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Nephew seeking new Nikon camera
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Jun 10, 2021 17:01:25   #
ladysue Loc: Rhinebeck, NY
 
So my nephew is turning 31 next month. His father will contribute to a new camera body for this occasion and is asking me for advice. I am a Canon and Fuji user so have no experience with Nikon. My nephew has been using a Nikon D60 with 18-55 kit lens, and perhaps an additional consumer telephoto. He is a very creative photographer and has taken many great pictures with this modest equipment, as evidenced in his Flickr account: (Flickr.com/photos/casualcapture) and many published photos in local newspapers.

Would appreciate any and all suggestions. Have not received feedback yet as to whether he wants to go mirrorless. If so, I suppose a Nikon Z5 with an adapter for his lenses seems the answer from my quick research. Or Z50 with new lenses. I think budget would be up to $1500 for the body. Nikon D850 is almost $3K so that seems out of reach.

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Jun 10, 2021 17:21:06   #
CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City
 
Rather than spending a bunch of money on a DSLR camera now 2+ years old in the market, consider an advanced-level used body and 1 or more used (or new) lenses. This is probably better than a new mirrorless body, unless he's been following UHH and some of the oddballs always talking up mirrorless.

Valid DX options: D7500, D500, D7200. Each is a substantial step-up from his D60, maintaining all his current lens(es).

Browsing his work in Flickr, he might like to expand his focal length range with a Nikon AF-S DX 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR.

His screen-filling close approach might also like a wider angle such as the Nikon AF-P 10-20mm f/4.5-5.6G D VR.

The EX or EX+ rated used bodies and lenses from KEH.com allows your family to stretch the budget across multiple pieces of equipment. MPB.com uses 'Like New', Excellent and Good, consider LN and EX for their ratings.

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Jun 10, 2021 17:22:06   #
flip1948 Loc: Hamden, CT
 
His current camera is a DX camera ( cropped sensor) and his 18-55 lens is a cropped sensor lens so it would not fill the frame on a full frame Z5. The Z50 on the other hand is a cropped sensor mirrorless.

Also fitting the budget would be the D500 (cropped sensor) or the D750 ( full frame) if he wanted to stay with a DSLR. I believe both currently sell for your budget price of $1500 and both are excellent cameras.

I checked out his Flicker page and he does do some nice work, but I didn't see any info on his existing equipment other than what you mentioned.

You should definitely check with him on whether or not he would prefer mirrorless or DSLR.

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Jun 10, 2021 17:23:58   #
Bill_de Loc: US
 
In that price range I would go with the Z50 w/2 lens kit. I own it, and although I have other Nikon cameras this kit is with me quite a bit.

BTW- the FF equivalent range with these 2 lenses is 24-375mm.

---

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Jun 10, 2021 17:30:27   #
CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City
 
Bill_de wrote:
In that price range I would go with the Z50 w/2 lens kit. I own it, and although I have other Nikon cameras this kit is with me quite a bit.

---


I agree with the Z50 for a new camera option. I'm disappointed the Z50 doesn't have my second most favorite mirrorless feature: in-body stabilization (IBIS). But, both the mirrorless kit lenses feature VR, just like nearly all the DX lenses. The 2-lens and camera kit lists at $1096 this evening from authorized resellers. A mirrorless kit is the makes-sense option for buying any new (unused) equipment.

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Jun 10, 2021 17:35:34   #
tramsey Loc: Texas
 
I would get him a used Nikon d500. KEH has a used one for thirteen hundred. Do not be afraid of KEH and used equipment; all of my cameras and lens are used from KEH and there are many on the forum that buy from KEH, B&H and Adorama. They all have good warranties and they stand behind them. I haven't had a bit of trouble with any of the equipement and it looks, feels, and acts like brand new.
Good luck to him. Tell him about UHH

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Jun 10, 2021 18:07:01   #
larryepage Loc: North Texas area
 
ladysue wrote:
So my nephew is turning 31 next month. His father will contribute to a new camera body for this occasion and is asking me for advice. I am a Canon and Fuji user so have no experience with Nikon. My nephew has been using a Nikon D60 with 18-55 kit lens, and perhaps an additional consumer telephoto. He is a very creative photographer and has taken many great pictures with this modest equipment, as evidenced in his Flickr account: (Flickr.com/photos/casualcapture) and many published photos in local newspapers.

Would appreciate any and all suggestions. Have not received feedback yet as to whether he wants to go mirrorless. If so, I suppose a Nikon Z5 with an adapter for his lenses seems the answer from my quick research. Or Z50 with new lenses. I think budget would be up to $1500 for the body. Nikon D850 is almost $3K so that seems out of reach.
So my nephew is turning 31 next month. His father... (show quote)


You have received several pretty good suggestions. I think that the suggestion of a D500 is a very good one, but I do not agree that buying used is the best choice. The price difference is not enough to be worth giving up the feeling of getting a new camera to mark this occasion.

The D500 is, for all practical purposes, a DX version of the D850. There are very few things your nephew might ask it to do where it might disappoint. I've had mine for three years and have come to prefer it over the D850 for a number of tasks, most of which don't involve sports or wildlife.

