Which way to upgrade

traceyjj

Senior Member
My daughter is coming to the end of her college course for photography and she has been invited onto the degree course.
She is going to need some new equipment and we are currently trying to decide whether to upgrade her to full frame or whether to invest in a compact system camera like the Olympus series so she can try street photography (or at least have a more discreet camera / light weight camera for their many trips) , or whether to go for something like the D7200.
She currently has a D5100 with a few lenses (my old kit), she has access to my d800 and lenses (for special occasions!) and access to a whole slew of Canon equipment through the University...
She will be discussing this with her new teacher over the next couple of weeks, but I would rather have multiple thoughts on this, specially as they seem to prefer Canon

What benefits and drawbacks might there be of having a CSC instead of upgrading her d5100 to some newer Nikon (either crop or full frame)

Many thanks for all opinions.
T :)
 

john*thomas

Senior Member
IMO discreet is not the way to go for someone that wants to do more than take hobby pics. Now, I'll preface this with the fact that I am no expert.

There are benefits to lightweight and small though. IMO you want to get used to and find a way to get right into your subjects without being intrusive. I've been shooting on the street with a wide angle lens as it forces me to get close to the subject I want to capture as opposed to hiding behind something with a zoom lens.

I'm not trying to start some argument on stereotypes or anything of the sort but IMO being female she can do this much easier once she gets comfortable with it. It's not just a stereotype either........I love to shoot the local Merchant and Artisan walks. The last one I snapped a pic of a couple ladies standing on the corner holding a sign saying "Free hugs". They were giving free hugs. They happily stopped and allowed me to take their pictures but I told my wife that if I did that I would get arrested. LOL

I have a female friend that shoots for a living........she gets invited into some really cool places without ever asking. She'll tell me "Hey, I got to go into........and shoot". Now I'm not afraid to ask, but I never get invited out of the blue. LOL

Maybe it's just me but people seem to be more relaxed when they see a "big" professional looking camera as they seem to think you must have a reason to be standing on the sidewalk taking their pictures.

So my advice is learn how to get right in people's faces without being obtrusive and offensive. To do that she should shoot with whatever makes her the most comfortable not necessarily the most discreet.
 

skene

Senior Member
I see no issues with using either something like a dslr or going to MFT. Olympus OMD or even Fuji X series cameras both will do the same thing while being lighter and easier to carry around.
Educational facilities, however do not believe that they prefer one company to the next. They get grants for equipment and go with the cheapest offer whether one company or the next. Now also at that same time it may be at preference to the educator at the time also.
When I worked with a local university, the teachers would be the one to ask for specific products.

Go with your preference and her preference.
 

Moab Man

Senior Member
If her passion is in photography, and you believe she will pursue it, then invest in a good full frame like the D750. If she is serious about it she will eventually end up there so spend the money once.
 
I agree with Moab Man on this. Street photography is great but after getting a education in photography is this how she will be making a living? The Full Frame camera like the Nikon D750 will allow her to move in more than one direction. Buy now to give her the most choices for a few years to come.
 

traceyjj

Senior Member
Thanks for everyones input. I had thought about MFT, but there was something stopping me going that way. When I shot Olympus E series almost every photo had to have noise reduction done... Using my old D5100 and now my D800, that is not usually neccessary.

I think I will take her into the local camera stores to hold a D750 so she can see if it "feels" right.
If I do go down that route for her, is there any good quality "walk-about" lens to sit with it, or will the 28-300 I used for my first year full-frame be enough (she will have access to my 14-24 and 24-70 for "special occasions"
 

Jerry_

Senior Member
I can only share the point that getting her to full frame will be the step to go the soonest possible for someone who is studying photography.

Maybe she will feel it to be heavy equipment to carry in the beginning, but when she wants to make it later on for a living, then she is likely to have to bring even heavier camerabodies (ev. D5, etc.). If she wants to be more discreet in some situations, it will always be possible to use less impressive lenses, as f.i. the 50/1.8.

As regards a good walk around lens you might consider the 24-120/4, sometimes sold in a package along with the D750.
 

skene

Senior Member
Well for a good walkaround lens, my first choice would be the 50 1.8. The only reason, I feel that it would end up being a bit more discrete that no walker bys would feel like you are shooting them in particular. The size makes it a very light lens and it would teach more about composition before taking the shot.
 

traceyjj

Senior Member
Well for a good walkaround lens, my first choice would be the 50 1.8. The only reason, I feel that it would end up being a bit more discrete that no walker bys would feel like you are shooting them in particular. The size makes it a very light lens and it would teach more about composition before taking the shot.
Thanks, I never thought about a prime :)

Shes quite good at composition, and thinking about the shot... her current photography course has been using film cameras for about 25% of the time so it has taught her to not just spray and pray.

I think for me, the hardest part is not knowing what is likely to be expected of her. I dont want to blow thousands on equipment that she doesnt need, to find we havent the budget to send her on the trips they go on (Think here Brazil, New York and Croatia for the current students)

Thanks for taking the time to answer
 
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