New camera - where to start?

[Homestar]

So, I've been a wannabe photographer for many years, and I used to have (well I still do) an old SLR that takes those cute little rolls of film.

Since the digital age took over, I've had a couple of point and shoots that I don't even know where they are now, and now I have nothing but my iPhone.

So, in the new year some time I'm going to buy myself a new camera, but I have no idea where to start...

Now, I don't have unlimited funds, far from it, but happy to spend what I need to so I don't regret my decision later on. I only need something fairly basic, but would like to have something that I can buy new lenses for later on.

So, over to the experts - what should I be looking for, and how much should I be budgeting for here?

[dullbird]

First of all you need to decide what brand you want Nikon and Canon are pretty much the same and its more down to ergonomics and how it feels for you.

Pentax have some good cameras i know nothing about them but Ron, Bushie, and Koz use them

Sony also has good cameras but i know very little about them.

If you were going to get a Nikon i would say look at a new D5500 as they get get reviews as an entry level camera or a second hand D7100/7200 <you wouldn't be disappointing with this camera and more camera than I'm sure you skill level would be at but something for you to grow into if your keen to further your knowledge

[loanrangie]

No you need tl decide what the main use will be before you get into brands, brands can be a personal thing so find something fit for your intened use regardless of the label.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using AULRO mobile app

[Homestar]

Usage will be mainly scenic stuff while camping but I also love taking shots in low light - I'll have to dredge up some of my old stuff I took on film. Also taking many and varied close ups of the fur babies... :D

[dullbird]

I figured as gav is getting in to dslrs (i know you had film but a lot has moved on from then) that he would be probably doing a little bit of everything then you find out what you really enjoy doing I'm pretty sure any middle range camera on the market would suit his needs.

[Mick_Marsh]

Low light stuff on film! Not sure you can post that.
At least they're not Polaroids.

Do you want a camera that you can change lenses?

Mine has a 18-105 zoom. That does me for most of my pics.

[Homestar]

Yeah, middle of the road, does a bit of everything type of thing. :)

Mick - yes I would like something I can change lenses on in case I need to at any stage if I get right into it.

In my old camera I used to burn a couple of rolls of ISO 1600 film and get 1 or 2 good pics at night. I had a diary that I would record all the settings in for each shot.

[Brisruss]

Think about how big and bulky you want to carry around.
The really good Nikons and Canons are quite big and heavy.
I have a Fujifilm X100. Great camera but has fixed lens. You have to zoom with your feet. Great in low light.
I still have an olympus Pen EP3 (bought second hand for $300 odd). It is quite good and small.
I recently got a Nikon D5500 kit. I wanted a bit more without huge bulk. Around $1100 from memory. I like it.
The salesmen in the camera shops can be a pest as they try and steer you to something that often does not suit you. I suspect they have quotas on certain brands.

[WhiteD3]

I'm a Canon man myself so.....

A 7D mkII does almost everything you'd need it to do at a reasonable price.

A 6D takes you into full frame territory. FYI there is a mkII on it way in 2016.

With either camera use the "L" series lens if you can afford them.

[kodakman7]

There are four questions you need to decide- where will you do the most of your shooting ie short or long, how much of it will be in low or lower light versus full daylight or controlled lighting, what physical size aims or restrictions you might have and finally budget. Declaring my hand as a camera retailer(I only saw this post as I put the app on a new phone and it appeared in a list!!) I often hear all manner of opinions from people with advice from "friends/ neighbors/family/work colleagues" who are invariably "professional" photographers or experts with opinions as to what is best - but usually with experience at best of one or two models of a particular brand. In many instances it is a bit of a Commodore vs Falcon argument (I didnt choose LR versus Toyota because we know LR is better:)!!) and you are unlikely to buy a bad camera- but getting what is best for you and your future intentions takes a little bit of fleshing out. I carry in stock the full range of all brands up to 1Dx Canon, D4s Nikon and A7SII Sonys amd one of the biggest ranges of lenses "in stock" in the country so am happy to discuss further with you if you like. I hadnt thought of offering a member discount through the forum till now- have usually been focussing on D2 and now D3 matters but can certainly offer super competitive (against Australian stock) everyday pricing to members. We also distribute Miops/Nero lightning triggers in Oz.

[Pickles2]

Yeah, middle of the road, does a bit of everything type of thing. :)

Mick - yes I would like something I can change lenses on in case I need to at any stage if I get right into it.

