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Smart move. Who is buying cameras now?


For starters, professionals in the photography business. They're also moving to mirrorless because lugging around SLRs and lenses is intrinsically heavier due to the engineering limitations.


Sony also is a leading manufacturer of smartphone sensors. So the shift from cameras to smartphones doesn't impact their business as it would for a pure camera maker.


Lots of people. I work with a lot of activists. Lots of folks like us are making moves now that most of the pieces are off of the board, locked in their homes. Lots of big buys and handshakes.


Lots of people still buy cameras, photography is still a popular and interesting art form.

I got a Nikon Z50 a few months ago and love it.


Did you switch from another camera? I use the Nikon D50, an older camera but still functional with a number of lenses, and have been eyeing a switch to mirrorless, particularly to the Z50.


I have had dedicated cameras before but in effect this was brand new.

Personally I love it. It's small and light but has a great feel in the hand and although the photos I take are bad I am sure it's me and not the camera.

If you have older F mount glass you can get the adapter and use the lenses no problem, but check the compatibility for AF.

I'd recommend it easily to anyone looking into mirrorless.


I do know about the adapter and am aware it's not a perfect solution due to compatibility. I could always sell my current lenses (a wide, a micro, a telephoto, a fisheye, and a normal) to fund the purchase of new Z lenses, but there doesn't seem to be 1-to-1 replacements available yet. Have no idea whether they are in the pipeline or not, but then again the adapter may help bridge the gap. Decisions, decisions.

How is the battery life for the Z50? I've read that is a common issue with new mirrorless rigs.


I've seen lots of photos from the Z bodies with adapted lenses and they look great! But the new Z lenses are all top of the line and very high quality. Even the two kit zooms I got with the Z50 are quite nice. They're making more but some have been delayed due to the pandemic. No micro yet but they have two on the lens roadmap with an unspecified date [1].

The battery life is just ok, not great. Mirrorless as a whole has worse life because it's always using the sensor unlike DSLRs but the Z50 doesn't set itself apart there. I keep an extra battery with me for the times I'm going out with the intention of taking a lot of pictures but I've only had to switch once or twice.

1: https://www.nikonusa.com/en/nikon-products/camera-lenses/mir...


Good to know about the lens roadmap and battery life. I have a second battery for my D50 for much the same reason, though life is pretty good and seldom runs out on me mid-usage.

The Z50 with the two kit lenses looks like it could replace my D50 + 18-70mm + 70-300mm; the new 50-250mm lens has a shorter reach but shouldn't be a big issue on a crop sensor, and would be lighter than the 70-300mm. Using the adaptor to allow use of the wide and micro lens may tide me over until Z equivalents are available. Reading reviews and watching for a good sale is where I'm at now.


I bet you'd enjoy it! Nikon is running a promo where you can buy the camera from them and return within 30 days no questions asked, if you want some insurance before the plunge. It might be US only though.


Sorry, I meant amid the crisis. The camera division was about to see a major downturn on devices sold for the next two years as society in general avoids travel.


I don't think photography depends on travel. I bought a Nikon Z6 at Christmas time this year. My main use is to take pictures of my kids. I'll still be doing that regardless of if we are on a trip to Europe or hanging out in the backyard.


I just bought my first SLR thinking now is a good time to learn a new hobby.


Then perhaps I am way off base.


Great time to practice macro!


Photography != DSLR cameras. I think what OP was getting at is that mobile phones completely torpedoed the digital camera market in the past 10 years.


Sure, I agree that photography doesn't require a fancy camera. I'm just saying that plenty of people _do_ still buy dedicated cameras. It's not dead yet.


Dunno. To me it seems that every girl is eager to get good photosessions especially after the makeup skincare boom in the recent years. Prosumers are buying a lot of gear.

It is just not that monetary... You have a lot of prosumer shooters and models.

And of course you have hobbyists with street and landscape.

Also videographers.

And pros.

And do not forget thay good glass lifespan measures in decades and good bodies last quite a lot.

There is a lot of shooting going on. Just not a lot of hardware sales.

But if you want to measure the market - don't look at nikon, look at godox/neerwer




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