Hi all! So glad I'm able to finally post! I've been following for a few months & love to read your insights. I currently own a D40 with kit lens & want to upgrade. I need some advice. My husband recently got his private pilot's license so we're planning on doing quite a bit of air time. I photograph my 2.5 yr old and love the challenges of low light photography. What would you recommend to fit my needs and not break the bank. Lenses and camera body suggestions welcomed. Thanks in advance!
Looking for new gear suggestions
- Thread starter PetesMom
- Start date
Scott Murray
Senior Member
Hi and welcome, a rough estimate of what you would like would be good aswell as a location so that we are not giving Australian prices instead of USA prices
Horoscope Fish
Senior Member
If you can stretch that budget just a tiny bit, you could get the Nikon D5300 with the 18-140mm and you'd be soooo good to go. The 18-140 is a killer lens.
If that's not an option, you can go with the D5300 with the 18-55mm lens instead, and stay well under budget.
...
Last edited by a moderator:
How would you classify your current interests and what level do you aspire to be in 5-10 years?
- Occasional hobbist
- Daily hobbyist
- Kid in one hand, camera in the other, never miss a shot, Extreme Hobbyist
- Maybe do a little photography for pay
- Would like to do photography for pay
- Planning to move into photography for pay
- Occasional hobbist
- Daily hobbyist
- Kid in one hand, camera in the other, never miss a shot, Extreme Hobbyist
- Maybe do a little photography for pay
- Would like to do photography for pay
- Planning to move into photography for pay
Last edited by a moderator:
RocketCowboy
Senior Member
Good choice, but leaves you no budget for a lens. The question is, would you benefit more from a good lense, or camera features? It's the same discussion I'm having too.
Welcome to Nikonites!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Compare a D3300, D5300 or D7100.
Depending on the lenses you now have (or when you would be able to add a new lens), a D7100 body only would be on budget +/-. The ISO capability is less than the other two, but it shoots a little faster (+1 FPS), 1/8000 shutter speed, and scads of AF points (51 compared to 39 or 11)
If you need new glass then the suggestions above are all very good.
Depending on the lenses you now have (or when you would be able to add a new lens), a D7100 body only would be on budget +/-. The ISO capability is less than the other two, but it shoots a little faster (+1 FPS), 1/8000 shutter speed, and scads of AF points (51 compared to 39 or 11)
If you need new glass then the suggestions above are all very good.
Well if you are looking at a budget revolving around $1000.
You can look into a used D7000 which will run you about $600. and with that it would open you up to lenses that have either internal autofocus motors or lenses that can autofocus from a camera that uses a drive motor to focus those lenses.
With the remaining budget you can get yourself a 50mm 1.8D around $90 used or 120 new. If you wanted to stretch your budget further, you can go with the D90 which was the predecessor to the D7000 and will run around $400 used. With this it opens you up to owning more glass which would give you some flexibility.
Just a matter of how you want to spend your money.
You can look into a used D7000 which will run you about $600. and with that it would open you up to lenses that have either internal autofocus motors or lenses that can autofocus from a camera that uses a drive motor to focus those lenses.
With the remaining budget you can get yourself a 50mm 1.8D around $90 used or 120 new. If you wanted to stretch your budget further, you can go with the D90 which was the predecessor to the D7000 and will run around $400 used. With this it opens you up to owning more glass which would give you some flexibility.
Just a matter of how you want to spend your money.
The D7100 is a FANTASTIC choice (although I'm a bit biased) just because of the ease of changing settings (a little more "pro" on the control side), lens choices, and the autofocus fine tuning, but it really depends on what you want in a camera.
The 5300 has a flip out screen and a bit better low light performance (only about .1 stops difference though), as well as the built in GPS/wireless, but ya get a better viewfinder on the D7100, more focus points, the back up SD slot and a build-in focus motor so you can buy some of the cheaper used AF lenses instead of having to specifically watch for AF-S. Plus, its weather sealing will help keep ya safe if you happen to get caught out in a sprinkle.
Both take amazing photos, to be sure, just remember... I AM biased, as I love the primal beast being the D7100. There are rumours that a D7200 or 9300 are going to be announced late this summer, too, but I'm sure the cost will be higher on those.
Welcome fellow Tar Heel! I am from Raleigh.
If I was in your shoes I'd likely go with the D7100 myself. Some of the perks makes it worth the cost in comparison to the 3xxx or 5xxx series models. The D90 is also a great camera and has stayed fairly popular over time, proving itself. But if your looking to stay in the DX line up over time, the D7100 has newer tech and may prove out to be another model that holds it's popularity.
For my own needs I chose the D300 for the pro build and features, but the MPs and tech are older which might not suit you if your planning on printing a lot of large poster size photos, or wanting videos.
So I'd say the D7100 would keep you snapping photos happily for quite a long time without feeling the need to upgrade.
PS. Welcome to Nikonites, my home away from home!
For my own needs I chose the D300 for the pro build and features, but the MPs and tech are older which might not suit you if your planning on printing a lot of large poster size photos, or wanting videos.
So I'd say the D7100 would keep you snapping photos happily for quite a long time without feeling the need to upgrade.
PS. Welcome to Nikonites, my home away from home!
Horoscope Fish
Senior Member
I shoot with a D7100 and recently upgraded my girlfriend to a D5300. Having shot both a good amount, I can tell you there are a few little things on my D7100 that I would miss if using the D5300. That being said, the D5300 is nothing short of amazing. Nothing. I might go so far out on the proverbial limb as to say the D5300 hits the "sweet spot" on the Price vs. Performance spectrum for the Nikon DX line. Now, those are some pretty tough words, but I think I could make a pretty good argument.
The D7100 is everything the D5300 is, and has some additional external controls and beefed up build quality that you may, or may not, want to pay for. It's definitely a superior camera in many respects, but the D5300 sports some newer technology... It also doesn't necessarily mean the D7100 is a better choice for you. Based on your few posts in this thread, I think I'd still suggest the D5300 with the 18-140mm for you; it's an outstanding combination that I think would meet your needs to a "T".
...
Last edited: