New camera - newbie in choosing

[robbins.photo]

I'm personally looking for equipment that will provide me with professional results more like, I'd personally buy a new camera. As for choosing between what I'd like to capture I'd go for landscapes/nature I suppose though I'd be equally interested in portraits too. And I'll definitely go for photos mainly, not so much for video.

In fact, since I'm going to be visiting some of the bigger European cities, capitals actually starting with London, in a couple of months that's mainly the reason why I want to get a camera before I go. I want to be able to make photos while being in the city (guess that doesn't really count as landscape so...)

Well if photography is something you think you'll be doing fairly regularly I'd recommend the nikon d5200. If it's something you'll only use occasionally for vacations and trips the d3200.

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Sorry, I just saw they have in stock Nikon D3200 only? Guess it's still better to stick to that one instead of Sony? The main difference that I see is that Sony's got ISO 100-16000 but the Nikon one's expandable to 25600 while it has 6400 (as well as the megapixels)? What does the 'expandable' thing mean though, it depends on the lens? And one more thing, it's said there's an auto focus with the kit lens, that doesn't mean you can't adjust the focus yourself, right? I'm sorry for probably the idiotic questions but I've been considering to get a camera for maybe 2 years now and I really wanna make sure I'm making the right choice. :er:

The important thing to look at for ISO isn't so much how high the ISO can get, but rather the high ISO to noise ratio. It really doesn't do you much good to have a huge ISO if all of the shots you take are going to be so noisy that they aren't worth keeping. I think you'll find the Nikon superior to the Sony in this regard, it has pretty much the best low noise to high iso ability for anything in your price range.

Now don't get me wrong, a lot of folks shoot Sony and love it, but pound for pound I think you'll be a lot happier in the long run with the Nikon.

 

[goodguy]

Canon, Sony and others offer a lot of cameras but when talking about dynamic range and low light performance Nikon has the edge.
Sony a65 is a nice camera but not as good as the more modern D5200.
As R.P said dont get too caught up about how high ISO cameras can reach, on crop sensor cameras like the D5200, T5i, a65 its completly pointless to go above 6400 ISO and with some cameras even that is too high because you will get too much noise in your picture.
More important then the camera is the photographer, get the camera as soon as you can and learn how to work with it, best camera in the world will produce crappy images if the photographer doesnt know what he is doing, camera is just a tool!!!

As for lenses, well every lens has its own speciality that it does well, a kit lens to the D5200 like the 18-105mm VR is a good all around lens, you can do landscape with it, portaits and some moderate animal shots.
There are other lenses that will specializing in each of these tasks and will give you better results but each cast money and you will find lenses are actually much more expensive then the camera so first get a kit lens that will do lots of things for yu fairly well and then in time you will learn yourself what you need and what you dont.
The D5200 can give you pictures that will satisfy all your needs, if you dont need it to work in a professional role then this will be all the camera you will need and then some.

 

[Deneuve]

I do know it's not good for the ISO to be high but I haven't really figured out when people use ISO 800? I know it's fine to use 100-200 when shooting landscapes though. As for the Sony - I was pretty sure Nikon is better in that case but I just saw it in the top offers so I wanted to be sure what the difference between the two was.

Now, I'm officially getting the D5200 on Monday but the thing is there are different sort of kits with different prices. For example there's one with just the body + the 18-55mm lens + SD + remote control / body + SD + tripod etc. So the best bargain the shop offers in terms of money too is body + 18-55mm lens + 55-200mm lens + bag + SD. I wanted to ask finally what's the difference between the two lenses I mean if you can explain when it'll be better to use the 18-55mm one and when - the 55-200mm?

 

[JerryLove]

I do know it's not good for the ISO to be high but I haven't really figured out when people use ISO 800? I know it's fine to use 100-200 when shooting landscapes though. As for the Sony - I was pretty sure Nikon is better in that case but I just saw it in the top offers so I wanted to be sure what the difference between the two was.

You use ISO 800 when the available conditions dictate it.

Say you are shooting with a non IS/VC 200mm F4 in moderate light... you are going to have to allow your ISO up to get a good pic.

