As I sit here on my virtual analog/digital fence gazing at the technological landscape, I wonder. I wonder what will be the next huge technological leap in photography. I suppose that the megapixel wars will continue, unabated, for some time to come. Heck, if you want to talk mega pixels, my scans of the 6 x 4.5 negatives, at a modest 2400 dpi, come out to about 18 MP! Not bad for a $300 camera and a $250 printer! If I scan at 4800, well you can guess that it is almost 40 MP. The equivalent digital back costs nearly $20,000. Ouch!
Manufacturers have a goal and that goal is to sell. So, each year, or perhaps half a year, they have to come up with something new and improved. They have to come up with something that we think that we simply cannot live without. Something that makes our ‘old’ equipment look inferior and in need of replacing. But, I think as I dangle my legs over the fence, what more do we need? I know that I’m not a visionary. Heck! I don’t even know what’s going to happen today, let alone in the next five years, but how much better can cameras get? Are we going for ‘reality’? Do we want a camera that will reproduce, exactly, what we saw? I’m not sure.
Sometimes, I think that it is about formula. People want the camera to do the job so that can have great pictures, which is why, also, I think that beginning photographers are caught up in meta data. They are looking for the formula. Let’s see … he used 50mm f/2.8@ 1/250 … if I do that, stand in the same location, then I’ll get that too! Point. Shoot. Great! We all know that it doesn’t happen any more than some pill can make you loose 50 pounds overnight without diet or exercise. However, most any manufacturer would be willing to sell you these dreams, should you wish to buy them.
Now, you might be wondering, too: Hmmm. Since this guy has started shooting film again, is he a technophobe? Does he want to go back to using rocks and chisels? Heck no! I still like my digital camera. That bit of technology is wonderful. There’s nothing like it for shooting sports, shooting in various lighting conditions (tungsten, daylight, fluorescent, combination of all three, etc), chimping to make sure that you got that important shot, being able to change ISO when lighting conditions require it, etc. There’s no way that I’d want to go back to shooting color film/slides and having to use crazy filter combinations to get the lighting right. Heaven forbid! The right tool for the job!
So, I’m still wondering what ‘they’ will come up with that will continue to entice us to buy. I see that rumors are flying about the Nikon D300S, which will have, of course, HD video. Nikon simply could not let Canon be the only one. Personally, I don’t see the point of having video in a still camera, other than the point & shoots, where it could be useful on vacation to capture a few fun moments; however, for the most part, the prosumer cameras are not vacation cameras.
OK! Time to hop off of the fence and head to work…
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12 Responses to “The next big thing?”
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I seem to be looking for one thing, the same thing I’ve been looking for almost right from the start, and that’s high quality and low noise at high iso values. If they concentrated on simple stuff like that, and fps for the sports shooters, and less on face recognition and HD video i think we’d end up with all round better cameras. I’m not using my 5d any differently than i used my 350d, apart from being able to shoot in low light (and that nifty little menu with personalised shortcuts!) but there will always be people in this thing who care more about what the tools can do, rather than what they can do with the tools. Actually, here’s a quote I found recently:
“One part of me always longs for stuff like Leaf medium format digital cameras and Nikon D3x’s but as soon as I’ve got them in hand I feel like a slave. I’m always trying to show off their capabilities instead of mine.” from Kirk Tuck. Amen.
Julie: I love the quote. I think that that sums it up nicely. You become a slave to the tool, not a user of it.
As for the ‘important’ things that we might want, well, manufacturers are selling to the masses. When the masses see HD video and the like, they think that they need it and can’t get along without it. Then, the inevitable comparisons start.
I reconize the graffiti in the photo–Bull Hole!
I appreciate and identify somewhat with the Kirk Tuck quote Julie included in her comment. Double Amen!
I don’t think there’s a right or wrong concerning equipment. If someone can afford it and wants it, more power to them. It depends on the situation and the individual.
Personally, for the moment I’m at a happy place equipment wise.
@Earl: Yep! That’s Bull Hole! I’m sure to make many more trips there to get more and more intimate with it. I think that all of my posts this week will have pictures from there. I would like to go back in the very early morning hours and take this photo again at a longer shutter speed.
You are correct, there is no right or wrong about equipment. It’s just interesting to sit on the fence and ponder.
I, too, am at a very happy place with equipment. I was asked what I wanted for Father’s Day. I could think of nothing. Perhaps a few rolls of film, but that’s about it.
I’m quite happy with my equipment, so I’m a poor target for new sales. I don’t even care much about better ISO performance. A nicely priced digital rangefinder would however get me going again.
