First time DSLR buyer - need recommendations

[SnakeBlitz33]

Hello all,

I don't have a huge budget, but I was looking for a good all around Nikon DSLR camera that I could take family photos with, vacations, outdoor pics... and then on the flip side, I need a camera that will also take macro shots - mainly of reef aquariums and fish. I know lenses have a lot to do with the quality of the shot - I just need something that is within a budget of $500-$600 for a body and can take the photos that I need to take. I don't mind investing in two or three lenses to get the shots that I need.

I was looking at a Nikon D90 as a potential camera body to buy - and I was looking into a Tamron 28-300mm Macro AF VR for every day shots and potentially a Sigma 105mm f2.8 macro lens later on down the line when I get more serious. I would really appreciate some advice on all of this. I just want to know if I am making a good choice for some amateurish/beginner photography to help get my feet wet while I learn this new hobby. I don't want to invest in a bunch of equipment and then put it in a closet - I really want to get serious with this photography hobby because I have so many nice things that I can take photos of and share with people. I just want to know that those are good choices for a beginner like me. Thanks for any replies.

 

[SnakeBlitz33]

Anyone?

How about a Nikon D5100? It's about the same price but it has slightly better specs...

 

[SCraig]

Either the D90 and D5100 would be good choices. Don't believe everything that is written as far as the specifications go, the D90 has some features that the D5100 is lacking, such as a built-in autofocus motor, built-in commander mode for off-camera flash, and others. Given a choice between the two (and I did have that choice when I bought my D90) I'd go with the D90 personally.

 

[SnakeBlitz33]

If there is an AF motor in the lens, does the body still have to have an AF motor to be fast and effective? The AF Motor is the primary difference, however, the stats are a little better on a website that compares them side by side - even without the AF Motor in the body. Thoughts?

Thanks for explaining it a little bit.

 

[Solarflare]

If there is an AF motor in the lens, does the body still have to have an AF motor to be fast and effective?

The AF motor is absolutely functionless if your lens is AF-S (or, I think, AF-I ?) instead of AF.

All better Nikon cameras have the AF motor. They also have a second command wheel, better support for flash work, etc.

The D90 is a lot older than the D5100. The advantages of the D5100 are low weight and a flipscreen (which is great especially for things like Macro), as well as a pretty perfect sensor, quite bit better than the D90. However, the D5100 doesnt support better trickery with the flash, such as high speed sync (HSS) for using fill flash in bright sunlight.

All in all I love my D5100, but I wished Nikon would offer us a camera with the flipscreen as well as more advanced features.

 

[SnakeBlitz33]

So, one poster said the D90 is great, you say the D5100 is great. AHHH!!! I'm pulling my hair out. lol

I see in your signature that you are using a Nikkor AF-S lens... You say the motor in the lens is functionless? In other words, you have a Nikon D5100 with a lens that has no working motor - which means you are forced to manually focus every time you want to click shutter? *confused again*

The D90 is almost $250 cheaper than the D5100 used... I was thinking that paying for a more expensive camera body may help with image quality and richness of color.

So, could I get away with some pretty good crisp, clear, color rich, shots for family, wildlife, and reef tank photos with the proper lenses with a Nikon D90 DSLR? (sorry for all the prepositional phrases, I just didn't know how else to phrase it.)

 

[SnakeBlitz33]

Alright - I made up my mind. Im getting the Nikon D90 because of the reviews that I read, the auto focus built in motor and its more practical for my application, I think. I can also find it much cheaper used than I can the D5100, which fits great into my budget for lenses as well.

 

[Helitech]

Hope I don't mess up your decision, but for 50-75 dollars more you can get a used D7000 body usually under 10,000 actuations...

 

[SnakeBlitz33]

ok,...

Now, why is the D7000 recommended over the D90? What extra features or benefits should I be looking for ... with the pictures that I want to take.

 

[SnakeBlitz33]

I am looking on Amazon, as far as buying goes, just so everyone knows. I'm buying used.

My budget is anywhere up to $600 for a camera body. I don't want to go over that because then I won't have enough money for the proper lenses that I am looking at.

A D90 looks like it is going to cost anywhere from $450 to $600 used.
A D80 on there is going from $200 to $350...
A D5100 on there is $400...
A D7000 the cheapest I can find is $715

If I have an AF on a quality lens, do I need an AF on a camera body? Yes or no?!?!

Is a D90 still considered a "semi-pro" camera?

 

[SCraig]

ok,...
Now, why is the D7000 recommended over the D90? What extra features or benefits should I be looking for ... with the pictures that I want to take.

The D7000 has numerous enhancements not on the D90 or lower bodies. Better low-light performance, weather-sealed magnesium chassis, higher ISO, higher shutter speed, longer shutter life, the list goes on.

If I have an AF on a quality lens, do I need an AF on a camera body? Yes or no?!?!

If you have lenses with a autofocus motors in them then you do NOT need an autofocus motor in the camera body. However, if you have lenses without an autofocus motor then you DO need a motor in the camera body. Having the motor in the body gives you access to a lot more lenses since you have the choice of purchasing them with or without the autofocus motor. Lenses without the motor are also normally substantially less expensive. Most of my lenses have the autofocus motor in them and they work fine with camera bodies that also have the autofocus motor.

Is a D90 still considered a "semi-pro" camera?

No, although Nikon does not recognize "semi-pro" as a category. From the D3000 through the D7000 is generally recognized as being consumer grade. D600 through the D800 is generally recognized as being "Prosumer" grade, and D3-D4 being professional grade.

 

[Helitech]

No you do not need the focus motor on the lens if there is one on the body... Camera wise, the D7000 has more focus points (39, D90 has 11), you get 16.2 megapixels, 2 slots for memory cards, a wider ISO range, and continuous autofocus for video mode (if you ever decide to use it for that)...

Either way though you can't go wrong... The d90 is a great camera and I use one as a back up to my D7000... But if I could flex my budget just a little bit, I would definitely go for the D7000... eBay and Fredmiranda.com (another forum) has had them go in the mid 600's to mid 700's depending on the number of actuations... But keep in mind that the shutter is rated at 150,000... Good luck on your search! Let us know what you decide!

 

[KenC]

From your list of photographic objectives I'm not sure I understand why you need an SLR. A "bridge" camera will take very good photos of everything you've listed, including macro shots, will capture raw files just like an SLR, allowing you maximum flexibility in processing, and most have image stabilization. You could pick up a Canon G15 for $500 new:

Canon PowerShot G15 Digital Camera 6350B001 B&H Photo Video

or if you can find a previous model, like the G12 (B&H Photo no longer lists it, but maybe someone else does), you could probably get it for closer to $400. If you want a Nikon specifically, I'm sure they have something equivalent for around the same price.

 

[goodguy]

From your list of photographic objectives I'm not sure I understand why you need an SLR. A "bridge" camera will take very good photos of everything you've listed, including macro shots, will capture raw files just like an SLR, allowing you maximum flexibility in processing, and most have image stabilization. You could pick up a Canon G15 for $500 new:

Canon PowerShot G15 Digital Camera 6350B001 B&H Photo Video

or if you can find a previous model, like the G12 (B&H Photo no longer lists it, but maybe someone else does), you could probably get it for closer to $400. If you want a Nikon specifically, I'm sure they have something equivalent for around the same price.

Owning a Nikon D7000 and a Canon G15 I agree the G15 is a great little camera even though it still cant compete with the D7000 especaly in low light.

500$ for a G15 ?

I got mine for 380$+Tax new from the camera store.

Bottom line if you dont have your mind set on a DSLR the G15 will be a great companion for all your needs.

 

[SnakeBlitz33]

Thanks for all the recommendations.

The d7000 seems like a nice camera.

I really want a nice camera. I have always bought those cheapo throw away cameras and i think it is about time i get a quality camera. Nikon dslr's fit the bill i think. I want something that will last over time and something upgradable. I dont want a toy to take pictures with. I dont want something i would give my daughter to take pics of her friends with. I think its time for me to get a nice camera.

The main reason i want to get a nice camera is for macro photography on reef tanks so that i can get some original photos for my book and website. A point and shoot camera wont give me the same quality i am looking for, i dont believe.

Ill look more into the d7000 and figure out where to get one soon. Thanks for all the links and the help. Keep it coming.