PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

There are 2 MAJOR decisions to make.
1) A DSLR or a Mirrorless ILC (Interchangeable Lens Camera)
2) Full frame (FX) or APS-C (DX)

Mirrorless is the latest. There is a debate as to whether it is better than DSLRs. I have no experience with mirrorless, I'll leave that to others. They tend to be more expensive than DSLRs. They use a different set of lenses but the DSLR lenses can be used with an adapter on the Mirrorless bodies.

Full frame: The sensor is the same size as 35mm film, so images should come out about the same.

APS-C: The sensor is 2/3 (1/1.5) the size of a 35mm slide. This has the effect of magnifying or cropping the image. This gives more "reach" to any given lens. It will have a field of view (FOV) 1.5 times smaller than the full frame or the same as using a lens of 1.5 times the focal length. The cameras can be smaller,lighter, and less expensive. There are more choices in lenses, lenses designed for DX will not work as desired on full frame, they can cause vignetting. There are wide angle lenses designed for APS-C only giving a wide angle FOV comparable to what can be had with FX lenses on FX cameras. However, if one compares 2 cameras of about the same number of MegaPixels (MP) and the same technology, the APS-C will have more noise at higher ISOs.

Let us know your thought on these decisions and we can help with recommendations.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

The solution to that is to put the old flash on this:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/245292-REG/Wein_W990560_Safe_Sync_Hot_Shoe_to.html

I've used one for 15 years. No issues with either of my Vivitar 285s burning out my camera...

srt101fan

The Nikon D3xxx and D5xxx cameras are popular and get good ratings. I do understand that if you need a second dial these cameras may not be for you. But I think it's presumptuous to "strongly caution....[the OP] against buying...the D3xxx or D5xxx models" and to advise that "You may also find them awkward to handle because of their size and awkward to adjust because of their odd user interface."

I have a Nikon D5300 and love it. For me, the size is not a drawback, it's an advantage. And the reference to an "odd user interface" is ridiculous. I just think it's a disservice to the OP, a newcomer to digital photography, to get such biased and unfounded negative advice.

Look at Bill Burke's first post to see a good, helpful response to the OP's question....

Bobspez Loc: Southern NJ, USA

I bought my used D3100 for $160 eight years ago on ebay (it had a cracked lcd screen which was fixed with a small piece of heavy clear packing tape) and a few cheap manual nikkor film lenses and used them for several years before upgrading. It was a great starting point for me shooting birds, flowers, landscapes, macros and videos. The D3xxx and D5xxxx cameras can use the old manual lenses without modification of the lenses. It's a good way to test the waters for very little money as the OP can use his existing lenses to start.
What I found after several years was that when my equipment limited the type of shots I wanted to shoot, was time to get a new lens or body. No one really knows what they need to start so it makes sense to start slow as cheaply as possible. I recall a member who had problems getting good landscapes with her Nikon D800. She expected to just snap the shutter and get great photos. Just like in film photography, the fundamentals apply, exposure, iso, shutter speed, depth of field, lighting, using a tripod. All of these can be learned on a D3xxx or D5xxx level camera over a period of several years. When you know exactly how your equipment is holding you back, is the time for an upgrade. I can't believe a film photographer would have a problem learning how to get the best use out of any dslr.

ELNikkor

Welcome to the forum! Don't listen to those who tell you to spend thousands on heavy, professional gear! I still have my FG and EM, which were the smallest, lightest SLR's Nikon made. Since small, light, and simple may be what you are looking for, a used Nikon D3300 will have all the features you could want. The D3300 with kit 18-55 (About 28-80 35mm equivalent) lens is lightweight and adequate for 90% of your shooting, cost around $300. Going longer, but keeping light, you might want a 55-200 zoom, or an amazingly light 70-300 AF-P VR zoom that weighs less than a pound cost around $200. Don't be obsessive about having fast lenses. The zooms I mentioned are around 5.6 wide open, but with digital, you can easily bump up the ISO to 1600 and still get awesome images. Let us know what you decide on! Check with KEH for some fine refurbished deals. For $500, you'll be ready to go!

BebuLamar

No film camera has an EVF so using a mirrorless is very unlike shooting film. Well, but then I think why not? We can build film camera with EVF and seeing what we get before release the shutter just like a digital mirrorless.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

These cameras are fine for someone moving from a point and shoot or (I guess) just starting out. I stand by my suggestion that they are not the best choice for someone already shooting a camera with a more standard design. No one has to agree, and no one has to buy anything based on anything I may ever suggest. But I have to deal with those cameras almost every day and with the frustration they cause in perfectly capable people trying to learn to use them beyond Auto or Program mode. My statements are based on real-world experience and are aligned with the positions of other teachers. If they are all you know, that's fine. But it's not the full story.

leftj Loc: Texas

So you have owned and used these cameras?

Najataagihe

Forget it. I just sound old.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

Owned, no.
Used, extensively.

leftj Loc: Texas

How did you come to use them extensively if you didn’t own them?

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

I use them just about daily at the school where I have worked since retirement. We also had one at the plant where I worked before retiring. A variety of D3xxx and D5xxx models over the last 6 or 8 years. And a D40 and D40x before that.

So yes, I know all about them and have taught many other folks all about them. But I have never liked them.

leftj Loc: Texas

Didn’t you have any input on which cameras to get?

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

At the plant, we had a very tight budget limitation. Unfortunately, it didn't make the cameras any better.

At school, all of us who teach photography made a case for at least D7500s this last round, but Purchasing said no. We did get D5500s instead of D3500s, but that is as far as they would budge.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Heck, always ask for 30% more than you want. Then the bean counters have something to cut and you’ll still get what you need. It nearly always worked for me... Everyone “wins”.