New DSLR

[steveG]

My wife is looking at getting a new DSLR in the next few months.
The last couple of decent trips we've done she has borrowed our daughter's Nikon D7000, but its probably about time she bought her own!

She was quite happy with the D7000, so is considering just getting one of those rather than ending up with something later and greater that turns out to be not as good.

Our old DSLR is an Olympus E510 so lenses won't be compatible so she would need lenses as well as a new body. (Hmmm - I could do with one of those myself :angel: )

In terms of skill level, I'd consider her an advanced beginner. Understands manual settings and regularly tries to use them, but needs more practice and familiarity with her own camera to get the results she's after. Hard with a borrowed camera.

She mainly enjoys taking scenery/people photos, but would love have a reasonable zoom to do a bit more bird photograpy (but isn't a serious bird-watcher).

From my research I've concluded she's probably better off getting a nice fast lens around 50-70mm size and a decent VR zoom rather than buying a twin zoom lens "kit". Budget up to around $1500.

Interested in your thoughts on the above, and any suggestions.

Steve

[dullbird]

well Steve I would sugest that a D7000 would be a good camera because I have recently bough the D7100 after having a friend (dmdigital) say "just have a look at one" as I was considering buying a full frame second hand camera.

I had the D80 for the last 6/7 years and I'm stoked with the D7100 which is just a small upgrade I believe from the 7000...but a big jump from my D80 in what it is capable of.

I dont think she could go wrong with this camera. When I got the D80 it was considered a good entry level amature photographer body and I think the D7000 still continues along the same lines and still commands that sort of review.

there are a few other cameras around in your budget such as the pentax etc so ultimately it will come down to how she likes the ergonomics of the body.
Your partner sounds like she might be on a similar photography level to myself...only difference being I did know my way around my camera, but having to now understand MORE about my camera due to the advancements and new features that are now available to me with my newer body, so I can again get the best of it.

[Mick_Marsh]

I have a D7000 and love it.
Others here have the D5100 and love it.

[vnx205]

Don't dismiss Pentax. They are very much like the Land Rover of the camera world. They might not be the name on everyone's lips, but they have a lot going for them.

More info here:

Pentax Cameras - DSLR Reviews and Comparisons (http://www.pentaxforums.com/reviews/pentax-dslrs.html)

[Judo]

I can't comment on the camera body, other than to say I gave my girlfriend a Canon DSLR and it's been great. No idea on the one you've suggested. Getting to know each brand is half the challenge from what I've seen, so if she's gone through the effort to learn that brand, then it would be nice to stick to it.

Lenses however, I can recommend getting a really wide angle lens for landscape, scenery and people. I bought a twin lens kit with 18-55 and 55-250mm. With the 18-55 wound out, for a big scenery shot, it still feels like a zoom lens. 50mm for a scenery shot would be useless. It seems to be one of those things, that no matter how wide angle the lens is, it appears to be just a snippet of what's in front of you, so my advice is get a REALLY wide lens if landscape and scenery shots are a regular.

I'd be interested to know what others think of a wide angle lens recommendation?

[dullbird]

I have have Tokina 12-24mm F4 its a great wide lense

[steveG]

Thanks for the replies so far.
She seems pretty happy with the D7000, and definitely prefers it to our older (smaller) Olympus E-510. As Judo suggested, getting to know a particular brand seems to be half the battle. It seems to be pretty well sealed as far as dust etc goes which is a good thing in the County :cool:

The lens on our daughter's one that she has been using is a Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3.

Out of interest, I just went through about 50 photos from our recent Hay River and Simpson trip. The majority were taken at focal lengths between 18 and 70mm, and any zoomed shots were at the full 200mm. I didn't find any that were between 70 and 200. Definitely something to consider...

I think you're right Judo - a lot of the landscape photos would have been taken at wider angle if it was available.

Having a quick look online, a bare D7000 body can be had for around $750.
In the kits, a body + 18-55VR +55-200VR is under $1000.
At that price I'm thinking that kit would be a good starting point, and she could work upwards from there. Both those lenses seem to have reasonable reviews too.

Steve.

[vnx205]

.... ....
As Judo suggested, getting to know a particular brand seems to be half the battle. It seems to be pretty well sealed as far as dust etc goes which is a good thing in the County :cool:

Steve.

If you are carrying it in a County, then the following Pentax feature might be important. :D

The body is fully weather sealed, cold and dust proof as is the optional grip, and all K-3 camera/lens kits marketed by Pentax come with weather sealed lenses to complement the body as it should be.

