I’m feeling obsolete lately. Why? Let me tell you.
Technology moves fast. So fast. Writing for Photofocus has allowed me to see just how quickly the photography industry ā and the photography gear that come with it ā has changed in the last six years.
New photography gear
It feels like all photographers ever want to talk about is the latest and greatest gear. When is this new camera coming out? Will they stop making lenses for DSLRs? Should I switch to mirrorless?
Itās not just the technical equipment. There are also things like backpacks, camera straps and anything to do with the industry. I get it. The companies are in the business of making a profit. They need to create new products, offer new updates, etc. in order to stay in business. At what cost though to the artists out there?
Marketing
Iāll admit, I worked in marketing for most of my working life. So, I understand the necessity of it. But, I donāt buy into it. Does that make me and my photography gear obsolete too?
First of all, I canāt afford to buy into it every time a shiny new āthingā comes out. Secondly, what I work with works perfectly fine for me and what I do.
We are inundated with ads, emails and blog posts from the manufacturers themselves. Not only that but also from some of our own photography friends and those photographers we are inspired by and follow. Yes, I know, thatās how it works. Am I the only one tired of seeing it all the time?
Old tech
My Canon 6D is old, 10 years old to be exact. Is it obsolete with āonlyā 20.2 megapixels? Because itās not mirrorless? Not fast enough, not light enough, not techy enough? Doesn’t have enough functions or options? In my opinion, no itās not old ā for me.
Iāll admit, I had a Canon EOS R in my cart back in 2019. I had a reason though. My original 6D screen went black. So, it was either repair it or replace it. In the end, I ended up having it repaired and I purchased another 6D (which happened to be on sale) to use as a backup or second camera. Why? I just did not feel the need to upgrade just for the sake of upgrading.
Missing out
All this said, sometimes I feel obsolete because I write about photography. I choose to write about and focus on the creativity of it, the artistic side of it and the personal side that photography has for many of us. We need that information as much if not more than the technical side.
Will I ever be an ambassador for a gear company? Or any of the manufacturing companies really? Not likely? Iām ok with that but sometimes it makes me feel left behind. I feel like I canāt always offer what the mass audience of photographers out there wants. That said, not everyone is my audience.
Am I missing out? Nope. Iām quite happy to create in the way I create and share that with my audience and the audience here at Photofocus. We are not all the same. We photograph differently, create differently and we all learn differently. Itās important to have voices out there who arenāt always touting the latest and greatest.
Love and passion
It’s about the love of photography and the passion you have for creating. Not the gear.
Film photography is still popular; maybe I should go back to that.
Canon 6D is a wonderful camera, as is its younger sister. (Although am sure you would absolutely love the 5Ds – nothing touches it and so, I am content!)
I love the 6D, Norma and have ever since I first got it. I started out with the Canon t1i as my first venture into digital SLR cameras. I have no complaints about its functions or the image quality it produces.
You are not obsolete and neither am I – we have found what works for us and we’re happy with it. Do I ever pick up new gear? Absolutely. But I worked hard to make my favorite Tamron lens work on my new Canon R6 a year ago. That pressure out there on getting new gear drives me crazy.Thanks for the article.
Thank you Mary. I’ve never been a ‘gear’ person. Used my last lens for 10+ years before I bought a new one.
Absolutely! Great article Lauri
Thanks so much Gary!!
Hey there, 2008 to 2010 none of the cameras I had on my hands were good enough. AF sucked, low light noise was desastruous. 2022 I have bought a used Sony a7s, the original. AF not so good, interface is terrible, the colors are nothing to bragg about. But it fits my needs. With 12mp. I only take pictures for my own pleasure and self-education. I do not even care anymore what the latest models are. I have wasted too much time nittpicking on specs. If I can get what I want from it, my camera can be obsolete. My… Read more Ā»
As a Silicon Valley IC engineer for 25 years, I saw my share of tech change close up and personal. People would ask me if they should upgrade to the latest Cafujon XL10000. I always told them the gear they bought five years ago (or more) wasnāt instantly made unusable by the latest equipment. If they needed the new capabilities to capture something unusual, then it might make sense to get the new model. And if they liked the pictures they were getting with the old gear, they should keep using it. I used a 1954 Leica M3 well into… Read more Ā»