In my old camera I used to burn a couple of rolls of ISO 1600 film and get 1 or 2 good pics at night. I had a diary that I would record all the settings in for each shot.
UNBELIEVEABLE!!...I used to do EXACTLY the same,....still have my old Pentax Spotmatics & a HUGE range of lenses, all in immaculate condition....Don't know what I'm going to do with 'em.
Low light images, yes, I used to take a few & record the settings, it's a real challenge & skill with a manual film camera, but Gav, with digital, you'll be spoilt, ya just point & shoot, and the camera does the rest!!
I know nothing about digital stuff, so I can't give you any advice, but Karen bought a Canon Powershot A590is for about $120 many years ago, she got it wet while trekking Kokoda, it continued to work, and it STILL does,..that's all we use,....except the phone,....which has a very good camera,....also good in low light!!
Regards, Martin.

[cafe latte]

So, I've been a wannabe photographer for many years, and I used to have (well I still do) an old SLR that takes those cute little rolls of film.

Since the digital age took over, I've had a couple of point and shoots that I don't even know where they are now, and now I have nothing but my iPhone.

So, in the new year some time I'm going to buy myself a new camera, but I have no idea where to start...

Now, I don't have unlimited funds, far from it, but happy to spend what I need to so I don't regret my decision later on. I only need something fairly basic, but would like to have something that I can buy new lenses for later on.

So, over to the experts - what should I be looking for, and how much should I be budgeting for here?
What brand is your old slr camera and do you have any good lenses for it? Also what is your budget?
I ask as I have a lot of good lenses for my old Nikon film camera so my plan early next year is to get a Nikon d750 which is a full frame sensor slr ie you can use old 35mm lenses and get the same zoom range. I thought about the d810, but it is a grand more and I dont believe it is a grand better. By using my old lenses I can afford a really good slr like the d750 which I have seen around the 1,800 dollar mark for body only. If I had to buy lenses too I would have to shop a lot further down the food chain.
Chris

[Mick_Marsh]

still have my old Pentax Spotmatics & a HUGE range of lenses, all in immaculate condition....Don't know what I'm going to do with 'em.
Use the things.
I still love getting out the old Bronica every now and then.

[Rosco8]

Recently read an interesting article which wrote about how mobile phones are killing the low-middle end camera business. My last interstate trip (this week) doing the family thing, I procrastinated about taking the SLR camera (Canon 6D) but opted to just use my phone (Samsung 6). Phone shots did the job admirably and the video is quite amazing. I also use it to catch bands in quite low light situations.

So I use my Canon 6D typically taking 2 lens (24-105mm and 100-400mm) for trips that I need full control over, recent examples being the Temora Warbirds airshow and 15 days by Steam train around the South Island of NZ, which I also took a Sony Pro video camera having given up on using DSLR for video (setup and zoom is too finicky and I needed fast setup (tripod) point and shoot).

The number 1 rule, explained to me by a great photographer I worked with was, don't skimp on the lens as you will buy better bodies over time. I have 6 Canon L lens now and have worked my way up thru 4 bodies. If you want low light then the latest model cameras from the majors will most likely have the higher ISO's for low light. This also negates to an extent the high cost of getting low F stop lens, I no longer worry about getting a F2 fixed or F2.8 zoom lens, F4 at the low end of a zoom lens is fine. I am happy poking about at 10000 and can survive at 16000 (Bluesfest is an example, night concerts of artists on stage using a zoom which is pushing it !!!).

So my recommendation, is decide which majors lens series you will go with over time (I went Canon as slightly cheaper than Nikon when I started) and then see what body you can afford (even 2nd hand), that has a decent ISO for low light.

As an low light example, a shot at 160mm at F7.1 (100-400mm zoom) from 2015 Bluesfest, a bit grainy at 12800 but to me quite fine for my own viewing.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/01/982.jpg

[Bushie]

UNBELIEVEABLE!!...I used to do EXACTLY the same,....still have my old Pentax Spotmatics & a HUGE range of lenses, all in immaculate condition....Don't know what I'm going to do with 'em.

Regards, Martin.

Get a pentax dSLR body - most of your old lenses will work (I'm assuming K series bayonet mounts). Even M42 Pentax screw mounts can be made to work on a dSLR body with an adaptor.


