Last DSLR Holiday

Cruised a bunch of photo sites not visited recently. Came across this Thom Hogan piece.

Link The Last DSLR Holiday? | DSLRBodies | Thom Hogan

It was thought provoking. I have a variety of Nikon DSLRs and a couple of fine for me Mirrorless cameras. I reimagined Thom's title - DSLR for the Last Dance. For me it would / will be Nikon, I have too much invested in lenses and other devices to go elsewhere. D 6 is out of my price range, and really, what I have now does everything I require, something to think about, and watch the new models and the sale prices around Christmas.

If you are not into DSLR anymore, this is not directed your way. If you are, what do you think and what might you buy in your preferred brand for that "Last Dance"?

I use Pentax and am happy enough with my K 3 APS-C bodies and the set of lenses (Pentax and third party) that I've built up. I've been thinking about a K 1 full frame at some point, but I'm not unhappy enough with my current set-up top feel any urgency about it. Many of my lenses will work with full frame so it wouldn't be an outrageously expensive move, but I don't need to make mural sized prints so I'm not in a rush.

 

The scary part for any of us who use DSLRs will come in a few years when parts and service will disappear for most brands/models. That has always been the achilles heel for electronic cameras: once a batch of parts is gone that's usually it except for finding donor cameras. If it was a marginally good part in the first place, then good luck.

Whatever comes next, I don't expect my current crop of Nikon DSLR bodies to outlive me. That assumes I live a fair bit longer, anyways. I expect I will need to buy into the Z format at some point, with the expectation of continuing to use my collection of Nikkor lenses, and adding Z format lenses as necessary (if necessary?). As usual, I'll wait until I can buy a used, lower-priced model when the next, super-whiz-bang model comes out. I have no need to be on the cutting edge of photographic technology. I'm guessing the real kicker will be when my batteries die and I can no longer buy replacements.

My wife and I have several Canon EOS 5D series cameras and have never felt the need to advance to mirrorless gear. Equipment support and parts replacement may eventually be a challenge. But, at my age (80+), I'm not sure that's a real issue.

If you are not into DSLR anymore, this is not directed your way. If you are, what do you think and what might you buy in your preferred brand for that "Last Dance"?

Quite certain I won't purchase anything this year. I have no reason to update my Nikon FX F-mount bodies at this time; the D810 is doing just fine; my Nikon FX system is mostly redundant for me now anyway. In fact, I am waiting for an opportune moment to dispose of some of the F-mount zoom lenses and restrict myself to mostly prime lens use with that system (when I need the convenience of zoom lenses, I will use my Sony mirrorless system). No need to replace my main DX workhorse (D500) just yet - there's likely not going to be a successor and depending on what Nikon offers in Z-mount bodies in the future, I might (have to) purchase a new D500 when Nikon signals that they will stop producing them (which Thom thinks might be a year from now). To me, the D500 is a mini D5 and there's no substitute for it; I hardly ever use it with DX lenses (though I have an UWA and a midrange zoom for it). A sub-$500 price for a D7200 might tempt me to pick one up - though I am not sure about that. My wife is using a D500-based DX system with currently no intention of moving away from - so a end-of-production purchase of another D500 is quite likely.

Early 70's here, with a pair of Canon 7Ds that have had a lot of cycles. They are both working fine but hopefully I'm not at the "last camera" stage yet. My concern is the number of EF lenses I've acquired in the past few years, and whether the next camera purchase is made to match those. Other than an older 200-400 that is doing some weird things lately I'm happy with those, and that llens inventory is where the real investment is, I think.

 

The issue I have when thinking about this is that I've been so happy with my kit that I quit watching where Canon was going a few years ago so I'm behind the knowledge curve. So there's understanding the options that will be the first step, at some point. I hope that is still a ways away.

I don't think the point of the article is that people with DSLRs have to worry about support. Eventually, that happens with bodies that are old enough, regardless of the switch to mirrorless in new cameras. I'm certainly not worried about it. Last summer, Canon put the 5D IV on sale, I assume to clear some out before the release of the R5. They were selling for $2,000 US for a month. I snapped one up. An R5 would have cost me literally twice as much.

It’s unlikely I’ll switch to mirrorless unless I am simply forced into it. All of my dslr bodies, dx and fix, have quite a bit of life left in them and I still don’t see the point in mirrorless. I’m not opposed to it but I don’t see a need to start over.

Rick H.

I am not concerned, my Nikons 810 and 750 do what I want. And I use my Sony 7II more often not because I love or need mirrorless, but because it is lighter and more compact. I am slowly accumulating lenses I like, always searching for deals.

Don't think DSLR's going anywhere anytime soon, Nikon just officially discontinued F6 introduced in 2004, so it was available for 16 years.

Industry is consolidating now, after digital boom camera market is pulling back, but will stabilize at some level.

I continued to use a Heiland Pentax H2 from 1960 to 1971. Although I bought multiple Nikons, I used F-mount from 1971 to 2004. Since I only switched to Canon EOS in 2005, I figure my use of them will probably last for the rest of my days, anyhow (although my Great Uncle did live to be 106 years old, so maybe..

 

So I'm not in any rush to go to a mirrorless, smaller camera.

 

If I had the time, money, and energy, I'd go back to a 4x5 view camera, preferably a digital one (hence the money requirement).

