When To Jump by Alex Mustard Saturday, January 21st, 2006 Page 1 Page 2 Alex; Another great article! Needed to be said and I'll point to it here from my blog if you don't mind. I was just talking to a confused woman who is very excited to get back into digital UW photography and was very confused and worried about investing in outdated gear. It's fun to keep up with the technology and there are good reasons to upgrade, but UW equipment is very expensive and the cameras frequently are the cheapest part! Jack Posted by JackConnick on 2006-01-23 22:31:13 It is the ego to mimic the pros and impress the people in our little worlds, and make small time clients happy and impressed if you are lucky to get paid here and there. The ego and dreams of the wannabees put a lot of money into Nikon and Cannon and they know it. I confess I am one to a lesser degree as I like my old d100 I have had and new housing I just got on the cheap. I do look on at the new toys with envy. Think they couldn't make an upgradable camera with a new chip or sensor every couple of years to help us out? Nahhh. I think I might try to buy a Nikon D1 soon. This will most likely be the best investment going. The digital antique collectors market may be just around the corner. Posted by Photobeat on 2006-01-22 23:15:18 For over 25 years I have been shooting a Canon with manual FD lens. Given that this is twilight for film I decided that it was time to wipe the slate clean and start a new. Keeping an open mind relative to brand loyalty, wants, needs, and wallet is hard. I hear Canon will be releaseing the replacement for the 20D next month at PMA ... better toys for better living ;-0. Posted by allen on 2006-01-22 15:47:56 How true! It's amazing how many pros actually are using "not-the-latest-and-greatest" cameras to get their underwater shots. Technique, composition and creative vision are what makes great photos, above or below. How many of us can match photos that appeared years ago in the likes of National Georgraphic and Life magazines, for example? Those pictures were taken with far less advanced cameras than even last year's DSLR models. Underwater, my own experience is that strobe placement and power are more important than another two megapixels. -Rick Posted by ReefRoamer on 2006-01-22 11:59:36 Hi Alex, I used to get excited to see what the new gear was and how quickly that I could get it. I now have a Nikon D70S in a Nexus housing with Ike Ds125 strobes. When I finally get to push the D70S to the point where it lets me down, I will then think about what's new. I for one am absolutely sure that skill level is nowhere near that of the D70S' capabilities. I can look at myself and admit that. How many people actually need the technology of the "new" kids on the block?? I read once that some Canon shooters wanted rear curtain sync from their strobes because it was available on their new cameras. Can you please tell me how many of the agencies are now requiring rear curtain sync images?? Hooroo my friend, Bruce Posted by bruceterrill on 2006-01-22 05:03:57