When Spending More Makes Sense

Today, Fujifilm announced the X100VI, replacing the X100V, the hugely popular camera model that became a social media legend. As more people embraced the exceptional camera and did so quickly, it sold out everywhere, and prices for second-hand examples were sometimes double the value of a new model. People were paying massive amounts to get their hands on an X100V.

Four years later, a new model has been announced that will soon hit the market. There will inevitably be hundreds of videos and articles that proclaim how amazing this new model is. And it will be an excellent camera. But will it improve your photography? How much better will it be than the X100V, and does it make sense to make the change? Furthermore, how much better will it be than your current camera?

Making the Case

When contemplating a new purchase, consider whether this investment is worth it. Spending significantly on camera gear can indeed be a better option as, along the way, it can save you time, money, and frustration. Your most significant purchase, the camera, is one you will want to consider for some time.

But after choosing a camera, you will hopefully take thousands of photos with it and enjoy them for some time. It would be best if you built your setup around your camera. It’s time to look at accessories, and oh boy, do they have significant differences in cost. So, where is it best to pay the premium?

Memory and Storage

It’s no surprise that quality products are built to last. While their upfront cost might be higher, their build quality reflects their durability and longevity. This is incredibly important for products that will store your data. Memory cards have a wide range of costs as many brands, types and capacities must be considered. Many brands produce these cards, making the choice difficult and compounded with numerous manufacturers.

Regarding memory cards, just because you are unfamiliar with a brand doesn’t necessarily mean it’s not a good product. Researching products on reputable testing sites will help. There seem to be many technological advancements, and memory falls in price relativity quickly compared to other camera accessories. Keep your budget and media use in mind while searching for cards for your camera.

Furthermore, while discussing memory and storage, external hard drives are an essential purchase you should not go cheap on. I’ve had numerous external hard drives over the years and have had issues with them. Some end up being too slow, but others would fail. If you opt to use external drives, ensure you get a good one that is well-regarded as a product of quality (both longevity and speed). I don’t currently use external drives in my home setup; instead, I opt for automatic cloud storage of my files. While travelling, I do use a 1TB WD external hard drive. It has been reliable for the times I have used it. But even when using it, I always have a backup on other media, usually with the card or the internal hard drive. I’ve had too many external drives fail not to have at least two backups at any time.

In summary, your storage choices are essential to maintaining your data and going with a cheap option here can devastate your saved work and memories.

Tripod and Ball Head

A tripod and the accompanying ball head can be necessary for your photography. I don’t travel with a tripod often. Still, I use it for almost every automotive photo shoot, and having a quality tripod is something I cannot stress enough. A tripod is necessary for any photography that requires long exposures. If you want to do those correctly, you will look at several tripod features, including the weight and size of the tripod, sturdiness, height, capacity, and how the legs lock.

If you are debating purchasing a tripod, I recommend going to a reputable camera store, as once you determine it has the features you want, it still needs to meet the most critical aspect of tripod ownership. Is it easy to use? A tripod that is even slightly inconvenient can be enough for you to leave it at home. Check the weight, and see how easy and quickly you can operate it.

Some of the same attributes will be considered when considering a ball head. Build quality is a top priority, as you will want one that can take a beating as it will get banged around if you use it often. Secondly, consider what you are shooting and how you are doing so. Most use a tripod to shoot landscape orientation, but is it easy to flip to portrait if needed?

Camera Bag

There are many camera bags to choose from, and this is one where quality comes into play considerably. A good camera bag should be made to last years and withstand continued use. Cheaper camera bags can look great and seem to be everything you want, but what you don’t see is how well that material will hold up and whether those zippers will stay functional. If you have travelled with a camera bag, you realize how much abuse they can go through. You want a bag that protects your camera, lens, and other accessories. And you will want a quick and easy-access bag when you are on the go.

Another great feature of a quality camera bag is something that is often forgotten but makes a big difference when needed. That feature is customer support and warranty. In my experience, it has been rare when I’ve needed any support on a camera bag, but I have had minor issues with bags, such as a slight tear or a clip that broke due to the cold and have had the entire bag replaced. This was done through an online chat, which, in my opinion, is a huge convenience when needing any support from a manufacturer.

Conclusion

To conclude, quality products with premium prices are often the better option. That will come as no surprise to anyone. Although initially, you will be spending more, the long-term cost of ownership on a significant purchase will usually be less. You will have fewer issues and product replacements and be happier with your purchase as it will be more convenient to own and use.