Returning to photography which camera

expat42451 · Apr 11, 2011

Many years ago I shot 35 SLR's-- primarily Nikon and Cannon--as well as processing my own transparencies. Quite a number of years ago I purchased a Sony digital camera but could not get the art of framing a shot without a viewfinder.....this was long enough ago where a large image sensor had 2 megapixels. Disgust with my inability to use this camera effectively led me away from the hobby.

So I miss making photos. I have done a fair amount of online research and have decided to stick with Nikon--although I would consider other brands. Question is which camera.

The main qualifier for me is that I want to be in somewhere slightly under or around $1000 for the body and a good general purpose lens-- and think I will add a telephoto and wide angle as I see how my enjoyment of the hobby goes. One other large qualifier is that I want whatever I buy to be rugged enough to be able to throw it in a backpack for an upcoming trip to South America.

Having talked to both Cameta and Adorama, having read Ken Rockwell's site extensively, having read DP Review on different models, I am still somewhat undecided.....both Cameta and Adorama recommended the Nikon D90 body. At either place I can get a used body and refurbed lens for inside of $1000. I looked and asked and neither would recommend the 3000, 3100. 5000, or 5100 because of the ruggedness factor......The 7000 is a beautiful camera but above my budget at this time. I also have considered the D300 but it again is above my budget--but find that it is recommended over the 7000 for my use. Realistically the 7000 probably is more camera than I would ever need ditto the D300..although I am under the impression that the 300 is more of a professional camera from build quality......

What I would appreciate is guidance on which way to go here. One qualifier is what type of photographer am I..... From my 35 MM days I do like to be able to control camera settings but can see where point and shoot makes more opportunities available. Having processed my own film but having done almost nothing with digital post processing programs, I am amazed at what is possible now in post processing particularly in shooting RAW.

Adding to this I can never envision ever wanting to take movies with an SLR so thats not important..........so the question remains....D 90? D 300 or 300s (and bust the budget) or.....

Any advice would be appreciated. I have tried to portray what limited abilities I have here realistically in helping the experienced photographers here to know where to start with my trying to build a new kit. Additionally I have lurked here a bit and am impressed with the talent. Thanks for the excellent forum.

expat42451

jaomul · Apr 11, 2011

Hi Expat42451,

I have a canon 50D which is a fairly rugged camera probably the same size and simailar spec to the Nikon d90. I have used my friends nikon d90 and loved it, more than my own canon but I am commited now with lenses etc. The Nikon seems a solid camera and has every manual setting you would probably ever need, it shoots 4.5 frames a second if needed and most importanly takes great quality photographs.

The one thing I noticed with the Nikon is that you can shoot RAW and post process if you want but the jpeg photographs that it gives are better in my opinion than a lot of other DSLRs that I have seen. If you check out flickr or other sites and see the quality of pictures possible with your shortlist of cameras,i'm sure this will help you make up your mind. If it was me I wouldnt hesitate to buy the d90 which should be at a bargain price now with the 7000 being the new kid on the block,
hope this is of some help

table1349 · Apr 11, 2011

My guess is that Mobile Alabama has a photography shop or two. Go there and check out the different systems. See which system meets your needs and which bodies are comfortable in your hands as far as control layouts. Check the menu layout as well. Then start narrowing it down to the systems that meet those needs and your price range. A question like yours begs every fan boy to express how wonderful their system is. And for them it may be. For you it may not be. Keep in mind that you are not buying a camera, you are buying a system so don't just look at today but to the future needs.

mrpink · Apr 11, 2011

Bust the budget, get the weather sealed, all metal bodied D300. I shoot with a D90 and I am very aware of the plastic lens mount- I would not be tossing it into a pack for a South American adventure trip.

p!nK

expat42451 · Apr 11, 2011

jamoul, gryphonslair99 and Mr. pink

Thanks very much for the excellent information. I agree about the "systems approach" to putting the kit together....

I have handled the D 3000,5000 and 7000 at shops here in Mobile. I have always liked the idea of Nikon, specifically being able to within reason migrate pieces--notably the lenses--to a newer body. Lots of systems are capable of that though.....

Interesting to note that this whole search started out quite a number of months ago with my looking at point and shoot rugged cameras--and realizing that the quality I wanted out of photos was not there, mainly due to sensor and lens size..

In my search I have found that for the most part, one can burn up $1000 pretty quickly-- but at this point I am tending to go with the D 300 rather than the S 90 due to ruggedness..... admittedly the D300 is not the newest technology out there but looking at the D300 on DPReview, particularly at photo quality, and noise at higher ISO's it looks like the 300 will do what I want, particularly when paired with a piece of glass like the Nikkor 18-200 lens. What else that is nice to see is that Nikon still is providing support for this camera although the D 300S and the D300sDX are out---with a D300 firmware update as recently as 6/18/10 available from their website. Part of the newer firmware hopefully will improve white balance in auto mode....Hard to beat Nikon support.

Any critique would be more than welcome on my leaning toward the D300 and the lens I mentioned here. Ken Rockwell swears by this lens selection.

Thanks to all of you for the kind interest and taking the time to reply.

