Inexpensive DSLR camera advice...

[Jerry Bransford]

I'm a former camera guy with a number of high quality camera bodies and lenses that were stolen while being shipped to me uninsured a number of years ago. It hit me so hard I never bought another good camera again, just using the small cheap point and shoot models but finally ended up just using whatever camera my cellphone had.

Now I'm back in the model for a modern digital SLR, something under $600 with WIFI. The quality of photos I shot for a home listed by my wife using my LG phone didn't come out well enough to suit her client so we hired a professional photographer. I'll be darned if I'll pay for that again so it's time to get something I can use that has decent quality with a good optical zoom lense. Plus I can use Photoshop to give the photos the pizazz that the pro photographer used like increasing the color saturation and contrast.

What looks good to me at this time is Nikon and Canon. Whatever I buy will have a basic optical zoom lens with image stabilization. I don't care if the lens is interchangeable any more, modern zoom lenses on the cameras I've been looking at have enough wide-angle (most important for shooting homes) and and telephoto capability as is.

So in the <$500 range, does anyone have any thoughts on the benefits or drawbacks between Canon and Nikon DSLRs? Most of my previous cameras were Canons, I've never owned a Nikon so I'm kind of jonesing for a Nikon. Heck it's got the name, right? It'll mostly be used on still shots but I'll occasionally use its video ability while offroading too. WIFI is important, I don't want to have to be extracting its SD card to upload photos to the computer.

Any comments on Canon vs. Nikon in this price range would be awesome and much appreciated, if we have any DSLR buffs here that is.

This Amazon Search result is what I'm looking at, again those under $600. The Nikon D3300 has caught my eye for sure.

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_nr_p_n_feature_fifteen__0?fst=asff&rh=n:172282,n:!493964,n:502394,n:281052,n:12556502011,n:3017941,p_89:Nikon|Canon,p_n_feature_eleven_browse-bin:10705427011,p_n_feature_two_browse-bin:10705381011|10705382011,p_n_feature_four_browse-bin:10705326011\c10705329011,p_n_feature_fifteen_browse-bin:10099209011&bbn=3017941&sort=price-asc-rank&ie=UTF8&qid=1493471595&rnid=10099206011&tag=wranglerorg-20

 

[GASnBRASS]

Wife has two Nikons, an old Dana 60 10megaP with an 18-55 and 55-200 lenses, and a new D7100 24megaP with an 18-140 and 55-300 lenses. The larger range and overlap of the D7100 lenses make it more convenient to get a good shot without swapping lenses, but it cost quite a bit to get that package, about $1500. The D7100 is overkill but a Dana 60 with a wifi adapter would work for your application, used or refurbished they would cost $300-400 with the lenses. They are both more than a point and shoot so there would be a learning curve to them, but they also have an auto setting that works really well for casual photo taking, battery life is good. Can't tell you anything about the other options Nikon offers.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Wife has two Nikons, an old Dana 60 10megaP with an 18-55 and 55-200 lenses, and a new D7100 24megaP with an 18-140 and 55-300 lenses. The larger range and overlap of the D7100 lenses make it more convenient to get a good shot without swapping lenses, but it cost quite a bit to get that package, about $1500. The D7100 is overkill but a Dana 60 with a wifi adapter would work for your application, used or refurbished they would cost $300-400 with the lenses. They are both more than a point and shoot so there would be a learning curve to them, but they also have an auto setting that works really well for casual photo taking, battery life is good. Can't tell you anything about the other options Nikon offers.

Thanks, that was good information. I'm not worried about the learning curve, manual controls on complex pro-level cameras are what I grew up with. At one time I used to develop and print my own photos too, I'm thankful that's not something else for me to want to get back into lol.

 

[Rob5589]

I just sold off all my camera gear. I realized I am no photographer and really wasn't using it anyway. But I did want and need a nice camera that was easy to use and could do whatever I needed; family vacations, events, etc. So I ended up buying a Panasonic Lumix FZ1000. Shoots in RAW (if you want to), 4K video, built in 25-400 lens, a 1" sensor, WIFI, and a similar feel to a DSLR. It is over your budget at 700 but figured I would throw out the bridge camera option.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Thanks Rob but $700 is definitely well over the limit I could get my wife to agree to. I just got the feeling I'll be fortunate to convince her that $446 Nikon D3300 is not too expensive. I have to keep remembering I was a bachelor when I was buying all those expensive SLR bodies and lenses (and dive enclosures) back in the day.

 

[UpperMI]

We bought a Canon Rebel T5 last year and are fairly happy with the results. Daylight and natural light photos come out well. The high speed photos are OK at best. I need to play with the settings more to try and get some of the blurriness out for when my kids run or play sports. Before the canon we had a Nikon Dana 60. Again, a great camera for daylight and natural pictures. For overall picture quality and better coloring I would probably go with the Nikon. Don't get me wrong the Canon is nice as well but in my opinion the Nikon is just slightly better on color and daylight pictures. For nighttime picture I would give Canon the edge. Our Nikon Dana 60 lasted about 7 years. That's why I had to replace it in he first place.

Coloring - Nikon
Natural light pictures - Nikon
High speed Movement - Nikon
Low light or night pictures - Canon
Reliability - Push

Either camera would be fine for what you're doing but If I were to do it again I would go back to a Nikon DSLR.

 

[CRGR]

Jerry - just like always recorded on TJ parts, spend the money on high quality. I am a photographer and shoot almost exclusively high-end real estate for listings, builders, stagers, etc. I use a cannon EOS 6d. It has all the bells and whistles. It's an HDR and I shoot 3-5 exposures at a time. It's a fantastic tool. Of course lenses next, etc. Again, like a TJ, always more stuff to buy!