Martyn

[Bytemrk]

Gav,

I think Kodakman is right, before starting to settle on specific models, have a good think about how you intend to use it (who else will be using it.) and the wide variety of questions around your actual requirements.

I recently convinced a colleague at work that while he though he needed a DLR.. he didn't.
He came to me wanting advice on DLSR's and after a bit of conversation it turned out he thought he needed a DSLR to print A3 size. He actually hadn't thought about size and weight (He was shocked at the weight of my D750 and lens), he really didn't want to mess around changing lenses and the camera would primarily be for photos of his family. He ended up buying a Sony RX100 iv for less money than the DSLR's he was looking at and couldn't be happier.

The questions I would be asking myself (some of which you have already answered) are:

What is your budget?
Who will be using the camera?
Does size and weight matter to you?
What sorts of images are you hoping to use it for?
What will you do with your images? - Display them on line, Print them?
Will you use it for movies as well as stills?
Will you be doing much low light work?
Do you want to have the ability to change lenses?
How rugged does it need to be?- will it be exposed to weather and dust at times?
What sorts of focal lengths are you likely to want? How wide?.. How long?
What sorts or accessories might you need? - tripod/flash/filters etc. Are they available for the camera I choose - at what cost?


I'm obviously going to lean towards Nikon - but I originally went that way because my dad had a cupboard full of Nikon glass. Today there are lots of great options, many Nikon cameras use Sony Sensors - Sony are making some amazing cameras right now, Nikon, Canon, Pentax, Olympus,Fuji, Sony etc etc.. they all make some great gear.

The question you ask about how much you should be budgeting, can really only be answered by you. You can get a start in this space for as little as a few hundred dollars, if you are willing to go with second hand equipment you can keep that budget down significantly.
However if you find yourself getting seriously interested and you end up buying high quality fast glass lenses and higher end bodies, its easy to get into tens of thousands.

Keep in mind if you are going with a DSLR and want to get serious, long term, it's better to invest in good glass than the latest body. ;)

Good luck with it Gav, looking forward to seeing the outcome.

[Fluids]

I went through this some months back, and having come from film 35mm and lenses from years ago ended up going with a bridge/crossover style camera ... Nikon P900 f2.8 24-2000mm. It's a fixed lens camera, but with its zoom capability who needs to lug around a multitude of lenses with the associated extra weight ?

It may not be everyone's cup of tea, but it fits my bill nicely, allowing me to get up on subjects that you just couldn't get close enough to to take a decent shot.

Was around $700 online. Takes great photos, I've only scratched the surface of its capabilities, but it is a bit weighty and large .... But so is a 2000mm telephoto lens ! :p

Has all the features you'd find on a dedicated DSLR except the lens is not removable. Best of both worlds IMHO.

[rick130]

Use the things.
I still love getting out the old Bronica every now and then.

Ditto.

Love my old Spotmatic, it was my first SLR, given to me on my sixteenth b/day a very long time ago and after the phone camera it's still my go to camera if I do a trip. (which means it doesn't get used very often :D)

After visiting mum for a week in the Territory and using her newish Pentax DSLR (because she already had a heap of Pentax lenses) I'm seriously thinking of taking up the DSLR thing too now

[Pickles2]

Ditto.

Love my old Spotmatic, it was my first SLR, given to me on my sixteenth b/day a very long time ago and after the phone camera it's still my go to camera if I do a trip. (which means it doesn't get used very often :D)

After visiting mum for a week in the Territory and using her newish Pentax DSLR (because she already had a heap of Pentax lenses) I'm seriously thinking of taking up the DSLR thing too now
DSLR is so much easier,..no calculations to be made in normal circumstances,...No exposure, speed, focussing, depth of field etc etc, the camera will do it all.
Bushie....My lenses are all M42,...yes they can be made to "work" but to nowhere the extent on auto settings etc that a digital lens will. To be honest, even the simplest of digital stuff, including our phone, gives very good images (can't believe how good the phone is), AND, I still have all of my images PRINTED to put in my album (s!)
Pickles.

[rick130]

DSLR is so much easier,..no calculations to be made in normal circumstances,...No exposure, speed, focussing, depth of field etc etc, the camera will do it all.
Bushie....My lenses are all M42,...yes they can be made to "work" but to nowhere the extent on auto settings etc that a digital lens will. To be honest, even the simplest of digital stuff, including our phone, gives very good images (can't believe how good the phone is), AND, I still have all of my images PRINTED to put in my album (s!)
Pickles.


