Is the camera niche dead on YouTube?

[@ks_portraits]

Most are just trying to sell products and get paid. A very few are authentically trying to teach now.

[@xjet]

I watch ZERO short-form content. Life is too short for that stuff.

[@VicBarry]

Very true

[@paulz8750]

Totally, totally agree and in my opinion - they tend to be a certain "type" of person with really short attention span.

[@nickfosley2882]

not defending short form content here, but your logic is that life is too short so you spend more of it watching longer content?

[@xjet]

@@nickfosley2882 The reality is that long-form content is generally of higher quality and provides more information than shortform content. Therefore, the return on investment (of time) leans strongly in favour of long-form.

[@paulz8750]

@nickfosley2882 Your logic is incorrect - I don't necessarily spend more time watching longer content Jusr zero time on short content, if that helps.

[@SonnyGreenwichJr]

Ha! Vic, substitute the music/recording niche, same kak. 🤣 🤣 Happy Holidays to you & yours! From just down the road... 🎅🏾☘☮🤘🏽🤠👍🏽☮☘🎅🏾

[@VicBarry]

Same to you buddy

[@ImageMaven]

Vik! So many things come to mind as I watch this. Not the least is that you pulled the mental chatter right out of my head. It is indeed hard for me to carry on with KZbin as well, but I really hope YOU do as I could listen to you talk about bog roll. Ironically I found you when I got my OP3 earlier this year for one of those “settings” videos. But you’ve hit all the points about the state of KZbin videos in our niche. I think that’s why some are reaching back to do reviews of old or weird camera gear. I struggle to carry on with fresh ideas even though I’m fortunate to have some long term loans of very good camera gear to use. But a few months back I did a sponsored video on some grip gear and I don’t think it even has 250 views yet 😂 And yes people are lazy. They won’t crack open the camera manual themselves. I get the stupidest basic questions all the time. I shall work harder on the story structure. (And thanks for your reply to me on your last video, even though it probably pained you to reply.) If you’re looking for an idea to make a KZbin video about I’d love to see your actual process of using Chat GPT to help generate ideas and story lines etc. That’s a huge black hole in my head right now. Lots of high level stuff but no trusted details on the how-to side of things. Or just send me to a person/video who can teach me if you’re not into making it yourself. Happy holidays to you and your family. Hope your wife recovers, your health stays on the upswing, and that you can re-energize in whatever way is best for you. If that means leaving us for a few months, or forever, all the power to you! I totally get it. Hugs from Calgary, Canada.

[@VicBarry]

Thanks so much Marlene. We’re doing really well now. I totally get it about the questions but it’s part and parcel. The ones who don’t read the manual never really do much in the end let alone have a good reason for the camera in the first place. And that saddens me as it buying it for the sake of it. The fresh ideas thing is always a struggle but what I’ve done over the years is have a backlog of “must make” videos. So there’s always something to fall back on should / when the need arises. The sponsored videos are great in one way if they do well and deliver value. Otherwise they’re momentum killers. I’ll put ChatGPT into the list 🙏 And right back at ya. Enjoy the festivities.

[@kevlally]

You are a gifted story teller. Keep it up.

[@VicBarry]

I’ll take that 🤘 Thank you. I’ll keep trying

[@KayachtLife]

You have a gift with storytelling for sure. When I found your channel I was not only informed but entertained. I genuinely look forward to your videos. Actually one of the few people that I subscribe to where I watch every video, all the way through. Keep em coming and keep telling great stories!

[@VicBarry]

That’s super feedback to get. Thank you 🙏

[@37F-Boone]

I want you to know I appreciate your videos. I learn a lot from you. I do like your reviews as well, they feel real and not scripted like mad. Your personality really comes through in your videos. Just wanted to let you know that your hard work is appreciated.

[@VicBarry]

Wow. Thank you so much

[@mtbboy1993]

Photography niche won't die. People want useful vids. Reviews, comparisons, nice videos.

