My wife is a Big Scrap booker and takes a ton of photos of the family and especially our kids sporting events. Recently she's had trouble getting good quality pix of the kids in action and poor shots when indoors with low light. My question is what's a good DLSR to get her for Xmas. I'm considering the Nikon d7000 but is that too much camera for her. Thanks in advance.
NEWBIE needs help for wife's Christmas gift
(41 posts) (18 voices)-
Honestly, the D3100 should be more than fine for a newbie. You can get a kit for less than $700 (compared to double for the D7000 kit) then get a good prime lens for low-light (50 1.4, 85 1.8).
Posted 2 years ago # -
true...D3100, but if she plans on taking classes and really getting into it...I would suggest the D7000. For lens ... I would use the kit lens and see if she would like 35, 50, or 85 for her low-light prime lens. Some people are different and until you actually look through the lens and see the distance for yourself it is hard to suggest a prime for her. I would also suggest the f1.8 and save some money. But if money is not an issue then by all means go for the f1.4's (they are better). I personally like the 35 f1.8 and less than 200 dollars.
Posted 2 years ago # -
thanks these replies are exactly what I was looking for, I'd like her to take classes so she can get much better. Currently she's using a Sony A100 but that camera is terrible in low light and the action shots look really weak. I wish money wasn't an issue my budget is somewhat limited I can max out for about what the D7000 goes for. I figured I might as well step to a better camera now instead of getting a new camera in a few years when money is a little tight.
Posted 2 years ago # -
The D90 kit is a bargain right now with the D7000 released. It's 940 at Amazon with the 18-105 kit lens. The D90 is plenty of camera even if she wants to really get into it. If you have $1500, you might try that kit, a 35 1.8 for $200, and an SB-600 for $230. That is a much better setup than a D7000 and 18-105.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Thanks Jonnyapple, I have to agree, if money is an issue then you have to take into account everything...like extra lens, bag, cleaning kit, flash, and most important TRIPOD (which is also expensive 100-300). It adds up and quickly! I think the D3100 is really nice though. I personally don't like older electronics (I'm an ahh look at the new electronics and how it shines type of person), but the D90 is still a really good camera and you can get it really really cheap now. And Jonnyapple's setup is really nice!! Don't know if this confused you more or not though
Posted 2 years ago # -
I think you're right, kceezie. I used my brother's D40 for a week once while he borrowed my D90 and I was actually kind of impressed by how much it didn't bother me, if that makes sense—I expected it to be harder to navigate than it was. And the D3100 is definitely more capable than the D40. You can always sell a body and upgrade if you find that she's feeling limited by it. I think if you know the camera's going to take a beating you might want a D90 (D7000?) instead right from the start, though.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Ok now I'm leaning towards the D90 but ya got me a little confused re: the d3100 when mention electronics.. What exactly do ya mean? Also it seems that the D90 is better for lenses and autofocus, that's one thing my wife hates about the Sony A100
Posted 2 years ago # -
i second the D90. Buy the 18-105 kit lens with it and a 50 1.8 and 35 1.8 with it!
Posted 2 years ago # -
one thing I did like about the d7000 was the dual sd card capabilities for back up since we did have the card on her sony crash and almost lost everything. I could pull the trigger on the 7000 then get her a nice lens for her birthday... Or save money and get the d90,, dang my head hurts from thinking.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Get her the D7000 kit. If she shoots a lot of kid sports she's going to need something longer than a 35, 50, or 85mm prime. Let her get familiar with using a DSLR and then buy her a better lens for her birthday once she understands her shooting style and what the kit lens lacks for her.
The only reason she might not like the D7000 (besides the price) is that the weight and size might be too much for a mom to juggle around with if she's use to carrying a small point & shoot. However the faster/better auto focus will more than make up for it.
Posted 2 years ago # -
If money is no object, the D7000 would be best.
You can leave it on auto and it will do all the work, and slowly start changing options as her comfort level rises.a D90 is 80% of a D7000 for 2/3 the cost. the relevant differences are better high ISO, burst shooting, AF and Video.
As someone who shot 2 years with a D60, i personally think she will be fine with a D3100, its lighter, smaller and has indistinguishable image quality for the purposes of a scrapbook, but action and lowlight will be an issue(though i've done plenty of successful sports shooting with my D60), but both are lightyears ahead of what she has right now.
It looks like the D7000 is pushing your budget, when the choice is between a camera and a lens ALWAYS get the lens.
So i would suggest a D90 18-105 kit and based on her preferences, choose either the 50 or 35 1.8
and if you can, buy a flash, trust me, your family pictures will never be the same again.
Posted 2 years ago # -
are you able to rent?
Posted 2 years ago # -
I'm going to confuse you more - get the D5000/18-105. With all the 19 different auto ranges, she will get the kind of images that will inspire here to learn more. The usual P,A,S, & M ranges are there waiting for that time.
Posted 2 years ago # -
I will chime in because I think most other then Niko lost the point of the post. The camea is bad in low light or indoors for sports pictures...which means none of the suggestions anyone is giving are going to be adequate. None of the lenses mentioned are long enough or fast enough unless she were to be standing on the field. The D7000 might be the best low light option, but I would go to suggest a D5000 or the D3100 with a 3rd party (Sigma/Tamron 70-200 f2.8). Probably run around the same price as the D7000 with kit lens and would really accomplish what you are asking better then the other options.
