rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

I'm not sure where all this negative talk is coming from. Digital Cameras came into widespread use only in recent years, so we don't have much of a historical record on which to base statements about how long you can use one. IIRC, the latest iPhone is being priced at nearly $1000, and most people won't use it for even 5 years. If you use a $1000 body for 5 years, that is $200/year. In the days of film, I spent more than $200 on film; if you were a painter, you'd spend more on paint to capture the scenes I capture each year.

Marionsho Loc: Kansas

Ronbo Loc: Okanagan falls BC. Canada

Darkroom317 Loc: Mishawaka, IN

Nikon S2 and a lens or two. Mainly because I just want one because it is such a cool camera.

Or, a Wisner 4x5 field camera and a good lens because it is quite lighter than the Cambo SCII that I am walking around with.

Janimals

I'd save that $1,000.00 towards a Nikon D500. I am such a beginner-amateur, I feel silly posting here, but here's why I would chose that camera: I shoot animals for portrait paintings and because I am crazy about animals. They rarely sit still for you, nor do they wait for good light. I have a Nikon D200 which I love, but it is limited in low light and the focus is too slow. Also I need a camera with better HDR for photographing black and white critters. My photography has improved so I am getting more out of my old camera, but I could really use the newer technology. My confession is I need some help from my camera. Also the crop sensor brings sometimes elusive and shy critters closer.

Blaster34 Loc: Florida Treasure Coast

Ahhhh, the Ford, Chevy, Chrysler wars continue. You can get a Corvette or a Pinto (used of course), a F150 or a Minivan. Your question is really vague to begin with. In reality they (cameras) all do one thing, they take pictures. What do you want to accomplish in 'your photos'...are they for a hobby, professional, work, etc. or what's their use, sports, wildlife, landscapes, portraits, travel and what features you're considering in a camera, FF, APS-C, Bridge? A "Top of the Line' camera will take photographs only as good as the the person taking the photograph. I suggest do a little research on what's out there since camera types, formats and size varies and equipment, new & used abound. Your choice should depend on what you really want out of your own photography since you'll be the only one taking the photos...AND your budget. In the end it will be your choice, no one else. Remember, if you don't like what you purchase you can always sell it on eBay as I'm sure many do. 😊😊 Whatever you decide, go out and shoot, shoot, shoot.

par4fore Loc: Bay Shore N.Y.

D800e, but I would have to assume you have good Nikon glass or another $1000or so??

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

You can get a new Nikon D5500 and a zoom lens, perhaps in the $1000 price range. D5500 is a good DX camera with 24 megapixels.

Reinaldokool Loc: San Rafael, CA

Exactly what I did. The a6300 has given me some great images in a wide variety of circumstances from cathedrals in Mexico to nudes to coastal landscapes and more. I bought mine when they were first released based on a couple years experience with the a6000. It has not let me down.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

The Sony RX100 V because it has a Zeiss T* 24-70 1.8 to 2.8 lens, flash that can be tilted up for bounce, the flash does excellent fill flash automatically, can shoot manual.
Check out these features.
The Sony RX 100 V is an amazing pocket-sized series and further improving it, the Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V Digital Camera from Sony takes the compact RX100 line up a notch by adding a Fast Hybrid AF system with 315 focal-plane phase-detection points. Incorporating a proven and reliable 20.1MP 1" Exmor RS BSI CMOS sensor, the RX100 V is able to create highly detailed images at sensitivities up to ISO 12800 with ease. Also, combining this sensor's speed and power with the BIONZ X processor and a newly developed front-end LSI, users can enjoy even faster performance, including continuous shooting of up to 24 fps with a buffer up to 148 JPEG frames, improved High Frame Rate recording times, and fast continuous AF with stills and while recording UHD 4K video.
The hallmark features are the advanced AF system which can now lock on in just 0.05 seconds and operate during the camera's maximum continuous shooting speed of 24 fps. The High Frame Rate mode, which can reach an incredible 960 fps can now record for twice as long. Other improvements made to the RX100 V include the addition of new functions and modes, such as a Gamma Display Assist which provides a more contrasty image while using a flat S-Log2 gamma and a built-in Photo Capture mode for pulling 8.29MP stills from your movies.
The front of the camera offers a familiar Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens equivalent to 24-70mm and with a fast f/1.8-2.8 maximum aperture. This lens provides outstanding versatility for working in a wide range of conditions. In terms of design, the RX100 V retains the clean, versatile construction as its predecessors, including a lens control ring, built-in ND filter, and a variety of customizable buttons. For monitoring, this camera offers both a pop-up 0.39" 2.36m-dot OLED Tru-Finder EVF and a 3.0" 1.23m-dot LCD which can tilt upwards 180° for selfies as well as downward 45° for low-angle shooting. It also has built-in Wi-Fi with NFC for connecting to a smartphone.
And it comes in under budget with a 32 mg card and belt pouch for easy carrying on a vacation or family outing. You will not be disappointed, check it out here. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1294926-REG/sony_cyber_shot_dsc_rx100_v_digital.html

