sanhuberto Loc: Miami

I started years ago with a Minolta SRT101, moved on to Nikon and being a fan of their equipment ever since (+45 years). A couple of years ago I got tired of lugging all my equipment on trips and while visiting cities having to worry about it all the time, carrying the weight (wife won't help anymore), so I sold or gave away all of it. I switched to a good quality point and shoot, with very good results.
As I want, in my golden years, to get back to my hobby (nature and macro photography) and have the time and patience to pursue it, I am in the market for a new DSLR. My last one, was a Nikon FX but I am interested in the opinion out there about their DX like, specially the new D500. Anyone's input would be appreciated in this DX vs FX conundrum.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Welcome to our forum!

DX vs FX -

http://www.diyphotography.net/crop-vs-full-frame-sensor-different-cameras-perform-lens/
http://www.nikonusa.com/en/learn-and-explore/article/g588ouey/the-dx-and-fx-formats.html
https://www.borrowlenses.com/blog/new-dslr-owners-what-you-must-know-about-full-frame-vs-crop-frame-sensors-before-choosing-a-lens/
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/photography/features/dx-vs-fx-its-not-debate-its-choice
http://www.lightstalking.com/cameras-sensor-size/
http://neilvn.com/tangents/full-frame-vs-crop-sensor-cameras-comparison-depth-of-field/

Camera comparison sites -

Read comparisons and specs, and decide what features are important to you.
(Reviews) https://www.youtube.com/user/TheCameraStoreTV/videos
http://www.cameradecision.com/
http://cameras.reviewed.com/
http://camerasize.com/
http://www.imaging-resource.com/IMCOMP/COMPS01.HTM
http://snapsort.com/compare
http://www.dpreview.com/products/compare/cameras?utm_campaign=internal-link&utm_source=mainmenu&utm_medium=text&ref=mainmenu

Dalek Loc: Detroit, Miami, Goffstown

Just get the D500 and enjoy the time you spend with your hobby. When you print a nice photo, no one will care if is a DX or FX camera. None of us are going to live forever so ask yourself, "How many good years do you have left?"

I shoot a D500 and it is really nice. Try one out before you buy.

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

Look at the Nikon Df - full frame and yet smaller and lighter than other DSLRs

CO

I have a D500. It's a very impressive camera. The D5, D500, and D850 have the best autofocus system that has ever been put in a DSLR camera. It's rated to work down to -4EV. With a DX camera like the D500, you can use DX lenses which are generally lighter and smaller than full frame lenses. I like that the D500 has a dedicated joystick for moving autofocus points. I use the joystick when doing model photography. I put the camera is single point autofocus and I can keep the focus on the model's face. I like the dual Fn (function) buttons. You can program frequently used functions and recall them right away. They have finally figured out a good location for the ISO button. It's directly behind the shutter button which is great.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

Welcome to the forum. My father owned a Minolta SRT-101 with only a 50mm lens. I borrowed it many times. He finally sold it and decided to go compact digital. The D500 is a very popular camera on this forum. I would say it is the best crop sensor camera on the market today. It is now being sold at a Black Friday Special, with battery grip, etc. From B&H. If interested. Good luck.

jcboy3

I suggest you look at the Olympus OMD E-M1 Mark II.

It has a couple of features that address wildlife and macro photography

For wildlife, it has a PRO CAPTURE mode. This mode continuously bufferes 14 images (at up to 14 images per second) but does not record them until you press the shutter. It then records the previous 14 images and subsequent images. Waiting for a bird to take flight? BAM!

For macro photography, it has FOCUS BRACKETING and FOCUS STACKING. Focus bracketing will take a series of shots at different focus settings, which you then combine in post processing for ultra deep depth of field. Focus stacking, which is available only with a limited set of lenses including the PRO lenses and MACRO lenses, will combine the images in camera to produce an ultra deep DOF JPG. I prefer to shoot RAW, so I only use the focus bracketing feature.

For studio still life photography (not what you asked for, but still...) it has a HI-RES mode that takes a series of 8 images at slightly different positions of the image sensor (using the image stabilization system), which are then combined to produce a high resolution image. From 20mp images, it can produce a 25mp, 50mp or 80mp image. But it is very sensitive to subject and camera motion, so it is best used for studio still life work. Or interior architecture. But you need a very stable tripod and head.

Just Fred Loc: Darwin's Waiting Room

I loved my Minolta SRT-101! I still have it. Somewhere.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Welcome to the forum.

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

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PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Welcome to UHH. If you live near a big city, it would be best to get the D500 in your hands and other cameras that the hogs are suggesting. Unless you are going to make 30 x 40 prints, DX is fine.

sanhuberto Loc: Miami

Thank you guys for the quick response. Before my post I was inclined to get the D500, now I am convinced. I know there are a lot of good brands out there, but I am so used to handle Nikon (F, F2, Nikkormat, FE, F2A, all the way to the D's) that changing to a different one would be like starting over. B&H here I come.
All I needed was a little push...

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

The Nikon Df is the closest Nikon to an F, F2, Nikkormat, FE, F2; and in the hands of a good photographer, makes decent images.

canondave1 Loc: Houston, TX

Welcome to UHH. I, too, started out with a SRT-101 right out of college.

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

The D500 is one of my personal Nikon favorites. BUT, if you travel are you going to get equipment loaded again? My new travel favorite is the D500 with the 16-80 Nikon lens. ONE CAMERA, ONE LENS. When traveling minimizing is important. My favorite travel camera's include, Sony HX400V, Sony HX50V w/ 24-720 G lens, Sony HX-90V w/ 24-70 zeiss lens, Sony RX100 M2 w/ziess lens. Sometimes I just take one or two of these small point and shoots and attach a pouch to my belt, easy and lite. For sports and wildlife you will find the D500 with the Nikon 200-500 very, very hard to beat. Good luck and keep on shooting until the end.