[@VicBarry]

It won’t die. But it’s totally over saturated. Reviews vids are absolutely important but they sometimes get lost in the “overview” videos which are glorified marketing

[@mtbboy1993]

@VicBarry I agree, I skip those, or skim through them. I'm mot interested in long term durability, video performance and battery life in sub zero temps as well as mid summer heat, video quality, esse of use. All the normal stuff. So watching someone unbox and repeat marketing bla bla bla while not giving any real info and wasting 15 mins is pointless.

[@VicBarry]

💯

[@KofiYeboah]

Subscribed, and agree! Every camera has become so good now, which I think is great, it levels the playing field a bit, but where I think (hope) happens is what people DO with the thing rather than just tell me about the thing 🙏🏾

[@VicBarry]

Hey Kofi, thank you. Appreciate it. It’s really like the old “show don’t tell” - Hopefully there’s good life left in it and it goes the right way. Love your work btw 🔥

[@KofiYeboah]

@ I think it will! Numbers don’t lie, people show up in droves to the latest gear video, but that extra little bit and putting context to that gear I think is going to breath life back into the niche 🙏🏾

[@VicBarry]

💯- yeah they do. But for all that do there’s always only a handful that will subscribe. They’re like magpies. Onto the next shiny thing and they may not come back but the ones that do are at least the stable baseline of growing a community. 🙏

[@KofiYeboah]

@@VicBarry I will say the non-gear focus videos have more subscribers vs views than gear videos , maybe a mix of both is helpful 🫡

[@AliexFolgueira]

The reason is simple: during the 2020 COVID pandemic, many people stuck at home looked for ways to make money online. They saw that some people were making a lot of money from online videos, so they decided to try it themselves. This led to a boom in the camera niche as people sought to create the best possible videos. However, as things returned to normal, the number of viewers decreased while the number of channels remained high. This created the impression that the camera niche is dying. I don't believe this is the case. The audience is still there, but it's more spread out. Many channels will eventually give up or move on to something else. As the competition decreases, things will likely stabilize and the camera niche will return to its pre-2020 state.

[@VicBarry]

Hey Aliex, very interesting point. Thanks for taking the time with it. However, while there’s definitely merit in the pandemic idea, the niche itself was decent enough with many creators (of the larger variety) established. But it’s definitely a fair point. While the number of viewers decreased, I don’t think that’s the case. Definitely viewers have decreased but more than likely moved on to something else because camera settings are camera settings Only so many ways to spin it as all manufactures menu systems are the same or nearly the same generation to generation. Unless there’s something totally revolutionary comes along. In a nutshell people have got bored with “samey” content and the settings and overview videos are the “easier” ones to do compared to going out in the field / telling a story etc

[@livingmypurpose74]

I really enjoyed this video & I do keep hoping & praying story telling isn’t dead. I started my channel to do this type of channel, I actually really enjoy story telling channels & the channels where we get to know the person on the channel! You definitely hold people’s attention so well, and are a genuine talker, you’re just being yourself and that’s what I like in channels & want to become. I have enjoyed your videos, keep being you & prayers for your wife. ❤

[@VicBarry]

Great perspective. Thank you for the kind words. We’re doing good now. Thankfully 🙏

[@StephenJReid]

Definitely a combination of things. Saturation of niche, plateauing of technology (I’m not sure it’s stagnation, that maybe implies that there’s some missing feature that we really need, or at least that there’s mainstream demand for), focus shifts to content that doesn’t require anything other than a phone - lots of creators who might have become talented filmmakers have ended up doing TikTok instead. This relates to the lack of desire to learn skills when you can “be successful” without them. So probably a less people getting serious about filmmaking than before. I think that’s a great point you’ve made. We are getting lazier and AI has made this standard practice. Doesn’t bode well long term for many things.