Read more at: Pentax K-3 Review - Introduction - PentaxForums.com (http://www.pentaxforums.com/reviews/pentax-k-3-review/introduction.html#ixzz2lDcFJO7I)

This reviewer seems pretty impresses with the new K-3.

Targeted mainly at advanced photographers and enthusiasts, the K-3's improved key specifications are now on par with (or better than) those of the Nikon D7100, its closest competitor within the DSLR realm.

Read more at: Pentax K-3 Review - Introduction - PentaxForums.com (http://www.pentaxforums.com/reviews/pentax-k-3-review/introduction.html#ixzz2lDcuGN71)

However there is a lot to be said for using a setup that you have become accustomed to. The one you learn on seems right and any other way of doing things seems strange. A bit like converting from Windows to Linux. :)

[Bushie]

Get the camera you feel most comfortable with using. I doubt there is a 'bad' dSLR body on the market today, some will do things better than others, but ALL will be capable of very good pics, if used correctly.

Me - I have a Pentax K5, (the land rover of the camera world :D:D)


Martyn

[theresanothersteve]

Get the camera you feel most comfortable with using. I doubt there is a 'bad' dSLR body on the market today, some will do things better than others, but ALL will be capable of very good pics, if used correctly.

Me - I have a Pentax K5, (the land rover of the camera world :D:D)


MartynYou need a Canon (Range Rover of the camera world...):p

[dullbird]

Or a Nikon the autobiography ;)

And the D7100 is weather sealed so I would be surprised if the D7000 wasn't

[steveG]

If you are carrying it in a County, then the following Pentax feature might be important. :D

The body is fully weather sealed, cold and dust proof as is the optional grip, and all K-3 camera/lens kits marketed by Pentax come with weather sealed lenses to complement the body as it should be.

Read more at: Pentax K-3 Review - Introduction - PentaxForums.com (http://www.pentaxforums.com/reviews/pentax-k-3-review/introduction.html#ixzz2lDcFJO7I)

This reviewer seems pretty impresses with the new K-3.

Targeted mainly at advanced photographers and enthusiasts, the K-3's improved key specifications are now on par with (or better than) those of the Nikon D7100, its closest competitor within the DSLR realm.

Read more at: Pentax K-3 Review - Introduction - PentaxForums.com (http://www.pentaxforums.com/reviews/pentax-k-3-review/introduction.html#ixzz2lDcuGN71)

However there is a lot to be said for using a setup that you have become accustomed to. The one you learn on seems right and any other way of doing things seems strange. A bit like converting from Windows to Linux. :)

Thanks. Looks like a nice bit of gear, but need to include at least one lens within the budget ;)

Steve

[steveG]

Or a Nikon the autobiography ;)

And the D7100 is weather sealed so I would be surprised if the D7000 wasn't

All this sophistication...
I only got rid of my Cosina CT1-G about 5 years ago. Fits with the County image I guess :)

Seriously again though, pretty much decided it will be the D7000 body, but stuck on the lens side of things.
It was definitely more convenient with the single 18-200 lens on our daughter's camera than when we used to take 2 lenses to cover the same range with our Olympus.
A body together with the Nikon 18-200 f3.5-5.6 VR lens would pretty much consume the budget.

Any comments from those who have been down both paths (single lens or 2 lenses to cover the same range)?
In this case the single lens is more expensive than the 2 separate ones.

Steve

[Judo]

IMO the quality of a photo - assuming user skill is the same on all gear - the body makes very little difference. (So good choice in buying the one she already knows). The lens quality makes all the difference. The greater the zoom adjustment (focal length), the worse the quality of the lens. Of course this is a generalisation and I'm sure there are some excellent lens that have a wide range of adjustment, but say you spent $500 on a lens. I believe a $500 fixed 18mm lens will take a much better photo than a $500 18-200mm lens at 18mm.

I.E. I believe there is a good reason people carry 6 lenses, and not 1 big wide range zoom lens. And you get what you pay for.


Edit: The main difference between bodies is the feature set. (For beginners, all the stuff you don't use!)

[33chinacars]

Go the Nikon. No seriously go the Nikon haha:p

I've got a Nikon D300 fitted with a Nikon 18 -200 lens. Use this combo 98% of the time. Have many other lenses but this is my favorite. Would like to move up to the newer Nikon 18 - 300 lens when budget permits. These lenses are of a better quality than what you get in the twin lens kits anyway. Twin lens kits are built down to a price.

Also you don't have to worry about dirt getting in whilst changing lenses with the 18 - 200.

Gary

[Chucaro]

IMHO when thinking in purchasing a photography equipment for the first time the way to go is as follows.
1) Look for a camera brand that the body can be upgraded using the old lens.

