Despite my passion for photography, I'm not an expert in cameras or related equipment. Accordingly, if you are reading this, consider it a personal narrative that emphasizes the decision-making process above the technical parts of photography. To begin, allow me to present my basic setup to you:
A basic DSLR: Nikon D3500
The kit's wide-angle lens: Nikon 18-55mm VR AF-P
A telephoto lens: Nikon 70-300mm VR
A simple camera backpack
A basic tripod and other essentials
You would undoubtedly chuckle if someone described themselves as a photographer using only these tools. I don't blame you, to be honest! I've at least succeeded in making someone smile. However, I view myself as an amateur photographer for two straightforward reasons: I enjoy taking photos, and occasionally I get some very priceless and viral images.
In any case, I frequently find myself perusing websites to look at the features, specifications, test shots, and reviews of the newest cameras from leading manufacturers, just like many amateur photographers do. The list of consumer-driven cameras in today's globe is endless and includes the Sony α7 IV, Fujifilm X-T5, Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV, Nikon Z8, Canon EOS R5, and many more. I admit that I like to stare at them and fantasize about having them. Without a doubt, the Sony α7 IV would be my choice. I can't help it; since I was a child, I've been an avid supporter of both Sony and the German national football team!
Every time I go to buy a new camera, an interesting process begins. I look at many possibilities, compare pricing, and analyze the benefits and disadvantages of each camera. I read evaluations from expert photographers. Ultimately, I choose the Sony α7 IV. I spend some time studying the dedicated product website before deciding, as always, not to buy the camera!
Below are eight reasons why I don't buy a newer, more professional camera. Before we get into these reasons, I want to be clear: none of these cameras are prohibitively costly for me. I can easily afford them. So, regardless of my financial capability, here are my reasons for not purchasing one (at least for now):
- Great photographers throughout history used much simpler cameras.
- The cost-benefit analysis of buying a new camera.
- Limitations can be a path to creativity.
- Letting go of first love is difficult.
- In today's consumerist world, we desperately need a minimalist lifestyle.
- Fear of disrupting the balance between writing and photography within myself.
- My shopping list is full of higher-priority items
- You don't need a fire truck ladder to clean your walls!
Great photographers throughout history used much simpler cameras
If you've ever dipped your toes into the world of photography, you've probably come across names like Henri Cartier-Bresson, Annie Leibovitz, or Ansel Adams. Even if you haven't, don't worry – you haven't missed out on anything essential. (The list of legendary 20th-century photographers is endless!)
A quick online search will reveal the surprisingly simple equipment these masters used to capture their iconic images. Whether their style was street, portrait, landscape, or fashion, they produced photographs that are still considered gold standards in photography courses. And they did it all with cameras that would be considered basic by today's standards, even compared to entry-level models.
Many people use sophisticated, feature-packed tools to mask their artistic shortcomings and create work that can compete with others with minimal skill. I believe this is a significant deception. Looking at photos like Henri Cartier-Bresson's "Behind the Gare St. Lazare," "Joinville-le-Pont, Département Val-de-Marne," "Between two Poses," "Rue Mouffetard," and "Calle Cuauhtemocztin, Mexico City," and other masterpieces, it's clear that you don't need the world's best camera to capture a great image. Photography is an art form that requires a creative photographer.
The Cost-Benefit Analysis of Buying a New Camera
Every economic decision is based on a cost-benefit analysis. To decide whether or not to buy a new camera, you should ask yourself the following questions:
Am I using my current camera enough to justify the cost?
Has my camera helped me to improve my photography?
Will a better camera produce better photos?
Does a new, better camera inspire me to take more photos and bring me greater satisfaction?
The answers to these questions are personal, and I don't want to intrude on your privacy. However, when evaluating the cost-benefit analysis of a new camera, it is important to compare the camera's price and accessories to two primary factors: the value of your photos and the value of the experience.
Photos have both monetary and artistic value. While the monetary value may be more straightforward (e.g., income from selling photos to stock agencies or advertising firms), the artistic value is more subjective and difficult to quantify. Regardless, it is worth considering whether the value of a single photo justifies the cost of the camera.
The experiential value is perhaps more measurable. When you buy a camera, you are investing in the pleasure of photography. Assuming a camera's lifespan is five years, consider what else you could experience with that money: How many books could you buy? How many movies could you watch? How many [insert your favorite hobby] sessions could you enjoy?
Ultimately, the evaluation is subjective, and I strongly believe in respecting your personal choices.
Limitations can actually be a pathway to creativity
As the psychologist Milton Erickson said, 'Every limitation is an opportunity for growth.' Whether we agree with him or not, it is undeniable that many great artistic works and scientific advancements were born out of periods of constraint—financial, social, cultural, or otherwise.
When we are faced with limitations and scarce resources, several things happen that all contribute to increased creativity. We are forced to seek out alternative solutions. We view these limitations as challenges, which serves as a catalyst for greater creative thought. When our options are limited, we are compelled to think outside the box. And often, we discover abilities within ourselves that we never knew we had.
Many artists and scientists intentionally use limitations as a technique. For instance, writers might limit themselves to a specific word count to craft more compelling stories. Engineers might work within strict budget or scope constraints to find innovative solutions. So why shouldn't we, as photographers, challenge ourselves by using a budget-friendly camera like the Nikon D3500?
