Suggestions for an upgrade from D5500 (Page 3): D7200 or D7500. I noticed at Best Buy recently that the D7200 was more heavily discounted. It has two card slots vs. one on the D7500.

adm

D7200 or D7500. I noticed at Best Buy recently that the D7200 was more heavily discounted. It has two card slots vs. one on the D7500. If you really want to splurge, go for the D500, which is probably the best APS-C camera on the market. It is still within your $2,000 limit.

Deanie1113

Thank you so much, everyone who has replied and tried to help me! Several of you have mentioned glass. Do any of you have any good recommendations for new glass for the 5500? I am using this camera mainly for landscapes and taking pics of children and family gatherings. And also, I do use AI Clear from Topaz. But I get tired of using it for so many of my images.

Deanie1113

Gobuster wrote:

I downloaded the first photo and ran it through Topaz Denoise and Sharpen with the following results. I think the noise was significantly improved but YMMV. If you like the result the programs can be had for about $100, a lot less than a new camera!

Thanks! I do have Topaz AI Clear, which helps a lot. I just get tired of having to use it for about every image. And, yes, cheaper than a new camera! I really do like AI Clear, never have used Denoise and Sharpen. Are they better than AI Clear?

Deanie1113

adm wrote:

D7200 or D7500. I noticed at Best Buy recently that the D7200 was more heavily discounted. It has two card slots vs. one on the D7500. If you really want to splurge, go for the D500, which is probably the best APS-C camera on the market. It is still within your $2,000 limit.

Thanks! If I go for the D500, what lens do you think would be good with that for landscapes and photos of kids and family gatherings?

Deanie1113

CO wrote:

Here's a target I use to check for back or front focusing. It's the DataColor SpyderLensCal. The zero on the scale should be in the best focus. I was testing my Tamron 45mm f/1.8 on my D750. It was back focusing slightly. I entered +3 in the AF fine tuning.

Yes, unfortunately, one reason I am looking at a new camera is that the D5500 is incapable of fine tuning yourself. I've already had to send two lenses back to B&H because of that. Thank you for replying!

Deanie1113

mas24 wrote:

I like a mixture of prime lenses and zoom lenses. ... (show quote)

Thanks, great info!

Deanie1113

CO wrote:

Another thing to do is to download Nikon Capture NX-i or Capture NX-D from Nikon's website. If you open your RAW file in those software packages, you can turn on "Show Focus Point". In your photo, it looks like the tennis racket is in better focus than the young man. The focus point landed there or it's front focusing.

Thank you! Good ideas. I do believe the focus point just fell on the racket -- he was moving very fast!

Deanie1113

mizzee wrote:

Because of weight issues for me I traded my Nikon gear for an Olympus OM-D E-m5 Mark II and the
14-150 II lens. Both are weather sealed. I couldn’t be happier with my choice. The M 5 II will run you a max of $899 and the lens about $600. The image stabilization is phenomenal. You would have enough money left over for an Oly 50mm 1.8. The images I’m getting from this camera are great. The Live View feature makes a huge difference. Do pick up an extra battery.

I thought of that! I am concerned about noise ... how is the noise with this combo?

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Deanie1113 - please, don't buy any equipment until you learn more about post processing your NEF files in Lightroom!! The focus issues are shooting technique, but the grain of these two examples are examples of very simple opportunities for better post processing. You don't need the Topaz software to clean these images up. Rather, you need to work more effectively in LR. I sent a PM with my email to set-up a dropbox to share the NEF files.

mikeroetex Loc: Lafayette, LA

CHG_CANON wrote:

Deanie1113 - please, don't buy any equipment until you learn more about post processing your NEF files in Lightroom!! The focus issues are shooting technique, but the grain of these two examples are examples of very simple opportunities for better post processing. You don't need the Topaz software to clean these images up. Rather, you need to work more effectively in LR. I sent a PM with my email to set-up a dropbox to share the NEF files.

This is one very generous offer. CHG_CANON is right, you could improve 100% with current gear with better settings on present camera, better shooting technique and LR. I suspect you are shooting on auto everything and need to take more control of the camera. BBF, Single point or d9 focus, matrix meter, and manual shutter speed with auto ISO and exposure compensation. Master those, then buy a faster lens or prime. The 18-140 has great flexibility, but you may be asking one lens to do the work of two or three scenarios.
takes practice, but doable!

Deanie1113

mikeroetex wrote:

This is one very generous offer. CHG_CANON is righ... (show quote)

Yes, I have taken CHG CANON up on his offer. Thank you for your good recommendations for me.

fetzler Loc: North West PA

CHG_CANON wrote:

Save yourself some money. Instead, start a new post in the photo analysis or post processing sections with noisy image examples and lets some experts give you some free shooting advice. This won't lighten the camera weight, but you should learn how to better use this excellent camera or any new camera.

ditto

adm

I do not shoot Nikon DX and am not that familiar with their line. Therefore, I will defer to other members on lens recommendations. Good luck.

charlienow Loc: Hershey, PA

I agree with what has been said to this point...you will have noise with a high ISO and with focus problems...One thing you can do to help insure the focus point is where you want it is to use back button focus...It takes a little getting used to but once i did i love it...

I had the 5500 and loved it...however i did decide to buy a 7200 for a couple of the features the 5500 did not have...one being the viewfinder. in the 7200 you get 100% of image as opposed to 95% on the 5500...I like the 2 card slots on the 7200, I use one for RAW photos and the other for JPEG backup...the 7200 has a locking single point focus where the 5500 does not...you can fine tune the focus on the 7200...weather resistant d7200 although the lenses i have are not, i will be buying a new lens in the future that is weather resistant...I like being able to make many of the adjustments without going into the menu...the 7200 does not have the articulating or touch screen but i don't miss it at all...There is a slight weight difference, but i don't notice it...

I have the 18-140 lens, but since i got the 18-300 lens I rarely put the 18-140 on the camera...I am actually thinking of selling it...I recently purchased a used 18-50 2.8 Tamron lens and am using it for close ups and portraits...it seems to do a pretty good job for me...

Good luck in finding the solution for your soft photos...by the way, i did really like the 2 you posted...

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

I see the noise in your examples. Nik Dfine 2 will take it out perfectly.