Now, I'm officially getting the D5200 on Monday but the thing is there are different sort of kits with different prices. For example there's one with just the body + the 18-55mm lens + SD + remote control / body + SD + tripod etc. So the best bargain the shop offers in terms of money too is body + 18-55mm lens + 55-200mm lens + bag + SD. I wanted to ask finally what's the difference between the two lenses I mean if you can explain when it'll be better to use the 18-55mm one and when - the 55-200mm?

Focal length - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[Designer]

Both those lenses are what most consider "beginner" grade lenses. That is the kit I bought; I got both those same lenses and they are fine for learning with.

My problem is the bag. That little bag is too small to be of any realistic use, especially if you want to carry both lenses with you.

The small cheap tripod is something you can use, although it is not great. The main advantage I see is that it fits in my new bag, which is "carry-on" size.

The IR remote control is worth about $15, so no big deal there.

Depending on the read/write speed of the SD card, that could be nice or just so-so. Don't worry about that though, because you'll be buying more of them anyway as time goes on.

So I think you should go for the two-lens deal as you will be wanting a better tripod anyway.

 

[Deneuve]

I do know it's not good for the ISO to be high but I haven't really figured out when people use ISO 800? I know it's fine to use 100-200 when shooting landscapes though. As for the Sony - I was pretty sure Nikon is better in that case but I just saw it in the top offers so I wanted to be sure what the difference between the two was.

You use ISO 800 when the available conditions dictate it.

Say you are shooting with a non IS/VC 200mm F4 in moderate light... you are going to have to allow your ISO up to get a good pic.

Now, I'm officially getting the D5200 on Monday but the thing is there are different sort of kits with different prices. For example there's one with just the body + the 18-55mm lens + SD + remote control / body + SD + tripod etc. So the best bargain the shop offers in terms of money too is body + 18-55mm lens + 55-200mm lens + bag + SD. I wanted to ask finally what's the difference between the two lenses I mean if you can explain when it'll be better to use the 18-55mm one and when - the 55-200mm?

Focal length - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Apart from that, I thought there were some other details that sort of define if a lower/higher ISO is required. I don't want to keep it high because of the noise indeed. Thank you for the link too, I'll make sure to check it out right away!

Both those lenses are what most consider "beginner" grade lenses. That is the kit I bought; I got both those same lenses and they are fine for learning with.

My problem is the bag. That little bag is too small to be of any realistic use, especially if you want to carry both lenses with you.

The small cheap tripod is something you can use, although it is not great. The main advantage I see is that it fits in my new bag, which is "carry-on" size.

The IR remote control is worth about $15, so no big deal there.

Depending on the read/write speed of the SD card, that could be nice or just so-so. Don't worry about that though, because you'll be buying more of them anyway as time goes on.

So I think you should go for the two-lens deal as you will be wanting a better tripod anyway.

I wasn't sure which kit to go for because unfortunately I can't get the body and the 18-55mm lens alone so from all the kits available, I guess the 2-lenses one is best indeed. I just wanted to make sure it won't be a waste of money after all.

 

[JerryLove]

Apart from that, I thought there were some other details that sort of define if a lower/higher ISO is required. I don't want to keep it high because of the noise indeed. Thank you for the link too, I'll make sure to check it out right away!

That I am aware of: you shoot at the native ISO (usually 100) wherever possible, unless the compromises some other aspect of the photo (such as desired F or shutter speed).

 

[goodguy]

When a camera shop offers me some kind of a "Package deal" I tend to be VERY skeptic and very careful, usually they offer low quality stuff.
I would rather just buy the camera and kit lens and choose other stuff I will need myself.
It might look more expensive but the quality will be better.
They also might sell you stuff you doesnt really need.

18-55mm kit lens is the most basic lens Nikon has, its not a bad lens, it will get the job done but I like the Nikon 18-105mm VR better, it will give you much more flexibility in one lens.
Nikon 55-200mm is not a lens many like too much, its not the sharpest lens on the planet.

 

[Designer]

I just wanted to make sure it won't be a waste of money after all.

For me, it is not a waste of money. You are getting a decent camera and lenses with which to learn the craft. Eventually, if you progress beyond the beginner stage, you will want to upgrade both the body and lenses, and obtain additional equipment as well, but these things may be years down the road.

