ADVICE NEEDED ON A CAMERA

[blondebabe36]

So I'm in the market for a new camera, right now I have a Nikon D50 which is okay for the NOOB stuff I'm doing for photography class, but I really want something that will get some crispy pictures. Does anyone have any suggestions on a camera and a lens, all for under a grand! Please and thank you!!

[Mr. Clean]

d200 with a nikkor f/3.5-5.6 18-135mm, and an f/1.8 50mm. you can get the whole set-up for probably right at a grand. the 3.5-5.6 18-135 is the perfect everyday lens. lets you get wide stuff as well and zoom shots, and it's also very crispy. i got mine for like $230 refurbished. it's not going to be an INCREDIBLE lens, but it's a great lens for everyday shooting. i still use mine all the time with the d300 and it always gets the shot. and the 50mm is awesome for portrait stuff. it always comes through in a pinch.

[blondebabe36]

thanks! =) I have a f/1.8 35mm, a f/3.5-5.6 18-55mm, a f/3.5-5.6 70-200, and a macro and a fisheye attachment. I was going to try to find a f/1.4 or 1.8 none fixed because I like to shoot for photo journalism alot.

[blondebabe36]

I looked at the D300 and its over 1g, what about the D5000, good?

[A.A]

why not just stick with your old mount and get some new lenses? I am constantly impressed with my old Canon xti over my newer Canon xsi... both are cheep mounts, but my xsi body performs only marginally better than its predecessor... really (and in retro i'd rather have spent that money on another lens before a barely better mount)... then a way better mount in the future. samegoesforthenikonmountmk.

[Mr. Clean]

it's all about the features. i went from a sony a-100 to a d200 to a d300. you don't think about all the little stuff (button placement, lcd size and clarity, shutter noise, etc.) until you actually have time to use a camera for a length of time. basically, i think you would also be impressed with any newer body. the d50 is dated, but it is still an excellent camera. i think it can still compete with the lower model nikons (d3000,5000...), but you just may get more ease of use or improved ergonomics if you step up.

[boostedb16]

there's a D90 on here for $900.00. your lens will fit it and a D90 is a awesome camara. i have one and a few other's on here have one.

[boostedb16]

are you wanting to sell your D50? how much because i want to get my daughter a d40 or d50.

[A.A]

it's all about the features. i went from a sony a-100 to a d200 to a d300. you don't think about all the little stuff (button placement, lcd size and clarity, shutter noise, etc.) until you actually have time to use a camera for a length of time. basically, i think you would also be impressed with any newer body. the d50 is dated, but it is still an excellent camera. i think it can still compete with the lower model nikons (d3000,5000...), but you just may get more ease of use or improved ergonomics if you step up.

I can appreciate that advice. Thinking mostly on the features (higher ISO handling is worth it on its own).

My old xti does feel like less of a camera (though the feel is better since I put a cheep battery grip on it)... using it does feel like a few steps backward with the rotten sounding shutter, smaller screen size, older lesser quality control buttons/shutter release... until I go into post processing and see the spot-on images it creates. I do miss some features on it though, like a 2 second timer fast option like I have on my xsi, and the ISO handling/ controls.

[blondebabe36]

Thanks for everyones advice! & I do love my camera, but when I got it, I got it used, and its only 6 mega pixels, I want something higher. And what I'm thinking about doing is get a new camera this quarter, d5000 or d90, and next quarter get one or two lenses, I get alittle over 1g every quarter for student loan, so i wont have to wait that long to get a lens.

And I wont be selling the d50, lol, my mom already has dibs on it, Although I know shes just going to keep it on auto. I bought her a nice point & shoot, but I guess she just wants to feel cool. =)

[Tarzanman]

So I'm in the market for a new camera, right now I have a Nikon D50 which is okay for the NOOB stuff I'm doing for photography class, but I really want something that will get some crispy pictures. Does anyone have any suggestions on a camera and a lens, all for under a grand! Please and thank you!!

I have a f/1.8 35mm, a f/3.5-5.6 18-55mm, a f/3.5-5.6 70-200, and a macro and a fisheye attachment. I was going to try to find a f/1.4 or 1.8 none fixed because I like to shoot for photo journalism alot.

Photo quality is ~90% the glass (lens) on the camera. A nicer body won't give you better photos than the old body if you are using the same lenses.

If you want crisp (sharp) photos then the easiest way is to used fixed focal length lenses (called 'prime' lenses). Even cheap primes will take sharper photos than high-end zooms.

If you already have a 35mm f/1.8, I would suggest spending ~$120 on a 50mm f/1.8 and also buying either a 100mm or 135mm prime. The combination of those three primes should cover the focal ranges you will be snapping pictures with most of the time very nicely.

I don't know the Nikon line very well, but the D90 (or the similar, but cheaper D5000) is probably what you're looking for.

[blondebabe36]

Photo quality is ~90% the glass (lens) on the camera. A nicer body won't give you better photos than the old body if you are using the same lenses.

If you want crisp (sharp) photos then the easiest way is to used fixed focal length lenses (called 'prime' lenses). Even cheap primes will take sharper photos than high-end zooms.

If you already have a 35mm f/1.8, I would suggest spending ~$120 on a 50mm f/1.8 and also buying either a 100mm or 135mm prime. The combination of those three primes should cover the focal ranges you will be snapping pictures with most of the time very nicely.

I don't know the Nikon line very well, but the D90 (or the similar, but cheaper D5000) is probably what you're looking for.

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind.