bsmith52 Loc: Northeast Alabama

My photo archive/workflow has been erractic, unorganized, and therefore, horrendous over the years. So I am now in the process of re-organization and assimilation in to LR of some 30k+ photos. Yes, going to be here for a while.

But what I have found going through 12-14 years of pictures is how clear, vivid, and focused many of them are that were taken with older "inferior" cameras.

Biggest GAS attack was wanting to get the latest Nikon D40. But found I could never quite get that focus and clarity of the D50 I was trading in for it. And even now as I shoot the D7000, the D50 still seems to have given me a higher % of tack sharp photos.

Now I know it is usually the indian, not the arrow. But, hey, it was the same indian behind the D50 as well.

This reorganization process has certainly taught me to not be so desirous of the latest and greatest. Maybe some of you have had the same experience.

Older and smarter amateur photographer.

Grnway Loc: Manchester, NH

No kidding! I still think that some of the finest photos I've taken are from about 30 years ago, when all we worried about were composition, camera film speed, shutter speed, and aperature. Taken with an old Konica TC with a 50mm Hexanon lens. No zoom. No AF. No HDR.......
Now I have the latest and greatest cameras, multiple zoom lenses, etc. I just bought a good old nifty fifty to try to get back to those days, as much as possible.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

That's a secret the camera makers try to hide. :D

After taking pictures with cheap P&S cameras, I bought a Polaroid when I was in my teens. I was amazed at how sharp and clear the B&W images were. Some cheap cameras were better than others. Of course, most of them had fixed focus.

DalerDad73

LOL, thanks for posting this. I thought I was going crazy. Have the same experience. Have a D5200 now, can't for the life of me tell a difference between current pics and ones taken with my now defunct D3000. Kicker is I have a much higher image quality now too which makes for bigger files to store on my comp. my next purchase is gonna be a "sucker" stamp, so I can stamp my forehead 😀

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

I wouldn't have believed it if it didn't happen to me also.

I chased the upgrade train for quite a while, spent a TON of money, and in the end I finally decided on a 30 year old 35mm camera.

I get more satisfying shots than I ever did buying the latest and greatest and bonus! I have no desire to upgrade...it was out of date in 1987! There's nothing to upgrade to... :)

It's a little disconcerting at first...not surfing the gear ads and talking about the next camera; drooling over it and figuring out how to sell the current camera to afford it but after a while, it finally subsided and it feels great.

Leon S Loc: Minnesota

Total agreement with the responses above. That is why I am very happy with a Nikon 17-35, 28-70, 80-200, (2.8's) and a 300 f4. I have other lenses like the 24-120 3.5vr which does very nice work used in the right situations. I will probably never get rid of my D700 although I do have a D810 for 50% of what I shoot. Actually I'm now picking up some ai lenses When I can find them cheap. I'm done paying out more money on equipment than I can earn using it. Leon

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

Does not surprise me. :thumbup:

texaseve Loc: TX, NC and NH

This is true! Some of my best shots were taken with the D80 which I still have and am teaching my other half with.

John_F Loc: Minneapolis, MN

The only true Gas Deterrent is to abolish Photography and destroy all cameras. Ipso facto, GAS be gone.



No, they'll take up wood working and there'll be GAS over saws, planes, .

ggttc Loc: TN

I worked as a newspaper photographer for about 15 years...they supplied all the cameras..my first was a TLR...and then they gave some Nikons to play with...and then some Canons...so I grew up shooting film...

But I must say...we shot with old equipment.

That is not the point...today's cameras are exceptional...whether you need the latest or not is up to you.

We just upgraded to a D810 (which she shoots) and I just upgraded to a D7100...does it make a difference...oh yeah it does...but we vowed these are the last cameras we will ever buy...they are wonderful for our needs...

But in the end it is always up to the eye behind the viewfinder

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

:shock: SSHHHHHHH!! Come on folks. We shouldn't actually tell people about this. Where will those of us who purchase used and refurb equipment get our stuff if everyone knows the secret that it isn't the tool, it's the craftsman? I appreciate the fact that some rush out and preorder the newest things on the market, so I can swoop in when the next "new thing" is offered, and buy the "older, newest thing" for pennies on the dollar.