It's really looking like F-mount could be at the bitter end.

[BF Hammer]

I'm not pleased by this, but I have been preparing for it. The Nikon Rumors site announced that the D6 was removed from the Nikon Japan site.

I had out of some morbid curiosity checked the Nikon USA site in the past month, and there was only 4 active DSLR models listed, the rest are all in an archive section. D6, D850, D780, and D7500. So expect the D6 to be archived soon, and really I think if I check that in 1 year's time they all will be dropped to the archived cameras category.

I even checked the Canon USA site, they are down to 2 DSLR bodies (with multiple kit options) 5D mark IV and Rebel T7. That's it. My local camera shop is only carrying Canon mirrorless currently and 3 Nikon DSLR models, not all stocked.

So the end of an era is imminent as I see it. Of course we will still be buying and selling F-mount gear on the used market for years to come. But we will be leaving it to Pentax to advance the DSLR design in the future.

 

[Clovishound]

I'm sure a lot of folks felt the same way when film cameras began to disappear. Technology moves on.

I was fortunate that very shortly after I got interested again in photography, that I didn't have much invested in equipment. That made the move to mirrorless rather painless. After I got used to the differences in mirrorless, I really didn't have much desire to pickup a DSLR again. Full disclosure, the DSLR I had to pick up was the base entry level DSLR. I might have felt differently if I had a D850 in the stable.

Of course, everyone's experience is different.

I still like using hand planes, hand saws, and brace and bits. I use a table saw, and powered routers as well.

 

[BF Hammer]

It was only 5 years ago that Nikon discontinued the F6 film SLR.

I am a bit alarmed at the very low prices DSLR cameras are trading for used, and the equally low prices on the F-mount lenses that are not the pro-level gear. I have pretty much decided that my D750 and at least 2 remaining F-mount lenses would be traded in when I get to buying a Z180-600mm. I am going to be waiting out the uncertainty for a while I believe.

 

[Clovishound]

One of the unfortunate aspects of the inclusion of electronics in camera equipment is longevity. My dad's old Rollie TLR from the 60s is still going strong, despite having had a large number of rolls run through it. Every electronic dependent film camera I have is currently non functional. Additionally, with digital cameras, the rapid development and improvement in sensor and AF technology has rendered many, even high end camera bodies, so obsolete that most photographers don't want to use them. There are only a minority of photographers that are willing to spend time taking pictures with a 6 or even 12 MP camera body. I'm not throwing stones at folks that want to use this type of equipment, just stating the reality of the situation and people's preferences.

While this might seem hugely economically problematic for the user, the reality is that being freed from the expensive of film and processing has made photography more affordable than ever for higher volume users. 100 rolls of major brand 36 exposure 35mm film would cost $800 - $1000 at today's prices. Double or triple that to include basic processing, and you quickly reach the level of a mid level Nikon body. Granted, film shooters are much more careful of hitting the shutter button, and if film were still king, prices would be lower due to increased demand, but digital clearly is the economic winner, even if you were to toss your camera body after just a few years of moderate to heavy usage.