Every time a new, awesome camera is released, I start thinking of all the reasons I need it.
Canon 5Ds? Check.
Blackmagic URSA Mini? Check.
Sony A7R II? Double check.
I mean, the A7R II does about everything I could possibility want in a camera today. But it has one major limiting factor… Me.
I see amazeballs photos captured with the A7R II or insane 4K video and I’m like, “boom, that’s what I need.” And yet, this is really all about GAS (gear acquisition syndrome).
I love cameras, lenses and accessories. Heck, I’ve got a whole blog where I write pretty much about nothing but camera gear. And, fortunately, I get to use a whole lot of cool camera gear because a few people read this blog.
But when it comes down to it, I’m the biggest limitation in my own photography.
Years ago, I was into cycling pretty heavily. And cycling is oddly like photography in a lot of ways . It can be a very expensive hobby and comes complete with GAS. You can buy a $500 entry-level bike or a $10,000 high-end pro-level bike.
The big difference is the weight of the bikes – with the $5k+ bikes being ridiculously lightweight. You can seriously pick these high end bikes up with one finger. An entry-level bike might be in the low to mid 20lbs range, while a high-end $10k bike might be in the 15lbs range.
So that can be $9k-ish difference to save five or six pounds. And amateur cyclists addicted to this hobby buy in hook, line and sinker. No one stops to tell us (and we never realize on our own) that the biggest difference in a bike’s weight is made up by adjusting the weight of the schmuck sitting on top of it.
Unless you are racing in the Tour de France, the weight of your bike is probably the least of your concerns. Perhaps avoiding the doughnuts and cupcakes would be a better budget plan.
The same is true with photography and camera gear.
Even though I lust for the next great camera, I have somehow stuck with my Canon 5D Mark II for the past 7 years. I bought it the week that it was released back in Fall 2008 (definitely a GAS-related purchase) and it hasn’t left my side since.
I have come up with plenty of good reasons to replace it over the years. The 5D Mark III was especially tempting. But I keep talking myself out of it because it is good enough for me and I remain the biggest limiting factor in the photos I produce on my 5D Mark II.
I can probably count on one hand the number of times the 5D Mark II has caused me to miss “the” shot over the past seven years. And I have completely lost count of the number of times my own brain has caused me to miss “the” shot over the past seven years. Again, I am the biggest limitation of this camera.
Sure, I would like a little better AF performance in low light. Maybe some better noise control beyond ISO 1600. But seriously, there are very few times when I’m like “I can’t do anything with this shot because of my camera.” It’s plenty good enough for me.
So, back to the Sony A7R II…
It’s pretty ridiculous. Canon lens AF adapters for the A7R II give it solid AF with Canon lenses? Come on. Tempt me more why don’t you. I’ve got a whole bag full of Canon lenses just waiting to sit on the end of the A7R II.
I can shoot 4K video onto an SD card in S-Log2 with the A7R II. Every lens gets image stabilization with Sony’s sick new 5-axis SteadyShot. It has the best sensor ever rated on DxO Mark. I’ve almost talked myself into buying this camera again…
So, why haven’t I ordered the A7R II yet?
Because I don’t need a 15-pound road bike. I need to stop eating doughnuts.
My 5D Mark II still works fine. One of these days I’ll pull the trigger on something new. It may be something from Sony or it may be something from Canon. Or, it may be something else entirely.
By all reports, Sony has delivered an incredible camera with the A7R II and if you’re in the market for a new camera, it certainly deserves a look.
But before you order the A7R II or any new camera with dreams and expectations that all your photography woes will fall to the wayside, take a long hard look in the mirror and ask yourself if that camera in your bag today is your biggest limitation. It may be that the person looking back at you in the mirror is what’s holding you back.
Jared says
Loved reading this! I’m seriously considering mirrorless systems, and leaning more toward Sony over the micro four-thirds systems. For what I’ve been doing, my Canon 5D Mk2 and 5D Mk3 have been great.
Thinking about hybrid shooting, getting more into video (and the need for another body, or two), I’m looking at gear I think I might need. Fortunately, I’m too broke to get any of it right now, so I’m able to get by with what I have, which gives me more time to make better-informed purchases when/if the time comes.
Steven says
Very well said and can apply to a whole slew of hobbies.
Reiss Menachem says
“Your limitations” affect only one person, that is you. every photographer has different needs and various experience, that why sony A7r II is good in many aspects. I intend to buy one.
Jared says
I’m considering my first step into mirrorless, but can’t justify the A7r II, so I’ll probably start out with something like the Alpha a6000. I’ll try my Canon lenses on it and if I like it enough to stay with it, I’ll start investing in Sony lenses.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1029860-REG/sony_ilce6000l_b_alpha_a6000_mirrorless_digital.html/prm/alsVwDtl
Eric Reagan says
I’m liking where the A6000 is and where its successor may be headed. If it comes with 4K capture, I’m going to be having this internal struggle all over again. It’s like a broken record for me…
Jared says
I’m not ready to purchase yet. But I’ll be following your posts in the meanwhile, trying to see what will fit my “needs” best.
Eric Reagan says
I’m not knocking the camera Reiss. I think it’s an awesome camera. I’d like to have one too. I just don’t “need” one. I think a lot of us get caught up in gear instead of focusing on the craft. And that’s probably not you, but that was the point of this article…
Stan says
I like your philosophy of keeping it simple. I sold my D4s. It sounds like a machine gun and I need quiet in the theater. Sony is also dropping the XQD card line and there may not be any firmware updates for the XQD card reader with Windows 10. I must have two card slots. I purchased two Nikon D7200 camera bodies and the dynamic range and image quality at iso 5000 is excellent. I would rather spend the money in good fast glass. The D7200 is a great bang for the buck, but the high end pro grade, full-frame Nikons aren’t.
Richard says
Concur! When is enough really enough and more unnecessary? I like my two Sony Nex 7’s and my Trek Domane 5.2 (to which Di2 and Hed Ardennes + wheels with tubeless tires have been added). I will not ride better on a Domane 6.9 or produce better images with an A7r-II, nor have more fun than I have now with these fine products which I already possess.
Frank says
So true!
Bengt Nyman says
My main reason for not buying one at the moment is not a result of sensible self restraint, but rather the fact that a high resolution, interchangeable lens camera with only one high resolution lens is of limited value to me.
Paul Hames says
Aha, someone has addressed the elephant in the room: gear acquisition syndrome! This doesn’t apply to everyone or all photographers out there, but it sure apply’s to maybe the New School photog. They think by having the latest gear it will give them confidence and then transport them into the best light situation, best location and best haircut. It all boils down to experience – thats why art buyers hire me not for my gear :)
Steven H says
I shoot on movie sets and concerts (except R&R concerts) where I need a quite camera. My DSLR is so loud that I have to put it into a sound proof case.(sound blimp) A professional mirrorless camera seems to be a god-send. Now if Nikon will please come out with a Sony equivalent so I don’t have to purchase all new glass.
Stan Obert says
Steven, you and I are in the same boat with Nikon. The only Nikon camera with a very good quiet mode is the D810. 36 MP is more than I need and I was hoping that the D750 would have a good quiet mode but it is louder than the quiet mode on the D4s! Mirrorless cameras just don’t have the continuous AF capability in low light that DSLRs have yet. I am not spending 5+ grand on a camera again so I have to wait until Nikon announces a new D760 or another full frame camera that has a good quiet mode. The D750 is a great camera and a pretty good bang for the buck except for the obnoxious shutter noise.