Exciting Days!!! Has there ever been a better reason to be a part of the Notification squad? lol And Yes... I’m on Clubhouse for now~ This is going to be the year of giveaways, with many being Notification-Squad specific! 😉 Glad I could answer some questions for you! Looking forward to seeing you guys sharing love with each other in the comments below! See you in that next video!!

Hi, Norm! ... Thanks for the shout-out. 🤓🙏

Me watching this video in a camera store in Japan 🤣 (silently returning the camera to the shelf and existing)

Used Lenses, on the other hand, absolutely BUY IN JAPAN! I swooped up so many good deals on immaculate 2nd hand lenses from MapCamera. They are incredibly honest with their inspection down to the teeny tiny dust - it's insane! P.S. Holy cow. Gerald and Lukasz in the same video?! 🤯 🤯 🤯

Probably the best mentality of the "What's the best camera" question, I've heard. Thanks!

Regarding buying in Japan, definitely not necessary for new gear. However, it can be nice for second-hand as I've bought a DSLR and lens in excellent condition for about 40% off the new price. The only thing is I dunno if you can get them without speaking Japanese as I only found them listed in sites in Japanese. But I've not been disappointed buying second-hand in Japan.

Use your camera until you break it. Norm: Challenge accepted.

"Use it till you break it" is an amazing motto to use for most things in life. And then if you add a "learn how to fix anything that you break" motto to that - you're golden!

"Use it til you break it" is super great advice. One thing I've applied from my days in engineering jobs is to master your tools. Know what your tools can and can't do, and let that guide your decisions in future purchases.

My sister is a photographer and an old Japanese camera is a great souvenir idea! 🤔And that 360 camera looks wild! 😄

I'm in the group that bought my A7siii here in Japan, and while I love the video quality, it just seems so silly that they limit the menus to only Japanese and no 50fps...I hope that they can open their eyes, realize that we are in the year 2021, and start thinking more globally

Just when I was trying to look for a new budget camera 😂 It's for a gift tho

Saw this and went on a camera phase for 3 months learning everything I could getting hyped about taking good photos. First video to get me into photography and loved it. You are a true inspiration.

The best camera is the one you have with you...someone wise said once... since that I am only shooting on my phone....they have come such a long way....

That was a very good tutorial for beginners. Also very good observations about buying items in Japan. You brought up many things people don’t think about. My sister lives in Tokyo and will often buy from US vendors, have it shipped, and still be much cheaper than Japanese stores. Good stuff Norm!

I love that price of advice in the beginning. Really helps you rethink if you should purchase something or just double down on learning to master your current equipment

This was a SUPER helpful video! Thanks, Norm! Looking forward to the next one!

Amazing Video! Very informative!

Thanks Norm for your no frills and candid review and comments. Always had that question to buy in Japan but that fog is lifted. TYVM. Please keep these videos coming.

WOH! Just recapping your videos and seen your collection of cameras. Incredible. Loving your content, they excite me and give me confidence as I'm planning on taking my two boys aged 15&13 for our very first time ever to Japan in January. Keep up your great videos.

I was in Hiroshima for a Mazda event in 2019 and I needed a reasonable zoom camera to replace my antique Canon PowerShot SX230 HS. Fortunately, Bic Camera has the PowerShot SX740 HS in stock, and the sales clerk was nice enough to switch the language to English.

Thanks Norm for the video, always a delight. Also, great words of wisdom, investing your money and resources in something once you have exhausted the limits. Thanks !

I was just binging Norm's Ehime videos. Those videos have such a chill vibe it always calms me down.

Hey Norm! Notification squad 🎉🎉🎉

I love this. I used to be very into photography until a decade ago when I struggled with really bad depression and my camera died on me. Right now I'm taking a visual design class at my college and it comes with the whole adobe creative suite for free and it's got me feeling inspired again and wanting to save up to get a new camera.

This is the absolute best video on what camera to get advice I’ve ever heard. I’ve been getting the question all the time, but now I have a much better answer to give. Thanks man.

Every single camera video you put out has so much good information in it. I’m about average with my camera knowledge (probably), but you just know so many good tips and tidbits; I’ll never skip your camera focused content

Having watched your channel for a while I am slowly getting back into video and photography. Thank you for reigniting this in me!

Hey Norm! Thanks for the advice!

