BebuLamar

Thanks and sorry! I am afraid both the 60mm and the 20mm won't auto focus with the D5600. Perhaps an FX model? A new D750 is $1500 which is $600 over budget. A D7200 would work with the lenses fully but with a different angle of view than the N70. The D7200 new is $800 now.

harlequin2

I would add that you should still continue as if you are shooting with film! Even though you can now (or will be able to) fire off hundreds of shots for nothing, don't! The height of stupidity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result! Still think about what you are doing and compose each shot as if you were paying for it.
Post processing, or manipulating your images with computer software (such as Photoshop) is a whole new ball game and it IS one of the reasons you should switch to digital, but a steep learning curve indeed. Try and take the best possible images you can in the camera, just as you do with film. Go and do a Photoshop course and learn what can be done to improve your already excellent images!
Don't be persuaded into buying a full frame camera until you understand the difference between FX and DX and then make your own decision. Just remember that DX is much cheaper and will give you the same (or better!) results at your point in the learning curve. Someone mentioned buying a body with an auto-focus motor, but don't waste your money until you know why you would want one.
I started in digital photography with Kodak's first 1 megapixel offering and I thought it was amazing.
The best combination I have owned in terms of quality results and value for money was a Nikon D3300 with a Tamron 16 - 300 zoom and I have taken some award winning (at my local camera club) images with that.
I now have a Sony A7 III with a 24 - 240 zoom and I wonder why!

safeman

Looks like the least expensive approach that will allow me to use my DX lens is going to be a D7200. Anyone disagree.

harlequin2

Yes, everyone will disagree. Haven't you learned anything from all this advice?

CO

Your Nikon 60mm f2.8D and Nikon 20mm f2.8D AF will not autofocus on the D3400 or D5600. I'm not sure about the Sigma lens. That's because those two Nikons don't have an internal focusing motor. You would need to go to a D7xxx series or higher Nikon to get the internal focusing motor.

Cameras have had low pass filters to reduce the chance of moire patterns appearing in the photos. That would be seen typically with man made objects that have repeating patterns like screens and some fabrics. Manufacturers have started to eliminate the low pass filters with the latest cameras that have higher pixel counts. High resolution sensors are less likely to show moire. Camera that don't have a low pass filter produce images that are slightly sharper than cameras that have a low pass filter.

Nikon's DX format cameras use the 23.60 x 15.60 size sensor in the chart below.

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Here's how you can tell if a lens does not have its own built-in focusing motor. It will have the focusing drive screw as shown in this photo

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safeman

Thanks BebuLamar. Can you explain the different angle thing?

CO

The D7200 and D7500 would both be great choices. Another great thing is that you will be getting a pentaprism viewfinder. The D3xxx and D5xxx series Nikons have pentamirror viewfinders. The glass prism in the D7200 and D7500 gives a larger, slightly brighter view through the viewfinder.

AndyGarcia

If the D5600 has an autofocus motor it will work with the Nikons and possibly the Sigma. I would get a used D7200 (there was a good one on this sire) as it is an excellent DX body. If you go FX then you can get D610s within your budget.

I did not think the D5xxx series had A/F motors. I could be totally wrong.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Digital brings up so many wonderful choices. But if you are locked into a SLR form factor and the Nikon brand, there is no point. Just get the two lens D5600 kit and start down the discovery path seeing what can be done! $800 and it says Nikon on the front!

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1308913-REG/nikon_d5600_dslr_camera_with.html

safeman

Thanks CO. Picture is worth a thousand words. I now understand a little more than I did.

CO

The D5600 will not autofocus with the 3 lenses you have. It will not autofocus with traditional 1980s screw-type AF and AF-D lenses. Here is the lens mount of the D5600. If it had a built-in focusing motor there would be the little drive screw on the face of the lens mount.

D5600

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D7500 (The D7200 has the autofocus drive screw also)

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robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

[quote=safeman]I am finally moving from film to digital and I need a great deal of accurate information
to give the transition every chance to succeed. Accepting that I know nothing about DSLRs here are some questions:

Nikon 3700 or 5600? Why?
The 5600 is a higher end body with more controls and goodies - but it has no focus motor for use with lenses that do not have their own motor, for that you need a 7000 series body.

Body only or Kit? (Nikkor 18-55 VR, 70-300 4.5-6.3 Zoom)?

I have three AF lens that work on my N-70 film Camera: Sigma 28-300D Aspherical IF; 60mm Micro Nikkor f2.8D; 20mm Nikkor f2.8D AF. Will these lens work on either or both of the cameras I'm considering?
Those are full frame lenses(ie 35 mm) in digital terms and they will work on either full frame bodies or the crop sensor bodies you are considering. (crop sensor, sensor is smaller than a 35 mm negative and the images are "cropped" so they look as if the lens used was longer, for Nikon that would be 1.5 so the 60 mm macro will get images that look like they were taken with a 90 mm) Depending on several things they may become manual focus on a digital body. Take one to the camera store and ask them to try it on a body and see, or they may know off the top of their head. You might consider a full frame body. They are more expensive but generally higher end and a used or refurbished one might be found. Then your lenses will produce images with an angle of view your are used to.

What is the advantage/disadvantage of a low pass filter?
Gets rid of "moire" patterns in images, but also takes away a bit of the sharpness of the image.

Realizing this is a dangerous, open ended question, what else do I need to know?
Lots, but most photographers and people on the UHH are glad to help. If you can find one or more good camera shops go there and ask, being aware that they may push Brand X or Model Y because: a. they like it b. they have a ton in stock c. they got a deal and the profits are higher or d. they really believe what they recommend is better.

Disclaimer, I am a Canon person, never took a picture with a Nikon in my life other than a time or two when someone asked "Can you take a picture of us so we are all in the picture?" But I am a retired teacher and generally made it a point to learn about Nikon and other brands just so I can answer questions for people. And one very important question for you, "What kinds of pictures are you interested in taking?" That can change what people recommend you buy/use.

Charlie'smom

The lenses will work with both D3400 and D5600 cameras. They just won’t autofocus. They will autofocus with the D7200.

BebuLamar

If you put any of your lens on the N70 then on the D7200 you will see the D7200 will show less of the view than the N70 and it would take less of the view. Some consider it an advantage because they appear to be longer lenses than they are on the N70. I myself consider it a disadvantage as it only uses part of the image formed by the lenses.
I know it's expensive and I generally do not recommend camera for others but in this case I really feel that if you can go for the D750 it would be a great camera for you. The D750 at $1500 is a good deal and Nikon throws in a battery grip which is worth about $300 and if you can sell it for $100 or so you have the D750 price down to $1400.

srt101fan

I have to disagree with you harlequin. I don't think the flip out screen of the D5600 is a novelty. Very useful for us old geezers for taking low shots that the old knees just don't handle so well anymore! Also good for overhead shots in a crowd.