12 replies to this topic

[alex0312]

Good afternoon,

 

Please bear with me and this post as I am truly lost on which camera to purchase.

 

I am looking for much needed advice on which Nikon camera to purchase. I own a D3200 that I had purchased roughly a year ago.

 

I have two lenses so far:

 

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 55-200 mm 1:4-5.6G DX

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 18-55 mm 1:3.5-5.6G DX

 

These came along with the camera at time of purchase. 

 

My background is a photography enthusiast. I am not looking to make it a business or a profession. I love taking photos of my children, wild life (we hike a lot), a bit of landscapes, and macro (we visit lots of zoos and botanical gardens). 

 

I want to upgrade to a newer camera, but make it an upgrade that I can enjoy for the next 5 - 6 years. 

 

I was thinking about D7500. Costco is running a good price on a D7500, case, 2 batteries, memory card, and 2 lenses: 

 

AF-P 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR Lens

AF-P 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G VR Lens

 

for $1000, which is a pretty good deal.

 

D7500, from what I found online, is considered an intermediate user camera. It seemed like a good purchase, until I started researching more and now I am not sure if D7500 would be a better buy than a D610 or maybe D750 (body only) that can be purchased for less than $1000 on eBay in great to mint shape. I would buy a general purpose FX lens for the D610 or D750 and use my current DX lenses for now.

 

Basically I do not want to buy a camera, learn about it, experiment by taking photos and then 6 months later wish that it had more features and I was able to do more with it. I know it won't be D850 (too expensive for me, otherwise I would definitely get D850) or have its features, but I do want to try to get the most versatile camera for my buck.

 

Any suggestions would be much appreciated. I thank you in advance!!!

 

 

[Snorky]

I'd like to ask some questions first:

 

Why do you want to upgrade?

 

You've only had your current camera for a year... what does it lack?

 

Also, watch out for eBay. You may end up with a lemon or "grey market" camera that the manufacturer won't repair.

[alex0312]

There may be something wrong with my D3200. Sometimes the auto focusing does not work and I have to take the lens off and attach it back again for it to focus. I know that D3200 does not have an autofocusing motor in it, so is it the lens that's malfunctioning. I got this D3200 on eBay as a basic entry level camera for about $250 to familiarize myself with ISO, aperture, f stop and many other option I never really worried about with a point and click cameras. I'm also interested in macro photography and want to get an appropriate lens, but this is my train of thought, if I'm going to invest money into additional new lenses, I want to make sure I have an appropriate camera.

I would appreciate any advice and if you think I'm going about it all wrong.

I guess the best analogy I can think of is having an old TV set, but getting the best quality gold plated HDMI cables, the latest 4k player and top of the line speakers, but the TV is still old and you cannot take full advantage of the accessories until you get t a new TV.

Maybe in the camera world, it's different, but I don't know anybody who is into photography to ask.

If I buy a few DX lenses, but eventually get an FX camera, I won't be able to take full advantage of the lenses.

Again, thank you for any input

[TBonz]

No need to go FX if you don't want to.  The D7200 in many people's opinion is a better body than the D7500,  Also take a look at the D500, It is the flagship of Nikon's DX bodies.  Both of those are excellent bodies that you would have a hard time outgrowing.  Your current lenses will work with either.  As you move forward you can choose to purchase FX lenses (which work fine with DX bodies) and then you will have the option to stay with DX or move to FX in several years if you decide you need another upgrade.

[ScottinPollock]

You have a camera with two DX kit lenses... and are considering another with 2 more kit lenses. That is not a path most follow... which is more like 1.) kit, 2.) better glass, 3.) better body.

The problem with auto focus may be as simple as cleaning the contacts on the camera and lenses. But I would ask the same as Snorky... what in your current setup is preventing you from getting the shots you desire? If the answer is "nothing" then I would wait until you discover "something" so you know what gear to strengthen.

And if you think you may even consider a FF body in the future, I would not recommend buying any more DX glass.

[Snorky]

The problem with auto focus may be as simple as cleaning the contacts on the camera and lenses. 

 

Definitely. Do some research online regarding the safest method for cleaning.

 

And you don't have "an old TV set." Here's a quote from Nikon's website:

 

"Don't let the D3200's compact size and price fool you—packed inside this easy to use HD-SLR is serious Nikon power: a 24.2 MP DX-format CMOS sensor that excels in any light, EXPEED 3 image-processing for fast operation and creative in-camera effects, Full HD (1080p) movie recording, in-camera tutorials and much more. What does this mean for you? Simply stunning photos and videos in any setting."

[ScottinPollock]

Oh... and I left out that depending what you photograph, lighting can make bigger difference than camera or lens.

[Merco_61]

First of all, get some De-Oxit gold and clean the contacts on both camera and lenses. When that is done and the camera works as it should again, get a macro lens in the 90-105 mm range. These lenses are all FX compatible, so will work for many years on whatever DSLR you get as your next camera.

 

The kit lenses you have give outstanding quality for their low cost and light weight.

[alex0312]

Thank you everybody for the replies and suggestions!!!

I'm going to try cleaning the contacts with De-Oxit first and see if that helps. Where could I take the lenses and camera to get professionally cleaned/serviced? I googled "photography stores" and similar terms and didn't really get any hits. I used to have a few Ritz Camera Centers around me that were very helpful, but I live in Orlando now and haven't seen anything like that store.

[Snorky]

Look for "camera repair" listings in your area.

 

If you can't find anything, contact Best Buy and ask them for a referral.

[fallout666]

if looking to upgrade D7200 is best all around camera to get and can get brand new in box  for around $450 to $550 now since do not make any more and give more then any D5000 series body will give you. also since D7200 has two card slots over D7500  which has 1 card slot. it also has some better stuff then D7500 since its downgrade version of D500 with less of better feature from it. 

[krag96]

Very sound advice given above, Alex.  I have a D5500 and I like it a lot, (won't give it up except maybe to my wife), but I am considering adding a D7200 and eventually an FX body.  With this in mind, when I looked for a MACRO lens, I chose a Tamron 90mm f2.8 272E II and it's become my favorite lens.  It works on either DX or FX bodies, A/F or manual since it has a motor in the lens.  

[krag96]

Fallout, where in the world are you finding new D7200's for $450.00-$550.00?  Everywhere I've looked a decent used one starts at $550.00.