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Frustrated at choice and cost of DSLR.
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Dec 17, 2016 12:19:57   #
romanticf16 Loc: Commerce Twp, MI
 
The Nikon Store is selling refurbished Nikon D7200 bodies for $699.95 Today only.

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Dec 17, 2016 12:23:32   #
Reinaldokool Loc: San Rafael, CA
 
smiling fox wrote:
Old guy trying to re-explore some creative need thru photography.
Used to use Nikromat and Minolta film. Tried a mini digital but too small. So I'm looking at DSLR. EXPENSIVE AND TECHNICAL. But I'm hungry to shot.
Checked D5500 and D3400. Your comments are not glowing. Considered Canon the one all the clubs have for $499. I'm not moved.
Then Ebay has a ton of bundles really affordable, but I understand the risks of gray market.
I'm perplexed and frustrated with my choices. I don't need perfect pics. Although I am my hardest critic. Too non tech for today's world, and not willing to spend a fortune. But dam I see so much I want to shot. My birds, my ladies, my environment. Sadly film is just not gonna work, it's costly and wasteful, and not practical, my phone is pathetic. Haha.
Surely I need to evolve into the 21st century Kicking and screaming.
Kinda silly but I need that outlet. Guess I probably need to be sure of my choices and direction. Thanks folks.

I saw the pics of the short eared owl the other day, had the same scene on Elliott Is. Last week. Wow!.
Smiling Fox. (Newbie here)
Old guy trying to re-explore some creative need th... (show quote)


The D3400 is a great entry camera. I have purchased a D3300 for my adult daughter's first DSLR. (The D3400 was not yet out.) She is using it to take great photographs. It has many good features. I know of no one who has actually had one who does not like it. The D3400 has added some new features but is only an upgrade. To get a better idea take a look at http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d3400.htm I have followed Rockwell's advice for years and only went wrong on the one time I didn't.

On the other hand, my experience with my Sony a6000 and then a6300 is that they are also good cameras.

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Dec 17, 2016 12:28:25   #
MarkSki
 
Unless you're locked into Nikon, don't overlook the older Olympus DSLRs--like the E620--or their PEN mirrorless cameras. I recently bought an PEN EPL-7 with their M. Zuiko ED 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 EZ "pancake" lens, for my wife (and have added the electronic viewfinder). It's a fantastic setup, I think.

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Dec 17, 2016 12:49:15   #
RKL349 Loc: Connecticut
 
smiling fox wrote:
Old guy trying to re-explore some creative need thru photography.
Used to use Nikromat and Minolta film. Tried a mini digital but too small. So I'm looking at DSLR. EXPENSIVE AND TECHNICAL. But I'm hungry to shot.
Checked D5500 and D3400. Your comments are not glowing. Considered Canon the one all the clubs have for $499. I'm not moved.
Then Ebay has a ton of bundles really affordable, but I understand the risks of gray market.
I'm perplexed and frustrated with my choices. I don't need perfect pics. Although I am my hardest critic. Too non tech for today's world, and not willing to spend a fortune. But dam I see so much I want to shot. My birds, my ladies, my environment. Sadly film is just not gonna work, it's costly and wasteful, and not practical, my phone is pathetic. Haha.
Surely I need to evolve into the 21st century Kicking and screaming.
Kinda silly but I need that outlet. Guess I probably need to be sure of my choices and direction. Thanks folks.

I saw the pics of the short eared owl the other day, had the same scene on Elliott Is. Last week. Wow!.
Smiling Fox. (Newbie here)
Old guy trying to re-explore some creative need th... (show quote)


If there are still any left, Nikon USA had the D7200 refurbished bodies on sale, today only, for $699. That is a spectacular deal.

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Dec 17, 2016 13:11:12   #
Satman Loc: Indy
 
Join a local camera club, those guy are always wanting to sell their old stuff., many just give it away..

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Dec 17, 2016 13:55:31   #
Kalskag2
 
I'm very happy so far with my refurbished Nikon D5300...

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Dec 17, 2016 14:06:38   #
SteveTog Loc: Philly
 
I have a used Nikon D50 and a used D90 that I will be selling soon. They are both older than the cameras you mentioned, but fully capable for any photographer. They would be cheap and cheaper and they are as capable s the film cameras you were mentioning. The D50 does not have live view, but that is an extravagance if you were ever an old film photographer. The high ISOs and IQ of the newest cameras are just added features. For years pros were able to shoot with a maximum ISO of 800, not 1,000,000+. Neither put out huge files like my D800, but that is good if you don't want to have to upgrade your PC, too.

If you want a bit of kit that you can compose and create with, something that you work your magic triangle and create art with, consider an older, used DSLR and a couple of cheap prime lenses. It's all the masters had and they did fine.

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Dec 17, 2016 14:19:46   #
JimBart Loc: Western Michigan
 
I was in your boat several years ago I tried the Coolpix for several years and while the quality was reasonable I want something more I took a plunge after a lot of hesitation and forked over some money for a D7100 with 2 kit lenses That was 2 years ago and while I am still learning all its features I don't regret it in the least
Since then the 7200 has come out too but a refurbished 7100 or a new 5500 plus a couple lenses shouldn't set you back that much ..... unless you want pro quality lenses
In short it's what you feel comfortable with and what you can afford

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Dec 17, 2016 14:38:16   #
dandi Loc: near Seattle, WA
 
Since I joined digital world I had several Nikon dslr's. I bought them used from my local camera store. It's a great place to buy used cameras/lenses: you can hold and test them in the store and they come with 60 days warranty. Never had a problem. For example: d300 or d7000 excellent condition under $300.
Check your local camera store.

