Going to need help...

Brad4450

New member
Hello all. I'm in the process of trying to figure this whole camera thing out. Will be buying my fiancé a new camera as a first mothers day gift (little boy due in June!) and I'm a bit overwhelmed with options at the moment. My research so far has led me to probably purchase something in the DX line... probably either the 5600 or 7500. She'll be new to photography but I want something she can "grow into".

Initially it'll be used to take 1,000,000 pictures of the new baby I'm sure but I know she's expressed interest in landscape photography as well. Any recommendations on what lenses would be good to start with? Probably more general purpose to start... something good for baby pictures around the house. Also something to get into the landscape stuff. Not super concerned about price but don't want to buy something I don't need either :)

Thanks in advance! (and if this is the wrong place to post this let me know)
 

PapaST

Senior Member
Welcome aboard and congrats on the baby. I'm a little hesitant to advise on camera bodies since I'm a few generations removed from the latest and greatest. I grew into photography much the same way you say your fiance is with a baby on the way. As I developed I found my priorities were with faster better IQ (image quality) lenses and better dynamic range and ISO performance as far as bodies. I'm not sure how the 5600 and 7500 stack up to each other in the dynamic range and ISO but I would opt for the better of the two if the gap is significant. I would also opt for the model that ergonomically felt better and had more controls at my finger tips rather than having to menu dive.

As for glass (lenses) if I had to do it over again I would have skipped the intro level lenses. They worked sufficiently but I craved the faster aperture and better IQ of the more prosumer and pro lenses.

That being said, I would say the most important thing to learn is how the camera operates and how to best utilize the exposure triangle (shutter speed, aperture and ISO). Having a good understanding of that and applying it to the equipment you have is just as important in my book.
 

Moab Man

Senior Member
Based on what you have said, I would go with the D7500 assuming, as you said, photography is something that she would like to grow into and develop. And if all else fails, the camera has a full auto capability (green camera symbol on the top left dial).

From there, PapaST is 100% correct. Buy the best glass you can afford. Nikon brand is expensive, Tamron and Sigma have really tied up the quality difference and in a few places exceed Nikon but for a whole chunk of money less.

A good comparison: Nikon D5600 vs Nikon D7500 Detailed Comparison

Finally, after she has her camera, have her join Nikonites as there are a lot of great people to help her out as she learns.
 

Bikerbrent

Senior Member
Welcome aboard. Enjoy the ride.
We look forward to seeing more posts and samples of your fiancé's work.

For about $250 less, you might want to look into the D7200. Many on this site consider it superior to the D7500 in many ways.
 

hark

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Contributor
My suggestion is for the D7500, too. It's a much better body that will allow her more room to grow. Many setting changes can be easily made because the D7x00 series uses both the menu as well as a button and wheel to make quick changes. I *think* the D5x00 mostly goes through the menu for setting changes. That takes longer.

The D7500 will accept the older AF and AF-D lenses that lack AF motors. That means the body will focus both manually as well as with the autofocus when using those lenses. The D5x00 will accept autofocus lenses that lack AF motors but will only focus manually. And there are a lot of older lenses that are still quite good to use.

The D7500 weighs more, but a good strap will do wonders for that. And some companies make waist holsters to carry cameras/lenses such as Think Tank. Their holster system uses a belt, and each holster case can attach to the belt.

The D7500 only has one card slot (not sure about the D5600). The D7200 that Brent mentioned has 2 card slots. That way one card can be assigned as a backup just in case the primary card become corrupt (no lost images).

Good luck with whatever you choose. No doubt she will be pleased with either body. :)
 
First off Welcome to the forum. I would suggest the D7200 over the D7500 for the 2 cards vs the 1 card. Also the difference in cost would be better spent on better glass.
I would suggest getting an all around lens to start with. Something like the Nikon 18-140. This gives you lots of freedom when you are shooting. You can add lenses as you grow and know more what you are doing.
 

Andy W

Senior Member
Welcome to the forum! I really like the DX 18-140 Don mentioned on my 7200. It's a great all around lens. If you're not too concerned about price, and if she is going to mostly use this for portrait and landscape, you may want to consider a full frame.
 

Brad4450

New member
Thanks for the replies guys! I have plenty of time to keep digging in and educating myself before Mothers Day and this give me some direction. I'm still figuring out what all the specs mean and how they'll apply to what she wants to do. I'm definitely going to recommend she joins this group once she has her new toy!
 

Brad4450

New member
Thanks Andy. For the uninitiated (me!) what is the big advantage of a full frame? Whatever I end up with I want it to be pretty flexible or as close to "all purpose" as it can be. But I also don't want something that is overly complicated to start out with as she has zero experience with a DSLR at this point.
 