I am making a conscious effort to see my inexpensive Nikon D3500 not as a limitation, but as an opportunity to enhance my creativity. Perhaps I am fooling myself, but time will tell.
Letting go of first love is incredibly difficult.
As Victor Hugo eloquently stated, “First love is a sunrise that shines in the heart of every person and never sets.” Similarly, Leo Tolstoy likened it to “the first snow that falls on the ground, making everything fresh and beautiful.” William Shakespeare described it as “a dream that quickly passes,” while Antoine de Saint-Exupéry saw it as “a map that shows us how to love.”
I’ve included these quotes merely to enrich my own words, for anyone who has experienced love understands the thrill of that initial connection. Loving is inherent to our human nature, and attachment is an integral part of our evolutionary development. That’s precisely why it’s so hard to let go.
I’ve captured countless unforgettable moments with my trusty D3500 camera: a frozen blossom in the spring, the fiery sun setting over the Persian Gulf, snow-capped mountains in northern Tehran, a barefoot child in a Thai village, a woman lost in thought in a Shanghai café, and a weathered old man feeding pigeons in Venice. This camera was my first, and I’ll never forget the joy I felt when it arrived at my doorstep. Even now, on our travels, I find myself guarding it more closely than my own belongings.
It’s incredibly difficult to part with such a loyal companion that has helped me create so many beautiful and unique images throughout the years.
In today’s consumer-driven world, a minimalist lifestyle is essential.
Here are some key benefits of minimalism:
Economic Advantages: Minimalism can significantly reduce expenses. By increasing financial independence and reducing debt, you can plan for other life experiences. You can achieve in a short time what others spend years planning for.
Mental and Emotional Benefits: Fewer possessions mean fewer responsibilities. When we declutter our surroundings, we can focus on what truly matters. Most importantly, minimalism fosters a greater appreciation for the present moment. The satisfaction that comes from this perspective is unparalleled.
Environmental Benefits: Minimalism directly reduces waste and energy consumption, two key factors contributing to many environmental problems.
Intellectual Benefits: Minimalism frees up a significant amount of time, stimulating creativity and improving relationships.
As a believer in minimalism, purchasing a new camera goes against these principles. While this applies to other unnecessary purchases, let’s focus on the expensive, professional camera for now.
Fear of Disrupting the Balance Between Writing and Photography
I find immense joy in two things: writing and photography. In fact, the primary purpose of starting ‘Roam & Record’ was to give physical form to these two artistic pursuits. Unlike photography, writing is incredibly inexpensive. It demands mental effort more than anything else. You have no idea how exhausted I can get while writing a short story, sometimes even breaking into a sweat. I imagine many other photography enthusiasts or artists in general can relate to this feeling of being caught between two or more artistic endeavors. It’s like being pulled in different directions, and every step towards one feels like a betrayal to the other.
That’s why, whenever I think about buying a new camera, I feel guilty for neglecting my writing. It’s more of an emotional response than a logical one. So, it’s important to view it as an emotional comparison and decision. And yet, for me, it’s just as valuable and significant as any rational reason.
My shopping list is full of higher-priority items.
Like you, I’m sure I have a long list of things I need in life. Things at various price points, from affordable to very expensive. It’s worth remembering the economic definition here: ‘Economics is the study of how to allocate scarce resources to satisfy unlimited wants.’ Just as my list of needs is none of your business, yours is also a personal matter. However, mine might include items like a new laptop, a travel backpack, quality sunglasses, a bicycle, and funds for my next trip. If I’m going to allocate my limited financial resources to satisfy my unlimited wants, I need to prioritize my endless list of needs. At this very moment, as I write this, there are many priorities ahead of an expensive camera on my list.
You don’t need a fire truck to clean your walls!
Imagine a stain on your white office wall, right near the ceiling. You grab a cloth and cleaning spray from the kitchen. No matter how hard you reach, you just can’t touch the stain. What do you do? Fetch a small ladder from the storage room, or call the fire department to bring their big ladder? When we exaggerate a problem, the solution becomes obvious. But when we face everyday issues, we often overlook simple answers. A new, expensive camera offers many benefits but also introduces complexities: it’s harder to use, requires more learning, is more prone to errors, and is more difficult to maintain. It increases our reliance on technology and tools. For me, a simple Nikon D3500 meets over 90% of my photography needs, just like a simple keyboard fulfills my writing needs. My current photography skill level is like that stain on the ceiling. A small ladder from the storage room is all I need. There’s no need to call the fire department yet!
Last Thoughts
Every time I consider buying a new camera, I mentally go through all the points mentioned above. Many of these factors have become second nature to me now. I don’t necessarily create a list of influential factors and assign scores to them for decision-making. However, the outcome has always been the same until now: the decision not to buy a camera.
I still firmly believe that art doesn’t begin with tools; it starts with ideas and creativity. Currently, I’ve turned the purchase of an expensive professional camera into a goal, tied to achieving specific results. We all need extra motivation on our artistic journeys. No one knows what the future holds, and I don’t know if I’ll ever buy my dream camera. But one thing is certain: tomorrow morning, before I do anything else, I’ll be browsing the latest and greatest cameras on the market!