Expat42451

o hey tyler · Apr 11, 2011

Just keep in mind that the 18-200 will not do well in low light, like any kit lens. You may want to pick up a cheap 50mm too.

kundalini · Apr 11, 2011

The D300 is a nice piece of kit. Mine still kicks out great shots........ when I do my part first.

The technology may be a few years old, but it is good technology. I don't shoot it as much now, but I like having a cropped sensor at times. It'll be upgraded only when the time comes that it can't be repaired.

flatflip · Apr 11, 2011

I would guess that a used D90 is several hundred cheaper than a used D300. I saw a used D300 on craigslist today for $950. I would personally rather take a $600 camera on an international trip. I would like to second that 50mm lens recommendation for low light performance. Maybe consider a $500 - $700 sigma zoom with a larger aperture than the Nikon 18-200.

expat42451 · Apr 11, 2011

o hey tyler--agreed about the necessity for a low light lens, something like the Nikon AF 50 f 1.8 maybe? ....kundalini thanks for the view from a 300 owner with some shots and time on the clock...flatflip, good suggestion-- I ve traveled in Latin America pretty extensively and have been either fortunate or lucky or a combination of both, having not experienced equipment loss there....also thanks for the suggestion on a different lens-

I may have a line on an individual locally with a D 300 body and the Nikon 18-200 MM lens. I know a lot would depend on condition but can anyone give me a bracket of figures? Is it a good idea to take the serial # of a camera bought used from an individual and check it with Nikon for mfg date &c?

Many thanks to everyone here for the interest and expertise in helping me out.

expat42451

Ginu · Apr 12, 2011

I have a D90 and used the 18-200 for the first two years of owning the setup and I have to say that I am slowly trying to get away from the super telephoto zoom lens. Distortion is a fairly big factor and I find that the lens is best at the mid range.

Just recently I picked up a plastic 25$ used Nikon 28-80 f3.5/5.6 and I have to say the lens is quite a bit faster and sharper, so noways I mostly use the 25$ lens and I'm really contemplating selling the 18-200 for a 80-200 2.8 lens or perhaps a fast third party 2.8 mid zoom lens; haven't decided quite yet.

The 18-200 is a nice lens but it sucks in low light conditions not to mention distortion at the wide angle. Recently I just picked up a SB 600 and used it for a staff party (around 150 people in a pub with pretty crappy lightning) with the 18-200 and I got some beautiful pictures. The advantage of going wide or telephoto is definitely a plus.

With that being said personally I would suggest the D7000 over the D300 or D300s but that's just me. I have a few friends who are into photography and they would always buy a new body and used lens over a used body but everyone is different. To me having the warranty still valid for the full 2 years from the moment purchased is what matters, unless the price was right and that point I would be taking a gamble.

expat42451 · Apr 12, 2011

Ginu

Thanks very much for the input....... I still am not certain what I may do yet-- Interesting the comments about the warranty--- Have been reading several places about Nikon repairs on the D 300 particularly shutter failures and other odds and ends..... and the price of a non warranty repair from Nikon for say a shutter could go a long way towards paying for a good used lens of some type.....
Also thanks very much for the telephoto comment---I had not considered wide angle distortion on that lens until you mentioned it......

Thanks. Hope to be able to have something and start posting pics here in another few days....
Expat42451

mrpink · Apr 12, 2011

One more thing.... stop reading ken rockwell's site like it is the gospel. It is one mans opinion, nothing more.

p!nK

expat42451 · Apr 12, 2011

Pink

I pay attention to everybody who knows more than I do

--means I pay a lot of attention to a lot of people

Expat

And besides I ve been trying to figure out how I can get a couple of comparatively good used lens to go with what may turn out to be a used D300S and not break the piggy bank any more than I already have..

expat42451 · Apr 13, 2011

Well...... After finally becoming completely disgusted with Craigs' List (trying to find a bargain on either a 300 or a 300s) I could not stand it any more....showing a small shred of respect for money matters I bought a new D 7000, the 18-105 3.5 Nikor and the Nikor 50 MM 1.8. A local camera store had the 7000 kitted with the zoom at pretty much the same price I could have purchased for at any of the mail order houses. Plus being new to the SLR side of digital I wanted access to some local knowledge.

I am completely overwhelmed at what the camera will do---not just the auto mode--I have played with that a bit and have been amazed by it...... but a lot more time in shutter, aperture and manual modes....I have been messing about since nightfall using higher ISO settings and shooting the 50 MM inside in existing light , manual mode, then plugging in to the computer, uploading and looking at quality..... Just unbelievable!!! I really like the 50 MM and what it is capable of. Been spending a lot of time in the Nikon book as well (pretty horrid isnt it at some things) as well as shooting photos and trying different things....... I loaded the Nikon software-- I have not done any post processing yet-- but what a discovery that one can look at focus points on shots in AF mode, and look at camera settings for each shot. For me its going to be a great help not only to correct mistakes in a more productive way, but instructional as well. Histograms well thats amazing too isnt it... and I am going to have to learn how to use that ........Damn I love this camera !!!!

Hopefully in the next day or two I 'll try to upload some shots here.

Thanks for all of the advice and guidance. I had to share the joy of a new kit

Expat42451