Buying a new camera! (Page 2): "portraits, indoor events, overhead lights", if that is the shooting you mostly do, do you have a 35 or 50 1.8 lens? Even your D5100 will do a good job...

ELNikkor

"portraits, indoor events, overhead lights", if that is the shooting you mostly do, do you have a 35 or 50 1.8 lens? Even your D5100 will do a good job with these lenses. I use my D5100 in these conditions all the time, reducing the flash to -1 or more f-stop so it will be more like a fill flash and overcome the overhead lighting, but still allow for the natural ambient lighting in the room. Try adjusting your style first, get these lenses first, it may save you some money on a new body. But if you must have a new body, I agree with the advice to get either a refurbished D7200 or the D7500. D500 might be overkill.

SteveR Loc: Michigan

Ellen101 wrote:

I can finally buy a new camera or spend on a new lens or two...saved money!
I would love advice on which camera is the best for portraits and events indoors...some have not so good over head lights.
I now own a Nikon D5100. I love the way it fit in my hand and it is easy to use.
I was thinking there might be an even better camera for me.

What are you usual subjects and under what conditions?

Jim Bob

SteveR wrote:

What are you usual subjects and under what conditions?

"I would love advice on which camera is the best for portraits and events indoors...some have not so good over head lights."

Not enough for you I guess.

BebuLamar

Rongnongno wrote:

If you are as satisfied with the D5100, why would ... (show quote)

RKL349 Loc: Connecticut

If, after all of your considerations have been made on “ Buy, or not to buy”, your decision is to buy, consider factory refurbished equipment to save some money, which may allow you to “buy up” in feature set or lens capability. Good luck with your decision and let us know what you choose to do.

CatMarley Loc: North Carolina

Ellen101 wrote:

I can finally buy a new camera or spend on a new lens or two...saved money!
I would love advice on which camera is the best for portraits and events indoors...some have not so good over head lights.
I now own a Nikon D5100. I love the way it fit in my hand and it is easy to use.
I was thinking there might be an even better camera for me.

For portraits and mostly people pictures, you are looking for good low light capability, and a short tele lens - ideally a fast lens in the 50 - 100 range if you are using a crop sensor. If I were shopping for that camera today, it would be a Fuji XT-2 with a 56mm F1.2. But you are probably wedded to the Nikon DSLR and not ready to take the jump into the mirrorless world. But just for the fun of it see if you can rent a Fuji for a day or two, and see how that super EVF makes shooting so much easier, and how beautiful the color rendition is.

Trustforce Loc: Chicago, Illinois

Come on Jim Bob. Unless Ellen is ready and willing and has the money to spend for a $3300 body plus buying a couple of FX lenses, a D850 is not in the picture. If that is the case, wonderful, great camera, and for another grand or three, great lenses. But if she is in the market for an incremental upgrade, then staying DX makes sense. Since Ellen has not made her constraints known on this thread, it's kind of hard to give specific recommendations. If she gives us a budget, that will help define a direction.

CatMarley Loc: North Carolina

Trustforce wrote:

Come on Jim Bob. Unless Ellen is ready and willin... (show quote)

Yes, an 850 does not offer the amateur shooter that much more for the extra money. Learning how to really use a more modest instrument is likely to give greater rewards in terms of satisfaction than getting a professional grade camera. On the other hand, if she has not very much invested in the entry level DSLR line, and wants to explore and enlarge her vision, then looking into the mirrorless cameras may be a way to go.

Bob Smith Loc: Banjarmasin

I have the XT2 and XT20 I'm a former Nikon man if you want light weight go XT20 with 18-55 lens. If I were going back to Nikon I would go for the D750 Jack of all trades and master of most

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

If you only have the kit lenses from your camera, then consider other systems too. XT-2 XT-20, A6500, G9, G85, EM5ii, and the EM1ii are all great options. Do some more research and see what's important for you.

Jim Bob

Trustforce wrote:

Come on Jim Bob. Unless Ellen is ready and willin... (show quote)

Your problem is you (and some others) make assumptions about the OP. I do not. I simply respond to the inquiry. I believe in a direct answer to a direct question. You obviously believe in the paternalistic approach wherein you tell the OP what you think (s)he should ask. That's insulting.

Jim Bob

CatMarley wrote:

Yes, an 850 does not offer the amateur shooter that much more for the extra money. Learning how to really use a more modest instrument is likely to give greater rewards in terms of satisfaction than getting a professional grade camera. On the other hand, if she has not very much invested in the entry level DSLR line, and wants to explore and enlarge her vision, then looking into the mirrorless cameras may be a way to go.

You obviously don't know the D850.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

Jim Bob wrote:

I believe in a direct answer to a direct question...

uh huh...sure.

Jim Bob

Cdouthitt wrote:

uh huh...sure.

Thanks for the vote of confidence-not that I needed it.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

Jim Bob wrote:

Thanks for the vote of confidence-not that I needed it.

My vote of confidence for you is quite different and you know it...

FUJB

;-)