[@VicBarry]

Fair point about ai making us lazier. But it took considerable prompting for me to get into my funeral suit 🤣 The saturation of niche is also fair but I do think over saturated is just another opportunity for people to not even give it a go. Every niche is saturated or borderline saturated at this stage. Great point on the phone.

[@SonnyGreenwichJr]

Oh and also, I loved your family vlogs! 🔥🧨💪🏽🤠👍🏽🧨🔥

[@VicBarry]

Thanks so much. You’re an OG

[@oldman1517]

No 😂 you have an edge, most others don’t have your accent

[@VicBarry]

🤣 Thanks.

[@nessymon]

Great vid, also love how you changed the editing between the two towards the end of the vid so it's not just bang on beat.. nice one.

[@VicBarry]

Thank you 🙏 what do you reckon? Are they dead?

[@nessymon]

@VicBarry you know, I think part of it are the embargoes the companies set when sending out products. Then everyone wants to be first and it feels like an onslaught of the same video. I completely get what you mean about Peter McKinnon, really enjoyed that last whiskey vid he did too. It's all about the storytelling.. everything else will follow after that.

[@VicBarry]

@ great point. The embargo thing kills me. I’ve had entire schedules fall apart because of some company shifting things at the last minute and then it’s a scramble to fill a gap. Yes. Absolutely enjoyed the whiskey vid as well

[@AllTerrainNation]

The DJI Osmo pocket 3 has been a game changer for us. Its easy to take on press events and with extended battery, I can use it all day with out worry.

[@VicBarry]

Awesome stuff. Yeah. The extended battery is great

[@aedanjmcghie]

Indeed. You get the same thing on bike groups. People obsess about the latest kit. I use a 1970s Raleigh to get around. It’s a struggle to not say something very sarcastic when another person asks about the “best” settings or “I’m going to upgrade, what lens should I get?” Go read a book on photography. Learn things, try them out, learn more.

[@VicBarry]

Fair point. Raleigh choppers FTW. Yeah. Totally get that. What’s the best lens? Well this is the one that’s best for me, dunno about you. Watching is definitely the new reading I fear. I read a tonne for years but over the last few my reading is done digitally. Great comment. Thanks for dropping by.

[@aedanjmcghie]

Ahhhh… not a Chopper. A Twenty. Three speed hub, step through frame, generator lights. Fine for going to work or Tesco.

[@AllThingsFilm1]

Yes, there are tons of camera channels out there. But, I think it gives you more choices of creators to pick from. A lot of creators are not knowledgeable enough to carry themselves, but, somehow manage to accumulate a lot of subs anyway. There are only a handful of creators I actually listen to as far as choosing a camera goes. As far as the audience goes, YES, they are getting lazier. In my opinion, a big part of that comes from people taking on the same wants and expectations of their favorite content creator. Like when people complain about rolling shutter or a camera "missing"a feature, mainly because their favorite creator told them these things were important. Even worse is when a content creator does a review about a camera they don't even have in their hands. Their commentary is purely based on the specs of the camera and not on actual use. Yet, they get lots of views anyway. As long as vlogging and KZbin are popular, I think we will always have the "camera niche". Until people find another shiny object to focus on, we will still see a flood of new videos about cameras. To be honest, I'm always curious about new cameras. Especially when new cameras have features that use to only exist in much higher end and more expensive cameras. Great commentary, Vic. You have your finger on the pulse of KZbin for sure.

[@VicBarry]

Super comment and great observations. Thank you. Out of curiosity, the handful of creators you listen to as far as choosing a camera goes, why do you listen to them over anyone else? Is it knowledge? Or something else

[@clairesoutdoorodyssey]

Great video, sums up everything in the camera world. And cameras themselves...? I still get the odd person walk up to me when I'm photographing events wanting to find out what camera I'm using. My response, these days, is "does it matter? They're all pretty much the same. Oh, this one? I chose this one because it's a good all-rounder for hybrid working and I happened to have the lenses to go with it. The end." Boring! More story. Definitely. It makes things more interesting.

