Do you really need a new camera to take great photos?

I picked up this Canon EOS Rebel T5 for just $40 at a garage sale, so that’s exactly where this video begins, hunting through garage sales and talking about why I think they’re one of the best places to look if you want to get into photography on a tight budget.

From there, I take the T5 out to Fort Boykin in Smithfield, Virginia, to see what an older, inexpensive DSLR can still do in 2026.

Lately, I’ve also been suffering from a little gear acquisition syndrome. Cameras like the Pentax K-1, Pentax K-3, and Nikon D850 have been calling my name. There’s something about these older DSLRs, the optical viewfinders, the mechanical shutters, the chunky bodies, that feels different from shooting with modern mirrorless cameras.

There’s nostalgia there, but these cameras aren’t just nostalgic. They’re still incredibly capable photographic tools.

So, this isn’t really a review of the Canon T5. It’s about going back to an older DSLR, slowing down, and asking whether we actually need the newest camera to make photographs we’re proud of.

And if you’re just getting started in photography? Before spending hundreds or thousands of dollars on new gear, maybe check a few garage sales first.

📷 Canon EOS Rebel T5
📍 Fort Boykin — Smithfield, Virginia

If you enjoy photography, older cameras, budget gear, and getting out to actually use the equipment we spend way too much time talking about, consider subscribing to Lens Crafted Life.