Canon t5 vs Nikon D5300

[robbins.photo]

The VR version will look like this:

Nikon Zoom-Nikkor Telephoto Zoom Lens for Nikon F - 70mm-300mm - F/4.5-5.6

You'll see the VR stamped on it, as well as switches on the side that will allow it to go from manual focus to autofocus, and enable/disable the VR.

 

[sondrapage]

Nikon D5300

The link posted above is the actual craigslist post. The picture does show the VR button, but it doesn't look exactly like the one you posted in your link.

 

[waday]

Just an FYI, the D5300 (body only) is selling new for $600, not $700.

I'd still run.

 

[robbins.photo]

Well the 50mm lens he's including is the D model, so it won't autofocus on the D5300. The 70-300mm does appear to have the VR switches on it but I guess i'd be a little concerned that it wouldn't focus indoors. Zoomed all the way out to 300mm in bad lighting I can see that it might want to hunt a bit, but unless the light level was pretty low it should be able to obtain focus.

If it were me I'd want to take a picture with the camera itself and verify the shutter count on my own - I wouldn't trust this guy to tell me what the real shutter count is - I'd also check to make sure this is actually a D5300, and not perhaps a D5200 or D5100. The other thing I'd probably check is the serial number, and make sure it is actually a US serial and not something he bought grey market. So far at least the sellers level of knowledge has left me less than impressed.

Ok, well in all honesty I'd probably pass at this point myself - just too many ??? in here for my comfort level.

 

[goodguy]

If you decide to go with new then my advice is get the Nikon D3300 which is also superior to the Canon T5
It has a better and newer sensor then the 9 years old sensor in the T5 and these 2 cameras should cost you about the same.
Here is a review comparison between these 2 cameras

 

[sondrapage]

If you decide to go with new then my advice is get the Nikon D3300 which is also superior to the Canon T5
It has a better and newer sensor then the 9 years old sensor in the T5 and these 2 cameras should cost you about the same.
Here is a review comparison between these 2 cameras

That was an informative video. Thanks for that!
Is the Nikon D3300 a good camera to be an amateur photographer? I am trying to build my portfolio so I plan on taking a lot of photos. But getting my name out there is a slow start up process of course. Would this handle an indoor wedding just fine? Would I need a high end lens to make this possible? Sorry for so many questions. I like to get as much information about items that are a large purchase. Thanks in advance!

 

[sondrapage]

I am sorry to be so indecisive but I had another thought cross my mind. I currently own the Sony Nex 3N and Sony Nex 5 bodies, along with two additional lenses. Would it be beneficial to just upgrade the body to the Sony a6000? Is this a sufficient camera for what I mentioned above? (Low lit indoor weddings, portraits, outdoor photos, etc). The body is more expensive initially but I already have lenses that would fit it. I wasn't sure if a DSLR in general would be better or not. I appreciate all advice given. Thanks!

 

[goodguy]

If you decide to go with new then my advice is get the Nikon D3300 which is also superior to the Canon T5
It has a better and newer sensor then the 9 years old sensor in the T5 and these 2 cameras should cost you about the same.
Here is a review comparison between these 2 cameras

That was an informative video. Thanks for that!
Is the Nikon D3300 a good camera to be an amateur photographer? I am trying to build my portfolio so I plan on taking a lot of photos. But getting my name out there is a slow start up process of course. Would this handle an indoor wedding just fine? Would I need a high end lens to make this possible? Sorry for so many questions. I like to get as much information about items that are a large purchase. Thanks in advance!

I shoot professionally with my Nikon D3300 weddings, birthdays, baby shower, Bar Mitzva......etc
So the D3300 can absolutely do the job!!!
The 3 more important parts for event photography are
1.Your Skills
2.Flash
3.Lenses

Lets start with your skills, skills are the most important thing, photography is a profession, the easiest part is to buy the tools but to know how to use them is a whole different ball game, it takes time to learn it and be good at it and I am not talking about few weeks

Flash is the easiest part, get a third party flash and you are set, I know Yongnuo just came out with the new 660 model which I heard is very impressive and its less then 100$ new.

Lenses are the most expensive part, I found that fast lenses are very important so you can blur the background.
Prime lenses can do the job and will not be super expensive, some photographers will work mostly or only with primes, primes has their advantages, I tried primes and I found that it totally doesn't work for me but that's my style, I use Nikon 24-70mm 2.8G and Tamron 70-200mm 2.8 VC
These are my main 2 workhorses which does 95% of my events, I got few more lenses which I might use depends of the situation but we can talk about that some other time.
There are fast zoom lenses which can be bought used for a fraction of what new Nikon lenses will cost and those will do the work very well
As an example you have Tamron 28-75mm 2.8 and Sigma 70-200mm 2.8 which can be bought for less then 400$ used.
If you want to go the prime way then few cheap and good primes are
Nikon 35mm 1.8G DX
Nikon 50mm 1.8G
And more expensive is but still reasonably affordable Nikon 85mm 1.8G

Sony a6000 is a good camera but most pro event users will use Canon or Nikon, these systems simply have a much bigger lens selection and many third party lenses selection while Sony is far more limited.
While I am sure you can shot a wedding with a Sony a6000 I still think its better to go Nikon or Canon here.
One more thing which I understand is that mirrorless will have harder time to lock focus in lower light situation but this is what I read with no real lifetime experience.

If you have any questions you are welcome to PM me, I will be happy to help if I can.