Nikon Digital Camera Advice

millwalll

Hi All,

I am looking to get a semi professional camera. Ive used the nikon D3200 which is a really nice camera but want the next level up from that.

The aim is to take picture for fun and then maybe earn some extra income from it.

I would prefer to stick to nikon as i've used one before and know most of the settings. Can anyone recommends a decent camera also a good place to purchase it?

I don't mind spending around £400-£700 maybe a bit more for the right camera but nothing over £1000.

Thanks.

Johnmcl7

The only two cameras which fit your requirements are the D5xxx and D7xxx series but neither are semi-pro nor would offer a 'step up' from what you've got as they add a few features but nothing major. A full frame camera (which has a larger sensor than the APS-C sensor used in the D3xxx, D5xxx and D7xxx cameras) would offer better image quality but it would mean an older second hand model and unless you've got full frame lenses, you'd need to buy new lenses as well which would completely blow your budget.

What are you finding is restricting you on the D3200? Although it's an entry level camera it still has a superb sensor (the immediate upper models in the range tend to add more features rather than better IQ) and for such a low budget, I'd be looking at perhaps buying a decent lens instead which may open up your options. A decent semi-pro setup is a good few thousand these days for a camera and a couple of lenses.

John

millwalll

Hi John,

I don't fine the D3200 really restricting me but knew it was an entry level camera. I was just curious to see if a bit more money could get me something better bit more professional.

Do you think a better option would be to go for a D3200 and then purchase additional lens ? The one Ive used before does not belong to me.

Do you also think the quality of the D3200 would be ok to use for maybe professional weddings picture ?

I guess what I trying to achieve is rathe than spend 300 - 400 on entry level camera if I can spend bit more and get a better camera I am happy to do that.

I rather spend more now get something decent than buy an entry level camera then in two year have to upgrade it.

Thanks

RobTang

Also remember that a full frame camera is not automatically better than an APS-C depending on what you want to photograph.


I would second buying different lenses to suit your style, the kit lenses and the super telephoto lens are convenient but my best images are always come from more specific lenses.
Switching to a new body won't automatically make your photos look better.

daveyjp

For that budget always consider second hand. D700 are now around the £500-600 mark.

millwalll

I was thinking of a d7000 but how much different is that from the d3200?

RobTang

millwalll wrote: »

I was thinking of a d7000 but how much different is that from the d3200?

The 7000 is an older model, the sensor (16m pixel) is not as good as the 3200 (24m pixel) but it auto focus sensor is a lot better. Its also has a metal body and is weather proofed if that matters to you.


The 7*** is a pro-sumer unit range so its designed is more like the pro units, it sort of assumes you know what your doing so it doesn't have a guide mode. I think it has a few more buttons you have quick access to the settings.


I would probab go for the 7100 or the 7200 from that range, they updated the sensor and removed the low pass filter.


Although unless you plan to take moving subjects I wouldn't bother.


A photographers skill is way way more important, people can take better pictures with an iPhone than I can on my DSLR. A photography course is probably as better investment.

Johnmcl7

millwalll wrote: »

Hi John,

I don't fine the D3200 really restricting me but knew it was an entry level camera. I was just curious to see if a bit more money could get me something better bit more professional.

Do you think a better option would be to go for a D3200 and then purchase additional lens ? The one Ive used before does not belong to me.

Do you also think the quality of the D3200 would be ok to use for maybe professional weddings picture ?

I guess what I trying to achieve is rathe than spend 300 - 400 on entry level camera if I can spend bit more and get a better camera I am happy to do that.

I rather spend more now get something decent than buy an entry level camera then in two year have to upgrade it.

Thanks

I didn't realise you didn't have a camera already, I think you'd need to seriously up your budget if you were wanting to shoot for money - you need to think about a lot more than just the camera body, a decent lens on its own can be more than your budget (and there's no single lens that does it all) and there's other accessories to consider like a flash.

Wedding photography can be difficult as it pushes the extremes of the camera with bright outfits against very dark ones which can be a struggle to capture both and very low light at times. I don't shoot professionally, just to help out friends and I use a Nikon D750 (previously a D700), a Nikon 24-70mm, Nikon 50mm F1.4, occasionally a 70-200mm F2.8 and an SB-900 for a flash. The bigger sensor gives shallower depth of field, better performance in low light and wider dynamic range plus blisteringly quick AF (can be handy in grab shots). The lenses are very high quality and give options for low light shooting and shallow depth of field although you could go cheaper with an older model like the D700 (still a superb camera despite the 12MP resolution) and a few F1.8 primes.

I agree with the points regarding skill and equipment particularly as generally higher end camera equipment is more difficult to use and more punishing on mistakes although at the same time I think better equipment with better skill can produce a big enough improvement to make people more inclined to pay for professional photographs. Generally I find people like the super low light photos taken at F1.4/iso 6400 or 12800 where the full frame camera is still reasonably clean and normal cameras needed a distracting flash, lots of noise or just blurry.

John