Your last digital camera will be a ???: what's your "camera for life?"

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Your last digital camera will be a ???: what's your "camera for life?"

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jonnyapple

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Here's a thread inspired by Thom Hogan. Have you found a camera you could be happy using for the rest of your life? If not, what are you still lacking? At what point would you be satisfied?

I know we could probably do the same thing with lens collections, but I reckon fewer people will ever be completely satisfied with the lenses they have. There's always that one (or those ten) that you keep in the back of your mind in case there's a bank error in your favor or you win a beauty contest.

I'll say I'm completely satisfied with my D7000. Dual card slots was the main thing that I felt was missing from previous cameras I owned given my photo-backup anxieties. I'm content with this camera for as long as it lasts. Now if I could just inherit some money so I can get that lens I have my eye on...

Posted 2 years ago #
aslightdelay

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Given a competent SLR (all I've got now is a P&S), I think I could be perfectly happy for a very long time. Rest of my life? Hmmm. I don't know that the newer SLRs are built with the same degree of durability as older SLR's. I don't see the 7000, which I plan on getting, having the same level of durability as my mom's old Minolta (it's older than me, which, trust me, is old enough). So with digital, unless you've got one foot in the grave and one on a banana peel, I don't know that it'd be something you'd even be able to use for a lifetime, however much you'd like to.

Posted 2 years ago #
elvishefer

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I'll probably have a camera that has near perfect ergonomics (the D300s + grip comes close for me, but is missing a couple of customized settings buttons), and then upgrade out of it because its guts will be old and rotten.

I have high hopes for a great ergonomic body with an upgradeable sensor and software package... probably other important bits too... that would allow me to have the best of all worlds.

I may have just described a sex robot or a camera. Time will tell.

Posted 2 years ago #
SquamishPhoto

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PhaseOne IQ180 paired with a handfull of Hasselblad V lenses. That would probably keep me happy. :]

Posted 2 years ago #
Niz

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My camera that I'll be happy with for the rest of my life is my F5. I will love shooting that camera until they stop making film. Even when it is hard to buy film I'll find a way to get it just to keep shooting the F5.

Posted 2 years ago #
PB PM

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I'm going to agree with Thom on this subject, I think the D700 or it's pending replacement would do it for me.

Posted 2 years ago #
LessThanThreeLeo

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I'll most likely have the D800 for at least 10 years. Interesting that you say that people will always want more lenses, but a body for life. To me it's the other way around. I only want three lenses 50 1.4, 20 2.8 and 85 1.4. I don't want anymore lenses than that.

Posted 2 years ago #
padlockd

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I think it'd be the D700 replacement. I'd be OK with the D700, but I just love having HD video right in my camera. Oh, and the grip of course.

As for lenses, I'd choose 14-24, 24 1.4, 85 1.4, and 70-200VRII. And maybe the 105 micro, just for good measure. I'd probably be happy with that. =D

Posted 2 years ago #
spraynpray

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According to what I told my wife when I bought the D90, "this one" ;^}

Maybe the dx that replaces the D7000 or the one after that.

Posted 2 years ago #
jerl

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For me, I doubt I would keep any digital camera for life, they just keep getting better, and they don't seem to have the build quality to last 15-25 years like my old film cameras. Those cameras, like my FM/FM2 or my Rolleiflex, have lasted 30-50 years already, and are still serving me well, so I guess I'll probably be using those cameras for life.

Posted 2 years ago #
Bland

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My D90 is all I will ever need. Once I wear it out I'll get its latest version.

Posted 2 years ago #
NSXType-R

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The D40 works fine still for me.

Yes there will always be better cameras, but for size reasons, there really isn't a better Nikon camera except for the D3100. Everything else in between was just a rehash.

Posted 2 years ago #
Gareth

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it really would be nice if the d700 had video. i hate having to use the d300s for video when i want photos too from the d700.

as for lenses.

i have;
35 1.4
50 1.4
70-200 2.8
105 2.8 macro
300 2.8

i want
85 1.4
200 2
400 2.8
600 4
probably in that order

and that is just for stills. if i really get into video i will want a whole bag of wide mf nikkors or zeiss.

and my wife will want a divorce.

