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DoveSky
17 days ago
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Which of these Nikon SLRs should I look into?
Ok, I want to get a camera and I'm new to photography. I'm not sure what to look for except that Canon and Nikon have some of the best offerings, and I'm leaning towards Nikon.
I know I'll be taking outdoor/nature shots (maybe still life) and I'm interested in portraits too.
I've written down some of the Nikons friends have referenced and I wanted to get some input on them.
Which would you recommend to a friend? I'm definitely going to work on understanding aperture and all those things and I want a camera I can grow with.
Here are my choices:
Nikon D40
Nikon D80
Nikon D700
Nikon D3000
If it matters I have small /delicate hands (to an extent) and I don't want anything too bulky.
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Willtastic
17 days ago
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hm, I started with a D40 and grew into a D80. No regrets here.
D40 is a GREAT camera but I'm very technically inclined so I wanted the extra features the D80 offered. Now I feel like right at home. If you don't care about things like wireless flash sync and compatibility with old lenses then it doesnt matter
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RollsUp
17 days ago
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What's your budget? You listed bodies starting from around $450 and topping out at roughly $2200. Have you taken into account the lenses and accessories you might need for your photgraphy needs? Memory cards, bag, flash, monopod/tripod etc.
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superdewa
16 days ago
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I have a D40, and I love it.
I would consider your wallet and your future when you make these decisions. Is there even a small part of you that dreams of making money from your photography some day? Can you see yourself getting into external lighting? Or would having an excellent lightweight camera that you can stick in a purse or backpack and always be with you outweigh those choices?
I'd separate these into three groups, but others may argue with me:
The D40 and D3000:
Both are targeted toward beginners, and neither has an internal autofocusing motor (all Nikon's lower-cost cameras require you to have lenses that autofocus). The D3000 is basically the newest verison of the D40. The D60 and D5000 also have similarities. I don't think you can even buy the D40 in stores now, but you can get it used. I loooooove my D40, but I have begun to outgrow it because, well, I have dreams. It's a fantastic beginner's camera, and if you are pretty sure you're just going to use it as a hobby, you'll never grow tired of it. You just need to know that there are many Nikon lenses that will not autofocus on it and that while the D80 and higher range cameras will trigger off-camera flashes with their own flashes, the cameras in this range won't. So if you see yourself wanting to play with lighting (not so likely with outdoor/nature shots), or you think specific lenses will be important to you, keep in mind that these cameras may not do everything you want.
The D80:
I don't know as much about Nikons as you get into the middle and higher range, but the D80 and D90 (the newer model) are mid-range. They have internal autofocusing motors and will trigger off-camera flashes. Personally I'd rather have the D90 than the D80. The D80 is a good camera, but the reviews I've seen say that it is noisier (in low-light situations) than the D40. This is the camera to which I want to upgrade, when either it's price comes down or I come into some money. I'm not sure the D80 is available in stores, but it is available used.
The D700:
This is a professional, full-frame camera and a LOT more expensive than the others on your list. I don't see any reason to start out with this camera as a beginner unless you are dripping money or feel really sure that you're going to take this hobby to a professional level and want to save money now by buying the camera you know know you will want later.
If size is a concern, you should really go to a camera store and hold these cameras in your hands. That's a good thing to do anyway.
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Willtastic
16 days ago
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^ Listen to her
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Superdewa wrote:
I'm not sure the D80 is available in stores Since it's discontinued any new stock is going up in price because they're not made anymore. Good deals might be had on eBay. The replacement is the D90 which is still pretty pricy
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superdewa
16 days ago
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I always feel a sense of accomplishment when will approves of me 
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Red
16 days ago
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Ha, I look at this thread and didn't post because there was noting to add.
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DoveSky
12 days ago
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Thanks superdewa, I loved your explanation! So I can only get a D40 used now? Sad about D80 being discontinued.
would consider your wallet
- For now I can't spend into the thousands...
Is there even a small part of you that dreams of making money from your photography some day?
That would be a dream come true but can't be sure right now.
Can you see yourself getting into external lighting?
I would love to get into external lighting at some point with more practice and time to learn.
Or would having an excellent lightweight camera that you can stick in a purse or backpack and always be with you outweigh those choices?
This would be nice too, I would like to have a compact digital cam in addition to an SLR, not necessarily as just an alternative.
Hmm...well, if I can't find the D80 or D40 I may just start with the D3000 if it's more suitable and available.
I'm open to any more suggestions or ideas if anyone has any.
Again, thanks for the explanation it was truly helpful Super!
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DoveSky
12 days ago
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Lol, Red...SuperDewa's explanation is perfect
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Bubbly24
8 days ago
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What is an internal autofocusing motor and what exactly is a trigger off-camera flash? (is it from your camera or just flash off subjects?)
Also what are JPEGS like for these Nikons?
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Willtastic
8 days ago
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Back in the day (okay, and often still today) cameras had a pin that would insert into the lens and twist around to force it to autofocus. Modern lenses have the motor to focus on the inside instead of in the camera and it's a lot quieter. Some modern Nikons do not even have the pin to focus the older kind of lenses, they just have contacts for the internal focus style.
Off-camera flash lets you buy a flash such as the SB-600 and your camera's built in flash will trigger the other flash even if it's placed somewhere else (within view..). For example, today I took a photo of a girl and I placed my flash about 10 ft away from her and let the light fill in from the side
JPEG is just an image format for pictures.. pretty much what's used universally everywhere.
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Red
8 days ago
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The focusing motor in the camera for some lenses is a Nikon issue, but we're looking at Nikons.
The AF NIKKOR 35mm f/2D needs a camera with a built in focusing motor to Autofocus but it will give you full Autoexposure on any Nikon DSLR.
The AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G will Autofocus on any DSLR because the focusing motor is in the lens but it does not cover the Full Frame sensors on the high end cameras.
The AF-S is the designation that the lens has it own focusing motor, the DX means it only covers the smaller digital sensors.
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wheesterfa
ce
8 days ago
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hee hee! Not even considering a Canon...lol.
I'm a convert, I started with the Canon 350D and got rid of all my equipment and came over to the side of Nikon with the D300. I'll never look back. I love all it's features and the lens choice and most importantly the pictures, it was a costly excersize though and not one I'd necessarily recommend. I'd suggest if your going to start with a particulr brand then stick to it.
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reeltime
8 days ago
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Out of curiosity, the D90 and D5000 are newer models of some of the ones listed above, why aren't they in the running? Those are the two I'm considering (not that I've gotten any budgetary approval)
I checked out Nikon's .pdf comparison of features on their cameras (which is not easy to read on a computer screen). I don't want to hijack this thread by any means, but if I understand you correctly, is the main difference between the D80, 90, etc and D3000, 5000 etc. the focusing mechanism in the lens?
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RollsUp
8 days ago
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The mid range bodies have more features than the entry level bodies like the ability to bracket shots, a front dial and obviously video (D90) among other things.
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nancybalog
h
8 days ago
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I started with a D40 and quickly out grew it to a D200. If your searous about photography and think you will want to go forward with it and can afford it I would get a D300. It is a great camera and if you are like me - I just bought a D700. The D300 makes a great second camera. If you do get a D300 make sure you purchase lenses that will also work well with the D700 etc. Now that I have a D300 and D700, I don't really care to use the D200.
PS I was happy with the D40 until I progressed in my skills and understanding and that can happen really quick. Hope that helps.. good luck!
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Willtastic
8 days ago
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oh if only I could afford those
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