Hey everyone, I'm a canon shooter with some easy questions about Nikon gear. A friend is looking to get back into photography and wants to jump into digital (had a 35mm camera 30 years ago). So while I would recommend canon because that's what I know, I'm not brand loyal. I'm looking for a jumping off point where I can do some research on entry level nikon cameras.
Here are my questions:
1. What is Nikon's entry level camera (comparable to canon's T2i/T3i/T4i)?
2. Do Nikon entry level camera's have similar sony sensors in terms of dynamic range as compared to the D800/D600?
3. Do they have in camera filter effects that can be applied after the shot is taken (his question not mine)?
4. Are you able to use both full frame and crop nikon lenses on this body?
5. Does the body have live view? Movie modes?
6. If you had $600 - $1000 to spend on a Nikon DSLR body/lenses, which kit would you get? This is someone who doesn't know what type of shooting he'll be doing. Figure a little bit of everything. This number is a bit flexible but would need a really good reason to justify the extra $$.
Thanks for all your help! I know I could do a few hours of research and figure this out but this will give me a good idea of where to go for further research!
Really, I don't know how these Nikon names work. Canon is simple, the lower the number the better. You have the 1 digit series (i.e. 1D, 5D, 6D, 7D) which are the really nice ones. The 2 digit series (60D, 50D, 40D, 20D) which are the next caliber of bodies. And the 3 Digit series i.e. the rebel series (600D, 550D etc..).
This friend is also open to buying lightly used so include past models when answering #6.
d3200 is similar. 5100 is too. Though I don't get all their tiers. Go look on dxomark. They're definitely ahead where dynamic range at low iso is concerned. I believe they have better high iso than rebels as well. They seem to be a better product.
2. The D3100/D3200 sensor are made by Nikon. I think the only one of the DX line made by Sony is that of the D7000. They might have high IQ but I don't think DR is close to D600/D800
3. The D3200/D5100 has in camera effects (Fisheye, Miniature, etc...) but I think the D7000 don't have them (it has scenes though but I am not sure if it has those effects)
4. Yes you can use both FX & DX lenses but D3100/D5100/D3200 all don't have a focus motor so only lenses that have a built in motor can Auto Focus on them (AF-S lenses, AF-D lenses won't Auto Focus). D7000 is more Prosumer so it has a built in AF motor.
5. D3100.D5100/D3200 all have live view & movie. Check online for video specs.
6. If it was me I would get a Panasonic LX7 but if he needs an SLR I recommend D3200 with kit lens + Nikon 55-200 VR. Maybe add to that later a Nikon 35 1.8G.
Also there is the D5200 which was announced two days ago but still it's not in the market
1. Nearest competitor to the T4i would likely be the D3200. Maybe the new D5200, but I believe this model would be somewhere between the T4i line and the 60D. Either of these will get the job done.
2. No. The D600 and especially the D800 kind of break new ground on DR expectations. The Nikon crop bodies will keep up with the Canon crop bodies in DR, but the D600/800 are going to hold a comfortable edge here.
3. Yes.
4. Yes.
5. Yes/Yes. Both are full HD capable, the newer D5200 has improved video. I don't pretend to know a lot about video capablities beyond that, but I do understand that Canon may still carry an edge in video output quality.
6. With whatever body/kit I would buy, I would plan to add in a 35mm 1.8DX at around $200. That would leave $400-800. I would take a close look at the D5200 if it could be had for $800 with a kit lens(the 18-55VR performs well for a plastic kit lens). Another thought is the proven D5100, which now has a replacement and should mean some good prices well inside this budget.
I had a Nikon D800E on pre-order, but cancelled it because I didn't want to switch during the summer.
I just bought a new in box Nikon D3200 kit with the 18-55 lens (which I don't really plan to use much) here on FM for $500 shipped. That is about $95 less than the current MAP/list/selling price at most stores.
I also bough a used 16-85 3.5-5.6 VR here for $475 shipped with PayPal. There was one that sold at $425 with a UV filter, which is a good price.
I already have a Nikon SB800, so that is a basic Nikon entry level kit with a crop lens.
I have all "L" lenses on the Canon side with constant apertures - the 24-70 2.8, 70-200 2.8, 17-40 4.0, 24-105 4.0, etc. Those are the next "step up" - or two - from the good kit and crop lenses like the 16-85, which is a step up from the $100 basic kit lens like the 18-55.
