BebuLamar

Inspired by Jim Bob question I see that there are a number of us who know which camera they would want to keep for life. If so shouldn't we buy the one we want to keep for life from the start instead of buying the lower end now and upgrading later? I heard so many recommendation for newbies to buy the entry level camera and upgrade when they learn more.

AK Grandpa Loc: Anchorage, AK

I bought a D3300 . . . Then a few months later a D5500 . . . Then a few months later a D500 . Buying the 3300 was OK, cause I was just getting back into photography and wasn't sure what I wanted . . . However . . . Instead of upgrading to the 5500, I should have just saved my money and gone straight to the D500 . . . If you know that you're gonna want the best, then just get it. If you're not sure, then it's OK to go with the entry level. It's costly to keep purchasing the next level up all the time, just save your money until you can afford the best you think you'll ever need.

G Brown Loc: Sunny Bognor Regis West Sussex UK

The trouble with buying a camera is:
Technology keeps moving forward. Who knows what you will need next year!
There is so much choice 'at every level' that if you do not have a lot of pre- knowledge one cannot feel confident that you have bought the right one at any time.
Some people only pay 'what they can afford' some pay on credit and hope. Pockets are not always deep enough.

As for 'life'....Life has a habit of changing (better or worse) who knows what opportunities you will have to come or disabilities you need to cope with..?

Photography is the science......foresight is often a clever move, but only in hindsight.

Have.....(you know what I am going to type next)

Charles 46277 Loc: Fulton County, KY

I managed a high volume retail camera operation for 20 years and I tried to sell people the camera they would use and most enjoy--too often the one who comes in with lots of money and asking for "the best" is not ready for a camera that offers 1000 and one bells and whistles, and the camera ends up soon in the closet--where it stays. In advising a buyer, the most important thing is asking questions rather than answering them. There isn't any one answer for all.

My father was retired and wanted a chainsaw to trim trees around his house (mostly fruit trees and other smaller trees), and a man who used a chainsaw in his work told him what is best--but it was best for himself, not my dad. Dad wound up buying one too heavy for him to use. Asking experts only works if the expert knows what you personally want and need. This goes for cameras and chainsaws both. There is a good reason that the best camera makers carry a variety of products, all of which are just right for some people. It is quite remarkable, even breathtaking, to see what people could do with a Yashica twin lens camera, or a Yashica rangefinder--both at the economy end of the scale, and neither had changeable lenses, auto focus, or other things that are considered necessities today. The biggest investment is in the time and effort (perhaps money, too) it takes to get the most from any equipment.

The beginning photographer can get fine equipment at moderate investment, before deciding to use up the retirement money or college funds--the only reason for buying a camera that does a thousand things is that you have a thousand things you can and will do with it. Fabulous photographs can be taken with simple but quality cameras, and after you learn to do all that a simple camera can do, it makes sense to use that camera as your backup, and get something that can expand your talents. Nobody in his right mind would buy a Stradivarius for a beginning violinist--the student has to earn the right to pick one up.

It really happens that people with money think about getting into photography, and they want the best--or one that "does everything for you"--without realizing that such cameras can also be the hardest to use; or if you just set them on programmed auto, you could have saved a lot of money and bought something more to your liking and training. But if you are ready for the best equipment, you ought to know already what (for you) that would be. Until then, try simple cameras and concentrate on techniques rather than technologies.

Charles 46277 Loc: Fulton County, KY

p.s.
All the cameras and lenses I bought "for life" are obsolete now, though I enjoy them as ornaments--
A large format Toyo system (2x3/4x5/8x10)
An Arca 4x5 system
A Linhof studio 8x10 system with the works--packard board, backs, etc.
An assortment of Mamiya twin lenses with all the lenses
A Schneider Swiss Dagor 8x10 lens, etc., and other lenses costing more than my car

One surprisingly usable classic is the Graflex Speed Graphic--for film or with Canon digital as a back. But this is not a likely plan today.

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

Buy the maximum your budget will allow. Don't buy a camera as training wheels. Buy the one that you intend to use. Same goes for tripods and other equipment. Buy once.