I was shocked when I came to Japan and all the Japanese electronics were more expensive than they were back in the UK. Someone told me this was because there is an additional tax that you have to pay to cover the pensions of the workers of the company that isn't charged abroad (I don't know how true this is) but my wife (who is Japanese) told me that it's mostly down to the fact that most Japanese people will only buy Japanese electronics, so they don't have to compete against brands from other countries - like Samsung. It means that the Japanese manufacturers can charge a lot more in Japan than they do abroad.

Thank you very much, that was very informative norm :)

It's amazing to see how and what stuff you use to make amazing videos but more awesome is that the really nice photos you post are just taken with phone cams with the help of some equipment. It's fun to watch this even if I'm not looking for cameras cause it feels somewhat like a behind the scenes in a way.

I LOVE your use of inserts in this video!!

I have REALLY been getting into photography lately. Tbh I'm not sure where to start when it comes to buying an honest to God, truly great lens. Your videos not only have been helping me with that issue, but also have inspired me to move and work in Japan 😃

As a camera-phone person, I still found this incredibly informative. (Also cracked up at Norm petting his camera early on in the video.) My Japan camera story was when my brother and I were in Akihabara and walking by Yodobashi Camera. They were pumping out their theme song onto the street, which I realized was a swinging version of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic " 😆

Thanks you just saved me a lot of time as I was planning on buying 1 when I get out there again your AWESOME

You’re videos are my fav to watch on KZfaq. Best content. Thanks for this particular one. Learning lots! 🇨🇦

Man really missing out on this notifications squads. I've been so busy with stuff in life, hopefully I'll be able to catch next video early.

Thank you for this video! Finally, my question has been answered in the way that I can make informed decision! Thank you! 😊

I'm trying to get back into photography after a long hiatus and it's honestly like starting from scratch. I have a Nikon D3200 from the dark ages and want to upgrade but I don't know where to start. I love your channel and am now a part of the notification squad 😁👍

Totally agree to this. Thats the Same question I had before I bought my first ever DSLR. Im a non-pro and just want to learn basic photography. I didnt buy the expensive one I just bought crop DSLR from Niko D5300. It was a good camera for starter and learn the basic of photography. I realized that sometimes its not really how expensive your camera is but getting the right angle, framing, drama and aestetic. 😊 Thanks for always bringing me Japan! Im your big Fan from the Philippines and I miss Japan so much. Hope to be able to travel back there.

For me, that's a new perspective on when to buy better gear; appreciated! Great video as always, thank you for sharing.

Really cool vid again! love seeing gear vids :D Kinda wanna get a 360 cam for the fun of it now XD

Indirectly this answered a question on how to prepare for my future trip to Japan, and it mirrored what I was already told so thank you Norm 🙂

As someone who loves photography videos like this make me feel like there is so much to learn still😊 Now I kinda have the dream to find a niche camera from the 50s in Japan 😅

Hey Norm, I love your content, keep it up :D

Great video!

This was really great advice. Honestly phone cameras today are great quality. It was a good reminder when you said to figure out which aspects are important to you before upgrading, that's advice I can use in so much of my life. I used to only use my phone, but started trying to use an old DSLR my sister gave me because 1) that tactile aspect makes you feel more legit 2) I wanted to be able to focus on something/blur what's not focused. The only problem is the camera has auto focusing problems, but I figure it just helps me improve on my own manual setup!

I remember when DSLR and other digital cameras were just coming in, and I thought no-one (professional) would ever want them over analogue cameras. Doh! However, I still like the saying that the best camera is the one you have with you. The nerdy side of me does like the idea of the 360 camera, though!

awesome gear brother

Aloha Norm, I love these info vlogs! I very much love Photography! The pointers you have really help! I started shooting photos in middle school back in the 70's. Completely engaged in the hobby life long! I even loved doing children's & families portraits at a small store, while I was in college. Now, I'm sharing photography & excited to shoot video with my daughter Kanoa. Hoping to do more & put decent videos on yt someday! I love the equipment I bought through your links too! Thank you! You are so appreciated!

'Use it until it breaks' sounds like great advice even outside photography. Thanks for the video!

Nice video, this in addition to your other videos on the topic really gave me more of an idea on what I should be looking for specifically. And I guess for most stuff, a phone camera is fine after all lol Looking forward to the next vid!

Thanks for sharing Norm :)

Excellent video, I love gear videos especially if it from non tech focused channels. Make me think what should buy not become its newest. Btw I bouth few lens from Japan that was cheaper to get in Japan because of the 8% and credit card discount. Keep making great video especially behind the scenes video

Great video Norm! Love the overview that can be understood from beginners and more experienced photographers alike. Question about the Canon 90D, how does videography and photography fair without any image stabilization? Do you notice it or have you learned ways to avoiding shaking/blur?

