Recently I figured out for myself that I no longer care about the new cameras.
I am even training my news feed software to show me less of this type of marketing "news".
There are several reasons for this behavior of mine but I have to admit that the prices of the new cameras is the major one.
I understand that the Covid period, then the wars, increasing as we speak, followed by raising two-digits inflation has skyrocketed the prices of the new equipment.
So, for instance today I compared the price of the equivalent equipment kit I have bought when I began my pro photog career with the new kits, that is a proper full-frame camera plus pro-version of one lens of my favorite photographic brand.
The price back then was about EUR 3,000.
Today I would have to pay between EUR 4,300 and 4,800 and that on average is 50% increase.
Even if you compare an entry-pro level equipment, back then it was in the range of EUR 500, today, it is over EUR 1000. That's not quite encouraging if someone is starting right now.
Well, probably such prices are ok generally, but the problem here is that clients can be charged that much more, enough to cover both for the equipment, the increased expenses and cost of living and let's not forget, some profit has to be kept away and saved.
The profession of the photographer does not need to be certified as it is in a big extent a form of art. Probably someone who is better at marketing their services or someone who has good connections, would do much better than a seasoned photographer with many years of experience.
Put it that way, nobody is going to be hurt if a photographer doesn't do their work properly, compared to let's say doctors or lawyers, or police officers, or firefighters.
Let's get back to the prices though.
As I am communicating with other photographers too, many of them share their disappointment of the skyrocketing photo-equipment prices. So I am definitely not the only one who would just stick up with their existing cameras until they do the job.
Not that I don't want these 40 frames per second.
Or the increased ISO sensitivity.
Or the awesome 8-steps stabilization existing inside the camera body itself.
Or the decreased weight and sizes of the new cameras.
Or the slick new design. ;)
It is just that nobody wants to spend that much on something that is more of "I would want" than "I actually need" to do the job.
Another side of the story is that new cameras are being released much more frequently than before. I remember I waited for years, between the releases of Canon EOS 5D Mark III and Mark IV.
Now-a-days, it is so hard to keep up with all those new mirrorless cameras that are getting released every other month. They also have similar specs. Isn't that a bit confusing to you too? To me, this kills a bit of the thrill. Probably all of the thrill. Often, this feels like photo corporations caring much more about their profits than the real needs of their customers and fans.
Let's do another comparison.
Someone, working in the field of IT, let's say a QA or a Dev, would most probably have a salary, that is at least 2, 3 times bigger than the salary of a photographer. As I am comparing freelancing here, all a freelance IT would need is a powerful PC+monitor/laptop. That usually costs much less than what would a new high-end, pro photo kit cost. So a pro photographer has to spend much more of their income on acquiring their "work tools".
Not to mention that insuring photo gear is either way too expensive, or a pain in the *ss, or both, if possible at all.
So, long story short, sorry, photo manufacturers, but for the time being, I am sticking up with my existing cameras and lenses, as long as they work as expected.
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