Prefrosh01

Senior Member
Congratulations on the upcoming baby!

I agree with what many of the other posters have already suggested. The D7200 is a great camera (I have the D7100) and the 18-140 is a great all around lens. If you were looking to add a prime lens, definitely look at getting her the 35mm F1.8 DX lens.
 

Texas

Senior Member
Full frame: you can crop out (throw away) 3/4ths of you picture, then blow it up large and still have a good one. And by some magic, even with the same amount of light per pixel arriving at the sensor as a crop-frame camera, they are more sensitive and less noisy in low light / no flash photography.

Disadvantages are cost and the larger RAW files and need for full frame lenses to get the most out of them.

Full frame is fun if you want to own the very best especially for landscape work.

In my case, for family, event, and general picture making full frame is over kill for me.

Best advice I can give for a first camera for an inexperienced person is to find one that feels good in their hand and is not too expensive to take out and use even in hectic situations. Support for a good flash that can be used for bounce and off-camera would be high on my list. "Growing" into using the more advanced features will take hundreds of hours of learning and experimenting. It's big fun but you do have to enjoy putting in the time.

I'd also like to know the percentage of moms/dads that move into shooting RAW family photos with all that it requires.
Bet it is pretty low.
 
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Brad4450

New member
Good advice. It's too easy for me to keep looking at the next model up the line and saying "well, it's only another $200". But then there's another step up "only" a few hundred dollars above that lol. That's how I get myself in trouble with most big purchases I make :)

I think I'll stick with either a D7200 or D7500 along with a couple of quality lenses for this one and if down the line she's really gone crazy with it and wants to upgrade we can go that route. I really appreciate all the help from everyone!
 

Dawg Pics

Senior Member
Any prosumer, modern DSLR will serve you well until the shutter dies. As long as it can be put in manual, you are good for learning photography for years and years. It really is a life-long hobby.

Good luck. You can't go wrong with either the D7200 or D7500. The images will be great once she learns some technique. My suggestion is go to a local brick and mortar store and put both models in your hands. I prefer the more substantial models other people prefer a smaller camera.
I got the D500 about the time the D7500 was starting to be released.

I looked at both D500 and D7200 in the store, and kept picking up the D500. Decision made.
One thing you could do, is go with her to the store to pick it out. It is still a surprise, and she gets the one she feels most comfortable with. It is kind of like picking out a guitar. One speaks to you and feels better in your hands than the others.

Ergonomics and how the viewfinder looks to you is important. I need a good viewfinder and more subtantial build.

It is a great gift for a new parent. Please post some images and let us know what you decide.
 
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Chucktin

Senior Member
My two cents: I have several Nikons, DX & FX, and a Fuji XPRO2. When I want something handy (to use) I use a DX. When I'm looking for something serious than it's the FX. Starting out I would not invest big $ until you've tried a few.
Take a look at ebay, or Craig's List, or LetItGo and you'll see a lot of stuff to avoid because people are unhappy with them. I'm a life-long Nikon user but if I'm asked what camera to buy from a novice I generally point out Canon as the best bang for the buck at that juncture. If you or she becomes serious you can always move up.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk
 

Andy W

Senior Member
Thanks Andy. For the uninitiated (me!) what is the big advantage of a full frame? Whatever I end up with I want it to be pretty flexible or as close to "all purpose" as it can be. But I also don't want something that is overly complicated to start out with as she has zero experience with a DSLR at this point.

The full frame is said to have better low light performance. I was in your position (camera shopping/no baby!) several months ago and chose the D7200 for my wife to use for wildlife photography. I liked it so well I decided I needed one too.
 

MorkC68

Senior Member
Welcome to Nikonites, you'll enjoy it here :)

Congratulations on the upcoming baby, hope all goes well! We're at the other end, our tribe are all starting leaving home and going to Universities.
 

Whiskeyman

Senior Member
First of all, welcome to nikonites.com and congratulations!

As far as which camera, is there a camera store near you? If so, visit it with your fiancé and let her hold some of the bodies you’re considering. Remember that some stores, such as Best Buy, have cameras that you can try out in-store. For lenses, consider a wide- or normal-to-telephoto zoom, such as the 24-120 f4.

In addition, you’re going to need a program to process the photos on your camera, and there are many that provide capabilities beyond what your computer’s resident supplied photo app/program will do. You’re also going to need additional storage space for all of those photos, times two! The first to store the images, and a second for backup. Do not skip the backup! Was I clear about not skipping the backup? Don’t skip the backup! We’re it me, I’d start with two 4 TB drives from different makers.

I could go on, but maybe that’s already too much. Good luck!

WM
 
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