NIKON model question

I have had a digital point & shoot for years & ready to move up to my first DSLR. I had a 35mm Pentax SLR 20+ years ago.


I am leaning towards The Nikon (no particular reason) D7100 ($1,200), D5500 ($900), D5300 ($800), D5200 ($700). Prices are for the body only, I will package it withe 2-lenses.


This will be used primarily for sailing, travel, skiing. Minimal video. I will be using auto-focus most of the time. I did a comparison on them thru B&H. Most of the features are the same. Obviously there a few more bells & whistles as you move up. The viewfinder eye point is neat on the D7100.


I know you usually get what you pay for. I will definatly pay more for example for the D7100 if it is truly a better camera and takes better pics and can do more with it.


What other questions should I be asking? Am I on the right track?


Thanks!

rpoint16 said:

I have had a digital point & shoot for years & ready to move up to my first DSLR. I had a 35mm Pentax SLR 20+ years ago.
I am leaning towards The Nikon (no particular reason) D7100 ($1,200), D5500 ($900), D5300 ($800), D5200 ($700). Prices are for the body only, I will package it withe 2-lenses.
This will be used primarily for sailing, travel, skiing. Minimal video. I will be using auto-focus most of the time. I did a comparison on them thru B&H. Most of the features are the same. Obviously there a few more bells & whistles as you move up. The viewfinder eye point is neat on the D7100.
I know you usually get what you pay for. I will definatly pay more for example for the D7100 if it is truly a better camera and takes better pics and can do more with it.
What other questions should I be asking? Am I on the right track?
Thanks!

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First and foremost I would pretty much tell you to rule out the idea that a more expensive camera will yield better pictures.

Secondly, let me ask you a couple questions: 1. Are you pursing photography as a serious hobby, meaning are you striving to take better photos? And 2. Are you doing any post processing on your photos now or do you intend to?

I guess what I'm getting at is, what is your level of interest in photography and what direction do you want to take it in in the future? What you've done in the past should not dictate what DSLR you purchase, what you want to do with your DSLR in the future should.
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Thanks for the feedback.

Photography is a casual hobby for now, probably using the auto-focus mainly. I am wanting to take better pictures, however while on the run, auto-focus is sweet. I will also use this for motocross racing.

I am the "friend" over the years who always has had the camera. My point & shoot takes amazing pictures, but even looking back at some of my old 35mm pics, those had wonderful definition.

I could see however 3-5 years down the road possibly learning about filters, apurture, shutter functions, ISO. The only post production I do is crop in photoshop.

I will probably start off with a 18-140 & 55-300 type lense package. I can see myself getting additional lenses down the road as well.

I appreciate your imput.

Here are some point & shoot pics

Based on your posts I'm going to suggest something along the lines of the D5300. If you can find a good deal on one with the Nikon 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6 VR lens, I think you'd be good to go. I say this because I think the D5300 pretty much nails the price vs. performance "sweet spot", at this point in time, in the Nikon DX lineup. My girlfriend shoots with one, and has for a while now, and I could compare her shots with mine (I shot with a D7100 for a long time). Pick up a Nikon 35mm f/1.8 prime lens if you can, as well. This is Jessica's preferred setup and it never ceases to amaze me what she can do with her 5300 and the little 35mm. If you reeeeeally want to do it right, spend the extra dinero on the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 "Art" lens (caveat: possible sticker-shock ahead...) With the right glass, the D5300 is an amazing mid-range camera that you could grow into for some time.
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Agree on the D5300 for you but I do have one question. How does weather proofing fit into your shooting style? Do you get caught out in the rain often? I see water shots in your examples. The D5300 is not weather proofed and the D7100 is. You can't drop it in the ocean and expect it to come out with no problems but you can get it splashed and dry it off and not worry near as much.

Just something to consider.

Thanks again guys.

I did the basic google on the weatherproof issue & could not find anything. Any links you could pass on?

I checked both your galleries as well. Very impressive!!!

Camera Test: Nikon D7100 | Popular Photography

While the D7100 isn’t as much of a tank as the D300s, it’s no wimp. Its magnesium-alloy body should prove tough enough for most shooting conditions, and it has almost as much weather-sealing to ward off dust and moisture as Nikon’s pro bodies.

Some interesting comments here on the Weather sealed features of the D7100

https://www.flickr.com/groups/d7100nikon/discuss/72157636512288964/

sithmaster64 1 year ago

I was in Aruba taking pictures, and I got surprised and hit by a huge wave from the sea. I didn't see it coming. Camera got completely immersed. It was equipped with the 18-105mm kit lens. I dried the camera immidiately and went home to clean and dry it. We are talking salty seawater here. One week and over 1000 shots later, the camera is still fuctioning perfectly. I don't recommend trying this out.

But like the other comments I would not recommend getting your camera soaked but if it does chances are a lot better with this camera than the lower number Nikons. I have gotten caught out in the rain with my camera and just dried it off ASAP and never had a problem.

When I had my D5100 if it even looked like rain I would not carry my camera. That is one of the main reasons I moved up to the D7000 and later to the D7100. I still have both of them.

rpoint16 said:

I did the basic google on the weatherproof issue & could not find anything. Any links you could pass on?

Click to expand...

What Don is pointing out is that some Nikon bodies and/or lenses are "dust and moisture sealed" (I think is how Nikon words it, actually) meaning there are rubber gaskets in strategic locations that help reduce (not totally prevent, as some people assume) the amount of moisture and dust penetration into the camera and/or lens body. It's a nice thing to have but if I'm shooting in the rain I just toss a dishtowel on top my camera and call it good. Nikons are tough little bastards, weather sealing or no.
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Great advice from the others, I'd add to just start of with the 18-140 and invest a bit more in the long zoom when the time comes.

I too went through the same process and went for the 7100. It was packaged with the 18-140 and the 55-300. It was a great choice for me. I also can use older Nikon lenses with it. It's an amazing camera. If it could cook, I'd marry it.I'm not a pro. I like to capture good pics. Sometimes I look at an image and am amazed at how good the 7100 records it. Whatever the choice, enjoy!

If you are shooting motocross and sailing, I suggest a long zoom, and also suggest the D7100 for slightly faster and more accurate focusing. I think it's the best sports camera Nikon makes other than the $6000+ D4S. The new D7200, due to come out in April, will be even better with a larger buffer for burst shooting and an even better focusing system. The inclusion of a focusing motor in each of these opens up the possibility of many older, used lenses that you might be able to get a good deal on.

That said, if sports will be occasional and a small part of your shooting, the D5300 would be a great choice, too.

Your sample shots show that you have a great eye for photography, whatever camera you choose, have fun and make sure to post your work so we can see it!

I think I am leaning towards the D7100. It is only $300 more with the 18-140mm. The weather proofing features, although not fullproof, is a plus.


Actually, B&H should have the D7200 out within 2-3 weeks for the same price as the D7100. I believe I will hold out for that.


My last question... Is having too much camera a bad thing? I'm know the D7100/7200 will be more than I need functionally
(for now), however from what I have been reading they are still user friendly on i macro level.

rpoint16 said:

My last question... Is having too much camera a bad thing? I'm know the D7100/7200 will be more than I need functionally (for now), however from what I have been reading they are still user friendly on i macro level.

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If you want to get your D7100 or D7200 and set it to full-Auto and get on with life simply taking casual snapshots, either model would support that. If you decide you want to delve deeply into bettering your photography, get all artsy with it and what not, a D7xxx-series camera would be a superb choice to take on that journey. Better, in my opinion, to have some growing room than to have a camera you find one day, can not create the photo you have in your head. I've been there, and it's a bummer.
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