AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

Thanks for the suggestion, but I'll stick with what I've got. Two full frame bodies alone would run close to our entire budget, and would neither have auto exposure or auto focusing. The resolution difference would not be worth it for our needs. As it is, I outfitted two photographers with a complete and overlapping range of lenses, plus flash gear, for less than two grand. I'm not shooting professionally, we are producing prints (no larger than 16x20) for our family and friends, entering them in local shows, and producing work-related photos for website and small size printing. I'm pretty happy with the results so far; going full frame is just financially out of the question for us.

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

That's a nice outfit! Well thought out.

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

Thanks! It's always a challenge working within a budget, and accepting that there are things you'd like but can't really afford. I'm quite happy working within the limits of the APS format, though.

I want to stress how helpful the many posts on the Hog have been in looking at options, as well as the many great photo and lens review sites on the Interwebz. I am a digital newbie as well, and without the knowledge of others, I don't think I would have found the bargains I have, or gotten the quality I think we've achieved. Mikey seems to have achieved exactly the same frugal results.

I've been buying photo gear on both new and used markets, since junior high school (in the mid 1960s), and I'm fully aware of how adventurous it can be, but I don't think you need to be afraid of buying used if you take reasonable precaustions. The other thing is having a plan, but being prepared to deviate from it when you find an oportunity. A few of the bargains we found weren't actually the "next" item on the list, and when we didn't find the things we were looking for we filled in the gaps by buying flash gear and odd bits and bobs on Amazon.

The process was actually as much fun as the result, and we are having a ball shooting whenever possible.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

I agree to an extent buying used, perhaps it is me that I just don't trust used electronics. Probably no basis in fact but I see how fast it becomes obsolete that unless it is given away, or a factory refurb I have a hard time trusting it.

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

My mother always said, "Hope for the best, but expect the worst..." I guess I believe in that philosophy.

So my logic goes thus: What's the worst that can happen and how will it affect me?

For the two lenses that are most irreplaceable, I went with the new equipment - the Nikkor 1.8 / 50mm and the Sigma 18-300 OS zoom, both bought from a local camera shop that is extremely helpful and trustworthy. If either of them broke, it would put a crimp in both our photography and our budget. But I bought Square Trade coverage on the used Sigma 10-20 from ebay, and if one of the D3200 bodies crashes (they are both very low shutter count examples), we would either have to find another $200 range replacement, or choose that time to upgrade to a newer model, without having to replace any of our glass. One of the bodies I bought for $180 developed a fault a couple of weeks after I bought it, and it wasn't the end of the world; we just bought a new one for about $250. It might have delayed our next lens purchase, but it didn't put our photography on hold and I was able to use the D50 as a backup until I was able to buy a new D3200 body.

Besides, our photography is a hobby, not our professional lives. If all three bodies went south in the same week, I could pick up my old superzoom and use it to adequately keep up my professional needs for photo documentation of construction and development projects, where high quality images are not essential. My architect uses his iPhone for the same purposes; for presentation purposes he outsources!

When buying used on ebay, I suss out the seller as far as possible, and rely a little bit on gut instinct from reading their reviews. Even less than 100% ratings do not necessarily disqualify a seller for me. As anyone who has ever worked in retail, even briefly, knows, the customer is not always right, and can sometimes be overly entitled and unreasonable. And the available warranties are also quite reasonable in some cases, providing further protection.

Loss of our equipment would be a setback, and make us both very sad, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. And having only a couple of grand invested makes me a lot less concerned about it in the larger sense.

Andy

olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida

I think Andy has hit it well in this game. I too have bought a couple of stinkers...but we easily resolved the issue each time, and Ebay watches over the actions, and I see them flush bad actors all the time. TucsonDave - give it a shot next time you are looking for a piece. If you are not in a hurry you can watch auctions and see what folks actually pay for items, and you can pull that historically, so its fairly easy to get a feel for how things will go. I watched auctions on items I was into early on just to see how folks bid and how they time their bids at the last minute........I'm pretty good at it now. Some sellers will accept offers too. Arcitech1776 (sp?) I like the kit you have put together....shiny new is great and I have bought some things new, but in this case, not new camera gear.

This past week, I just picked up an older Sigma 400mm A/F in beautiful condition, not a mark, and only tiny amount of dust. Now..its not the fastest lens, better manual focus for birds/moving items - sharpness = on tripod, steadyshot off, using remote trigger, shooting manual.... I'm now quite pleased with it. No, its not on a par with your big Canon, but for $35.00 it kicksssss asssssssss. I would not be afraid to print and display the shots it produced today of my wifes Firecracker Hibiscus flowers....with no vibration, proper exposure, some loving care....pics look very nice.

Used is not always a bad thing - my favorite car has always been a 1969 Alfa Romeo GTV Veloce Coupe, in Alfa red...that I traded a wore out Suzuki 380 street bike for in 1976. It didn't run, it looked bad inside, smelled and needed some loving care. (I'm an old car guy - have restored a number of muscle cars/hot rods/and Jeeps, I love old/new Jeeps CJs, wranglers, etc. still have two) A year later it was roasting Porsches on the two lanes and expressways of Long Island (Grumman F-14 program at that time in my life). Old is often just right!