Posted 2 years ago #
Correlli

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I am sure I can buy the batteries for my FM3a longer than I can buy film. And if not, I run it in full mechanical mode with an external light meter. From a feature standpoint my D700 currently has got everything I need. As I'm not into video I don't miss it and 12 MP is enough for me. But I have my doubts that I can buy CF cards or the EN-EL3a battery in 10 or 20 years from now. But who knows...

The exciting thing is, that we don't really know where technology goes. Today we can shoot images in light situations that we did not dare to dream of some years ago using the high ISO capabilities of current cameras. This opens a whole new type of photography. Yes I know that available light photography is not a new type of photography. But today we got new possibilities. Or having high quality still and video in one device.

These upcoming possibilities will give us the chance to develop our photographic styles to different levels. So it might be daring to say, that our current cameras will be our last ones.

But as I said: right now I am more than happy with the D700 and although I am very curious to see what the D400/D800/D4 etc will bring I have no plans of upgrading other stuff than my lenses.

Posted 2 years ago #
Mike Gunter

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Hi,

Frankly - I hope it isn't made yet.

My best,

Mike

Posted 2 years ago #
bjrichus

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I don't think there will be a camera for life. Just look back 10 years... how far we have come.

By 2020 I hope to have something incredible that we all think would be impossible today (not sure what), but it's likely to be at least three times the IQ/MP/DR of what we have today... and then as for 2030... well...

No "one device for life" anymore.

Posted 2 years ago #
Kanichiro

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SquamishPhoto said:isalousion
PhaseOne IQ180 paired with a handfull of Hasselblad V lenses. That would probably keep me happy. :]

I hate to disillusion you, but the Phase One IQ180 is a "digital back," not a camera. You'll need to buy an actual camera body to use with the IQ180. Phase One recommends their model 645DF body for around $5,990. The IQ180 digital back goes for $44,000. I have no idea what the lenses would cost.

Posted 2 years ago #
NSXType-R

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One issue I see with digital cameras- dead batteries. I have no idea how long Nikon keeps making old batteries, but I would imagine it would be quite hard to find batteries for the D1 or D100 right now.

At least those somewhat expensive button batteries are still being produced. Good luck finding a D90 battery 20 years from now.

Posted 2 years ago #
Drab

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At the consumer level, yes, batteries will likely be hard to find at some (near) point in the future for old tech. I have no doubt you'll fail to find a D90 battery at WalMart or Radioshack 20 years from now.

At the enthusiast level? Not at all. We're already in a battery golden age where one can, quite affordably, order any of thousands of LiPoly batteries by physical dimensions. Custom orders are growing cheaper and cheaper by the year as well. One will have no problem getting a D90-compatible battery sourced, cheaply, 20 years from now.

The only fear I think we have is that of intentional hobbling by the manufacturer. Already there are ink tanks and printers out there which refuse to work when the lifespan has passed an arbitrary point. Digital DRM is increasingly protecting physical goods and not just "virtual" goods.

A manufacturer putting a "genuine" verification chip in their batteries, THAT would be a high hurdle. Physical shape, not so much.

Posted 2 years ago #
shutteredglass

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The camera that would last me would be a D700 with dual card slots and maybe 100% viewfinder coverage. But, I'll settle for plain jane D700 once the price drops to my level.

Posted 2 years ago #
Treckie

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Mike you hit the nail square on the head. For know I will be content with my humble D3s.

Posted 2 years ago #
studio460

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1. Nikon F100.
2. Nikon D3s, and every one of its successors (never say never.)

Posted 2 years ago #
NikoDoby

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My last digital camera/last camera of my life will be the Nikon D9XS
My last film camera will probably be the Nikon F7

Posted 2 years ago #
Pierre

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NikoDoby said:
My last digital camera/last camera of my life will be the Nikon D9XS
My last film camera will probably be the Nikon F7

Didn't you say you were a Canon guy?

Edit: I hope I will not get 'terminated' for bringing this up :^@

Posted 2 years ago #
kyoshinikon

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Im with Niko on this one...

Posted 2 years ago #