New DSLR required, advice needed

gaztus

gaztus

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Gary
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My wife is the photographer but am posting as would like to get her another camera.
She currently has a Nikon D40 with the stand 18-55mm Nikon DX lens, as well as a Sigma DG 70-300mm 1:4-5.6 lens.
She also has a Nikon SB-400 flash which she seems very pleased with.
I am not in any way knowledgeable about cameras although my wife is.
I would still like to use the same lenses so another Nikon would probably be preferable.
I was looking at either a D3200 or D5200, either used or new.
I have been looking for a few days and checked quite a few sites, some legitimate, some not so.
I am not interested in a 'to good to be true' price as it will come with pitfalls, just a genuine site or shops
Can anyone recommend either of these cameras or a possible alternative?

Your help would be appreciated.

Thanks
 
There are some good deals on Nikon bodies as they are doing one of their usual "cash back" schemes
They almost throw the "kit" lens in for nothing - so you'l get another 18-55 ………if the 70 300mm is not VR the bigger sensors will not do the "cheaper" lenses any favours
Processing the new bigger 24 meg images can be a b****r on "older" computer

Some of the latest "bridge" and even super zoom compacts do produce great images these days and are more flexible in range and more compact in size
 
Thanks for the reply

I don't know about the 70-300mm lens and whether its a VR model but my wife seems very happy with it when using it so I can only take it that it must have something similar.
I'm not interested in a smaller model camera or compact as she would like to get more involved so trying to upgrade bit by bit seems the best way.
If I get her a new camera body with standard lens, then we can take it from there.
 
How is the D40 holding her back, low light performance, more FPS?
 
ST4 - I think the D7000 or D7100 are just a bit to expensive at the moment, my wife loves her photography but want to get her something that's just that bit more than an entry level type camera, if you can understand.

happygolucky - I can't see that it's holding her back at all, pictures look perfect to me and even better with the flash gun but she tells me that she needs this feature or that feature, sorry can't remember what they are.
If I go for a D3200 or D5200 then I know I would get more pixels but from there she can get better lenses for better pictures.
One of her gripes is the lack of poster type size prints which she can't get with her D40 but this is not the only factor, she takes a lot of landscape pictures as well as what I would call portrait but this may not be the correct term.
 
I started on a D90 then went to a D800.

If the d7000 is too expensive consider the d90. I love mine and if I didn't need to balance the books, I'd be keeping it!

The d90's controls are just a bit more accessible than the dxxxx's with two control wheels and also the ability for off camera flash via nikons CLS.

Just my 2p

S
 
If you go the used route have a look at mpb photographic. Their prices are generally fair, they have a broad range for comparison, and you get decent service and warranty.
 
if she wants landscape posters then its hard to not recommend a sigma merrill dp1 or dp3, they are only a smidge behind a d800 or a7r in image quality, they have some quirks ofcourse, but they are addictive.

and print is fairly forgiving, aldi photo has a offer on for 30x45cm prints 99p delivered and photobox had 30 x 45 inch for 4.99 plus postage
 
I have a D5200 and find it is very good the newer D5300 is out and a good offer on now could be worth looking at
 
D90 or D300 or d300s

D300(s)'s should be around 400-500 used. But are a lot heavier.
I am guessing it is meant to be a surprise, but it might be better not to surprise, and just take her to a used camera store. Handle the nikon bodies (d90, d300, d7k, d7100, and even the out of reach upper bodies, d600, d610, d700, d800). the reason is the handling and weight. Doesn't seem like much initially, but if you are lugging it around the d300 can be a big weight :) Does take good pics though and has lots of functions. Also has 51 focus points. Very useful :) (see siggy for flickr pictures).

All really depends on budget too.

You've said she seem to enjoy using the 70-300, so I'm assuming bird watching type things, longer distance required, the 90, 300, 7000 and 7100 are good for this. If it's low light, and more closer shots, look to the 700 type.


You haven't said where you are in the country (assumng uk), but if you can do a day trip to Reading, I remember there being lots of used camera stores. Alternatively, check mifsud, ffordes and london camera exchange (sites online, but may be a store near by?).

Good hunting!
 
All the ideas are great, thanks.
The one I didn't even consider was taking my wife to a shop for her to try the camera, how stupid is that.
She's the one who does pretty much all the photography so it makes sense, eejit.
As for location, in Glasgow, and there's a few shops but nothing like down south between Bristol and London.
I was thinking of a surprise but it makes sense to take her and let her try the weight(s) to she what she prefers.

All help everyone has given so far is greatly appreciated.
 
My partner was recently looking at an upgrade for her d3100 & 18-55vr kit lens as she mainly likes taking pictures of things like squirrels, ducks, seagulls and other small animals but she had a budget of £500. In the end she got a D200 & 18-200VR for £500 second hand from MPB, both items almost like new condition wise and she seems really happy considering she spent only £100 more than the cost of the d3100 kit a couple of years ago.
 
Everyone, thanks for all the replies, they have been great.
I think the best thing would be to go to a shop with my wife and try out some cameras, Merchant City as a first stop.
If this fails then it will be online either used or new, if new will be a UK/European model, not a grey import, would like the warranty.
 
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