Will digital cameras ever be classic?

[rexbobcat]

It all depends on how you define classic! To your great, great grandchildren.. the Digitals may well be classics! We have no way of knowing, do we?

That's true Charlie, except in my eyes today's camera's are like most other things. They are made to last a certain time period, then be discarded. I can still get my 40 year old F2's easily repaired. I would doubt the same will apply to a 40 year old digital...Ahhh.. The film vs digital debate goes on... ; )

I own a "suitcase" laptop that runs on MS-DOS and those giant record sized floppy disks. It's from the mid-eighties.

Digital is just as durable as analog if cared for correctly.

 

[cgipson1]

OMG.. can I get that in writing?

It's not that I am opinionated. It's just that in my opinion most people are wrong nearly all the time.

Very appropriate avatar!

 

[unpopular]

Though, some DSLRs will be more valuable than others, the Leica Monochrome will be outlandishly valuable in 60 years, as will the Contax N-digital, X-Pro 1 and EOS 1d mk 1, though perhaps not as much.

The original 3mos DSLRs from Minololta/Agfa likely already are.

What will become a classic likely depends on how common or available they are now, their historic significance, uniqueness and less - but not excluding - quality of build. Obviously EOS Rebels won't be too sought after, mass produced, popular items are never collectable.

 

[cgipson1]

Though, some DSLRs will be more valuable than others, the Leica Monochrome will be outlandishly valuable in 60 years, as will the Contax N-digital, X-Pro 1 and EOS 1d mk 1, though perhaps not as much.

The original 3mos DSLRs from Minololta/Agfa likely already are.

What will become a classic likely depends on how common or available they are now, their historic significance, uniqueness and less - but not excluding - quality of build. Obviously EOS Rebels won't be too sought after, mass produced, popular items are never collectable.

Yay! D800 for the win!

(on a side note.. I just realized I busted 9k posts this morning! I spend too much time on here! lol)

 

[Railphotog]

Well if this isn't a classic digital, I don't know what would be:



My first digital, about ten years ago. HP215, with all of 1.3MP, fixed lens, 1" (or so) LCD. CF card. Battery eater. Paid around $325.00 for it at the time (ouch!). This is actually a copy of my original, which I gave away. Almost new anyway, first photo I took with it was number 62.

 

[KmH]

Don't forget this thread started by one of our youngest members:

http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/...ducts/294737-look-what-video-cam-i-found.html

The OP didn't start the thread you linked to.

Today's consumer electronic digital cameras are quite a bit different from the classic film cameras. While there is no doubt will be what are considered classic digital cameras, I don't think they will engender the same level of reverence that classic film cameras enjoy.

 

[MLeeK]

Well, my kids consider the original digital rebel a classic already and won't shoot with one. I call them spoiled brats, but that's another post altogether.

 

[unpopular]

The OP didn't start the thread you linked to.

nor did I say that he did... just illustrating that what merits a "classic" is defined by future generations. I'd never consider an old sharp Hi8 - arguably the worst format since VHS - to be a classic, though young Josh seemed pretty fascinated.

 

[cjland]

That won't be classic, like 35mm film cameras are today, because the real media format will most likely stay as digital.

 

[Rick58]

" I call them spoiled brats"

And here thought I was the only one with those.

 

[usayit]

I think the U10 from Sony would someday be a classic....

 

[MLeeK]

" I call them spoiled brats"

And here thought I was the only one with those.

I've got 4 I'll give anyone who wants them. Only 2 of them still live at home!

 

[Rick58]

4 here also...all grown thank god!

 

[Jaemie]

Well, my kids consider the original digital rebel a classic already and won't shoot with one. I call them spoiled brats, but that's another post altogether.

You rang?!

 

[carolinajack]

I have to agree with unpopular. "Classic" is a relative term that is determined by the person who uses it. Nevertheless, I kind of feel like there is a paradigm about certain things being "classic" that holds true for most people. Certain cars, record players or other things are likely considered "classic" by everyone.

That being said, I feel like, similar to what others have said, that most of our DSLRs are not very likely to be considered classic the way film cameras are. It's just technology that will be outdated. No one gives a hoot about laser discs or cassette tapes anymore and I would guess that there are very few people who miss them.