New to forum: Amateur enthusiast in the 70's - 80's. Trying to get back involved but tech has changed. Need assist with purchasing new camera. Pros, cons between DSLR and Mirrorless?

jmmcgrath17

Amateur enthusiast in the 70's - 80's. Trying to get back involved but tech has changed. Need assist with purchasing new camera. Pros, cons between DSLR and Mirrorless? Which brand/model? ( $500. - $1000.). Cannon, Nikon, Sony??? Thanks, Jim

eurobird Loc: uk

Welcome to UHH

Dik

Go used. There are terrific bargains available on models a few generations older than current.
KEH, B&H, Adorama.
If anywhere near Baltimore, Service Photo.

CO

You might rent first. LensRentals.com is very good. I've rented from them numerous times. They clean every item after being rented - even the sensors in digital cameras. They include a pre-paid return shipping label in the box.

The Nikon D7200 is on sale right now. Production has stopped on the D7200 so they're having clearance pricing on it right now. It's usually $1096. B & H Photo has it for $696. I would recommend getting the bundle with the 18-140mm lens. That bundle is usually $1596. It's on clearance now for $996.

jmmcgrath17

Thanks Dik, I live in NJ. Nearest me is a place called unique photo

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

Welcome. You'll get lots of different advice as to what to but. I, too, use a Nikon D7200 and love it. They are many great choices, though.

f8lee Loc: New Mexico

jmmcgrath17 wrote:

Amateur enthusiast in the 70's - 80's. Trying to get back involved but tech has changed. Need assist with purchasing new camera. Pros, cons between DSLR and Mirrorless? Which brand/model? ( $500. - $1000.). Cannon, Nikon, Sony??? Thanks, Jim

I will offer the advice I've been giving for decades - hold a number of different brands and models in your own hands, take photos with them (even in the store). This will give you a sense of which are more or less comfortable or balanced in your hands, and which viewfinders are more easily interpreted and pleasing to your eyes.

Ergonomics can play a large role because if you buy a camera based on magazine reviews, well-intentioned suggestions from friends and spec sheet specifications and it turns out to be unpleasant to use, you will tend not to use it. Of course, if you have a good friend with a given brand of gear who would be willing to lend you his or her lenses etc., that could play a role, but truly getting some hands on experience should tell you a lot. At a given price point all the reputable manufacturers produce roughly equivalent products; don't let the pixel peepers push you to some arcane specification that, in the long run, might be without value.

Hope that helps - do let us know your experiences!

jmmcgrath17

Thanks for your input.

R.G. Loc: Scotland

Once you get the hang of digital you'll find it easier to use and also easier to get good results.

pdsdville Loc: Midlothian, Tx

Go for a refurbished Sony A77. Check it out on the net. I love mine.

yssirk123 Loc: New Jersey

Best advice I can give you is to head off to Unique Photo, and check out your short list in person.

Back in the film days, I shot Canon and loved my A-1. When I decided to move to digital, I was naturally leaning towards another Canon. However, after holding them in my hands, the surprisingly clear winner (for me) was the Nikon D70. I don't think there is any substitute for checking them out in person - especially since you're probably going to live with that camera for quite some time.

traderjohn Loc: New York City

jmmcgrath17 wrote:

Amateur enthusiast in the 70's - 80's. Trying to get back involved but tech has changed. Need assist with purchasing new camera. Pros, cons between DSLR and Mirrorless? Which brand/model? ( $500. - $1000.). Cannon, Nikon, Sony??? Thanks, Jim

That is a question I firmly believe you have to do your own research on. The answers you will get here are based on the prejudices of the owners of whatever camera/lens they have. Welcome to the forum. However be careful what you post. There are a few people here who check your posting history and bring the past forward. I guess life is different for them. Some will be pompous, snarky and self-serving. Then there are those who without judgment actually help you. All in all its a good site. Good luck with your choice.

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

jmmcgrath17 wrote:

Amateur enthusiast in the 70's - 80's. Trying to get back involved but tech has changed. Need assist with purchasing new camera. Pros, cons between DSLR and Mirrorless? Which brand/model? ( $500. - $1000.). Cannon, Nikon, Sony??? Thanks, Jim

Mint, used, Nikon D7200 off ebay. Match that with a Mint, 18-200 Nikkor off ebay. You should be able to get both in your budget. Make sure to get Mint in the box, on the camera anything less than 15,000 shutter clicks would be great. On Ebay you are protected for 30 day return if not happy regardless of what the seller says.

charlienow Loc: Hershey, PA

agreed...i love my d7200. i have both the 18-140 and 18-300 lenses. i use the 18-300 most of the time...

CO wrote:

You might rent first. LensRentals.com is very good... (show quote)

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

You forgot to mention the type of photography you will be shooting which makes recommending a camera much easier for us. Assuming you will be shooting all kind of subjects all modern and many old cameras do the job and it all depends on how much you want to spend.
Several members of the forum have recommended the Nikon D7200. Excellent choice which paired with any of the Nikon kit lenses will give you a combo that should take care of most of the subjects you could shoot. I use and I like the Nikon 18-200 VR for its versatility and I am entirely satisfied with the quality of the images I get from it.
Editing could be something that will slow you down since the "digital darkroom" is not the same as the old optical darkroom. We can do today what we did not even dream could be done in the past using software. There is a learning curve with any of those programs but we all started there.
Welcome to the forum.