Ugly Hedgehog - Photography Forum
Home Active Topics Newest Pictures Search Login Register
Main Photography Discussion
ALOHA ALL!!
Page <prev 2 of 3 next>
Nov 12, 2016 13:54:24   #
OddJobber Loc: Portland, OR
 
Welcome to Oregon, to retirement, and to the Forum.

I have both a D750 and a D500 and if I had to go with just one, it would be the D500. Despite being DX, it's one mean beast at very good pricing now. But you can work that out.

Mostly I wanted to discuss the Exchange system. I retired from the Army and moved to Oregon 20 years ago and I don't shop the Exchange. The days of bargains in CONUS are long gone, mostly because of complaints of unfair competition from retailers who wanted the military dollars.

Case in point, the D750 with 24-120 lens is $2300 at Amazon or B&H and others. Or you can go for body only for $1800 or $1400 refurbished. Through the Exchange, the body only is $2300, and bundled with the 24-120 is ON SALE for $2700, down from their regular price of $3400.

Just wanted to save you some future disappointment later on.

Reply
Nov 12, 2016 16:29:29   #
whitewolfowner
 
Sandman1318 wrote:
Aloha All;
I am a US Marine that was seriously injured in Iraq... got retired... healed as much as possible... and am now a fairly new college student (Fall 2014) for the first time ever. I'm taking a higher level photography class next term to really learn about photography, how to use cameras properly, etc, etc, etc. I will be needing to buy a good DSLR camera for the class in the very near future. I can only afford to buy a camera once... and I have no idea what to get (the camera ads might as well be in a different language). I know that I like fast action... and tend to be in lower light situations often. I will also be want to be able to take high quality family pictures (new grand-daughter is due in February). I have big hands and fingers, so something small would probably not work very well. Also, I will probably be taking a lot of outside pictures... in Oregon... so being somewhat water (rain) resistance would definitely be helpful. It is said that there are a lot of very professional photographers on this sight... and I need your help. I am maybe looking at the Nikon D750 or the Cannon EOS 7DMII... but the Cannon doesn't have an articulating display which I would like (for pictures with my arms stretched up)... and I don't know the difference between those and a Rebel at $1000 less. I have access to the Military Exchange system, so hopefully it can save me some money when I get it. I am open to any camera advice given and will greatly appreciate it. Thank you.
Sandman
Aloha All; br I am a US Marine that was seriously ... (show quote)



The D750 is great choice. And if you want get serious about photography, especially low light shooting, the D750 is the best choice for the money (full frame beats DX hands down in low light shooting). The D5 is a little better, but you can own 4 D750's for one D5.

Reply
Nov 12, 2016 18:13:58   #
cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA
 
whitewolfowner wrote:
The D750 is great choice. And if you want get serious about photography, especially low light shooting, the D750 is the best choice for the money (full frame beats DX hands down in low light shooting). The D5 is a little better, but you can own 4 D750's for one D5.


I would agree that the D750 is a great choice, but I would add that the D500 is also a great choice and does have some features the D750 doesn't get near to. The D500 is current, while the D750 is one generation back. The D500 inherits lots of features from the D5 that makes it a great choice as well. Personally, while I do prefer the FF bodies, I currently shoot with a D5, D810 and I added the D500 this past Tuesday. Just finished looking at my first shots taken with it and, while it is no D5, I was duly impressed. It will be in service shortly -- as soon as my cold passes. Best of luck

Reply
 
 
Nov 12, 2016 18:14:49   #
DaveyDitzer Loc: Western PA
 
Sandman1318 wrote:
First off... thank you all for your responses... and for the Veteran's Day thank you. I will address these in reverse order if ok. My college specifically states that I need to provide all of my own equipment... so no help there, but I don't mind so much as I would hate to learn a piece of equipment then have to give it back. I am looking at getting the camera on/before Black Friday as I want to get (somewhat) used to "my" new camera prior to Christmas when I go to Las Vegas to meet up with my kids and grandkids there. My photo experience up to now is exclusively with my Galaxy Note 5 (phone)... but don't throw rocks... I'm working on upgrading and improving that now with research and coming on this site asking questions. I understand that most people will say start small... then upgrade. As this is probably a one time deal for me (I've been saving for a long time), I need to get my final level camera (body) from the start... so I'm trying to think of everything that I will want to do with it (which is hard at my experience level... or lack of). I'm looking at about $2000 (a bit more if I can get it through the Military Exchange) From what I understand... a full frame has a larger CMOS so gives much cleaner pictures at the same resolution... (one of the reasons I'm looking at the D750)... is this correct? I'm more interested in quality than brand, but I want to be able to shoot action (two running 2 year olds and more), low light, portraits (of family), and landscapes... so basically everything right!! I'm figuring on getting the body, two lenses (approx 25-70 w/ low fstop and a 100-300 Telephoto), a flash, and a tripod, and a bag (or a kit with it all together). I really like being outdoors (to the extent that I can be), so the majority will probably be landscape (Crater Lake, coast, old boats, show vehicles, ect). Again, any help is greatly appreciated.
First off... thank you all for your responses... a... (show quote)