Yep, sure is easier, much easier but you tend to just rattle off shot after shot.
Having said that I'm going to have to learn how to massage the photo's I took over the last week.
The colour often isn't quite right but it just might be the laptop and I'm not happy with some of the exposures, they are over-exposed.

I do like going old school as it makes you really think about composing the shot, getting the light right, really working for it.
I've inherited dear old dad's twin lens Mamiya C2 and once I find a decent old Western light meter I'll grab some 120 film and see how I go.
Been too much going on in the last two years to do anything outside of head down, tail up and get life back on track, but the time is coming where I can start to rediscover a few simple things like taking a nice photo.

I once read how Peter Dombrovskis went about capturing his famous shots and it was all about patience and waiting for that magical moment.
he'd go into the bush for a week or two by himself and come back with only one or two exposures.
An absolute artist.

[Bytemrk]

DSLR is so much easier,..no calculations to be made in normal circumstances,...No exposure, speed, focussing, depth of field etc etc, the camera will do it all.

Pickles.

If you choose to use it that way.....

I know what you are saying Pickles, but all of the above options can be controlled manually, giving the photographer a lot more creative choice than that suggests...;)

[Homestar]

DSLR is so much easier,..no calculations to be made in normal circumstances,...No exposure, speed, focussing, depth of field etc etc, the camera will do it all.
Bushie....My lenses are all M42,...yes they can be made to "work" but to nowhere the extent on auto settings etc that a digital lens will. To be honest, even the simplest of digital stuff, including our phone, gives very good images (can't believe how good the phone is), AND, I still have all of my images PRINTED to put in my album (s!)
Pickles.

Yes, for some situations, but the ability to control everything is something I've been missing since I've stopped using film. The phone is fine for a point and shoot, and takes decent photos in good light, but they just don't do low light well.

[Homestar]

Answers below in red. :)


Gav,

The questions I would be asking myself (some of which you have already answered) are:

What is your budget? About $1000 to start with.
Who will be using the camera? Just me
Does size and weight matter to you? Not overly, no
What sorts of images are you hoping to use it for? General scenery, low light/morning/evening and I like taking close ups of insects and birds.
What will you do with your images? - Display them on line, Print them? Bit of both.
Will you use it for movies as well as stills? Stills only, movies isn't a priority at all
Will you be doing much low light work? Yes, plenty
Do you want to have the ability to change lenses? Yes
How rugged does it need to be?- will it be exposed to weather and dust at times? It will need to survive travelling with me in the 101. ;)
What sorts of focal lengths are you likely to want? How wide?.. How long? Close and narrow, to long and wide
What sorts or accessories might you need? - tripod/flash/filters etc. Are they available for the camera I choose - at what cost? I have an ok tripod if the thread on new cameras hasn't changed, flash yes, filters maybe later as I get better

[Homestar]

What brand is your old slr camera and do you have any good lenses for it? Also what is your budget?
I ask as I have a lot of good lenses for my old Nikon film camera so my plan early next year is to get a Nikon d750 which is a full frame sensor slr ie you can use old 35mm lenses and get the same zoom range. I thought about the d810, but it is a grand more and I dont believe it is a grand better. By using my old lenses I can afford a really good slr like the d750 which I have seen around the 1,800 dollar mark for body only. If I had to buy lenses too I would have to shop a lot further down the food chain.
Chris

I'll go and dig it all out now - can't remember off the top of my head - it has screw in lenses. The brand isn't a name brand, but I was told it was a copy of something else? Don't really know though - I was given it all by my Wife's Grandmother - it all belonged to the Wife's Grandad and had been in storage for years before being passed onto me - it is oooooollllllldddddd.....! :D

[Mick_Marsh]

What about a Box Brownie? I have two you could borrow.

[Homestar]

Ok, a few pics of what I had when using film.

This gives you an idea of how old the setup is...

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/01/970.jpg (http://s1086.photobucket.com/user/Bacicat2000/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-01/638A2C5E-FEC1-4D96-B7FB-80E5913D6CBA_zpsztl8opkk.jpg.html)

This is what I have. The mirror has fallen out of the body - and broken, so it's not doing anything anymore, but I hang onto it for old times sake. There is a 55mm Cosina lens, a 135mm INA lens and a Tasman doubler. Plus a couple of flashes one of which has a heap of filters with it. The body has nowhere for the flash and there is a holder somewhere that screw to the bottom of the camera which then holds the flash. There's an X and M port on the side the flash plugs into - never figured out what the difference was between them, I'm guessing something to do with the trigger time?

