On Friday I decided it was finally time to upgrade from my faithful old 20D (which I've kept as backup). I was at a store to get a memory card, and in the display case next to the rack was a T3i kit with a price that I could just fit into my budget. Reports I've read say it has the same sensor as the 60D and 7D, so I figured what the heck, why not.

I used it to shoot some pics for work on Friday and Saturday.

I didn't like it. Although bigger than a bridge camera, it was just a tad too small for my long fingers, and too many functions had to be accessed via menu choices rather than buttons or control wheels. It just felt "odd."

So today (Monday) I took it back. I applied for and was approved for store credit, and I got a 7D with 28-135 IS lens on an 18-month-same-as-cash program.

So, less than four days with the T3i. What's the shortest you've owned a camera, and why?

2 days, 350D bought for the lens that came with it and as a potential backup. shot it once and hated it. Technically it was mine for another 7 days for the ebay listing but I'd decided it was going and didn't use it again.

Usually my research is pretty thorough when I am buying new photo gear... so, the shortest time I have owned a particular camera is at least many months. Not counting the DOA 1Ds3 that wouldn't switch on. I returned that the same day.

16 months for my 40D. I'd probably still have it if the 7D didn't come along, as 50D didn't interest me much.

A couple of months for my first 7D as I got the opportunity to trade for a 1D3. I was getting into sports at the time and the 1D3 was spot on for that.

Several months for 5D2 once I've played with D700 .

I owned a Hassleblad 500C/M for 1 day. Hated it!

D60, two weeks then I bought a 10D and was happy.

I tend to keep entire camera systems for about 4 or 5 months and sell. It's a disease. I hope to keep my Canon gear. I think I found the perfect carry size full frame DSLR (5D2) and am happy so far. AF could be better but I am learning to work with it.

Just over a year for KM Dynax 7D (with system). The camera broke just as KM has shed its camera division so it was sold for peanuts and the lenses had to go as well.

Pixel Perfect wrote:
16 months for my 40D. I'd probably still have it if the 7D didn't come along, as 50D didn't interest me much.

Same exact story but just under a year for the 40D.

Omar

Had the 7d for 4months and sold it for the "same sensor" lighter weight T2i. Loved the the size/weight, hated the lack of QCD so sold it and bought a minty 5Dc about 9 months later. Currently a happy camper except I despise the screen on the 5Dc in comparison to the 7D and T2i. Also miss LV.

I bought an XTi (400D I think) while I had my XT. Kept it for one day. Wasn't enough of an upgrade.

I had the XT for around two years and then got a 40D. I had my 40D for just over 3 yrs but bought a 5DII two years in so I didn't use the 40D much at all during the last year (was keeping it for backup). Got a T2i when I sold the 40D, kept that for about 6 months and then sold it when I bought a 60D. Now I have the 60D for over a year and the 5DII for almost 2 1/2 yrs.

Not much turnover for me i'm afraid.

Had a film SLR for about 12 years before lending it my girlfriend. She became my ex-girlfriend before giving it back...

Had a Canon A520 for about a year before getting frustrated enough with it that i bought a DSLR (a 350D). I still have the 350D and my sister in law has the A520 on "long term loan".

So 12 years for me i guess, as i do still technically own the A520.

Bought a second hand EOS 1V film body because it came bundled with a 70-200mm f/2.8L that I was lusting after.

Found the f2.8L too heavy and bulky so traded the 1V body and the f/2.8L 2 days later for the price I paid for them plus a 70-200mm f/4.0L!

1d3...less than a month and it received an accidental burial at sea.

RobertLynn wrote:
1d3...less than a month and it received an accidental burial at sea.

Ouch!!!

RobertLynn wrote:
1d3...less than a month and it received an accidental burial at sea.

Sgt93 wrote:
Ouch!!!

+1!!!...I don't remember reading THAT story!

Omar

omarlyn wrote:
RobertLynn wrote:
1d3...less than a month and it received an accidental burial at sea.

Sgt93 wrote:
Ouch!!!

+1!!!...I don't remember reading THAT story!

Omar


It's a tragedy of a story.

Bought a second one. Went to beach. Came home without it.

Was going to claim it. Didn't wnt to raise my rates...even though multiple times, I have told people we pay for insurance, why not use it.

Was my own stupidity for trying to go so far out without a housing. Maybe the eBay seller will send me a new one. I wish I still had the card that was in it. Rest of beach photos were in it.

A D90, which I despised because it was needlessly complicated & only had a half size sensor. It seems that a lot of people prefer complex toys to simple quick working tools. It would be great if Canon or Nikon would make one simple digital body without the menu on the back, the option of setting the aperture on the lens, and no features which duplicate what can be done on the computer. I kept the D90 around for a few months until I found out what to get, a 5D2.