The Last Camera I Will Ever Buy

[AZ JazzyJ]

At one time I was completely content and felt I had found camera nirvana when the Nikon D100 was released and I could finally do everything I did with an SLR only now digital. It was the camera I thought would be the last camera I would buy for myself. Sure there would be the occasional point-and-shoot purchase for my wife or kids but me, I was set. Then the Nikon D70s came along and I realized that although it was very similar to the D100 it did have that sensor in it that would auto-rotate the pictures and that would make my life so much easier (because we all know that it takes at least 3 clicks and 2 seconds to rotate our pictures and that is just too much time away from the camera). I bought a D70s and relegated "the last camera I would ever buy" to my wife who just didn't understand how important that sensor was.

I was again happy and content and had reached my personal pinnacle of photography. Then of course the Nikon D200 came along and it offered so much more than the D70s that I just couldn't live without it. How could I be content with a D70s when the D200 would make all of my dreams come true? The enhanced capabilities and greater megapixels would allow me to produce extremely large prints without degradation. Forget the fact that in my entire photography endeavors I had produced only 2 pictures that I had printed larger than 8x10. The point was the D200 would enable me to do it should I choose to. I justified the new camera as something that was extremely important in my life especially considering the sports photography I did. I justified it to Trina by explaining how much easier it would be for her as well as me and with all of the family life events coming up it just made sense to have a better camera to record them. She of course relented and I had the camera of my dreams. The D70s went to Trina and "the last camera I would ever buy" was relegated to a box in the back of the closet.

My birthday is coming this weekend and Trina began asking what I would like. At the top of my list and in fact the only thing on my list was the Nikon D300 camera with the Nikkor 18-200mm lens (I've wanted to try this lens and this seems like the perfect opportunity to do so). Trina of course looked at me with an odd expression and questioned the need for yet another camera. I explained to her the benefits of the D300 and its ability to take great photographs. I delved into the noise reduction capabilities and expounded upon the metering system. I again played the "life events" card and how we had so many important things coming up that we should have a camera capable of taking advantage of this opportunity. She again has relented and hopefully has taken the information to heart and will be picking up a new camera for me this week. At that time she will receive the D200 to use and the D70s will move to the closet.

As for the "last camera I would ever buy", it found a new home. I've given it to my 17-year old daughter who graduates from high school this year and will be attending college where she plans to major in Photography. As I lovingly handed over the camera she was extremely excited and exclaimed, "Oh Dad I love it. This is a dream come true and this will be the last camera I will ever want." I didn't have the heart to correct her.

 

[TinksDH]

Sounds like a bad case of NAS to me!

I too am really looking at the D300. I have been using a D50 for over 2 years now (and I have always though of it as 'the first DSLR I'll ever buy'!), and feel that I could extend my photographic capabilities with some newer equipment. I love available light shooting, and the expanded ISO range of the D300 would really come in handy.

Good luck on getting what you are wishing for! I recently picked up the Sigma 18-200 HSM OS lens, which I used extensively on our recent trip to WDW and on a 7 night western caribbean DCL cruise. The all-in-one convenience of that lens is awesome, and although it doesn't replace all of my glass (a Sigma 10-20 and Nikkor 70-300 AF-S VR) it is VERY convenient for vacation travel photography.

 

[Furgus]

I tried playing the "life events" card to get a D300 when my daughter was born in Jan.....I failed. I got the, "isn't your camera good now," lecture, and how we really couldn't justify it right now withoout her working. I am still trying, but it is not working so well. So I take the best pictures I can with my D50 and hope to try again for Fathers Day, as it did not work again for my Birthday, which is tomorrow..... Someday I will have one, I just hope it is sonner then when the D400 comes out, but then I will have to have that

Great write up BTW.

 

[fitzperry]

Thank you for alleviating my guilt about my planned upgrade from the D70 to the D300. I skipped the D70s (ok, so it's really the same camera, but work with me); I skipped the D200; I skipped the D80. I mean really, I might as well be shooting with the Kodak instamatic I got when I was 9. And I never even hinted that the D70 would be the last camera I'd need to buy.

Just waitin' on the tax refund now.

Enjoy your birthday!

 

[AZ JazzyJ]

It's funny, I didn't start out collecting cameras I just ended up that way. What's even worse is that I can't seem to get myself to part with any of them. It wouldn't be so bad if I would then sell one of my old cameras to at least off-set some of the cost associated with the new purchase but I simply can't bring myself to do it. It's like selling one of your kids (a thought that did cross my mind when I wanted to buy an extra lens). I just know that some day I will need that extra camera body at a shoot and I would kick myself if I didn't have it. Besides, how can I possibly get rid of something that brought me so much joy? There are a lot of fond memories of having that camera around my neck. I seriously need some professional help as I am way over the edge.

