Is it time to start thinking of digitals cameras as microwave ovens?

<p>I haven't bought a microwave oven in fifteen years. The last one I bought cost less than a hundred dollars, and it's still working just like it always did. I bought what I needed when I needed it, and I use it for what I need it for. Why would I throw away a microwave oven that's working perfectly well just to buy another one? What the hell are people doing to these things that makes them need a new one every year or two?</p>

<p>As for cameras, my current D7000 I bought used, for $500. My lenses I also picked up used, watching for good prices on eBay, for the most part. I don't toss them away, or sell them to buy something else, until and unless I'm not going to use them anymore or I have some good reason to change. Mostly that means I use what I buy for the purpose I bought it. I do the same with computers (usually get about seven or eight years out of one before I need something faster or more powerful). I buy what I need when I need it, and use it until I either don't need it, or need something different. I've never bought any kind of appliance, instrument, equipment, or gear, just because it was out there.</p>

<p>Who would buy stuff just because they read an ad somewhere?</p>

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<p>Who would buy stuff just because they read an ad somewhere?</p>

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<p>Lots of people! That's why Madison Avenue is so successful.</p>

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<p>A camera allows me to express my feelings and create art. No microwave oven can do that.</p>

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<p>I don't know about that. I find Peeps in a microwave to be quite entertaining, and I express a great deal of feeling as they morph and contort just before they explode. I did have to get friendly with a strange, and older microwave recently. Using it was the only way to easily make coffee so we could have some while watching and photographing the sunrise. Probably expensive in it's day, it still worked. I was content with my faithful XSi and a cup of nuked instant coffee.</p>

<p>Many times we get what we pay for, and other times there is good value to be had. I usually strike a balance depending on the item in question. If I could buy a DNA decoder ring for fungi, I'd do it in a heartbeat. I'd probably be willing to spend more on that than any camera I own, but it would be a good companion for fungi photography. If it took the form of a Star Trek tricorder, that would be even better.</p>

<p>Cooking is a form of art as well, and a microwave oven could be a tool for that purpose, just like a camera. :-)</p>

<p>I guess what I should have said is, "No microwave oven can do that <em>for me</em>."</p>

 

I agree with the idea of not buying a brand new item which is so hot that it can command a hefty price. Or shoot, pre order every new model..As an example, I just bought a second copy of the Panasonic GX 7 from KEH for $400.00 with warranty. Yeah, If I compared it to the Canon A-1 I bought new 30 + years ago, using a constant dollar ratio with inflation adjustment, it would come out about the same or less. LIkely less.. I have never needed sought the features of the cutting edge equipment, but I do not go for low grade either. And the GX 7 is easily above the capacity of the A-1 in my estimation...longevity I can't say for sure... I can say that I do not think of cameras in the same way as a can opener or household appliance, and I doubt many do here. E.g.The last 37" bedroom TV was a Viera bought about 5 years ago,-top grade- and it still looks super fine. I doubt many here look at thje ubiquitous cell phones as do the quote younger generation thought. That makes us mature folk SMART. right?

<p>30 years ago the Canon A-1 body only is near $400 when new. So if you apply inflation the Panasonic is much less expensive.</p>

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<p>Peeps in a microwave to be quite entertaining</p>

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<p>Another sure fire (even literally) display is to microwave optical disk media. I read it was a good way to destroy the information on them. It certainly did that in a fairly spectacular way. The microwave still works, but I haven't repeated the experiment. <br>

Some people do come to love blenders and coffee grinders, but I consider cameras to be more like cars than appliances in the stricter sense.</p>

Who says you only get a year or two use out it? Who says you have to always buy the latest and greatest? It sounds

more like your "keep up with the Jones spirit" and falling for every new camera sales pitch than anything. Im quite happy

with my 20D from 2005 (it was about $1600 new). I hope to upgrade only for better noisesless ISO. But if youre only

using your camera for two years, thats on YOUR mindset.

<p>I'm not sure what you're cooking in your microwaves, but mine seem to be like the Everready bunny....they just keep going, sometimes for a decade or more. </p>

<p>Yes, $2,000 is too much money for any camera. Especially considering that a $50 film camera loaded w/ Tri-X or Porta will blow away any expensive digital camera away in terms of colour, tonal value, etc. But digital cameras aren't about the best image quality, they're about convenience, speed, and autofocus and auto exposure that let the neighbor's kid take great photos w/o even trying. Let the flaming begin!</p>

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<p>$50 film camera loaded w/ Tri-X or Porta will blow away any expensive digital camera away in terms of colour, tonal value, etc.</p>

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<p>Oh dear...<em>any</em> expensive digital camera: even a $20,000 'blad with 100MP back? Hyperbole alert. A film camera, however, <em>will</em> be "blown away" by an inexpensive digital camera, I'm pleased to announce.</p>