Camera Recommendation w/ ~$750 Budget

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Camera Recommendation w/ ~$750 Budget

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Gentoo

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[@Gentoo: You owned a D40, do you think it's a better buy than a D3000 if the budget directs them that way?]

I sold my D40 too so that says something lol. I've said this before but I don't suggest the obsolete models. Everyone I've ever known, including the person I sold my D40 too who was new to DSLR's at the time, was ready to upgrade not long afterward. Therefore, they're now spending money twice which, in the long run cost the average person more money. I would say save a bit more if it's feasible then get a D3000 if that's all one needs or a D5000 if it's possible to save more.

Posted 3 years ago #
alphanikonrex

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That's what I thought. Thanks Gentoo!

LOL, maybe I'll sell them my D70! ;^)

Posted 3 years ago #
jbl

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Like many said,

buy used stuff.

Aim for the cheapest body and learn how to use it properly. (try a D40)

You can start with a consumer zoom lens so you have a lens that does more than one thing, but I suggest that as soon as you find your thing, you start investing in proper, more specific lens.

The 50mm ƒ/1.8 would be a sure bet if you consider doing portraits. It's a cheap lens, yet the results are stunning.

Posted 3 years ago #
NikoDoby

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I totally agree with what you said Gentoo.

jbl your advice is what I'd tell someone who's looking at becoming a photojournalist or wedding photog and is just starting out with photography. It's not good advice for a family that will never really use anything other than auto and not want to change lenses often if at all.

Hey by the way are you buying the 5DmkII now that the D700s/x ain't coming this fall?

Posted 3 years ago #
adamz

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I'll also back up the idea of getting a new d5000 if the family is uncomfortable with online shopping, for all the rest (that are comfortable) go with Soap's idea of getting the stuff from craigslist.

Posted 3 years ago #
alphanikonrex

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My classmate said that they can stretch their budget $50, so it looks like it'll be the D5000.

Here're a few pages I put together to give to him. Do you think I should just give him the Nikon brochure?

http://homepage.mac.com/adbilge/D5000.pdf

Posted 3 years ago #
alphanikonrex

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Here's the link for the Nikon Brochure: http://nikonusa.com/Assets/Digital-SLR/25452-Nikon-D5000/PDF/25452_D5000_brochure.pdf

Posted 3 years ago #
jbl

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NikoDoby: If they want to use auto mode, why aren't they buying a compact camera? They will save money and make better shots. Buying a DSLR to use it with basic kit lens and auto mode is kinda pointless to me.

Also, I'm waiting for the D3s actually. Since the price of the 5Dmk2 has raised and the body is so friggen inferior to anything I've used, I don't want the Canon. I'll see how the Nikon D3s comes out and either buy it or stick with my D300 for a little longer.

Posted 3 years ago #
NikoDoby

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Jbl,because I said that they want the faster focus speed and better low light performance over a point and shoot. As for the 5DmkII, I thought you were very adamant that if the D700s/x didn't come out you were just going to get the 5DmkII. I just figured you were going to do it since you said it so often. I'm just curious to hear about your experience if you do switch. I don't mean any harm be always asking you about it. I just want you to donate your Nikkors and Nikons to me thats all :^)

Alpha, did you make this pdf brochure? It's pretty good and I know you mean well but I think it might be a little bit of an overkill to present this to your classmate. The official Nikon brochure should do fine :^)

Posted 3 years ago #
alphanikonrex

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Thanks NikoDoby—I'll use the Nikon brochure then. I like it better anyway. Mine was put together quickly with text and images I got from all over the place—NikonUSA, DPReview, Google image search, etc. After I made it I remembered back to the day when I would go through the D300 brochure over and over again, so I found the brochure for the D5000.

Posted 3 years ago #
NikoDoby

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I hope you make a slideshow pdf presentation for me too when I ask you what camera I should buy !!! :^)

Posted 3 years ago #
alphanikonrex

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Ok, let's make one for you! What's your budget? What kinds of cameras have you used before? Do you know what MASP is? LOL ;^)

Posted 3 years ago #
shivaswrath

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for $800, you can score a D90. . .save extra $50 and jump on that!!

Posted 3 years ago #
NikoDoby

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Shiva we've already established that used equipment is not a good option in this particular case. Unless you've seen a brand new D90 kit from a "legit" store for $800?

Posted 3 years ago #
shivaswrath

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oh sorry, let me more specific: D90 body only is about $800 at amazon right now ($814). . .works great if you have existing lenses, if not, I would still say buy the body and wait on the lens. . .

I did that WAY back in 2007 when I was first starting my business. . .couldn't afford anything more than $500 for a body, got the D40x and waited 2 months to get some lenses. . .so the body just sat there, lol!

I then got the D200 for $600 in early 2009. . . .at that point I had already purchased a ton of lenses, so no biggie. . .

If you have patience, better to enter at the D90 level since the price has fallen back to $800's. . .great body, the sensor has some of the cleanest noise patterns (still topping the D300/s model), and gives you the option of making minute adjustments via A/M/S mode. . .

Posted 3 years ago #
NikoDoby

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I'm not sure a family would buy a D90 body only and sit on it until they could afford a lens :^(

You are a more patient man than me Shiva. No way I would buy a D3X and just sit on it for 2 or more months without any lenses! That would drive me insane! lol

Posted 3 years ago #
alphanikonrex

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I gave my classmate the brochure—he's very enthusiastic. All day long kept on asking me questions! "How fast is it? How do you change the WB? What kind of lens does it come with?" etc. I also told him that if worst comes to worst and they can't afford it, there's a similar camera (D3000) that's cheaper.

With his excitement, I doubt he could buy a camera without a lens and simply let it sit!

Posted 3 years ago #
NikoDoby

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That would be a very mean birthday or Christmas present wouldn't it?

*Here you go johnny, happy birthday.
Gee a new Nikon camera! Awesome, thanks uncle Niko, but it's the body only?
Yeah I figured you can wait until you have enough money to buy your own lens.
I HATE YOU uncle Niko, your such a cheap bastard! MOM!!!*

Posted 3 years ago #
Willis

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What? You can still use it as a Digital Picture frame... And i'm sure that the Nikon Dev's slipped a version of Tetris in the menu's somewhere.

Posted 3 years ago #
NikoDoby

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I've actually seen a camera that was hacked to play old school video games. An old Kodak running MAME games!

That's Donkey Kong !

Posted 3 years ago #
alphanikonrex

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Woah, that's funny!

Anyway, my question is that on NikonUSA the ESP of the D5000 has dropped down from $730 to $680—should I tell my classmate to hold on and wait till prices fall accordingly? That way they would be exactly on budget (the lens is about $70 I think).

Posted 3 years ago #
alphanikonrex

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They're looking for a bag. What do you guys think of this: http://www.amazon.com/Tamrac-Adventure-Messenger-Red-Black/dp/B000FCQ2W8/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1255647846&sr=1-10 ?

Posted 3 years ago #
alphanikonrex

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Or this: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000EOUYHG/sr=1-15/qid=1255648609/ref=noref?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1255648609&sr=1-15

Posted 3 years ago #
NikoDoby

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I say tell them to go to the store and try and buy the one THEY like. Which I guarantee will probably be whatever is the biggest for the cheapest price at Walmart. And there's nothing wrong with that if it's what THEY want.

Posted 3 years ago #
alphanikonrex

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Ok, thanks NikoDoby. I knew I could count on you :^)

Posted 3 years ago #