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Camera Upgrade
A Guide for Upgrading DSLR Cameras for Non-Beginners
First of all, this guide is NOT for:
- beginners who just bought their first camera
- main source of earnings is through photography
- those who have tons of money and can afford each new model that comes out
This guide is FOR:
- the serious photography hobbyists who feels limited by their current cameras
- those who are itching for camera upgrade but having second thoughts
Next, this article is primarily focused on upgrading digital camera bodies, specifically digital SLR cameras. We won't be talking about upgrading lenses and other accessories.
Now, on with the guide which revolves around several rules:
Rule # 1 and probably the most important rule:
"The next digital camera body will always be 'better' than the previous ones"
According to Moore's law, the processing power of computers will double every 18 months. This law applies to most gadgets, including digital cameras. In fact, many believed that the timespan has shortened from 18 months to a year. So expect new digital slr camera bodies in the next year or so.
Given that, you can't be upgrading your digital slr camera every time there's a new camera in the market. You need to consider the depreciated value of your current camera and the cost of the upgrade. Second hand camera bodies would have lost some of it's value after a year. You also have to consider that the price of new models that come out are often at the high side at first until it goes down a price acceptable to the general market.
Sometimes, new digital slr camera bodies have very few updates. An example would be the Canon 40D and the Canon 50D. Although the Canon 50D is still a good camera, it only has very minimal feature upgrades from the Canon 40D that is not worth as much as you spent.
What you can do is to upgrade after 2 to 3 generations of models have been released. An example would be upgrading your Canon 40D to the new Canon 60D. Upgrading to the Canon 60D gives you more new features. You get your money's worth this way.
Rule # 2:
"The PERFECT camera DOES NOT EXIST"
No single camera is perfect. You can be carrying a Canon 1D Mark IV, but you're disappointed it's not a full frame camera. By the way, the Canon 1D Mark IV is heavy as a tank too. The Canon 5D Mark II may be a lot lighter but it doesn't have fast fps compared to even the Canon 60D or Canon 7D. I hope you get the point.
So you need to stop going over those technical features. You won't be able to find the perfect camera. Well, you can wait for the new model to come out. Which brings us back to Rule # 1, where new camera models will come out and will surely be better than the best camera there is right now.
Rule # 3:
"The best camera for the job is what you have in your hands"
Simply, the camera that you have in your hand works and is able to take photos.. It may not have the best functions but it's able to capture the moment, right?
I hear many beginners say, "I wish I had a better camera", and end up not taking photos. The truth is, it would be better for them to have taken images with their current camera than to not have taken photos at all.
What's really important is to learn how to use your current camera to its limits. You need to outgrow your camera first instead of looking for more features to compensate for the lack of skill. I've known photographers who have shot sports using their Canon 400D, even with its slow fps. There are photographers who are still using their Canon 20D, but still earns money by doing portrait photography.
In the end, you need to improve your skills as a photographer first before spending too much on new camera models. In fact, I've heard of a story of man with lots of money who bought himself a Canon 1D Mark III, but had to enroll on basic photography classes because he doesn't know how to use his camera.
To summarize, remember these 3 rules when you feel like getting a new camera. Of course, these are not hard rules you need to follow. In the end, it's your decision which camera is the best for you. But we hope that you can follow these rules to help you save a bit of that upgrading cash.
About the Author
I'm a photography lover myself and a bit of a tech geek. If you're looking for great deals on the Best HDSLR Cameras? Check out these great prices on top brands like Canon 5D Mark II at http://www.besthdslrcamera.com.
Any filmmakers opinions on which is more important to upgrade first the camera or the editing equipment?
I'm an amateur filmmaker, and I have a decent HD camcorder, a Canon Vixia HF10. I also have decent editing software on a fairly powerful laptop. I'm starting to work on more projects and i'm looking to upgrade some stuff so I was just looking for opinions on what should come first a better camera with more controls? or better editing software/hardware? Please let me know what you think.
Well first a lesson in terms. You are not a "film maker" you are a video maker. Film makers live in Hollywood and don't use video cameras they use film cameras.
I spent a career dong television news / sports photography. Everything in the chain is important but I always found that the quality of the camera and its lenses are the first step to a quality product. If the camera isn't producing no amount of editing will help it. If the camera is producing any editor will do because of the initial quality of product. Don't mis understand my use of the word "any" because quality here too is very important to maintain that quality as the video goes through.
This is along the line of what I'd consider a "professional" that will yield the kind of results you're looking for.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/684198-REG/Canon_4454B001.html
You'll want to add comparable editing gear. A lap top may do the trick but it's limited. You're going to want a much bigger computer to edit with.
Free Digital Camera Software: Upgrade Your Canon