Please remember that full frame (FX in the Nikon terminology) will best use full frame lenses which are more expensive and heavier. I have researched moving up from DX(crop sensor) to FX but still haven't decided to pull the trigger. It's not so much the cost as deciding about the extra weight and buying heavier lenses to go with it. I have no experience yet at enlarging to prints beyond 11x14. Don't know what your service experience was, but I also shoot benchrest and precision rifles and many of the compromises are analogous - more weight, heavier barrels usually bring tighter groups, but in the end, I have to carry the darn thing.

Reply
Nov 12, 2016 18:57:34   #
whitewolfowner
 
cjc2 wrote:
I would agree that the D750 is a great choice, but I would add that the D500 is also a great choice and does have some features the D750 doesn't get near to. The D500 is current, while the D750 is one generation back. The D500 inherits lots of features from the D5 that makes it a great choice as well. Personally, while I do prefer the FF bodies, I currently shoot with a D5, D810 and I added the D500 this past Tuesday. Just finished looking at my first shots taken with it and, while it is no D5, I was duly impressed. It will be in service shortly -- as soon as my cold passes. Best of luck
I would agree that the D750 is a great choice, but... (show quote)



I agree with you completely about the D500. I have a D750 and love it, but do drool for a D500 also; finances are the only thing between one and my camera bags. I did not suggest the D500 to OP for two reasons; one, he wants to do a lot of low light shooting and for the money, the D750 is the clear winner and DX cameras biggest weakness is low light noise and secondly the OP is interested in doing landscape photography and wide angle shooting is hindered by DX sensors that require special lenses to get really wide, plus, landscape shooters tend to enlarge their images to good size prints, again the full framer is their friend. So, for the type of shooting he wants to do, he s much better with a full frame sensor. If he wanted to excel in wildlife and sports and nothing more, I would recommended the D500 for sure. He has done research, found the advertising to not be a great help and determined the D750 is probably the one he wants and I agree with him; I feel he was able to sort thought the hype and found his model.

Reply
Nov 13, 2016 00:44:43   #
amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA
 
Sandman1318 wrote:
Aloha All;
I am a US Marine that was seriously injured in Iraq... got retired... healed as much as possible... and am now a fairly new college student (Fall 2014) for the first time ever. I'm taking a higher level photography class next term to really learn about photography, how to use cameras properly, etc, etc, etc. I will be needing to buy a good DSLR camera for the class in the very near future. I can only afford to buy a camera once... and I have no idea what to get (the camera ads might as well be in a different language). I know that I like fast action... and tend to be in lower light situations often. I will also be want to be able to take high quality family pictures (new grand-daughter is due in February). I have big hands and fingers, so something small would probably not work very well. Also, I will probably be taking a lot of outside pictures... in Oregon... so being somewhat water (rain) resistance would definitely be helpful. It is said that there are a lot of very professional photographers on this sight... and I need your help. I am maybe looking at the Nikon D750 or the Cannon EOS 7DMII... but the Cannon doesn't have an articulating display which I would like (for pictures with my arms stretched up)... and I don't know the difference between those and a Rebel at $1000 less. I have access to the Military Exchange system, so hopefully it can save me some money when I get it. I am open to any camera advice given and will greatly appreciate it. Thank you.
Sandman
Aloha All; br I am a US Marine that was seriously ... (show quote)


I'd suggest you look at the Canon EOS 80D, Rebel T6s and Rebel T6i. All those have high performance auto focus and fairly fast frame rates that would be good for action shooting, as well as the articulated LCD monitor you want.

Of those three Canon, the 80D has the most advanced AF and best focusing ability in low light situations. All three of them are 24MP "APS-C crop sensor" models that have roughly the same high ISO capability. Image "noise" increases at higher ISO, with any camera. But these latest generation DSLRs are pretty impressive, what the can do.

For action photography, you'll also want fast focusing lenses. Among Canon, the fastest are USM lenses. The 80D is often sold in kit with a new 18-135mm USM lens.

