Cameras?

"Slant6" (slant-6) 01/28/2014 at 20:27 • Filed to: None

0

27

I'm buying a DSLR. I'm pretty set on Nikon since my family has used them since 1972 and I have a ton of MF lenses to use. I'm trying to decide between a D5100, a D3200, or going out and buying the all new D3300. I've shot film SLRs for years now so I'm not a novice so the 3000 series might be too basic for me, but the D5100 is a bit older. I know a lot of you have fancy cameras so any advice is appreciated. My parents are paying for $100 of it and I have to get the rest (my birthday is coming up).

Aaron James > Slant6 01/28/2014 at 20:31

0

Get the best body you can. My first DSLR was a Rebel and as soon as I learned how to use it I wanted more and moved up to a 40D within a few months. I should have just started with the 40D. This was 10 years ago so the base models might be enough for you by these days, not sure as life got in my way and I haven't kept up on the advancements.

Thomas Nourse > Slant6 01/28/2014 at 20:33

0

I'm about to sell my Nikon D7000 along with a few lenses pretty soon. I just bought a D600 and I am looking to offset some of the purchase price.

Luke's Dad Sold His 2000TL To Get a Sienna > Slant6 01/28/2014 at 20:33

0

60D is a really good deal right now since the 70D came out. If you can, go for the 70D, the new focusing mechanism thing is definitely worth it.

If you want to go straight to full frame you can get a 6D. All are very good deals.

I inherited my dad's 40D many moons ago. Traded up to a 5D2 about two years ago :P

dogisbadob > Luke's Dad Sold His 2000TL To Get a Sienna 01/28/2014 at 20:35

0

He's using Nikon, not Canon :p

dogisbadob > Slant6 01/28/2014 at 20:36

0

Try them with your hands and see which one fits the best. Maybe you can even get a refurb of the higher model.

RMudkips > Slant6 01/28/2014 at 20:38

0

I would say D7000 or D7100. They should be much more compatible with the MF lenses. What's your budget?

Alex Murel > Aaron James 01/28/2014 at 20:39

1

I don't entirely agree with this. I kind of see DSLR's like motorcycles. When you first start off you want something forgiving and something that you can play around with without feeling bad. And when the time comes that you comfortable and want to move up, the base models are always easy to sell for about what you bought them for if you got it used. Maybe its just me, but thats how I see it.

Alex Murel > Slant6 01/28/2014 at 20:43

1

Whatever you do don't buy a brand new DX body. In about a year you'll be thinking about something new and you'll want to sell your old one and then you realize you're only going to get about half of what you paid for it. Until I decide to go full frame I'm not going to purchase a brand new body. The D7000 I just bought only had 7k actuations on the shutter and was $400 less than what a new body would go for.

And depending on how cheap you feel like going, this means I have a D3100 body sitting here with less than 3000 actuations.

Slant6 > RMudkips 01/28/2014 at 20:43

0

I really don't want to spend more than $650. Ideally more around $500.

Thomas Nourse > Alex Murel 01/28/2014 at 20:44

0

To continue the analogy, I rarely buy new when it comes to camera equipment. I usually buy my bodies refurbished (because warranty) and I get used lenses from reputable sellers. I'm in a constant upgrade cycle so when it comes time to trade up, I can recoup more of my initial investment and get better gear in return.

Alex Murel > Thomas Nourse 01/28/2014 at 20:47

0

Same plan as I use. It's so much cheaper.

Aaron James > Alex Murel 01/28/2014 at 20:50

0

That's perfectly reasonable, everybody learns at their own pace and for someone with zero experience with manual shooting, your approach may be just right. I didn't find that the 40D was any more complicated than the Rebel, it was just much faster and many more features. For anyone with any photography knowledge, I would suggest starting with a midrange body, a novice would be best suited with an entry level. Slant6 here has been shooting film SLRs for years so a base model will become obsolete quickly if not immediately for him.

MrBowles > Slant6 01/28/2014 at 20:51

0

I use a Nikon D3100 with the two lenses that come with it(usually using the smaller zoom) and a fish eye lens. I love it

Luke's Dad Sold His 2000TL To Get a Sienna > dogisbadob 01/28/2014 at 20:51

2

ALL OF YOU ARE WITCHES. NIKON OWNING WITCHES.