 

[TJScott]

You probably know. But, dpreview.com has most of the cameras and reviews on their site. More information than you probably need, but you can narrow it down. Cameras are as expensive as Jeeps. I plan to buy a cheap camera for four wheeling. I shoot with a Canon 5D mkIII and it's just too expensive for trail use.


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[Jerry Bransford]

Pretty well settled on the new Nikon D3300 at
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HQ4W1QE/?tag=wranglerorg-20

It's as much as I'll be allowed to spend and it'll do everything I want it to.

It'll let me take great photos for my wife's new home listings and I can doctor them up with Photoshop to give them a little punch. Never had a Nikon, I'm looking forward to it.

I found a good review of it at http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d3300.htm

 

[UpperMI]

Pretty well settled on the new Nikon D3400 at https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MQRRBAV/?tag=wranglerorg-20

It's as much as I'll be allowed to spend and it'll do everything I want it to.

It'll let me take great photos for my wife's new home listings and I can doctor them up with Photoshop to give them a little punch. Never had a Nikon, I'm looking forward to it.

I found a good review of it at http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d3400.htm

Which lense(s) are you getting?

 

[xxdabroxx]

I've been pretty happy with my https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01CIXJIHW/?tag=wranglerorg-20

I want the pro lens for it, though takes pretty good pictures with the kit lens.

 

[Rob5589]

I hear ya. The 3300 is reportedly a great camera. My first real camera was the Nikon 5200. Great camera and the 18-55 lens is pretty darn nice. If shot wide open (only 3.5) it should work fine for a brightly lit home. Don't overlook used lenses. I have purchased a few from KEH and all have been in beautiful condition. They definitely rate their gear conservatively so no fear there.

So far I am liking the FZ1000. Coming from a 6D and a full set of "L" lenses, I am not disappointed.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Which lense(s) are you getting?

I found a gray market version of the D3300 at Ritz that comes with the later faster focusing AF-P DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f / 3.5-5.6G VR lens. That's the lense that comes on the newer D3400 which is missing some features/benefits that the D3300 has. I'd rather buy it at Amazon but they only have the D3300 with the older lens whose auto-focus isn't as good or fast.

The Ritz deal is graymarket (no US warranty) but at a nearly $100 savings together with the better/newer lense, I can live without the standard US warranty. Ritz includes a 'Ritz' warranty which I would trust, they have been around since I was first getting into cameras in my early 20's back in the 70's.

 

[derekmac]

Pretty well settled on the new Nikon D3300 at
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HQ4W1QE/?tag=wranglerorg-20

It's as much as I'll be allowed to spend and it'll do everything I want it to.

It'll let me take great photos for my wife's new home listings and I can doctor them up with Photoshop to give them a little punch. Never had a Nikon, I'm looking forward to it.

I found a good review of it at http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d3300.htm

That's a great entry level camera Jerry, and I think you'll be quite happy with it. I switched from a Sony DSLR (long time Minolta SLR user), to a Nikon D7100, and have been very happy with the switch.

I'm really sorry to hear about your stolen gear. I had camera gear stolen out of my car many years ago, and it took me a few years to get back into it.

 

[Rob5589]

If you are good with gray market gear lacking a Nikon warranty, go for it.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

If you are good with gray market gear lacking a Nikon warranty, go for it.

I am, Ritz's included replacement warranty is good enough. Of the many cameras, computers, TV's, etc. I've owned I've never needed warranty support. Cars and Jeeps? Of course yes.

 

[billiebob]

My Nikon is 15years old. I use it for work and play with 4 lenses, an 18-55, 28-100, 70-300 plus a macro lense. It has been flawless over those 15years and it lives in my TJ. Pretty sure you will like that D3300. I sort of wish for WIFI, image stabilization and video but...... then I wish for a Banks Turbo too.

 

[PCO6]

I owned Minolta SLR's for years but switched to a Nikon D5000 DSLR about 8 years ago. I don't recall it being the best at the time but it certainly does all I need it to do. As for theft, nothing is fool proof but I cable lock one of the boxes below to my driver's seat rail. It holds my camera, an extra lense, flash and a few accessories and fits nicely in the foot well behind the seat. It's mostly out of sight and with a smelly gym bag on top of it most people don't want to go near it.

The picture doesn't show it but it comes with a nice foam liner. It's also often on sale for about $20 ...
https://www.princessauto.com/en/detail/10-in-impact-resistant-tool-box/A-p8486003e

I still use a small Minolta digital point and shoot. I store it in a small Pelican case in one of my garage tool boxes. It works great and I use it all the time for quick garage shots.

 

[derekmac]

I owned Minolta SLR's for years but switched to a Nikon D5000 DSLR about 8 years ago. I don't recall it being the best at the time but it certainly does all I need it to do. As for theft, nothing is fool proof but I cable lock one of the boxes below to my driver's seat rail. It holds my camera, an extra lense, flash and a few accessories and fits nicely in the foot well behind the seat. It's mostly out of sight and with a smelly gym bag on top of it most people don't want to go near it.

View attachment 15289
The picture doesn't show it but it comes with a nice foam liner. It's also often on sale for about $20 ...
https://www.princessauto.com/en/detail/10-in-impact-resistant-tool-box/A-p8486003e

I still use a small Minolta digital point and shoot. I store it in a small Pelican case in one of my garage tool boxes. It works great and I use it all the time for quick garage shots.

I'll have to keep my eye open for when these go on sale.

 

[WillM]

I have the D3300 and absolutely love it. First thing to do is stay off the automatic setting. Get used to using it in manual mode, you'll get much better pictures almost immediately. It's just a matter of working through all the settings. There are quite a few tutorials to get you though them. Good luck!