There Is A Camera Out There For Everyone

Old waterfront scene in a modern city.  Three image panoramic merge. (click to enlarge)
Nikon Z7; 24-70mm f/4 lens @ 61mm; 1/100th sec. @ f/13; ISO 64; 11mp crop from a 70mp pano file

The other day I was having a conversation with my friend Peter.  We were talking about the pros and cons of different cameras from the different manufacturers, what features the newer cameras are now including and what may come in the future.  At some point in time, our conversation turned to the subject of the wide variety of cameras available and the awesome features available on these cameras.

I think we both concluded that no matter what you photograph, what subjects you chase, how advanced you are or even if you are a novice or beginning photographer, there is a camera out there that will fully suit your needs and allow you to fulfill your potential.  Whatever you are looking for in a camera, you can find it in the marketplace.  

I don't think, in today's photography world, anyone should be complaining about their camera.  If they are, they either have an old camera which they have outgrown or they made the wrong choice in what they purchased.

For example, if you are a:

Film photographer, there are still many, many film cameras available in every format, most of which are now very inexpensive from sub-miniature format to large format, or a

digital photographer, well, we know what a wide variety of cameras are available and I think I can safely say there isn't a digital camera today that can't produce excellent images, or

If you want a small and lightweight camera, you have point-and shoot cameras, all-in-one cameras, superzoom cameras and micro4/3 cameras from which to choose, or if you prefer

mirrored or mirrorless—what's your pleasure?  You can have either or both, and more choices are coming each year in now several sensor sizes, or 

if high resolution images are necessary for you, then pick your poison.  You can have 100+mp medium format cameras and up to 50mp full frame cameras, but

If you want the camera to do everything for you, choose one of the fine point-and-shoot cameras that will do for you every thing you want and make all of the exposure decisions for you.  In fact, almost all of the digital cameras out there have a selection that will put the camera in full automatic mode so you don't have to make any other decision but where to point it and when to press the shutter, however

if you want to keep things small and simple, choose one of the high quality pockatable cameras such as the Sony RX100 series.

If you predominantly photograph under low light or practice astro photography, that Sony A7S series will fit your needs nicely.

Hey!  Like infrared?  You can get most any of your cameras converted to either color or black and white infrared, or

need a camera for a highly specialized or technical projects?  Lots of mega pixel sensored cameras with excellent color reproduction from which to choose with wonderful high resolution lenses, or

if you like to shoot JPEGs with a classic film look, you have to look no further than Fujifilm's excellent cameras with their film simulations, or

if you into macro and want everything in sharp focus, then Olympus, Fujifilm and Nikon (maybe others as well) have features built into their cameras which will automatically shift focus between every shot that will then allow you to combine all those separate images into one where everything is sharply rendered.  Some Olympus cameras will even combine the various frames in-camera for you, or

if you like black and white fine art, you can buy a film camera or a dedicated black and white only digital camera (Leica) or use one of Fujifilm's Acros film simulations that also have the benefit of built-in color filtration, or

if you like to shoot fast action, sports or otherwise freeze your subject's fast motion, there are cameras that will photograph from 20-60 frames per second.

If you are old like me and your reflexes are not quite as good as they were when you were in your twenties, Olympus and Fujifilm have features that, upon half press of the shutter, will start recording frames and buffering them so when you finally fully press the shutter, you have already recorded up to 60 frames (Olympus) or 18 frames (Fujifilm) and you will never miss peak action.  You won't miss that exact moment the eagle leaves the nest and flies or that moment your child or grandchild kicks that goal in their soccer game, however

If you are just a little unsteady in holding your camera or shoot in low light quite a bit, there are now many cameras that have in-body-image-stabilization (IBIS) which will increase your success, finally

If you like to dabble in video sometimes, there are now plenty of cameras that allow you to shoot video that will rival the best video cameras out there.

I could go on and on but you can understand what I'm saying.  If you don't think your current gear is serving you well, then there is something out there that will.  If you complain about your camera because of "whatever," do the research and find the ones that will and pick one.  People change cameras and systems so often today that there is plenty of used gear on the market that is in excellent condition that you can also save yourself quite a bit of money if you shop prudently.

In all cases, the idea is get a camera that fits your needs, allows you to practice the kinds of photography that you want to practice, improves your skills and brings satisfaction to you.  No more complaints, no more excuses.

Join me over at Instagram @dennisamook or my website, www.dennismook.com. 

Thanks for looking. Enjoy! 

Dennis A. Mook 

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