Return to photography, advice needed.

Major

Major

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Tom
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Hello folks.

I want to get back to photography after loss of my gear and short break (about two years). I've learnt few basic things, but by no means was good at it.My previous set consisted of D5100 + 70-300VR, I've used it mainly for aircraft pics - spotting and airshows.

To cut long story short - I will be in the market for new gear but have no idea how to bite it. Only thing I know is that this time I want to push more towards pro level and shoot more with people. Ideally I would like full frame, but it'll be a while till I am able to use its capabilities and afford it. So the question is - what would be the best way to get back into it?

The way I see it -

* consumer level body (D5300?) and FX lenses - that would allow me to get back quick as the prices are not as steep.

* enthusiast level body (D7200?) and FX lenses - as above, but I'd have to wait a little longer.

* FF (D810a) - this would be the longest wait (at least few months), but after that I'd get all I'll ever need and even more.

Which option would you personally choose?

System I look at is just and only Nikon.

Regards
Tom
 
I have a D7200 and would recommend it, nice to use, well built, decent image quality.

Also, take a look at mirrorless, I wish I took more of a look into it before buying the D7200.
 
Thank you for your input Adam.

I must admit, I know absolutely nothing about mirrorless cameras. Why would they be any better than proper DSLR?? On my way to google now :D...
 
Major said:
Thank you for your input Adam.

I must admit, I know absolutely nothing about mirrorless cameras. Why would they be any better than proper DSLR?? On my way to google now :D...
Click to expand...

I do like my D7200, but the smaller size/weight of a mirrorless system is starting to appeal...
 
Hi Tom,

Welcome to TP.

Any reason why you want a d810a, looking online it is more for Astro pics.

As suggested above why not the D750.

If you want FF at some stage, save up and get that otherwise say you get the d5300 or the D7200, you may have to sell and upgrade sooner.
 
There are some very sound dealers out there so if this is a stop on the way back in, consider second hand gear - always new models coming out which means that there will be deals on remaking new stock as well. I know two seasoned photographers who have abandoned DSLRS for CSCs: the Fuji X series and the Sony - not sure which one. The only thing against them is they are not quite there yet for fast things that move. Good luck with your decision. O and go and get hands on to see what feels right in your hands.
 
Once again thank you all for your input.

Chipper
Thanks for pointing out the deals. Will have a good look before the purchase, but just quick google search revealed D7200 for £589 - that is over £200 cheaper than shop I'd go to, guess I could turn it into a lens ;). Not really sure about second hand body to be honest. I had second hand lens before I got 70-300 and couldn't really complain, it had no scratches, no dust inside and worked ok, but would rather stick to brand new body, just for peace of mind really.

Sep9001
You've caught me with D810a. As far as I'd like to try astrophotography, I won't need camera just for that. Would stick to D810, but now that you and kingo15 mention D750, will also consider this one.

Adam
I had a look at mirrorless - DSLR comparision and tbh, size and weight are not so much of a problem for me. But thing that has put me off is battery life. During RIAT 2014 I've used two EL-15s in one day, that would be a lot of batteries for mirrorless...
 
Hi Tom

For what its worth... I loved my MFT cameras and lenses both Olympus and Panasonic. My last was an EM1. I shot my daughters wedding last year with it and loved it. I was then wanting to try full frame. I purchased a D750 but soon realised (against the grain) I prefer an electronic viewfinder! I sold that and moved to a Sony A7ii but...

I have struggled with my lens GAS and soon discovered that FF lenses are very expensive compared to MFT (most anyway). I would strongly follow the suggestions of buying used until your sure what your needs are.
 
Hey Tom,

I have a couple of opinions.

First the gear, because that's the least important.

If you could afford it I would go with a Nikon 810 (it seems you like Nikon). I know you probably can't afford it now, but if you could find your way to purchase it, you would save a lot of trading-up time in the future as this camera would serve you well into any move to pro you might make.

I know what you might be thinking... the lenses are more expensive too.

Yes, you are correct.

So if saving QUICKLY or financing isn't an option, I would get whatever camera you could afford or finance as soon as possible, because the only way you will get better is with practice!

