6 reasons to keep your old camera and avoid buying a new one.
6 reasons to keep your old camera and avoid buying a new one.
Looking for a new camera? Plus an Open Call for Un/Taken.
6 reasons to keep your old camera and avoid buying a new one. Looking for a new camera? Captivated by that ad featuring the latest model with those cool enhanced features? Persuaded by your friend who can't stop touting this latest technological marvel?
All reasons to give in and draw your cut. But is that actually necessary? Sure that new camera will have features that your current camera lacks or at least has improved. Again, is that actually necessary? Could it be that you are affected by G.A.S? (Gear Acquiring Syndrome)
Here I list 6 reasons to keep your old camera and not give in to the lure of manufacturers:
1. It won't let you take better pictures
Just because that new camera has better features doesn't necessarily mean that your photos will be better. What better exactly is, I would like to leave aside for now. Probably your photo will get better in quality, but will you notice that if you don't blow it up to A2 or larger? Technically better at the same settings (question: are those the correct settings?), but in terms of composition, framing and choice of subject, nothing will change with your new camera. Your photo, your responsibility. A technically good, poorly chosen photograph remains a ... let me call it a less attractive image.
2. You know your camera like the back of your hand
Your relationship with your camera is like a friendship that goes deeper and deeper. You get to know each other better and better and a half setting is all you need. The ease of use and thus mastery of your favorite settings makes you act faster to shoot the image that appears in front of you.
3. You can't buy a new camera every year
I don't know about your finances, but you probably can't buy another camera every year. If you can AND do, stop reading further. It's a waste of time. Better read or watch camera reviews, looking for 'the next best thing' 😉
4. You don't need the latest features
Less ISO noise, faster auto focus, more frames per second. Do you really need that? There are probably plenty of features on the latest cameras that you won't use. Even the features of an entry-level camera are already superior to the features of a camera from let's say 10 years ago.
5. Invest in knowledge, not equipment
What is your goal? Why do you photograph? Do you do it professionally and do you want to earn money? Then you might wonder if you really always need the latest model. At some stage you will get to the point where the type of photography you are doing is fine with your current camera. I would rather spend my money on books or courses. #buybooksnotgear
Invest in knowledge. That will help advance your photography further than that top-range model. Just make sure you inform yourself well before you buy a book or take a course. These days, everyone is a coach and everyone has wisdom. Read reviews and ask others where they learned a lot.
6. Embrace the limitations of your camera
Just as you zoom with your feet with a fixed focal point, you can use the limitations of your camera. Your creativity may be limited by the multitude of possibilities your camera has. Once you can do everything, you will often end up doing nothing!
Get the most out of your camera. Find the limits of the possibilities and make this your own. It is these limitations that teach you another way to still shoot those images you have in mind.
So think about these reasons whenever you want to buy a new camera!
‘You don't take photos with your camera, you take them with your brain.'
– Bambi Cantrell
This quote is part of my E-book Unleash Creativity - 109 Inspiring Photography Quotes. You can support Darkrooms by buying this E-book. It’s even cheaper than a cup of coffee…
Open Call for Un/Taken
I would like more episodes of Un/Taken in this newsletter. So I've created a form where anyone can tell their story about the photo they didn't take. Just fill out the three questions, upload the photo you did take and I'll find a way to fit it into the Darkrooms newsletters. The previous episodes can be read in the archive.
Till next time,
Marcel Borgstijn