Edited November 6, 2020 by JDMvW

The only two DSLRs I could buy at this point are the Pentax 645Z, because I have some 645 lenses; and the Leica S2 or S 007, because... well, because! I'm not sure if either of those are eligible for this exercise, though.

I wonder if joiners fret about the number of ball-pein versus claw hammers made and sold?

I wonder if joiners fret about the number of ball-pein versus claw hammers made and sold?

Probably not--if you already own good ones and take care of them all you have to worry about is loss or theft. No proprietary batteries or electronics can go bad.

This thread has made up my mind...D300 today!

On the DSLR front I think my aging Nikon D300 will continue to do just fine along with my somewhat newer mirrorless OLY. Interesting to read about new features, but I still use old Leicas and other film bodies from the 1950s. I just finished a portrait session with the D300 and client is pleased. No anticipated new DSLR purchases for me at this time.

[uSER=2403817]@rodeo_joe|1[/uSER] - I should hope not, ball-peen hammers are for metalworking!

 

I knew a roofer (mostly slate roofs here) who used his grandfather's roofing hammer.

 

 

Somewhat more on topic, I skipped the whole DSLR era, due to lack of finances, and jumped straight to digital mirrorless. That said, I feel no desire to 'upgrade' my current collection of 2011-2016 vintage digital cameras, they serve my current needs just fine.

 

Use and enjoy what you have, there will always be something newer and shinier just around the corner. No matter what new features it has, it can't cause your current gear to take worse pictures than it did last week/month/year.

I wonder if joiners fret about the number of ball-pein versus claw hammers made and sold?

 

I know that many craftsmen and lab workers do very much fret over the quality of their tools and their durability, in fact.

I might get another D750 if I find a low shutter count on a used one. I may get a new D780 if the price drops in the next year or so. If a used D850 fell in my lap for under $1600 I might seriously think about it. Mirrorless is great and if I was younger and/or made my living in photography I would make the switch. Many good options no matter what brand or system you prefer.

[uSER=2403817]@rodeo_joe|1[/uSER] - I should hope not, ball-peen hammers are for metalworking!

OK, make that square versus bevel-edged chisels then.

 

And I just knew somebody would say that, 10 minutes after I posted.

In the short term, from what I read, both DSLRs and mirrorless systems have relative strengths and weaknesses when compared against each other. In the longer term , I'm pretty sure that mirrorless systems will be the consumer/prosumer technology that brands will promote and invest in. If was a first-time camera/lens-buyer, I would definitely have a preference for mirrorless systems. Who knows, perhaps pro cameras will also become mirrorless systems as more investments lead to new developments. So a DSLR could - in theory - become a 'classic' digital camera in a few years.

 

Personally, I've never experienced any symptoms of GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome). Since 2003, I have owned only 3 digital camera systems: a Canon G5 (compact, fixed lens, 5 MB sensor, 2003?), a Canon 40D (DSLR, crop sensor, 10 MB sensor, 2007) and since about 5 - 6 years ago a second-hand Canon 6D ( DSLR, full-frame sensor, 20 MB sensor, 2012). I've always tried to buy the best 'glass' that I could afford.

 

Every now and then I wonder whether I should be thinking of upgrading my 8-year-old 6D to something else .But so far, I've not yet found any reason to do this.

 

Mike

Edited November 7, 2020 by mikemorrell

Surely the mirrorless camera is simply an update and extension of the (D)SLR ethos of getting a preview that's as close as possible to the captured image? I see no real distinction in aim between the two.

 

Having accepted that your finished picture is going to be a digital capture; surely it makes utter sense to intercept the digital stream and view it? In as close to its final form as possible.

 

That we can now get rid of interposing focussing screens, inaccurate moving mirrors and guesstimated autofocus is a thing to be celebrated surely? Not to mourn their overdue passing.

 

The monarch is dead. Long live the monarch!

Surely the mirrorless camera is simply an update and extension of the (D)SLR ethos of getting a preview that's as close as possible to the captured image? I see no real distinction in aim between the two.

 

Having accepted that your finished picture is going to be a digital capture; surely it makes utter sense to intercept the digital stream and view it? In as close to its final form as possible.

 

That we can now get rid of interposing focussing screens, inaccurate moving mirrors and guesstimated autofocus is a thing to be celebrated surely? Not to mourn their overdue passing.

 

The monarch is dead. Long live the monarch!

 

Possibly for you, for others, arrant nonsense - in any case you might have missed it, the OP stated

"If you are not into DSLR anymore, this is not directed your way. If you are, what do you think and what might you buy in your preferred brand for that "Last Dance"?"

Possibly for you, for others, arrant nonsense - in any case you might have missed it, the OP stated

"If you are not into DSLR anymore, this is not directed your way. If you are, what do you think and what might you buy in your preferred brand for that "Last Dance"?"

 

Let assume that there are no more new DSLR introduced in the future. Since I use Nikon so it would have to be a Nikon.

Now I can't buy the D850. The D5 as far as I know no longer available new (I won't buy a used camera for my last holiday). So only the D6 left. If I were to buy one I would wait as long as it takes to get a new one at the lowest price. Dut the D6 is not appealing.

Now I can't buy the D850

 

Sure you can. In fact, currently on sale in the US for $500 off. And there are rumors that there is a successor (D880?) in the pipeline.

 

On the other hand, there are fairly strong rumors that Canon has shelved plans to introduce a 5D Mark V to replace the Mark IV (which is still being produced, as far as I know).