I'm new to this Photo taking thing, I've decided on buying a Nikon camera over a Canon Camera because my in law's has a Nikon. I'm deciding on what is the best price range for a Decent, high end quality output of the camera. May I get some inputs from your guys perspective or any photography guru.

my price range is between 500$ to 1500$ on a camera.

Thank you for your guys input! I'm still a newb at this this will be my first professional camera that I will be buying.

Thank you again.

ask your inlaws!!

isnt that why you wanted a nikon, they have one so maybe they have some knowledge.
try theirs out and see if you like it.

and just because they have a nikon doesnt mean you have to use a nikon.
you should get a nikon because you want to.

and for that price range you can get a fairly good camera.

if your top is 1500$ for the camera, and you want a nikon, the d300s is the best you can get.
But, I do guess you want some lenses too?
I'll list the modern nikon dslr's according to how many features they have/how good they are
d300s
d300
d90
d5000
d3000

these are just the current ones, there are old models too ofc but I'd recommend the new ones as they are much better in darker environments.

d3000 is the cheapest, but it also is the only one of these with an older sensor version, which lowers the resolution, but also does a lot
worse when working in a bad light, this is the camera I have and of course you can take good pictures with this one as well

I guess you are in need of some lenses as well? This is quite a nest, I think you should buy either a prime lens(recommended) or a kit lens
(not the best, but it gets you started), until you get a feeling of what you need!
My current lenses are though as follows:
nikon 18-55 VR (not being used at all since I bouht a prime lens)
nikon 35 1.8 (my favorite atm, this one is awesome, and cheap as well!)
tamron 90 2.8 macro (this one is good for portrait, short tele, close-up photos, I just LOVE this lens)

Of course you should base your choice on what kind of photography you want to do


e: If I used any words you didn't understand, don't be afraid to ask, didn't think about my choice of words when writing this text

This post was edited by hestJaevel on Mar 19 2010 02:27am

lolz, thanks for the input, I saw the D3000 and its price range was 500 or so but not including the lens? yeah I'm interested in the lens as well, I'm planning to use this camera to take still pictures or portrait pictures.
Does it matter which camera I use and which lens I use as well? if so can you update me on which camera is the up to date but around 1500$ with the lens?

thanks again for your input, and your list of camera's, now i'll do some research on those and read the reviews on them, I know I'll go to the store and test it myself as well and get the feel for it. Thanks again mate.

Getting a Nikon because they have a Nikon is a huge advantage actually. Being able to borrow equipment is a huge bonus.

Personally on that kind of budget... I'd get a D90 for the body. That runs about $900 body only. Or you could get one with a kit lens such as the 18-105mm. Here is such a kit for $1200 http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/580422-REG/Nikon_25448_D90_SLR_Digital_Camera.html. Then I would highly suggest getting a prime lens. You can get a slightly older Nikon 50mm f/1.4 AF for $300, or a f/1.8 for only $125. Highly highly suggested! But don't forget about other costs. You will have extended warranty coverage, uv filters, memory cards, possibly a case... Those add up the cost of things but are in my mind a necessity.

What'd I'd end up getting: D90 with that 18-105mm Kit lens. And the Nikkor AF 50mm f/1.4... That would put you at $1500. But the extended warranties and accessories would be slightly more.

This post was edited by CitizenScuba on Mar 19 2010 03:28am

D90 is not a bad deal, I think my inlaw has the D3000, I was leaning towards the D300s but I see now that it would cost 1400$ without the lens and all lolz... I'm going to have to test the D90 and see how it goes, I don't think I wanna get the same as my inlaws which would be the D3000, and I'm thinking of getting one without a video camera, or do you guys think its good to have it? well thanks for the information, I know more about nikon now than I did a few days ago haha thanks for the input.

The d90 can record videos
D90 is a great choice! It has built in AF motor, which makes it possible for you to use lenses without built-in autofocus motor, which helps you buying old used lenses etc

no my point was to say that since they have nikon,
the poster should refer to them first shouldnt they? XD
since they can have a in person, hands on advice/example right in front of them!

D300s is way over kill for someone thats basically new into photography. Seriously, go with a D90 and get some older Nikkor AF lenses. You seriously can't go wrong with that plan.

you cant go wrong with d300 either. XD
its pretty equivalent to the 50D canon.

all cameras come with a manual and nikons are fairly easy to figure out.
everyone has to start somewhere! XD