Great to know about the Camera😄

Great advice! I'll definitely hold off upgrading until I've outgrown/broken my current setup. I'm a beginner to intermediate level photographer and went from point-and-shoots to phone cameras to a beginner DSLR camera set (Nikon D3200 w/ 2 lenses). I also have a Fujifilm Finepix waterproof point-and-shoot - has gotten me surprisingly good photos when still. My advice: watch films, don't be embarrassed to take shots, bring an extra battery, and practice practice practice!

😭..everytime you do the money being thrown at the wall shot I literally die inside..it is hilarious.. your last video, I had to literally pause the video because I was laughing so hard I was in tears..🤣

As a phone-camera user with the "use it until it breaks" mentality and a 4 year old phone that refuses to die, the struggle is real. The development of phone cameras since my last purchase honestly has me speechless.

Those are really helpful tips to know. I've been wondering about GoPro and 360º cameras for some time.

Thank you for the amazing advice!

Definitely keeping this in mind the next time I get a camera! (Currently using a canon T7i rn and I love it a lot ^.^) thanks Norm!

Great video brother

very cool video, makes me wanna go outside and practice shooting pictures

Thanks norm for this great video 📷!! I'm just saving for a Sony a6400 to start doing photography ! Love this topic 👍.

Yay, the advice I needed hehe

Norm! This is so timely! My son (14 years old) is very interested in photography. I shared your last night walk video with him. I advised him to...buy within his budget! P

Great video! As a photographer I have a few recommendations. If you are a beginner and also want good non-4k video, I highly recommend the Canon EOS T7i. It has good auto-focus for stills, but in video it uses dual-pixel autofocus that is crazy good. The body I think is less than $700. Lenses, don't think that native lenses (canon, sony, nikon) are the only way to go, third party (tamron, sigma) are just as good, if not better, and half the price. I have a Tamron 28-70 f2.8 Gs and it's focus speed and stabilization is incredible. Vintage lenses, if you learn to manual focus there are some really great lenses out there, that will cost less than $50. And learning in full manual will make you a better photographer/videographer in the end. Also, if your photos just don't seem as good as you want, 90% of the time it's you not the gear... Sorry. When your gear is holding you back, you will feel it. Tripods, GET A GOOD ONE! Even if this means it is old, aluminum, and heavy. That just means you will build a little more muscle while out shooting. Action cameras, my brother is a youtuber and has had great luck with a Yi 4K. They aren't as tough as a gopro, but they are cheap. He also uses a DJI Osmo Pocket, it has a full gimbal, tracking, and is incredible for walking and talking into the camera because wherever you move it follows your face movement. It is just und $300, but with the gimble and the video quality it is a good price.

Can't wait to get my break at work and watch this! Notification squad! ✨

Lots of great info. Thanks!

I was just using my new Canon power shot SX430 IS camera 📷 today to take so beautiful snow photos. Cant wait to use it some more.

Thanks for advice👍

An even bigger reason for getting your camera before you go to Japan (or any destination): get to know your equipment before you go! I once traveled with a camera (the first Sony RX100) which I only received the day before my flight. And while all of the basics were clear, a lot of the more intricate settings were not and some things were actually bothering me. And you just don't want to read manuals on the go. Also, the camera I got started to have some problems after a few days of use, and some days later stopped working altogether, so for most part of that trip I still had to use my old camera I brought as a backup. And after a few years of using high end compact cameras I'm back with my old DSLR again. Exactly for the reason you mentioned: the feel of it. The phone is perfectly fine for snapshots, but in the end there's just nothing like taking pictures with a real camera. Even when those compacts are close in image quality, much more convenient when it comes to video, and obviously are so much smaller and lighter (the main reason I switched to those a few years ago), taking pictures with those just doesn't bring the same joy as working with a proper camera.

I've been wanting to try my hand at photography, lately. What a perfectly timed video :)

Oh man the Sony a7sIII looks beautiful. The low light footage :o . Thanks for the informative video! I usually use my cameras well beyond the shutter life expectancy heh.. I hope to use my camera more this year...

Awesome video 💖, it’s made me want to pick up my cameras again. Can’t wait to get back to Japan, I mainly shot 35mm film when I was there last. Next time though, I’ll be bringing my DSLR along for the ride!

