JGreen48

Hello. I am new to the blog.

I am moving towards getting back into photography after 25 years away. I had a decent Pentax ME Super outfit back in the day. I even made some money with it on calendars and greeting card companies. Long story short. I am wanting to get back into the groove as a hobbyist with potential to develop streams of income (starting as slow trickles). My daughter (teenager) is interested as well. We are looking at a D5500 outfit from ebay running between 750-850 depending on set up (body, 2 lenses 18-55 and 70-300mm, and other items). I wanted some constructive critique feedback from those who have tried the 5500 and like it or do not. I read it is a good starter camera (seems a little more than starter). I am new to DSLR.

Thank you in advance.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Welcome to our forum!

Yes, the D5500 is a very nice camera. Here are some comparison sites.

Read comparisons and specs, and decide what features are important to you.
(Reviews) https://www.youtube.com/user/TheCameraStoreTV/videos
http://cameras.reviewed.com/
http://camerasize.com/
http://www.imaging-resource.com/IMCOMP/COMPS01.HTM
http://snapsort.com/compare
http://www.dpreview.com/products/compare/cameras?utm_campaign=internal-link&utm_source=mainmenu&utm_medium=text&ref=mainmenu

steve03 Loc: long Lsland

FYI Nikon announced the new D5600 yesterday.
https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/58446165q
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1308818-REG/nikon_d5600_dslr_camera_body.html/?c3api=2280%2C170113813108%2Cnikon+d5600%2Cb&gclid=CjwKEAiA-rfDBRDeyOybg8jd2U4SJAAoE5Xq_ChjC-6A5hb8KBnuY8wgTxsUTMBdwkJs_DSVnFrwIxoCEuPw_wcB

WayneT Loc: Paris, TN

Might want to wait a little while until the 5600 gets into place. The price of the 5500 will drop and more refurbished units will become available at even better prices.

mymike Loc: Tucson, AZ

I upgraded to the 5500 a couple of months ago from the 3300. I like the small size and light weight of the camera. The articulating screen is useful as well. The learning curve is a bit more than the 3300, so I got Busch's book on the 5500. It is a great camera.

JGreen48

Thank you. I will take a look at these.

JGreen48

I took a look at the 5600 as it was announced in Europe(?) a few weeks ago though was not available in the US at the time. I did not see enough to warrant the higher price, at least for where I am at now. Thank you though for the suggestion. I do appreciate the feedback.

JGreen48

Excellent. Thank you for this feedback.

JGreen48

Hmm. That is a good idea to consider. I had not thought about that. Thank you.

queencitysanta Loc: Charlotte, North Carolina

I just bought a Nikon D5500 Refurbished from Adorama and a D7200 refurbished, Great buys.

rmm0605 Loc: Atlanta GA

Nikon just announced the 5600, its newest DSLR. You might want to check the features before buying the D5500.

Elliern Loc: Myrtle Beach, SC

I bought a Nikon refurbished D5500 about 3 months ago from Cameta. It came with a one year warranty plus the 90 day Nikon warranty. I am loving it! Has really good IQ. It is small and lightweight, but has a good solid grip. I really like being able to quickly change settings using the touch screen. I have the 18-55mm and 55-300mm lenses. These meet my needs at this time. I met a man fishing from a pier who had the 5500 with the 70-300 lens attached at his side. He loved his set up. He said if he is not catching fish, he tries catching birds. He was proud to show me some of the shots he got that morning. His wife was with him and she had the same camera with the 18-140mm lens.

A fellow UHH member with the same camera, gifted me with David Busch's book on the D5500. (A great gift). I also highly recommend it. Very easy to read and very specific information on the camera. He discusses all the features and settings and shares his own setting preferences for various scenarios and explains why. An excellent book IMO.

Bottom line, this is a camera you and your daughter can enjoy for a long time. It does not have an overly complicated menu system so should be easier to learn than some other cameras, especially if you use the David Busch book as a reference.

MtnMan Loc: ID

My wife and I got D5300s a couple of years ago. One used and one refurbished. We love them. The relatively light weight, control system using the active info screen (vs. randomly located buttons), and articulated screen make the D5xxxs winners in my book.

The D5300 includes wireless and GPS (neither of which I use) but lacks the touch screen of the D5500. The D5300 sensor is like the D7100 and the D5500 like the D7200.

So if money matters get a Nikon refurbished D5300. If a few hundred dollars doesn't matter go for the D5500.

MtnMan Loc: ID

There is a thread on it. The only thing it seems to offer is bluetooth connectivity. At a much increased price.

SteveTog Loc: Philly

Hi JGreen,

I think the D5500 is an excellent choice and you will find that it provides you with much better low light sensitivity and overall capabilities than the old Pentax did. (Welcome to the digital age...)

I also like your lens choices but would also recommend a fast prime in the mix too, like a 50mm 1.8 or a 35mm 1.8 DX. They are cheap (for lenses). This is so that you can open that aperture up in low light or to blur out the background for a fairly close-in portrait. A fast prime lens will also serve as a very good trainer for your daughter, allowing her complete control over her composition and autonomy in tweaking of the magic triangle.

Good luck with your purchase!