Simon sez in V4#236:
(lamenting about cost of new Nikon equipment)
> I know what some will say, but being a faithful Nikon user for so many
> years, this is as good as exploiting us!
> What do other list members think?
Dear Simon,
I took the bait. :)
I wish new Nikon equipment could be less expensive too.
BUT... It's a free market out there. It's not exploitation because you
can choose not to buy new Nikon stuff. I'm as much a gadget hound as
the next guy, frankly if I could afford it (that is, if my kids' college
fund among other obligations), I probably would have far less self
control.
The REWARDS for being "faithful" (staying with) to Nikon is that I can
mount my 25 year old 105/2.5 AI Nikkor on my 1 year old F5 and get
beautiful (metered) results. I can conversely mount my new 80-200/2.8 D
zoom on my 20 year old FM and also get (metered) slides that match
earlier primes in the same range (actually the zoom is sharper and
contrastier than my 200/4).
You can remain with Nikon, take fantastic photos with older used Nikon
gear and get incredibly beautiful, stunning photos. What do think John
Shaw used 15 years ago? (hint- it wasn't a F100 with 80-200/2.8 AF-S
zoom). What do think National Geographic photogs used 20 years ago? You
can stick with wonderful old gear or buy used gear to cut down on costs
now and be "faithful" to Nikon and have compatibility with new Nikon
gear when money and time permitted.
Had you stayed with brand C., you would have had to get at least 2 or
three non interchangeable lens series. Note I am not knocking brand C.
quality or results achievable. I'm talking only about being "exploited"
when sticking to a particular brand.
If you happen to be a pro and you need a certain piece of expensive
equipment, be it Nikon or brand C., then you have to make a business
decision whether or not to take the plunge... if you do, then the cost
of equipment is part of business expense. Nikon isn't exploiting you.
They aren't forcing you to buy any of their equipment. It's just
another business trying to make a profit by offering products at a price
that the market is willing to buy.
To be fair and complete, I understand that the Pentax mount has remained
the same for about the last 25 years. And I think Olympus still makes
the OM4T and a few lenses in the same mount that came out with the OM1
(about 20 year span?).
