2012 Review – Camera Upgrades
I was thinking of this past year, 2012, and the changes it’s brought. I could easily discuss all the personal changes, such as my retirement and our first two grandchildren arriving, but for the purpose of this Blog article I’ll going to focus on the area of my photography gear changes and camera upgrades.
At the beginning of 2012 my main camera was a full-frame Nikon D700, a back-up Nikon D300, an Olympus E-P3, and a pocket size Canon S90 and over the course of the year that mostly all changed.
The first upgrade came with the purchase of an Olympus OM-D E-M5 Macro 3/4’s camera with it’s retro styling and a 16mp sensor, featuring, for it’s sensor size, excellant dynamic range and image quality (IQ.) For our July trip to Italy this was my camera of choice, with only the Canon S90 as a backup.
With the OM-D’s light weight, small size, excellent results, and the trip being a fast pace vacation I can’t say I experienced any long moments of regret for not having a full sized D-SLR along. Sure, there were some shots that would have been better with a larger sensor camera but then some shots may have been missed because of not wanting to carry a larger/heavier camera everywhere I did the OM-D.
The second major camera decision of 2012 was concerning upgrading my Nikon D700. I have an investment in Nikon full-frame lens and the Nikon D700 was and still is an excellent and very capable camera. It’s had a very long life in this age of annual new model introductions and forever advancing features. When I purchased the D700 in 2008 I was shooting with a Nikon D300 and at that time decided to keep the D300 as a back-up camera.
While that decision about the D300 seemed reasonable at the time, in actuality it was a bad financial decision. I almost never shot with the D300 after getting the D700 and it loss much of it’s market value while sitting on a shelf for several years.
In 2012 I was all over the map deciding an upgrade path with a Nikon full-frame digital camera, made even more difficult by Nikon releasing not one but two new full-frame D-SLR cameras — the D800 and D600.
I can’t count the number of times I was about to purchase the semi-professional, huge 36mp sensor, D800 to only a few days later decide it was not exactly the camera I’d envisioned upgrading to or really “needed.” I even had a D800 on order for a couple of months just after they were announced in February but canceled it just as they began shipping.
The pro-consumer, 24mp sensor, Nikon D600 was released later in 2012 with a slightly smaller and lighter body then the D700. It seemed to more closely address what I’d been wanting in my next D-SLR camera at a substantially lower price then the higher specification D800.
Smaller, lighter, and the ease of transporting a camera, became a higher priority for me in 2012.
When purchasing the D600 I decided not to repeat my past mistake — I was going to sell the D700 while it still had market value. I went through my camera gear selecting several older lens I’d not used in long while to sell along side the D700, D300 and the E-P3 cameras. All sold quickly at a fair price which covered the D600 purchase price plus a little more.
I find myself very pleased with my current camera gear with NO thoughts of camera upgrades for 2013. I went from four to three camera’s in 2012, I got rid of some unused equipment, making a couple of upgrades without having to come out of pocket too much. It’s all good.
Now, to make good use and to enjoy it!
Happy New Year!
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Your point about weight vs pixels is the one I focus on the most these days. I am quite happy to give up pixels for a smaller and lighter camera. Back when I was shooting film I gave up on photography for a number of years purely because I had too much gear and it was all too heavy. Every time I went out I would consider taking a camera and a couple of lenses only to decide against it once I lifted the camera bag. These days, this no longer needs to be an issue. The quality of images produced by small, light cameras makes the whole point moot. In any case, I think we are not too far away from seeing 35mm sensors in small camera bodies. Sony have already hinted that they are building a 35mm NEX camera. That will be something :)
Cedric, I believe you’re further along the weight vs pixel path the perhaps I am. I still enjoy having a D-SLR for those moments of planned and more deliberate photography with perhaps a tripod. I don’t honestly know if it really results in much better photographs but sometimes I just enjoy the physical and thought process associated with it.
Yes, Sony seems to be one of the innovation leaders at the moment but I’ve not thus far been too attracted by their NEX line of cameras — but a small body camera with a 35mm sensor is enticing. I’m sure it is only a matter of time but I would expect it to be initially costly and I’m uncertain how quickly a sufficient high quality range of compatible lens would be available to fully explote it’s capabilities.
