4 replies to this topic

[Violet]

Hello, recently I discovered that I enjoy doing portrait photography and I'd like to buy a DSLR so I could take better photos. This will just be a hobby, so I don't have a big budget for this.

 

My question is: Should I get the Nikon D3500 plus an additional lens better suited for portrait photography? Or should I get the Nikon D750 with the kit lens?

 

Basically, my dilemma is: Entry level camera with better lens? Or better camera but with just a kit lens?

 

Thank you!

[TBonz]

I think I would choose another option, but hard to say what I would choose.  To make it easier, I would choose a full frame body like the D750 and a nice portrait lens,  Either the body, the lens, or both can be found much less expensive if you purchase a lightly used model.  You also might want to consider a zoom lens that includes the "portrait lens" length so that you will have greater flexibility for shooting other subjects.  

[Merco_61]

If you don't need the high resolution of a modern body, you could get something like a D700 with a vertical grip or an old D3s with an 85/1.8 and a 50/1.8 without breaking the bank. The D700/MB-D10/50/85 combo should be doable in the region of $800 or so in the US. Most of the used gear dealers in the US ship worldwide, but I don't know what the shipping would be to your location.

[Ron]

Welcome to the forums, Violet.

 

It would be easier to recommend something if we knew what kind of budget you have for this.

 

Personally, I eschew low level cameras in favor of more capable ones. But your needs and budget may dictate another approach. And, of course, the most important consideration is really the lens, not the camera.

 

--Ron

[krag96]

What kind of portraits?  Studio, street, casual on the spot, night, family, pets?..Lighting conditions?  Would you consider a used outfit?  What's your budget?

 

A D3000 or D5000 series camera probably isn't going to get you where you want to be.  They're capable and take great photos, but controls can be lacking, (in my opinion, I have a D5500 I gave to my wife simply because I hated the controls) and they won't auto focus the older, yet still fantastic screw drive lenses. 

 

The D3S and D700 are of the best build quality cameras Nikon ever made, they're both work horses capable of enduring hard use year after year, they're both old school and only available used though.  D3S price ranges from $900-$1,200 U.S.D.  D700 from $450-$550 U.S.D bodies only typically with a 180 day warrenty.  I have two D700's and love them.   Now the D750 is one of Nikon's best all around cameras, fully capable of what ever it's job is on any particular day or night.  I bought a used D750 a few months ago and find it extremely capable and flexable under any light conditions.  A used D750 will be between $850-1,200 U.S.D and well worth it. 

 

The 24-120 f4 VR G ED AF-S is the ''kit'' lens typically supplied with a D750, I had one before I had a D750 and will say it's become a favorite of mine for it's image quality, size, and flexability, but there's better choices for portraits.  I also have a 80-200 f2.8 AF-D ED I would choose as a better choice at the same price as the kit lens, (used).  There are other choices, the 80-200 above is just mine in a zoom lens.  In the long run, pay once-cry once. 

 

A nice advantage with the D700 is the MB-D10 battery grip can easily be converted to take the large ENEL-4 battery giving you an all day power supply if that's a consideration.  I've converted both of mine and life is good!