I also have a Canon T4i which I love. (I just sold a Canon T4i body new in box for $600, so basically D3200 price.)
I found I eventually needed a 1DX or a 5DIII this fall for a lot of event shooting in low light/high ISO 6400 and above, but I was quite happy doing everything else with the T4i, including event video at 1600 - 3200 ISO where I would normally use a camcorder.
I did see a complaint in the DP Review write-up on the D3200 that it oddly didn't have some of the in-camera effects that the D3100 had, but I shoot all RAW+JPEG so I didn't pay attention to that.
I think they are both really solid cameras. I will blog about both later, but that is a few weeks out.
D7000 16 Mp sensor dynamic range is only a fraction short of the D600. 13.9 v 14.2
Big diff is the D7 K runs out of puff at around 4000 ISO but as I grew up with film (64 ASA) I dont understand the fuss.
Also, and i cant speak for Canon, but the more you have to push yr pixels whether in camera or post the less ultimate IQ you have but I suspect that is a given. For me IQ holds up better by exposing to the right and pulling in post, but nothing beats getting everything right in the first place
I suspect your friend will be more than surprised at whatever he / she ends up with especially if they dont get lazy with technique and rely solely on technology
Okay, so from what I gather the D5200 and the kit lens will roughly come to his budget price. That's one good recommendation. But what if he decides on the D5100 and wants to spend the remaining $$ on lenses. What are some great sharp Nikon lenses that retain their value and would provide a unique kit. For canon I was thinking the 40mm pancake and the 70-200 f4L or the 100mm Macro 2.8 to give him some diversity -but I like primes. Any reasonably priced Nikon lenses that are a great deal or should I just suggest he stick with the kit lens if he goes nikon?
p.1 #11 · Canon guy with some easy Nikon questions
Better question:
Will the Nikon 20mm f2.8 autofocus work on the D5100? My understanding is some Nikon bodies have focusing motors in them but the D5100 is not one of them and you need an FX (full frame?) body to focus?
p.1 #12 · Canon guy with some easy Nikon questions
Johnny B Goode wrote:
Better question:
Will the Nikon 20mm f2.8 autofocus work on the D5100? My understanding is some Nikon bodies have focusing motors in them but the D5100 is not one of them and you need an FX (full frame?) body to focus?
Nope, it will not autofocus. You'd need a body with a motor like you've said, but that isn't just the FX stuff.
D7000, D90, D80, D70, D50, D100, D200, D300... there may be more but I think that's it.
p.1 #13 · Canon guy with some easy Nikon questions
If we're talking buying new, the D7000 is out of range: it's $1k without a lens.
Johnny, if your friend ends up with a D3x00 / D5x00, he will want to look for lenses with the "AF-S" designation. They come in both DX and FX, so that doesn't matter.
I will say this... I started a few years ago with the D40, which is the entry level from ~6 years ago, like the D3200 is entry level now. But I'm still getting great use out of it. With your budget and presuming non-extreme shooting conditions, I would pick up the D3200 and get more lenses. The 50mm f1.8 is a great bargain. Also, has he considered getting a refurb model? Adorama has some D5100s for less than $500 (although I admit I don't know the difference in IQ between the D5100 and the D3200 I just recommended).
But if I may get in a gentle ribbing, you said that Canon's model numbering makes sense, in that single digets are the top level. But then you cite the T2i, T3i, etc as entry level. So... huh? As for the Nikon numbering sequence... I will admit it's a little random right now. I think they are going through some product tier changes, personally, and that the numbering will make more sense in a year or two (guessing after they've completely dropped the D700, D300s, and D90).
p.1 #14 · Canon guy with some easy Nikon questions
you said that Canon's model numbering makes sense, in that single digets are the top level. But then you cite the T2i, T3i, etc as entry level. So... huh? .
For most of the world, it is known as the D650, a successor to the D600.
So you have: 1, 5, 7, 60, 650 as current. The "60" series went 10-20-30-40-50-60
Don't know why the "Rebel" series (which also had film bodies back in the day), is also known as T4i?
The "1" series goes back to my first camera in 1978, the Canon F1n.
Just FYI - not defending/choosing/saying either is better.
