Desert Island Nikon DSLR?

gustafson

Senior Member
If you could take only one Nikon DSLR body with you, which would it be, and most importantly, why? Not required, but feel free to mention no more than 3 lenses you would take with it.

My hope with this post is to identify older Nikon DSLRs that hit the sweet spot for usability and picture quality, and managed to get just about everything right.

Edit: For newbies (I am one too) trying to make sense of the alphabet soup of Nikon DSLR models over the years, the following links may be useful.

Nikon Cameras
Nikon DSLR History


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Last edited:

Wolfeye

Senior Member
My D300 with the 18-105 and the 70-200. The camera just plain works. It's simplicity makes it easy to use, but you can get as complicated as you like. That sensor leaves me in awe most of the time I use it.
 

Bill16

Senior Member
One of the best older Nikon's is the D700! It hits the sweet spots as you mentioned, and it is a blast to use! The D300 is another awesome Nikon for the same reasons, only in a DX version!
As for lenses, I like primes best! I get the Nikkor af-d lenses!

But my favorite Nikon right now and my choice to take with me in this would be my D800E! It can do it all if needed, with the high MPs allowing cropping as needed! My 105mm micro Nikkor, my newest lens the 85mm f1.4 Nikkor, and my 80-400mm Nikkor would be my lens choices if three lenses was all that I could have(though I would prefer many more lol)!:)

But seriously the D300 and D700 hit the sweet spots and are a blast to use! :)
 

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
If I could have but one body it would be the D750. While it may be Master at None, it's a powerful Jack of all Trades.

For lenses, give me a 24-70mm f/2.8 (Nikon or Tamron, I don't care), a Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8, a Sigma 50mm f/1.4 Art series prime and I'm good.
....
 

Moab Man

Senior Member
Nikon D4 body.

Nikon 14mm f/2.8 for Milky Way photography as I'm assuming I will be in a very remote location and the night sky will be amazing with no light pollution. If I have light pollution then I am not stranded far enough out.

Nikon 600mm f/4

Tamron 18-300mm
 

singlerosa_RIP

Senior Member
D4S, 14-24/2.8, 24-120/4 and 800/5.6.

I need a pro weather sealed body if I'm on a sandy desert island. Need UWA just because, the 24-120 for regular stuff and the 800 to capture distant wildlife and look for rescue ships.
 

gustafson

Senior Member
While its still early, I see a good mix of newer and older body choices, with a preference for FX over DX, and no entry-level models (all advanced or higher). Intriguing lens choices too. Would sure make for some interesting desert island shots for sure!
 

gustafson

Senior Member
I saw that the D300 is available used for under $300. How does it hold up against more recent bodies like the D7000 and D3200 that go for about the same price, also used? Sure, it's a smaller sensor (12MP vs 16 or 24), but if IQ is similar or better on a 24" monitor, I'd be happy about the smaller image files.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

adot45

Senior Member
The D300 & D7000 are capable of auto bracketing......the D3200 is not. Don't know if that's important to you.

I had a D40 that I liked real well but wanted AB so I bought a D70 that did. If I would have done more homework, I would have bought a D300 in the first place. Then again, maybe I wouldn't have ended up with a D7100.....I think the D300 is that good.

Just for clarification, I'm not saying the 300 is better than the 7100...I'm just saying I might have been satisfied with it and might not have felt the need to upgrade to the 7100.
 

480sparky

Senior Member
Taking a DSLR to a deserted island is kinda of pointless........... as you wouldn't have electricity or a computer to even view the images.

If stranded on a desert island, I'd at least want a film camera.
 

gustafson

Senior Member
Taking a DSLR to a deserted island is kinda of pointless........... as you wouldn't have electricity or a computer to even view the images.

If stranded on a desert island, I'd at least want a film camera.

Touché!! Now why didn't I think of that over all these years of compiling my list of desert island CDs??


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Nero

Senior Member
Taking a DSLR to a deserted island is kinda of pointless........... as you wouldn't have electricity or a computer to even view the images.

If stranded on a desert island, I'd at least want a film camera.
You could on the Live View screen. :p A film camera on the other hand doesn't really give you that option.
 

Moab Man

Senior Member
...........and when the battery goes dead........................?

I would Mcgyver two coconuts carried to my island by an eastern swallow, an empty Tide laundry bottle that floated to the island, and the cornea lens of a dungeness crab to create a solar powered charging station for my camera.
 
Last edited:

gustafson

Senior Member
Beat me to it [MENTION=11881]Moab Man[/MENTION] Trust that addresses your concerns, @480sparky! So you gonna share your gear choices or stay hung up on a minor technicality?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

480sparky

Senior Member
I would Mcgyver to coconuts carried to my island by an eastern swallow, an empty Tide laundry bottle that floated to the island, and the cornea lens of a dungeness crab to create a solar powered charging station for my camera.


Pffft. The Professor would use a bicycle...........
 
Top