I have been “shaken up” a bit since I read the article posted a few weeks ago about using only a Leica rangefinder for a year.
When I entered photo seriously in 1978, I had a $99.95 Yashica rangefinder that had a 45mm f1.7 lens, and of course that was it, no changing lenses. I also had a Lloyd’s bulk film loader and shot almost everything in B&W (some Kodachrome slides every once in a while). I developed the film in my Nikkor steel tank, often one roll at a time because I just couldn’t wait for more rolls to be ready to develop before I hit the darkroom.
Reportedly the Yashica, according to the AIER calculator, would cost around $400.00 today.
Back then I dreamed of owning an SLR (any SLR) and now have a DSLR (Nikon D300). The ability to change lenses, not have to use film, shoot color or B&W, adjust white balance right on the camera, not have to build (and support) a physical darkroom, have a built-in flash, all seem to be great advantages over the Yashica and 1978. I would have flipped over a camera like the D300 had I looked at (or possibly owned) one.
Yet I have to admit I resonate more with Paul and his Mamiya and the “use a Leica for a year†suggestion.
I know it’s not really about the equipment, but I have to admit I never really loved photography more or did better work than when using, to quote my friend J. Morrison in 1980, “that age-old Yashica.â€
I sold my Yashica in 1981 for $50.00. Coincidentally, or perhaps as fate would have it, I now have another one (inherited from a relative about two years ago, if you can believe it). I also still have my bulk film loader. So, in spite of the digital age and all that it brings and all the “problems” it solves, I might just load this Yashica rangefinder with some Kodak B&W this weekend, get my steel tank out, and remember why I loved photography to begin with. I might not be able to go home again, and I know it’s no Leica, but I’d like to see if there is still something there…. There certainly was in 1978.
@Rob: Thanks for sharing that story. It’s exactly the way that I felt and the reason that I bought the 645e. I am having no regrets. I am having a great time developing film, too. I think that you should give it a try. There’s no reason why you cannot do both. Do you have a scanner?
Certainly, it’s not about the equipment, but whatever places you in that creative frame of mind. BTW, I will be in Akron from 6/26 – 6/28 (Friday-Sunday). I will return to Charleston on Monday morning. We should get together for lunch/dinner/drinks/whatever!
@ Paul, I don’t have a scanner. I do (still) have about two binders full of B&W 35mm negatives I would like to scan and print…perhaps you could point me in the right direction on getting a decent scanner that would work with my MacBook Pro.
And yes, let’s meet up while you are in Akron. How about lunch on 6/27? Is there any restaurant in the Akron area you are in the mood to “revisit?”
There is something a little disturbing about guys having to write how satisfied they are with their ‘equipment’. lol
I don’t think any of the tools matter as much as knowing what you want to accomplish. If I need something else to do that, I will find a way to get the tools needed.
The practice of companies staying in business by selling dreams is nothing new and crosses all types of objects (Harley Davidson comes to mind). It is good for them and in someways good for those of us that do this seriously as it allows for better tools to create what we see.
I too am tempted to pick up my old cameras and give film another run, but then I would be trying to do to many things at once. Nothing works like a good B&W print from film. Every time you post that little guy on my shoulder talks louder saying, “film, film, remember when?”
No one is that satisfied there isn’t an opening for a new camera or lens or something, claiming satisfaction is merely a way of self-preservation. You would be ruined without it.
I have also been thinking of getting into film once more time, it doesn’t have to be that expensive either. Heck, there are other cameras than Leica out there. Then it bounce back and I start thinking when ever I shall get the extra time I actually would benefit from having if I would follow this path…
About the only thing that I’m trying to accomplish with new photographic gear is to lower the weight of my kit.
As far as functionality, I’m pretty happy with it, but then I’m doing most of my landscape photography on 4×5 film
My big thing is High ISO with low noise. When that gets better it gets my attention…If I want to shoot HD video (Nikon D90 and Canon 5D MarkII). I will get an HD video camera for that. Some things just seem silly to me. One little feature I really like is the virtual horizon. I’ve always had an issue keeping my horizon straight. It is such a great little feature. I can’t really think of anything I would want in a camera that I don’t already have now. Of course I love lenses…but I have a good selection now that I am more than satisfied with and covers all my needs…unless I hit the lottery! Then well…all bets are off. Of course if money were no object I’m sure I would be one of the first in line to get the next new thing. But that is not the reality for me. I’m not saving for any new camera equipment now though, I’m pretty much set and then some. I am looking towards a new monitor and calibration tools down the road though. A Wacom tablet might be cool…Does that count?