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/01/971.jpg (http://s1086.photobucket.com/user/Bacicat2000/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-01/02BE4F5B-7687-4A9B-9B93-D2A5C2EB9B5E_zpsvsauxgmc.jpg.html)

A close up of the camera. A 'Titan Hi-Lite'

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/01/972.jpg (http://s1086.photobucket.com/user/Bacicat2000/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-01/4246091C-8D05-40B8-A319-BA9B67BEE41E_zpsh1toucys.jpg.html)


The lenses are all a screw in type. No idea about what this type of thread is called, or if it is still used or if these lenses are worth using. I pretty much taught myself how to use it and this was all way before the Internet and easy access to such information, but I had a blast with it and took some great pics over the years.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/01/973.jpg (http://s1086.photobucket.com/user/Bacicat2000/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-01/4EC40620-A572-44C1-9EE7-0BAF103DF584_zpsnbhnhfhx.jpg.html)

Oh, and this is the flash and bits - never quite figured all this out either...

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/01/974.jpg (http://s1086.photobucket.com/user/Bacicat2000/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-01/832B0780-B2C7-4911-93DB-46105FC43B99_zpsisjmxuaw.jpg.html)

[Pickles2]

Yes, for some situations, but the ability to control everything is something I've been missing since I've stopped using film. The phone is fine for a point and shoot, and takes decent photos in good light, but they just don't do low light well.
Well no worries,...you can always make your own "calculations", and even Wifey's "El Cheapo" allows her to do that, but for most situations the auto digi stuff does a ripper job.
We've been taking a bit of stuff from the Defender, on the move, low light etc etc, and all these shots are coming out 100%, on auto!! and AFAIAC, better than most of my film stuff.
I know I can do manual stuff if I want to, but I just don't see the need. I've done a lot of photography in my time, even a bit of VERY fast motor sport stuff for race promoters etc, and all I can say is, I wish I'd had digital then.
I was talking to a few photographers in the press room at Sandown raceway many years ago, and talking about how many shots were 100%,....and one of them said to me, Martin, sometimes if I get ONE GOOD shot every couple of rolls, that's the way it is, (it was that long ago, that auto focus, power zoom etc wasn't even that common on 35mm stuff).....no such worries with digital!!
One of my best shots was an image I took of Brock going flat out towards the end of the front straight at Phillip Island,...He would've been doing 250ks+. Well I was about 50-70mtrs back from the track, I pre-focussed, and set the shutter at 1/60th & panned,......the result,....one of my best shots,...car totally sharp, wheels & back ground a total blur!!!...Got Brock to sign the enlargement when done,...He wrote "Top Shot Martin, P.G. Brock"...always got him to sign differently for me rather than the usual "P.Brock", so I've got some just "Peter G", some Peter G Brock" etc etc,.....those were the days!
Pickles.

[p38arover]

Gav, do you currently have an SLR?
Do you have several lenses you want to use with the new camera? (Pentax is good for legacy lenses.)
Are you expecting to shoot a lot of flash photography? (Nikon and Canon are good. Pentax is probably not in the same class.)
Will you shoots sports? (Nikon is good.)
Is size an issue? (Pentax is small but Olympus 4/3rds is even smaller.)
If you want to shoot low light without flash, then you want something with good low light noise performance when you push the ISO up. (My Pentax K-5 is far better than my K-7 or other Pentax DSLRs.)


Dusty environment? Look at this US soldier's Pentax (Alex took some great pics in Afghanistan):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eo61t5fH6Qw

I won't make a recommendation for brand because what suits me may not suit you.

[p38arover]

.still have my old Pentax Spotmatics & a HUGE range of lenses, all in immaculate condition....Don't know what I'm going to do with 'em

Pentax legacy lenses fetch good money, still. K-mount lenses will click straight onto a modern Pentax DSLR. M42 lenses need an adapter. I have one for my cameras.

[rick130]

Ok, a few pics of what I had when using film.

This gives you an idea of how old the setup is...