A creative eye helps as well 😊 Love getting out and about with my daughter who loves photography. Sunrises are our favourite.

Great video!!! I actually sell cameras full time in Australia, and i really couldn't add anything else to your tips for choosing, as it sounds very much like my own sales speech

Bit off topic Norm but that 200sx drift mad!!! Car lover here!!!! 👍🏻

Great advice ! as always. And I could use that 360 to open a new instagram account here in Japan 💎👍

Watched with headphones. All the desk thumping hurt my brain... 🤯 🤣🤣🤣

I am a new content creator on KZfaq, so all your tips on what to use/look for have been super helpful. I'm currently filming on the Samsung s20, which has been really quality. The biggest issue has been the auto focus. Any suggestions?

This video is my claim to fame with my friends! Got my comment on screen and everything 😁 00:34 This has certainly given me the info i needed, thank you

What microphone and headphones do you recommend? The 360 is on my list for 2021.

The best answer, you make it sound easy to understand

I was using an old Kodak point and shoot camera for most of my Japan trips for 10 years and got some great pics and wonderful memories out of it. Unless you are interested into going deep into photography, I'd say there are plenty of good and inexpensive cameras to choose from. My old Kodak finally fell apart(literally) last year and I bought the same camera on Ebay and was planning to use in until Covid shut out Japan. Soon as the border is open, I am heading back to Japan with it.

I have a JVC Everio camera, if I move to Japan should I upgrade before hand, or will that be good enough to start out? I tried using it for a film course in uni and my prof docked us points for it (the video was certainly much 'softer' then other students)

I love to take pictures while I travel and usually as you mention an Iphone is more than enough and the latest models are amazing…You blown my mind with the pictures at the beginning you shown that were taken by your iphome Norm!!! 😨 I seriously didn’t think those were with a phone 😂, great Video man!!! Big hugs from Mexico amigo!!

I'm currently using my mum's iphone for my youtube videos haha it has been fine but I do feel a lack of freedom and control with my videos :( I hope to upgrade to a camera one day to be able to make proper vlogs and learn some photography!

I would have loved another 15 mins of this type of content.

Drive it till you break it. Great life advice! Also, I think I've been doing that with my phone. I can't do what I want if filming with my camera, but im fortunate enough to have started my college life as a photography major, with a friend who believed in me. So I have a nice camera... unfortunately I need to re-learn all of it, but at least I have the equipment! It's helpful to know what basic stuff does, to know what bells and whistles you need, for what you're trying to do.

i have an A7iii but i totally agree with you! i still shoot a ton of my photos on just my phone. and with a gimbal for the phone you could honestly just use that to start a youtube channel too! most of the time, people wont notice.

Always good to have a tech video 😁 And the best camera is the one you have with you. No good having an amazing DSLR at home if you are not there when you want to take a picture. That's why knowing how to use your phone's camera is a good thing. Personally I don't think I've taken a seperate camera to Japan since 2010 and have just used my phone camera. That will likely change the next time as I do have a DSLR now but that depends on how comfortable I am with it (I'm learning, it was second hand and cheap, but reasonable). I do like browsing around electronic stores in Japan though ... Just don't buy anything in them 😁

now, this was fun. and I see two more videos about Cameras from this guy. and to think I started on abandoned videos because there are so many abandoned but really amazing places in the mountains of Virginia.

I had been comparing some cameras in a low budget for this field. Something you said in there was actually really helpful. Because I'd been watching all these reviews, tutorials and comparison videos...and they talk a lot about features that I mightn't really use, but I think I let myself get distracted by all that talk. Like, what 'I' would actually use for.

I mean, while brand loyalty is indeed a very dumb idea; sticking to one lens economy is still an important thing to think about. Not everyone can just buy 2000$ lenses to make every possible mount look decent and have the freedom of choice~ There are still valid reasons to stick to one brand, but judging from most of these recommendations - money is not a factor for you, haha. 😜

Ooh good tips! Didn’t even think about region locking.

This is some knowledge that I've been seeking, thank you! 😊 even if I'v been interested in photography for years, I was doing it "just like that". Nowadays, I'm learning a lot of useful tips and tricks about both taking photos and recording, and I find your video very simple for begginers like me 🙂 I just wish I had more time for learning 😅

Hi Norm, Have you tried the DJI Osmo Pocket/ 2? I’ve seen a few Gimbals in your videos wonder if it would be a great addition to your early morning running videos!