Camera for college kid

Steezy_B · May 12, 2014

Ive always been interested in photography but just never really made the jump into it. Surfing is my passion, but I messed up my knee and I'm going to be out of the water for awhile so I thought now would be a good time to take up this hobby. I have a gopro hero black+ that I've used in the water a few times, but I want something much, much better for pictures out of the water. My biggest interest is surf photography, either from the beach or pier. I'm also very interested in nature/landscape and city environment shots.

Im looking for a camera + lens for $700 (used is totally cool if in good/like new condition). Ive been reading that the D90 and Canon 50D are my best bets for what I'm looking to do but, I'm open to any and all suggestions. I've been trying to read up on lenses but I"m pretty confused on what I need. I'd say surfers will be between 100-200 yards away. I'm also considering a 50mm prime for messing around with in the city or in social environments.

All these prices are from keh.com except the last one.
D90 - $450 (like new)
50D - $450 (excellent plus)
60D - $525 (excellent)
D5200 - $540 (like new)
D5100 - $450 (like new)
D3200 (body only) - $420 (like new)
D3200 - $530 (new) w/ 18-55mm and 55-200mm kit lenses (amazon.com)

Thanks

KmH · May 12, 2014

From the beach to shoot surfing you'll need a telephoto lens, say 500 mm.

Sigma makes a pretty nice 150 mm to 500 mm zoom that's about $900 new and $700 used.
Sigma 150-500mm f/5-6.3 AF APO DG OS HSM Telephoto Zoom Lens

Any of those cameras will deliver image quality about the same.

The Nikon D3xxx and D5xxx are 'compact' Nikons and don't have a top LCD or a 2nd command wheel so they require more 'menu diving' to change settings. They also do not have an auto focus motor/screw-dive system in them. If you wanted to buy an older Nikon AF lens you may only have manual focus.
The D90 does have the top LCD, 2nd command wheel ,and the autofocus/screw-drive system.

Canon made some major changes going from the 50D to the 60D. The 60D doesn't have the all metal chassis the 50D has.

TWright33 · May 12, 2014

I literally had a friend this morning tell me he wants to sell his gear

He will have-

D90 Brand new condition
18-105 Lens
Nikon Speedlight (Not sure what model)
Shutter remote

PM me if you are interested, he is motivated to sell

Steezy_B · May 12, 2014

KmH said:
From the beach to shoot surfing you'll need a telephoto lens, say 500 mm.

Sigma makes a pretty nice 150 mm to 500 mm zoom that's about $900 new and $700 used.
Sigma 150-500mm f/5-6.3 AF APO DG OS HSM Telephoto Zoom Lens

Any of those cameras will deliver image quality about the same.

The Nikon D3xxx and D5xxx are 'compact' Nikons and don't have a top LCD or a 2nd command wheel so they require more 'menu diving' to change settings. They also do not have an auto focus motor/screw-dive system in them. If you wanted to buy an older Nikon AF lens you may only have manual focus.
The D90 does have the top LCD, 2nd command wheel ,and the autofocus/screw-drive system.

Canon made some major changes going from the 50D to the 60D. The 60D doesn't have the all metal chassis the 50D has.

Wow I didn't realize I would need a 500mm lens... Those have a pretty hefty price tag! Looks like I'll have to save up a bit more lol, thanks Keith

goodguy · May 12, 2014

From the list you put I would seriously consider the Nikon D5200, its the best camera in the list and while the 90D is situated higher it is an much older camera and in low light condition and picture quality the D5200 will be much better.
To that you can add the Nikon 18-108mm VR for general use and 70-300mm VR for telezoom.

table1349 · May 12, 2014

As a parent I have but one thing to say. YOUR AT COLLEGE TO LEARN NOT PLAY. YOU SHOULD BE STUDYING!!!

The above was a paid message from the Parents Who Sent Kids to College Local 342. :lol:

JoeW · May 12, 2014

goodguy said:
From the list you put I would seriously consider the Nikon D5200, its the best camera in the list and while the 90D is situated higher it is an much older camera and in low light condition and picture quality the D5200 will be much better.
To that you can add the Nikon 18-108mm VR for general use and 70-300mm VR for telezoom.

Here's my 2 cents...

1. The D90 does nothing superbly, it does everything well. I know two wedding shooters (i.e.: they each make their livings shooting weddings) and both have a D90 as their backup body. It just runs and runs and runs and runs. Very reliable, solid camera body.