There's an X and M port on the side the flash plugs into - never figured out what the difference was between them, I'm guessing something to do with the trigger time?

IIRC connections for electronic flash (X) or bulb (M)

The old bulb type were once use only, I remember Dad had these flashes when I was a kid, you bought the bulbs in packs.





The lenses are all a screw in type. No idea about what this type of thread is called, or if it is still used or if these lenses are worth using. I pretty much taught myself how to use it and this was all way before the Internet and easy access to such information, but I had a blast with it and took some great pics over the years.


M42 Pentax/Practika screw mount, or that's what it became known as.

[p38arover]

Gav, I doubt that Titan lenses are worth a lot thess days so getting an adapter to suit a new camera may not be worth while.

[Homestar]

Agreed, though the lenses are Cosina and INA, but yes, I get your point.

[dullbird]

Kodakman being as though you appear to stock good gear. I thought i would ask do you stock Nisi filters? I currently have cokin Z pro. But i would like to update to Nisi when money allows.

[cafe latte]

DSLR is so much easier,..no calculations to be made in normal circumstances,...No exposure, speed, focussing, depth of field etc etc, the camera will do it all.
Bushie....My lenses are all M42,...yes they can be made to "work" but to nowhere the extent on auto settings etc that a digital lens will. To be honest, even the simplest of digital stuff, including our phone, gives very good images (can't believe how good the phone is), AND, I still have all of my images PRINTED to put in my album (s!)
Pickles.

I dont know the Pentax lenses, but with the old Nikon lenses a lot of even professional photographers seek out certain film camera lenses for digital as they work so well and give excellent results. A good all round Nikon lens to seek out for digital ia the film 28-105 lens. The quality was superb and now you can pick them up for peanuts online. I picked up a superb Nikon 80-200 film camera lens that is a 1500 dollar lens for 50 bucks.
Chris

[Bytemrk]

Answers below in red. :)

Gav,

The questions I would be asking myself (some of which you have already answered) are:

What is your budget? About $1000 to start with.
Who will be using the camera? Just me
Does size and weight matter to you? Not overly, no
What sorts of images are you hoping to use it for? General scenery, low light/morning/evening and I like taking close ups of insects and birds.
What will you do with your images? - Display them on line, Print them? Bit of both.
Will you use it for movies as well as stills? Stills only, movies isn't a priority at all
Will you be doing much low light work? Yes, plenty
Do you want to have the ability to change lenses? Yes
How rugged does it need to be?- will it be exposed to weather and dust at times? It will need to survive travelling with me in the 101. ;)
What sorts of focal lengths are you likely to want? How wide?.. How long? Close and narrow, to long and wide
What sorts or accessories might you need? - tripod/flash/filters etc. Are they available for the camera I choose - at what cost? I have an ok tripod if the thread on new cameras hasn't changed, flash yes, filters maybe later as I get better




Gav this is where someone with a broader view of advantages of different brands can probably help the most.

However, if I was thinking of a Nikon based around those requirements:

Your budget is realistic and gives you quite a few options.

Low light to me means either the latest DX Bodies or FX. However, your budget will not get you into FX and your idea of low light may not be as dark as I am thinking - you will be blown away by what these things can do in low light.

I'd look at:

Option 1: New D3300 + 18-55 & 55-200 lenses.

Advantages : Cheap, you can afford a couple of lenses while staying latest tech.

Disadvantages: basic low end camera that you will likely grow out of. Not compatible with older Nikon Lenses

Option 2: New D5500 + 18-105mm lens

Advantages :Latest Tech, really good low light performance,

Disadvantages:Not compatible with older Nikon Lenses

Option 3: New D7000 + 18-105mm lens

Advantages :Better controls, compatible with all Nikon lenses back to 1977, Selling quite cheap as the D7100 and D7200 have both been released.

Disadvantages:Older technology than above. but still a great camera.

Option 4: Used D7000 + 16-85VR & 70-300VR lenses.

Advantages : Same advantages as above - but they sell 2nd hand very cheap, often with little use as people buy the new model. This leaves you more money to buy better lenses personally I prefer the 16-85 over the 18-105 and they are really undervalued on the second hand market. The 70-300VR is an excellent long lens compatible with FX in the future. You can also take advantage of a wide array of older Nikon lenses which the lower models cant use.

Disadvantages: Buying second hand is always going to have some risk.