I think everyone is kind of giving false info that the D90 or D7000 with a kit lens will give stellar performance over the Song A100 she already uses in low light or indoor situations...I would have to say no. Sony with kit lens = similar performance to nikon with kit lens. Unless you plan on selling all the Sony gear why not just buy better glass for the Sony?
Posted 2 years ago # -
I recommended the kit lens so she can try out new focal lengths, tcole. The low light requirement is why I recommended a prime and a speedlight.
The 50 1.8 would save you about $80 or so over the 35 1.8. If you get the D90 + 18-105 kit and SB-600 that's a pretty awesome indoor/outdoor setup and you could see if she's feeling limited by the aperture (probably) and see what focal length prime she'd like—35 1.8, 50 1.8, and 85 1.8 are all great options for not too much money.
I understand the dual card slots sentiment, though. That's actually why I upgraded to the D7000 from the D90. Remember that the D7000 is a capable video camera, as well (the D90 too, but not quite as usable). If you have a video camera now you could sell that and put that money toward a flash if you decided to get a D7000.
Posted 2 years ago # -
? If she does not like the A100 I don't think the D7000/D90 is going to be her cup of tea. I would suggest the D5000 or D3100 instead. Saw some pictures from a D5000 recently.. and its performance was really quite remarkable compared to the results from a bunch of other cameras (Office "Kids party") (assorted P&S plus canon and sony DSLR) the metering and fill flash was really outstanding compared to the others. I would think that the D3100 would probably perform even better than the D5000 (but I am not sure as that D5000/D90/D300 sensor sure is remarkable!)
Well after all that ramblin I think I am suggesting a D5000 plus 18-105 kit plus 35mm 1.8. :-)
GL with your choosing!
PS : Oh and a nikon flash, SB 600 or SB 700 would be best for that set up. (seriously .. people switch brands solely due to the nikon flash system. Its that good !)
Posted 2 years ago # -
Maybe I am looking at it different jonny. I am thinking like a soccer or football game outside...perfect for the 70-200 f2.8. Or inside a volleyball or basketball game...all could use a longer faster lens. Of course the primes would work well for say indoor family/people pictures, but wouldn't help that much for any sports pictures if she is any distance away from the action..ie in bleachers or stands. I don't feel like a flash would help that much in those situations. Even the 70-200 isn't really long enough in some cases. Just my $.02 though and might be worth about half that :)
Posted 2 years ago # -
The A100 has a high ISO of 1600. Any new DSLR will be a huge improvement for low light captures compared to the A100. (I would almost go as far to say if you got a new Sony it would be a huge improvement.) If you are starting over with a new set up I would go with a zoom lens over a prime to get more flexibility out of one lens.
Posted 2 years ago # -
I would go for d90, much cheaper than d7000 and pretty much the same IQ as from d7000 (at least if she is amateur and not a prosumer/serious amateur), spend the difference on glass - it will improve her keepers rate
Posted 2 years ago # -
noxin said:
(I would almost go as far to say if you got a new Sony it would be a huge improvement.)almost, huh? ;-)
tcole1983 said:
...I am thinking like a soccer or football game outside...perfect for the 70-200 f2.8. Or inside a volleyball or basketball game...all could use a longer faster lens. Of course the primes would work well for say indoor family/people pictures, but wouldn't help that much for any sports pictures if she is any distance away from the action..ie in bleachers or stands. I don't feel like a flash would help that much in those situations....But there wasn't any mention of sports in the original post. It sounds like she would use it for one of the things I like to use my camera for—indoor shots of my kids just being kids. For that, the focal lengths I mentioned are good ones, and a bounce flash is more useful (and less expensive) than the fast telephoto lenses. There's always going to be time when the kids grow up to dip into their education fund to buy the 70-200 2.8 for their sports. ;-)
Posted 2 years ago # -
greeper said:
takes a ton of photos of the family and especially our kids sporting events. had trouble getting good quality pix of the kids in action and poor shots when indoors with low light.jonnyapple
But there wasn't any mention of sports in the original post. It sounds like she would use it for one of the things I like to use my camera for—indoor shots of my kids just being kids. For that, the focal lengths I mentioned are good ones, and a bounce flash is more useful (and less expensive) than the fast telephoto lenses. There's always going to be time when the kids grow up to dip into their education fund to buy the 70-200 2.8 for their sports. ;-)
Huh? Check it out again... ; )
I was also recommending the sigma or tamron 70-200...I know the Nikon is in a different league as far as price. Sigma 70-200 f2.8 and D3100 or D5000 = D7000 + kit lens. Or for a little more money get the Sigma lens, D90 and say the cheap 35mm and 50mm primes.Posted 2 years ago # -
Everyone is soo concerned with camera bodies.
Kids in action and indoor. It's the glass! Any kit lens gets too slow too fast. You can always crop in and get great 5x7s. You need shutter speed to freeze action. That with ISO will give you great photos.
Options -
Any of the bodies
35mm 1.8 G $200ish
50mm 1.4 G $500ishBodies with AF drive
35mm 1.8 G $200ish
50mm 1.8 D $150ish
50mm 1.4 G $500ish
85mm 1.8 D $500ishD90 would be a great camera for her and give good options or additional lenses since it has a focus motor for older lenses. (So does the D7000) The 18-105 is a good lens for beginners as well.
I agree with all of tcole1983's posts as well. (not that anyone else's is bad, just on the same page.)
Posted 2 years ago # -
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