Should you Upgrade Your Camera Gear?

"Should I upgrade my camera?" Tony and I answer one of our most frequently asked questions with a bunch more questions and a bunch of answers, too.

If you're wondering if you should upgrade, consider your photo subject, the final resting place of your photos, how your gear might be holding you back, and more!

[davidnewman]

My father was a professional photographer. He taught me to ask the following: what barrier do I need to overcome. Similar to what Tony and Chelsea was saying. Trival example: when he bought a tub for his darkroom, he didn't go to the camera store, he went to the kitchen department of a local store. Once he was at the camera store where he did most of his purchasing. This was in the 1970s a man came into the shop and said "I have $4, 000, what can I get." The owners were more than glad to help him. What a dope.

[irnbrukidsm]

20 plus years teaching photography in College....ability to ‘see the photograph’ generally way more important than camera

[winstonpx]

the stunning digital photography book ad at 3:55 was to slick!

[Tinalovestravel]

As an ambitious amateur, I’m really happy that I stubbles across this video. I was going back and forth trying to decide if I should start with a beginner camera or buy a more expensive camera and “grow into it.”

Thank you so much for pointing me in the right direction! I’ll be sure to start with an experience appropriate camera, and then upgrade as needed, if needed!

[mcunner]

Lenses are more important than camera body unless you need specific camera features. Getting a 400mm f2.8 for wildlife has changed everything for me in terms of quality and ability to capture more. I'm still using a D7000, D300s and a D5300 which does it all for now. Dynamic range is the biggest issue for me at the moment and maybe buffer and fps but megapixels, video etc is not an issue

[Tophymaster]

You missed one important question. Do you need that piece of gear on a daily basis? A lot of gear can be rented which can be much cheaper.

[DanPandrea]

The "Buy cheap" segment reminds me how I chose my first camera. At the time I didn't know if photography would become a passion. I had to choose between the a5000 or the a6000. I chose the a5000, got a very good deal on the double kit package (16-50mm, 55-210mm) and used them for three and a half years. When it was time to upgrade, I knew exactly what I wanted from my next camera. It's good to choose a first camera that doesn't overwhelm the photography amateur.

[southerncharity]

Hi Tony, I'm still using a Kodak brownie... I'm looking to break into the 8K cinema market... Should I upgrade?

[willemakit]

Bought a t6 kit for $350 as a hobby. Fell in love with photography, now i wanna upgrade to the R or R5 depending on the price.

[winstonpx]

at 0:45 Tony's face when Chelsea said "buy it" with a shake lmao

[BobK]

I "downgraded" from FF to M43. I enjoy photography so much more now and I'm much more likely to have the camera with me.

[nvwolfephotography]

Nothing wrong with using a full frame lens on a crop sensor. Take the d500 paired with a 200-500 lens.

[momchilyordanov]

In short - no. Unless it's broken. I've tried getting 'inspiration' via the credit card. Not working.

[wt_heck]

" Buy cheap. buy Twice" ... This has happened to me lol...

[Tipton_Wildlife]

I upgraded from a rebel T6i with 70-200mm to a 5Ds-r and 100-400mm mark II and never looked back. Couldn't be happier.

[steveschnetzler]

Sometimes the best upgrade is to something smaller or more portable, especially as you get older. I have MFT and full frame gear, but it is the MFT sling bag I put on when I go for my daily hike or bike ride.

[jancovanderwesthuizen]

I love trading up. I have never bought any new camera gear, only used, and as a result I have never lost a single cent. I'm patient and apparently not bad at negotiating, so I've always gotten good deals. Everything I've sold, I sold for more than I paid. That's how I fund my photography hobby. I'm making money off of my gear rather than my photos.

[anthonyc]

Of course you should upgrade and even switch systems, constantly, because in this hypermarket we live in The Next Big Thing is always being released, and you've gotta have The Next Big Thing in order to do (blank), and if you don't have The Next Big Thing you'll never be able to do (blank), and as soon as you get The Next Big Thing you'll stop focusing so much on specs and equipment, and...wait, what's that sound? Could it be the Youtube notification bell of the "next" Next Big Thing, so soon?? OK, gotta run!

[xMotivationFix]

I want to live in a world where i don't have to hear the words Square space every 2 minutes x-x

[TSGEnt]

8:04 This was spot on. Gear, most of the time is overrated and used as an excuse for the lack of A new (name your gear choice) won't make you a better (name your self imposed limit). Learn to use your current stuff and perhaps the noise in your photo can be used in an advantageous way. Hey, how about renting that camera/lens/whatever for the specific job. Or network with people who have the gear that would support your endeavour. If you want gear, get the gear! But don't expect it yo make you a "better" photographer. And what is "better" anyway? Well, it's just about 1% better than the client. But that 1% takes a huge amount of understanding what others want to see in their photos. All you gotta know is what "they" don't