You mention close ups of insects, none of the above lists a macro lens, however All 3 of my Macro lenses I picked up second hand...
AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G - (Second hand from a wedding photographer who was changing brands.)
Micro Nikkor 60mm f/2.8 AF-D - doubles as a great portrait lens (Second hand off eBay from Japan)
Micro Nikkor 55mm f/2.8 AIS - given to me by my dad from his Nikon F

Neither of the last two will work on the 3000 or 5000 ranges of Nikon DX bodies

However the 70-300 VR while not a macro lens, does OK on a D7000:
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/01/957.jpg

If it was me.. I'd be looking at Option 4....

However my focus (pardon the pun :p) is all Nikon. You would be wise to look at the others too. Ron is right about Pentax dust and weather sealing - frankly its amazing, I watched a friend run his camera under a tap after a dog took a leak on it.... no on going problem!

[dullbird]

Nice photo!

To add to this here is a recent photo i took a week ago using the 105 vr which Mark has also listed for insects


https://www.flickr.com/gp/137911068@N06/o7L292

[Pickles2]

Pentax legacy lenses fetch good money, still. K-mount lenses will click straight onto a modern Pentax DSLR. M42 lenses need an adapter. I have one for my cameras.
Yes, I'm aware of that,...., I was on the Pentax Forum for a while, and many of those guys held the old screw mount M42 lenses in high regard,...and yes, you're right, most likely they still do.
To be honest, I've lost a bit of interest, but I still enjoy taking a good shot, & I have been amazed how good Wifey's Canon is, and like I said, her phone is sensational,....so, good enough for me now.
To give you an example of some of the screw mount stuff I've got, and they're all the latest SMC series, I've got a 15mm Aspheric Wide Angle ( a fairly substantial piece of glass!),..super rare, with its original case, instructions etc etc,....and in mint condition!!
Pickles.

[Mick_Marsh]

Hey, Gav, I'm more than happy with my D7000.
It's way more capable than me. I understand is has a half size sensor. I think it is good enough, actually better than what I was after.
I've not bothered to look into macro stuff as yet but here are a couple of pics:
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/01/955.jpg (http://s1074.photobucket.com/user/mick_marsh_AULRO/media/DSC_5549.jpg.html)
A gecko on the wall a couple of nights ago:
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/01/956.jpg (http://s1074.photobucket.com/user/mick_marsh_AULRO/media/DSC_6147.jpg.html)

[dullbird]

My picture up there ^ was taken with a D7100

[DeanoH]

What is your budget? About $1000 to start with.
Who will be using the camera? Just me
Does size and weight matter to you? Not overly, no
What sorts of images are you hoping to use it for? General scenery, low light/morning/evening and I like taking close ups of insects and birds.
What will you do with your images? - Display them on line, Print them? Bit of both.
Will you use it for movies as well as stills? Stills only, movies isn't a priority at all
Will you be doing much low light work? Yes, plenty
Do you want to have the ability to change lenses? Yes
How rugged does it need to be?- will it be exposed to weather and dust at times? It will need to survive travelling with me in the 101. ;)
What sorts of focal lengths are you likely to want? How wide?.. How long? Close and narrow, to long and wide
What sorts or accessories might you need? - tripod/flash/filters etc. Are they available for the camera I choose - at what cost? I have an ok tripod if the thread on new cameras hasn't changed, flash yes, filters maybe later as I get better





Well Gav, that's just about got it all covered. :o

As a starting point your existing gear isn't going to help you.

From macro (now called micro for some reason) insect close ups to serious zoom (bird close ups) and bad light capability will need some serious lenses to gain a pleasing result if you go the DSLR route.

The lenses are the critical component here so if you've got $1K to spend consider a quality second hand DSLR body like a Nikon D70, 80 90 which can be got for a couple of hundred (or less) which leaves the bulk of your $ for decent lenses. I use Nikon as the example here as this is what I use and am not familiar with comparable Canon or other offerings. Whilst there are other players in this area like Pentax, Sony etc if you're serious or think you might get serious choosing either Nikon or Canon at this stage could save you a lot of money and grief later.

'Lenses are for life', camera bodies are consumable. A (cheap) obsolete quality camera body with a good lens is capable of excellent results, a modern body with a crap lens will never give excellent results.

On the other hand there are some very good non-interchangeable lens cameras out there that can deliver very good results for comparatively little cost.

