DSLR Purchase Question

[Trent]

To the photo pros.  I use my smart phone camera for everything.  And while it yields good results for the size I'd like to upgrade to some sort of DSLR camera.

I was suggested by my local camera store to take a look at the Lumix DMC-FZ200 (in store its $650 but I'd purchase online for about $450 or so).  This was suggested as a solid "simple" choice since it has a good brand for the optics (Leica).  I'm also taking a look at the Nikon D5200.

I currently own a somewhat failing FujiFilm FinePix S2 Pro from 2002.  After taking a photo it complains that the battery is low.  I'm unable to take quick photos with this camera right now.  A bit of a battery hog and constantly find myself replacing them.  The lens in use is a Nikon AF Nikkor 35-70mm 1:2.8 D (if these aren't the full details let me know).  Repairing it will cost a minimum of $25 to just look at it, plus any additional items to purchase for fixing it.  The main issue appears to be battery related, anyone with some experience have an idea on how much fixing something like this would cost?

The short story.  I'm not a camera pro but aspire to become a bit more knowledgeable in this arena as I'd like to take better photos.

* Is it worth it to keep this camera and use?
* Is it better to sell and utilize the money for a newer camera?

Thanks ahead of time,

Trent

[Photoelectric]

I'd highly recommend looking through and asking on dpreview.com.  There's no right answer for a single most suitable camera for you, just as there's no answer for a single most suitable keyboard: many will do very well and will have their unique positives.  FZ200 is a very good camera indeed.  Sony Alpha Nex line is great too if you want a compact camera with interchangeable lenses.  Your best bet is to figure out your price range and needs and do a lot of reading about the offerings in that price range, including reviews on technical camera sites. 

Also, a lot of the good photography is a matter of setting up your photos right and understanding your camera.  We have some really great photos here made by people with iPhones.  You don't need a $400 camera to make great photos--a $200 one might do just fine, such as a Canon S110 on a sale.  Again, it depends on what you need and if the extra features or a larger sensor (etc) are worth the increased price for you.

[kmiller8]

One site a friend recommended to me is http://snapsort.com you give it a price range and it picks the best camera off of raw specs. That obviously won't give you the full picuture (such as extra lens cost) but it might give you a good place to jump off.

[Trent]

Thanks, I'll take a look at the prices there.  I'd love to get some sort of sale for the items I have currently.  They were inherited from a family member years ago and I just haven't had the time to filter through them.

I've been given suggestions for a FX Nikon.  Anyone own a DX vs FX and can speak to their differences from experience?

Edit: Snapshot is an awesome site thanks for the suggestion.

[Oobly]

That's a great lens!

In a review of that camera (here: http://www.bythom.com/fujis2.htm ) they mention it has some weird battery issues (I emphasised one section):

But everything isn't hunky dory in the battery realm. CR123 batteries seem to have a fairly limited life span in the S2, with 500-1000 exposures being about average, in my experience (and they discharge even when the camera is on AC power and even when the camera is OFF!). When they die the camera goes into what I call a "moping about" mode. The battery indicators may both indicate low, but the viewfinder display won't stay lit, and other features start to work sporadically (such as DOF preview). The camera will continue to mope until you either replace the CR123a, take the CR123a out and shoot just with the AA, or your AA go dead. If you shoot without the CR123a in, the battery indicators no longer are accurate (they'll read low even with fully charged AA's most of the time) and you lose use of the internal flash.

In short, it has 2 sets of batteries and if you don't have fresh ones in both slots it'll complain. With decent CR123As in the grip (like say Duracells) and some high capacity NiMH AAs in the base it should last a few hundred shots at least.

I have a DX which I am happy with (2005 Nikon D50), but full-frame is really nice. The Fujifilm camera has the same size sensor as a Nikon DX and the lens actually acts as a 52-100mm due to the smaller sensor (would be a 35-70mm on a 35mm or FX body).

