Intro to utilizing older camera equipment with great results

I’ve recently got back into photography after a 15 year hiatus. I left right when digital photography had taken over and started to hit its stride. This was 2008/2009. Most people didn’t have smart phones yet. The smart phones that did exist still had pretty weak cameras. Capable under the right conditions, but still weak.

I wanted to start a YouTube channel, so I began to look for a capable dslr or mirrorless to record video. I wasn’t even looking to get back into photography. I just wanted a decent video recorder for cheap.

When I’m starting a new hobby or endeavor and I’m unsure of my commitment or needs, I always look for used equipment. It’s easier to recoup my costs should I not want to continue with the hobby. This wasn’t any different. My main concerns were:

• 4k recording without a crop
• 120fps in HD
• Dual Pixel Autofocus in 4k video

I found a gently used Canon 90D. It seemed to check a lot of boxes for me. Autofocus in 4k wasn’t there, and 4k had a fairly heavy crop. This bugged me for some reason. I felt like I was missing out. I started to shoot some videos with it, but never really putting anything together.

I delayed starting the YouTube channel, but I did start using the camera for photography right away. I was rediscovering a love I for photography that I had given up due to circumstances in my life in 2010. I just never picked it back up.

I had a handful of lenses that I had acquired over the years and never sold:

• 17-55/f2.8 Sigma
• 17-40/f2.8 Canon L
• 50mm/f1.4 Canon
• 50mm/f1.8 Canon Plastic fantastic or nifty fifty

In using the camera, I immediately wanted to experiment with other lenses. To my fault, this actually retarded my creativity. Regardless, I wanted to buy more glass and could afford it. I knew thought that I should invest in lenses. I know that lenses outlast the body. I had to rethink the system I had just purchased. Canon just announced they were not making another DSLR. There wouldn’t be anymore EF mount cameras made. Am I investing in a dead system? I can never upgrade past the current offerings. I decided to sell my 90D and look toward the future.

I still wanted good autofocus in video (I still wanted to create a YouTube channel). 4k video without a crop. Full frame this time. DSLR like ergonomics, sorry Sony, but the a6000 series feels more point n shoot. I wanted to keep the price reasonable too. I found that Sony and Canon were the only options given the state of autofocus in video at the time. A price point under $1500 (used) meant only a couple options. The Sony A7III, the Canon R, and the Canon RP. The Canon R and RP were harder to find on the used market and had 4k cropping, even if it was minor. The deciding factor was Sony’s support for 3rd party lens manufacturers.

(EDIT) I’m reviewing this long forgotten blog post and noticing that I should have looked harder at the Olympus cameras at the time. The autofocus and video options were great. I didn’t need full frame. I only thought I did. I’ll get back to the story, but I thought I should add this here for completion. I’ll probably move solely over to micro four thirds (and Leica full frame).

So I ended up with an A7III. I later added an A7RIV. I bought a bunch of E mount glass. Then I discovered the wonderful world of vintage lenses. I could mount just about anything on a mirrorless Sony. When shooting digital, I found myself shooting my less expensive lenses more often than not. Whether it was a vintage lens on an adapter or a smaller (generally slower) lens because I didn’t want to lug around the weight and size of a f1.2 modern lens.

After 6 months or more, I started to sell off my lenses that I wasn’t using often. Most of these lenses and cameras were awesome. I also wasn’t really using the advanced autofocus features of the cameras. I’m not shooting portraits, weddings, or sports. I prefer the focus and recompose technique. I do like the IBIS and the increased dynamic range from a modern digital camera. Though, I don’t think I ever pushed them far enough to warrant caring. I let the dynamic range bail me out a few times by recovering shadows, but these photos almost never made the cut.

I’m not really taking advantage of the camera. This got me to thinking, did I spend too much money on getting into photography? Did I need a current generation camera and lenses with my style of photography? Did I spend way too much money? (EDIT: I’m going to interupt again here. The answer is, “YES! I spent way too much money”. Ok, please resume.)

I’m pretty sure my ability to take good photos with older gear. We’re at an age now where digital has been out long enough that we’ve been seeing diminishing returns on image quality for some time now. This made me think. I should start reviewing older cameras and share the results, my opinions and photos taken. Would I be happy with older cameras/lenses?

I should probably have some restrictions. I will use a camera as my primary camera for a couple of weeks and document the process. I won’t use another camera when possible. I will cheat if this becomes too much of an inconvenience such as traveling or going out and I want something pocketable. I’m undecided if I should choose to stay film or digital the entire time. I don’t plan on reviewing film cameras for this purpose, but when I’ve decided to review a digital camera, should I allow myself to shoot film? That might not give the current camera a fair shake.

This series will be that journey. I don’t know how/if/when this ends, but I know how it starts. With a Nikon D90 that I purchased new in 2009. I hope you enjoy.

Here are some cameras that I’m thinking about:

• Nikon D90
• Olympus Evolt E-420
• Canon Digital Rebel (300D)

(EDIT: I have to interrupt my [past] self again.)

Now, I’ve already added a number of cameras to the list. This post was started and never published. Oh, how I should have actually heeded my own advice. But the list of already owned cameras has grown to include:

• Nikon D80
• Olympus Evolt E-500 (Kodak CCD)
• Leica M9 (Kodak CCD)
• Leica M240
• Olympus OMD EM1.2
• Olympus OMD EM10.3
• Fujifilm XPro2
• Sony A7III (I bought another)
• Nikon FM2n
• Olympus OM-3
• Olympus OM-4
• Leica IIIf
• Leica Q2M

Do you have any suggestions on cameras that might be useful to review? A hidden gem? Something that is an unsung hero?

(EDIT: please don’t suggest any cameras. Clearly I have GAS and do not need encouragement)