Looking for advice in Pgh PA: Hi, I am just getting back to photography since days of film. I have decided to invest in a new dslr camera & looking for some advice. I would like to get...

pgerardi Loc: Bethel Park, PA

Hi, I am just getting back to photography since days of film. I have decided to invest in a new dslr camera & looking for some advice. I would like to get into HDR photography primarily for architecture & nature shots. I am leaning toward Nikon D5300 but am open. Looking to spend 7-8 hundred. Thanks for your input & I look forward to learning.

Regards

Paul

nicksr1125 Loc: Mesa, AZ

First off, welcome to the Hog. You'll find plenty of friends & good advice here. As for what camera to buy, find a local camera shop and handle all the models you're considering. Don't limit your choice to Nikon. Check out Canon, Sony, & Pentax as well. Many moons ago, when I purchased my 1st autofocus camera, I worked in a camera shop & set the Nikon 8008, Canon EOS 620, & Minolta Maxxum 7000i side-by-side. Through a process of eliminating bodies for features that were lacking or how the camera handled, I eliminated Canon & Nikon. The Nikon went because it didn't have spot metering capability (then the 8008S came along) and the EOS 620 felt clumsy. Now I carry a Sony A850 which mounts all the lenses my Maxxum used. Explain to the salesperson what you're trying to decide but, don't be swayed by what they're trying to sell you. They are probably on commission.

Bmac Loc: Long Island, NY

Hello Paul and welcome to the forum. 8-)

Db7423 Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

Welcome to the Hog, Paul. Look for a PM from me. I'm willing to help you with your questions. ;)

A. J. Loc: PA. USA

pgerardi wrote:

Hi, I am just getting back to photography since days of film. I have decided to invest in a new dslr camera & looking for some advice. I would like to get into HDR photography primarily for architecture & nature shots. I am leaning toward Nikon D5300 but am open. Looking to spend 7-8 hundred. Thanks for your input & I look forward to learning.

Regards

Paul

Welcome, Paul, to the forum.

Depends on the price range, say from, $500. to $6000 for the camera body alone, plus the price of lenses.

I am a causal photographer so I bought a Canon Rebel t4i DSLR, a lower price range camera, but it's the lenses that runs up the cost.
Sometimes you can get a good price on a bundle.

Wishing you all the best of luck in your quest.
:-)

amehta Loc: Boston

nicksr1125 wrote:

First off, welcome to the Hog. You'll find plenty... (show quote)

Why go to a camera store where the salesperson is "probably on commission" when there are people here who know as much as the average camera store person and aren't on commission?

nicksr1125 Loc: Mesa, AZ

Good point. The main thing I was getting at is to handle several different makes before you buy. It can be a lot like buying a car.

amehta Loc: Boston

nicksr1125 wrote:

Good point. The main thing I was getting at is to handle several different makes before you buy. It can be a lot like buying a car.

True. My thinking on both is to avoid a product you don't like when you test it. Using it for 10 minutes isn't going to really tell you that you do like it. With a camera, our hands and brains are very adaptable, so as long as it isn't uncomfortable, keep it on the list. Like shoes, there is a break-in period, but in this case the camera is breaking us in. :-)

sueyeisert Loc: New Jersey

I would also read reviews of cameras written by people who bought the camera which you can find on Amazon and B&H. Also consider weight which is why I switched from Nikon to Fuji.

SwedeUSA2

[quote=A. J.]
"Depends on the price range, say from, $500. to $6000 for the camera body alone, plus the price of lenses."

He said 6 to 800 (I assume he meant dollars.

Correction: 7 to 800.

bersharbp Loc: Texas

pgerardi wrote:

Hi, I am just getting back to photography since days of film. I have decided to invest in a new dslr camera & looking for some advice. I would like to get into HDR photography primarily for architecture & nature shots. I am leaning toward Nikon D5300 but am open. Looking to spend 7-8 hundred. Thanks for your input & I look forward to learning.

Regards

Paul

Welcom aboard. The 5300 is a good choice; the processor is the same as the 7100 and very difficult to beat with any camera.

PhotoGenesis131 Loc: Michigan

pgerardi wrote:

Hi, I am just getting back to photography since days of film. I have decided to invest in a new dslr camera & looking for some advice. I would like to get into HDR photography primarily for architecture & nature shots. I am leaning toward Nikon D5300 but am open. Looking to spend 7-8 hundred. Thanks for your input & I look forward to learning.

Regards

Paul

The 5300 is a good maybe a great camera. The one thing to keep in mind that it does not have a motor to drive auto focus. Many new lenses do have their own motor. I have bought some great older glass that doesn't have their own motor. The 5300 will mean you always have to buy motorized lenses.

amehta Loc: Boston

bersharbp wrote:

Welcom aboard. The 5300 is a good choice; the processor is the same as the 7100 and very difficult to beat with any camera.

That's a really interesting comment. I want to disagree, but I'm not entirely sure if I can.

A. J. Loc: PA. USA

[quote=SwedeUSA2]

A. J. wrote:

"Depends on the price range, say from, $500. to $6000 for the camera body alone, plus the price of lenses."

He said 6 to 800 (I assume he meant dollars.

Correction: 7 to 800.

OKIE-DOOKIE.