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

I would buy 3 Olympus Trip 35's, one more backup Nikon FM2n and a backup Omega Enlarger. That comes to just about $475.00. I'd then buy 100 rolls of Tri-X to go with them.

That way I have lots of redundancy in my bodies and I can keep them loaded with different film and if my enlarger breaks, I can just put the back up in service and print until I die.

The Trip 35's because they are the ultimate fun camera, zone focusing, auto metering, light and strong. The FM2n because it's my favorite Nikon film camera, all mechanical, tough, and somewhat small. It's for whatever the trip cannot do (low light, wide angle or telephoto) and the back up enlarger for when mine might break in the future.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

I think it is nuts but not for the exact same reason. Technically, those bodies can continue to function for 10 years but that's "if the average camera consumer worked that way" which generally I don't think that they do.

Even though the Canon 5D is a fine camera, nobody is touting it here, nobody is thinking of buying one...why? Because it's yesterday's news. It doesn't have the awesome features that the 5DIV has! So there is always something better on the horizon to fuel your interest to "move up" as folks say.

The 5D came out in Aug of 2005, that's only years ago but it seems like several lifetimes in camera gear life!


Folks will argue that their gear will be here 10 years from now but the 5D is evidence that though the camera exists, it's not desired and more money is poured into the new stuff.

It's different with film cameras. A film camera just does one thing; it let's light in and exposes the film. Film cameras are outdated even before you buy them so there is nothing to move up TO. You find the one that suits your style and needs and then there is no reason to buy something "better" because there isn't anything new and better!


And as far as the comments about shooting tons of film each year so that the same 1000.00 goes down the tubes...well, I've been on both sides of this fence and I can say that film is cheaper to shoot (for me) by a long shot...primarily because shooting film cures G.A.S. for the most part.

Surfing for new gear isn't a priority now. As long as their is film in the fridge, fresh developer in the pop bottles and my enlarger bulb isn't burned out, I don't have gear to search and surf.

So I think that it IS nuts but not because there is anything wrong with the old bodies after 10 years, it's just the reality that we as consumers don't keep them that long as a rule. If we did, we'd all be talking about Canon 5D's and not the latest and greatest and you wouldn't see the dozens of "GAS" threads that pop up here daily.

Others will most certainly disagree, and of course this is all preference, I've just stated mine.

Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina

Wrong, and how or what people want to spend their money on is their business. I know people that spend $30-$40K on a weekend of racing. Their money, their business!

Best,
Todd Ferguson

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

I missed out on an S2 recently--and I regret it. Pristine condition. I still have several photos on my iPhone so I can remind myself...

jccash Loc: Longwood, Florida

I have a friend that spent $12,000.00 on a smartphone using android OS. It came with a ruby red button to push your concierge’s to buy tickets for you

Oh, after one month decided he preferred Apple iPhone OS so sold it. Crazy but it’s his money. 35 year old worth about $50 mil.

https://amp.ibtimes.co.uk/vertu-signature-touch-review-this-isnt-phone-its-8500-experience-its-own-concierge-1499169