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| Norfolk and Western J Class 611 running at fully allowed speed, about 60mph. (click to enlarge) This was made with a Pentax 6X7 and a 90mm f/2.8 lens from the window of a moving car that was pacing the locomotive. Tri-X 120 film. Shutter speed and aperture unknown. |
Earlier this week, while looking at some of the photo sites I normally read, a thought came to mind. I was looking at a new Sony 35mm f/1.4 FE lens that was being introduced. The cost of the lens is listed at approximately $1400 US. That got me to thinking about other, really sharp, fast, high priced lenses that have been introduced over the past few years and what hype, high level press as well as what has been written and said that has come along with them. Same goes for some of the newest, whiz-bang, do everything, faster than a speeding bullet cameras. For example, here is a list of terrific, but very expensive kit:
Canon 85mm f/1.2 L $2700 US
Canon 50mm f/1.2 L $2300 US
Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM $1718 US
Sony 50mm f/1.2 GM $2000 US
Nikon Z 50mm f/1.2 $2100 US
Canon RF 24-70mm f/2 $3000 US
Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8 $2700 US
Sony GM 70-200mm f/2.8 $2625 US
Sony GM 16-35mm f/2.8 $2000 US
Nikon S 70-200mm f/2.8 $2700 US
Nikon S 24-70mm f/2.8 $2100 US
Nikon S 14-24mm f/2.8 $2200 US
Sony A1 body $6500 US
Sony A9II body $4500 US
Canon R5 body $3900 US
Panasonic S1R body $3700 US
Nikon Z7II body $3000 US
You get the idea. These lenses and cameras are, for the most part, really expensive and I believe the cost will continue to rise as the shrinking of the interchangeable lens digital photographic market will mean fewer sales which results in a higher cost per unit to amortize the research, development, production, marketing and distribution costs. Don't think prices will go down after the economies of the world slowly recover after the pandemic. I don't know about you, but I don't have the wherewithal to buy a Sony A1 or a new mirrorless trio of f/2.8 lenses from Canon, Nikon or Sony. But I digress.
These really costly lenses and cameras have gotten a lot of press in the way of Internet and YouTube influencers touting just how great they really are. And...they are! These cameras and lenses are better than anything that had previously been available to us as a photographic community. However...
These really costly lenses and cameras had me wondering how many of these Internet and YouTube ‘influencers’ who really rave about and push these new fast f/1.4 and f/1.2 prime lenses as well as the do everything, track a tick's eye across a slow dog autofocusing cameras but at the same time are highly critical of manufacturers who don’t develop and sell these expensive, limited need items as not worthy, missing the boat, don't know what they are doing companies, actually buy them for themselves? Not many, I suspect. There lies the irony.
The influencers also try to convince us that we really NEED to buy them to be taken seriously. Some not so subtly send the message that only the best gear is worthy of purchasing and you can't measure up to the "pros" if you don't. That couldn't be farther from the truth. I get the clear message from them that these ‘greatest thing since sliced bread’ lenses and cameras are must have items. All that is nice, but how many people actually afford a $2000 US prime lens let alone several? How many of you can afford that $6500 Sony A1? I get the message that if I don't buy it, then I'm missing out producing good images. I can't possibly make good images with an older mirrorless camera or DSLR. Again, not true. The psychological pressure is there.
What about the rest of us ‘normal’ people who don’t have that kind of money laying around for a single lens or a top of the line camera body? It is clear to me that they are trying to influence us to buy, overspend, forget about the reality of our budget and, if we don’t buy, feel guilty about it.
Camera companies seem pressured by these same people to make these high priced pieces of kit, spend a lot on research and development money doing so only to sell a few to professionals and those relatively few enthusiasts who can afford them. Yet, if they don't make them, they are chided and labeled as being out of touch and failing. This really does us, as gear consumers, a disservice in the way of all of that money being poured into a limited market item at the expense of new, better designed, updated and refreshed kit that has a much more broad appeal—and will sell to many more of us!
Okay, I'm off my soapbox now. From what I read and view, I these thoughts come to mind about what is going on due to social media, the photographic industry and how it affects us who love photography now and in the future as well as those just getting into the craft. I would hate to think someone has given up photography because they can't afford the best or, even worse, young people don't pursue photography because they think it is too expensive. Just something to think about. YMMV
Thanks for looking. Enjoy!
Dennis A. Mook
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I think you nailed it Dennis. You really have to steel your resolve to not buy into all the hype. Even Thom Hogan, in a defense of Nikon, said if you can tolerate the slower F4 lenses, which is all I would be able to afford.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if I'll be a photographer in the 6-7 years when I hit retirement age. Between the rising costs of all the gear, and what feels like increased hostility or rules that penalize the serious amateur, I just don't know.
I was thinking about this the other day... if you love photography and something else, whether that be visiting beautiful landscapes, museums, sporting events, etc., would you be OK in doing the other activities and just leaving all the camera gear behind?
Thanks, Jim. Don’t worry about what everyone else may say. Don’t worry about the so-called ‘rules.’ Just enjoy your for photography for you. As far as leaving the camera behind, I now do on occasion. Looking back over the past 51 years I’ve been passionately photographing, there have been many times when I wished I would just have enjoyed the activity or whatever instead of viewing it through a camera. I have photos of the place or event, but not strong memories since I was concentrating on the photography and not just enjoying what was before my eyes.
DeleteAll those lenses are out of my price range and I don't need them anyway. I want more depth of field, not less. Where's my 50mm F64 standard prime? :)
ReplyDeleteI use Nikon D lenses on my D850 and I bought them all used. Maybe not the 50mm 1.8, but that was very cheap anyway. The old Nikkors produce great results and they're small. Just what I like.
Thank you for your comment, Marcus. The other day I was listening to photographer Thomas Heaton in an interview and he asked why would anyone buy a new lens when there were so many excellent used ones available? I always try to buy used first and, if I can’t find what I’m looking for, then I’ll buy new. But not those really expensive ones.
DeleteI am all for new tools that will (1)improve the user experience (2) record images that otherwise would be missed or recorded in poor quality. I don't see much on that list that I am encouraged to try.
ReplyDeleteI did have a R5 fantasy one day, but concluded I could live well at the beach or the Rockies for a year on the cost of the camera and lenses. What could the R5 at home provide that would equal the life experience and photo experience (using now owned equipment) of that year?
I agree! Thank you.
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