When I found a mint condition Nikon E2N with all accessories on eBay on April 2005, I simply had to get it. I paid $380 for a 1.3 megapixel camera that cost about $10000 when it was first released in 1996/1997.
At the time I didn't consider myself a collector, but things were about to change. I have been using Nikon cameras for more than 20 years, and have kept most of my old camera bodies and lenses. With prices dropping fast (even for high quality equipment) it's simply not worth the trouble selling them.
Since this first vintage purchase I've collected several of the most desirable early digital cameras, including Nikon's first filmless model, Nikon QV-1000C, and Kodak's DCS 100.
I don't really use any of the old digital cameras. At least not for any serious work. I guess that makes me a collector, even if I don't like to admit it.
This site also includes what is probably the World's first dedicated "Vintage DSLR" discussion forum, where users can share hard to find information and ask questions about the early digital cameras from Nikon and Kodak.
Needless to say, this is not an official Nikon site.