Research. No, not for something to benefit mankind... like: curing the heartbreak of flatulence. I'm kidding - I don't suffer from flatulence... I quite enjoy it. Oh, come on - like you didn't know that was coming??
I have been enthusiastic about photography for over 50 years. Back in the early 70s, it was a passion that turned into a career. And when we retired from that in 2006, I went several years where the only thing I took photos of was for the blog (and prior to that, a weekly travel newsletter).
And then I stumbled into shooting video... with action cameras (and 360 cameras). Cameras so small and specialized that it didn't feel anything like the years of capturing portrait and commercial images with a Hasselblad.
I did get a couple Nikon DSLR cameras. OK, and a couple Canons and a Lumix. But none of that equipment stirred my soul like the Hasselblads of my past. The little action cameras have been fun, but that is more about capturing riding (motorcycles and scooters) video. The passion has been more about the riding than the video. Oh, yeah, and a bunch of music videos, most done during the Covid years ("Stayin' at Home" videos).
Recently, I have found myself interested in shooting some video that isn't about riding. Yes, a change of pace since getting the Roadtrek. So, I have been looking at cameras that will be a good fit for travel videos... but still give me options for still photography. I have it narrowed down to a couple, but my need isn't immediate.
Since 2006, buying something technical like a camera has changed... not many camera stores are left these days. Probably because everybody shoots video and stills with their phones. And the phone cameras are convenient. But the form factor for creating images and videos is much better with a dedicated camera. They just feel better in your hands. Probably because a "real" camera doesn't need to fit in your pocket.
But the real change has been the proliferation of YouTube: if you want to buy a particular camera, there will be a seemingly endless flow of videos about that camera. And comparing that camera to another. And another. Information overload. I often wonder if there is a camera sold for each of those videos? Oh, I get it: these "influencers" are trying to get an audience to subscribe to build up their YouTube channel so they can get paid to make these videos. Many of these reviewers proudly proclaim, "I bought this with my own money, so you know this is an honest evaluation," while they secretly envy other reviewers who have been given equipment from the manufacturers so they can do more reviews, and help sell more cameras... all while saying, "Sony (or Canon, or insert a camera maker here) gave me this camera to review, but that doesn't mean I'm influenced by getting free stuff (bullshit - if they don't give a good review, the manufacturer isn't going to give them more stuff) - this is my own opinion and I'm going to tell the good AND the bad." They all say it, almost like it is a script. Since so many of them are saying essentially the same things about any particular camera, I think they must be watching each others' videos so they don't say something that doesn't jive with the rest of the reviewers. It's a lot.
And if you haven't plunged into the YouTube universe, one video flows into the next, whether is is from the same reviewer with a different camera, or a different reviewer with the same camera. Seriously, if the manufacturers are getting sales from people watching these reviews, they must be doing good.
I'll let you know if and when I get something, but I will be buying it with my own money, so you know I'll be giving you the honest facts... hahahahahahaha!
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