I want to buy a new digital camera and need advice

[Camerafan]

TCR4x4 wrote: All lower end Nikon bodies do not have an autofocus motor, they instead rely on the lens they use to perform that function. All Nikon lenses designated AF-S have this motor inbuilt, so you can autofocus with them.

Thank you for your reply and for your advice TCR4x4.

Which camera do you use the most? Do you have a camera with autofocus? Would it bother you if there were no autofocus facility on your camera?

TCR4x4 wrote: The lenses you currently own will not autofocus with a D5100.

I might keep them and the old non-digital camera (Nikon F401s) and use them occasionally if I find a shop which sells camera film.

TCR4x4 wrote of the Nikon D5100: It's a great camera, and performs pretty much all the functions you ask.

I have been advised not to use my Nikon lenses on the Nikon D7000 because old lenses might reduce the quality of pictures taken on that camera. I have been advised that new lenses would be better. Someone has recommended that I buy either the Nikon D3200 or the Nikon D5100 (the latter of which you have praised (last quote above)).

 

[Camerafan]

Your current lenses are perfectly adequate for a D7000. I have owned and used the 70-210 on both a D700 and a D7000. The D5100 won't autofocus with your current lenses. It also lacks many of the dedicated function buttons of the D7000 and requires frequent access to the menu to change settings. If you go with the 5100, you'll have to buy new AF-S lenses to have autofocus. With the D7000, you'll be able to keep your existing lenses and have a better camera.

Someone has now advised me not to use my old lenses on a Nikon D7000. They say that the old lenses might reduce the quality of the pictures taken on the Nikon D7000. They recommend that I purchase a Nikon D3200 or a Nikon D5100 with new lenses.

To be more specific I have been told that my old lenses are not optimised for digital. I am further advised that newer lenses have very fine internal coatings on the elements, as the sensor is shiny, and cannot reflect light internally with the consequent risk that a picture taken through an older lens might be ruined.

I would be grateful for your further advice on this gfinlayson. Perhaps other readers could also comment?

 

[TCR4x4]

Someone has now advised me not to use my old lenses on a Nikon D7000. They say that the old lenses might reduce the quality of the pictures taken on the Nikon D7000. They recommend that I purchase a Nikon D3200 or a Nikon D5100 with new lenses.

To be more specific I have been told that my old lenses are not optimised for digital. I am further advised that newer lenses have very fine internal coatings on the elements, as the sensor is shiny, and cannot reflect light internally with the consequent risk that a picture taken through an older lens might be ruined.

I would be grateful for your further advice on this gfinlayson. Perhaps other readers could also comment?

That's a load of rubbish quite frankly. Yes the lenses aren't optimised for digital, but it will make little to no difference at all. Many people including myself use old lenses without any issues. Some of my best photos have been taken with an old Nikon prime lens from the early 90's.

In regards to you other question, I use a Nikon D700, although have owned in the past a D90, D50, D200 and D3100 plus also a canon 450d and 50d. I also currently have a canon 550d and panasonic lumix GF1. All of these have autofocus. Yes it would bother me not to have the option of autofocus, however I frequently do manual focus for certain subjects.

 

[Camerafan]

TCR4x4 wrote: Yes the lenses aren't optimised for digital, but it will make little to no difference at all. Many people including myself use old lenses without any issues. Some of my best photos have been taken with an old Nikon prime lens from the early 90's.

Thank you for your reply, TCR4x4. If you have a view, which Nikon DSLR do you think I should go for - the D5100 with new lenses or the D7000 camera body using the two lenses I have now?

Are there are cameras made by other manufacturers (i.e. perhaps Cannon) which would be satisfactory replacements for my Nikon F401s and the two lenses I have used on it? My budget is about £800 - £1000 (perhaps £1100 maximum - camera insurance included).

TCR4x4 wrote: Yes it would bother me not to have the option of autofocus, however I frequently do manual focus for certain subjects.

As you kindly advised earlier TCR4x4, with the Nikon D7000 I would get autofocus with the lenses I have now. However, I should be able to manage without autofocus if I have to. Like you I have used manual focus many times. I am thinking of getting either the Nikon D5100 (with new lenses) or the Nikon D7000 (camera body only).

 

[TCR4x4]

You can't use your existing lenses on another manufacturer camera body without using adapters, which just seems like a bit too much of a faff.

