Question about Nikon Mini DSLR

[docjames]

Could I get some tips/recommendations on what/where to buy?

mrsdoc is set on the Nikon mini digital SLR with the multi-purpose lens, but beyond that i dont know much about what to look for / spec of the different models etc?

Any recommendations where to buy, what to look for much appreciated.

TIA.

 

[AVC]

Do you mean the D5200?

Which lens? I assume you are not getting more that one lens. All my gear is Canon, but on spec the 5200 looks good.

Being in Sydney, I can recommend one or two outlets that will ship, but are a good statring point for comparitive prices in any caseDirt Cheap Cameras are a good start, being one of the cheapest and a also they are a "proper" camera outlet. That or Digital Camera Warehouse is where I buy my gear. Even when the big franchise outlets are having a sale they are still more expensive.

 

[docjames]

No idea of model numbers.

Is there a basic "multi-purpose" lens that can be added on pro later with more lenses (if required / once we know how to use it properly)?

 

[AVC]

Hmm, it's complicated.

Basically, the DSLR is built around a CMOS sensor (the electronic equivalent of the film frame. The higher end DSLRs have a full size CMOS (i.e. same size as a frame of 35mm film). The rest will vary. A smaller CMOS means that your lens is effectively magnified (sort of like digital zoom).

With Nikon:
FX series - full frame
DX series - 1.5 ratio, so an 18-105 zoom lens becomes the equivalent of a 27-157.5

An FX lens can be mounted on a DX camera, but not the other way around (they will fit, but at the wide angle setting you will get "vignetting", which is the lens seeing the edges of itself, resulting in black corners on your photos)

The Canon equivalent is the EF lenses and the EF-S lenses (the EF-S are designed specifically for the smaller CMOS).

Unless you have very specific needs, like shooting under harsh conditions, there is no real need to go up to a full frame CMOS camera, which would be considered high-end.

Full frame pros:
Image quality (but realistically, most non-pro now are over 20 megapixel, which is more than enough)
Higher ISO range (for shooting in low-light without flash)
Weatherproofing (my 1d can be taken out in the rain for instance)
Shutter and FPS speed (if you need 1/8000 of a second or 10 frames per second shooting) The latest 1D does 14 frames per second, crazy stuff.
Durability, longer lifespan, if your are planning to shoot many thousands of exposures.
Endurance (more shots per battery, as the batteries are generally bigger, which is also a con)

Full frame cons:
Weight. My 1D weighs 1.25 kilo. Without lens. I'm upgrading soon to a 5D (downgrade?) due to weight. My wife wants to play photography and the 1D is just too heavy. The new 5D has way better features that my older 1D though.
Cost. Unless you really need that performance, you're just paying too much.
Useability. The pro cameras dont have the cool features like setting for "sport" or "portrait". It's lot harder to just point and shoot.


So, the D5200 or 3200 both have great specs. Its over 24 megapixel, does facial recognition, HD video.

The most common lens is the 18-55, or the 18-105 if you want more reach, at the price of more weight ans size. And more price.

Cheers.

 

[docjames]

Thanks AVC.

I think we're looking at the "easy to use / high spec not required end".

 

[AVC]

Definitely, pretty much any DSLR is going to fit the bill if it's your first, and will blow any pocket camera away.

It's mostly about the lens anyway. You can have a 12 megapixel phone camera, but with only a lens 8mm in diameter it has limitations.

 

[docjames]

So we went for the Nikon 1 which although not a true DSLR exactly, but will be easier to use and once we get more proficient we can upgrade to something better. Got it with the 10/30 lens, but may buy another lens (if required).

mrsdoc is very happy. So that's important! And it's basically for glorified happy snaps on holidays, of minidoc etc so ease of portability is important.

No doubt camera enthusiasts are recoiling in horror but I think this will work well for us (and if not, we can upgrade).

Thanks AVC for your help.

 

[AVC]

Can I ask which version?

 

[simongr]

Thanks for the explanation on DSLRs AVC - I borrowed a friends DSLR for the Grand Prix and got some awesome pics - and this was a fairly old camera. We have been using mostly iPhones for happy snaps since we got the iPhone 4S but I would like to get a DSLR. We have a uTough for pics in the pool / beach but for decent pics it is no better than the iPhone. I also have a Go Pro for diving but again not much good for pics.

I am intrigued by the Nikon but not sure if the larger lens will be worth it.

 

[docjames]

Can I ask which version?

The 1 J1. ie. the simplest one / probably also the oldest.

I ended up buying at Hardly Normal - price looked the same as online ($445) (and this being AFF and all, registered thru Amex for extra bonus points for spend at HN). Range online looked like $420 - $850. And, congrats to HN the service there was actually quite good (no doubt shopping on a Wednesday afternoon helped).

Nothing like leaving shopping for the wife's birthday present to the night before (hence "wearing" the extra $20).

For comparison sake, the same model at First Duty Free was $699........


Can I also add - it's ridiculous that a memory card isnt included with all cameras sold (how the hell are you supposed to use it without one).


For simongr: Having played with it in the store, it is SOOOO much better than our point and shoot, but I couldnt pick the difference to more "upmarket" DSLRs (caveat that photography isnt a particular interest of mine) but it's heaps better than the "point and shoot". The lens on the Nikon 1 is a good balance of size.

 

[AVC]

One of our pocket digital cameras came with a card. It was 16meg.

Last year, before our USA trip I was sorting out my many cards and couldn't work out why my "16 gig" card would only fit 3 photos.

Then I realised it was only 16 MEG!!

Then I threw it in the bin.

Some of the faster, higher capacity cards can be quite expensive, so they don't tend to bundle sometimes, but you would think it would still come with some sort, even to try out with.

 

[simongr]

Hi all - just bumping this thread as I have no progressed to deciding to get a camera I have decided on the Nikon D3200 in Red (yes seems pointless to pay for just a colour but let's not go there).

Having searched around the best deal I can see is this:

https://www.becextech.com.au/digita...gclid=CMzrqszd7rYCFUZLpgod4W4AXw#.UX3Nkzdlflc

Just wondering if anyone has other suggestions to source. Quite a few players have the black at a discount but the red not so much.

Quite excited about this and somehow have engineered this to happen in time for my birthday! Think we will be taking three cameras plus two iPhone on our Cyprus/Dubai trip (DSLR, uTough for in the pool and Hero HD for diving).

Also planning to go on a photography course as well to get max benefit...

 

[docjames]

Just reporting mrsdoc very happy. Photos a huge improvement on old point and shoot.

I think she's going to start buying more lenses

 

[simongr]

Not sure if that is good news or bad news docjames

 

[docjames]

A little of both!

Win - got the right camera.
Lose - more shopping for mrsdoc!

 

[callum_eliot]

i suppose this is the best place to ask this.
Do any of the photographers around have any opinions or recommendations on backpacks that can hold a DSLR (canon 7D), a couple of lenses, plus a 13" macbook air and all assorted cables/chargers/batteries/ filters.

bonus points for anything that can hold a bit of extra stuff i.e. small change of clothes to make it an all in one carry on.
I have had a look and so far my front runner is the Camsafe V25, i have a pacsafe backpack which i am very happy with, just not big enough to carry everything else!

Camsafe venture V25 anti-theft camera backpack