Which Upgrade for Better Images? Camera Body OR Lens

Рет қаралды 3,664

18 күн бұрын

We discuss which affects you image more the camera body or the camera lens? What is the better upgrade path and where is the best place to invest your money?
NEW PRINT AND MECH SITE: www.wildalaskashop.com/
_____________________________________________________________
Affiliate links mean I earn a commission from qualifying purchases. This helps support my channel at no additional cost to you.
_____________________________________________________________
NOVACHIPS EXTREME-660G CFexpress Type B Memory Card. amzn.to/3QfQbhB
PGYTECH CFexpress CreateMate Card Reader Case amzn.to/4azw8lJ
Exascend 128GB Essential UHS-II SDXC Memory Card. amzn.to/3tdyTJv
NIKON Z TELECONVERTER TC-1.4X amzn.to/3t0GnQ8
Nikon Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S. amzn.to/4825jWi
Zippo Heatbank 9s Rechargeable Hand Warmer amzn.to/46qyroZ
Sirui CT-3204 amzn.to/47bL6N2
Sirui PH20 amzn.to/47anCIk
Peak Design SL-BK-3 Slide, Camera Strap amzn.to/48rGL9R
Nikon Z 180-600MM amzn.to/3uvFsYj
Nikon Z9 amzn.to/3RPQ9OY
Nikon Z8 amzn.to/3qPftcs
Exascend Essential 1TB CFexpress Card Type B amzn.to/43QA5PM
Exascend 512GB Essential CFexpress Card Type B amzn.to/3CrP1rC
Exascend 256G/512G/1TB Essential CFexpress Card Type-B amzn.to/3CkWMje
Lenscoat Raincoat amzn.to/3BuKqVk
Vello BG-C18 Battery Grip amzn.to/40wJt9f
SmallRig AP-10 Carbon Fiber Tripod amzn.to/3Z5Ci86
Canon EOS R10 amzn.to/3nlJ8IX
Canon EOS R5 amzn.to/3xbg48A
Canon EOS R7 amzn.to/3ARWbow
Rode VideoMic GO II amzn.to/3DcKKtJ
Atomos Ninja V amzn.to/3DdzJZl
WANDRD PRVKE 21L Photography Backpack amzn.to/3BcYVg0
___________________________________________________________
SOCIAL MEDIA & WEB
Instagram: / sdwest11
Facebook Page: / sdwest11
Website & Shop: westakphoto.com/
WHO I AM.
My name is Scott West and I am a nature and wildlife photographer located in Alaska. I am very lucky to live in a place surrounded by amazing landscapes and even more amazing wildlife.
☊ MUSIC
Music licensed through Epidemic Sound www.epidemicsound.com/
Music licensed through Music Vine. musicvine.com/
“Signs Of Spring” licensed via Music Vine: BVZFZLFAAIZPYQOR
Best Wishes
Scott

Пікірлер: 67

@charlesfisher2134 17 күн бұрын

I was at the park the other day looking for birds and a man came up to me and said. You Wildlife photographers won't be satisfied until you can get a lens like the Hubble telescope😂

@WILDALASKA 17 күн бұрын

😂 I get it a lot even from other photographers with like 150-600 lenses when I have the big white prime out. And I have to tell them I have less reach than they do 🤪

@alansach8437 16 күн бұрын

@@WILDALASKAWhat really shocks folks is when you tell them they have more reach with their cell phone than you do! They see you with the big white and think you are counting nose hairs!

@Andy_Thomas 14 күн бұрын

Hmm. :-) It was while I was watching wolves in Lamar Valley, Yellowstone, about quarter of a mile away, that I realised that you could have the best longest lens in the world, but if the subject is too far away, then the shot is doomed to failure, due to natural haze, heat-haze, moisture in the air, etc. There is no substitute for getting closer. Of course smaller subjects such as small birds, need a bigger lens. However, I think it is a case of diminishing returns beyond 600mm.

