New camera and ASP

[FrankX]

As ASP has problems recognizing the DNG files made by the Ricoh GRD IV, I was thinking about buying a different camera. But some I've shortlistet aren't supported either (e.g. Samsung NX200, Panasonic GX1) according to the ASP website.

Now I want ask you, what do professional photographers (which I'm not) when they buy a new camera?

Do you use a different program, if the camera isn't supported?
Do you buy only supported cameras?
Do you buy the camera and hope that it would work even if they are not listed?
Do new cameras have the same file format as their predecessors so that generally it works (except for my Ricoh)?

What are your strategies when buying a new camera?

F.

[MikeFromMesa]

I am certainly not a professional photographer, but I can tell you at least one basic rule when looking for a new camera and related camera software.

Some camera manufacturers are considered so important that you can be reasonably sure that their serious models will be covered by serious camera software. For example, Canons line of dslrs should be supported by all major software companies as will Nikon and Olympus' line of dslrs. If you bought one of any of those manufacturer's dslrs you could be reasonably sure that you would have no problem with software. A good place to look for cameras likely to be supported by third-party software would be at the dpreview forum. It is a popular camera forum location and has specific sub-forums for specific cameras. You should be reasonably sure that any of the cameras listed at the specific forums at dpreview will probably be largely supported by most camera software.

Alternately if you have software that you really like you could work backwards and pick a camera that the software supports. Good places to look (besides ASP) would be Dxo, Adobe LR and CS5, Corel PSP X4 and other popular camera software. These will have a list of cameras and image formats they accept.

Don't know if this is any help at all.

[DocBrown]

I'm not even close to being a professional, but I can tell you that the vast majority of professionals are shooting digital with either Canon or Nikon. That's not to say there is anything wrong with the cameras you are looking at, or that pros don't use other brands, because they do. But Canon and Nikon have great support, lots and lots of lens and accessory choices, and of course are widely supported by 3rd party vendors, both in software and hardware.

It's because of this, when I was shopping for my first dSLR I quickly narrowed my choices down to Canon or Nikon, ultimately choosing Canon. I've never regretted that decision.

[pesto126]

Agree with above and is why I wouldn't think of shooting with a DSLR other than Canon/Nikon or perhaps even the newer Sony/Oly and Panny M4/3's systems... software developers will quickly provide support for what is hot in the market and used by pros... Ricoh/Pentax/Samsung... perhaps all good as well but slower support for sure and some of the smaller players might take months to add these brands to their softawre.

[teknisyan]

Before I bought my first DSLR, I was eying to get the Lumix SLR, upon checking the body as well as the lenses are expensive even though the camera got some rave reviews. So I researched and ended up buying a Nikon... reason?

Got nice support, lots of 3rd party lenses and accessories, RAW Files are supported by major software. Which I think is what Doc Brown mentioned.