Extra costs when buying a new camera

Wednesday 27 December 2023, 15:51 by Nando Harmsen | 2,964 views | 5 comments

This article was translated from Dutch with the help of AI. Read the original.

Are you looking for a new camera? Then you have an exciting period ahead. Discovering and getting to know your new purchase is wonderful. It is exciting to take your first photos with the new camera. But are you taking the extra costs into account?

I am always very enthusiastic when I get a new camera. That happens regularly, because as you know, I review cameras. I do have to send them back, because they are on loan. Even so, it is fantastic to use that new camera and take photos with it.

A camera upgrade. Which one will it be?
You probably get a new one less often. But when the time comes, the enthusiasm will be no less. Perhaps it will be even greater than mine, which is understandable. You save up for it, look forward to it for a long time, and spend some time researching the best choice you can make.

You have finally made your choice and can finally go ahead with the purchase. But are you taking the extra costs that may come with it into account? This may mean that you go further over budget than you had actually expected.

Are you moving from an APS-C camera to a full-frame camera? Then you need to check whether you can still use your lenses. New lenses may be necessary. This also applies when you change brands.

There is also a chance that your flashes will no longer work when switching to a new brand. It is certainly sensible to take this into account as well.

A new camera. That means enjoying a journey of discovery. I always look forward to the first results.
Are you moving from a DSLR to a mirrorless camera? Then you often do not need to buy new lenses straight away. A lens adapter is enough to keep using your 'old' lenses for the time being. Do bear the cost of buying that adapter in mind.

These are major changes when buying a new camera. However, there are also smaller things that can make a dent in your budget.

A different type of memory card or memory cards
Extra batteries
A new L-bracket if you use one
A UV filter when you buy a camera with a lens included
A different camera bag if the existing one turns out to be too small or too large

What extra equipment do you need to buy to carry on taking photos without interruptions? Do you already know?
If you buy a camera with a much higher resolution, is your computer still powerful enough to handle those files? This is especially relevant if you have a somewhat older computer. This may not be something you need immediately, but it could be something you have to take into account.

It is often the small things that unexpectedly result in higher costs than you initially expected. Have you ever been surprised by unexpected costs when buying a new camera? Share your experience in a comment below this post.

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About the author

Nando Harmsen has been photographing for more than 40 years. He specialises in wedding photography and landscape photography. Nando also gives talks, workshops, masterclasses and photo trips, and regularly reviews new and interesting equipment.

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5 comments

guest wrote on Thursday 28 December 2023 at 19:51 | reply
Would you believe that I still shoot with a first-generation Canon 5D? By now it’s about 18 years old or something.
So in answer to your question whether I’ve ever been surprised by additional costs: not really
Translated from Dutch.

Nando wrote on Saturday 30 December 2023 at 10:56 | reply
There is often no need at all to switch. Most photographers just convince themselves of that because they simply want to have something newer again (myself included, sometimes )
Translated from Dutch.

MacBigfoot wrote on Friday 29 December 2023 at 23:03 | reply
I recently switched from an old Nikon D5000 with a few lenses and some accessories to a second-hand Olympus OM-D E-M1 mark ii.
I was prepared to have to buy a lot again, mostly second-hand as well.
I compared what I had with what had to replace it, so I didn't encounter any real surprises.

However, I had hoped to get rid of my old gear more easily and get a little more back for it, which was all the more disappointing.
Translated from Dutch.

Nando wrote on Saturday 30 December 2023 at 10:57 | reply
There is so much second-hand on offer that you really need to have something new to sell second-hand successfully.
Translated from Dutch.

Donald Willemsen wrote on Tuesday 2 January 2024 at 11:46 | reply
At the end of 2022, I switched from a DSLR to a mirrorless camera from the same brand. I stayed with a crop-sensor camera. I can continue using the lenses I had with an adapter. To be able to keep using my speedlight and the trigger for my studio flashes, I did have to buy a hot shoe adapter. It was unavailable for a long time, but the price was reasonable. I did notice that the RF lenses are quite a bit lighter than the EF lenses. So extra costs: yes, but they remained limited.
Translated from Dutch.

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