@WILDALASKA 14 күн бұрын

@@Andy_Thomas Very much so. Good info

@Mr09260 6 күн бұрын

My Big Lens here in Africa where I live is the 180-600 >> all I need

@Kellysher 10 күн бұрын

No large 10K plus lens in my future. I shoot R5 with the 100-500. I still have so much to learn with that gear. Weight is an issue for me, so I’m looking for reach in camera. The R7ii might be interesting to me. I think we all suffer from gear wanderlust, but I won’t part with my money until the upgrade gives me something that I can’t achieve with better personal skills! The gear, the processing tools and AI advancement are going to make the next 5 years really interesting! Happy shooting!

@WILDALASKA 10 күн бұрын

Good info and it's what I was trying to stress early in the video. Practice, learn how to use your gear and get an image, and learn about your query first, and also figure out how far and how much $ your gear goals are.

@npdesign8202 16 күн бұрын

Spot On!!! Thank you so much for passing on great information that can only come from experience! Love your channel!

@WILDALASKA 16 күн бұрын

Awesome! Thank you!

@jeffolson4731 17 күн бұрын

Very good explanation. I agree that the lens affects image quality a lot more than the camera body does. You are correct, the newer cameras make getting the image easier.

@WILDALASKA 17 күн бұрын

True. I've caused a few shooting friends of mine to spend some ungodly money on lenses due to lending them my 500 f4 lens for a day. 😂

@natureredux1957 17 күн бұрын

If your camera can't acquire focus and one can't properly manual focus, it won't matter what LENS you have.

@WILDALASKA 17 күн бұрын

@@natureredux1957 WOW how bad is that camera. Even a cheap camera can manual focus

@natureredux1957 17 күн бұрын

@@WILDALASKA The person has to do it not the camera. Plus the Nikon ZF apparently gives new aids to help one do it even better. More cameras should offer that. So I don't think were are on the same thought process. Just because the camera has the function hardly means the person can perform that function. Especially when manually focusing.

@Rudy.Pohl.Ottawa 12 күн бұрын

Thanks for another great video, Scott. I have a Canon R5 + RF100-500 L and would love an EF or RF 500/f4.

@WILDALASKA 12 күн бұрын

👍

@davidbarr9475 17 күн бұрын

Great video! And so right on. When I went to my first money lens..it was like night and day. The ef 100mm to 400mm L2 canon to me was like just so exciting seeing results like that. However for this ol guy I can't imagine carrying a much heavier rig. But yes!! I would love one day to lug around a used nice version of ef 500/f4 we shall see lol. Great video Scott

@WILDALASKA 17 күн бұрын

Yes my first L lens was the EF 100-400 and moving from a Tamron 150-600 to that was night and day. And once I used a friends EF 600 F4, it took it to another whole level. Sold, scraped, and everytnug else to get an EF 500 F4 MKII that I still have to this day years later

@jean-philippeperetti8463 17 күн бұрын

I just stumbled upon your channel and found that in this video you make very valid points. Although I wholeheartedly agree with you, I did put the emphasis on the body first when I bought a Sony A7RV, a year and a half ago. After 4 decades shooting Pentax and another 2-3 with Fujifilm, I opted for the A7RV because, at 70, my hands are shaky and my vision isn't what it used to be. The Sony's AF is fantastic... AF. 😁😆 Obviously, I had little money left to purchase top quality glass although those lenses I own are quite good. GM' lenses are on my radar but certainly not right now. So, whether you chose a body over glass or vice versa, it all depends on one's needs.

@WILDALASKA 16 күн бұрын

Ya sony is a little pricey, but they all are really. Yes if you camera gear is way behind in tech then a jump in body is helpful.

@ToxicChillz 16 күн бұрын

Thanks for another great video and also great insight. For me I had a 7d mk ii and sigma 150-600 contemporary, then the shutter went funny and scratched the sensor, unfortunately it would have cost more then the camera was worth to replace it, so I jumped to the r7 with an adapter, and honestly it works great but I can tell, and I know that there is a difference between it and something like the 100-500rf, its obvious and eventually I will be upgrading in general, I'm very happy with the results, but as you said its that hunt for 'perfection' and the inconsistencies from the sigma, that make me want to upgrade in that regard, the lens should always be the first upgrade if you own a camera. I went from a 70-300 on the 7d, to the 150-600 and the difference was incredible, I only imagine that the difference will be similar, maybe a bit smaller with the 100-500, but way more consistent from my experience with the autofocus and all that stuff that the canon lens will have over the sigma. But the 100-500, plus the 1.4 tele, or the 200-800 or even both, is probably where my money will go next.

