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Switching from SLR to DSLR
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Apr 6, 2021 06:19:10   #
billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
 
Doc Johnson wrote:
Newly here but amateur enthusiast have a Nikon FG which is a wonderful camera but film is getting harder to find. Love to shoot B/W again film supply is dwindling. Interested in switching to digital and would like something comparable with the FG as far as capabilities but know very little about digital cameras. What are comparable digital cameras that don’t suck the wallet dry. I’m disabled but can still get out and enjoy the hobby. Advice is appreciated on selecting a digital array of equipment, something comparable to an F1.8, 70-210 zoom and 28 or so wide angle are what I currently have. Have two flash units Vivitar 283 and a Sunpack. Any advice appreciated. Thanks in advance
Newly here but amateur enthusiast have a Nikon FG ... (show quote)


D7000, D7100 will not suck out your wallet too much. Make sure you get one with a low shutter count.
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1311&_nkw=nikon+d7000+body&_sacat=0

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Apr 6, 2021 06:36:05   #
tcthome Loc: NJ
 
lamiaceae wrote:
You can mail order film from B & H Photo, Adorama, and Freestyle. You might have to use totally new flash units as those may damage a new camera. I have owned a Sunpac and that Vivitar flash, but never used them with my digital cameras. I have two old Pentax flashes that work safely with all my Pentax film and digital bodies. And I have remote RF flash releases to be sure. I also have two modern strobe units bought less than two years ago. As I said in my other reply, you need a lot more knowledge before you start making purchases.
You can mail order film from B & H Photo, Ador... (show quote)


I was at B&H just before everything shut down. Someone stopped and chatted with the salesman & I & was holding a large supply of film for purchase.

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Apr 6, 2021 06:55:32   #
tcthome Loc: NJ
 
Depends on your budget. If I was you & purchasing now, I would go mirrorless. Be ready. Digital cameras are menu heavy for the initial setup. Once you get past that , there shouldn't be a problem. If your budget doesn't allow for the newest mirrorless, there are plenty of good deals on DSLR cameras. Go to Nikon's website (or Canon & Sony ) & check out the specs & on different camera models. Having a lot of mega pixels is nice to have but not necessary to get great photos. Anything 20 mp & above will do. You will see FX & DX. FX = full frame or 35mm equivalent. DX uses a smaller sensor. Don't forget to check out the lens selections why your on their sites also. Third party lens from Tamron & Sigma are an option often resulting substantial savings. The lens are FX & DX also. You can use a FX lens on a DX camera but I wouldn't use a DX lens on a FX camera. Good luck & welcome to the hog.

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Apr 6, 2021 07:11:54   #
steve33 Loc: Yarmouth MA
 
Doc Johnson wrote:
Newly here but amateur enthusiast have a Nikon FG which is a wonderful camera but film is getting harder to find. Love to shoot B/W again film supply is dwindling. Interested in switching to digital and would like something comparable with the FG as far as capabilities but know very little about digital cameras. What are comparable digital cameras that don’t suck the wallet dry. I’m disabled but can still get out and enjoy the hobby. Advice is appreciated on selecting a digital array of equipment, something comparable to an F1.8, 70-210 zoom and 28 or so wide angle are what I currently have. Have two flash units Vivitar 283 and a Sunpack. Any advice appreciated. Thanks in advance
Newly here but amateur enthusiast have a Nikon FG ... (show quote)


A D3300 is a good starter camera for DSLR. You can get a used one for about $500. Maybe less if you roll the dice on ebay. You can shoot jpeg at first, so you won't need editing software right away.

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Apr 6, 2021 07:15:06   #
rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona
 
Doc, first, let's address your love of black and white film and difficulty in finding it. As far as film goes, I shoot black and white exclusively. I have no trouble finding film whatsoever. Where are you trying to find film?

Or, are you manufacturing a problem to make an excuse to purchase a digital camera?
--Bob
Doc Johnson wrote:
Newly here but amateur enthusiast have a Nikon FG which is a wonderful camera but film is getting harder to find. Love to shoot B/W again film supply is dwindling. Interested in switching to digital and would like something comparable with the FG as far as capabilities but know very little about digital cameras. What are comparable digital cameras that don’t suck the wallet dry. I’m disabled but can still get out and enjoy the hobby. Advice is appreciated on selecting a digital array of equipment, something comparable to an F1.8, 70-210 zoom and 28 or so wide angle are what I currently have. Have two flash units Vivitar 283 and a Sunpack. Any advice appreciated. Thanks in advance
Newly here but amateur enthusiast have a Nikon FG ... (show quote)

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Apr 6, 2021 08:11:13   #
larryepage Loc: North Texas area
 
Doc Johnson wrote:
Newly here but amateur enthusiast have a Nikon FG which is a wonderful camera but film is getting harder to find. Love to shoot B/W again film supply is dwindling. Interested in switching to digital and would like something comparable with the FG as far as capabilities but know very little about digital cameras. What are comparable digital cameras that don’t suck the wallet dry. I’m disabled but can still get out and enjoy the hobby. Advice is appreciated on selecting a digital array of equipment, something comparable to an F1.8, 70-210 zoom and 28 or so wide angle are what I currently have. Have two flash units Vivitar 283 and a Sunpack. Any advice appreciated. Thanks in advance
Newly here but amateur enthusiast have a Nikon FG ... (show quote)


I agree that film can still be found and processed. It's just a different paradigm today. And you have to be more and more choosy of your processor if you want your negatives back. Many do not return them.

