Need a suggestion for DSLR under 1.5k
Any deal, suggestion or ideas.
Any suggestion on lens will be highly appreciated.
Looking for New DSLR under $1.5k
ca4cpa on 19/05/2016 - 21:50
Comments
Thanks for in-depth response.
I had point and shoot and mini-slr series before. But not happy with the quality of photos.I would like to spend $600-800 on lens. Any suggestion on buying Kit 18-55 + 55-300 or go for other type of lens?
Also a quick question :
- Nikon D7100/Canon 70D; this camera has released in 2013 (about 3 Year old technology); is it still worth it to spend $800 on body or spend $400 more and go for D7200 (released recently). What is your thought on this one?The lens I am looking is 18-240 and 50mm f/1.8. May be next year, I will look for 17-55 f/2.4.
Nikon D7100/Canon 70D; this camera has released in 2013 (about 3 Year old technology); is it still worth it to spend $800 on body or spend $400 more and go for D7200 (released recently). What is your thought on this one?
Cameras aren't like computers or phones, they have a much longer life cycle. In fact, I bet you could probably shoot with a camera that's around 7 years old and not notice too much of an image quality difference.
You can buy the D7200 (or 80D) if you just like new things, but in terms of the value they actually add, it's very little. In fact, the D7200 is basically the same thing as the D7100 but with a slightly bigger buffer for sports and action. It's the same sensor, the same autofocus system, the same body.
I would like to spend $600-800 on lens. Any suggestion on buying Kit 18-55 + 55-300 or go for other type of lens?
Skip the kit lenses, in my opinion. They're alright, but I've never really liked them too much.
If you're on Nikon, have a look at the great Nikon 35mm f/1.8G DX. This lens is one of the reasons why I steer many people towards Nikon's crop format over Canon. The 50mm f/1.8 is a great lens on full frame (e.g. Canon 6D or Nikon D610), but is a bit long for general photography on a crop frame camera, e.g. the 70D or D7100.
What about lenses like the 18-200 VR II ? I've heard that is quite a good lens espec for amateur needs or whatever?
@bohn: It's okay for what it is. It offers a nice zoom range, reasonably good image quality and great convenience in an all-in-one package. Its aperture isn't the largest and it won't be as sharp as other options, such as a prime, but it's a great lens for travel and convenience.
Invest in some good glass - you'll see much bigger differences in image quality than investing in an updated body.
As for lens suggestions, I'm not familiar with Canon side of things, but for Nikon DX bodies (D7100 etc): 35mm 1.8G, Sigma 17-50mm 2.8, Tokina 11-16 2.8 (if you love landscape).
Please do more research before you drop that kind of money on a camera and lenses.. There are lots of great camera forums, guides and review sites out there. Happy shooting :-)
Depends what you are looking for and what's important.
If you're looking at under $1.5k for body only, have a look at something like a Canon 6D or Nikon D610, which both can be had for under $1.5k if you go in and try to bargain at a local store or wait for specials. I think there's a $200 cash back on the Nikon D610 right now which will make it under $1.5k. Have a look around.
These models are far superior to the crop frame Nikon D7100 or Canon 70D type cameras. That said, they are a bigger investment in terms of lenses, so if you want to keep costs low and have no intention to spend more, I think the crop frame cameras would be a better choice.
The Canon 80D is new, so it's still quite expensive, I don't see enough of an improvement over the 70D that would lead me to choose it over the older (and cheaper) 70D. On the Nikon side, the D7100 is my pick - it's tougher and more durable than the D5500. It also has better AF performance, though the D5500 has the flip out screen and touch screen. It seems like the D5500 is the more consumer fun camera, whereas the D7100 is a more serious camera with more serious features.
You can also look at other options which are not simply Canon and Nikon, I shoot with the Fuji X-T1 quite regularly (along with my pro DSLR kit) and for what most people would use their cameras for, it's a great option. It's lightweight and small, very easy to shoot with and feels great in the hand. The Sony A6000 is also on run-out at the moment, so you might be able to snag a pretty decent deal on it at clearance prices. That's also a very nice camera, though I have felt it before and it does feel a little cheap/plasticky in the hand compared to the Fuji X-T1.
My suggestion is to not worry about what body you buy, but focus more on the lenses. Your body won't last. In a few years time, it'll be at the dump, but whatever lenses you buy now, you will keep for a long, long time.