Only you can really answer which out of the D5100 and D7000 will suit you best. I personally would choose the d7000 as its a more professional spec body, and has better functions and ergonomics. Plus also you can use your existing lenses, which will save some money.

I suggest you go to your local camera shop and try them both. You may find the d5100 feels too small or plasticky.
Also go through the menus and see how easy you find them to navigate. Both should be very similar on those models, but remember certain functions on the the d5100 can only be activated by going into the menu, whereas the d7000 has more on body buttons and controls.

 

[Camerafan]

TCR4x4 wrote: Only you can really answer which out of the D5100 and D7000 will suit you best. I personally would choose the d7000 as its a more professional spec body, and has better functions and ergonomics. Plus also you can use your existing lenses, which will save some money.

Thank you for your replies and helpful advice on this TCR4x4.

I am very interested in buying the Nikon D7000 body. As you write above, I can use my existing lenses on it (including autofocus) so will not have to spend money buying new ones at this time. That money saved could go on a wide angle lens instead - which I need.

I have several questions which I hope that you - and/ or other readers - might be kind enough to respond to:

A shop says that if I buy the Nikon D7000 from them I can get a wide angle lens (from the same shop) at £349.05. They tell me that if I buy the wide angle referred to from them later it could cost more. I should have got the brand and particular specifications of the wide angle they were talking about. Having looked on the internet there are many wide angle lenses on sale for less than that price. I do not know whether to buy that wide angle or just purchase the Nikon D7000 body and get a wide angle lens at a cheape price later.

Should I purchase the wide angle lens from them? I suppose that that is difficult to answer without knowing which one they are offering to sell me.

Which wide angle lenses work on a Nikon D7000? Do you - or any other readers - know? What specifications on a wide angle lens should I be looking for (with regard to it being used on a Nikon D7000)?

TCR4x4 wrote: I suggest you go to your local camera shop and try them both. You may find the d5100 feels too small or plasticky.

I held a Nikon D5100 in the shop the other day. As a newcomer to DSLR I thought it was less heavy than my Nikon F401s (non-digital) camera. It was the first time that I have actually picked up a DSLR.

TCR4x4 wrote: ....remember certain functions on the the d5100 can only be activated by going into the menu, whereas the d7000 has more on body buttons and controls.

Thank you for letting me know this, TCR4x4. I like the sound of the D7000 - if it has less menu functions and more body buttons and controls that is good once I have learned how to use them.

Do you know if the microphone built into the Nikon D7000 is stereo?

Is it possible to make photographs out of any part of an HD video recording made on the Nikon D7000? I mostly do stills but in some cases it might be easier to make an HD video and then just pick a few parts of it and turn those sections of it into photographs - if that is possible.

Thank you again for your advice, TCR4x4. I look forward to you - and to any other readers - replying to my further questions above. I intend to buy a new DSLR in the next couple of days.

 

[Steve2]

Rather than keep going over the same old questions on here have a read of the many reviews online about the cameras and you will find out what the cameras can do and what lenses fit onto it, in my opinion I would get the D7000 as it will be more than adequate for what you need and you can use your own lenses on it.
Before you go buying new lenses get used to using your existing ones first and see what results you get.
You must have loads of photographs in your collection but the beauty of digital is that you will not waste money printing out photos that you do not want.
P.s.I am also thinking of getting a D7000 although I have a D90 and a D2x at present.

by the way where are you?

 

[TCR4x4]

Thank you for your replies and helpful advice on this TCR4x4.

I am very interested in buying the Nikon D7000 body. As you write above, I can use my existing lenses on it (including autofocus) so will not have to spend money buying new ones at this time. That money saved could go on a wide angle lens instead - which I need.

I have several questions which I hope that you - and/ or other readers - might be kind enough to respond to:

A shop says that if I buy the Nikon D7000 from them I can get a wide angle lens (from the same shop) at £349.05. They tell me that if I buy the wide angle referred to from them later it could cost more. I should have got the brand and particular specifications of the wide angle they were talking about. Having looked on the internet there are many wide angle lenses on sale for less than that price. I do not know whether to buy that wide angle or just purchase the Nikon D7000 body and get a wide angle lens at a cheape price later.

Should I purchase the wide angle lens from them? I suppose that that is difficult to answer without knowing which one they are offering to sell me.

Which wide angle lenses work on a Nikon D7000? Do you - or any other readers - know? What specifications on a wide angle lens should I be looking for (with regard to it being used on a Nikon D7000)?



