Crazy Excited About New Camera

[brifraz]

So, I just placed the order...

Nikon 5200 with Nikkor 18-55mm and 55-300mm lenses. Big upgrade from our Nikon D70s with a 35mm-80mm. This will finally get me a digital camera that has lenses and capabilities that match my last film cameras (Nikon FE2 and Nikon N50 with multiple lenses that got me 18mm-300mm).

I realize that there are bigger and better things out there, but on the budget of a teacher and a substitute teacher, we were a bit limited.

Anybody out there worked with the 5200 much and have any great advice? We have a 13 day trip coming this summer and can't wait to take a good 2000 or so photos!

 

[NowInc]

Congrats on your purchase! My only advice would be to pick up a cheap prime lens (35mm or 50mm). Its worth it

 

[brifraz]

Congrats on your purchase! My only advice would be to pick up a cheap prime lens (35mm or 50mm). Its worth it

I expect the 55-300mm will be my walking around lens. I've felt the weight of one of those and don't see it as unreasonable. I hate changing lenses while I'm in the parks, and I know that I find myself wanting the telephoto capability all the time. I would certainly love to just have a 55-200 or something similar to walk around with I think I'll happily get used to the weight of the extra 100mm worth of glass!

 

[NowInc]

Ah yes but with the prime lens you get MUCH faster glass...ideal for darker situations. Switching lens's is second nature to me at this point so I dont mind it that much. The 55-300 is a good range...you may find yourself one day wanting a more "wide" lens...sadly those arent cheap.

 

[brifraz]

Ah yes but with the prime lens you get MUCH faster glass...ideal for darker situations. Switching lens's is second nature to me at this point so I dont mind it that much. The 55-300 is a good range...you may find yourself one day wanting a more "wide" lens...sadly those arent cheap.

Yeah. Both parts of that are a concern of mine. Hoping to have some time to play with the camera (and possible create a little fake meet and greet lighting set up in the basement to figure out the best settings on this new camera to make it work.

I got the 18-55mm because I know I will use it, and on certain days I will be carrying it along. With my old FE2, I was constantly switching between lenses and just got tired of it. Having a kid significantly cut down on any artistic photo time, so now that she is growing (9) I'm trying to get back into it.

 

[PhotoDave219]

Yeah. Both parts of that are a concern of mine. Hoping to have some time to play with the camera (and possible create a little fake meet and greet lighting set up in the basement to figure out the best settings on this new camera to make it work.

I got the 18-55mm because I know I will use it, and on certain days I will be carrying it along. With my old FE2, I was constantly switching between lenses and just got tired of it. Having a kid significantly cut down on any artistic photo time, so now that she is growing (9) I'm trying to get back into it.

I still have an FE2. And an F4. F100 and countless film cameras....

That being said, I highly recommend either a 50/1.8 or 35/1.8 (preferred IMO) for some serious low light, nighttime stuff.

 

[brifraz]

I still have an FE2. And an F4. F100 and countless film cameras....

That being said, I highly recommend either a 50/1.8 or 35/1.8 (preferred IMO) for some serious low light, nighttime stuff.

35/1.8 was one of my old standards on the F4! It is on the wish list, but not too high on the priority list, yet.

 

[ddbowdoin]

IMHO image sharpness is significantly greater in a prime lens than those cheaper all around zooms.

 

[fractal]

I constantly fall into the trap of using my "kit lens" too much on a trip and keeping my prime's in the bag. I think I'm afraid of missing something so I need more "flexibility". Then why I review my pictures I wish I had taken many of them with a better lens.

 

[brifraz]

Here's hoping I'm not too dissatisfied with the Nikkor 55-300! My wife might go a bit ballistic if I start buying more lenses right away.

 

[baggienath7]

Sounds fun, although I am not up to scratch with the all technical jargon just yet. We are getting our first DSLR for our next Disney trip and cannot wait.
Went to the camera shop and the guy in there, although helpful was a Canon man so tried to sell us a Canon. After much research we think we are going to go for Nikon D3200 anyone recommend?

 

[NowInc]

The D3200 i

Sounds fun, although I am not up to scratch with the all technical jargon just yet. We are getting our first DSLR for our next Disney trip and cannot wait.
Went to the camera shop and the guy in there, although helpful was a Canon man so tried to sell us a Canon. After much research we think we are going to go for Nikon D3200 anyone recommend?

The D3200 is a great starter camera..and has functions in it to help "teach" you how to use it. I used the D3100 for a good 3 years and had few complaints. I would say if possible, skip the kit lens and get something a bit better (35mm f1.8..which is around $200, and maybe the nikkor 55-200..which is about $250). Yes you'll lose some of the "wider" range of the kit lens, but really..that lens is pretty sub-par.

Its perfect for learning, but also dont expect miracles. It doesn't have great low light range, and the focus points are bare minimum..but thats by design as if it performed better, youd never need a better body

 

[brifraz]

The box arrived this afternoon. Upgrade from the D70s is amazing. Enjoying playing with the different focus settings. Quite simply, the improvement in clarity is worth the upgrade alone. You never realize how much greener the grass is until you see it with 3x as many MP and focus points.