Do you really need all this?

[Dave Maciak]

Back in prehistoric times I moved up from an F to an FTN, Wow! A camera with an onboard light meter! What next? This afternoon I read the Nikon ad and tech specs for the Z9.
Unless you're a pro, do you really need all of that or do you just like to have all those features--and never use most?
Reminds me of some of the 4WD vehicles I see loaded with everything to go off road. Most go off road through the carwash and never see dirt. Don't get me wrong, I use a D780 and a lot of features are rarely used or just ignored.
Sorry if this boils your blood, but I wonder.

 

[Jeff15]

The best thing I ever did is get rid of my DSLR gear......

 

[480sparky]

Many of the 'features' are software-driven. They don't add any weight or mechanicals to the camera.

 

[Ysarex]

Back in prehistoric times I moved up from an F to an FTN, Wow! A camera with an onboard light meter! What next? This afternoon I read the Nikon ad and tech specs for the Z9.
Unless you're a pro, do you really need all of that or do you just like to have all those features--and never use most?
Reminds me of some of the 4WD vehicles I see loaded with everything to go off road. Most go off road through the carwash and never see dirt. Don't get me wrong, I use a D780 and a lot of features are rarely used or just ignored.
Sorry if this boils your blood, but I wonder.

Comes with the camera, you're free to ignore. I have a Nikon Z7. I bought it for the sensor. I use the sensor and I use the light meter and metering functions to help me better use the sensor, I use the EC function and semi-auto exposure modes to better help me use the sensor and I use the single focus point AF function frequently but not always. If the camera does anything else I don't want to know about it.

I started with film and cameras without built-in light meters back in the late 60s. When digital showed up I made the switch -- very positive move. Digital is so much easier.

 

[Hardus Nameous]

I don't use all the features on my D3200. I also haven't used the self timer on my FTN so technically I haven't even used all the features of that camera either. I am an amateur of amateurs though.......

 

[480sparky]

I can't think of any camera I've ever used, no matter when, where I used the T setting.

 

[NS: Nikon Shooter]

Many of the 'features' are software-driven. They don't add any weight or mechanicals to the camera.

+1

 

[ac12]

No
I probably use less than 20% of the functionality of my camera. And I don't do any video.

But it allows more people to use the same camera.
Example, I probably use less than 20% of the functionality of my camera (no video). But someone else may use a different 20% (some video), and someone else yet another different 20% (LOTS of video). But we use the same camera, rather than three different cameras.

 

[NS: Nikon Shooter]

-

This is a place to confuse things bit.

Throughout the menus, there are options to do or not and possibly
in 3, 5, or more flavours. Every time, a choice must be made. When
it is done… why think about it anymore.

My D850, for one, is set so that I have no more than three things to
check or confirm prior to SR. That doesn't mean that I use only three
controls on it but that I am left with only those.

I am sure many are not aware that they use their cameras a lot more
than they think.

Am I confusing things even more?

 

[MartinCrabtree]

I have an F5 and am far from using everything it offers. However there's a few I find rather handy. I've had it long enough to have used most of the features at least once. It's equipped with the MF-28 back so has even more than a standard F5. One I've yet to use but am itching to is trap focus. I want to use it at the race track in a specific corner that offers interesting action.

That being said I have a '72 Nikon F I enjoy using too. Meter's toast so I use it with my Weston Master II. I have a Nikon FM2n too. Nice simple camera that is a joy to use. A couple Nikon digitals too. In the end it's horses for courses. I find it better to have and not need than to be left wanting.

 

[weepete]

Nah, most people see my car and probably think I'm an 4x4 SUV soccer mom. But on the weekends I go target shooting, fishing, and out into hills in winter.

 

[Lez325]

Nah, most people see my car and probably think I'm an 4x4 SUV soccer mom. But on the weekends I go target shooting, fishing, and out into hills in winter.

Me too - I have a Landrover Discovery 2019 with all the kit- I was a Gamekeeper until I retired last year I go shooting( .223 & 243 to name a couple ) too and an off road 4x4 is a must for me - especially for photographing wildlife

I digress_ shoot with several Sony FF bodies and once the menus / settings have been set I leave them set - probably don't use more than 40% of capability

Les

 

[Lonnie1212]

This has been a very good thread and I've enjoyed reading the responses of others. I have often thought that most electronic items have options that most people will never use. The same is especially true of cameras..

 

[RAZKY]

I use the viewfinder, meter, and shutter release button. Most everything else is a playpretty.

 

[snowbear]

I use some features on the D750, ignore others, like video. I bought it for the sensor, not all of the features.

Our Gladiator, though capable, is bone stock; I have no plans to stray. No off-roading yet, but I do plan on some "soft" roads once we are done with some extended family things. Hoping this will lead to some photo ops.