I held a Nikon D5100 in the shop the other day. As a newcomer to DSLR I thought it was less heavy than my Nikon F401s (non-digital) camera. It was the first time that I have actually picked up a DSLR.



Thank you for letting me know this, TCR4x4. I like the sound of the D7000 - if it has less menu functions and more body buttons and controls that is good once I have learned how to use them.

Do you know if the microphone built into the Nikon D7000 is stereo?

Is it possible to make photographs out of any part of an HD video recording made on the Nikon D7000? I mostly do stills but in some cases it might be easier to make an HD video and then just pick a few parts of it and turn those sections of it into photographs - if that is possible.

Thank you again for your advice, TCR4x4. I look forward to you - and to any other readers - replying to my further questions above. I intend to buy a new DSLR in the next couple of days.

Impossible to say about the lens without knowing what it is. The price suggests it wont be amazing, but wont be terrible either.

The D7000 has a mono mic.

With the correct software, yes you can screen grab certain video frames, but the quality will be reduced, as it will only be a 1920x1080 frame rather than a 4928 x 3264 frame.

 

[ernesto]

Camerafan, as you are spending a fair chunk of money and have many, many questions (quite rightfully) have you thought about getting to a decent camera shop where you can ask questions, try them out etc,. ?

 

[weybourne]

Camerafan, as you are spending a fair chunk of money and have many, many questions (quite rightfully) have you thought about getting to a decent camera shop where you can ask questions, try them out etc,. ?

I see the point you're making, but imho, relying on a salesman without doing one's homework first doesn't always get the best or most reliable results. I'm not saying that there aren't good shops or sales assistants out there but...

Far better to get some opinion and advice from a forum and do loads of research online before facing the salesman. Still good to go to the shop and look and ask though.

 

[TCR4x4]

Go To to your local jessops and ask what you need, you'll come out with a load of ***** you have no use for at all.

Don't buy anything until you are 100% you know what you want. By all means go into the shop and take advice, but remember they are there to make money and sell you stuff, we aren't.

 

[Camerafan]

Steve2 wrote: … in my opinion I would get the D7000 as it will be more than adequate for what you need and you can use your own lenses on it.

Thank you for your reply Steve. More people are advising me to buy the Nikon D7000 than any other DSLR camera within my budget range. The fact that I can use my existing lenses on it means that I can now considering using the money saved instead on a wide angle lens.

Steve2 wrote: You must have loads of photographs in your collection but the beauty of digital is that you will not waste money printing out photos that you do not want.

Yes I do have a lot of photographs in my collection. I have a small pocket-sized digital photograph which has taken thousands of pictures. Yesterday I took 345 photographs. Not all will be kept. Do you label each digital photograph you take on your computer?

Steve2 wrote: I am also thinking of getting a D7000 although I have a D90 and a D2x at present.

I have seen a Nikon D90 on sale in the shop and would probably be thinking of buying it – or the 5100 – if it were not for the fact that the Nikon D7000 is on sale.

Steve2 wrote: …. by the way where are you?

Not that far from you actually - I am in London.

 

[Camerafan]

TCR4x4 wrote in reply to my question about a wide angle lens on sale in a shop for just under £350: Impossible to say about the lens without knowing what it is. The price suggests it won’t be amazing, but won’t be terrible either.

I might buy it. I haven’t taken any wide angle pictures for a long time (i.e. years) and it is one of my favourites types of photography.

TCR4x4 wrote: The D7000 has a mono mic.

Thank you for letting me know this, TCR4x4. I think I read that the Nikon D7000 can operate on an external stereo microphone. I hope it can.

TCR4x4 wrote: With the correct software, yes you can screen grab certain video frames, but the quality will be reduced, as it will only be a 1920x1080 frame rather than a 4928 x 3264 frame.

Right. In that case I probably won’t not do HD video recordings as an alternative to stills. I don’t expect to do that much video anyway, but I can imagine it being quite an interesting option on the camera to use on holidays. How would I store on the computer a video recording made on the D7000? Do I need special software to play back any video recordings I might make?

 

[Camerafan]

Ernesto wrote: …. as you are spending a fair chunk of money and have many, many questions (quite rightfully) have you thought about getting to a decent camera shop where you can ask questions, try them out etc,. ?