Jeff

 

[SueInBoston]

When I bought the Rebel XT less than 2 years ago, thought that was it...
can't imagine needing anything bigger or more complicated...
and yet here I am lusting over Canon 40D everyday...
just waiting for my tax refund...

 

[MICKEY88]

2 bodies are great to have 1 body with a 28-75 2.8 and a 2nd body with an 80-200 2.8 eliminates the need for lens changes, and greatly reduces the chances of dust on your sensor...

that's why I'm either getting a Sony a700 or their new pro model if they hurry up and release it..

with film I shot with 2 minolta 9000's for 20 years and never saw the need to upgrade since they were real workhorse cameras, but since digital is still really in it's infancy, and improvements are happening constantly, I bought my first DSLR, planning on upgrading every 2 years until the technology advances level off..

 

[mabas9395]

If you can't get permission to updgrade your body because your current one works just fine, a little "accident" during a sensor cleaning will usually do the trick.

A little steel wool and elbow grease and you will have your D300 or a700 or 40D in no time.

 

[MICKEY88]

If you can't get permission to updgrade your body because your current one works just fine, a little "accident" during a sensor cleaning will usually do the trick.

A little steel wool and elbow grease and you will have your D300 or a700 or 40D in no time.

only a psychopath would intentionally destroy a perfectly good DSLR

 

[mabas9395]

only a psychopath would intentionally destroy a perfectly DSLR

True, but NAS has been known to drive men/women to insanity when they see the quality of the high ISO shots from a D300.

 

[Gdad]

Great story Jeff- Good luck with your new camera aquisition.

 

[BeautyLLM]

It's funny, I didn't start out collecting cameras I just ended up that way. What's even worse is that I can't seem to get myself to part with any of them.

LOL Jeff...it was the same way with Disney pins, wasn't it?

I have a similar camera collection, but of the Canon variety. When I got the 20D, I thought I would never need another camera, but along came the 30D and now the 40D (not to mention all the other earlier models sitting on a closet shelf).

Enjoy the new addition to your "collection"

 

[jann1033]

hmm maybe i should skip the 40d and go for the mark 111 and skip a step or two....

 

[matthew_hull]

You should. I have a Canon 1D, and recently tossed the more modern XT second-body camera. The 1D is the the last camera I expect ever to own. (Until it dies, and then the Mark 3 or whatever incarnation is current will get my hard earned dollars. It is a truly awesome machine for my needs.)

hmm maybe i should skip the 40d and go for the mark 111 and skip a step or two....

 

[Groucho]

Trina of course looked at me with an odd expression and questioned the need for yet another camera. I explained to her the benefits of the D300 and its ability to take great photographs.

That only works so many times. I think you might be reaching the expiration date on that excuse, from your list of upgrades.

If you can't take great photos with the D200, the D300 alone won't help... but I won't tell her if you don't.

 

[DVC Jen]

hmm maybe i should skip the 40d and go for the mark 111 and skip a step or two....

I like how you think! I already have the hubster talked into letting me upgrade at the end of the year. It will probably be to the 5D or its replacement if one comes along - but don't you think for a second I haven't been dropping hints about a Mark series body.

I mean"gosh hunny, once ya have the best what is there left to upgrade to - right? It would really be saving us money from spending money on a 5D to only want me to upgrade yet again in another year or two".

Think he will fall for it?

 

[AZ JazzyJ]

That only works so many times. I think you might be reaching the expiration date on that excuse, from your list of upgrades.

If you can't take great photos with the D200, the D300 alone won't help... but I won't tell her if you don't.

I think you may be right on the expiration date excuse. I may have to retire it along with the D70s. As for the D200 vs. D300, as long as I can continue to find a reason for shooting available light in a low-light setting I think I stand a chance on this one. Luckily for me I have several events that Trina cares about that require high ISO settings. Thank heavens for night soccer games, outdoor graduation ceremonies at football stadiums, and night track meets. I am afraid that I might not be able to use that argument when the successor to the D300 comes out.

 

[jann1033]

I like how you think! I already have the hubster talked into letting me upgrade at the end of the year. It will probably be to the 5D or its replacement if one comes along - but don't you think for a second I haven't been dropping hints about a Mark series body.

I mean"gosh hunny, once ya have the best what is there left to upgrade to - right? It would really be saving us money from spending money on a 5D to only want me to upgrade yet again in another year or two".

Think he will fall for it?

biggest think hub says is "do you have to buy all new lenses for that?" with a stricken look on his face..i could just explain since he'll get my rebel he can use anything i can't ( which i don't really have as far as i remember) but i would have to get a nice L walk-around.....and then of course when the mark 6 comes out.....