I need ADVICE! Do I need to update my Nikon D 60?
Oct 12, 2011 11:51:19 #
I imagine it depends on the kind of shooting you do. I thought abuot a D50 some time back but opted against it.. It was just too much weight to hang around my neck all day. You might want to get any camera you are thinking of in your hand before making a purchase. For me Sony , Nikon, and Panasonic were better choices because I had legacy lens that fit. But without knowing why you want to switch from the D60 it is kind of a hard call. You might want to check the specifications and reviews of anything you are considering first. I thought a D60 was pretty good for most uses.
Oct 12, 2011 11:57:37 #
I have a D60 and a D7000. I LOVE my D60 and only upgraded to the D7000 for some easier menu options and a couple of other features. (And because I got a fat check from the government for being a full time student...lol) If you love your camera and you are comfortable with it, and you are happy with your images, I don't see any need to upgrade! The D60 is an awesome camera and I don't think you can go wrong with it. If you want to learn about more of the functions and capabilites, check out the Nikon D60 For Dummies book. You can get it on Amazon really cheap and it is SOOOOOO much easier to understand than the owners manual. I know pro photographers in the area that still use D50s and D70s. Enjoy your D60!
Oct 12, 2011 12:25:12 #
Don't think you need to upgrade but I would suggest if you're going into businss then you should have a back-up camera.
Oct 12, 2011 13:41:50 #
I totally agree with Bobmielke, it is not the equipment, (up to a certain extent), but the photographer. I also use a pretty old, by today standards, Canon 20D, only 8 mgpix., and have enjoyed many years and good shots from it. I'd call myself an advanced amateur. I am just now buying a new Rebel 3t i, not the best or most expensive, but an excellent piece for my needs. I much debated between the Rebel and the 7D which I really wanted, but the weight, and to some extent $1,000 difference in price helped me decide. I also have a point and shoot Canon Powershot SX30 IS, pretty new, and I am very impressed by the images I can capture with it.
I'd say learn some basic photography, and LEARN TO USE YOUR CAMERA AND EQUIPMENT, you can get great tutorials for free on the internet, find some good blogs sometimes by pro photographers and practice , practice, practice. Most of all, have fun.
I'd say learn some basic photography, and LEARN TO USE YOUR CAMERA AND EQUIPMENT, you can get great tutorials for free on the internet, find some good blogs sometimes by pro photographers and practice , practice, practice. Most of all, have fun.
Oct 12, 2011 18:22:45 #
fotosteve
Loc: Cincinnati,Oh
My opinion. Absolutly not. Nikon D-60 is a great camera. Sure there are better, but really. If your good how much do you need. There are great accessories for D-60. Of course once you get a handle on what you are doing, you may want to upgrade, at your choice. But by no means is a D-60 a loser. You have a quality camera made by the best, other than Leica. Nikon does have higher quality cameras, but for now learn on the D-60. Quality mostly comes from the author. P.S. I have a D-90
Oct 12, 2011 18:33:30 #
Oct 12, 2011 18:47:46 #
fotosteve
Loc: Cincinnati,Oh
Angel99 You can photograph anything. Trick is to record the image as you feel it. I know that sounds corny, but you will have certain feelings come over you, then you'll know what I'm talking about. Then you'll know the image is quality.
Oct 12, 2011 20:44:46 #
suntek
Loc: Sandy, OR
It's the photographer that makes a successful picture. The camera is just the box you do it with. It doesn't matter if it's a point & shoot or the newest Nikon "mortgage the house" DSLR, it all comes down to the photographer knowing how to do the job. Save your money, study your craft and don't get caught up in "camera envy". When your equipment can't do what you want it to - i.e. you've out grown it - then upgrade - but rest assured the D60 can take you a long way.
Oct 12, 2011 20:46:56 #
Oct 12, 2011 20:54:41 #
You can buy a camera that in recent history took the pictures that made the careers of great photographers for 50-200 dollars. They may not be new and shiny, or come with the box, but great works of art can be produced very cheaply with previous generation equipment.
I use film myself, and only have one camera that cost over 300 dollars. My cameras exceed the limiting factor of my own skill by a great deal. It doesn't stop me from wishing like hell I could drop $1000 on a Hasselblad setup, but I couldn't take pictures much better than I do now if I did.
Especially with digital cameras, you really have to weigh the difference in features, since its those little things that change more. You really have to produce very large prints to see the difference between 10 and 12 megapixles. Things like automatic bracketing or noise levels at high ISO settings should make up most of the deciding factors.
I use film myself, and only have one camera that cost over 300 dollars. My cameras exceed the limiting factor of my own skill by a great deal. It doesn't stop me from wishing like hell I could drop $1000 on a Hasselblad setup, but I couldn't take pictures much better than I do now if I did.
Especially with digital cameras, you really have to weigh the difference in features, since its those little things that change more. You really have to produce very large prints to see the difference between 10 and 12 megapixles. Things like automatic bracketing or noise levels at high ISO settings should make up most of the deciding factors.
Oct 12, 2011 21:12:56 #
I think that if you can afford it DO IT. I have a D80 and upgraded my Nikon to a Nikon D7000. BEST thing I've ever done. My images are 100% crisper, more colorful, sharper, and require less correction. The difference in exposures are like night and day. You can see my images on Flickr under LBJude. My images are so much better. Good luck. Do your research to find the best camera for your level of expertise. BUT pick one up that you can grow with and not have to upgrade for awhile. Also, I would recommend NOT buying a kit which includes lenses as those lenses are generally inferior and definitely not great quality. Buy the body only and get a 55mm-300mm lens with auto focus and vibration reduction. Fixed lenses are generally faster and sharper. I use my 55mm-300mm Nikon lens for everything. I have used my 18mm- 55mm lens only sporadically. I pop it onto the camera sometimes and end up just switching back to my zoom. It is more versatile. Good luck.
Oct 12, 2011 21:23:26 #
I have to agree with everyone that it's the photographer & not necessarily the camera. For me, I was ready for an upgrade My images that I shoot with the D7000 are more even in exposure and require much less tweaking and editing. And I have also been taking classes for about 20 years off and on, at my community college. I have found also that going to museums and viewing art of ALL kinds has given me much better composition and much better images overall. Classes are inexpensive and taught by working professionals. Your local Parks & Rec department in your city may also offer some classes. Ours does here in Long Beach. Enjoy!
Oct 12, 2011 21:26:47 #
Jersey GRRRL wrote:
I have to agree with everyone that it's the photographer & not necessarily the camera.
It is the photographer, not the camera, to a point, but cameras are like paintbrushes. They have different traits, features, qualities, and impact on the finished work. The one you use matters a great deal. It's price doesn't matter, but how it fits the photographer's needs does.
Oct 12, 2011 21:29:04 #
don't try to chase technology..you will lose every time. Be happy with what you have and learn to use it like a pro.Then go out and have some fun making great images.
Oct 12, 2011 21:40:24 #
Geoff
Loc: Key West, FL
As so many have said, you don't need to update your camera. Just shoot. Be critical of your work. Don't be afraid to learn editing. Technology in our time is wonderful, but does not replace work, study and commitment. It's not the camera, but the photographer. I own several Nikons, a point-and-shoot and yet still use my smart phone regularly. I'm not going to miss a shot because I don't have the right camera in my pocket.
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