Anyway, time to head out to the family evening fire pit...the weather is near perfect today, mosquitos nope (ya know, since they stopped spraying regularly here, there are hardly any - I have guessed that they were actually spraying us with mosquitos).... Take care all, and happy hunting.
till next time, mikey

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

Nice find, Mikey! Enjoy your fire... We couldn't get one started here in the wet tonight with a tank full of gasoline and a flamethrower.

Andy

olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida

HAVE YOU SEEN THE MOON TONIGHT....looks fab!! Fire was good, do it early on Sundays cause everyone else is goin to work tomorrow (old guy will be workin on his roof, in the last 16 months we've survived two 140 mph hurricanes, not without some damage...but so lucky compared to neighbors within bb gun distance). I'd take some moon shots but its useless here except in mid winter/no humidity. Loved road trips into New England in the day, what great fun...wish I'd been more serious about photography at the time...but I was loving my sports cars and sport bikes, wife and I had a lot of fun in those days...still together and tryin to have fun!! (ps-she was an excellent photog in her youth...just can't get her to jump back in..still have fab slides)...have fun, stay safe
olemikey

here is one

(Download)

Acountry330 Loc: Dothan,Ala USA

Well done. Happy shooting.

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

Thanks again, everyone, for the kind words and the suggestions.

We had a budget conference last evening and decided that the next set of purchases (because you never really cure GAS... except temporarily) will go something like this:

1) Upgrade to D5xxx or D7xxx bodies, first me, then her. Don't need GPS or WiFi, but I'd like to get rid of low pass filtration at some point.
2) 8mm APS Fisheye for her - she has had a lot of fun playing with these in the past.
3) A nice bag upgrade for my now overstuffed bag - I love Billingham, but have an open mind toward high end bags.

If anyone has any ideas on recommendations on any of these three gear additions or upgrades, I'd love to hear them. I'm leaning toward Sigma fisheye, of course, and toward going right to the D7xxx series without a stop at the D5xxx level.

With our recent gear redistribution between the artist and pack mule, it looks like I'll be needed a bag capable of carrying one camera with lens attached, a backup body, one flash, and two moderate size lenses. Any opinions on a high quality bag to shoulder that load?

Edited to add: Hey, that was my 100th post! That went quickly once I got involved....

Andy

Harry0 Loc: Gardena, Cal

Quick segue: I agree. I was an IT contractor. got kinda sick, got kinda unemployable. So I helped out the unemployment numbers by opting out after Trumplestiltskin came in, and retired on SS. Do yourself a favor: make a graph (or have a young'un with Excel) of how much you make a month now. It adds up, month by month. New graph line: In 5 or 7 years that $$ would increase by what- $500? Where they *intersect* is your "break even" point- another several years. In my case, I'd be gone a year or more by then. Medicare and/or Obamacare is waay better than Anthem "managed" care. Live life while you still got it.
OK Back on subject: I have a d3200 (a great deal) and a d7100 (a greater deal).Except for a few niggles the 3200 works as well as the 7100 for me. I really don't print bigger than a binder (8x10) anyway and the sensors are the same. Yeah that d750 looks good- but why? For only $800 over your entire setup you could settle for just a box and lens- and just do it all over again.
*I* IMNSHO think you did a wonderful job. You got what you wanted, kitted *both* of you out, for a very reasonable amount of moolah and no real loss of quality. You're both happy- and compatible. Congrats!

Harry0 Loc: Gardena, Cal

You gots time to compare. The 3200 is still a very good camera, the sensors are all @ the same for the 3 of them, and the pictures will all turn out the same anyway. Not much spec difference betwixt the 5500 and the 7100, and that extra $600 could be handy. For my shooting, I'd might be better off with a 5500.
I'd say. stick with the 3200 until you really believe not having a 7500 is hurting you. By then something else may come along. Say no to GAS!

whwiden

I would look at the Domke classic bags F6, F2, F1x. The are good as carry bags. They are not to use as checked baggage. Light padding. Very light for the carry capacity. If you want more padding there are some good third party options.

D7200 now around $800. D3300 around $400.

olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida

Its all really a fun gig - you do your homework, select the right stuff. ...negotiate....or seek a recovery (refund or renegotiate) and good can happen. I did Sony Minolta because I had some good inventory already...but even someone starting out can really score..just do some homework...learn what you need to make a good photo..(heck, I started with a ARGUS C-3 my Dad gave me..man did I just date myself). I can afford to buy a new 850/D5 etc. Nikon...but until my photography talents can make good use of that fine tool..I'll keep playing with my honestly but cheaply acquired gear. And I'm having fun with said gear. How many of you can sport a full radio controlled remote standoff rig. TV pic of screen view, and control focus and shutter/flash actuations from distance, and produce a great image? I did the (film days) Wedding Photog, Legal photog for a large legal firm, and a lot more (for $$, and experience)....but I never lost that need for my hobby to "give me fun", and I flat out love to tinker. For me, its "win - win". Go ahead, have fun!!!!!!

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

Thanks! We are pretty happy. Next stop will be the D7xxx series to see if the low pass filter really makes a practical difference. Don’t need or want god or WiFi but the angled screen might be fun.