Are Potential New Photographers Being Unnecessarily Discouraged?

Late Summer Afternoon.  Kodachrome from 1986.  (click to enlarge)
Just about any entry level camera and lens could have made this image.

Just a thought...

Are those who are thinking about getting into photography today being unnecessarily discouraged by being convinced that they must buy expensive full frame cameras as well as only the best and sharpest lenses?  I had that thought as that type of recommendation is seemingly all I see on YouTube or the Internet when looking for information about cameras and lenses.  

Often times when I see headlines such as "What Camera Should You Buy?"  or "Cameras Compared!" or “Which Lens Is Best?” is most likely the cameras and lenses to which they are referring are the expensive, top of the line or near top of the line.  I almost never see entry level cameras and lenses compared or recommended, especially for new photographers.

The conventional wisdom remains that so-called ‘full frame’ cameras are the ‘gold standard.’  I will admit that they can have better image quality, but how much better and under what circumstances?  Are people just starting out in photography going to photograph under those extreme circumstances in which full frame has the advantage?  Most likely not.

I believe that a person who is intrigued by photography and is thinking about buying a camera and lens for the first time to try it out can be very happy with a basic, inexpensive camera and kit lens.  If he or she likes it, has fun, makes satisfying images and then advances in skill, at that time, he or she can consider adding another lens or jumping up to a camera with more features.

Almost no one is reviewing and testing entry level cameras (except when they are first introduced and those reviews are almost always by individuals who have been given the camera by the manufacturers to test).  Almost no one is sending the message that if you want to get into photography, learn and enjoy yourself, you don't have to have a 45, 50 or 61mp full frame camera with four or more $2500 lenses in order to make good photographs.  Almost no one is telling those who potentially want to enter the craft but are hesitant that all you need is an inexpensive camera and one or two lenses to get started to derive a whole lot of enjoyment.  

When I continually see the 'influencers' tout the benefits and absolute wonderfulness of full frame cameras but, at the same time, criticize and downplay cameras with smaller sensors as somehow inadequate, I cringe.  I think to myself, "You've just discouraged 20 more people from getting into photography."  You’ve just scared off a bunch of people who will now think it is much too expensive to enjoy photography.  Shame on you!

I think it is a disservice to those who are thinking about joining us in our craft to give them the false impression that one must buy only a Canon, Nikon or Sony full frame camera and then only buy f/1.2 lenses such as Canon L, Nikon S or Sony G Master or f/2.8 “professional” zoom lenses or you won’t be satisfied with your photographs.  It just isn't true.  

No wonder why many who might buy a camera (and help keep the industry afloat) just say to themselves, "I've got a good camera in my mobile phone, instead of spending thousands of dollars, I'll just continue to use that."

I will say definitively that you don't need a thousand plus dollar camera and several lenses that cost upward of another thousand or more dollars to be very happy with your photographic results.  An entry level camera and a kit lens will go a long way to convince you that photography is a wonderful hobby and craft which allows you to freeze time, make memories and let your creative juices loose and you shouldn't hesitate to join the rest of us in deriving great satisfaction in making photographs.

Make it your business when someone who is thinking about getting into photography and asks you for advice, make sure you let them know they don’t need to spend a small fortune to get a good camera and lens.

Join me over at my website, https://www.dennismook.com.  

Thanks for looking. Enjoy!  

Dennis A. Mook  A

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