At this level, the cameras aren't especially weather resistant... so plan to use some sort of protective cover when out shooting in nasty weather.

I don't know Nikon as well as I do Canon, but I do know the D750 is a full frame camera and not what I'd generally recommend for several reasons. Full frame cameras are more expensive, plus generally require bigger, heavier and more expensive full frame lenses. Full frame also tend to be slower, so often are not as ideal for sports/action. 6D and 5D-series models are the Canon full frame cameras. On the other hand, full frame do better at the highest ISOs, so can be a better choice for low light shooting.

But, if you prefer a Nikon camera, the D7200 is probably the model you should look at. It's roughly equivalent to the Canon 80D.

Reply
Nov 13, 2016 03:38:00   #
JPL
 
I agree with others here that recommend the Nikon D750, it is a camera that will fit your needs well. But the D500 is better when it comes to fast action, like sports or wildlife or airshows etc. If money is limited those are the best choices from Nikon.

But you should also look at cameras from Canon, like the 7dmII and the new 5DmIV. Both those would also be good choices.

Sony has also a new camera that might be the best of them all, the a99mII. This camera is scheduled to come to stores this month and if it lives up to the specs it will combine the speed of crop cameras with the resolution and sensor format of the best full frame cameras. I would not make up my mind unless checking this camera out as well.

I think those cameras are all something you would be happy with for some or many years to come, limited only by the lifetime of the camera and your interest in new gear as you sink into this hobby/profession.

Reply
 
 
Nov 13, 2016 15:49:53   #
Sandman1318 Loc: From: Hawaii / In: Oregon
 
Yeah... I kinda noticed that about the Exchange... and they don't even have the D500 yet so that I can even price it!
I really appreciate everyone hospitality here... and information. I am hoping to pick up something... maybe during the Black Friday Sales since the Exchange is no help.

I'm wondering if the benefits of a faster DX might be better for me than an FX... especially after some of you have said there was no noticeable picture quality loss. I'm not planning to become a professional photographer... especially doing portraits... I much prefer real life and candid shots where people are themselves. I would love to sit down and chat with some pros to be able to take better pictures after I finally get my starter gear.

The Canon 7DMII is one of the cameras that I'm looking at... but don't know about the 5D. Isn't the a99 a mirror-less? My classes will require a DSLR, so anything else would not be accepted.

Reply
Nov 13, 2016 16:07:00   #
orrie smith Loc: Kansas
 
Sandman1318 wrote:
Yeah... I kinda noticed that about the Exchange... and they don't even have the D500 yet so that I can even price it!
I really appreciate everyone hospitality here... and information. I am hoping to pick up something... maybe during the Black Friday Sales since the Exchange is no help.


BH Photo, fast and free delivery on anything over $50.00, great reputation and service. Their store is in New York City if you feel like a road trip, lol.

Reply
Nov 13, 2016 16:52:50   #
Sandman1318 Loc: From: Hawaii / In: Oregon
 
whitewolfowner wrote:
I agree with you completely about the D500. I have a D750 and love it, but do drool for a D500 also; finances are the only thing between one and my camera bags. I did not suggest the D500 to OP for two reasons; one, he wants to do a lot of low light shooting and for the money, the D750 is the clear winner and DX cameras biggest weakness is low light noise and secondly the OP is interested in doing landscape photography and wide angle shooting is hindered by DX sensors that require special lenses to get really wide, plus, landscape shooters tend to enlarge their images to good size prints, again the full framer is their friend. So, for the type of shooting he wants to do, he s much better with a full frame sensor. If he wanted to excel in wildlife and sports and nothing more, I would recommended the D500 for sure. He has done research, found the advertising to not be a great help and determined the D750 is probably the one he wants and I agree with him; I feel he was able to sort thought the hype and found his model.
I agree with you completely about the D500. I hav... (show quote)


I'm not sure what OP is, but I'm assuming that it's me in this case. All of what you say is correct other than maybe a question about what is considered "Good sized prints"(?). I don't see myself going bigger than 11x14 (for now at least... however, I'm still at the crossroads and researching what to get!! Any word on a new FX with all the speed focusing benefits of the D500? A new D750 maybe?? I also am having a hard time understanding the 1.5 crop thing and how it affects the lenses... I've never heard anything about this before.

