Opinions D610 vs the Field.

john*thomas

Senior Member
Unfortunately this may be long........ I'm getting ready to retire and was thinking about making a little money on the side. Here is where it starts getting long. My daughter graduated high school last year and we paid a friend of mine (that does this for a living) to take her senior pics. She did an absolutely amazing job. We paid her very good money and we ended up getting far more than we paid for but still, money not everyone could afford. Some of my daughters friends didn't get senior pics because of this. I did a couple of her friends for nothing. All they got was the pics, processed and on a thumb drive. They were very pleased. (though I admit they were not as good as the ones my friend took of my daughter).

I also did wedding pics for my oldest daughter while my middle daughter had someone do the actual wedding (they were not so good). I took some after the wedding for her which were better than the ones she paid for. (my daughter knew it was a hassle after her sisters wedding to both be in the wedding and take pics)

Some of their friends can't afford the price and only have cell phone pics. I don't want to step on the business of those like my friend but I'm considering offering an affordable option. I enjoy doing it. I enjoy sitting down in the evening and processing pics. It's relaxing so it's not like looking at how much I make per hour. I'm only going to offer the pics on a thumb drive. I'm not interested in printing. There are plenty of places they can get them printed themselves as money allows.

That said, to my main point. I probably need a back up. I saw the deal on the D610 kit and it got me looking. I love my D7100 and had planned on using it for years (it's funny, I do not see many of them being offered used). BUT for doing something like a wedding I figured I have to have a back up. Graduation pics I could schedule later but not wedding pics. Now I'm not against buying used. I bought my D7100 used (it only had like 250 actuations on it). I thought about getting a cheap back up (Like a used D3100) but then as I said, I got looking.

I can get the D610 kit for $900 (I have a couple FX lens already). I've seen a used D800 for $700 (body only with 22,000 on it.) I could get another D7100 used for $350-$400. Found a low click count D610 body for $440. Used D500's still seem pretty pricey. (In a low count) I like what is said about the D750 low light performance. They are still a bit pricey also for low shutter count examples.

I'm mostly putting this in writing to keep my thoughts organized. LOL Anything I'm missing? Opinions are like anything else, just opinions but there are people here with good solid opinions.
 

Texas

Senior Member
Not a bad one in all those you are considering (except maybe the D800).
For your purposes, a D7200 would beat the D500 by a mile as far as value per dollar.

Seems I've recently seen some low click D750's under $800 on FredMiranda.
 

hark

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Contributor
I have the D750, D610, and D7100. The sensors of the D750 and D610 will outperform the D7100. The difference in low light between the D750 and D610 is maybe 1/2 stop. But the D750 is worth its cost. I didn't think I'd use the tilt screen yet I use it more than I ever imagined. It allows me to shoot low without having to get down on the ground. The auto focus of the D750 in low light is quicker. I remember using my D610 at church with a Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8. A few times the lens hunted when it had trouble locking focus unless there was an area of high contrast. But if you are aware that is an issue, simply look for areas of high contrast when shooting in low light.

When looking through the viewfinder of the D610, the focus dots don't extend all the way across the screen, and they are smaller dots than are on the other two bodies. Be sure to check that out if you decide to go with a D610. Not a deal breaker - requires focus, lock, and recompose if your subject is at one of the edges of the viewfinder. That said, I still used my D610 before purchasing a second D750 (and only did so since the D750 will be discontinued). The D610 is still an amazing upgrade from DX.

I much prefer the D7200 over the D7100. Even the D7200 has a slightly better sensor for low-light high-ISO noise than the D7100. My first choice would be the D750, then the D610, next the D7200, and lastly the D7100. I cannot comment on any other bodies since I don't have any experience with them.
 

Needa

Senior Member
Challenge Team
Make sure you get something you can shoot ISO 6400 and be happy with the noise after processing.
 

Fred Kingston

Senior Member
If you're going to be shooting graduation pictures I wouldn't be worried about "low light or high ISO" performance. You'll be using lights for most of the pics. Not that I'd disregard it, just not at the top of the requirements list.
 

john*thomas

Senior Member
I have the D750, D610, and D7100. The sensors of the D750 and D610 will outperform the D7100. The difference in low light between the D750 and D610 is maybe 1/2 stop. But the D750 is worth its cost. I didn't think I'd use the tilt screen yet I use it more than I ever imagined. It allows me to shoot low without having to get down on the ground. The auto focus of the D750 in low light is quicker. I remember using my D610 at church with a Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8. A few times the lens hunted when it had trouble locking focus unless there was an area of high contrast. But if you are aware that is an issue, simply look for areas of high contrast when shooting in low light.

When looking through the viewfinder of the D610, the focus dots don't extend all the way across the screen, and they are smaller dots than are on the other two bodies. Be sure to check that out if you decide to go with a D610. Not a deal breaker - requires focus, lock, and recompose if your subject is at one of the edges of the viewfinder. That said, I still used my D610 before purchasing a second D750 (and only did so since the D750 will be discontinued). The D610 is still an amazing upgrade from DX.

I much prefer the D7200 over the D7100. Even the D7200 has a slightly better sensor for low-light high-ISO noise than the D7100. My first choice would be the D750, then the D610, next the D7200, and lastly the D7100. I cannot comment on any other bodies since I don't have any experience with them.

I really hadn't considered the D7200. I'll look more into that. Thanks.
 

john*thomas

Senior Member
If you're going to be shooting graduation pictures I wouldn't be worried about "low light or high ISO" performance. You'll be using lights for most of the pics. Not that I'd disregard it, just not at the top of the requirements list.

Right, I agree with that but at times the lighting in a church isn't the greatest which makes me consider that. (Most senior pics are taken outside now)
 

Fred Kingston

Senior Member
To be honest... Instead of a camera, most any camera will suit Senior pictures... Invest your money in good portrait lenses and speed lights and reflectors before the body... If you want a second body... there's nothing wrong with that... I have a dozen... ;) and think everybody should own a couple...

Churches are touchy about flashes during services but are generally okay in a straight photo shoot when there are no scheduled services...in my experience...
 

john*thomas

Senior Member
I read Hark's post over and over. I read many other comparisons of the D610 and D750 and they all noted how nice of a camera the D610 is but how much better overall the D750 is. I find myself shooting in low light a good bit and I really don't like the way a flash makes a picture look. As noted, in some places you are restricted to not using a flash at that.

I've bought off Roberts Camera before. They seem to have some of the best prices and good service. There was a nice D610 I was looking at last night. 11,000 actuation's that they had rated at "Very Good". $440. Really, a good price IMO. Body and battery with charger). Their spring sale was supposed to start today. 10% off. I go to buy that one and it's gone. LOL. They had another with like 83,000 actuation's........ same price......

This evening I log back on. They have a D610 listed now with 30,000 actuations rated as "excellent" but it's $520 (less 10%). Still a good deal. BUT they also have a D750 listed now. 3000 actuations, "excellent. Box, strap (unused) charger with battery. $760 less 10%. 6 month warranty.

I figured for appx $200 more the D750 was the buy. I already have a couple FX lens. I imagine I'll be looking for a couple others in time but my D7100 is still working great depending on the situation.

Thanks all.
 

Fred Kingston

Senior Member
I've bought a ton of stuff from Robert's Camera... I always buy of their ebay site because they always do a BIN with an Offer, and they automatically accept offer for 10% less than the listed price. They are a great Nikon dealer..
 
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