Thomas Nourse > Luke's Dad Sold His 2000TL To Get a Sienna 01/28/2014 at 20:59

1

I was a Rebel-toting Canon shooter until the Caribbean swallowed my T3i and its attached 50mm prime... I found a great deal on a Nikon D7000 after that and haven't looked back. You should join us on the dark side. We have cookies.

Alex Murel > Aaron James 01/28/2014 at 21:11

0

I shot film for several years (because digital didn't exist) before I moved to film. I'm not about to suggest that this kid buys a thousand dollar body right off the bat. I still have yet to put that much down on a body. The lower model Nikon's still have full manual modes and you have to admit that its more about the lens and the photographer than body itself.

Aaron James > Alex Murel 01/28/2014 at 21:23

0

I can agree with that, I hadn't really taken the economic factor into consideration. I was just going by what I would do if I did it all over again since I wanted to move up as soon as I started shooting with the Rebel.

AthomSfere > Slant6 01/28/2014 at 21:29

0

My thoughts on it, but the body with the most manual controls you can afford.

I had a D90 (Which I sold non-functioning for $250 btw) and now a D7000. The top LCD and manual controls make the camera that much more usable.

Adorama has the D7000 for $639 refurbed. Good deal I think.

EBay has the D90 New for $550

If going Nikon, I would go with one of those.

I'll take 911 RS for $5000 > Slant6 01/28/2014 at 22:33

0

I'm voting for get the best you can afford, while not being afraid to buy used (KEH, B and H, Adorama are all good). I'm currently shooting with a low-end Canon that I got for not a lot at the time. It's not bad, but I'm really starting to encounter it's limits in some of the situations where I really want it (night/high ISO, MF, AF).

My one additional recommendation here is to try and get a body with an interchangeable focus screen, as that'll make MF lenses a lot easier to use. I think the D7000 may have that.

Textured Soy Protein > Slant6 01/29/2014 at 00:13

0

I think in order to use older Nikon lenses you need a camera higher up the range than the ones you mentioned. Like D7000 or D7100.

iforgotmyburnerkeyonce > Luke's Dad Sold His 2000TL To Get a Sienna 01/29/2014 at 09:24

0

It will make you happy to know that I'm not a witch!
Started with a T2i, made the jump to a 6D, started using my dad's old AE-1, then traded a 17-40 f/4L for a 1D Mark II N.

There are four freakin camera bodies on my desk and I have no regrets!

ToyDeathbot > Slant6 01/29/2014 at 11:34

0

I would go for the older tech if it's going to be more comfortable to use. Everything gets old eventually, so personal satisfaction is more important.

Also as a side note, given that you have a large MF lens collection, it's particularly advantageous to downsize to a smaller body or another brand and use an adapter. This could be a mirrorless for a lighter package (such as the NEX-6 with an EVF and Focus Peaking) or a DSLR with a shorter flange focal distance (ie Canon EOS line). Buying body only would probably be a good idea as well unless you really want a crappy autofocus lens - Old Nikon glass is beautiful and I'd kill for some of that stuff ;)

Quattro-luvr, Powered by Datsun & Stinger > Slant6 01/31/2014 at 08:32

0

If you're still interested in a Nikon I have a D5100 kit that I'm going to sell. I moved to full frame end of last year. Box, kit lens all the papers. I do have a Vivitar charger that is AC and car lighter. I left the Nikon one in a hotel room 0_0.

It's only 18 months old. Here's some photos I've taken with it.

Quattro-luvr, Powered by Datsun & Stinger > Thomas Nourse 01/31/2014 at 08:36

0

I just got a D600 a few months ago. Love it!

It isdefinetly bigger and heavier than my D5100.

Thomas Nourse > Quattro-luvr, Powered by Datsun & Stinger 01/31/2014 at 15:32

0

Unfortunately, the one I just received had sensor issues... I'm hoping I can get a good one when I exchange this one.

Quattro-luvr, Powered by Datsun & Stinger > Thomas Nourse 01/31/2014 at 16:04

0

Spots on the top left?

Thomas Nourse > Quattro-luvr, Powered by Datsun & Stinger 01/31/2014 at 18:12

0

Yep... And not just a small corner - an entire quarter of the sensor is littered with spots.