Upgrading from Film to Digital

Hey there everyone, I am a Missionary to third world countries. I have a Nikon N75 (SLR film camera) Yes It's from the stone age. I am wanting to upgrade to digital SLR. I am wondering which dSLR would be rugged enough to handle tuff situations from jungle to dessert. I am on a very limited budget. Thanks so much for your time. God Bless!

Check out KEH.com and since you are using Nikon lenses they will work depending on the body you choose. Their bargain used lenses and bodies may be the best value but you have to weigh what size is the final image if I ever print anything and I am assuming no murals! Depending where you are in the third world weather and humidity = fungus so thats one item to be concern with. I spent 11 months and 23 days around the 12 parallel rainy season to hot and humid back in 67 so I considered that short term. The camera and lenses were in a camera bag but off the dirt floor. You'll have to do some research as to what type of photography you are doing especially on a limited budget. Glass is the investment and the digital bodies are like computer those are the ones you will replace. Remember the pro bodies have a rugged shutter but you will not know the count till it gets into your hands.
Lou Cioccio
my 2¢

If you need rugged, you want a pro body. Not knowing what your budget is, you might look at the D700. If you have to go cheaper, the D2XS. Both are capable of handling very harsh environments and rugged handling.

Missionary said:

Hey there everyone, I am a Missionary to third world countries. I have a Nikon N75 (SLR film camera) Yes It's from the stone age. I am wanting to upgrade to digital SLR. I am wondering which dSLR would be rugged enough to handle tuff situations from jungle to dessert. I am on a very limited budget. Thanks so much for your time. God Bless!

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If you do not need to change lenses, then the AW series offer the best protection. They are water and dust proof.

Nikon 1 AW1 | Waterproof, Shockproof, Freezeproof Advanced Camera with Interchangeable Lenses

In case you want one with interchangeable lenses, you will need to figure out first what lenses you have/need and whether they are weather sealed. No point in having a weather sealed body with non sealed lenses.


I live in Delhi, India and the climate is either extremely hot with temperatures reaching 46 degrees in shade, or hot and humid during rains, or cold and dry in winter. As long as you take basic care and desist from drenching your DSLR, any modern one will do. The least expensive and the lightest one is the D3300 with its kit lens. Costs around US$ 500/ for the body+lense+SD card+bag in India, all with 2 year warranty.
Nikon D3300 HDSLR | DSLR from Nikon

Beyond this you have a quantum jump in price with D7100 and weather sealed professional zooms. I personally would never consider pre owned equipment if I am living in remote regions of the third world, as any repair is a long way off and expensive.

I'll second the Nikon D2 for under $500. It's a big camera, but its built like a tank and you can use it to fend off wild animals.

Is it just me, or am I the only one amused that digital is considered an upgrade?

I'd go with @aroy and suggest the AW1... They are waterproof and DO have interchangeable lenses.

Wolfeye said:

Is it just me, or am I the only one amused that digital is considered an upgrade?

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It's a very good upgrade. If meaning just a later version of something, of course digital is more, a game changer.

But Merriam Webster says one meaning is: "to choose to have or use something more modern, useful, etc." That is applicable.

WayneF said:

It's a very good upgrade. If meaning just a later version of something, of course digital is more, a game changer.

But Merriam Webster says one meaning is: "to choose to have or use something more modern, useful, etc." That is applicable.

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Oh, I agree, somewhat. But when we talk about third world countries, digital might not make as much sense as film. If they have no reliable electricity then a digital camera with a dead battery is far less useful than, say, "upgrading" the N75 to a FM2n or the like. Likewise, if there are extremes of temperature with cold being a factor, a DSLR (which are all susceptible to cold) makes less sense than, again, the FM2n. Film cameras may also be less likely to be stolen, but even if they are, they cost little to replace.

DSLRs are certainly nice, but film does have advantages in certain environments.

Me, I'd carry solar battery chargers for electricity, and lithium batteries for the cold, if necessary.

You can see and correct your result immediately in digital, instead of waiting to be back in civilization for the color lab to process the film.