Nikon shooters, some advice on new camera: I am shooting Sony and very happy in general with my gear. One thing the Sony line will not do is Tethering. I am thinking of getting a Nikon...

RaydancePhoto

I am shooting Sony and very happy in general with my gear.

One thing the Sony line will not do is Tethering. I am thinking of getting a Nikon and 1 lens to use for portraits so that I can tether the camera to a laptop to use as a larger live view for focus and adjusting lights.

I do not need the latest and greatest, and my budget would be about 500.00 or so. Can you Nikon guys and gals tell what body and what lens to get, this is only for portraits. Lens needs to be sharp and would like something like 24-105 or something close.

Bobgood1 Loc: Indianapolis, IN

I don't mean any disrespect, but how about getting reading glasses ? I use Sony and Nikon. Both are good products. I have used Nikon for 50 yrs. I noticed a few yrs. ago, that Nikon " Point & Shoot," cameras, were cheaply made. Past Quality in a Brand doesn't Guarantee quality forever. Like most mfg, their R & D is researching how to make products cheaper, to increase profits.

RaydancePhoto

Bobgood1 wrote:

I don't mean any disrespect, but how about getting reading glasses ? I use Sony and Nikon. Both are good products. I have used Nikon for 50 yrs. I noticed a few yrs. ago, that Nikon " Point & Shoot," cameras, were cheaply made. Past Quality in a Brand doesn't Guarantee quality forever. Like most mfg, their R & D is researching how to make products cheaper, to increase profits.

Maybe you mis read my post. I am looking for a DSLR body and 1 lens. And I need the capability of tethering.

I do where glasses and it would greatly help me to have that larger screen especially in adjusting my lights for portraits.

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

D3200 and kit lens you will be amazed by the quality

Andy-j Loc: Stoke-on-Trent UK

D90 with kit lens 18-105 :thumbup:

craggycrossers Loc: Robin Hood Country, UK

RaydancePhoto wrote:

I am shooting Sony and very happy in general with ... (show quote)

How about a good used D90 and Nikkor AF 85mm f1.8D ? This is a great auto-focus lens but it's not got its own inbuilt focus motor, so needs to be driven by a camera like the D90, D200, D300, D7000. Look at this website for Nikon camera and lens reviews - http://bythom.com/

For your info the Nikon D3000 and D5000 series cameras do not have an inbuilt focus motor - so if you want autofocus lenses for any of these cameras they should be those with designation AF-S. The "S" stands for "Silent Wave Motor".

Pepper Loc: Planet Earth Country USA

I would look for a refurbished D90 and a used or refurbished 85mm f1.8 or a 105mm Macro. I'd also try and save for an off camera flash like the SB700
BTW don't discount CraggyCrossers advice as he's spot on regarding the focus motor issue.

Bret Loc: Dayton Ohio

I'd say JR is spot on....D3200 should work very well...even comes with a kit lens for that price range....maybe a re-furb and save a few more bucks as well.

RaydancePhoto

I have narrowed it down to the D90 or D3200, thanks to everyone's input.

How is the 18-105 lens for sharpness and will it work on both bodies?

craggycrossers Loc: Robin Hood Country, UK

RaydancePhoto wrote:

I have narrowed it down to the D90 or D3200, thanks to everyone's input.

How is the 18-105 lens for sharpness and will it work on both bodies?

It's an AF-S lens and would work on both bodies. Here's what Thom Hogan concludes about this lens - "For its price, this is actually quite a well rounded lens. The most visible fault for most will be the barrel distortion at 18mm and perhaps some softness in the corners at 18mm and f/3.5. Beyond that, it falls into what I'd call the "very good and no noticeable flaws" range on almost everything.

Drawbacks, 18mm is weak. Wide open you've got vignetting, softish corners, and lots of barrel distortion. Feature stripped. No VR II, no Active VR mode, no real autofocus override, plastic mount.

Positives, Value. With few exceptions, a strong performer for a good price. Right size. Balances very nicely on the DX bodies."

So it's up to you to decide whether you want the versatility of this lens or a prime portrait lens as has been suggested. Have fun making your choices.

RaydancePhoto

craggycrossers wrote:

It's an AF-S lens and would work on both bodies. H... (show quote)

My "studio" is very small, I would need at least 2 primes to cover what I would need. I have 3 DSLR's and several p/s and don't need another camera really. But doing more portraits and want to use tethering to a laptop to be able to see my lighting before the shot. So since money is an option I was thinking one zoom lens. 35-100 range would be very workable. Are their any other lenses in that range that would be better than the 18-105?

craggycrossers Loc: Robin Hood Country, UK

RaydancePhoto wrote:

My "studio" is very small, I would need at least 2 primes to cover what I would need. I have 3 DSLR's and several p/s and don't need another camera really. But doing more portraits and want to use tethering to a laptop to be able to see my lighting before the shot. So since money is an option I was thinking one zoom lens. 35-100 range would be very workable. Are their any other lenses in that range that would be better than the 18-105?

The 18-70 has a really good reputation and is cheap at present - http://bythom.com/1870lens.htm

The other, more expensive, but with a good reputation, is the 16-85mm - http://bythom.com/Nikkor16-85lensreview.htm

This is a great lens - http://bythom.com/Sigma17-50mm_lens_review.htm - but will set you back a bit more cash.

There is the latest 18-55mm kit lens (with VR) which is quite good, I believe, although I don't have experience of it.

Perhaps others can assist further.

Oh, the cameras you're choosing between are both DX cameras, with APS-C sensor, so you get a full frame equivalent with your lenses of x 1.5. That might bring into reckoning the AF-S 50mm f1.8G which is a great lens and not expensive brand new...... and, it's much faster than the zooms, apart from the Sigma, which is f2.8 across the zoom range.

marty wild Loc: England

Rent a 85mm like you are being told in my opinion a 85mm is too long it is a cracking lens for head and shoulders only. But get real people you can't get a decent Nikon 85mm under $350 any where Fact

RaydancePhoto wrote:

I am shooting Sony and very happy in general with ... (show quote)

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

I'm not knocking the D90 but it is long overdue for replacement, the D3200 is now better

craggycrossers Loc: Robin Hood Country, UK

JR1 wrote:

I'm not knocking the D90 but it is long overdue for replacement, the D3200 is now better

May be so JR1, but look at the original post - the camera and one lens will be used for portraits (single use indoors?), he doesn't NEED the latest and greatest, he has a $500 budget. Is the D90 already so "out-of-date" that it cannot, should not, be used for that purpose? Also it's got an internal focus motor that'll drive non AF-S (cheaper?) lenses. Sounds to me that he's got a specific need and purpose here ..... so maybe he CAN find a camera and one lens that will fit his budget?

Be interesting to see which way he eventually goes, eh?