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Dec 17, 2016 15:47:13   #
Toad Rancher Loc: Central PA Mts.
 
smiling fox wrote:
Old guy trying to re-explore some creative need thru photography.
Used to use Nikromat and Minolta film. Tried a mini digital but too small. So I'm looking at DSLR. EXPENSIVE AND TECHNICAL. But I'm hungry to shot.
Checked D5500 and D3400. Your comments are not glowing. Considered Canon the one all the clubs have for $499. I'm not moved.
Then Ebay has a ton of bundles really affordable, but I understand the risks of gray market.
I'm perplexed and frustrated with my choices. I don't need perfect pics. Although I am my hardest critic. Too non tech for today's world, and not willing to spend a fortune. But dam I see so much I want to shot. My birds, my ladies, my environment. Sadly film is just not gonna work, it's costly and wasteful, and not practical, my phone is pathetic. Haha.
Surely I need to evolve into the 21st century Kicking and screaming.
Kinda silly but I need that outlet. Guess I probably need to be sure of my choices and direction. Thanks folks.

I saw the pics of the short eared owl the other day, had the same scene on Elliott Is. Last week. Wow!.
Smiling Fox. (Newbie here)
Old guy trying to re-explore some creative need th... (show quote)


As another "old guy", I dragged myself kicking and screaming into a bridge camera (Canon SX1) and then another (SX40) and I haven't yet looked back. I simply can't afford a whole new collection of lenses and my old ones are pre-AI Nikons. The only big drawback I've encountered is that depth of field can be difficult to control. The actual focal lengths as opposed to "35mm equivalents" are so short that even the widest available apertures are virtual pinholes. Stepping back and using a long focal length works quite well for me most of the time but not always. Some here are critical of bridge camera picture quality but I've printed some prize winners as large as 13" on the long side at 300 dpi. That's good enough for me. If you are new to digital and on a low budget, I suggest that a reburb bridge camera would be a good place to start.

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Dec 17, 2016 16:05:55   #
jack schade Loc: La Pine Oregon
 
Welcome to the forum.

Jack

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Dec 17, 2016 16:12:52   #
wizzo1 Loc: Michigan/Pennsylvania
 
My 2 CENTS!
I love my Nikon D3200. Has all the features ill ever need and excellent quality. You can still find multi lens bundles rather inexpensively if you research. And when I want to upgade,I will keep my lenses and buy a new body! And because its digital, if i dont like my pictures for any reason i just hit "delete" Embrace the digital age! The 3200 may be older,outdated technology but 4 short yrs ago,it was cutting edge! The best part about buying new equipment is the research. Good luck!
Bart

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Dec 17, 2016 16:22:34   #
rleonetti Loc: Portland, Oregon
 
A little shameless, but sincere, self promotion.

The link below takes you to a sophisticated DLSR (on this UHH website) with all the bells and whistles of my $2,800, Nikon D-750 with zoom lens. It consistently gave photos that require less Lightroom manipulation than I now am doing. While giving you great photos, it will give you some digital experience and help you decide, later, where you want to spend megabucks (full frame? better video? higher ISO? longer lens? etc.) It has a very long zoom range.

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-428198-1.html

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Dec 17, 2016 16:23:57   #
Trentc Loc: Denver, CO
 
The upside is that, in this day and age, if you are just looking for something to play around with, you really can't go wrong with any choice you make from any of the major manufacturers. Don't overthink it and get paralysis by analysis. Just buy a camera that fits in your budget and get out there and make pictures.

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Dec 17, 2016 16:28:24   #
TheDman Loc: USA
 
smiling fox wrote:
Old guy trying to re-explore some creative need thru photography.
Used to use Nikromat and Minolta film. Tried a mini digital but too small. So I'm looking at DSLR. EXPENSIVE AND TECHNICAL. But I'm hungry to shot.
Checked D5500 and D3400. Your comments are not glowing. Considered Canon the one all the clubs have for $499. I'm not moved.
Then Ebay has a ton of bundles really affordable, but I understand the risks of gray market.
I'm perplexed and frustrated with my choices. I don't need perfect pics. Although I am my hardest critic. Too non tech for today's world, and not willing to spend a fortune. But dam I see so much I want to shot. My birds, my ladies, my environment. Sadly film is just not gonna work, it's costly and wasteful, and not practical, my phone is pathetic. Haha.
Surely I need to evolve into the 21st century Kicking and screaming.
Kinda silly but I need that outlet. Guess I probably need to be sure of my choices and direction. Thanks folks.

I saw the pics of the short eared owl the other day, had the same scene on Elliott Is. Last week. Wow!.
Smiling Fox. (Newbie here)
Old guy trying to re-explore some creative need th... (show quote)


I don't understand the risks of gray market, and I've been happily using gray market stuff for years. Ignorance is bliss. 😉

Reply
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