Behind the Lens Dreaming up the perfect camera digital rot and all
Post on: 2011-09-05 By: admin
I may have to spend a considerable amount of money, but I’m determined to own a camera that will have everything I will ever need. It will be very well built, last many years and I will never regret the purchase.
Right now, I’m getting tired of reading about all the new cameras and advances in technology each month.I figure if I settle on one really good camera, then I can quit worrying about all others and get about the business of taking photographs. Yes, the Journal-World supplies me with nice cameras, but using them outside of work can be like taking an electric guitar to a bluegrass jam. It’s not necessarily my instrument of choice and it’s not my guitar anyway.
But, here’s the problem. It’s known as digital depreciation or “digital rot,” as written about recently by well-known photo blogger Ken Rockwell. Because digital camera sensors keep improving, cameras purchased today are quickly outdated.
Film cameras, on the other hand, are metal boxes, with mostly mechanical parts, built to last and very reliable. Some models don’t even require batteries. Improvements to film cameras come from advances in lens design and film emulsions. I believe many photographers would agree that if you shot a roll of 100 ASA film through a good film camera from the 1960s today, you could get results comparable to current high-end digital cameras. In fact, with film improvements, you’ll probably get better results from that Nikon F than you could in 1960.
Film cameras hold their value, their digital counterparts do not. Consider that when the Journal-World invested in our first professional digital camera, the Nikon D1, it retailed for $5,500 and had a file of only 2.74 megapixel. Ebay has one on sale today for $294.00. Compare that to an old film camera, like the famous Nikon F, with a list price of $359.50 in the ’60s. There’s one currently on eBay for $700. But honestly, I doubt if many of us care to go back to film cameras. Digital camera gains in auto-exposure, auto-focus, low-light sensitivity and the ease of working with your photos on a computer are conveniences we won’t live without. So we’re left with digital rot and the acknowledgement that digital cameras have a short life span, just like computers.
To avoid the restless cycle of worrying whether your camera is still good enough or wondering when to buy that next new camera, it really comes down to your needs. Whatever your choice in camera, if it satisfies your needs today, there is no reason it can’t meet your needs in the future. Meanwhile, I’m daydreaming about my next camera because I’ve finally decided which one to buy. I just haven’t purchased it yet. I heard rumors last week that the manufacturer is planning a Dream II model. I think I’ll go grab my acoustic guitar and sing the blues.
Lawrence Journal-World.
All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
We strive to uphold our values for every story published.
— Chief photographer Mike Yoder can be reached at 832-7141.
Copy and paste the link:
LJWorld.com doesn’t necessarily condone the
comments here, nor does it review every post. Read
our full policy. Also, read about banned
accounts and harassing comments.
What kind of guitar? A pre-war Martin or a CBS Fender?
September 4, 2011 at 7:48 p.m.
permalinkreplysuggest removal
Forgotten your password?
Save 40%, 50%, 60% or more on quality products and services from popular local and regional merchants! Sign up now and be the first to know when the hottest deals arrive.
Animal Control Officer City of Lawrence This civilian position works ...
Dunkin Donuts 1400 W. 6th St . Now Hiring for ...
PROPERTY MANAGER needed for 69 unit apt. community in Topeka. ...
Adult Volunteers The Lawrence Arts Center is looking for adult ...
Leasing Agent needed for Apt. complex. Needs marketing experience, excellent ...
Visiting Nurses 785-843-3738
Find more businesses on Marketplace
ArtsEntertainment ·
Coffeehouses ·
September 5, 2011 · 2 comments
September 4, 2011 · 74 comments
'It's heartbreaking': Families adjust to homeless life together at shelter
September 4, 2011 · 136 comments
Guess Who Is Paying Taxes - Really.
August 29, 2011 · 83 comments
September 3, 2011 · 108 comments
Student faces 'long road' to overcoming mental illness
September 4, 2011 · 29 comments
For Lawrencians, what's more notable, that William S. Burroughs used to live here or that Bonnie and Clyde robbed a local bank in 1932?
September 2, 2011 · 75 comments
What is the most adventurous thing you’ve done?
September 3, 2011 · 106 comments
Academics, Know Thy Limits
September 3, 2011 · 43 comments
Do you expect the new bronze Jayhawk statue at the Anderson Family Football Complex will bring luck to Kansas University's football team?
September 1, 2011 · 19 comments
Small Kansas town strikes up enduring relationship with NYC firefighters September 4, 2011
Rural Lawrence man found dead following accident while spraying fields September 3, 2011
KU mourns loss of Don Fambrough September 4, 2011
Old train a vintage ride down memory lane September 4, 2011
Mock bank robbery coming to Downtown Lawrence September 3, 2011
Roma tomatoes make tasty base for pasta sauce August 8, 2007
In bad economy, Westar rates rise September 4, 2011
Former KU coach Don Fambrough, 88, passes away September 3, 2011
Student faces 'long road' to overcoming mental illness September 4, 2011
Media licensing requests /
E-mail and SMS text alerts /
RSS Feeds /
Social media directory
Help us make your site better
Send us suggestions, bug reports, or just say hi.
Contents of this site are © Copyright 2011 The World Company. All rights reserved. See our terms of use for RSS feeds.
Article original from: http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2011/sep/04/behind-lens-dreaming-perfect-camera-digital-rot-an/