 

[JerryLove]

For me, it is not a waste of money. You are getting a decent camera and lenses with which to learn the craft. Eventually, if you progress beyond the beginner stage, you will want to upgrade both the body and lenses, and obtain additional equipment as well, but these things may be years down the road.

I tend to get the best lenses I can. I save the most money in the long run by not upgrading lenses over and over.

 

[goodguy]

I tend to get the best lenses I can. I save the most money in the long run by not upgrading lenses over and over.

Amen, I totally agree, buy best lens you can afford now and save on upgrading later, in the long run its the cheapest way to go.

 

[minicoop1985]

You use ISO 800 when the available conditions dictate it.

Or, you use ISO 800 in bright light outdoors because you're not used to your camera quite yet and forgot to look at the top display... :er:

The Nikon D5200 is a fine camera, but also take a peek at the Canon Rebel lineup (I don't know what the top Rebel is at the moment) and the Sony A67. You'll be able to better understand what works for you if you play with them all in person. While low light performance and the like are very important things to consider, your ability to actually use them is another large consideration. This is one of the many reasons I chose my camera-the controls seem logical to ME.

 

[Deneuve]

When a camera shop offers me some kind of a "Package deal" I tend to be VERY skeptic and very careful, usually they offer low quality stuff.
I would rather just buy the camera and kit lens and choose other stuff I will need myself.
It might look more expensive but the quality will be better.
They also might sell you stuff you doesnt really need.

18-55mm kit lens is the most basic lens Nikon has, its not a bad lens, it will get the job done but I like the Nikon 18-105mm VR better, it will give you much more flexibility in one lens.
Nikon 55-200mm is not a lens many like too much, its not the sharpest lens on the planet.

I am skeptical as well, that's why I asked what to choose in the first place. Unfortunately I can't get the camera and the basic lens only, everything in the shop's arranged in kits so I don't really have much choice.

I just wanted to make sure it won't be a waste of money after all.

For me, it is not a waste of money. You are getting a decent camera and lenses with which to learn the craft. Eventually, if you progress beyond the beginner stage, you will want to upgrade both the body and lenses, and obtain additional equipment as well, but these things may be years down the road.

I suppose then it's worth it since, as I said, so far photography's a hobby.

For me, it is not a waste of money. You are getting a decent camera and lenses with which to learn the craft. Eventually, if you progress beyond the beginner stage, you will want to upgrade both the body and lenses, and obtain additional equipment as well, but these things may be years down the road.

I tend to get the best lenses I can. I save the most money in the long run by not upgrading lenses over and over.

I don't think I'm able to invest large amounts of money at this point since photography's not my profession. I'm more like trying to find myself in terms of what to study in university since I've got 2 and a half years to decide. To be honest, I'd do that too as well but as I said previously from the kits available, this is the only one that doesn't contain something I don't really want, I mean, I don't really need the remote control for example...

 

[Deneuve]

You use ISO 800 when the available conditions dictate it.

Or, you use ISO 800 in bright light outdoors because you're not used to your camera quite yet and forgot to look at the top display... :er:

The Nikon D5200 is a fine camera, but also take a peek at the Canon Rebel lineup (I don't know what the top Rebel is at the moment) and the Sony A67. You'll be able to better understand what works for you if you play with them all in person. While low light performance and the like are very important things to consider, your ability to actually use them is another large consideration. This is one of the many reasons I chose my camera-the controls seem logical to ME.

The Sony one isn't currently available. As for Canon, could you list exact models? I really can't make up my mind, please, don't tell me it's going to be a waste of money because I read so many positive reviews about the D5200 and I really hope I'll be able to take the photos I need and yes, I have less than 24h until I visit the shop.

 

[Designer]

Consider this: If the camera shop has priced a complete bundle of components, and you go in and suggest that they delete the two kit lenses and add in one other lens, (which they may or may not stock) and come up with their best price; they are going to subtract only a small portion of the price for holding out the two kit lenses, but will add in the full price of the better lens at retail. Now you will end up with a better lens, but probably end up paying the same as before. This is not a bad strategy, as you will have a better lens, but do not assume you are going to save money at the same time.

Good luck!