D-SLR Longevity

Hey guys
I am looking into getting my first digital slr, with the Canon 10D seeming to fit my bill in terms of features, price and quality. However, I have never really been a follower of digital SLRs and as such have no idea on just how the market and technology in these cameras has been progressing. As I dont see myself buying another camera for a very long time, I am wondering how long it will be before better, more featured, cheaper digital SLRs becomes available, and I am left with "yesterdays news" (as has happened with my previous P&S digital camera purchases). I realise technology is always evolving, but if I hold out for a few months, is something better at the same price going to pop up? How long did the current DSLR range's predecessors stay on the market? etc? Any info or opinions from would be appreciated.

With the advent of digital, and its hefty dependence on semiconductors, you can expect the bigger-faster-cheaper evolution to move as fast it has for computers and other electronics. The 10D, for example, supersedes and bests the D60, which was released in Spring of 2002 at a substantially higher price.

Just as it makes sense to think of inkjet printers as mere dispensers for consumables (paper & ink - which ultimately cost much more than the printer), you should think of the camera as a sophisticated mounting system for your lenses. While lenses evolve too, they do so at a much slower pace than the cameras, and your investment in lenses will likely exceed that in the camera body before long - if not, you're probably not getting the best from your camera investment.

Note also that you can sell your outdated camera body if you take good care of it.

The next big step in bodies is probably full-frame sensors, but these aren't likely to appear until next year, and may also have certain disadvantages relative to the current generation.

So go for it! Life is too short to always be waiting for the next thing.

There'll always be something better "just around the corner". The 1Ds is already better than the 10D, despite the fact that it's an earlier model, but you can buy 4 10D's for the same money.

The 10D is an excellent camera. Just ask yourself will it do the things you need in your photography, if the answer is yes, buy it now.

Regards,

Buy one now. You'll never have so much fun with photography. I have had 4 digital Slrs in less than 2 years and don't regret a thing. They are great teaching aids and my 30 years of photography, this is the best thing ever to come along. I take 150 digitals at a wedding in addition to my film pitures. The brides go crazy over the special effects I can do on photoshop. I send my digital stuff on line to my lab on one day and get them in the mail the next day on photographic paper which is not as likely to fade as inkjet paper. There will always be better cameras evey year but people do not have infinite life spans. You will never be younger than you are today, so go for it. I have 2 10D's and love em. I lost money on selling my D60...got back half of what I spent, but that's the price of technology. I might add that I have made over $1000 in one day with my digital cameras too, so they can generate a lot of cash too. Don't miss all of the fun, get on the digital band wagon. Canoga Camera in California has the 10D's at $1399 plus $15 shipping if you are in the USA.

Longevity

I too have enjoyed my conversion from film to dogotal. I thought the subject of "longevity" applied to how long the camera would work without repairs. My experience has been 2-3 months between needing service. It didn't get it that often because I could afford the downtime, so I limped along with manual corrections. The latest is I've been told my shutter mught be worn out. It only took 2 years of shooting for this to happen!

My film cameras were MUCH more robust.

-PS

My guess: In less than a year you'll find that the 10D is no longer the best choice of its class.

Next generation might be doubble the pixel count, full frame, half the noise levels, half the price - or a little bit of every thing!? One thing is for sure you'll get more, bigger and better for less in the near future. But as this will allways be true it's no reason for not purchasing a digital camera. I got a now antique D30 - it's still pretty cool I think

Here's the timeline:

- D30, 5/00, 3MP, 1.6x, $3000
- 1D 9/01, 4MP, 1.3x, $5500
- D60 2/02, 6MP, 1.6x, $2200
- 1Ds 9/02, 11MP, 1x, $8000
- 10D 2/03, 6MP, 1.6x, $1500

These are the dates the cameras were announced, and their initial street prices.

The 10D replaced the D60 which replaced the D30. The 1D and 1Ds are still current.
-harry