@WILDALASKA 15 күн бұрын

👍

@scooter5193 16 күн бұрын

Great video Scott! Best to invest in the glass for sure. I think Canon has a great selection of value packed mirrorless bodies now and they are becoming available second hand as well. All the ef lenses adapt to mirrorless bodies seamlessly. Lots of good ef glass to be had second hand. I’m using an ef500f4l mark I on my r5 and get awesome images - the resolving power and background separation is awesome even with this 20year old lens. It is heavy though! All the best to you.

@WILDALASKA 16 күн бұрын

👍

@adventureswithduck7400 16 күн бұрын

Are 100% although I did upgrade my camera first because of the good deal that was available at the time. I'm going for the glass next though.

@WILDALASKA 16 күн бұрын

👍

@mvp_kryptonite 17 күн бұрын

It does take time to get the lenses you like as a hobbyist. I spoilt myself as I shoot sports on APSC with the 70-200/2.8L II and it’s awesome. Added the 100-400L II recently and it’s great too. My use case could be the 400/4 DO ii or the 2.8iii

@WILDALASKA 17 күн бұрын

Sports I'd for sure shoot for the 2.8 and remember that the MKII is same IQ wise as the MKIII. Just weight savings. Also the RF is just the EF with a built in RF adapter.

@Chris_Wolfgram 15 күн бұрын

And that could turn out to be a HUGE question ! Because I should already have the 200-800 lens, but Canon just can’t seem to get their chit together and get caught up on the damn things ☹️ But at the same time, I love / hate my R7’s. Because for all their faults, and there are several, I need an upgraded R7 Mk II SO badly ! Camera or lens ? Both needed big time !

@WILDALASKA 15 күн бұрын

Looks like a few more 200-800 have made it into the wild, but its still a very low stock.

@mikegaston5606 16 күн бұрын

Great video and it gets straight to the problem many of us face. As a relatively new wildlife photographer, I have a canon R7, RF100-400mm and a 2nd hand 800 f11. The R7 can produce great images but focus ‘wobbles about’ a lot. The reach of the 800 f11 is fantastic but it really struggles with focus in less than perfect light, plus flying birds are a real challenge. Rather than try for better glass on the R7, I’m thinking of waiting on the R5 MkII, to see if it will improve the focussing issue for a reasonable price. If not, I may go with the R8 and then save up for the RF100-500 at some point in the distant future.

@WILDALASKA 16 күн бұрын

So there is not a focusing issue with the R7. It's more of a how you use the R7. Ive talked about that quite a bit in a few videos. Now there is rolling shutter you will get in full electronic, but that's the same on any slower readout sensor. if you are after hit rate and ease of shooting then upgrade your body to the r5MKii or something along those lines. My suggestion as you said you are new to wildlife photography is work more on the education and skills in getting better images. Lot of practice on techniques and situations to get the type of shots you want to achieve. Emulation is a good start also. Find a photographer you like their images and try to reproduce that shot on whatever subjects you can find ( even use a stuffed animal if needed). Thanks for watching and happy shooting.

@mikegaston5606 16 күн бұрын

@@WILDALASKA Thanks for the feedback and definitely 'food for thought'.

@bigboi36 17 күн бұрын

This holds very true. Coming from D700 and D3 I finally entered the mirrorless game with a z50 and the kit lenses. However I eventually invested into the Z 24-70mm |2.8S and hopes to fill out the trinity. However, because I no longer shoot professionally the trinity completion was not necessary. The image quality from the Z 50 and 24/70 combo is really good! So good I shot a wedding with it. Now that I’m into wildlife photography the Z180600|6.3 is what I truly desire. I truly hope that I can purchase this lens before August.

