5 Reasons Old DSLRs Are The Best Cameras To Buy

Over the last two years I've taken you on a journey exploring DSLRs built in the 2006-2008 era. These are 10 megapixel, CCD DSLRs you can buy for $100 or less. Cameras like the Pentax K10D, Nikon D80, Canon 40D, Olympus E-420 (not CCD), Sony A100 and recently the Sigma SD14 (foveon and expensive). You can check out my videos on each on my channel now.

These cameras are capable enough for most shooting scenarios, offer beautiful color science, and a robust lens selection. Best of all, they're cheap. In this video I give you my top five reasons I think these are the best cameras to buy if you're on a budget or simply want to challenge your creativity with an old camera.

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[photomaker]

I fully switched to mirrorless back in 2018. Then couple months ago my husband asked me if I missed shooting with a DSLR camera. I said, "I kind of do." He asked me a bunch of questions about old DSLR's I've shot with in the past and asked which one was my favorite. Then couple of weeks later around my birthday he surprised me with the Olympus E-500. I haven't been able to set that camera down ever since. I just love the Kodak CCD sensor inside the E-500. 😁

[robtjimenez]

The Canon 40D is a CMOS sensor, I still have mine, bought new when it first came out. I also still have my Canon 10D, 20D, 5D MK3, and 2 Canon film cameras Rebel G and Elan7. I'm glad I've never got rid of them. What's great about this are the Lens, they work on all of my Canon cameras. Oh and I just bought the Canon 250D 😊 Great video!

[paulbroderick]

There are so, so many 'photographers' out there that have been sold on the 'latest and greatest' will turn them into image creating masters. Thank you for the
practical down to earth assessment.

[RomainDeOliveira]

You have definitely pushed me to put my Pentax K10D back into use. It was my very first DSLR, which I bought when it came out in 2006 with my very first student job pay. I used it extensively at least until 2016, when I became a professional photographer and had to upgrade my equipment. And so my Pentax K10D was sleeping since 2016 at the bottom of an airtight plastic box. A few days ago, I stumbled upon your channel and your videos, and it made me want to take out my old camera. And what a surprise it was to find that the battery (although discharged) was still working perfectly and that the camera was still 100% operational. Since then, I have equipped it with a battery grip (I dreamt of it when I bought the camera, but I couldn't afford it), and two prime lenses: a 35mm f/2.4 and a 50mm f/1.8. And WOW, it's amazing what a 10Mp CCD can do in 2023. I'll be able to give it a second life by offering it to my little boy, as a first camera to follow dad on his expeditions!

[SamuelStreetlife]

Oh wow I am currently working on a veeery similar video but with another bold statement :) Agree with all of your points. Especially the last two! Modern mirrorless cameras feel more like computers or smartphones with slightly better ergonomics. DSLR's are the next best thing to film photography :) Pure photography fun.

[Estirvana]

I picked up a Nikon D200 (10MP CCD sensor, Pentax, Sony, a lot of others shared similar sensor) with a classic 80-200mm f/2.8D for $200 Canadian. This cheap pickup enabled me to go outside in cold albertan weather without worrying, shoot at night areas, and the challenge of high ISO. One of my all time favourite pictures comes from this camera, at a 1MP CROP of a bird! You wouldn't be able to tell on social media at all- it is nuts.
Reason #5 is why it makes me want to try out more older gear.

[kubotwostringz]

Watching your video made me happy :) Few months ago I started using K200d and started learning about photography. I feel happy and blessed in a way that I "started" with a 14-year-old Pentax DSLR. They're really something...

[fricki]

I can wholeheartedly agree from my own experience. I looked at cheap and plentiful lenses, found Pentax, and a K10D last year, my first proper camera.
If I hadn't gotten into animal/bird photography and needed more pixels for cropping and better ISO performance to hit fast shutter speeds with slow teles, I would have seen no need to upgrade.
10MP still fills a 4K screen, and is more than enough for anyone living in the age of Instagram and small screen smartphones :)

[diegodivers]

My best buy was an old 5d classic for 170$. This 17-year dinosaur has just incredible build quality. I really enjoy the process of taking the picture more than on my mirrorless cameras. The beautiful outcome with imho the best canon colors ever is so rewarding. And believe me: 12.8 mp on full frame sensor is just right. Got to try out the cropped 40d also.

[artsilva]

There is a reason I kept my D100 and D200 with it's CCD sensor. Since getting them almost two decades ago now I have acquired more lenses that certainly elevates the image quality of those sensors.

[bernardjackson]

Why did I stumble across this channel so late! This is an awesome channel and there is a lot of truth to the quality of older cameras. I had a Canon 6D that I went back and bought last year over my newer Sony camera and I couldn't put it down. I ended up selling my Sony camera. Also in a group of thousands of photographers who are shooting with the Canon R6. I posted a image from my Canon 6d when I told them it was for my Canon 60 they absolutely lost it, but at the same time they were inspired to use what they have to create good images. Since then I have actually picked up another camera. Canon XT and I'm excited to see what these CCD sensors are all about. Keep baking these videos bro! !!

[drufnuf]

this brings back great memories, started out in 2007 with a Pentax *ist Dl, then moving on to K200D > K-7 > K-5 II and since 2017 my beloved K-3 II with some very fine glasses. When looking back now, I think the most 'fun' I had with the *ist Dl and K200D. The image quality you got from these CCD-sensors was so unique. When comparing side by side with newer CMOS-models like K-3 II (which is still the best camera I have EVER owned), there is something special/different to those images. Great video btw! :)

[miscible]

Your channel has been a great resource for all things vintage digital. Your hard work is much appreciated.

DSLR are such wonderful machines and very very capable. I own a Canon 5D Mk ii from 2009, and I totally love this piece of gem. Not fragile like those high expensive mirrorless things.

[billmassey]

“Keep on keeping’ on” …. Well stated along with some nice pics!

[coflropter]

I have an A100 that came from my dad! He had some old Minolta lenses and The A Mount lenses got me into film shooting too. I'm really happy that this camera is still going

[ishanr]

Thanks, my friend contacted me saying she's looking at getting into photography. She's unsure and on a tight badget. A used DSLR from this era will be a great way to learn.

[johnembry]

I agree. Just got a Pentax K20D camera and grip. Both are near mint. The K20D has only 2000 actuations. Sweet.

[snappiness]

It's been an incredible journey trying out all these old DSLRs - trust me when I say that there's probably no better camera you can buy for $100. Let me know what you would add to the list of reasons, and let me know what old camera you're shooting with today!

[MarcelHoskins]

Wow! These are beautiful pictures! I have a D3 and D610! I can't see myself moving over to mirrorless anytime soon. I'll slowly move into D5 or D6