Berliner Loc: Branson, Missouri

I have been taking pictures for a couple of years now. Been doing so with a P+S Nikon and a Fuji film Bridge camera. I am looking at the Nikon D5100, Canon T4i, Nikon D7000 and the Nikon D 90. All have their strong points and week ones. I really want a vari-angle tilt out screen as I have had a spinal fusion and things lower to the ground are difficult to deal with....heck my shoes are the hardest thing I do in a day. They say the tilt screens are for video.....not in my world. Why would they buy a Dslr camera for videos? In my opinion why are the manufacturers wasting time, money and capabilities of a picture taking device for video capability....? OK, I have digressed. The D5100 feels too small in my bear claw like hands. I think I can overcome this with a battery grip. I have no lenses so no investment there to worry about. I do miles of walking and lots of traveling so carrying more than 2 lenses will never be something I desire to do. If there was the ONE PERFECT lenses what would it be? Should I buy kit with the 18-55 or body and get a ? Is there an issue with buying over the internet? NO TAX! I shoot mostly outdoors and landscapes, animals and the occasional sporting events. Very little of people or portraits. Please throw me your personal opinions.......not really in a Nikon/Canon debate.....but a practical useful aspect of how and why you have the set up you do. My budget is $800. I will be ordering/buying this next week as my wife is out of town. She does nit share the passion but does look at the pics. One other side note....I will start filling the walls of a room or a hallway with my pics. Tired of having them only on a tablet or laptop. I look forward to your comments and thank you in advance. Frank

RaydancePhoto

I shoot Sony Alpha cameras so will give you the + as best I can.

The main + is that you can get used Minolta lenses that will work perfectly on the Sony, this saves you lots of money. The Minolta lenses are like all manufactures, some are great, some are poor. As an example, the Minolta 70-210mm f/4 is extremely sharp and you can pick one up for about 100.00 in ex+ shape. Any lens that compares in Canon or Nikon or 3rd party for the former cameras, will cost you around 1000.00.

Here is a list of my lenses for Sony Alpha. I have an A57 and an A65

All Minolta
75-300mm Very good lens.
70-210 f/4.0 Beercan lens - better than my Canon 70-200 f/2.8 L lens in my opinion
35-105 /3.5-4.5 with Macro, very nice lens, good for portraits
100mm f/2.8 Macro - this lens is so sharp you don't dare use it for portraits.
135mm /2.8 again very sharp and great color - love this for portraits
50mm f/1.2 extremely sharp
50mm f/1.4 extremely sharp

Berliner Loc: Branson, Missouri

Thank you Raydance....I keep hearing enough about the Sony to intrigue me. I will have to drive the 40 minutes to the closest real camera shop. The lenses story was o good one. Thank yoy

RaydancePhoto

Here is a 100% crop from my Sony A57. 16Mp org image. I did use a Tamron lens on this, the only non-Minolta lens I have, 17-55 f/2.8 exceptional lens.

2nd image is same camera, used the Minolta 75-300 lens.

RaydancePhoto

The main reason I suggested Sony was your budget limit. For 800.00 you don't get much in Nikon or Canon lenses.

Berliner Loc: Branson, Missouri

Utterly fantastic picture of you...the clarity is amazing.....you look like a famous singer whom's name slips me right now....who does everyone tell you that you look like? I appreciate you!

Tea8 Loc: Where the wind comes sweeping down the plain.

The problem with a D7000 will be that there isn't a tilt out screen on it, but you could purchase old lenses and still get them to autofocus because the motor is in the body rather than in the lens; like where you have to have it to get a lens to focus on a D5100. Also with the 5100 you'd have to but a grip that isn't made by Nikon because they don't make them for that model from what I understand. Although I have heard that some of the grips made by third parties do just fine. All I know about Canon is that you can't use old lenses on the newer bodies because their newer lenses and bodies use a different mounting format. So you'd have to have an adaptor too unit old lenses if its even possible, idk I'm a Nikon girl.

wierdphotoguy Loc: the snow belt in Michigan

Raydance beat me to the punch! Every thing he said above is true.(don't know about his canon lens, I never used one)

My first DSLR is a Sony, and I cannot say enough good things about it. You mentioned video capabilities as a waste of time for camera makers. This is true in most cases, but Sony kicks butt in the electronics market. Now that cameras are electronics. . . My $500 camera will take Blu-Ray quality video. I agree that buying a DSLR just to shoot video is silly, but having the ability to shoot 1080p video at a second's notice is nice to have.

I would recommend the a65 for your price range and hand size. It is not the biggest camera out there, but the controls are nice and comfortable. You might look at the internet to compare the a65 to the Nikons and Canons you mentioned earlier, before making the 40 minute drive. You will find some biases, but the feature list will probably make your eyes pop.

Heve you noticed how few posts there are on UHH about "this problem or that problem with my Sony"? Its not because of a lack of Sony users!

I hope you find a camera that suits your needs, and I hope your wife becomes your biggest photo groupie!

Peace

RaydancePhoto

Thanks. I don't know who I might look like, if you figure it out I'd be liken to know.

Berliner Loc: Branson, Missouri

OK....I figured it out....Not a singer....but actor Muse Watson look him up. I work in Media here in Branson.......you look very much like his in person look.

Berliner Loc: Branson, Missouri

http://www.cinemagia.ro/actori/muse-watson-13906/poze-hires/316758/

Check it out Raydance

RaydancePhoto

I really like him as an actor. We look kinda close.

Berliner Loc: Branson, Missouri

He is here in Branson several times a year....amazing person.......

olcoach Loc: Oregon

Hi Berliner, Unfortunately, there is no perfect lens that will do all things, or even most things. If I had to pick, taking into account your budget, I'd look for a used zoom but only you can decide what is needed for what you shoot. Take your time and do a lot of research as the machine you choose is probably going to be with you for awhile. At the same time have fun looking.

GrahamS Loc: Hertfordshire, U.K

She's talking about heritage film camera lenses for FD or FL mount, not old Eos film camera lenses. An Eos EF mount lens will fit any Canon Eos digital camera, no matter how old.