Summary:
Having done a lot of photo/video shoots that require constant swapping of lenses/cameras/rigs, I've become frustrated that camera hardware innovations are mostly limited to sensor resolution/stabilization updates when the physical hardware could benefit from SO MUCH MORE. For reference I use a Canon R5, Sony A7iii, and RED dragon regularly.
It feels like the people designing our cameras are doing so in a lab and not the real world where so many inefficiency's would easily be discovered. Of course, there are pros and cons to any new system, but a lot of these core designs have essentially been the same since the 1960's. Feels like legacy camera companies have gotten complacent and just hope for brand loyalty.
These are just a handful of my overall camera gripes โ each point adds another layer of complexity to any shoot that could easily be avoided. Yes, it would take some smart ergonomics engineers to perfect these hardware suggestions, but from my perspective no one's even tried to improve them in a meaningful way yet.
Lens Caps:
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Problem: Why are loose lens caps still the only way to protect your lens? Anyone whose shot at sunset while bouncing between different lenses knows the feeling of sorting thru 5 different front/back lens caps in their pocket afterwards...naturally some will be different sizes too (hope you brought your ring adapters). Not to mention lens caps already pop off easily when placing a camera in a tight bag which leaves glass exposed anyway...
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Suggestion: Build lens covers into the design of the lens. Yes it would take some figuring out on the engineer's side to keep it compact/strong, but is there really no other way?? What other products in 2021 require meticulous organization of custom protective covers?
ND filters (more useful for video):
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Problem: Similar to the lens cap debacle. Grabbing your camera for a quick shot...oh dang too bright...better run back to your bag and sort thru multiple cases of filters to screw onto your lens just to reduce the light. If you're switching lenses, gotta unscrew everything and put the ND's on a new lens. I know some cine cams have built-in ND's, but this should be standard across all cameras like having ISO.
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Suggestion: Build ND ability into the camera body or lenses. Again this would take some engineering to perfect in a compact way, but ND functionality should be as simple
https://twitter.com/shamscharania/status/1351615789011501058?s=21
Until further notice, itโs Boucher szn
Last July my mental health started degrading due to -- among other things like the pandemic -- the stress of my job. I was working 60-70 hour weeks, I placed an enormous amount of pressure on myself, and I was up against deadlines that I thought were unachievable. Throughout that time I had multiple breakdowns at my desk, it was not uncommon for me to spiral and cry. I told myself that once my project was done I would quit; well, my project ended and instead I found out my wife was pregnant with our first child. I told myself to hang on for as long as possible, that it was temporary and I would soon get over it. For the sake of my family I needed to maintain.
Six months later I had 4 panic attacks in 2 weeks. I started crying at my desk again. I spent my Thanksgiving with my head buried in my couch, crying, as my wife made me dinner. That was my breaking point. I saw a psychologist who told me that I was very close to becoming clinically depressed and if I didn't get my anxiety under control then I would start a downward depressive spiral. I got medicated and my life is better because of it. At this point I told myself I was done. I told myself that I would rather my daughter's father be present instead of rich; that my family was more important than my CEO; that my health is more important than my ambition.
I started getting my finances in order. I waited for the new year where I got paid a massive bonus. I paid off 60% of my mortgage and refinanced; I increased my cash reserves to a point where my family has more liquid assets then debt; and I curbed our expenses so that now we can live solely off my wife's income. I understand this is not usual and I am very fortunate. I am fortunate in many ways and I do not take that for granted.
Today I quit. My last day will be the day my first child is born. During these difficult times I have read this subreddit to reshape the way I think and re-evaluate the things I value so here is my commitment to you, my wife, and my daughter: I will never chose money over family. I will never choose luxury over health. Your needs are more important than my bosses, customers, or coworkers. I will value the simple things in life and I will teach you to do the same, happiness and health are more important than anything else in this world. I will never make this mistake again and I will never take what I have for granted.
I look forward to the next 6 months of starting my family and the beginning of a new chap
... keep reading on reddit โก
