Alright as a fellow homebrew cam guy, I have my thoughts on this. I asked this same question over on Hag's and as the responses roll in, I wanted to see what the crowd over here thinks: Do you think commercial cameras are catching up to homebrews in terms of the whole package (Price, longevity, pic quality)? All three of those measurements are where traditional cameras all fell short for years (hence the reason for homebrews). However, is that changing? Why or why not? Curious to hear your thoughts.
I can't say the commercials are catching up on pic quality on a day in day out basis. You might catch a pic here and there under just the right circumstances that will rival a homebrew pic but overall, the homebrews still have it in that area. As for the rest of the comparisons, most of the commercials have definitely caught up in the durability area. Price comparison is really hard because you are comparing apples to oranges. The one big advantage to commercial cams are all the features built into them ie. multi-shot, video and stills, time-lapse, and many other features that the average builder just can't do. I think there will always be homebrews because some guys simply enjoy the do it yourself aspect of the build but the original reasons for the homebrews, durability, is going away. Do you have a reason for asking this question? Blessings.........Pastorjim
Jim, just that with Yeti shutting down and many of the suppliers closing shop, fewer people actively building than even a few years ago, etc., all make me feel as though the hobby may be dying. I'm planning another build this winter, and while I enjoy it and live the quality, sometimes I wonder if it doesn't just make sense to buy. I wouldn't get the satisfaction of building my own, but it brings with it it's own set of frustration, too. I will probably continue building for a long time simply because I want to see a commercial cam last 10+ years like many home brews can. If/when that day comes, maybe the hobby will die. Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S4.
Matt, I've been keeping up with the responses in your thread on Hagshouse. Some interesting points have been raised. One is the unwillingness to try new cameras. As long as we stick with the S600, P41, and P32 there is a good chance you could be right. The guys that are advanced builders need to branch out and try some of the newer models of cams, and I know some of them are. I have a Sony H70 that just two years ago was a current model camera. Firemanjim built it for me and I would put its pics up against any point and shoot camera, even the S600. Of course there has to be the interest out there among new builders to want to do this. Those guys will come from those of us who are interested in more than just taking inventory. I feel the next big step forward is in the DSLR area. The stills and videos from those units are incredible but it does take a bit more expertise to master those builds. Still, many guys want a lot of features built into their units and I don't think it's possible with the homebrews. I'm not up on all the board makers but it seems to me that Yeti has been pretty stagnant compared to say Snapshot Sniper. Personally, I don't want to see it end because outside of deer season, it seems I'm always "chasing" that perfect picture and I'm not sure my chances are as good with the commercial cams. By the way, what are you planning on building? Blessings...........Pastorjim
Definitely agree. Saw the post with regard to the DSLR. Love the idea, but pricey. Building a P41 with the possibility of an external slave. Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S4.
