... meanwhile somewhere in Norway Loc: none

I have yet to see any proof "Upgrading" is anything but marketing. If you move to FF from crop or buy a better sensor camera, that will show results, but the rest is simply smoke and mirrors... much like pixel count vs pixel quality.

Driving in a nail with a brand new chrome hammer will not produce any noticeable difference over a used iron tool if you are skilled. The job may go up faster, but it will not change the outcome in the end, unless the hammer was worn out... or you are a poor craftsman.

I have made mistakes in the past, so i am not innocent, but sensor technology is not really that much better quite yet, especially in the past four years. All of the whistles and bells being marketed today are great, and things like live EVF and focus points is really all about efficiency, convenience, and speed.

A 1969 440 Roadrunner came stock with radio delete, hand crank windows, rubber floor mats and beanie hub caps and cost only three grand. Today a new Challenger Hell Cat has every conceivable creature comfort known to man... and will break the bank at more than seventy thousand plus... but that's nothing if you take out a nine year bank loan...

I like what is new and great for a lot of things, but I do see a continuing evolution in the name of corporate needs to sell, sell, sell. The reasons seem logical and compelling in what we are fed, but dumping your 850 for a Z9 will not make much of a difference in my opinion for image outcome. Someone benefiting from you dumping your old gear for the latest and greatest may be the other side of the equation none the less...

My advice is to hang on to your current gear until you have used it beyond its expected life cycle. People used to keep washing machines and dryers for thirty years in the old days. We all invest in gear partly based on how long it will last. I believe we all should spend more time improving our editing knowledge, composition skills, and relaxing, instead of thinking of excuses to empty your pocket book... lenses are an exception.

I have always admired my neighbors who kept their cars and trucks for 10 or fifteen years, but I would somehow ignore this and trade in every two years. I believe there will a time the DLSR will have a resurgence like the old Hasselblad's and their are many current models that may gain in value. According to some, removing the mirror has changed the world of photography forever.

Bit of a pun, I am expecting inferior images that were produced before 2022 to be discarded by most museums and galleries soon for good reason. How dare we consider anything less than absolute tac sharp perfect resolution... damn those dlsr'a and filthy film boxes...

In the end... the 440 Roadrunner would be my first choice for me at the drag strip. A marshmallow smooth Hell Cat is what the advertises say I must have, and I do agree it would be safer and more suited for today's commuting needs...

In the end a shinny new Tesla will gobble up the Hell Cat at any side by side battle. Arguments will persist both ways on what is more technically superior... but
meanwhile my trusty RR will be turning many more heads and have much respect, and though bare bones, for me it is the perfect tool to be competitive. That is if I drive it right and sharpen all of my God given skills...

tradio Loc: Oxford, Ohio

I agree, I'll take the RR and the 850.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

Plus in a cross country trip The Road Runner will make the trip faster than the Tesla, Because you can fill the fuel tank much quicker!!

ELNikkor

My Cold-Spot fridge from the '50's still keeps our food cold in the cellar, never had any new refrigerant or maintenance of any kind, but soon the handle might break off.

Larryshuman

I bought a used D3s with 19,400 clicks last year and its married to my 600mm F:4g VR. I have no problem in producing very nice 8.5x11's and larger with minimal investment. My original D3 is still running and I use it for racing.

kymarto Loc: Portland OR and Milan Italy

If you look at old television broadcast in NTSC standard, the quality of the acting and the shows may be classic, but the actual technical quality can't hold a candle to today's shows. Technical quality and content quality are two different things but both are important.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

I will give you my take on this, I believe a majority of updates are indeed GAS. Practically nothing that I have to make images is new. My Nikon D7000 and D610 could not be older. I still use lenses from the 70's and 80's. Yes, I have more modern lenses but I bought them all used.
My Olympus mirrorless cameras could not be older either, My Pen EP-5 is the older followed by my EM-10 Mk II. Do I have GAS, yes I do at times but I use my reasoning to convince myself that I do not need anything new, after all I have everything I need and my images when I do my part are very satisfying.

An old camera and an old lens are as capable as a new camera and a new lens. My images are not going to be any better because I will be shooting with a new camera. I agree that the chances are excellent the new camera with its bells and whistles will make some images easier on me. If I were a wildlife shooter or birds in flight shooter, that I am not, then my camera would be a D500 and that is not GAS that is buying the right tool for the job. Do I need a better camera for landscapes which is what I do most? The answer is no, my present cameras are very capable of 12x18 inch enlargements and that is my usual enlargement when I am in need. The AF of my D7000 is more than enough for me when I go to the Everglades once or twice a year to photograph birds. The D610 has covered very nicely all of my "full frame" needs.

My Nikon F100 with Kodak film is ready for when the weather improves. In an era when digital is king I still enjoy shooting film, it is such an entirely different experience and very rewarding too, at least it is for me.
So many bagains out there from owners that updated what they had to keep on making the same images they did before.

... meanwhile somewhere in Norway Loc: none

awesome reply

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Upgrading allows one to do things that were not possible previously.
It generally does nothing to make one smarter at taking photos.
One huge difference that is NOT marketing is the eye AF and tracking, that no DSLR especially, cannot hope to do anywhere as good.
So upgrading does make sense from old primitive DSLRs like the old slow D850.

BebuLamar

I actually don't upgrade but I disagree with most of what the OP said.
While sensor may not improve much over the past few years but other aspects of cameras are improved greatly like AF.
Comparing cars and cameras isn't right. Cameras can last a lifetime and you buy new one because you want the features of the new one not because your old camera is broken. I bought new cars often enough but because my old car doesn't run any more. I would be happy with the 69 model if it still run.
You said upgrade is just marketing but I believe you have upgraded you digital camera 4 or 5 times at least.

David Martin Loc: Cary, NC

In my experience, upgrades such as
- eye AF and tracking,
- image stabilization permitting hand-held rather than tripod,
- high ISO performance,
- WYSIWYG in the EVF of mirrorless rather than the old "preview" button,
are definitely more than GAS or mere marketing.
They enable many photographers to take superior photos.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

I used my Pentax “Super Program” for just over twelve years, then my Canon “Elan” for just over eleven years, then went digital. Lately I have decided to use digital cameras as I use computers - after five years, start looking at new alternatives. Until reading online, I didn’t understand that there was anyway else to do it.

foathog Loc: Greensboro, NC

Yeah. Who cares about the cost of fuel and the pollution it entails

... meanwhile somewhere in Norway Loc: none

Yes, but the point is... it may be film, digital dlsr, or mirrorless, it doesn't matter... If you can't master what you have, spending more money for the newest Bells and Whistles won't nessesarily help you succeed.

Both of my 1DX MK3's are only 2 years old now, and as an accomplished professional, I am still dicovering new adaptations an usable features built into the camera. I don't feel crippled in the least and have eye detection, and most important speed with no buffer limitations... and also great image quality.

I do have a big problem listening to some rant about upgrading to the newest mirrorless because the dlsr is now dead and defunct.

Please do buy what you think you need, but don't think you need to buy, especially if your high quality late model DLSR was expected to produce a half million exposures and last ten ears...

Jimmy T Loc: Virginia

David, you have great examples on your list!
IMHO, two wonderful examples, on your list, are the IS/IBIS and the Eye Tracking AF on my Canon R5.
In fact, the "Eye Focus Tracking", tracks almost as well as the "Floaters" on my eyes, grin.
The dramatic improvements between my Canon 5DIV and my R5 are amazing, and the 5DIV is an Amazing camera.
Everything on your list makes me . . .
Smile,
JimmyT Sends