The Cost of Changing Over

Woodyg3

Senior Member
Contributor
Just for fun, I calculated the cost of buying into a new system to jump on the mirrorless high performance bus. Looking at mirrorless bodies that I think could be equal to or better than my "obsolete" D500, then adding a telephoto zoom, a couple of extra batteries, and memory cards. Here's what I came up with:

Canon with 100-500 Zoom
R5 - $7,260
R6 5,860

Sony with 200-600 Zoom
A7R IV $5,660
A9 $5,660
A9 II 7,160
A1 9,160

Remember, this is with just ONE lens (I chose telephoto zoom since this is what I use 80-90% of the time)

As a retired teacher, this just isn't gonna' happen for me. :)

Actually, I don't even want to change and I went through this calculation to get an idea what people are spending when they jump from system to system. Of course you can sell off old gear to help pay for the new, but that's always going to be a losing proposition.

Add to that the learning curve of a completely new camera system and the great likelihood of needing to invest in some new accessories and you are really making a huge commitment to change.

Anyway, I clearly have too much time on my hands today. Have a good one. :)
 

hark

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Contributor
Yikes that is expensive! :eyetwitch: Hopefully Nikon will come out with a mirrorless DX that rivals the D500 but without the high end price tag. ;) That way you could still use your Nikon 200-500mm lens, and the overall cost would be much less. As for me, I'm still happy with my DSLR bodies/lenses. :) I held out on switching to a DSLR body until late 2011 - long after they debuted. My biggest concern would be getting repair service if necessary for any DSLR bodies or lenses.
 

Peter7100

Senior Member
As a predominantly landscape photographer I just dont see what mirrorless has to offer for me. The only switching I might do in the future is move from my Canon landscape gear to Nikon dslr gear as I have been really impressed with my Nikon purchases so far.
I also wonder how they justify the high price of mirrorless equipment given that in most scenarios the improvements don’t appear to be massive.
 

BackdoorArts

Senior Member
As a predominantly landscape photographer I just dont see what mirrorless has to offer for me.

Let's see.

How about automated focus shift shooting that will allow you to composite landscapes that start 2 feet out and finish miles away so that every object is in perfect focus?

How about the ability to put all those things you'd normally have on your LiveView screen on the electronic viewfinder on an incredibly bright day that requires you to hood the camera just to see what's on the back?

How about the ability to stick an 9 or 10 stop ND filter and meter (including histogram) and manual focus through the viewfinder without removing the filter first?

How about the smaller and lighter footprint in a backpack?

How about a silent shutter that will not frighten wildlife or alert others that you're taking a photo?

Landscape and street are what my Z6ii is going to be doing the most.
 

Peter7100

Senior Member
Let's see.

How about automated focus shift shooting that will allow you to composite landscapes that start 2 feet out and finish miles away so that every object is in perfect focus?

How about the ability to put all those things you'd normally have on your LiveView screen on the electronic viewfinder on an incredibly bright day that requires you to hood the camera just to see what's on the back?

How about the ability to stick an 9 or 10 stop ND filter and meter (including histogram) and manual focus through the viewfinder without removing the filter first?

How about the smaller and lighter footprint in a backpack?

How about a silent shutter that will not frighten wildlife or alert others that you're taking a photo?

Landscape and street are what my Z6ii is going to be doing the most.

Yes some of these might be handy but not essential in my opinion and certainly not a the cost of several thousand.
Thinking back to film days we all managed without many of today’s additions.
If the prices were lower they might entice more buyers, but at the current costs it will be well out with the budget of many amateur photographers.
 

Fred Kingston

Senior Member
Let's see.

How about automated focus shift shooting that will allow you to composite landscapes that start 2 feet out and finish miles away so that every object is in perfect focus?

How about the ability to put all those things you'd normally have on your LiveView screen on the electronic viewfinder on an incredibly bright day that requires you to hood the camera just to see what's on the back?


How about the ability to stick an 9 or 10 stop ND filter and meter (including histogram) and manual focus through the viewfinder without removing the filter first?

How about the smaller and lighter footprint in a backpack?

How about a silent shutter that will not frighten wildlife or alert others that you're taking a photo?

Landscape and street are what my Z6ii is going to be doing the most.

You can do those things with CamRanger for $350 rather than thousands...
 

Whiskeyman

Senior Member
Serious amatuer photography inhales cash and time, no matter what you do; always has; always will. You can try to minimize it, but it all costs.

My little low-budget trip to the middle of Florida earlier this month cost me over $1000, and that was with me driving, shopping for hotel discounts, and eating evening meals from the Publix deli. Looking back, I now also realize that it was actually more expensive for me to drive my own car and that I should have rented one for the trip.

You might not travel that much for photography; but when you do, it will add up quickly. I look at it this way, taking two week-long trips is going to cost me nearly the equivalent of a new D850.

Wayne
 
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Woodyg3

Senior Member
Contributor
Serious amatuer photography inhales cash and time, no matter what you do; always has; always will. You can try to minimize it, but it all costs.

My little low-budget trip to the middle of Florida earlier this month cost me over $1000, and that was with me driving, shopping for hotel discounts, and eating evening meals from the Publix deli. Looking back, I now also realize that it was actually more expensive for me to drive my own car and that I should have rented one for the trip.

You might not travel that much for photography; but when you do, it will add up quickly. I look at it this way, taking two week-long trips is going to cost me nearly the equivalent of a new D850.

Wayne

YEs, andfor me that means if I want to travel, I just can't go too crazy on buying gear. :)
 
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