4 replies to this topic

[Northernlit207]

Hey all,
I’m new to the forum, and had some questions regarding camera selection.
I have a very basic knowledge with Nikon, I took two dslr photography classes in college 8 years ago, so I would undoubtedly have to relearn most of the mechanics of photography. I have retained some of what I learned about composition, framing.
Anyway, I’m looking to step back into photography, and what better time then during a pandemic with all this free time.
I’m looking to do some landscape, nature, macro, and milky way skyscapes.
Being a beginner, I’m not exactly sure where to start, what camera that I can learn and grow with me as I regain the skill I hope comes back after spending time.
I was looking at a d5600, which would be under budget and possibly give me room to get a lens or two, a tripod, shutter remote, and a carry bag.
I guess I’m just not sure.
Any insight would be greatly appreciated

[Ron]

We get this question on the forum a bunch and, honestly, it's probably the most difficult question to answer.

 

Cameras are very personal items and a feature set that might be important to me might be unimportant to you. Of course, the fly in the ointment is the fact that DSLR cameras and lenses are expensive items and once you've bought into a system, be it a brand (Nikon, Canon, etc.) or a type (DSLR, Mirrorless, etc) it can be a lot more expensive to change course.

 

I've never used a D5600 but there are folks here who have and do use it. Most of the comments I've read about the camera have been positive.

 

I don't personally recommend it for a couple of reasons that are mostly personal preference. For one, it's viewfinder uses what's known as a pentamirror rather than the more traditional pentaprism. The difference is that the pentaprism transmits light better and provides a brighter focusing experience. It's a small thing but if you're doing astrophotography it may be important. The trade off is that pentaprisms weigh more than pentamirrors making the whole camera heaver. Pentamirror systems are also alleged to be more fragile.

 

The D5600 does not have a built in focus motor. If you only use recent (AF-S) lenses this won't matter to you. However, if you install older (screw drive) AF lenses, you'll have to use manual focus. Again, just a minor thing, and if you're buying new, it probably won't matter at all.

 

 

Beyond those mostly nit picky reasons, I see no reason why you wouldn't enjoy using the D5600.

 

--Ron

[Merco_61]

The most important questions to ask yourself is whether you want to explore older Nikon lenses and if you like a menu-driven UI or prefer assigned buttons and wheels for the most common tasks.

 

If you want full compatibility with old glass going back to 1977 as well as all current lenses, you will have to spend a bit as you will need a D500 or one of the current FX bodies (D780, D850 or D6). If you want to be able to use screw-drive AF lenses as well as the latest AF-P lenses but no manual focus lenses, you can add the D7500 to the list. If you can do without the AF-P compatibility, the D7200, the D750, D4 or D5 work well with all Ai compatible or later lenses except the AF-P ones. If you only want to use AF-S or AF-P lenses, but no older than that, a D5600 might work for you, if you can get used to the viewfinder.

[bluzman]

As the former owner of a D5600, I agree that its viewfinder is less than optimum. The font for the information at the bottom of the display is too small and poorly illuminated. It was a struggle to read it and this was one of the reasons I sold the camera. Also, the D5600 only has a single Command Dial unlike many other Nikon DSLRs. This requires a combination of button presses and dial turning to change some parameters depending on the shooting mode as opposed to accomplishing the same thing more easily IMO when a Sub-Command Dial is also present. Also, depending on the type of nature photography one does, a shutter burst rate that's faster than that offered by the D5600 might be important.

 

Finally, since I entered the world of interchangeable lens cameras fairly recently, I have no legacy glass. My only comment with regard to lenses is that my Nikon AF-P FX 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6E ED VR lens works fine with my D750 although I can't recall if I had to apply a firmware update to the camera to make it compatible with AF-P lenses.

[Merco_61]

The D750 can't set how the manual focus ring in AF mode works as it doesn't have that choice in the menus, even with the updated firmware. It is therefore not fully compatible with the AF-P specifications.