Nikons 5600 dsl camera: I've been using a "borrowed" Nikon from my brother for over a year. The Nikon is a 3400 dsl. I enjoy the camera, but I think I'd like to move up, just a bit. At...

JBuckley

I've been using a "borrowed" Nikon from my brother for over a year.

The Nikon is a 3400 dsl. I enjoy the camera, but I think I'd like to
move up, just a bit. At first I was saving up to buy the 5700, but I can see that there
are some nice features in the 5600.
This camera would save me a few hundered dollars, that I can put towards a better
telephoto lens.

The reviews are all over the map for the 5600. Does anyone know if there are any
(real issues), against buy the 5600?
I'd appreciate any positive or negative feed back.
I am (far from) being a professional photographer, but have enjoyed photography
and the art of capturing shots, since 1963.

Thanks

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

JBuckley wrote:

I've been using a "borrowed" Nikon from ... (show quote)

Your statement that you "want to move up, just a bit" is intriguing. It implies that you would like to be able to do some things that the D3400 won't let you do (or at least do easily). What are some of those things? The D5600 does have some capability that the D3400 doesn't, but both cameras can still impose limitations.

I've used both of those cameras. The D5600 is more capable. But there may be other choices available that would help you more for not much more money.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

JBuckley wrote:

I've been using a "borrowed" Nikon from ... (show quote)

I don't have that camera but it is highly recommended by reviews that I have read
You can't go wrong with it.
And as you said get some good glass.
Just remember to make sure your lenses have the built in motor and have the electronic diaphragm. So if you decide to do any further upgrade in the future at least the lenses will work. Otherwise they will not work on the Z cameras.

jamesl Loc: Pennsylvania

JBuckley wrote:

I've been using a "borrowed" Nikon from ... (show quote)

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If you want to move up, I'd consider a D7100, D7200 or possibly a D7500. All would be a move up from the D3400. Personally I prefer the D7100 or D7200 models. They both have two card slots but the D7500 only has one anf the D7100 and D7200 can be found at a better price.

John Maher Loc: Northern Virginia

JBuckley wrote:

I've been using a "borrowed" Nikon from ... (show quote)

Nikon announced the D5600 is the end of the D5000 series long ago -- but the D5600 is still in production. I don't think my demands will ever surpass it. Look at how fast Nikon progressed through the D5000 series.

I upgraded from D3000 -- which was really a predecessor of the D3XXX series. When I upgraded, the D3500 was just coming out and has many of the same capabilities as the D5600. One thing the D5600 does is time-lapse but neither do focus stacking in the camera. For me, the tie-breaker was the fully articulated screen. Since I have no need a full frame camera or 45 megapixels, I would probably skip the D7000 series for a D500 if I ever upgrade -- but at a significant price jump.

Good reasons for mirrorless and for full frame will be cited by others and should be considered.

You are on the right track by identifying your needs. If there was really one best camera for everyone, there would not be so many choices.

As for AI, the bar is pretty low for a generation that can not do basic math functions without a calculator!

Boris77

JBuckley wrote:

I've been using a "borrowed" Nikon from ... (show quote)

I am too lazy to look up the 3xxx features, but I am presently using the 5xxx and 7xxx cameras. I have been VERY happy with the image quality of the 7100 and use one for most of my shooting. But if I had to give up all other camera bodies I would keep the 5500 because it offers the same quality as the 7xxx in a smaller package with an articulating screen. You can read up on the differences between the d5500 and d5600, or the d7100 and d7200, but expect similar quality from all four.
The feel of the two camera series is quite different, and would seem like a decision maker to me. If you plan to use large telephoto lenses, get the larger 7xxx for better balance.
Boris

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

Perhaps a Nikon D7200 is what you need. I do not own one, I make reference to all the positive reviews I have read and comments from owners of the camera here.

Bill_de Loc: US

JBuckley wrote:

I've been using a "borrowed" Nikon from ... (show quote)

If you have been happy with your brother's DSLR, you should be happy with the D5600 or D5700. You just need to take a few minutes (or hours) going over the features and deciding which ones will float your boat. You may find that the features on the camera you are using is all you need/want. I do have newer cameras, but mostly use the same shooting methods I've used since Moses was a baby.

