Used Nikon camera body under $500 for portraits
Jul 16, 2020 08:50:04 #
I have a Nikon D3300 and would like to trade up to a model better suited for studio portraits. Any recommendations for a used Nikon body under $500? I am primarily using a 50 mm F1.8 lens.
Thanks for any suggestions.
Bruce
Thanks for any suggestions.
Bruce
Jul 16, 2020 08:55:37 #
Bruce Hudson wrote:
I have a Nikon D3300 and would like to trade up to a model better suited for studio portraits. Any recommendations for a used Nikon body under $500? I am primarily using a 50 mm F1.8 lens.
Thanks for any suggestions.
Bruce
Thanks for any suggestions.
Bruce
Bruce,
Welcome aboard UHH
What does your D3300 not do that you want a better model?
Will the D5600 work for you?
https://www.nikonusa.com/en/nikon-products/product/dslr-cameras/d5600.html
Jul 16, 2020 08:59:24 #
PixelStan77 wrote:
Bruce,
What does your D3300 not do that you want a better model?
What does your D3300 not do that you want a better model?
Jul 16, 2020 09:05:38 #
Your industry standard 24MP camera is already an appropriate camera for studio portraits. You'd be better served assuring you have the proper lighting, possibly a tripod, and especially the software and computer to produce professionally processed studio portraits
Jul 16, 2020 09:22:54 #
Jul 16, 2020 09:59:26 #
Welcome to UHH Bruce Hudson...
"...studio portraits?" like CHG_CANON said... "...You'd be better served assuring you have the proper lighting"
The image below was taken with a Nikon D300 (which has an autofocus screwdriver motor that allows you to use vintage Pro Level portrait glass like the AF 80-200mm f/2.8 which can be had for ~ $300 for the Push/Pull version) VR is pretty useless in a studio... it's all about lighting. The good news about a DX body is your existing 50 mm F1.8 lens becomes an "effective" 75mm f/2.8 optic which will work for portraiture... Also the D300 has a professional build quality equal to the current flagship Nikon DX offering the D500.
btw, your D3300 (and the recommended above D5600) lack an autofocus screwdriver motor thus seriously limiting your access to stellar pro level AF-D glass which is very cost effective and works great in a studio!
While many hobbyist on UHH will put down the D300 because of it's 12.4 megapixel resolution it is more than enough for 11x14 inch prints.
Here is a D300 in Excellent Condition with an extremely low shutter count of 3,087
Comes with Charger, Battery, Original Packaging, Front Body Cap all for $154
https://www.mpb.com/en-us/used-equipment/used-photo-and-video/used-digital-slr-cameras/used-nikon-digital-slr-cameras/nikon-d300/sku-1010475/
btw you current D3300 has the look and feel of a plastic toy compared to the robust D300...
Yes your perceived worth is in part based on the "apparent" look of your kit by your clients.
Experience is a brutal teacher...
All the best on your journey Bruce Hudson... You have chosen a stellar path, all the money is in portraiture and virtual little if any is in sports, landscape and the highly popular birds in flight etc... Stay your course and visit the commercial studios in your market... nearly all in mine are using Alien Bee lighting equipment. Why? It works and is built to take industry use...
The image below was lit with Alien Bees.
enough said...
Please stay safe Bruce, practice social distancing and wear a face mask in public... thanks!
.
"...studio portraits?" like CHG_CANON said... "...You'd be better served assuring you have the proper lighting"
The image below was taken with a Nikon D300 (which has an autofocus screwdriver motor that allows you to use vintage Pro Level portrait glass like the AF 80-200mm f/2.8 which can be had for ~ $300 for the Push/Pull version) VR is pretty useless in a studio... it's all about lighting. The good news about a DX body is your existing 50 mm F1.8 lens becomes an "effective" 75mm f/2.8 optic which will work for portraiture... Also the D300 has a professional build quality equal to the current flagship Nikon DX offering the D500.
btw, your D3300 (and the recommended above D5600) lack an autofocus screwdriver motor thus seriously limiting your access to stellar pro level AF-D glass which is very cost effective and works great in a studio!
While many hobbyist on UHH will put down the D300 because of it's 12.4 megapixel resolution it is more than enough for 11x14 inch prints.
Here is a D300 in Excellent Condition with an extremely low shutter count of 3,087
Comes with Charger, Battery, Original Packaging, Front Body Cap all for $154
https://www.mpb.com/en-us/used-equipment/used-photo-and-video/used-digital-slr-cameras/used-nikon-digital-slr-cameras/nikon-d300/sku-1010475/
btw you current D3300 has the look and feel of a plastic toy compared to the robust D300...
Yes your perceived worth is in part based on the "apparent" look of your kit by your clients.
Experience is a brutal teacher...
All the best on your journey Bruce Hudson... You have chosen a stellar path, all the money is in portraiture and virtual little if any is in sports, landscape and the highly popular birds in flight etc... Stay your course and visit the commercial studios in your market... nearly all in mine are using Alien Bee lighting equipment. Why? It works and is built to take industry use...
The image below was lit with Alien Bees.
enough said...
Please stay safe Bruce, practice social distancing and wear a face mask in public... thanks!
.
Jul 16, 2020 11:08:03 #
Jul 16, 2020 11:22:03 #
Jul 16, 2020 11:30:19 #
larryepage wrote:
As has been said more than once..."Chill. It's a movie."
Thus, the deletion of the post.
It detracted from the beauty of the portrait to address an issue that is quite "fixable", but better addressed in a separate topic.
Jul 16, 2020 11:36:07 #
Jul 16, 2020 11:55:06 #
Thank you very much to all who replied. Very useful information. This is a great forum.
Bruce
Bruce
Jul 17, 2020 05:52:38 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
Bruce Hudson wrote:
I have a Nikon D3300 and would like to trade up to a model better suited for studio portraits. Any recommendations for a used Nikon body under $500? I am primarily using a 50 mm F1.8 lens.
Thanks for any suggestions.
Bruce
Thanks for any suggestions.
Bruce
D7200. Mint from Ebay.
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1311.R5.TR12.TRC2.A0.H0.XNikon+d7200.TRS0&_nkw=nikon+d7200+body+only&_sacat=0
Jul 17, 2020 06:45:55 #
It's easier to get a shallow depth of field with a full frame camera than with a cropped sensor camera if you are looking to get a shallow depth of field for the portraits.
When using your 50mm lens on a cropped sensor and full frame camera, you can get closer to your subject with the lens on the full frame camera thereby producing a shallower depth of field.
You can get a brand new Nikon D750 for $896 right now at B & H Photo. They have a used D610 for $749. That's a little more than your $500 budget though.
When using your 50mm lens on a cropped sensor and full frame camera, you can get closer to your subject with the lens on the full frame camera thereby producing a shallower depth of field.
You can get a brand new Nikon D750 for $896 right now at B & H Photo. They have a used D610 for $749. That's a little more than your $500 budget though.
Jul 17, 2020 06:53:21 #
Thomas902 wrote:
Welcome to UHH Bruce Hudson... br "...studio... (show quote)
I totally agree! The D300 is a solid performer and fits well in ones hand(especially with a vertical grip added) and you can get a lightly used one well below $500. Here is a sample grad portrait I just took with the D300 pro bono because covid prevented the school from having a ceremony this year!
Jul 17, 2020 06:57:45 #
In agreement with others here. You have a camera capable of very good portraits. Your lens and lighting will be more important.
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