Sandman

Reply
Nov 13, 2016 17:29:22   #
orrie smith Loc: Kansas
 
Sandman1318 wrote:
I'm not sure what OP is, but I'm assuming that it's me in this case. All of what you say is correct other than maybe a question about what is considered "Good sized prints"(?). I don't see myself going bigger than 11x14 (for now at least... however, I'm still at the crossroads and researching what to get!! Any word on a new FX with all the speed focusing benefits of the D500? A new D750 maybe?? I also am having a hard time understanding the 1.5 crop thing and how it affects the lenses... I've never heard anything about this before.

Sandman
I'm not sure what OP is, but I'm assuming that it'... (show quote)


OP is the abbreviation for "Original Poster". the d750 will not get you the speed of the d500, if you want full frame and high frames per second, you will need to obtain a second mortgage and get the d5. Most people do not go larger that 12x18, and any camera you are interested, d750 or d500, in will print that size. the 1.5 crop means you have a smaller size sensor and your camera is basically snapping a cropped size photo at the time of shutter activation. this means that if you are shooting with a 300mm lens, it will produce a photo that would look the same size as if you were shooting with a 450mm lens on a full frame body. the picture quality will not change noticeably between a good DX camera and a good FX camera, it will simply look larger on the DX camera. this is why some people actually prefer a DX camera when shooting sports and wildlife, you are able to get more reach with a smaller lens.
you seem to be overly focused, pun intended, on a full frame camera, and they are nice, I own the d750 as well as the d500, but, unless you are determined to be a professional photographer, a DX format will do you well. it may be better to get the d500 now and learn where you are going with your photography, and add the d750 (or I am sure they will have a better upgrade soon) later.

Reply
 
 
Nov 13, 2016 17:37:21   #
JPL
 
Sandman1318 wrote:
Yeah... I kinda noticed that about the Exchange... and they don't even have the D500 yet so that I can even price it!
I really appreciate everyone hospitality here... and information. I am hoping to pick up something... maybe during the Black Friday Sales since the Exchange is no help.

I'm wondering if the benefits of a faster DX might be better for me than an FX... especially after some of you have said there was no noticeable picture quality loss. I'm not planning to become a professional photographer... especially doing portraits... I much prefer real life and candid shots where people are themselves. I would love to sit down and chat with some pros to be able to take better pictures after I finally get my starter gear.

The Canon 7DMII is one of the cameras that I'm looking at... but don't know about the 5D. Isn't the a99 a mirror-less? My classes will require a DSLR, so anything else would not be accepted.
Yeah... I kinda noticed that about the Exchange...... (show quote)


The Sony A99II has mirror, but a bit different from normal dslr, it has some kind of translucent mirror. If in doubt just ask if Sony A mount cameras are accepted. I believe so, as the A mount cameras are the Sony Dslr cameras. But the E mount cameras are their mirrorless lineup.

Reply
Nov 13, 2016 19:25:15   #
whitewolfowner
 
The D500 will shoot 10 frames a second, where the D750 will shoot 6.5 frames a second. But if you practice, you will do better most times by just timing a single shot. I have beat out many guys with the motor drives running a whole roll of film on a slide into a base many, many times. The sequences are notorious for always missing the peak of the action between shots, no matter how fast their camera runs the frames. The shots per second is handy if you want a series of shots of an event though.

Reply
Nov 14, 2016 14:17:56   #
HertzSone Loc: West of the Cascades
 
Sandman1318 wrote:
Aloha All;
I am a US Marine that was
Sandman


If it's possible, I'd suggest a trip to Pro Photo in Portland. You will be able to handle a variety of cameras and ask questions of knowledgeable sales staff. I recently bought a CF tripod from them and they were very helpful. Nothing like being able to see-touch-operate the gear.
My hands are a bit large, and I found with Dx cameras, my right hand fingers felt jammed into the body when holding the camera. I went with the 750 as it felt the best in my hand, and it had very good reviews. If the camera doesn't fit your hand, you most likely will not enjoy using it as much.
Be alert to gray market cameras with their 'can't beat this price' quotes. Service, if needed, may be a problem to get. BTW, Op-tech makes an inexpensive rain cover (various sizes) to help keep gear dry. Good luck with your decision.

Reply
Nov 21, 2016 07:44:44   #
Sandman1318 Loc: From: Hawaii / In: Oregon
 
I have to go to Portland for a pre-surgical appointment on 09 Dec 2016 (oh well... yet another surgery), so I will try to get to that Pro Photo that afternoon. Thanks.

Reply
Page <prev 2 of 3 next>
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.
Main Photography Discussion
UglyHedgehog.com - Forum
Copyright 2011-2024 Ugly Hedgehog, Inc.