Also...I would strongly caution you against buying one of the "reduced size" entry level cameras like any of the D3xxx or D5xxx models. They are designed to be very dependent on their menu systems and will be the least like your current camera. You may also find them awkward to handle because of their size and awkward to adjust because of their odd user interface.

The Df is a reasonable, but quite expensive choice. The other choices that provide a good probability of working with your lenses are the D500 and the D850. But even they can be readily damaged if you try to mount old lenses.

Nikon discontinues service on cameras when the supply of available parts runs out. These cameras do occasionally require service, and no parts can be a very discouraging situation to encounter. There are some good independent shops, but they are getting to be fewer and fewer. Mine closed last year. You will do better with learning if you are not also worrying whether you can get an old camera fixed if something happens to it.

You don't need an entry-level camera. Mirrorless cameras are fine, but they are expensive. I suggest you be wary of the considerable hype that goes on for them here. Look at them yourself and decide on your own whether one might work for you.

Best wishes as you look and decide.

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Apr 6, 2021 08:26:18   #
agillot
 
buy the basic nikon / canon / pentax camera kit .Around $ 500 or less .it come with 2 lenses .that would do it .the nikon D3500 , google it , watch the road test on you tube .as for your old flash , test the voltage at the center pin , should be around 5 volt , if it is 100 volts , dont use them .

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Apr 6, 2021 08:27:43   #
agillot
 
the newer d3500 kit is under $ 500 , that is new , not used .

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Apr 6, 2021 08:49:39   #
BebuLamar
 
Moving from 35mm film camera I think a FF digital is important. That way there is no crop factor.

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Apr 6, 2021 08:59:23   #
GLSmith Loc: Tampa, Fl
 
I worked with a Nikon D300 (not 300S) & also a Nikon D800 (full frame)....Both were very good when working with B&W

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Apr 6, 2021 09:13:04   #
oldschool
 
Doc, I also resisted the move to digital. Shot for years with a Nikon F4S. Several years ago I bought a refurbished D750. It took a little while to get used to the controls and the menus, but I am very satisfied. All my legacy lenses work fine. I would not use any older flash unless Nikon clearly states compatibility. There are many good used flashes available from reputable sources.

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Apr 6, 2021 09:57:23   #
SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA
 
cameraf4 wrote:
With a Nikon Df you can ease back into photography at you own pace while using your "old, familiar" Nikon lenses. No, they won't auto-focus but then they never did on the FG either. The Df looks and feels very much like an older Nikon film camera but it is fully digital with just about all the new digital "Bells and Whistles". You just don't have to use them if you don't want to.
Your old lenses will work just as you are use to --- no "crop factor" calculating to worry about. And, if you rediscover your passion for photography, you can ease into the lens market and "branch out" with some newer AF gear. The Df does not have a pop-up flash like most new cameras do. Neither did your FG. We can help you with that, too, if you go in this direction.
With a Nikon Df you can ease back into photography... (show quote)


I think he’ll find the DF is a budget killer.

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Apr 6, 2021 10:01:02   #
StanMac Loc: Tennessee
 
Doc Johnson wrote:
Newly here but amateur enthusiast have a Nikon FG which is a wonderful camera but film is getting harder to find. Love to shoot B/W again film supply is dwindling. Interested in switching to digital and would like something comparable with the FG as far as capabilities but know very little about digital cameras. What are comparable digital cameras that don’t suck the wallet dry. I’m disabled but can still get out and enjoy the hobby. Advice is appreciated on selecting a digital array of equipment, something comparable to an F1.8, 70-210 zoom and 28 or so wide angle are what I currently have. Have two flash units Vivitar 283 and a Sunpack. Any advice appreciated. Thanks in advance
Newly here but amateur enthusiast have a Nikon FG ... (show quote)


While film may be pricier than it used to be, and it isn’t readily available at your local drug store or Walmart, there are many choices still to be found online. Both Adorama and B&H Photo sell film mostly major, well known brands. Also, freestylephoto.biz is a good source for a wonderful variety of film. The Film Photography Project has a variety of films with many obscure brands and types - a good source if you’re the experimental type. Don’t give up on film. There are many more sources out there.

Stan

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Apr 6, 2021 10:06:03   #
burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC
 
Doc Johnson wrote:
Newly here but amateur enthusiast have a Nikon FG which is a wonderful camera but film is getting harder to find. Love to shoot B/W again film supply is dwindling. Interested in switching to digital and would like something comparable with the FG as far as capabilities but know very little about digital cameras. What are comparable digital cameras that don’t suck the wallet dry. I’m disabled but can still get out and enjoy the hobby. Advice is appreciated on selecting a digital array of equipment, something comparable to an F1.8, 70-210 zoom and 28 or so wide angle are what I currently have. Have two flash units Vivitar 283 and a Sunpack. Any advice appreciated. Thanks in advance
Newly here but amateur enthusiast have a Nikon FG ... (show quote)


1) Film is NOT hard to find. There are more choices available now than ever before. You just have to order it online from places that deal in volume and variety... Try B&H ( https://www.bhphotovideo.com ), or Adorama ( https://www.adorama.com ) or Freestyle Photo Imaging ( https://www.freestylephoto.biz ).

