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Buying a Nikon Pro Camera
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Hi there
Over the last 2 years I have been using a FinePix S9600, It is a Bridge Camera with little scope for adding lenses, I am planning on doing some travelling and would like to get an SLR camera with a wide range of Lenses. I have seen the Nikon D300 used with friends and was impressed with the quality of pictures, as this camera is now end of line and the replacement is the D300s (I may be wrong on this) It was recently recommended to me. I am a little confused and want to buy a camera that will last me 2 to 3 years plus where I can get a wide selection of lenses. I am budgeting €2000 for a camera and a lense that can get me started, I will consider another lenses for the camera in 6 months when i eventually purchase. I have Nikon in the head for some reason and I could be wrong, can you advice on a SLR camera for me that I can review with the aim of purchasing?
Regards, Enda
For a bit over €2000 I’d get a used D700 kit, it’s a full-frame DSLR (sensor close to 35mm) compared to the APS-C sensors on the Nikon SLRs up to D300. It’s the model above the D300, I believe.
Better in low-light, and not much bigger.
That’s just my 2 cents, I’ve been spending the last month researching cameras, but have no money to buy them with :(
Thanks for the responce, I had a quick look at that camera on Pixmania, I should have said in my post above, I would like to have video option, but then again those this take away from the quality of the camera.
Sorry, didn’t see you wanted video, I believe no Nikon full-frame DSLR has video in your price bracket. For video, there’s the D90 and D300s to consider, personally I’d go for the D90 and use the extra cash for lenses. I don’t think video takes away from the quality (It’s essentially Live View recorded in a simplistic sense), but as of now it’s Nikon’s lower end models that do have video (and their top of the range D3s and D3x), although a spokesman has stated that they are aiming for video on all their DSLRs in future.
If you need speed, however, D300s has 7fps compared to D90’s 4.5, and D300 has 51 autofocus points compared to 11 in D90. not worth the price difference in my opinion, although that’s up to yourself, of course!
If you could stretch a bit, you might be able to get a D5000 and a D700, both or one used, you’d have a full-frame DSLR as well as an APS-C with movie.
Or a D700 for stills, and a Panasonic Lumix GF1 for walking about as it’s tiny.
Sorry about the gamut of options, you can see I’ve been bored :)
The D300s also has excellent low light capabilities is thats a consideration for you.
If you think you’re going to want to use longer lenses, then a crop sensor (D300) will give more reach than a full frame-
If the video mode in camera is a must then you have 3 options d5000, d90 and d300s. D3s is too expensive. All these cameras are good and generate nearly identical pictures (same sensor implemented). D300s is a bit improved compared to d300, and has also slightly improved video mode comparing to d90 and d5000 (d300 has no v/m).
I’d suggest you going to store and see these cameras. Try to take some shots.
You must thing more about lenses you want to take. Lenses are more important. Choose what you REALLY need. Where you go? What are going to ‘shoot’? Carrying too much of equipment may destroy your trip. Consider All of these and you gonna make a good choice.I have the d300 and its a great camera – I haven’t really heard much about people using video on any of the SLRs. I think you have the right idea about thinking of it as 3 year investment.
if I had the money when I bought my d300 I would probably have considered the d700.
the only negative I have heard about the d700 is the cost and size of the lenses – a d700 with a 24-70 attached is huge and very heavy
if you get a d300 or d300s you will have a wide range of lenses to choose from not just the pro lenses. I would also consider getting the mbd10 battery grip as it really improves the handling and you can remove it if want to be more discrete.
Check out http://www.kenrockwell.com/” onclick=”window.open(this.href);return false; for Nikon reviews
Hi,
I’ve had my D300 for about a year and a half now and have no complaints. The D300S seems to be a very good camera, with all the capabilities of the D300 but with a few extras. Not enough to make me change, but if I was buying now I’d seriously think about it. For the lenses, when I got the D300, I went for the more expensive full frame pro lenses so i wouldn’t have to change all my lenses when I upgrade. Since they cost alot more, I’ve spread out the purchases, but the difference in quality between the DX lenses and the more expensive pro lenses is stagering. Mself I use the 24-70 f2.8, 105 macro and 50 Nikon lenses and went for the Sigma alternatives for a 12-24 and 70-200, no complaints for the Sigma lenses either, so they may be an alternative for you.
Aidan
Nice recommendations for a beginner with no much experience with dSLR. Not very smart though.
I’m going to stuck to my opinion – lenses first. Knowing subjects we could help with choosing the right ones.
Modern cameras like nikons d5000, d90, d300/s demand a better lenses. Canon 7d is even more demanding in this matter. There is 2000€ to spend. It is not much left for lenses considering prices of d700 or 7d.Exactly,
It’s totally unimportant what camera body you get; buy the cheapest SLR (say a D5000) and invest in good lenses instead.
Your camera body is going to be superseded within a short time anyway, your lenses can stay with you for a decade or more, so choose carefully there. Again, no need to overspend though.Thanks everybody, I have read all the reviews and spoke first hand to some experienced guys out there, They all recommend the D300s or the D90, personaly, I think I would like to spend the few quid extra on the camera and get the D300s. I would like to get the following lenses 18-105mm lense and a 70-300mm lense. So the question now is who is giving the best deal? And again I think it great to get such good feedback in such a short period of time. Thanks to everyone, and keep the sugestions coming.
This may be useful http://www.camerapricebuster.co.uk/cat4.html” onclick=”window.open(this.href);return false;
D300s is a great camera, but it is twice more expensive than d90. Seriously. Go for good lenses.
These are pretty decent, but you can get more for the money.So your fixed on the D90, What Lenses do you recommend? I am traveling down to Africa in the summer so take it from there
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