2. The D5200 will be much lighter and smaller than the D90 (which matters if you aren't used to schlepping camera gear around...the best camera is the one you have with you), it will shoot at higher ISO (meaning it's better in lower light).

Here's one review I stumbled across comparing the two: Nikon D5200 vs D90 - Our Analysis

Frankly, you can't go wrong with either camera.

As for lens, yeah, a 50mm prime is a great lens (especially if it's got an f1.4 or f1.8 aperture so you've got a very narrow DoF and great in low light). But for beach shooting, get yourself a really good zoom that will allow you to shoot surfers and also beach traffic. The reason being...you don't want to be swapping lens on and off your body while there is any wind or spray at all in a sandy environment. When I do a beach shoot, I never swap lens--never. If you're careful, most of the time it won't be a problem but the few times you get sand on the sensor or mirror or inside the camera....ugh!

What you might want to think about doing (especially if you want to shoot surfers now) is to get yourself a lens that you don't intend to keep. So it won't be a zoom...just a telephoto/fixed focal length lens. Especially if it's manual, you can get some decent buys. Or a slow zoom--you can get a Nikon 80-300mm for $100. Now the disadvantage to these lens is the aperture is such that you'll never want to shoot at night or low light. But you'll be shooting on a beach, mostly with some sun. And for shooting surfers from a distance, you aren't going to want an f2.8 aperture...you'll want to open it up to increase your depth of field. Now, lens in this category are not ones you'll want to keep. But rather than waiting to buy a $1,200 f2.8 zoom, you can get something cheaper (it won't be flexible) to shoot surfers while you're on the beach and then eventually replace it in a year.

Now again, a telephoto that is only going to give you 300mm or 400mm is eventually going to be a bear. You'll be shooting surfers in the distance and then see a cute chick on the beach or some birds playing in the surf and you'll want to focus on them--but can't--b/c of your focal length. But if you want to start shooting surfers now, that's a cheap option for you and you'd replace it in a year or two with a better and more versatile zoom.

Steezy_B · May 12, 2014

JoeW said:
goodguy said:

From the list you put I would seriously consider the Nikon D5200, its the best camera in the list and while the 90D is situated higher it is an much older camera and in low light condition and picture quality the D5200 will be much better.
To that you can add the Nikon 18-108mm VR for general use and 70-300mm VR for telezoom.

Click to expand...

Here's my 2 cents...

1. The D90 does nothing superbly, it does everything well. I know two wedding shooters (i.e.: they each make their livings shooting weddings) and both have a D90 as their backup body. It just runs and runs and runs and runs. Very reliable, solid camera body.

2. The D5200 will be much lighter and smaller than the D90 (which matters if you aren't used to schlepping camera gear around...the best camera is the one you have with you), it will shoot at higher ISO (meaning it's better in lower light).

Here's one review I stumbled across comparing the two: Nikon D5200 vs D90 - Our Analysis

Frankly, you can't go wrong with either camera.

As for lens, yeah, a 50mm prime is a great lens (especially if it's got an f1.4 or f1.8 aperture so you've got a very narrow DoF and great in low light). But for beach shooting, get yourself a really good zoom that will allow you to shoot surfers and also beach traffic. The reason being...you don't want to be swapping lens on and off your body while there is any wind or spray at all in a sandy environment. When I do a beach shoot, I never swap lens--never. If you're careful, most of the time it won't be a problem but the few times you get sand on the sensor or mirror or inside the camera....ugh!

What you might want to think about doing (especially if you want to shoot surfers now) is to get yourself a lens that you don't intend to keep. So it won't be a zoom...just a telephoto/fixed focal length lens. Especially if it's manual, you can get some decent buys. Or a slow zoom--you can get a Nikon 80-300mm for $100. Now the disadvantage to these lens is the aperture is such that you'll never want to shoot at night or low light. But you'll be shooting on a beach, mostly with some sun. And for shooting surfers from a distance, you aren't going to want an f2.8 aperture...you'll want to open it up to increase your depth of field. Now, lens in this category are not ones you'll want to keep. But rather than waiting to buy a $1,200 f2.8 zoom, you can get something cheaper (it won't be flexible) to shoot surfers while you're on the beach and then eventually replace it in a year.

Now again, a telephoto that is only going to give you 300mm or 400mm is eventually going to be a bear. You'll be shooting surfers in the distance and then see a cute chick on the beach or some birds playing in the surf and you'll want to focus on them--but can't--b/c of your focal length. But if you want to start shooting surfers now, that's a cheap option for you and you'd replace it in a year or two with a better and more versatile zoom.