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Mar 20 2016 07:41pm
I have spent the last 3 days straight reading reviews, reading up on specs, doing side by side comparisons and for the god damned life of me I can't decide what to get and it's starting to stress me out. I was shooting a Nikon d3000 like 5 years ago and got to the point where it just wasn't doing it for me and I felt I needed an upgrade but then I quit photography completely.

I don't really have the choice to buy a full frame like a 6d although I'm tempted to see if I can find a 5d mkII somewhere assuming I can price it around 500 (doubtful). I was doing research and noticed the Nikon d7200. Unfortunately I don't have 2k to spend on the camera and a decent lens or 2 so I figured I would put that one on hold.

Next step down is getting a d7000 or just getting like a d5300. according to some sites the d5300 has lower noise at higher ISO and overall better image quality but jesus christ why can't the entry level cameras have fixed screens. Anyone have any input on the pros of using those things?

If I were to get soemthing like the d7000 or d5300, I would want to get some combination of the following lenses:

50mm 1.8g
85mm 1.8g
55-200mm f/4
35mm 1.8g

the biggest problem I have is deciding what is worth it. Ideally, I want to start up again to work myself up to professional which is why I figure if I start with a smaller body and focus on glass, I can eventually upgrade once I start bringing in some cash. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated so thank you very much if you took the time to read this!

Also, if you happen to know of any cameras that are better but in a similar price range please point me in that direction? I've been doing too much research and the numbers are swimming in my head
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Mar 21 2016 03:08am
Good that you're getting back into it :thumbsup:

What's your overall budget and what would you like to shoot?
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Mar 21 2016 10:29am
alright so my overall budget right now is 1k. I can probably swing 1300 or 1400 if I have a really good reason to do so. I am going to start with just personal shooting (with my kids) until I get back into the swing of things before I start shooting for cash. I will likely focus on kids and families to start with so mostly portraiture. In my free time I like to shoot nature and macros tend to be my favorites :)

I was considering the 85mm 1.8g because I was reading the bokeh is lovely and it's a lens I've always wanted to shoot with after I tried it once.

*Edit

I should also add that I would ideally like to get the camera and gear by the end of this week since the kids birthday party is in a little under 2 weeks and I want to have a decent handle on it by then. I will be using all of the shots I get in the month of April to create a photobook as a gift to their dad in May.

This post was edited by succulentdesire on Mar 21 2016 10:32am
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Mar 21 2016 12:59pm
Consider maybe a D7100 with an 85mm 1.8G and a 35mm 1.8G (DX).

I'm not a fan of cameras with small viewfinders. The D7100 should retain decent resale value, same with the 35mm 1.8G DX lens, if you decide to move up.

If you got something like a D5200 or D5300, that line is harder for resale value. The viewfinder is crap on those cameras anyways.
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Mar 21 2016 04:17pm
do you know where I might find a used 7100? the 85mm lens is about 430 from what I've found. I'd rather stick to the 1k if at all possible so getting the d7100 plus the 85mm will put me over a thousand as it is unless I can find a reputable way to get a used camera. I've looked for camera shops around town but they don't have any that aren't best buy or what not... any tips on things to check if I buy used? the d7000 I found for 500

I also still have to get things like a bag and batteries and memory cards and such
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Mar 22 2016 01:40pm
Quote (succulentdesire @ Mar 21 2016 03:17pm)
do you know where I might find a used 7100? the 85mm lens is about 430 from what I've found. I'd rather stick to the 1k if at all possible so getting the d7100 plus the 85mm will put me over a thousand as it is unless I can find a reputable way to get a used camera. I've looked for camera shops around town but they don't have any that aren't best buy or what not... any tips on things to check if I buy used? the d7000 I found for 500

I also still have to get things like a bag and batteries and memory cards and such


I'm not sure what the best way to go about buying used is. Money is the least fun factor that goes into this.
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Mar 24 2016 07:15am
ok so it has come to my attention that someone decided to gift me the 85mm lens. that frees me to 1k for the body :) my options are opening up!

* do you think a 38k shutter count is worth it?

This post was edited by succulentdesire on Mar 24 2016 07:23am
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Mar 24 2016 08:02pm
Quote (succulentdesire @ Mar 24 2016 06:15am)
ok so it has come to my attention that someone decided to gift me the 85mm lens. that frees me to 1k for the body :) my options are opening up!

* do you think a 38k shutter count is worth it?


38,000 is a fair bit, but if the savings make sense then maybe. Shutters are usually rated at 100,000 or 150,000. You could google up the shutter life of the particular model.

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