Advice Please...

[Jussy]

I have a few questions about what camera body (and eventually lenses) would be best for my wife who is just learning photography. A little background...She is a painter/sculpter/make-up artist looking to start photography as a "semi professional hobby" (I think it will turn into a full time gig as she is already AMAZING and loves it). I don't know for sure what she will end up wanting to shoot but I can say 100% for sure it will not be weddings...she hates that idea. She has done a lot of makeup for fashion and the film industry and gets a lot of inspiration from there...

I am looking for advice on what camera body to buy her for her birthday coming up very soon. She will ultimately be able to exchange this so its not a huge risk but I'd like to get it right. I do know she only wants a Nikon.

So it's between the D300s, D7000 and D700. Mostly between the D7000 and D700 a pro photographer friend of mine recommended. I can get the D7000 for half the price of the D700 locally. Actually less than half. I am not too sure about the D300s but I have been told not to bother.

Based on the camera you think is best, can you recommend a few lenses...I know this is probably a very personal thing and she should choose but maybe there are a few basics I can buy?

Im hoping someone can give me advice...I know you probably need more info but Im not sure what else I can say right now.

Thanks!!!

 

[Dillard]

You're trying to compare apples to oranges here. The D700 is a full frame camera while the D7000 camera is a DX. I'll let some of the more knowledgeable folks chime in, but the 700 will be a much larger investment long term with both body and glass.

 

[rexbobcat]

Buy the Nikon 35mm f/1.8
It's cheap, and has good quality.

Another lens that's good for portraiture is an 85mm prime lens.

For a standard lens, look at the Nikon 18-55mm to start. Or, if you're willing to spend a little bit more, look at the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8

I don't know enough about consumer Nikon telephoto lens to recommend anything there.

Maybe a 55-200mm?

 

[Jussy]

The more I read, the more I realize this (comparing apples to oranges). Thank you guys. Money is part of the decision but at the same time, I do believe this will become much more than a hobby to her as she really wants to move away from painting/doing make up professionally and I know during photo shoots, she always wishes she was shooting and not standing around doing make up So if the D7000 will end up being a disappointment years down the road then I don't want to waste the money now. I guess I was wondering if there was a big jump in performance between the two. Keep in mind I know nothing about any of this...although I do know there is much more to it than just the body.

 

[Dillard]

the D7000 is a spectacular camera. It won't be a let down, although if your going to be making this hobby become more professional, the D700 might be the way to go.

 

[Jussy]

the D7000 is a spectacular camera. It won't be a let down, although if your going to be making this hobby become more professional, the D700 might be the way to go.

I'm quite sure it will become more professional than hobby and if that was the case, I assume the D7000 would limit her or hold her back a little? I assume pro photographers really would not be using a D7000?

 

[Jussy]

This is what I was considering if I got her the D7000. Keep in mind I am in Canada when looking at prices. I know the prices are higher than in the US...or would the body only for $1079 be a better buy? I guess Im wondering if that lense is worth $300? If I went with the D700, it is $2399 for the body only. I have not found a better price locally.

Nikon D7000 with AF-S DX 18-105mm VR Lens : Broadway Camera, Your Specialty Camera Store in Vancouver, Canada

 

[Jussy]

Anyone else? I am having a really hard time deciding because of the big price difference. Not only the price of the body but the price difference between FX and DX lenses too.

Maybe I should ask this way...for someone in their first year of photography (and will be getting into it slowly), would the D7000 be a good fit?

 

[KmH]

The D700 is past the end of it's product cycle and is past due for replacement in Nikon's lineup.

The earthquale/tsunami's epicenter was close to Sendai, Japan which is where Nikon manufactures it's full frame gear.

Then the massive flooding in Thailand destroyed most of the equipment at Nikon's manufacturing facilitiy where the consumer grade, crop sensor camera/lenses are made.

Consequently the launching of new product for both Nikon and Canon is way behind schedule.

I would recommend the D700 over the D7000 even though the D700 is a bit long in the tooth. The D700 is by no means obsolete.

The D7000 is Nikon's most capable consumer grade or entry-level camera, but the D7000 lacks many of the featues desireable for a more professional approach to doing photography, particularly portraiture.

Consider that the D7000 is a much newer camera design than the D700, and while the newer D7000's performance approaches the performance of the older D700, we can only imagine what the D700's eminent replacement (D800?) will be capable of.

 

[cgipson1]

Any professional will need at least two bodies! (in case one breaks or fails, you need a backup!) Having one DX body and one FX body can have it's advantages...

Another thing to look at is the difference in sensors... they both have pros and cons. The DX (crop sensor like in the D7000/D300) has better depth of field for close up / macro work. The FX sensors (D700) are awesome for low light, and for shots where shallower DOF is usual. (and yes.. there are many more things to consider than just the ones I listed!) lol!

If she is just starting to get serious.. get the lower priced unit that will do the job. That way.. if she decides later to not pursue photography, you are not out so much. If she stays with it.. use the lower price body for a backup, and get the FX body.

Buy only FX lenses.. as they will work on both bodies...and that way they will be fully interchangeable. The lenses (glass) are more important than the bodies for image quality, as long as the body is not holding your back feature wise.

The D7000 is a very new body.. lots of the latest greatest technology in it and it does very well. The only other DX I would recommend is the D300.. which is a bit dated tech wise, and there is a replacement on the horizon.

The D700 is an excellent body.. but again, slightly dated.. and there is a new version coming out (per rumor) in early 2012.

Personally.. I would go D7000 and buy some good lenses.. rather than buy the D700 and not have money for decent lenses. There are those here that may feel differently.. but that is life! lol!

 

[Jussy]

Thanks guys! cgipson1, actually I think your advice is perfect. She could start with the D7000 and it would either become her back up body or if nothing else, a great hobby camera. In the meantime the D700 replacement will come out and she can consider that. I think part of my hesitation with the cost of the D700 right now is that she is NOT a pro and I don't know if she knows what she wants yet, let alone do I know what she wants!

 

[KmH]

The D700 is not a Pro camera.

 

[Jussy]

The D700 is not a Pro camera.

Why? Seems like a lot of professional photographers are using it...

 

[Nikon_Josh]

The D700 is not a Pro camera.

It is one of Nikon's higher end models. I notice your keen to point out that a Nikon D7000 is an ENTRY LEVEL camera and the D300S is a SEMI PRO camera and a D700 is not a PRO camera on every thread concerning the matter. Why are these titles so crucially important to you?

 

[Jussy]

So decided to get the D7000 as it was on sale right now. Body only. It can become her back up body if she gets serious enough.

I think she should buy FX lenses just in case she does end up with a D700 or D800. There were a few mentioned above which I will look into but can anyone recommend a decent all round lens in the price range of $600? Or does she need to spend more? I know "all round lens" might be a little vague and open ended so I could say "something to get her started" but I also don't want to buy her something that will end up obsolete in a year or two. I'd rather get something that can remain part of her pro equipment if she ends up that serious.

Thanks again for all the help! It's been great getting some feedback and I feel really good about her starting off with the D7000! I hope she feels the same LOL