New Member, switching to Nikon! Need help!

TaylorGT

Senior Member
Hey guys - I'm new to the site. Been doing photography for about 5 years. It's just a hobby, I find it relaxing to shoot and edit photos for fun. I shoot a lot of random things but a lot of cars/family events etc. I started out with a Nikon D40 as my first camera. Then when I started getting into it I switched to Canon because I found their lenses and products easier to understand as well as it was what my friends were shooting

My gear (that I sold):
Sigma 30mm 1.4
Canon 50mm 1.4
Canon 70-200mm 2.8L
Sigma 10-20mm

Due to some life events, getting married, moving, etc I have decided to scale down my gear. I sold off everything I had and I'm currently camera-less. I'm looking for a nice Nikon body and want just a kit lens and a prime. Been thinking about a 35mm 1.8G or something. I've been looking at the following Cameras:

My budget is about 750-800 for a body and a lens or two. Id really like to keep it around there. I like the idea of having video just to have a video camera besides my phone.

Nikon D5100 - My concern with this camera is no top LCD and its smaller size. Coming from a 50D this is going to be foreign to me, I tried one at Best Buy and it was really hard for me to manage.

Nikon D90

Nikon D7000 - If I buy this camera, I'll probably end up with just a 35mm or some other prime.

Any other suggestions? I'm really just starting to research Nikon.

Thanks,
​Taylor
 

WhiteLight

Senior Member
All 3 are great cameras.. you really won't go wrong with any of them..
my suggestion would be to go for the D7k, with the 18-105mm lens & the 35mm prime..
that'll last you for quite a long time
 

RON_RIP

Senior Member
I am glad to see you have come to your senses and have comeback to Nikon. I would suggest a refurbished D90 or D7000 and a refurbished 18-105. Either would be a great way to get started. More lenses can come as your needs expand. Welcome home.
 

TaylorGT

Senior Member
Thanks guys!

I'm really wanting the D7k but I'm not sure its going to fit the budget with the lenses I want along with it. But I will be keeping my eyes peeled for a deal.

As far as moving away from Canon...its a few things. First of all I never seemed to get the color and vibrance from any of my Canon cameras that I felt I got from my D40. That includes a Canon Xsi, T1i, 40D, and 50D. I also always felt that the images needed far more post processing to get the way I liked. Something I rarely see when I use a Nikon.

 

Tami Jo

Senior Member
Welcome! I think you are going to love the Nikon line. I highly recommend the D7000 having one myself. However all those models you mentioned are worth looking into.

Sent from my SGH-T959V using Tapatalk 2
 

fotojack

Senior Member
Given your budget, and what you're looking for, I'd recommend the D90 and an 18-105 lens to get yourself back into the swing of things. The D90 is a proven workhorse, well built, has all the features you'll really ever need to take great shots, and the 18-105 lens will certainly do the trick for you. But........if you like all kinds of bells and whistles and neat stuff and you have the budget for it, then by all means, go for the D7000. ;)
 

John P

Senior Member
The D90 is really a great camera. You really can't go wrong with it.
An absolute workhorse of a camera. Great pics. and very managable file sizes.
I still use mine as a backup, and will never get rid of it.
Pretty decent low light capability, and on board commander flash.

I much prefer the 24-120 3.5-5.6 lens though.
 

TaylorGT

Senior Member
Thanks everyone for the welcome, this seems like a great forum The only online group I've been a part of for photography until now was Photography-on-the.net.

Welcome to the forum

If you fill out your profile we can better answer any questions that you might have.
You can do that at http://nikonites.com/profile.php?do=editprofile

Some useful links
http://support.nikonusa.com/app/ans.../nikon-product-manuals-available-for-download
Nikon | Imaging Products | Digitutor


Thanks

Thanks I think I filled out my profile to the best of my comfort level. No gear to add right now as its all been sold and I'm camera-less :)

Given your budget, and what you're looking for, I'd recommend the D90 and an 18-105 lens to get yourself back into the swing of things. The D90 is a proven workhorse, well built, has all the features you'll really ever need to take great shots, and the 18-105 lens will certainly do the trick for you. But........if you like all kinds of bells and whistles and neat stuff and you have the budget for it, then by all means, go for the D7000. ;)

Thanks, I want the bells and whistles but I just don't think I will be able to comprimise and get a D5100 or have enough money to get the D7000. The D90 is the most likely winner in this circumstance.

The issue is, I'm a big guy with huge hands and fingers. I like having a bigger body with more ergonomic controls. The only reason the D7000 appeals to me honestly is its newer. I've always purchased 4-5 year old bodies. It would be nice for once to get into a camera thats atleast close to whats currently on the market. Its just like buying a computer though, 6 months later whatever you have is yesterdays news.
 

TaylorGT

Senior Member
Thanks guys! I was wondering if someone would creep my Flickr. I impulsively bought a D7100 and 35mm 1.8G. Should hold me over for now :) I'll probably just add a cheap 18-55 or 18-105 zoom later on.
 
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