Camera ownership explosion?
Discussion
Walking around at the GT meeting at Donington yesterday and it was very noticable that many people had digital cameras with far more sophistication than the instamatic carriers of just a few years ago.
Likewise the section infront of the fences seemed to have a large population of camera carriers without any obvious signs of being offical - no waistcoats or obvious sign of passes for example - other than touting some very large lenses.
Even inside the fences there was a lot of hardware on display even to a casual observer. I spotted 2 guys, obviously visiting together, spectator side of the fences with a Canon (not sure what model as I'm no expert model spotter, but 10D or better.) fitted with a 100-400 in each case. That's serious expenditure for use behind all the fencing!
They were by no means the only examples, though I suspect some of the longest lenses may have come with the smallest price tags. I did see one, presumably official, chap lugging something I think he probably just bought from Patrick Moore's observatory!
It seems that the entire population is being converted into frequent picture takers. Take enough and people are bound to get the odd decent shot (as I have found myself). So does that make it more difficult or less difficult for ther professionals to make a living?
Likewise the section infront of the fences seemed to have a large population of camera carriers without any obvious signs of being offical - no waistcoats or obvious sign of passes for example - other than touting some very large lenses.
Even inside the fences there was a lot of hardware on display even to a casual observer. I spotted 2 guys, obviously visiting together, spectator side of the fences with a Canon (not sure what model as I'm no expert model spotter, but 10D or better.) fitted with a 100-400 in each case. That's serious expenditure for use behind all the fencing!
They were by no means the only examples, though I suspect some of the longest lenses may have come with the smallest price tags. I did see one, presumably official, chap lugging something I think he probably just bought from Patrick Moore's observatory!
It seems that the entire population is being converted into frequent picture takers. Take enough and people are bound to get the odd decent shot (as I have found myself). So does that make it more difficult or less difficult for ther professionals to make a living?
LongQ said:
It seems that the entire population is being converted into frequent picture takers. Take enough and people are bound to get the odd decent shot (as I have found myself). So does that make it more difficult or less difficult for ther professionals to make a living?
I think that there's a higher than ever demand for images in all walks of life, and, in general, a glut of amateurs will not necessarily make any dent in the supply. However, with more people interested in image making, perhaps there will be an even further increased appreciation and demand for high quality images???
Hmm,
This seems all too familiar, I witnessed this when the Apple Mac became affordable to the masses, within months almost any idiot with a Mac and a copy of Quark thought he was a DTP and typographic guru. Just take a look back at the proliferation of design in the early 80s using rectangular boxes of various tints and basterdised set-to-fit text!
The moral of this tale is, I guess, advances in technology are a double edged sword.
But, be assured that the really bad ones will eventually give up and go home, or at least most of them will.
Tim
This seems all too familiar, I witnessed this when the Apple Mac became affordable to the masses, within months almost any idiot with a Mac and a copy of Quark thought he was a DTP and typographic guru. Just take a look back at the proliferation of design in the early 80s using rectangular boxes of various tints and basterdised set-to-fit text!
The moral of this tale is, I guess, advances in technology are a double edged sword.
But, be assured that the really bad ones will eventually give up and go home, or at least most of them will.
Tim
I was at Dono yesterday giving my D70 its first outing at a Motor Race. In the past with my F60, I'd mainly taken pictures in the paddock as I wasn't confident (or skilled) enough taking pictures of moving cars, as I felt it a waste of processing money.
Yesterday I took 300 pictures on the track action, and approx half were in focus and without anyone's head in shot. Which I felt was a pretty good 'hit rate' for a first attempt where I was experimenting with settings.
Yesterday I took 300 pictures on the track action, and approx half were in focus and without anyone's head in shot. Which I felt was a pretty good 'hit rate' for a first attempt where I was experimenting with settings.
LongQ said:
Likewise the section infront of the fences seemed to have a large population of camera carriers without any obvious signs of being offical - no waistcoats or obvious sign of passes for example - other than touting some very large lenses.
I wondered that too as I was stuck behind the chicken-wire snapping away, ironically with what appeared to be better kit than the "pro" sat in-front of the fence randomly snapping with a D70, humph!
I got an odd look from a couple, as if to say "you're on the wrong side of the fence mate".
Time to work on blagging a pass..
Steve
You're right. Since cameras went digital, they appeal to many more people, especially the computer-literate who wouldn't have bothered with film as it was different thing, a different hobby. Compacts are also now seen as peripherals, and they're so affordable anyone can have one.
So yes, a whole new flood of people are waving cameras around for the first time.
Competent amateurs will be nibbling at professional work, in the same way that some MDs save money on their corporate video by getting a student to do it for £100. The D70 has enabled me to earn some money from my hobby, both in the corporate and wedding sectors, but I would never claim to be as 'professional' as people who've been making it their living for years.
humph indeed
With some exceptions, it's the guy behind the viewfinder that makes the most difference, not the kit. The photographer in the C5 Supermodel series was happily using a D70. (apparently 
)
So yes, a whole new flood of people are waving cameras around for the first time.
Competent amateurs will be nibbling at professional work, in the same way that some MDs save money on their corporate video by getting a student to do it for £100. The D70 has enabled me to earn some money from my hobby, both in the corporate and wedding sectors, but I would never claim to be as 'professional' as people who've been making it their living for years.
fatsteve said:
ironically with what appeared to be better kit than the "pro" sat in-front of the fence randomly snapping with a D70, humph!
humph indeed
With some exceptions, it's the guy behind the viewfinder that makes the most difference, not the kit. The photographer in the C5 Supermodel series was happily using a D70. (apparently )
simpo two said:
You're right. Since cameras went digital, they appeal to many more people, especially the computer-literate who wouldn't have bothered with film as it was different thing, a different hobby.
Spot on.
There is no way I could justify the film and processing costs associated with the average 250+ images that I usually shoot, especially when usually my hit rate is around 10% if I'm lucky LOL!
Steve
Elite member of the white lens posse...
fatsteve said:
You're right. Since cameras went digital, they appeal to many more people, especially the computer-literate who wouldn't have bothered with film as it was different thing, a different hobby.
Spot on.
There is no way I could justify the film and processing costs associated with the average 250+ images that I usually shoot, especially when usually my hit rate is around 10% if I'm lucky LOL!
Steve
Elite member of the white lens posse...
Hmm. I do wonder if there is still life in the 35mm format though - for a while at least.
Topped up on films for Dono and, since I am unlikely to use soo many I could get pro trade volumes and prices (I assume there are such things) I went to boots as I happened to be passing. So I got 2 for one or 24 exp (I always waste the 36's) at about 2.25 each for 400ASA and 2.50 for 800ASA.
Popped into Tesco today to see what deal they do on processing - 1.98 per film onto CD, no requirement (as per Boots) to have at least one set of unrequired prints. In 1hr.
Given that the price of 35mm stuff has, generally, plummeted recently and you can pick up some fairly competent OEM lenses for not much cash, there may be a little more life in the medium than seems evident.
I have to confess that I do hanker after some new DSLR kit but by the time I have the body, lens set, flash, extended battery/grip and a few other bits, including filters, I guess it would cost me at least 2,500 possibly at least 3,000. More likely 4k to be realistic.
That's a lot of cash if your still the wrong side of the fences at your favourite tracks. (And a heck of a lot of kit to lug around if going for the nice lenses as well.)
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