[@Recordesk]

👏

[@VicBarry]

Ha. Great point Claire. I often wonder on these people go home and then just buy the same camera instantly. Doubt it 🤣

[@BEERNBBQBYLARRY]

This information could be applied to other niches such as cooking and brewing where I dwell. I don’t think it’s only for cameras channels.

[@VicBarry]

Hey Larry, yeah. Gaming was the first to get swamped I guess. Where else do you see it? And what makes other creators in those saturated spots stand out?

[@tlsmoke23]

I wanted a step up from the action cameras i bought the Zv-1 when it first came out. My friend bought a $3k dslr we compared both camers edited photos. Although the full senor had the best results zv-1 did great. The action camera photos are my favorite. The best camera is the one you have with you.

[@VicBarry]

So true about the best camera is the one you have with you 🔥

[@JackieDElia]

Couldn’t agree more, Vic. Spot on! Gear can be such a trap. Here’s to creating more stories.

[@VicBarry]

Thanks Jackie

[@DarrenJSpoonley]

It needs something to jab the consciousness of viewers, KZbin is similar to how TV was, I guess, the challenge is that KZbin is instant gratification, and Shorts are that quicker fix when the audience, who generally are trending to having the attention span of a goldfish,, need one. If we look at cooking shows on TV, for example, the older types went away, and fresh new talent came and changed the story of how it was told. Jamie Oliver and Gordon Ramsey are good examples. So perhaps we need more swear words when something is shit, it's shit, and call it shit, that's going to mix up the rhetoric a bit, I feel. Just my thoughts away, Pal. Another good video

[@VicBarry]

Cheers bud. Good point. Maybe there’s something in the swearing thing lol - it’s a GIGANTIC struggle for me not swear in videos 🤣

[@HelenAvery]

Agree and I think it’s interesting Lumix is circling back to the point and shoot with their newest release a couple days ago. Old is new again? I guess someone had to jump back in with those old Canon g7x mark I and iii cams going for multi-thousands (!!!) on the used market 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@HelenAvery]

And second point (promise it’s the last one) now that Google is scraping our videos and spitting out three sentence text summaries, it will be more than even the strong storytellers who will thrive here

[@VicBarry]

Hey Helen, yeah. Totally. It’ll be interesting to see where it goes over the next while for sure

[@Frombehindthelens]

Thanks for sharing Vic 😊

[@CelticCameras]

i unsubbed from so many channels this year. Its essentially the home shopping channel 24/7 with creators with zero integrity , out to get that bag and zero regard for their audience. There is a way to do it but many creators just use their audience to farm affiliate links, sell merch, review free stuff and bang in a sponsor aswell. Its shopping fatigue, shill fatigue and zero creativity as everything is a copy of a copy of a copy. Its bad, infact its worse than that.

[@VicBarry]

Yeah. Totally fair point. On the flip side a lot of creators this is their full time gig or a side hustle with the hopes of it becoming a full time gig. I see plenty who you describe but at the same time there’s a good few who have always kept their integrity. But totally get how it’s like a home shopping channel.

[@Ron.Durant]

You are so correct about getting products to review. It can be a royal pain in the rear. I have only had a few want to send me something to review but most of them are pure junk. I am not going to waste my time on a tech gadget that is nothing more than toy. I will In the future, be more selective of what I accept. Great video Vic!

[@VicBarry]

Thanks Ron. I’ve turned down more stuff than I’ve taken at this stage. Unless it’s something I’ll genuinely have a need / use case for then it’s unlikely I’ll take it.

[@donstravelsandrants.]

