Talk me out of the Nikon D7000!

[Stradawhovious]

Not sure if this should go here, or one of the other threads.... but since I'm a noob, I will start here, and get chastised accordingly.

I'm relatively new to the world of DSLRs and photography. A handfull of months ago I bought a D3000 on the recommendation of a D40 owner stating it was "As much camera as YOU will ever need." Well, this person once owned a camera store, so far be it from me to disagree.

The problem is, here I am a few months later after a handfull of classes, exausting research on the intrawebs, reading a library of books and taking thousands and thousands of shots I have easily started to find the limitations of this camera.

The suggestion from my photography instructor was to look at the D7000. He stated that it would have everything I would need unless I became a pro...... and since I'm terminally amateur there's no real danger of that happening.

I like what I've read so far about the performance and features... especially in low light at rediculously high ISO (which my D3000 fails miserably at,), but can't help but wonder if it wouldn't be overkill for someone like me.

The other issue is that i don't see myself using the video feature all that much, so I don't want to be paying fro something I won't use.

Any input is appreciated on this one, since $1,200 is quite a bit of cash in my world.

 

[phiya]

Nope, I won't do it. I bought a Nikon D80 about 2.5 years ago, a pretty dang nice camera at the time. If I wasn't so determined to get some nicer glass, I'd be looking long and hard at that D7000.

 

[reznap]

Just don't charge it so by the time it's halfway paid off you could have avoided interest and maybe even saved and bought the D700's replacement.

 

[Blake.Oney]

You should get it. It's not a prosumer camera as far as I know, so for the purpose of statuses it's the top camera for the amateur haha. But seriously it's a really really nice camera and if you don't plan on getting any more serious go for it. The D3000 doesn't perform as good as the D40 at high ISO, so your D40 friend should have sold you his camera lol. If you're looking for more controls maybe look at the D300s and if you don't want to pay for video, then the regular D300.

 

[Light Artisan]

I've have owned many of the Nikon DSLR lineup including the D40, D60, D80, D90, D5000, D200, D300s, D3100 and the D7000.

For me to talk you out of the D7000 after hearing you are already experiencing the limits of the D3000 would be hard to do.

The autofocus works incredibly well, the metering is great, you'll gain Commander mode for wireless off camera flash with the SB600/700/800/900 and Nissin lineup, top LCD, in-camera focus motor for older AF lenses without one such as the 50mm f/1.8D, optional battery grip for portrait work, 2 user settings for quickly changing shooting modes, 6fps, partial magnesium alloy frame, weather sealing, the list goes on.

The D7000 was supposed to be a backup body for my D300s, but so far it's been the other way around.

That said, only you can determine if the extra money is worth all of that.

PS
Best Buy has a 12% off coupon and 2 year interest free financing right now so that's $200 off the kit if anyone is interested.

 

[Patrice]

You already have experience with a purchase made because somebody else said 'you need it'. Now that you have some ideas about what you want for features and capabilities you are in a pretty good position to make up your own mind. Don't go buy a camera body because someone here decided 'you' need it. Your money - your choice. If the D7000 fits your needs then by all means get it, by all accounts it's a decent camera.

You will get a lot of 'you NEED this such and such' type posts here, be careful what you read.

Get the camera that is right for you because you decide it's right for you.

 

[Stradawhovious]

Don't go buy a camera body because someone here decided 'you' need it. Your money - your choice. If the D7000 fits your needs then by all means get it, by all accounts it's a decent camera.

You will get a lot of 'you NEED this such and such' type posts here, be careful what you read.

Get the camera that is right for you because you decide it's right for you.

I appreciate the sentiment, as you are correct. I won't make the same mistake twice, and get something someone else tells me I "need". When I bought the D3000 I knew virtually nothing about DSLR or SLR type cameras. My only experience was with cheap point and shoot toys. Since then, I have learned quite a bit, and now have an idea of the anatomy of the camera, as well as what the features are, and how they relate to me personally behind the shutter. In my posting here I was hoping to get some insight from users, and if there have been any personal experiences on the negative side that I should be aware of. I have already talked myself into this body through lots of research, and a little bit of hands on experience at some of the retail stores. In addition to the negative user accounts, I can get some more positive feedback from users and not paid "reviews" from some of these hilariously biased web-sites.
The D3000 is a fantastic camera, don't get me wrong....... but very soon I will be capable of exploiting a better body.