I have done. Twice so far. I asked many questions and got helpful replies. I was actually asked to hold cameras and look at their menus.

 

[Camerafan]

Ernesto wrote: …. as you are spending a fair chunk of money and have many, many questions (quite rightfully) have you thought about getting to a decent camera shop where you can ask questions, try them out etc,. ?

weybourne wrote: I see the point you're making, but imho, relying on a salesman without doing one's homework first doesn't always get the best or most reliable results. I'm not saying that there aren't good shops or sales assistants out there...

I visited a camera shop twice. I asked questions at length and have probably spent about 45 minutes in the shop in total recently. After looking at the cameras and getting answers to my questions I have come here for your advice too.

I shall buy one of the following: the Nikon D7000; the D90 or the D5100. More people are suggesting I get the D7000 (on which I can use the Nikon lenses I have now) than any other camera. I will decide by tomorrow which one to purchase.

weybourne wrote: Far better to get some opinion and advice from a forum and do loads of research online before facing the salesman. Still good to go to the shop and look and ask though.

Thank you, weybourne. I have done all three of the above – as you suggest. Talk to people in the shop; visit this forum and check prices and reviews online.

I notice that the Nikon D7000 is roughly £100 cheaper on some internet sites than in the shop I have been visiting. However, I have the option of a three year guarantee of whatever they call it in the shop whereas the websites I have visiting which have the D7000 on sale seem to offer one year’s cover. What would you do weybourne – get the camera body online or buy it in a shop? The (non-digital) Nikon camera I have now was bought in a shop as were its lenses (from the shop I have been visiting recently to ask questions about DSLRs).

 

[Camerafan]

TCR4x4 wrote: Don't buy anything until you are 100% you know what you want. By all means go into the shop and take advice, but remember they are there to make money and sell you stuff, we aren't.

I very much appreciate the advice I am getting from you and from others here TCR4x4.

I need to buy a new DSLR in the next couple of day. I suppose I could rent one, but as I have been thinking of getting a DSLR for some time I may as well purchase one now.

I have two options at this point in time: Let’s say I go for the Nikon D7000. I could get the camera body off the internet possibly for roughly £100 less than the price of the one I have seen in the shop. But it is unlikely I will get the camera in time if I buy it off the net. The shop seems to offer a longer period of cover for the camera than do the websites I have looked at yesterday and today. What would you do TCR4x4 – buy off the net but then not get the camera in time – or purchase it from the shop I used last time at a slightly higher price with a longer period of cover?

 

[TCR4x4]

I've bought all bar one of my camera online, purely for convenience as I don't have a decent shop near me.

If time is the deciding factor, then go to the shop.
Most reputable uk online stores will have a next day delivery service, but it will eat slightly into the savings and isn't always guaranteed.
What online shops have you seen, as there are many online shops based abroad which are often cheaper than uk stores.

 

[Camerafan]

What online shops have you seen, as there are many online shops based abroad which are often cheaper than uk stores.

I can't actually remember their names. I do not know if they are in the UK are not.

Are there any online camera shops you can recommend I look it (British ones and camera websites overseas)?

Does one have consumer protection if using an overseas website to purchase a camera and/or lenses?

Thank you again for your advice, TCR4x4.

 

[Ady N]

I have had camera gear arrive from Hong Kong fully tracked within 3 days..............

 

[Camerafan]

I have had camera gear arrive from Hong Kong fully tracked within 3 days..............

That's very quick. Possibly faster than the delivery time of some airmail letters sent from Hong Kong to the UK.

 

[Camerafan]

I bought a new Nikon D7000 today - my first DSLR.

Thank you to everyone here who has replied to my questions and helped me with advice on purchasing a new camera.

With the D7000 I also bought a new wide angle lens (Sigma 10 - 20 mm) and am looking forward to taking more wide angle pictures (I started off in SLR photography using a wide angle lens).

 

[TCR4x4]

Nice one, look forward to seeing some photos!

 

[Camerafan]

Nice one, look forward to seeing some photos!

Thank you, TCR4x4. How do I post photographs I have taken to this forum?

I have now used my new Nikon D7000 for the first time and have just posted some questions about the camera to the Nikon D7000 owners' thread (page 43 - posting number 1271).

 

[weybourne]

Congratulations! I have the Canon version of the Sigma 10-20mm and I'm very happy with it.

For guides on how to post photos (and much more), take a look here.