Well, I think there are a lot of photographers going down the same path Earl. At the moment, I can’t imagine needing to invest in another DSLR, although I hold the right to retract that statement if a significant drool factor becomes involved.
I also made the mistake of holding on to an older body too long… My D2X. It just sits around now. I imagine the market used price is quite pitiful. In addition, with many people wanting lighter weight bodies, I am sure that hurts resale of the older big guys even more.
Mark, for sure I’m not a trail blazer down this lighter and leaner photographic path. Yeah, with that wonderful Nikon D800 you purchased in 2012 I’d think you’d be set for a while in the D-SLR area, but not to worry, I’d never hold anyone to an oath of resisting new gear drool.
It was a hard decision to sell the D700 but the market for them is still strong and if there starts to be discounts on the D600 in 2013 the D700 value may drop substantially. Plus, I like the D600 a lot and so would probably have ended up not using the D700…it would have set on the shelf much like that D300 I had and your D2X.
I hope you’re enjoying the D600 as much as I. I love it. As far as the weight is concerned, it’s already less than half of my 35mm pack which had 2 motor driven bodies (B&W and color) and lenses so i feel fortunate in that respect as well.
And Happy New Year to you, too!!!
Ken, Yes, I do love the D600 and that was part of the reason I made the decision of putting my D700 up on the block to sell so quickly. In my heart, and from experience of previous camera upgrades, I knew I’d probably not use the D700 much any more. Thanks!
I think your year end review is a fair assesment of the gear you’ve listed. I was very interested in the D600 myself even though I’ve shot mainly all Canon gear.
I don’t really feel any brand loyalty to Canon and I’m more than willing to sell off what gear I have left in the Canon line. I decided to try out the x100 late this year, while the images were absolutely lovely, the camera had some weird defiencies that I couldn’t take for the price. After updating the drivers to version 1.3, I had high hopes, but none of the bugs that ticked me off were fixed. Crazy banding ISO 400 – 3200 were incredibly annoying expescially in dark areas of the photo and poor AF performance. Gorgeous camera, I just ended up with a bad copy.
Even though there’s a ton of D600 reviews all over the web, I would love to hear your thoughts on the gear in another post with a lengthy review if you have the time.
/Cheers
Nik,
My brand loyalty to Nikon comes mainly down to two things…I like the Nikon ergonomic’s and user interface and I have a substantial investment of quality Nikon glass (lens) that I would probably take a beating on if I switched. The lens are probably the biggest factor at the moment.
It’s interesting your experience with the x100. I’ve seen some wonderful photos made with it but once you start doing some in-depth reading/research you start to hear accounts of quirkiness or as you commented “weird deficiencies.” I’m not sure it was just your copy.
I may do a follow-up on the D600 later this year. I’m still in the “honeymoon” phase with it at the moment.
Take care and have a great year!
Earl, I wish you and your family a fantastic New Year filled with happiness, good health and plenty of wonderful experiences and adventures. I look forward to visiting your photo journal throughout 2013 and be inspired by your work!
Hi Martina, Thank you and may this new year be very good to you as well.
Happy New year, Earl! I also hope your new D600 will give you all the joy a camera possibly can give. I have such a body at work and so far I’m extremely happy with the images it provides.
Ove, The D600 is no doubt much more capable then my own skills are, but that is okay, it leaves plenty of room for my growth. :-) Thank you and a wonderful new year to you!
Unlike the last couple years, my New Year’s plans don’t necessarily include new equipment purchases, but the Nex 6 and D600 would be the two cameras I’d be considering if equipment was on the list. As I say in my blog, I’m very pleased with the image quality from my D7000 and Nex 5. I’d get the Nex 6 because of the built-in viewfinder and the standard hot shoe.
Like you, I can’t give up the DSLR (“real camera”) idea for those times where a tripod is needed or when I spend a some time deliberating over shots. The Nex is more of a “run and gun” setup.
Nice image, by the way!
John, thanks. I would expect the definition of a “real camera” to continue to evolve this coming year as smaller cameras seem to be catching up with D-SLR’s in both function and IQ. It’s exciting times for photography, no doubt.
The “drool factor”, I like that, Mark. I’ve been down sizing for the past few years. If I was to happen to come across unknown stashed money, I would look at a 4/3 system. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this Earl.