Also, Thanks Reznap, but Light Artisan hit the nail on the head. %15 off and interest free for two years.

 

[Geaux]

Man, I typed out this long detailed message and accidentally hit the back button and lost it all. I'll try to say what I did before.

Ok, I'm going to sound like a Jack***, but hear me out.

When I first read you had exhausted the limits of the d3000, I had to see some of your shots, so I looked back at some of your past CC posts. I've owned a d3000 for 11 months now, also new to photography, but I know I haven't exhausted my limits on the camera (even though I've been told I could move on easily). You are suffering from issues (soft focus, underexposure, composition issues), that are not directly related to the d3000. IMO, you should stick it out with the d3000 and work on minor photograph skills before moving on. I say this, because these are issues that will follow you to the d7000 and your images will not look any different. Sure the high iso is nice, but if you're shooting night landscapes or with fast glass ... its not that big of a deal.

This is just my opinion, but I think you should just stay and learn some more. I think it's near impossible to MASTER a camera in 3 months when you are totally new to the world of photography.

 

[mfrankpdx]

Maybe take this into consideration?

 

[Stradawhovious]

Ok, I'm going to sound like a Jack***, but hear me out.

Not at all, and thanks for posting! I respect someone who offers honest criticism, and welcome it with anything I post. Besides, you have an extremely valid point.

In my OP, I wasn't trying to convey that i had exhausted the limites of the 3000, rather that I have a much better understanding of, and have started to realize the limits of that model. Sorry if it came off as me being better than the cmera.

I'm not.

I don't feel that my photography "skillz" have pushed the limits of the 3000..... frankly I have quite a ways to go for that. My issue is that I'm starting to take on many classes and hands on experiences where the 3000 will physically fall short.
Does the 3000 have the potential to teach me a lot more about photography?

Absolutley. I have much to learn, and the willingness to do so.

Will the limits of the 3000 eventually get in my way?

Well, yes, I believe they will. In some minor ways they already are, and later, after I have spent more time and effort into becoming better those shortcomings will become more and more apparent and frustrating.












Plus I'm kind of a gear junkie..........
Shhhhhhhh!
Don't tell anyone!

 

[txtowman]

I agree with Geaux.

I have the d5000 and would like some better glass.

But have a long way to go to outgrow the body.

 

[Muusers]

I'm going to get the D7000. Just waiting till the prices drop a bit, since there's no hurry on my part.

 

[ghache]

they wont drop any time soon.

 

[Muusers]

They will in the Netherlands. Already a price difference of 150 euros between most expensive and cheapest.

 

[Geaux]

....starting to realize the limits of that model....

Realizing and hitting them are VERY different. Change of body is needed when you HIT that limit consistently over time. It's a beginners camera, you had to know it had it's limits as a 500 dollar body compared to 1200+


I'm starting to take on many classes and hands on experiences where the 3000 will physically fall short.

In what ways? If it's a photography class, it can be done with a point and shoot. I doubt they have assignments that say .. "You must shoot this image with an iso of 6400 with no noise." If the assignments are like that, then YES, the d3000 will physically fall short. I seriously doubt it is like that though.




Will the limits of the 3000 eventually get in my way?

If you don't want limits, go and get a 6k dollar body. D7000 will have its limits to. In a year, will you want another body? Glass is forever (for the most part lol) invest.


Plus I'm kind of a gear junkie..........
Shhhhhhhh!
Don't tell anyone!
Touche', but it's not a valid excuse for an upgrade.
Tell me some exact details on WHY you want/need the upgrade that the d3000 can't do for you right now. I just find it VERY hard to believe you have outgrown this camera or already think you will soon. lol

^^^ my thoughts in BOLD