Dslr

[AAP8]

I will suggest 1 thing, go to a store and see which one feels better ... for me a camera needs to be something that fits will in my hand and different models fit differently ... make sure it is natural or comfortable for you.

[AAP8]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

This is completely false.

Example? Most lenses for dSLR's are not designed with continuous focus motors and therefore suck at continuous auto focus in video mode. Canon's new STM lenses use a motor designed for this. Does Nikon have this problem solved already?

I shoot Canon, so I really don't keep up with Nikon tech.

[AAP8]

Originally Posted by esm

So, the main reason to get a DSLR is because you have a first child on the way - if so, can I suggest a "better" point and shoot, that can be taken with you easily and compact enough to go into the change bag or under the pram....

The last thing you want to do is to carry a bulky DSLR when you have a LO to take dare of..... Well, that's me speaking of experience (my daughter is now almost 19 months)

In this scenario, 99% of my friends just use their phones or as you suggest a point and shoot.

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by AAP8

Example? Most lenses for dSLR's are not designed with continuous focus motors and therefore suck at continuous auto focus in video mode. Canon's new STM lenses use a motor designed for this. Does Nikon have this problem solved already?

I shoot Canon, so I really don't keep up with Nikon tech.

You have no idea what you're talking about, so I don't know how to respond to you.

Just keep shooting Canon and live a happy and prosperous life.

[AAP8]

[james1787]

I'm still tempted to extend my budget a little and go for the Full Frame D700. Amazon has some good prices on used cameras, my only concern is I'm not 100% sure what I'm getting from the random sellers they have there. Any suggestions for other good places to look? Or do you guys think I am being a little paranoid and probably don't have anything to worry about?

[conrail]

Originally Posted by james1787

I'm still tempted to extend my budget a little and go for the Full Frame D700. Amazon has some good prices on used cameras, my only concern is I'm not 100% sure what I'm getting from the random sellers they have there. Any suggestions for other good places to look? Or do you guys think I am being a little paranoid and probably don't have anything to worry about?

You're right to consider these things, but you're being a little bit paranoid. I see you're somewhere in NJ - you could check out B&H Photo in NYC - they sell used stuff and are a great camera shop. As for sight-unseen, look for low shutter actuations and hopefully good pictures of the camera body. Look for any noticeable dings or dents on the body that would indicate it may have been dropped. Also if it is a relatively new camera or has low shutter actuations, yet has been refurbished or repaired recently - a new camera shouldn't need this - so potential concern there. But then again, maybe that's a good thing for you if it just came back from Nikon: it just got a clean bill of health! (so long as no gremlins are lurking).

I got my used D700 with approx. 8k shutter actuations (its rated to hundreds of thousands) from some random guy on ebay who had a decent description and decent pictures and it worked out just fine. I paid with PayPal and a credit card so I had double protection there against fraud. The camera has worked out great so far!

[james1787]

Thank you for the info, yeah I guess I am just being cautious. I'd hate to inherit somebody's headache if I can avoid it. I see B&H has one for around 1600, I will try to find out how many actuations it has. Obviously the lower the better, but are there any numbers of actuations I should steer clear of?

[james1787]

I found a few more on ebay I see. I weeded out ones where folks said "loose rubber grips", etc. I found one with a buyout of 1275 with 107k actuations. Found one with a 1615 buyout with 60k actuations. It looks pretty clean. I found another at 1559 that seemed nice but still trying to find out how many actuations.

[teqp]

I recommend you buy a used one with the lowest shutter actuations and one that has a lot of good photos and description. I bought a D300s from eBay from a private seller with great results.

Another suggestion would be to take a look on diving websites, such as www.wetpixel.com., In their forum section you may stumble across someone selling a D700 to cover the costs for a new D800e. The only bad thing is that sometimes they will sell the body with the underwater housing. But my experience buying and selling on wetpixel has been very positive. Also a good place to find lenses sometimes

Good luck. If you go with the D700 you will be happy. And you will need to start a lens fund on top of your watch fund!

[james1787]

Found even a better one.. 22k shutter actuations, clean, nice pics. Pulled the trigger :) D700 incoming!

[conrail]

Originally Posted by james1787

Found even a better one.. 22k shutter actuations, clean, nice pics. Pulled the trigger :) D700 incoming!

Awesome! It's a great camera, you'll really enjoy it.

[GradyPhilpott]

Congratulations on your new D700.

[apeogre]

Originally Posted by conrail

If you're going to use old full-frame lenses you might consider investing in a full-frame dslr body - there are lots of great pre-owned deals to be had on them, including ones with low shutter actuations. A used Nikon D700 might be around your price range now. I picked one up last year for $1600 - I'm sure they've come down. Not to mention, they're amazing for anything remotely wide angle.