There is a current cult resurgence in film photography, sparked by hundreds of "how to..." videos on YouTube, and school art departments that still teach it for a variety of arcane reasons.

Most people either scan or macro photograph their film to digital files, so they can share them. Although I haven't loaded a roll of film since 2004, I have all the negatives I ever exposed, and slowly have been digitizing them with my camera.

2) Digital camera choices abound. There are FOUR major interchangeable lens camera formats now... Medium Format sensor cameras (Fujifilm sensors are around 33x44mm) are excellent but pricey. Full Frame (24x36mm) are also excellent and expensive, but less so. APS-C cameras (with about 16x24mm sensors) can be very affordable ($500 for a body and two lenses at the low end), but still yield excellent images. Micro 4/3 cameras (with 17.3x13mm sensors) are often more expensive than APS-C, but tend to be better built and much more compact. They, too, offer excellent image quality.

3) dSLR or MILC? That is the choice today. A dSLR retains the same mechanics that have been in SLRs since the 1950s. An MILC (mirrorless interchangeable lens camera) is equipped with an LCD/OLED display on the back, and probably an electronic viewfinder to replace the reflex viewing system on an SLR. There are still great reasons to use dSLRs, but the market is moving rapidly towards MILC technology. It is available in all four format sizes.

4) CROP FACTOR is an issue. It is a multiplier that helps you understand how focal length on other formats compares to focal length on FULL FRAME (24x36mm) cameras. For instance, a Micro 4/3 camera sensor has roughly 1/4 the area of a full frame sensor, so the crop factor is 2X — a 25mm lens on Micro 4/3 is comparable to a 50mm lens on full frame. A 35mm lens on an APS-C camera is the rough equivalent of a 50mm lens on full frame. Medium format sensors have fractional crop factors that vary with the size.

Each format choice has specific advantages and drawbacks. The larger sensors are like larger film. They provide better images in low light. But there are just as many reasons besides absolute image quality to buy the smaller formats!

If I were you, I'd probably go over to https://www.dpreview.com and do some reading. They have many comparison guides for every class of camera available. Both Nikon and Canon offer dSLR kits in the $500 range. Olympus and Panasonic have a few low end Micro 4/3 offerings, but they are likely to be a bit pricier.

Consider USED gear. UHH members generally mention KEH, MPB, Adorama, B&H, and UsedPhotoPro.com (Roberts Camera) as reliable, ethical, and trustworthy used camera and lens sources. If you are leery of used gear, read this article: https://www.weibull.com/hotwire/issue21/hottopics21.htm The Bathtub Curve concept is very real! It explains why many of us let someone else take the depreciation hit on the value of equipment, as well as the initial failure risk. Better used camera dealers include a six month warranty on most of their gear.

Also consider FACTORY REFURBISHED gear. Refurbs are units that were opened, then returned. They may have been demo units in a showroom. They may have failed during the initial few uses, and returned for replacement and a thorough overhaul. Usually, they have the same warranties as new gear, but cost substantially less. And for various reasons, they tend to be as reliable or MORE reliable than new gear.

Good luck, and welcome to UHH!

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Apr 6, 2021 10:23:15   #
srt101fan
 
larryepage wrote:
I agree that film can still be found and processed. It's just a different paradigm today. And you have to be more and more choosy of your processor if you want your negatives back. Many do not return them.

Also...I would strongly caution you against buying one of the "reduced size" entry level cameras like any of the D3xxx or D5xxx models. They are designed to be very dependent on their menu systems and will be the least like your current camera. You may also find them awkward to handle because of their size and awkward to adjust because of their odd user interface.

The Df is a reasonable, but quite expensive choice. The other choices that provide a good probability of working with your lenses are the D500 and the D850. But even they can be readily damaged if you try to mount old lenses.

Nikon discontinues service on cameras when the supply of available parts runs out. These cameras do occasionally require service, and no parts can be a very discouraging situation to encounter. There are some good independent shops, but they are getting to be fewer and fewer. Mine closed last year. You will do better with learning if you are not also worrying whether you can get an old camera fixed if something happens to it.

You don't need an entry-level camera. Mirrorless cameras are fine, but they are expensive. I suggest you be wary of the considerable hype that goes on for them here. Look at them yourself and decide on your own whether one might work for you.

Best wishes as you look and decide.
I agree that film can still be found and processed... (show quote)


Your irrational dislike of the Nikon D3xxx and D5xxx models is showing again.........("I would strongly caution you against buying one of the "reduced size" entry level cameras like any of the D3xxx or D5xxx models. They are designed to be very dependent on their menu systems and will be the least like your current camera. You may also find them awkward to handle because of their size and awkward to adjust because of their odd user interface.")

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