@WILDALASKA 17 күн бұрын

Yes, it's amazing how much good glass changes your perspective on the subject. And the 180-600 to me out kicks its price tag.

@Mr09260 6 күн бұрын

@@WILDALASKA Absolutely >> boxes way above its Weaight

@fy7589 14 күн бұрын

Nice video. Tho I gotta ask. In terms of speed, Sigma or Tamron 150-600 F/6.3 are definitely faster lenses than a Canon 100-500 F/7.1 or a 200-800 F/9. But many people claim those two are better lenses. Do they have better coating in the glass elements? I already have a sigma 150-600 and I am happy with the keeper rate I'm getting and in terms of upgrading the glass, I feel like getting a far better glass like F/4 600 or something like that would be a real upgrade and anything in between would be a waste of money. What's your take on it? Thanks for the awesome content by the way! Cheers.

@WILDALASKA 13 күн бұрын

So the Tamron and sigma in my experience have always been a little off in focus even before mirrorless as well as not as sharp at times. Still very good when you do get it right. I have a videos on the channel with the Tamron lens. Once you shoot with some L glass you will notice the difference in IQ and hit rate. As far as the 100-550 and that 7.1, it hurt my head also. But yes you get much better glass in the lens, weather sealing, build etc. As far as the f/9 on the 200-800, once you drop a TC on the 6.3 lens to get towards that 800 you are @ f/9 so the lens is just as fast as the Tamron. What you get with the OEM glass, build, and tech is a product made for the camera body with proprietary knowledge so it should always edge 3rd party out. Now we will see if that holds once the 3rd parties produce some lenses for Canon. As far as the big primes....their glass making process and coatings are much more complicated and even hand crafted. And of coarse are the best quality and IQ.

@deegreen3351 17 күн бұрын

Lucky to get my hands on the Canon 200-800. Blown away with quality and reach for the price, it’s not for everyone but so far managed some great shots with it on R6 & R7 👏

@Mr09260 17 күн бұрын

Its a Telescopic Dust Sucker >> Rather get the neat Nikon 180-600. f6.3 . F9 is like Midnight down a Coal Mine

@WILDALASKA 17 күн бұрын

yes the 600-800 range is really good.

@WILDALASKA 17 күн бұрын

Any telescoping is going to pull in dust and such but it's not bad really. Ive abused mine in some rough stuff and it's fine. And yes the Z 180-600 is fantastic lens.

@robertbohnaker9898 17 күн бұрын

Thanks this is my current predicament. I have an RP and it does older technology which limits the envelope of of possibilities and growth. I want an all arounder and the RP is Really limited in wildlife possibilities. Ever shot an RP for action or Wildlife ? Not really happening in the Real World, not a theoretical world for this camera body. The R8 or R6 mk II seems worth the update, with an 800 mm f11 to have some fun with walk around or hike around outings. What sayest you to this .Thanks😊. Love your content. Know you’ll try to give me the Real Score…🎉

@WILDALASKA 17 күн бұрын

I still would look at some better wildlife glass. yes the RP AF and fps is a little lacking but it will still get a good 'image' as the sensor capture is good. For the same MP count I would look at the r8 or crop the r7. This will save some coins to toss into some decent glass. rf 200-800, 100-500. the 800 f11 isn't bad but I would suggest the zoom lenses more.

@robertbohnaker9898 17 күн бұрын

K. Thanks. You’ve been there and done it so I ‘ppreciates you time and experience. Everybody with skill and experience says the same thing, so I’m listening 😊

@brianbreeding1 17 күн бұрын

Yeah, I am nursing an EOS 7D with some electronics no longer working. I think the camera upgrade will take me further now.

@WILDALASKA 17 күн бұрын

Yes if you camera is wayyyy behind then the new mirrorless is a game changer

@KrisLuckPhoto 17 күн бұрын

I have my eyes on the new R5II, R1, and 400 2.8. I can afford neither of them 😅

@WILDALASKA 17 күн бұрын

Takes time to eventually work up to the more expensive gear. Took me a long time myself. Now remember a 400 2.8 MKII is pretty much the same IQ as a MKIII or an RF version. The mk III is just lighter than the MKII and the RF is just the MKIII with the adapter welded on basically. Now finding a used MKII is a bit hard 🤪 Nice Nome shots. Looked wet. I should have my last fall Nome video out in a couple weeks.