2)Get the best lens that you can afford according to the type of photography in mind.

3) If a serious landscaping photography is in mind, select the best tripod that you can afford. Sharp images are a must if you like quality.

4) select the camera body.

I am a Nikon user for more than 40 years because the quality of the glasses and bodies and more important because I can keep my old lens when upgrade bodies.

The Nikon 300s gives me very good results and because I like landscaping and fauna photography I have a Tokina 12-24 f/4 and a superb Nikon 70-300VR and a CF Manfrotto tripod.

The Nikon 7000 is a very good camera. Look if you can get a D300s for less money which it is an excellent body as well.

Cheers

[steveG]

Go the Nikon. No seriously go the Nikon haha:p

I've got a Nikon D300 fitted with a Nikon 18 -200 lens. Use this combo 98% of the time. Have many other lenses but this is my favorite. Would like to move up to the newer Nikon 18 - 300 lens when budget permits. These lenses are of a better quality than what you get in the twin lens kits anyway. Twin lens kits are built down to a price.

Also you don't have to worry about dirt getting in whilst changing lenses with the 18 - 200.

Gary

Thanks Gary.
Great to hear from someone that's actually using that lens and is very happy with it.
The dirt ingress is a good point to. I hadn't considered that.

Steve

[dullbird]

Dirt ingress is not an issue if your concious of it just make sure you always point your body downwards when changing lenses and try and avoid changing lenses in dusty conditions....

if you are faced with that condition change it in the car or simply take a punt and pick the best lens and keep that one on during the conditions...

I would also say spend some money and get a decent dust proof water proof box its not a must but I wouldnt be without one..you might see I just upgraded my vanguard....this also helps keep dust and crap out of your gear when travelling

[Chucaro]

Thanks Gary.
Great to hear from someone that's actually using that lens and is very happy with it.
The dirt ingress is a good point to. I hadn't considered that.

Steve

I use my D200 and D300s in harsh conditions including dust,sand, rain and sea mist. I have never have a problem with dirt inside the cameras.

[Sirocco]

I would stick to Nikon if that is what she is use to.

You dont need an ultra wide for landscapes. Fitting it all in doesn't make it a great photo, everything will just be really far away! Ultra wides have their own niche so see how you go before buying one.

As for lenses, 18-55, 18-70 or 18-105 would be a good daily user lens. My 18-70mm I have used for 8 years now and its been great.

A cheap wildlife lens would be the 70-300mm G series lens. I had some great shots out of this one. Its none VR but if you boost the ISO and use a monopod you can get some good results.

If you can afford it the 70-300 VR lens is excellent, but it is a lot heavier than the above. I keep it in the car most of the time!

I recently picked up an 18-200 VR for travelling (whilst in Hong Kong) and got some good photos out of it, but I broke it and just got a repair quote which has infuriated me.

60mm 2.8 Macro lens does not get used much.

Sigma 10-20mm ultra wide has been a good lens also, really like this one but it does distort in the far corners so not great for people shots! It does however produce some good things when your 18mm cant quite get it.

All lenses used on a D70s and D90 body.

[flagg]

The 17-55 and 70-200vr work well together, and both take beautiful pictures. Don't skimp on lenses.. And remember that they hold their value well. I by mine second hand from ECS in Sydney.. They have all been in excellent+ condition and are now years later worth the same as what I paid for them.

[steveG]

Think I can safely wrap this thread up now. What I couldn't say earlier in case I got sprung, was that I was organising the camera for her xmas present.

Ended up getting her a used D7000 body, and 2 Nikon lenses: a used 18-200mm f3.5-5.6 VR and a 35mm f1.8G.
Should give her enough to play with initially while she gets the hang of the body then she can decide what she really wants/needs in the way of lenses after that.

Thanks to everyone for your input.

Steve

[33chinacars]

Good to hear Steve . Sure she will enjoy :D

[mattg]

Me too just got a D7000 as well. borrowing a 35mm lens from a mate while I decide on a lens package. most likely a 18-140 and a 35. also toying with a tokina 11-18 very cool toy that one.

took this one this morning in a very strange Fog for this time of year in port Macquarie.

[Sirocco]

Good choice Steve. The 18-200vr is a beaut! Best all up travel lens from Nikon :-)

[Nick Fouche]

I have owned 4 x Pentax DSLR models and each has been great. I am now on the K-5 and it really does shame the construction of similar priced models from Canikon. There is plenty of fast, high quality glass available for Pentax as well. My favourite is my 70-200mm f/2.8 by Sigma.

One day when the D7000 gets old, consider a switch to the dark side :)