What would you recommend?

Irina Kogacheva

New member
Hello everyone,
as some of you know I had some issues with my 5years old nikon d90, I looked through all the suggestions and made the decision to treat myself to a new camera, but unfortunately don't have much time to do as much of the research as I wish… 8months old baby won't let me stay by the computer for more than 30 min :)

anyway, my question is - which camera would you recommend and why? My baby is my best model :) I don't do much of any other photography right now

I would prefer to stay in a $1000 price range for the body.

Thank you all!
 

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
Hello everyone,
as some of you know I had some issues with my 5years old nikon d90, I looked through all the suggestions and made the decision to treat myself to a new camera, but unfortunately don't have much time to do as much of the research as I wish… 8months old baby won't let me stay by the computer for more than 30 min :)

anyway, my question is - which camera would you recommend and why? My baby is my best model :) I don't do much of any other photography right now

I would prefer to stay in a $1000 price range for the body.

Thank you all!
I'd steer you toward the D5300 with the 18-140mm. This combo is well within your budget, and an amazing combination. My girlfriend shoots with a D5300 and she gets amazing results with it. I regularly refer to the D5300 as a "sheep in wolf's clothing" because based on what I've seen this camera consistently punches way above it's weight class.

The 18-140mm lens is an excellent all-around lens that goes from wide angle to moderate telephoto. If you can spend a couple hundred extra dollars, get the Nikon 35mm f/1.8G to go along with it. This is a gem of prime lens that will be great for shooting indoors. It's fast, light and super sharp.
 

nickt

Senior Member
I would just mention you might prefer a d7100 or a d7200 to the d5300. It depends how bonded you were with your d90. The d7x00 series has a user interface much like your d90. More direct access buttons and top lcd. The d5300 (as well as d3x00) is more menu driven. Also if you have any older lenses that don't have a focus motor, the d7x00 is a better choice as it will auto focus with those older lenses as your d90 did. Both totally great cameras, just somewhat different user interfaces. D7100 would keep you on budget, d7200 will put you over. If the controls and focus motor aren't an issue, then full steam ahead with the d5300. Great lenses Fish mentioned too.
 

hark

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Contributor
I would just mention you might prefer a d7100 or a d7200 to the d5300. It depends how bonded you were with your d90. The d7x00 series has a user interface much like your d90. More direct access buttons and top lcd. The d5300 (as well as d3x00) is more menu driven. Also if you have any older lenses that don't have a focus motor, the d7x00 is a better choice as it will auto focus with those older lenses as your d90 did. Both totally great cameras, just somewhat different user interfaces. D7100 would keep you on budget, d7200 will put you over. If the controls and focus motor aren't an issue, then full steam ahead with the d5300. Great lenses Fish mentioned too.

Nick makes an excellent point. Since you didn't mention what lenses you are currently using, if you have older lenses that worked with 35mm film cameras, the D5300 won't be able to AF although those lenses can be manually focused.

The cost of a new D7100 now is what I paid for my refurbished D7100. And as Nick mentioned, the functions of the D7100 are very similar to the D90. Posting Amazon links although I prefer to buy from B&H myself.

Body only: Amazon.com : Nikon D7100 24.1 MP DX-Format CMOS Digital SLR (Body Only) : Digital Camera : Camera & Photo

Body with 18-140mm DX lens: Amazon.com : Nikon D7100 24.1 MP DX-Format CMOS Digital SLR with 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR Auto Focus-S DX NIKKOR Zoom Lens : Slr Digital Cameras : Camera & Photo
 

singlerosa_RIP

Senior Member
I bought my 7200 from Nikon USA refurb for $900 last October. I've seen them even cheaper since then. Since the OP's budget is $1K for body only, should be no problem if OP doesn't mind refurb, lives is US and can wait for a 10% off sale (currently $999 with no discounts).
 

Zeke_M

Senior Member
I would just mention you might prefer a d7100 or a d7200 to the d5300. It depends how bonded you were with your d90. The d7x00 series has a user interface much like your d90. More direct access buttons and top lcd. The d5300 (as well as d3x00) is more menu driven. Also if you have any older lenses that don't have a focus motor, the d7x00 is a better choice as it will auto focus with those older lenses as your d90 did. Both totally great cameras, just somewhat different user interfaces. D7100 would keep you on budget, d7200 will put you over. If the controls and focus motor aren't an issue, then full steam ahead with the d5300. Great lenses Fish mentioned too.

What he said.

I paid just under $1000 for my D7100, the 50mm f1.8 AF-D lens and the 85mm f1.8G lens.
I found the 50mm at Adorama and the 85mm locally.

If the OP can afford it the D7100/7200 is the way to go.
 

cwgrizz

Senior Member
Challenge Team
I have both the D5300 and the D7100. I like them both, but I lean toward the D7100 because of the extra button/wheel controls. The D5300 menu driven system has now become annoying after getting used to the D7100. I do like the articulating LCD on the D5300 and sometimes wish that the D7100 had that feature. The results from both cameras are great. If you are not into changing settings often, then the D5300 is a great camera and you would have $500 extra for lens purchases. If you are one who really likes to tweak things often, then the D7100 would be the way to go. IMHO The D7100 is larger and heavier than the D5300, if that is of any concern to your needs.
 

Danno

Senior Member
I have the D7200 and I love it. Low light is good and overall I really enjoy the camera. I was in a very similar spot. I had my D3200 and found a good deal on the D7200 Referb thru Nikon. But I think both cameras are excellent.
 

MaxBlake

Senior Member
The short answer is to get the one that best fits your eye and budget ... but keep in mind that at some point, you are going to want a better camera than what you are about to buy, just as you now want one that's better than the one you currently own. Why not go one or two steps above and beyond right now and save yourself some extra expense down the road. As noted, the D5300 is a fine camera and a good buy at present, as is the D3300 and the D5500. I'd simply suggest stepping up to the D7200 right now and bypassing the middle-man.
 

Fortkentdad

Senior Member
I have a D5100 and D7100 and they are fine cameras. My wife prefers the D5100, smaller and the swivel screen is wonderful. But the limitation is the lack of internal motor which means any lens without an internal motor (Nikon's AF-D's and other) will not autofocus. The D7100 is a significantly more advanced camera - more like your D90 updated and can focus any lens. It is larger. Dual SD Cards (the day you left the card in the computer after downloading you will be thankful it has two).

The newer D5600 has improved performance in many ways - but you will pay a premium for getting the latest and greatest. I bought the D7100 on a clearance sale as the D7200 is out and offers more.

Either camera will take grand pictures of your baby. I'd recommend the DX 35mm 1.8 if you don't already have it for low light shots of babies (and anyone else for that matter. Very affordable and very light.

Best of luck.
 

Fortkentdad

Senior Member
Thank you everyone!
Doing my research on 7100 vs 7200 trying to figure out if $300 extra are worth the difference :)
I do appreciate everyones help!

Faced that choice recently, and chose to save a few hundred and go for the D7100. Nothing wrong with the D7100 but somedays I wonder if I short changed myself to save about $300 - seems like a lot when you are looking at $700 vs $1000 but it does buy you a bit better camera, and that nifty wifi feature (not sure if I would have used it - have a wifi plug in for my D610 and never use it). If I were to face that choice again today and had the funds at hand I'd probably pony up the extra $300.
 
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