Good Luck,
Bill

Bridges Loc: Memphis, Charleston SC, now Nazareth PA

JBuckley wrote:

I've been using a "borrowed" Nikon from ... (show quote)

I would recommend moving into the 7000 series. The main reason would be due to that series having an internal motor that allows autofocus on a much larger range of lenses than the 3000s and 5000s do. This will give you more options when buying those additional lenses you mentioned you would like to have.

Bridges Loc: Memphis, Charleston SC, now Nazareth PA

JBuckley wrote:

I've been using a "borrowed" Nikon from ... (show quote)

I posted that you might be better off with the 7000 series camera but should you decide the 5000 series is good enough for you, you may want to google the 5300 and then the 5600. Go down to where Nikon has a post about them. I read an article about the 5600 when it first came out and the reviewer suggested not upgrading to the 5600 if you already had a 5300. He pointed out the minor improvements were not worth the price of an upgrade and you lost one feature going from the 5300 to the 5600. The 5300 has a built-in GPS tracker which was not incorporated in the 5600. So, if you go that route, check out the 5300 which could save you some $$.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

JBuckley wrote:

I've been using a "borrowed" Nikon from ... (show quote)

I have recommended the 5600 for years. Great camera.
I would suggest getting one in MINT condition if you can with the box and all accessories. Make sure the person has a great rating, or buy from a brick photo store from someone you trust.
Good luck and keep on shooting until the end.
Below is an example of what to look for. I am not recommending this, just an example of what is out there.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/276269136577?epid=2167820246&hash=item4052ec7ac1:g:QPwAAOSwwa1lmZPf&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA0NCsxhFCRU3jzXjGzRregvmRSAHkRBHLKccS8qjS3Id9PbmaPCyz3AtHKUvgL33Rq58FHD6Psi4h%2FZKEv6SXNACD7wqggiZsz0NymhXT%2BZK7W9OTFut%2BBG3la7T4pUfW78IidgjnaGuzAbKbo%2FZyPPzO5o6llzq%2BOaYZrCtnJJbMD55xwjF8a7Vbm5z3Qb%2FIEEZ%2BoaVXEbA742kQe8lHKG8ttE0Atsrf6rzbYxOgg%2FpvnE1Us04coYhl44rO2dwMHWAqC%2BKnlHJlAzfzjJ749II%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR_LE68GcYw

whatdat Loc: Del Valle, Tx.

JBuckley wrote:

I've been using a "borrowed" Nikon from ... (show quote)

A d5700 has been mentioned a couple of times on this thread; I cannot find any reference that a d5700 was ever introduced by Nikon. Having said that, I have a d5500 that I pair with a Nikon 18-140 for a lightweight general purpose lens & a d7500 paired with a Nikon 28-300 lens (heavier) for other purposes. Completely satisfied with both. D5xxx series do not have a built in auto-focus, but the d7xxx series do, so would give you more options on lenses. Just my 2cents eorth. Good luck with your choice.

fourlocks Loc: Londonderry, NH

larryepage wrote:

Your statement that you "want to move up, just a bit" is intriguing. It implies that you would like to be able to do some things that the D3400 won't let you do (or at least do easily). What are some of those things? The D5600 does have some capability that the D3400 doesn't, but both cameras can still impose limitations.

I've used both of those cameras. The D5600 is more capable. But there may be other choices available that would help you more for not much more money.

I agree. I have the 5600 and it offers all the capabilities I need but it's not that much of a leap from a 3400. When I purchased the 5600, I also considered a 7200 but the 5600 had all the bells and whistle I needed and it's lighter. I always thought of the 5600 as the "high end enthusiast camera" while the 7xxx series as an "entry-level professional camera." Buckley's right; figure out exactly what you need and let that guide your decision.

DaveyDitzer Loc: Western PA

JBuckley wrote:

The reviews are all over the map for the 5600. Does anyone know if there are any
(real issues), against buy the 5600?

Thanks

I have had and used both the D5300 and the D5600 and liked them both. Recently the D 5300 came back from my son (who uses his I Phone) and have been pleasantly surprised at how light and handy it is. Unless you need the capabilities of higher end Nikons (D500, D850) then you could find the D5600 to serve most of your needs.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

whatdat wrote:

A d5700 has been mentioned a couple of times on th... (show quote)

Just remember that most lenses that need a motor in the camera are quite old and are not forward compatible with any new Nikon products being introduced.