New -- Recommended Camera & Lenses

Rtwinger

New member
I am struggling mightily with what to get. My last camera was a Canon AE-1 and I loved using it.

As I am re-starting, I expect to take photos over the entire range - street, landscapes, night scenes, vacation, not big into portraits. This camera will be used solely for my personal enjoyment, no business interests and no weddings.

What I am considering (and who isn't) D7200 or D750. I would appreciate input on what you believe is a better choice for my needs and the lenses that should accompany each.

Do you believe that regardless of whatever body is selected, you need to always pick the fastest lenses?
 
First, Welcome to the forum.

A lot depends on what you plan to do with the camera. Since you are basically just starting over I would probably choose the D7200. Great IQ and the lenses are less expensive. If money is no object then you might look into the D500
 

hark

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Contributor
Both bodies are excellent choices and both have the ability to produce fantastic images. The difference in price between FX and DX glass can be quite high depending upon what you choose. When you buy lenses, please think of them as investments. Quite often we will continue to use the same lenses even if we change or upgrade bodies.

Fast glass (lenses with f/2.8 or larger apertures) allow faster shutter speeds to be used while keeping the ISO as low as possible. That can be crucial in low light situations. Fast glass also yields more bokeh when compared with equivalent slower lenses (granted, bokeh is dependent upon the distance between the camera and subject as well as the distance between subject and background). Fast glass can give a razor thin depth of field that isn't available with slower lenses under the same situations.

Quite often (but not always) fast lenses tend to have metal mounts. Many of the slower lenses have plastic mounts--especially the newer G lenses.

Many people love Tamron's newest 24-70mm f/2.8 G2 lens. It's fast, has their version of vibration reduction, but costs far less than Nikon's 24-70mm VR lens.

But here's the thing...you'd be best to decide whether you want to stick with a DX or FX body first. If you start out with a DX body and DX lenses then decide to upgrade to an FX body down the road, you'd be better off getting new FX lenses to go with that FX body. And that will cost you more in the long run. Both a DX and FX body will fill your needs. If you are into birding or macro, then DX would work well. You can do birding or macro with FX, but it might mean adding a teleconverter or extension tubes to yield similar results as you'd get with DX.

You have a lot of things to consider. Please be sure to weigh all options to make the best choice for your needs...and desires. FX is excellent and many people have such a strong desire for it...but you need to understand the differences and make an educated choice.

Good luck! :encouragement:
 

SkvLTD

Senior Member
As I am re-starting, I expect to take photos over the entire range - street, landscapes, night scenes, vacation, not big into portraits. This camera will be used solely for my personal enjoyment, no business interests and no weddings.

Do you believe that regardless of whatever body is selected, you need to always pick the fastest lenses?

Well, sounds like 750 or maybe even a Df is the way to go for you leaning towards the street and night scenes.

As far as glass, it REALLY depends on whether you need the fastest or not. Do you want f/1.4 kinda look? Do you shoot social gatherings without a flash to merit a 2.8 zoom?
 
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