@KrisLuckPhoto 17 күн бұрын

@@WILDALASKA awesome! Looking forward to it!

@wyattgoode9163 8 күн бұрын

I'm taking a trip to Alaska in late July for three weeks and I have a Canon 90d paired with the Canon 70-200 f/2.8. During this trip I will be going on a whale watching trip, an airshow in Anchorage then flying out to the bush for two weeks. My dilemma is that I can't decide what lens I should get for the trip, I've been looking at the Sigma 150-600 contemporary as well as the Canon 400 f/5.6. Do you think the versatility of a zoom or the slightly better image quality of a prime will be better?

@WILDALASKA 8 күн бұрын

Just get a 2x TC for your 70-200 2.8

@wyattgoode9163 8 күн бұрын

Ok thanks!! Amazing video as always by the way!!

@wellingtoncrescent2480 17 күн бұрын

I appreciate the discussion of trade offs between lens and camera. But few people discusses the importance of the computer hardware to minimize processing time and optimize image quality, particularly with de-noising. I am currently looking at a MacBook Pro, since I am heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem. But the cost precludes a new lens/ body anytime soon. Fortunately, I am pleased with my R7/ RF 100-500 for bird, which is why I think a new computer with a fast GPU would be my best investment.

@mvp_kryptonite 17 күн бұрын

Art is right does some great reviews on Apple devices, pro chip and upwards with RAM upgrades really make the difference but depends on the software (which he compares too)

@WILDALASKA 17 күн бұрын

Post processing is always a concern especially with the larger file sizes. An M1 MacBook Pro is more than enough also for chunking through the files with dxo and the likes. Im currently running a M2 pro Max for all my video and stills work and it's a beast. I moved upon to the from the M1 Pro. Well se what apple does at end of year not he m4 MacBooks.

@mvp_kryptonite 17 күн бұрын

@@WILDALASKA M4 line is gearing up to be silly, I don’t need to update the M1 Pro but I could do with the extra codecs on offer and who doesn’t need more RAM lol

@WILDALASKA 17 күн бұрын

@@mvp_kryptonite LOL Yes more ram plz. I did notice when jumping to the max and the 32 mb ram base that I don't notice any jitters anymore in Final Cut when editing a lot of over layouts and effects now. Think the m4 will be bumping the base ram as default also.

@wellingtoncrescent2480 16 күн бұрын

@@WILDALASKA Thanks for the advice - that's helpful, as I'm looking at the M3 Pro. I am currently using DxO Photolab 5, but I read somewhere that PL 5 doesn't use the GPU, which means an Air would probably give just as much of a speed boost. To take full advantage, I will likely need to upgrade my software at the same time :)

@ShoebSaiyad 17 күн бұрын

I have Canon R5 + Rf100-500. Love the lenses IQ but it’s too slow. I am serious thinking of moving to Nikon as they have some amazing Primes at affordable price.

@WILDALASKA 16 күн бұрын

Id rent the PF Nikon lenses first. The color rendition is a little flat compared to the aspherical lenses. Good and light but tradeoffs

@angelawilkins3624 17 күн бұрын

Don’t buy a big lens or flagship body until you know why you want/need and have reached the limitations of your current gear and then only if your budget allows and don’t spend so much that you can’t afford to travel to use that gear😅

@WILDALASKA 16 күн бұрын

Yup. It's what I stated early in the video. Learn the craft and make sure you know what that monetary/use case limit is. Then upgrade to that or at least plan towards that end. Or live in Alaska 😂(travel) Good info.

@alansach8437 16 күн бұрын

You always get more bang for your buck with lenses. In two to four years your camera body will be "replaced" with the newest and greatest model and start losing value like a used car! A quality lens will hold its value like real estate! I only replace bodies when I have to, or there is a really dramatic improvement.

@WILDALASKA 16 күн бұрын

Good info.