Good man Vic. Loved what you had to say. Subscribed. 👍😊

[@VicBarry]

Hey Don 👋 🇮🇪 Thank you. Appreciate the sub

[@mtbboy1993]

Actually older Gopro cameras only were usable in summer, spring, autnumn, as the battery was flat in sub zero temps. So atleast that ha improved now 9 to 13 all can record in extreme low temps like - 20c. But I've not tried them yet still on Hero 7,but I can't record for most of the winter. But otherwise Gopro hasn't improved much, since few years ago, video quality got improved few years back, but then not so much if at all, and still sucks in the dark about as bad as 7. But I see the competition does much better in the dark. 🤔 But as for cameras, it seems like all brands have great or good cameras. But 4 Session. Was usable in sub zero, but its so tiny camera it gets hot. But top models are still way too expensive for me, I simply can't afford it. I hope the tech trickles down some day. I've not turned stupid yet. I love long form content.

[@VicBarry]

Great or good cameras. Exactly. It’s really reached a peak I feel.

[@Mraz75]

When you said long form content, i guess i’m the guy. I just watch your video till the end and i feel i’m old. Maybe because of your accent but your points are right.😊

[@VicBarry]

Well, thank you 🙏

[@davidhudson7590]

I've learnt alot as newbie from your vids and craic

[@VicBarry]

Hey Dave, glad to hear it. Thank you. Appreciate you watching.

[@mtbboy1993]

I don't see the point of making same video somone did, without atleast adding more information, others didn't. Some vids parents much help lirk super short reviews or overviews. Some are. But one area I see lack of content is polarising filters. Which I'm currently looking I to, but can't find any info on what's the evs for me.

[@VicBarry]

Fair point. Thanks for that. Out of curiosity how many polarising filter videos would you need / watch? I get there’s plenty of use cases but there’s not an infinite amount of content that can be built from them

[@mtbboy1993]

@VicBarry I've never seen any comparisons, most ar end filters reviews , I saw some but hard to consider when I don't know the results. But the perfect kit doesn't exist, something like Nisi Jetmag but adjustable polariser would be awesome. It's rumored so maybe I should wait no idea if it will ever happen. But I've seen some polarizer reviews, but it's only few brands, and when considering several brands and one only see a few it's like roulette. But I see Nisi nd filters look good, so if polariser are as good then I guess si should get them. But I want something that doesn't exist yet. I'm sold on the Nisi Jetmag, but no adjustable magnetic polariser yet. I probably watched all of the few I can count on one hand. I actually discovered Sigma has filters, never seen anyone review them. I see Kase has magnetic ones but not adjustable. Not sure wha tto get, I want something fast and easy to use, ieth great results. I looked at Nisi Swift it looks neat but not magnetic. 🤔 I often suffer from paralysis from analysis. Ball heads is another area where I can't find any proper info about on of one si can buy in Norway. Not sure wha tto buy, been about a year of research still can't decide.

[@mtbboy1993]

@VicBarry I'm currently looking into ball heads, it's been a year of looking, but still can't decide. And those reviewed, I can buy, those interested i can buy I don't see reviews of. I want something not too heavy, but it has to be robust and proven.

[@LouisLuzuka]

I love the thumbnail!!!!!!

[@VicBarry]

Thanks buddy

[@petersuvara]

Tech is reaching a plateau, plus absolute saturation. There's only so many interesting things you can see 10 times over. With "Game Changing" being something which happens all the time, it's not really Game Changing.

[@VicBarry]

Hey Peter, great point. Game changing is totally over used at this stage. Granted I’m guilty of it on occasion in the past

[@VISTATREKKER]

Let me drag you back into the pit with a camera settings idea;- camera settings to film Christmas lights in your area at night. You could slip a good old spirit of Christmas story into that quite easily and get out and about to boot. Merry Christmas Vic👍

[@VicBarry]

Merry Christmas to you too. There is a video there on that if you search. Let me know if you can’t find it. Don’t think it’s been deleted

[@VISTATREKKER]

@ I should have known, fair play. Enjoy the break over Christmas.