But the D500 is an extremely complex beast. I would not be comfortable buying one whose history and treatment I did not know. This is especially true when the savings from buyomg used is so small.

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Jun 10, 2021 18:11:04   #
ELNikkor
 
Definitely need to talk to him about his aspirations. Years ago, in his shoes, I went with the D750/24-120 f4, and am glad I did. If he wants mirrorless, but DX, the above (CHG) mentioned Z50 + 2 lenses is a great kit. FX DSLR? The D750 is still a great option, especially since it has both a built-in flash and moveable screen.

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Jun 10, 2021 18:26:13   #
CO
 
If you get one of Nikon's mirrorless Z-mount cameras, definitely get Z-mount lenses. Overall, they're optically superior to F-mount lenses.

If you stay with a DSLR, I would recommend getting a D7500 with 18-140mm lens ($1296). That's well within your budget of $1500. It's a huge upgrade from the old D60.

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Jun 11, 2021 06:07:48   #
billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
 
CHG_CANON wrote:
Rather than spending a bunch of money on a DSLR camera now 2+ years old in the market, consider an advanced-level used body and 1 or more used (or new) lenses. This is probably better than a new mirrorless body, unless he's been following UHH and some of the oddballs always talking up mirrorless.

Valid DX options: D7500, D500, D7200. Each is a substantial step-up from his D60, maintaining all his current lens(es).

Browsing his work in Flickr, he might like to expand his focal length range with a Nikon AF-S DX 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR.

His screen-filling close approach might also like a wider angle such as the Nikon AF-P 10-20mm f/4.5-5.6G D VR.

The EX or EX+ rated used bodies and lenses from KEH.com allows your family to stretch the budget across multiple pieces of equipment. MPB.com uses 'Like New', Excellent and Good, consider LN and EX for their ratings.
Rather than spending a bunch of money on a DSLR ca... (show quote)

Reply
Jun 11, 2021 06:11:42   #
billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
 
CHG_CANON wrote:
Rather than spending a bunch of money on a DSLR camera now 2+ years old in the market, consider an advanced-level used body and 1 or more used (or new) lenses. This is probably better than a new mirrorless body, unless he's been following UHH and some of the oddballs always talking up mirrorless.

Valid DX options: D7500, D500, D7200. Each is a substantial step-up from his D60, maintaining all his current lens(es).

Browsing his work in Flickr, he might like to expand his focal length range with a Nikon AF-S DX 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR.

His screen-filling close approach might also like a wider angle such as the Nikon AF-P 10-20mm f/4.5-5.6G D VR.

The EX or EX+ rated used bodies and lenses from KEH.com allows your family to stretch the budget across multiple pieces of equipment. MPB.com uses 'Like New', Excellent and Good, consider LN and EX for their ratings.
Rather than spending a bunch of money on a DSLR ca... (show quote)


Really, you actually said "unless he's been following UHH and some of the oddballs always talking up mirrorless" after you repeatedly posted this, "Mirrorless will change the way you think about photography, it will change the way you think about life"

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Jun 11, 2021 06:25:07   #
david vt Loc: Vermont
 
Hi

If “new” means “new to him”, then you can stretch your budget quite far with used or refurb equipment. I like CHG_CANON’s suggestion of D7500, D500, or D7200. The first two are in production, and you should be able to find lightly used or Refurb units available. The D500 would be a major step up, and one he will not outgrow for a while (or ever) within the Nikon DX DSLR series. The D7200 is no longer in production, but a great camera. There was a recent thread of one for sale on UHH about 2 weeks ago. It may still be available. I mention this as the D7200 would leave enough budget for a new lens to go with it.

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Jun 11, 2021 06:27:20   #
david vt Loc: Vermont
 
billnikon wrote:
Really, you actually said "unless he's been following UHH and some of the oddballs always talking up mirrorless" after you repeatedly posted this, "Mirrorless will change the way you think about photography, it will change the way you think about life"


..and you did not fall off your seat at Paul poking fun at himself???? I almost did!!!

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Jun 11, 2021 07:45:30   #
Frank Basile Loc: Hudson Valley NY
 
I just purchased the Z50 with two lenses from Nikon to add to my D750. They are currently running a special price and will take other cameras on trade.

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Jun 11, 2021 07:59:52   #
tdozier3 Loc: Northern Illinois
 
ladysue wrote:
So my nephew is turning 31 next month. His father will contribute to a new camera body for this occasion and is asking me for advice. I am a Canon and Fuji user so have no experience with Nikon. My nephew has been using a Nikon D60 with 18-55 kit lens, and perhaps an additional consumer telephoto. He is a very creative photographer and has taken many great pictures with this modest equipment, as evidenced in his Flickr account: (Flickr.com/photos/casualcapture) and many published photos in local newspapers.

Would appreciate any and all suggestions. Have not received feedback yet as to whether he wants to go mirrorless. If so, I suppose a Nikon Z5 with an adapter for his lenses seems the answer from my quick research. Or Z50 with new lenses. I think budget would be up to $1500 for the body. Nikon D850 is almost $3K so that seems out of reach.
So my nephew is turning 31 next month. His father... (show quote)


D7500

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