And I'll just go ahead and say it now, cameras are tools and it's all about the pictures! But it sure is fun to see the manufacturers constantly battle!
White Balance so easy, even our 5 year old can do it.- Melissa Strickland
I dunno, but Nikon just released the D700 and if I wasn't already heavily invested in Canon glass, that's probably the camera I would buy today, regardless of the 5D Mk II (and I'm currently a 5D Mk 1 user).
White Balance so easy, even our 5 year old can do it.- Melissa Strickland
Funny that's how I felt about Canon before the release of the D3 and D700. It seemed like the "other" company always had the latest, greatest hot product, no matter if you're a Canon or Nikon shooter.
I do like how equipment has progressed from good to great to fantastic. The competition among manufacturers is elevating the quality of products at a rate we have never seen before. New cameras that are truly ground breaking in their imaging capabilities are released every 18-24 months. We never had that much progress in such a short time frame with film cameras. I keep thinking the technological breakthroughs will level off, then the next wave of products is released and I'm looking for my checkbook.
I was happy with my D2X and now I'm happy with my D3, I can't wait to see what's next. Now, where's that extra million bucks I had, I know it's around here somewhere ;-0
M
White Balance so easy, even our 5 year old can do it.- Melissa Strickland
They were making great break throughs with film, but they were being done by Kodak and Fuji (remember them?). Fuji would update their new slide film, then you could go buy a roll and put it in your old Nikormat, if you felt like it. The increases in mechanical ability, autofocus, frame rates, and flash performance, are far more incremental than the jumps in sensor quality.
Nikon has something up their sleeve for the 18th, but I'm more interested in the price for the D700 coming down a few hundred bucks to match the new 5D.
For some, the new technology has made all the difference in the world.
Look back at the Canon AE1 from the last century. About 1977, I believe. Because of its exposure automation, it "created" a bunch of new photographers and at the same time pushed some of the marginal aside. Because you didn't have to worry about the craft of exposure as people did before its introduction, one could get better exposures, thus a better image technically.
Many still could not make a pleasing or expressive image, but the exposure was nearly perfect!
Same thing happened with autofocus. At least the image was sharp--an improvement for many.
Until recently, many of us relied upon expensive and slow Polaroid to check exposure, composition, etc. We used this feedback to improve an already good image for most.
Today we do this with digital. We check exposure, composition, etc., all within a moment of pushing the button. We use this technology to improve our vision.
For the few that get it, this is like a always-on calibration loop that, when used properly, expands both good image craftsmanship and great technique to create a superior image.
For others, alas, digital is nothing more than a shot-gun, whiz-bang approach tool that still requires a hit and miss approach to get anything reasonably resembling anything more than a fuzzy photo of a fuzzier concept.
In any case, no amount of technology can make up for a lack of good vision in the first place.
__________________ Larry Angier
Image West Photography
For the few that get it, this is like a always-on calibration loop that, when used properly, expands both good image craftsmanship and great technique to create a superior image.
In any case, no amount of technology can make up for a lack of good vision in the first place.
I couldn't agree more with Larry. I think advances in camera technology have allowed me to make pictures I didn't think were possible in the past. Two examples leap to mind:
On the technical side, the ability of the equipment to perform at faster frame rates and focus speed makes shooting sports yield a greater number of keepers and the best of the best get better in this scenario.
On the creative side, purposefully mixing color temperatures in one frame was something of a risk with film. Now, you can dial into exactly what you want to achieve.
So, in my opinion, yes digital capture has allowed me to experiment more with less risk and grow as a shooter.
My $.02
White Balance so easy, even our 5 year old can do it.- Melissa Strickland
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