[@stigfloberghagenphotography]

Nice video and message 🙂👍

[@VicBarry]

Thank you 🙂

[@stigfloberghagenphotography]

@VicBarry 👍🙂

[@b-art.]

Yes, totally agreed with you.

[@VicBarry]

Thanks for watching. You think it can change?

[@b-art.]

@VicBarry not really, as you mentioned, so many creators just make reviews of stuff sent by companies and from the other hand companies have very cheap advertisment of their products shared all around the world and this trend will be even stronger in upcoming years I think. Thats why storytelling and making it in some other, unique way is so important and necessary nowadays.

[@BrianKushner]

Classic!

[@ThePNWRiderWA]

I would block shorts if I could. I can’t stand them. I don’t get unboxing. Who cares ?

[@SteveWB]

I agree

[@VicBarry]

Hey Steve, thanks for dropping by again. You think it’s fixable?

[@SteveWB]

@@VicBarry I think tech has hit a serious wall. Is it fixable? I think most will take the easy route which has always been the case and the people who actually learn the tech and are innovators will be most successful because they offer something different. The youtube game is always being the first one to do something new. I think shutter, exposure and frame rate will die and be a thing of the past. So is it fixable in the sense of things going back to how they were. No Is it fixable that we can make it in the camera niche? Yes as long as we stay current and find a innovative way of using the new tech.

[@TimSeraphiel]

Never! There's a whole year ahead where creators will recycle and update this years content. Yay! 😂

[@VicBarry]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 but what about the year after Tim? 🤔

[@whatsnottohike]

I say mostly, yes. Shame, but it's the reality imo.

[@VicBarry]

Cheers for the comment. Why do you think that is?

[@whatsnottohike]

@VicBarry i just feel that more and more people are just happy with their camera phones and feel reviews and interest in any other kind of cameras is dwindling, considering the quality of camera phones now, including video quality and all the accessories you can get. Gimbals, filters etc. I just feel the traditional dslr type cameras are more geared for a more pro photographer but then thats more a niche market and makes for less popular videos. Could be wrong mind, just my initial thoughts

[@VicBarry]

@@whatsnottohike no. I think that’s very observant to be honest. Phones are now absolutely mass market for video. And “normal” cameras are probably more niche than ever because of the phone quality. As a purist 🤣 I don’t think they’re there just yet (very close though) but for 90% of people or more they are absolutely more than enough.

[@whatsnottohike]

@@VicBarry yeah. I mean, theres still the pocket 3 which is awesome but as the camera is not great on it, it's more geared for just video. I think its just the times we live in and that camera phones are just getting better and better that unless you're a pro photographer needing a dslr and zoom lenses etc, then phones will be enough. It's a shame but the current reality i feel. Cheers!

[@VicBarry]

Cheers for the follow up

[@LensForgotten]

I feel this has been overthought and over analyzed. Just make good photography videos and ease up on the obsession with reflection and gear.

[@VicBarry]

Hey Gary, that’s the thing. The good videos, half the time, never get to see the light of day for one reason or another.

[@paulz8750]

I'm sick to death of "And now let's get into it" camera & tech gear videos AND tech tutorials. I subscribe to literally a hand full of people who's style I grown to like and I pitty anyone who's betting on making a living on any platform now days. My advice is get a proper job & any income from a platform is a bonus.

[@VicBarry]

Hey Paul, fair point. Thing is, this is a real / proper job to many. From script writing to editing and brand building. And everything else in between. The “let’s get into it” 🤣 yep that gets me too. Although I’m pretty sure I’m guilty of it on occasion 🤪

[@paulz8750]

@@VicBarry Hey Vic I take my hat off to ANYONE who puts effort to learn and execute all the steps you out-lined to produce the videos & for some it may well be a full time job. To those people, I have on e question : Are the financial rewards worth the time & effort so the bills can be paid, let alone the mental health aspect eg youtube burn-out.