I have been a bit confused on lens nomenclature moving from Canon to Nikon - the above is helpful! Plus just by the sheer number of cameras to "understand" between Canon and Nikon (plus Pentax, Sony et al), especially if you include previous generations that are still viable.
p.1 #15 · Canon guy with some easy Nikon questions
I'm meeting with him tomorrow. I believe what it'll come down to is if he wants room to grow I'll recommend the T3i with the 40mm pancake and 70-200L. If he thinks he'll be content with the body B&H has a decent deal on the D5100 with 2 zooms, bag, and sd card for a bit over $800. The Nikon seems to be the better option if only the lenses functioned from body to body.
p.1 #16 · Canon guy with some easy Nikon questions
Johnny B Goode wrote:
4. Are you able to use both full frame and crop nikon lenses on this body?
6. If you had $600 - $1000 to spend on a Nikon DSLR body/lenses, which kit would you get? This is someone who doesn't know what type of shooting he'll be doing. Figure a little bit of everything. This number is a bit flexible but would need a really good reason to justify the extra $$.
Spend the extra money on good lenses. Whichever body he winds up buying, even if it's Canon, it'll be old in just a few months. But good glass remains good for years.
In the Nikon world, there is arguably no greater bang-for-buck return than the 35mm f/1.8. It is $199 new, ~$150 used.
Why not another zoom besides the one that comes w/ the kit? Well, f/1.8 = about 8x more light than f/5.6, so they'll be able to use it just about anywhere. Having said that, the 70-300mm VR is also a good value, as long as they don't think they'll be using it indoors at night.
p.1 #17 · Canon guy with some easy Nikon questions
Johnny B Goode wrote:
I'm meeting with him tomorrow. I believe what it'll come down to is if he wants room to grow I'll recommend the T3i with the 40mm pancake and 70-200L. If he thinks he'll be content with the body B&H has a decent deal on the D5100 with 2 zooms, bag, and sd card for a bit over $800. The Nikon seems to be the better option if only the lenses functioned from body to body.
Room to grow or not, he might want something wider than a 40mm lens on a 1.6 crop camera.
Those Nikon zooms you are describing would work on any Nikon digital body.
p.1 #18 · Canon guy with some easy Nikon questions
Johnny B Goode wrote:
The Nikon seems to be the better option if only the lenses functioned from body to body.
This is so unimportant for a new Nikon owner. It should only be a tiny part of the decision process, just something to be aware of when lens shopping.
It really only matters to someone that has a drawer full of older glass. Any critical lens will function fine on the Nikon "entry level" bodies. A new owner is 99% going to want new glass. They aren't going to be going backwards unless it's older mf glass anyway.
There is so much good glass now that other than pointing this out as a "heads up", for a new owner, it doesn't matter. In all the years and bodies I owned, the only two lenses I had that did not AF were the 80-400mm and 50mm f/1.8D And they didn't matter. The 50 has been replaced by the 50mm f/1.8G or 35mm f/1.8G and for the telephoto most use the 70-300mm vr anyway...
p.1 #19 · Canon guy with some easy Nikon questions
Johnny B Goode wrote:
I'll recommend the T3i with the 40mm pancake and 70-200L.
The T4i has much better auto focus than the T3i. It has the 60D auto focus system.
The touch screen LCD, face tracking auto focus, auto focus in video, and in camera HDR processing (and related) features are also nice upgrades.
I just sold a New In Box T4i for $600. Use it for 1 year, sell it for $500+.
The 40 mm is a great lens at $150. I also love all of the 70-200.
I also just bought a new in box D3200 for $500 here with 18-55. Somewhat "lower" level than T4i in features, but a very nice camera. I think he will be happy either way. But as a pro, the T4i comes closest to an all around body that I can use for everything. I only bought full frame for low light/6400 ISO and above.
Once you/he buy, forget all of the tech and just have fun! M
p.1 #20 · Canon guy with some easy Nikon questions
FYI: Just saw this on techbargains.com
At Adorama. Looks like they also have a refurb Nikon 55-300:
"Nikon D5100 16MP Digital SLR Camera (REFURB) w/ 18-55 Kit Lens $424 Free Ship"
Compare to the same kit with a new D3200 that I bought for $500.
Looks like the 55-300 is at Cametacamera.com. For $5 more you can get a UV filter and a cleaning kit. Use the link at techbargains.com to give them credit for posting (at the top of their page, click on the "cameras" tab):
