kit lenses I'd been using thus far. A combination of that and watching your videos have really gee'd me up and I'm out with my camera every chance I get now. I'll stick with the 600D while I'm still learning but will definitely save up for more quality glass just because better results will keep me from giving up something I know will be a favourite hobby. Thanks for your videos Joshua- your knowledge and the relaxed way in which you impart it has made a real difference!

[Twobarpsi]

I prefer to call the 250D an "entry camera", versus a "beginner camera". The sensor and processor are light years ahead of cameras a few years ago. It also has dual pixel autofocus, eye detection and face tracking, and subject tracking in Live View, features that cameras didn't have in the past.

If you buy an expensive camera, but do not understand composition and exposure, all you will have in the end are high quality 60 megapixel BAD PHOTOS.

[trevorsneath]

The reason I went a little more up market was for back-button focus and weather sealing and went from the eos600d to the eos70d. As far as pixels go I went from 18 to 20. As a consequence, of course, I gained a few more features, but they aren't necessary. I wanted to keep a Canon style flippy screen (which is also on my compact Canon G5x that I use for Street Photography) and gain back-button focus, and image quality is still excellent at 20Mp. When I use an ultra wide lens in the field i am still impressed by the amount of detail in 20Mp. Sure, I'd like to try higher rez, but then I'd need more RAM to edit the images, so the expense isn't just the camera.

[c.augustin]

Most of the time I do use aperture priority mode (on cameras that have it ;-)) and exposure compensation – even though I'm doing photography for over 40 years by now. Or maybe because of it. Whatever works is fine, even though I never liked program modes. Manual I only use if there's a specific situation that needs the control it gives (and if there's enough time, or the camera is fully manual anyways …).

[davidrodgers]

i absolutely agree. i bought an "old" fuji xe2 and love the simplicity of using it because it does'nt have a multitude of bells and whistles to dredge through.

[brianholland]

Hi Joshua manual mode is for when you need to be in full control ie low light knowing everything about your camera will help you when you do become more confident and start to get more expressive forget only manual mode enjoy your camera and your photography a very informative video many thanks 👍

[darrenbailey]

First off Great channel enjoying it. As someone who is looking into getting into photography as a hobby. Been researching for the past few weeks. Only have an IPhone 11 which is not a bad camera phone. Very tempted by the 250D but I did like the Nikon3300 yes a very old Dslr but does lack WiFi.

[Paul]

You are a breath of fresh air in the Landscape photography YouTube space mate. It really annoys me how it’s hard to ignore the distractions of gear and photography related trinkets especially with social media these days. I’ve heard people say buying the absolute top of what they can afford frees them up from that upgrade bug distraction and you have nothing to blame other than yourself for bad images. I can see their point but for me personally the barrier is always time rather than gear. I’d hate to be working more hours to pay for expensive gear that I don’t have opportunity to get better at using.

[manilamartin]

I enjoyed this video. I don't consider myself a camera nerd but I do buy the best gear I can afford.

[lensofsolacephotography]

Some really important and useful information Josh. Thanks for this amazing episode. Truly inspiring!

[trevorfentiman]

Still use a Fuji xt1 for my walk about but now find software to be the thing to upgrade as it’s come on dramaticly

[Jakeisinthepool]

Im doing my first quinceniera this august and I will be using canon sl3, just bought 4 extra original canon battery, I will be using 50mm 1.8 stm for self portrait of the quinceniera girl and efs 10-18mm is stm for group photos. Wish me luck. Im getting better at color grading in DPP4, I will get paid too :) 4 hours
Ps: this is my second gig, my first gig was food photography for a huge golf course company that serves food in their restaurant.
Beginner camera or not it doesnt matter as long as you master your camera, you know how to edit and you have backups like battery or second camera just in case.

[ggwildlife]

Top advice as always, thanks for sharing.

[shawnheppenstall]

Totally 100% agree with what your saying. On my last video I talked about entry level cameras. I started out a few years ago with a canon 4000d nice and basic, but I learnt so much using it. Two weeks ago I did up grade my canon. Love your video. Plus your photo are pretty good. Keep them coming.