That might sound simplistic, but life is way simpler than we make it sometimes, so the takeaway is that get whatever camera you can right now and get back in the saddle.

Now, what I consider the most important of my opinions.

You sound like you don't have much confidence in your abilities right now. I understand, it's no sin and it's quite common. You mentioned that you might not be ready to use all of the features of a full frame camera (or something like that) well let me fill you in on what the biggest factor to success in anything, including photography, is.... Confidence!!

You are better than you think or know, and if you don't embrace a confident approach to what you do, it will take you longer to master. Gear is just gear, and you can learn anything in a week or two of study and experiment, and probably a lot less time than that. What you need to gain confidence, is the attitude that this is just a process and that you will master it, and then don't give it a second thought. Just get out and shoot!

Practice, practice, practice... just like when the man told the young musician how to get to Carnegie Hall :)

When you're on a mission, with a plan, you will be surprised how easy things are that you once thought we very difficult.

The main thing now is to get out and shoot :)

JMHO Anthony



Major said:
Hello folks.

I want to get back to photography after loss of my gear and short break (about two years). I've learnt few basic things, but by no means was good at it.My previous set consisted of D5100 + 70-300VR, I've used it mainly for aircraft pics - spotting and airshows.

To cut long story short - I will be in the market for new gear but have no idea how to bite it. Only thing I know is that this time I want to push more towards pro level and shoot more with people. Ideally I would like full frame, but it'll be a while till I am able to use its capabilities and afford it. So the question is - what would be the best way to get back into it?

The way I see it -

* consumer level body (D5300?) and FX lenses - that would allow me to get back quick as the prices are not as steep.

* enthusiast level body (D7200?) and FX lenses - as above, but I'd have to wait a little longer.

* FF (D810a) - this would be the longest wait (at least few months), but after that I'd get all I'll ever need and even more.

Which option would you personally choose?

System I look at is just and only Nikon.

Regards
Tom
Click to expand...
 
Anthony

Thank you very much for advice, I appreciate it a lot. Let me just break your post down so I can address all points.

Yes, I like Nikon - for some reason I found them to be more comfortable to work with. Also first DSLR I could play with was Nikon, later I bought one and could check out few other Nikons. Generally I like the system so I'll stick with it.

The gear.

I asked my question in a way I did, cause I don't really have any pressure, well I might have, but am patient person ;), so could wait and just wanted to see what others would do. I must admit that idea of getting back sprung to my mind only few days ago, I wasn't really prepared for it so money for gear is being saved as we speak. Now I could afford something like used D90, D5100 and the likes, but don't really want to as it would limit what I could use the body for. That's why D7200 comes into consideration - weather sealed, two slots for cards, more AF points, newer image processor etc - would be good step up from what I had, but also good alternative in case I'd go shopping sooner that I can afford D810.

I don't really want to take any finance or loan for gear. Just wouldn't feel right using something that in some way is not mine if you know what I mean... I'd rather wait a little longer and save up, then buy for my earned cash.

Confidence

I may not lack confidence as such - after few days I will be right where I left regarding camera usage etc. But new thing to me would be work with people. I want to do it a lot, I will have many chances to go out and shoot stuff like weddings, portraits, sessions somewhere in the bushes :D :D etc. Already got invitations and people willing to cooperate so it may look good, but it's not something I am used to. You know, aircraft don't speak, don't have any requirements etc. By no meaning I am shy or have problems with social life or communication, but I just don't like to disappoint. Before I only took pictures of my family, I did try to make them look a bit better than average album shots, but effects were... hmmm... good in the album ;). Will try and find them soon, so you can see what I have in mind. Add to it shooting in jpgs, out of place pp and you have an idea what it may look like ;).

Regarding my confidence with FF, I never had one before, so of course it would take a while till I'd catch up, but I do realise that technical stuff (I mean buttons and settings, not using them in combat ;) ) is the easiest to learn.

Once again thank you for your advice and encouragement. I think I know what I'll do now. I'll just get D7200 and few lenses and start taking pictures ;).

Sometimes a little push is all we need ;)...
 
So, if a D810 is out of range now you could look at a D700 - pretty cheap and if you sold in 6 months when you upgrade you would not lose much. Or look at a D750, great camera!
 
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