I'm still using a Pentax K5-II as my main digital camera (2012), which is technically outdated but perfectly usable. I got a (new) 2-nd body and a battery-grip (for AA's) as backups when this model was discontinued and cheap. The body kit also contained an extra battery and a battery-charger. So, now I have two identical kits with enough redundancy and hope to run them an extra 10 years, but I'm not expecting to use them as long as my film-camera's because they can't be CLA'd.
Yes, they will never run as long as all our beloved film cameras, but they do certainly maintain their usefulness long after what seems to be the mass consensus of obsolescence... if internet discussion, reviews and the slew of latest gear is in fact to be believed.
A850 is still a great camera I imagine.
Every once in awhile I pull out my old 6mp Nikon D70s. The files at bases ISO are so silky and juicy. I love it.
That is the biggest thing I find. You can get a really different rendering from these older digi's over the latest greatest. It offers a creative option that you usually only got with film and using different emulsions.
When I go digital I still use a Sony Nex 7 - unless I want to upgrade to a full frame I don't see that the newer APS Cs offer me much more in image quality. Still like film best.
I always wanted a nex 7, however the a7 series dropped before I pulled the pin on one, so of course went down that route instead.
I love film, the only problem I have had since becoming a father is time to get the results I desire, thus my digis are getting more and more of a workout I am afraid.
If it still functions, and you can get images off of it from your memory cards, and have reasonable expectations for what it can do, then yes. If you're expecting it to produce 40mp noiseless JPEGs at ISO 25600, then no.
This is very true. It is often a tail of expectations.
I'm still using DSLR from 2008 and its original battery. It was good enough to win prizes and get published.
Don't know why can't be good by now. I have modern lens attached to it.
That's the thing, if you are still happy with the output and how it functions, if it still inspires you to pull it out and make images, then it is still a fine camera.
For most purposes, an old digital camera is just as good as the newest model. Most monitors can only display 2 megapixels of 8(24) bit information. 10 megapixels is really all that is needed for all but the largest prints.
I am still using my NEX-5n and Sony a65. Newer cameras have more bells and whistles and higher ISO sensitivity as well as excessive pixels, but I have never seen any reason to upgrade. If I need really high resolution, and I rarely do, I will just shoot medium format film.
It's a very good point. That medium format film look is also desirable, that is for sure. Not many digi's will out resolve a good 6x9 negative.
If it could be used to take good photos in the year it was new, and it is still working, then logic suggests that it can still be used to take good photos today...
Old cameras won't be as flexible as newer models frequently are, and often can't be pushed as far, or be as forgiving in use, but they're still perfectly useful devices if you're willing to put in the work to use them to their best ability.
The existence of a newer camera than an older model doesn't make the old model bad, it merely makes it not as good. [Assuming the newer camera is actually better, and not a cheap cut down design...]
That is exactly my thoughts too.
Most of the improvements in digital cameras relate to the capability of the image processor and the firmware. And there has been a lot of those improvements in recent years.
However, if your results from your older camera meet your needs, why change?
This is true. I find though that a base iso's most the older cameras are still great and often have unique rendering to todays sensors. It's at the higher ISO end of the spectrum that the newer models surpass the older as far as image quality is concerned I believe.
Are we now discovering a seldom addressed reason for the rapid decline of the digital camera market?
Perhaps we should buy a new camera now, before we are confronted with a reduced choice and much higher prices.
Haha, it's a valid point. A huge part of the decline over recent years could be the constant slew of new models that really only improve over that last y about %10 or so. I think there are perhaps more and more of us holding on to older gear for longer as the pricing of new lenses and models seems to increase also. Thus creative a bit of a knock on loop. It does however feel like we a re going through a bit of a camera and lens boom much like that of the '60s and 70's and thus why you see so many of those camera and lens models still doing the circulation.
I will never buy a new digital body again. Old body a few years out maybe. My Nex-3 still produces wonderful digital files, if that's what I'm after. My Canon 700d with magic lantern can do great HDR panos.
Yes, newer sensors have better dynamic range, IBIS, resolution, but with good technique it's not needed. I prefer shooting film in any case.
I would say the nex-5 is perfectly suitable. Don't buy into the consumer mindset let others waste their money on depreciation and buy from them at a discount when they need the new thing.
I am starting to realise this myself. It's nice to have a new camera. And get the new box and the whole experience. But often you can get gear that is literally only a year or two old for a fraction of the original retail price...dependent on brand of course. Certain brands definitely hold their value longer it seems.
It is not a "New Topic" but this picture taker addresses the very thing you guys are discussing.
My article isn't so much a review as a photo story about my week return to an old camera, and my thoughts on whether it is still a worthy camera to be carrying around in 2019.
Is it still good? Does it work any less now than when it was new? If not then it's still good. If it is malfunction in some way then it's not good.
That is very true. I like to talk about these types of topics as often there is appreciation to be had for some of the slightly older gear that still functions perfectly well. It has a charm all of it's own.