Why I Still Use My First Camera
Of course we are going there. Having a new camera is nice, but using a throwback cam is a great way to practice and have fun. Click on the images below to get a larger view.
An Old Camera is as Good as an Old Friend.
I got started in photography around 2008, and I got into photography with a Canon Rebel XS. It has 10 Megapixel sensor, can shoot 3 frames per seconds max, it uses the EF and EF-S lenses from Canon, and has more features than I would expect from an entry level DSLR. That being said, that was over 10 years ago, and this camera still has a special place in my heart. Eventually I upgraded to a Canon 5D. It had a 12 megapixel full frame sensor, can shoot up to 3 frames per second, and, and had about as many features as a potato. I used those two cameras to learn how to take photos, and I actually still shoot my Rebel XS and 5D to this day. But why?
You don’t need the fanciest camera to capture the moment.
We take for granted many aspects of our photography. The 5D is a simple camera with fun and exciting modes like automatic, program, shutter priority, aperture priority, manual, bulb, and one custom mode. It only has auto ISO in full auto mode. If you want video, don’t look for it in the 5D. It doesn’t do it even if you put Magic Lantern on it. As for the Rebel XS, you do get some cool features. It is a more modern camera after all. It offers live view with two ways to focus, multiple shooting modes including all that are on the 5D (minus custom), wider AF point coverage, and an overall easy to use design. One thing these all share is their age. ISO performance falls off quick. There is very little in the way of customizations, and slow shooting speeds can’t be avoided.
Despite it’s age, the 5D can capture tons of details?
The Best Camera is the Camera You Have With You!
If I didn’t have the Rebel XS and my 40mm prime, I would have missed the shot. Your old camera can be a great travel buddy.
Lugging around all your lenses, bodies, and equipment is exhausting. So why not just throw your old camera and a single lens in a bag. I prefer to use a prime lens like a 24 or a 50, but a zoom lens is a great choice for on the go shooting. Remember that a more expensive or feature filled camera won’t always get you the best of shots, so think of the photos you want to take in public and use an appropriate lens.
Grabbing your old camera and having it on standby is a great way to make sure you never miss a shot. Your FOMO will be washed away knowing you can always grab a shot without risking your expensive gear getting stolen or damaged. Now cameras have batteries and a hot car is not your friend in those situations. I recommend grabbing a backpack and a spare battery to keep on standby when you go out. Just make sure your bag or camera is in a cool place if it will be in your car for a while out of direct sunlight.
The Reasons to Reminisce
The Biggest Advantage of Revisiting Your Old Camera
I love bringing the Rebel XS with me on hikes with friends.
The first thing you’ll notice is that it’s simple. You no longer have tons of options or features. You have a basic feature set compared to your more recent cameras. This means you focus more on your work, than on the camera. I often grab one of my old cameras when I get the itch to upgrade, and remember how keeping it simple and getting the shot is more important than tons of new features. Everyone’s first camera is going to be different, but generally speaking your older camera will probably be simpler than your newer model.
The important thing to remember is it’s not about the gear, but how you use it. Using an older camera is one way to go back to focusing more on your work.
You have to get the shot!
There is no fixing in photoshop later, with older DSLRs not getting the exposure right can be disastrous.
Older cameras like the Rebel XS and 5D can’t handle low light situations like newer cameras. You have to know how to best use the camera and lenses available to you to make the most out of that camera. They can blow out highlights easily or even crush shadows rather quickly. By using your old camera, you have to think and go back to basics to ensure you are getting the shot. When I find myself going to the mindset of I can fix it in photoshop, that’s usually and indicator I need to grab the Rebel and go back to the basics. Not just is it fun to use an old camera, it’s also a great way to keep yourself fresh on the basics that got you where you are today.
The Perfect Test or Play Camera
The Rebel XS is one of my favorite cameras to play with off camera flash.
When I’m going out to have some fun shooting, I’m not bringing my expensive cameras and lenses. I’m bringing my basics. I don’t have to worry about something happening to my work cameras and I can be a little more reckless. The XS and 5D aren’t my originals, in fact this is my 3rd 5D and second rebel XS. Because they are older and cheap I don’t worry as much about breaking them. If I’m doing test shots of an area I might want to bring a model, then I’m grabbing one of these cameras incase the environment is less than ideal. I also like bringing them out for street photos. Most cameras people started with are smaller entry-level cameras, so they go almost unnoticed.
As the phrase goes, the best camera you have is the one you have with you.
Nostalgia
On long hikes with Noodle, the Rebel XS is a light and easy to use alternative to a heavier higher end camera.
I was an irresponsible youth. I didn’t backup my content when I was younger. But I do remember some of my favorite photos. Now that I have more experience I like to go back and revisit those places, and retake those shots. What is the best way to do it, why with the same camera. A bad photos isn’t the camera’s fault. It’s the photographers responsibility to understand the light, and composition to make the most out of an image. Revisiting places and retaking some of these shots is a great way to help make your work better, and give you a point of growth to look back onto.
Speed!
Files will transfer from cards quick. Opening a file in photoshop, no problem even on weaker hardware. Converting to DNG, it’s faster than the transfer. Using an older camera has a big speed benefit compared to their higher resolution counterparts.
But I Don’t Have My Old Camera
Throw a macro lens on a Rebel XS and you can get incredibly close to buzzy subjects.
Even if you don’t have your old camera, you can always look into an inexpensive used DSLR that is basic. This applies even if you started out with a more advanced camera model. I started with cameras that are basic compared to todays models, so for me going back to those two are easy and fun. You can even try a camera that’s in a different system. This is more for practice and fun after all. I’ve even used these camera for clients who just want images for instagram. They work well and are fun and easy to use.
You don’t need to always shoot with it, but with any hobby or skill comes practice. An older DSLR is a great way to get that practice in.