4 Ways to Know It’s Time to Upgrade Your Photography Gear
If you’ve been shooting with the same camera and lenses for a while now and are caught between upgrading your gear or continuing to use what you have, this post will help guide you to the best time to upgrade your photography gear. Whether that’s adding a lens to your collection, switching camera bodies or transitioning to a whole new camera brand, here is exactly how to know when it’s the right time to do so.
When looking to upgrade your photography gear, the number one thing to keep in mind is to make sure you are doing what’s best for you and your business. This includes being financially savvy, having a clear mindset, and knowing when you’ve outgrown the tools you’re currently using. Stick around as we walk through the 4 key ways to know when it’s time to upgrade your photography gear.
When I personally look to upgrade my equipment, I use KEH Camera. KEH Camera is a field-tested and expert-graded re-commerce company. Started by photographers like you and me, KEH Camera is now the largest curated market for field-tested photo and video equipment in the industry— so basically, they know their stuff! Their inventory is full of thousands of gently used film and digital camera gear at up to 40% off retail price.
While you may think shopping for used camera gear means that it must be broken, damaged, or old and outdated, that’s usually not the case. Chances are, if somebody is selling their gear, it's because it's taking up room in their camera bag, collecting dust on a bookshelf, or maybe, like you, they are wanting to make an upgrade.
Why not sell your camera for cash or put it towards store credit? Not only is it better for the environment, but it's so much friendlier on your wallet. I always buy through KEH Camera because all of their equipment is quality checked and it’s so much safer than a social media marketplace or third-party auction sites.
Read More: KEH Camera Sell Review & How-To
Here are 4 Key Ways to Know It’s Time to Upgrade Your Photography Gear:
1. When you’re getting booked consistently
When you're booked consistently, you're able to see the cost per photoshoot associated with each piece of equipment.
Calculate this by taking the total amount your upgrade would cost and then divide it by the number of shoots you have booked for the next month or next quarter, however long you choose. That way, you can easily see if you’ll be able to make back that money by the end of the year.
2. When you’re being financially smart about it
It's important to use financial wisdom when it comes to buying camera gear. The last thing I want is for you to drain your bank account because there's a new model out. You don't need the latest and greatest to create beautiful photos or even have a successful business.
I highly recommend setting up a savings plan to work towards the goal of purchasing a new item. As photographers looking to upgrade their gear, it’s important to slow down and plan out a big purchase. If you choose to buy gently used through KEH Camera where you can save up to 40% off, you may be able to make that purchase sooner rather than later. You also may be able to afford a better model, like the 50mm 1.2 over the 1.4, because of how much you’re able to save through KEH Camera.
3. When you are able to shift your mindset
Much like learning to have financial wisdom, you also need to learn to be a conscious consumer, and this is achieved with a shift in mindset. This world is run on both marketing and consumerism, which means we often feel pressured to have the newest and most updated version of everything. For someone like a photographer who uses technology in their business, this can be especially tricky.
When you learn to make decisions for your business using your own discernment instead of listening to marketing and promotions pressuring you to buy the latest and greatest, you can more easily decide if it’s time to upgrade your photography gear.
And don’t get me wrong, it’s fine to want the best of the best. Maybe you're like me and you have a Canon 5D Mark IV but you’ve been eyeing that new Canon EOS R series that has recently rolled out. The important thing is to make sure that you are making an educated purchase— a purchase that is not going to set you back financially, but that will propel your business forward.
If you’ve been eyeing the latest version of a camera or lens, check KEH Camera first so that if it’s in stock, you can save a few hundred dollars. They don't just have older versions of equipment, and just because it's used, it doesn't mean it's old. Somebody might’ve bought that new Canon R series and decided that they want to switch to Sony. Maybe they need to use that money to pay off a bill or loan. There are many different reasons why people sell new gear. Make sure to browse their inventory to see what’s available.
At the end of the day, being a conscious consumer looks like being confident with the purchases you are making and knowing that they are valuable to you and your business and will not be something you feel guilty about later down the road.
4. When you have outgrown your current gear
If you find that you’re using your current camera or lens at its maximum ability and it’s no longer providing you with what you need in your business, it may be time to upgrade.
Let's say you have been shooting on an entry level camera like the Canon Rebel for a while now and you’re ready to increase the level of photo quality for you and your business. In this case, you may choose to upgrade to something like the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV. While that doesn’t mean that your Camera Rebel has bad image quality, it can only go so far when it comes to low lighting capabilities and other key features, and the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV can help with that.
Upgrading your camera will allow for opportunities like your clients being able to print out larger versions of your photos without pixelation. A new lens may allow you to capture different angles or execute a creative idea that you weren’t able to before.
Read More: The Three Best Camera Lenses For Canon
With consistent client bookings, financial wisdom, and a healthy mindset based on conscious consumerism, I know you’ll be able to come to a decision that you feel good about. If you do decide to upgrade your photography gear, don’t forget to celebrate this milestone for you and your business! Upgrading is something that should inspire us and motivate us, and I have a feeling if you ponder over these 4 ways to know if you’re ready to upgrade your photography gear, you’ll have your answer.
Which camera or lens do you have now and which one are you thinking about upgrading to? Let’s discuss in the comments down below!
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