Lets me honest, the guy is probably going to just be taking pictures of his baby. Any DSLR will accommodate that. Even some prosumer point and shoots take amazing photos, Canon's s100 is ridiculous considering it's just a point and shoot.

Sure, a full frame is very nice, but unless you're venturing away from the little green square to Tv or M or Av, just about anything will do and make you more than happy. That is, at least for the average user. Just my 2 pennies.

[apeogre]

please disregard last post as OP already bought a new camera.

[james1787]

Thanks! I am looking forward to it, sometime next week a FedEx truck should be dropping by. Now just to find a 50mm lens to start with (and I have my tamron lenses I can play around with..)

[james1787]

Originally Posted by apeogre

Lets me honest, the guy is probably going to just be taking pictures of his baby. Any DSLR will accommodate that. Even some prosumer point and shoots take amazing photos

Nope, the baby was just the excuse to get back into SLR photography. Back in the 35mm days I had a few SLR cameras and lenses and took them everywhere. I used to enjoy shooting a lot of landscape, macro, long night exposure, and black and white. To a young 20something the cost of film development started getting costly.. Digital cameras arrived and I found myself with point and shoots for a while. It was just easy to throw your images you want printed on a disk discarding the others you dont want. I still love going out and taking pictures. In some of my travels I wish I had a dslr as I missed the versatility of a SLR and their lenses to get exactly the photo I want. I've been considering a DSLR for a while now, just needed something to push me I into getting one. Is the D700 overkill for someone getting back into the hobby? Probably.. but I hope to be able to take advantage of what a full frame camera has to offer. So yes, baby photos will be part of what I'll be shooting, but I will be fully enjoying my photography hobby once again

[conrail]

Originally Posted by james1787

Thanks! I am looking forward to it, sometime next week a FedEx truck should be dropping by. Now just to find a 50mm lens to start with (and I have my tamron lenses I can play around with..)

The Nikkor 50mm f1.4 or f1.8 lens is AMAZING - especially for pics of people, or the like. Produces stunning bokeh. I have the 1.8 as its a helluva lot cheaper and I think the 1.4 is overkill unless you're shooting in the dark.

I understand the small pocket point and shoot camera argument - but isn't that just your cellphone already? My Google Nexus 4 produces amazing, quick pics on the go and its usually in my hand already so I can get a pic or video quickly. If you're going to put any money towards a stand alone camera you might as well invest in a proper camera that will last you a long time.

[GradyPhilpott]

With regard to a point and shoot, I would simply say that there are a lot of photographers who keep a point and shoot in their kit, because a dSLR is not always convenient or possible to carry.

It's not really an either or proposition. It's a matter of having the right tool for the job and as good a some phone cameras are getting, there are some excellent point and shoot cameras out there that can wax anything phone camera out there.

As much as I like Nikon, it does seem that Canon does have the best point and shoot cameras in the market today, though I wouldn't rule out Nikon.

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by james1787

Is the D700 overkill for someone getting back into the hobby?

The answer to that is a resounding, "No!"

If you can afford to go full-frame, there simply is no reason not to.

[teqp]

Originally Posted by conrail

The Nikkor 50mm f1.4 or f1.8 lens is AMAZING - especially for pics of people, or the like. Produces stunning bokeh. I have the 1.8 as its a helluva lot cheaper and I think the 1.4 is overkill unless you're shooting in the dark.

I totally agree that the 50mm produce awesome bokeh. I have the 1.4 and is nice when doing some underwater photography off the SoCal coast where the water can be murky.

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

As much as I like Nikon, it does seem that Canon does have the best point and shoot cameras in the market today, though I wouldn't rule out Nikon.

All my SLR lenses are Nikon and I agree that Canon is hands down better than Nikon for point n shoot.

You made a nice choice with the D700...enjoy it.

[bewithabob]

Originally Posted by james1787

Found even a better one.. 22k shutter actuations, clean, nice pics. Pulled the trigger :) D700 incoming!

Congrats on the baby coming and your new camera!

One thought as you are going with a D700 - make sure that whatever lenses you choose are FX, and DX, so you will be able to take full advantage of the full frame sensor.

The DX lenses are compatible with the D700, but if you use them, the image will be cropped by about ⅓rd.

[james1787]

I was looking at purchasing one of these two 50mm 1.4 lenses..
Nikon 50mm f/1.4D AF or the Nikon 50mm f/1.4 G AF-S. Adorama has the 1.4G on sale for $384, and the 1.4D new in the mid 3's also. Just wondering your opinions on either of these two?