My Canon Vintage Cameras In Today’s Digital Age
Last Updated on January 11, 2025 by Erin Donahue
While I’ve been shooting on Sony cameras for about a decade, my journey in photography began with a basic Canon Powershot SD 1200IS, now considered a Canon vintage camera. To this day I still have no idea what all those abbreviations stand for.
Reflecting on My Photographic Journey
Since leaving my corporate job to pursue a creative field I’ve often questioned, “What is my style?” and “What do I want to say with my photography?” While I recognize photography as an art form, I still struggle to see myself as an artist. Perhaps that’s where the problem lies – in my mindset.
The Evolution of My Camera Gear
Before mirrorless cameras became a way to democratize the photography industry, cameras, in general, were so expensive! They still are, but back then it was virtually impossible to get an interchangeable lens unless you were rich or saved up for years. I actually never owned a DSLR! I went straight from point-and-shoot to mirrorless. However, my introduction to photography was the old-school way, with an SLR camera.
My Vintage Canon Camera Arsenal
Canon FD Lenses
I inherited the Canon AE-1, a typical vintage SLR camera, and while I haven’t had a chance to use it, when I was in high school I initially used a Nikon SLR. I even got to develop film in the darkroom, and that smell lingers in my memory. While I need to get the camera body checked before using it, I’ve found a way to blend the old with the new using a Fotodiox Pro lens adapter. I can mount the vintage lenses on my mirrorless camera. My favorite is the 50mm f/1.8, aka the “nifty fifty.” It’s surprisingly sharp, though it shows its “vintage-ness” when wide open at f/1.8 – an effect I often lean into. I also have a 135mm prime with a converter for extra zoom, though its use cases are limited.
Personally, I prefer that. By having the SLR lens on my camera with an adapter, I can use it normally.
Canon Powershot SD 1200IS
Point and shoots have been making a comeback lately, and I’m so glad I didn’t get rid of mine. At the time, the specs on the Powershot were advanced. It’s wild to think that this now considered a Canon vintage camera. There was autofocus, a bunch of shooting modes, which a lot of digital cameras had back then, and the largest photo pixels are almost 4K (3648 x 2736 pixels).
Where it falls short is the video recording. The max resolution is 640×480 pixels. This point-and-shoot has been retired but can be found on secondhand websites.
Moving Forward
I’ve decided to give myself time to slow down and focus on “making art,” whatever that means. This Canon vintage camera project is a passion pursuit, an opportunity to create with these classic tools and a fresh perspective. Let’s see what I can produce!
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To keep up to date with everything I share, follow along on my social media and read up on what camera gear I use.
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is the creative studio of Erin Donahue, offering photography, videography, and content creation services for brands, hotels, tourism boards, and publications.
Based in New York City, but available globally, this multi-disciplinary digital creative left a career in the hedge fund space to pursue her passion as a travel and brand photographer, creating imagery that resonates with audiences. She approaches every project with a focus on storytelling, producing visuals that engage and inspire.
Her work has been commissioned by brands like Sony, Apple, and Google, and the content she has created has reached millions across social media.
To keep up to date with everything she shares, follow along on social media and read up on what camera gear she uses to capture the shot.
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