SHOOTING PORTRAITS WITH A 19-YEAR-OLD DSLR: DOES AN OLD CAMERA STILL HOLD UP?

I have been spending time with an older camera lately. It Is 19 years old now—slow by today’s standards, limited in many ways, and long past its prime on paper. But the truth is, I love working with it. There Is something about gear that can’t do everything for you. You compose more carefully. You watch the light more closely. You stop expecting perfection and start responding to what Is in front of you. This 19 year old camera doesn’t have face detection. Or WiFi. Or 45 megapixels. But it sees light beautifully. It holds detail in a soft way and it keeps me grounded in the kind of photography I care about—quiet, patient, intentional.

Shot with a 19-year-old DSLR. No face detection, no AI—just soft light, simple gear.

Gear: Nikon D80 + Nikon 50mm f/1.4 Lens + Nanlite Pavo Tube II

Model: Kelly Davis

All content © 2024 Leticia Valdez Fotografia

Working with older gear is a reminder that the camera is just a tool. You can create meaningful images with almost anything—if you’re truly paying attention.

If you still have your first camera, or one tucked away, try bringing it back out. You might be surprised by what it gives back.

Sometimes, the most powerful images aren’t made with the latest gear, but with the tools you trust, the light you love, and the intention you bring to the frame.

Explore why DSLR cameras still matter today—read the post here.

As always, best of luck!

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All images distributed by Leticia Valdez Fotografia are professionally copyrighted works. These images cannot be used or altered for any purpose without permission. Copyright © 2024 Leticia Valdez Fotografia LLC.