In general, the higher-priced professional camera bodies are built for daily use by professional shooters. This means they're usually more rugged, and you pay a premium for that. Second, there are certain features of higher-end cameras that I find invaluable, including but not limited to faster motor drives, better metering (not always the case), mirror lock-up, custom functions, etc.
As many of you know, when I switched to the Canon EOS system in 1993, it was the first time in my life that I'd ever purchased NEW gear. Before this, I was very proud of the professional gear I'd assembled thru some aggressive hunting in the second-hand market. That's another thing to consider...you can buy the high-end gear used and pay a fraction of the new cost. Getting educated about the mechanics of the gear you seek on the second hand market is actually kind of fun and certainly is an interesting way to increase your general photographic knowledge. There is absolutely nothing wrong with some of the consumer-grade camera bodies on the market these days...I would buy the EOS Elan-II in a second, and my Nikon friends also speak highly about the N8008S. What you have here is a situation not unlike automobiles. I drive an 11 year old Honda with 256,000 miles on it and have no plans to trade it or buy a new car. I work with people who wouldn't be caught dead in anything less than a late-model Acura or BMW. Also have friends in the mountains who have shelled out the same money that a BMW would cost but are driving Toyota Land Cruisers and Chevy Suburbans. Funny, but we all get to work on time, tho the Acuras and BMWs are more impressive on Saturday nights and the Land Cruisers and Suburbans get thru the snow better than anything else out there. And I'm thrilled 'cause I have no car payment and get 35 mpg. And we are all happy with our cars. Same with cameras. It's a very personal decision, based on what you want to do with the cameras, and how much money you have to spend. If you think we railfans are crazy the way we spend money on camera gear, then you haven't been around the bird or nature photographers. Finally, don't think a lottery prize is what you need for a fast "300." When I owned a Canon manual-focus 300 f2.8, I bought it used for $1100 from a Newsweek photog. A friend (who reads this list) tried it, liked it and joked he'd like one if I ever stumbled onto another "steal"...four months later at a camera swap meet I found another identical lens, at an even lower price and with a few phone calls, my friend now owned a piece of fast glass that he figured he could never afford. --DRB > I'm not trying to pick a fight or dis anyone's preferences in this > matter, but I'm curious whether these equipment decisions are driven by > marketing or functionality? For what it's worth I've got a N8008S, > N8000, and N2000? An if I ever win the lottery I'd like a fast 300mm > lens before I'd upgrade myself to N90. > > Thanks, > > Greg -> SPORRS: 'Serious Photographers Of Railroad Related Subjects' -> Web Site: http://www.anet-stl.com/acphotog/sporrs/ -> Message © 1998 SPORRS® - All Rights Reserved