Again, from a Nikon perspective, their P series cameras could deliver the goods at a very satisfying cost. :)

Just before Christmas I bought an unused second hand Nikon P520 camera for well under $200.

This is an example of a very good non professional camera that may deliver exactly what the OP wants at a very good price.

18 Mpixels
36X zoom (24 - 1000mm in 35mm equivalent)
f3 - 5.9
lens shift vibration reduction
ISO 80-1600 and up to 12800 (though why would you bother)
and all the manual operations and over ride you would ever want or need (just like a DSLR).

This is a bloody good camera and has the capability to deliver the goods in most situations at very little cost and a good cost effective option for those wanting to learn the ins and outs of photography.

Deano :)

[dullbird]

Deano Im beginning to think you're a camera hoarder [emoji52]

[DeanoH]

Deano Im beginning to think you're a camera hoarder [emoji52]


More like a camera tragic :wasntme:

As a kid used to use an old plate camera with sloooooow sheet film between glass plates and using daylight exposure when developing.

It was interesting to follow this threads references to older gear. I've got two Pentax Spotmatic F's and an ME super in the cupboard along with standard lenses and a couple of after market (Sun & Tamaron) zooms and a Takumar 80-200mm which I've been threatening to throw out but just can't do it. The local cash converters has a mint looking Mamiya 6X7 asking $350, it's enough to make you cry. :BigCry:

The plan was to use the Coolpix as a 'sacrificial' ready use camera whilst traveling while keeping the DX cameras safe from the elements but it's really too good for that.

This sort of weather is murder on non sealed type cameras.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/01/952.jpg (http://s540.photobucket.com/user/DeanoH/media/Desert%20Tracks%202011/Windy%20Camel_zpshxevrumm.jpg.html)

So unless Gav's into this sort of thing an unsealed camera such as D70, 80, 90 or a Coolpix will be fine.

Deano :)

[Homestar]

A big thanks to Mr Marsh who popped in yesterday with his camera and showed me the ins and outs of it. It is a Nikon D7000 and it felt comfortable and I took to it quickly, the auto setting make for easy pictures, but switching things to manual is also easy.

I took some close ups of some plants and I forgot to ask Mick if he could send me these - I hope you haven't deleted them yet? I was going to play around with these on the computer to see what I can do with them. I've got to remember I can play with the image now, not having to rely on the exact shot I've taken. :D

I've got a real taste for it now... :D

Oh, and Mick, if you still have it, can you post the photo of Willow that I took? :D

Willow is one of our Pugs and she is **** scared of cameras as the pic will show. We've been desensitising her by playing around with my old SLR in front of her and late last night she was a lot better, but the photo I'm talking about tells 1000 words...

[Mick_Marsh]

Behold the face of terror!

[cafe latte]

Behold the face of terror!

The alien invasion has begun!! :D
Chris

[DeanoH]

The alien invasion has begun!! :D
Chris

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/01/851.jpg (http://s540.photobucket.com/user/DeanoH/media/Men-in-Black-II_zpsqjeox7ji.jpg.html)

Willow ???........................................ AKA Frank !!!:eek:

Get him some sunnies and he'll be fine :D (it's the flash he doesn't like ;) )


Deano :)

[Homestar]

No, even the clicking of the shutter without the flash sets her off. Both our Pugs are going in for a professional photo shoot in a couple of weeks - they were selected to be in a book a local Melbourne Photographer is putting together, so I hope she can work some magic with Willow or she might get left out! :D

[Bytemrk]

If the book's a comedy...maybe she'll make the front cover :D:D

[DeanoH]

The Nikon D7000 and D7100 (for example) have a Q (quiet) setting which might help.

From D7000 user manual

Quiet shutter-release: (function) As for single frame, except that mirror does not click back into place while shutter-release button is fully pressed, allowing user to control timing of click made by mirror, which is also quieter than in single frame mode. In addition, beep does not sound regardless of setting selected.

Other cameras may have this function as well.

Perhaps playing background music may 'soothe the savage beast' or disguise the shutter noise ?Deano :)

[vogt]

The Canon PowerShot G5 X is a decent option First Contact: Canon PowerShot G5 X (http://thedigitalcamera.net/first-contact-canon-powershot-g5-x/)

[dullbird]

There is a guy in Sydney selling a D7000 body with 7k shutter actuations for $380

Thats on Nikon buy and sell on facebook