Originally Posted by KenmoreRulesAll

I guess I approach these vintage machines for their aesthetic value as much as any other quality (reliability, stitch quality, smoothness, power, etc.). As I learn to sew, perhaps my perspective will change but how a machine looks or will look after I've cleaned/polished it is a primary factor in whether I purchase. Exchanging photos is something I really enjoy and seeing that someone has taken the effort to show the machine in the best light is something I appreciate because the machine's beauty is what I'm into. Many of these sewing machine companies had very talented design teams and I always notice photo quality.

I have two vintage film SLRs and although I can still use them, they're a bit of a pain now that I'm fully into the DSLR and micro 4/3 formats. (I haven't quite brought myself to throwing them out, though.) Digitally, I have a Panasonic Lumix 4/3 that is considered a 'bridge' camera (almost small enough to be a point-and-shoot/compact but with interchangeable lenses and with DSLR features) and an Olympus Evolt e-510, an old 4/3 model in mint condition that looks like it was never used. Even the packaging looks untouched. Both take great shots; rather, both would take great shots were it not for operator error.

I still need a cheap point-and-shoot that I can just whip out of my pocket, flip the power switch, and in less than 2 seconds be ready to shoot. Fixed lens, optical (not digital) zoom, and 720p video quality is just fine. The Lumix is too big and slow, although the video quality is very high.