IBM

That depends on where your values lie, as some would be OK with a d3000 for life , there is so much coming on stream every couple years,
That it's hard to keep track of , do you want top of the line camera , or one that takes pictures , as it's hard to tell which picture has been
Taken with a $1200 to $1500 camera as opposed to a $500 ,or $600 camera , if you just want good pic and not all the bells and whistles
I would not spend no more than $300 to $600 max , and you will learn to operator it eventually, instead of looking at it like some beast that
Going to unleash another supprise on you as a $1500 pluse camera would , and in ten years of owning a expensive camera I bet you there
Will still be many things you dident know it could do ,

JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

I didn't reply to that thread about the camera I would want for life because even in my 60s, I can't imagine I would be using the same camera in, say, 10 years. Whenever you buy a camera, there is a good chance that in a few years, cameras that do something better that would improve your photos will come along. A beginner buying a camera might not know how serious they will become about photography, so buying a high end camera might not be wise. A beginner would have no idea what camera they would want for life.

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

To put a different spin on it, maybe the answer depends on your age. If you are young and just getting into photography and aren't sure, perhaps the best approach is to buy low and wait to see how you like the hobby before investing in more expensive gear. On the other hand, if you're at my age, 71, maybe buying the best you can afford isn't a bad idea because it could be the last camera you'll buy anyway.

WillieWisconsin

Buying the one we want to keep for life from the start may be problematic, especially if you're referring to a beginner, which is what I gather you mean from the use of the word "start" (please correct me if I'm wrong). Many people developing an initial interest in photography don't always have a deep understanding in knowing the particular features/specifications of one camera model from another; referring to entry, advanced, and professional level models.

I certainly don't see someone starting off in photography buying a D810, so an entry level or advanced camera would be perfect for them at this stage of their progression. As they learn and develop more skills and techniques, upgrades are inevitable. The upgrade may be the one they want to keep for life, not the first one they bought. My thoughts anyway.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

I have purchased the following in the past 48 years:

1969 - Yashica rangefinder camera with some graduation money. I didn't have any more money, so it was buy this or get by with box camera for a few more years.

1973 - Canon rangefinder camera. I didn't have any more money, so it was buy this or get by with failing Yashica for a few more years.

1979 - Pentax SLR. Canon had an unfortunate encounter of the wet type, so it was buy this or go back to failing Yashica for a few more years.

1983 - Pentax SLR. Previous Pentax got too damp at Niagara Falls, so it was buy this or go back to failing Yashica for a few more years.

1995 - Canon EOS Elan. This was the best AF camera within reach of my checkbook.

2007 - Canon Rebel. This was the only digital camera using my EF-mount lenses within reach of my checkbook

2013 - Canon Rebel. Previous Rebel had died. This was way for me to continue with digital photography while not emptying my checkbook.

2015 - Pentax K-30. Second Rebel had died. This was a way for me to continue with digital photography while not emptying my checkbook.

Neither camera I listed as "forever" camera, namely Pentax K-70 and Pentax KP, had been announced in 2015.

Thus, for me the answer is more complicated than the question posed by OP.

Sometimes my purchase is limited by my budget and sometimes it is limited by then- current technology. The closest principles are my always wanting to have some camera, and my not wanting to go back in capability.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

By life, you mean the life if the camera?? All cameras have a life, what then??
There is no WAY for me to know what camera I will be using, new cameras come out all the time. Every time a new model comes out, I re-evaluate what my needs are and what will best fill those needs.
I'm not even loyal to a brand, currently I'm on Canon because it has the most robust professional system in cameras, lenses and accessories.
But if that changes tomorrow and there are advantages to a newer and better system, I'll jump ship in a heartbeat, but as yet, that's not the case.
Everybody buys and shoots differently.
That's like saying your gonna get a car for the rest of your life.
SS

skingfong Loc: Sacramento

It really depends on the individual. If a beginner isn't a techie, buying too much camera is a waste because they'll never use a lot of the features. They might even stay in the auto or P mode. If a person is technically inclined and visually astute, starting with the best camera they can afford is a good idea. But then again, in a few years that camera might almost be obsolete the way technology advances.

There's no correct answer that covers everyone. Everybody is different with their technical savvy and eyes.

Jim Bob

Thanks.

SS319

In 2004, I bought a EOS Rebel (also called the 300D) for under $800. It is (I told my wife) my camera for life. It is still fully functional, and it sits on the shelf while I use my Canon T6i (750D), purchased for the same price.

I would love, and could effectively use a 5Dseries but if I sold my Jeep I could not buy that camera nor the commitment to lenses that the 5D series would require (you don't buy a $10,000 stereo to play 45RPM records) . Someday, Lord willing, [TIME OUT - Golden Hour, gotta go shoot some Hummers and Flowers - I'm back] I may buy a new Canon T-14i-IV, but, until then I have the camera that fits my needs and my style and still allows me to grow my photography.