With FX you will get better low light sensitivity, more lens options for wide angle, and they tend to be on more advanced bodies, too, so you'll get more features. They are pricey, though, and will show up the flaws of poorer quality lenses due to the larger area used for imaging.

I'd recommend you keep the camera and use until you start to feel limited by it or unless it really is faulty.

[Chau]

I also have a D50 with 18-135 mm lens, still going strong after 8 years. I think it was Nikons first dslr and a great product so im a bit biased towards nikon. If you have$ get a nikon. It will be a great new toy.

[swill]

I have 3 DSLRs: Canon Rebel XTi, Pentax K10D and Nikon D5200

My experience and preference (obviously bias, so keep that in mind):
- I will not buy a Canon again, I just have not had a very good experience with that camera at all.
- My Pentax K10D has been a great camera for me.  I was able to buy a whole bunch of relatively inexpensive k-mount lenses off ebay to put together a pretty good collection.  That camera body is built like a tank and is water resistant.  I use this camera when I am in environments that could damage my camera (workshop, mountain climbing, etc...).  This thing would probably outlive me...
- The Nikon D5200 is my most recent camera and I have to say that it has been AWESOME.  Best camera I have owned by far.  This thing can even make me look good, which is saying something...

I highly recommend Nikon as a brand, I have never used a Nikon I did not like...

Here is an example from the Nikon D5200.  This is taken with the kit lens, the on camera flash (as a flash trigger) and an off camera flash (triggered by the on camera flash).  This was a very low tech setup in my living room without anything special going on.  No diffusers or fancy photo equipment...

[ricercar]

1) Select a camera from a camera company like Nikon, not an electronics company like Sony.
2) Start with a DSLR body alone and a fast 50 mm lens. For example, the D3200 is a decent Nikon:

http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-Format-Megapixel-Digital-Camera/dp/B00EV8GZA6/ref=sr_1_18?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1388164692
http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-50mm-NIKKOR-Digital-Cameras/dp/B004Y1AYAC/ref=sr_1_21?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1388164745

3) Take pictures of people. People want to see people, not landscapes.

[regack]

As photoelectric said, dpreview is a great place for information.  Another great place with a wealth of information is photozone.de.  They have some fantastic lens reviews. 

If you go nikon, oobly mentioned bythom.com which also has a lot of great information.  Although often 'controversial', you can never have too much information, so I'd also suggest taking at look at kenrockwell.

Lenses will outlast the camera body and have more impact than the features on the body you're using. 

[swill]

+1 for dpreview.  I used that a lot when researching my purchases.

My current setup is this and I am very happy with it: http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-Digital-18-105mm-3-5-5-6-NIKKOR/dp/B00AXTQRSC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1388170268&sr=8-1&keywords=D5200+105

I like the 18-105 lens as my standard kit lens because it is a pretty nice range.  I also agree that a 1.4-1.8f, 50mm is the other lens you should have.

[Chau]

I don't know if you want to go second hand but this from 7bit sounds good :
http://deskthority.net/marketplace-f11/nikon-d90-12mp-dx-t7095.html

[tjcaustin]

Considering you already have a decent starter Nikkor lens, I would jump all over 7bit's deal he has right now.  Assuming he hasn't listed it on ebay already, of course.

[Malphas]

Going from using a phone camera to a DSLR is quite the jump, and potentially overkill. I think the recommendation you got (the Lumix DMC-FZ200) was a good one (and not a DSLR as you're most likely aware), but would also suggest looking at mirrorless systems with interchangeable lenses.

[Photoelectric]

Yup, there's a semi-recent class of "mirrorless" cameras which is pretty nice and costs between bridge cameras and low end DSLRs.  Although there are non-DSLR compact cameras that are as capable as mid-range DSLRs and cost similar (like Sony Alpha NEX-7, which is a very good camera and also does cost around $1000).  I've been using a Panasonic FZ47K for a couple years now and plan to upgrade next year--only because the sensor is a smaller CCD and has trouble in low light conditions.  But if you want to go lower than FZ200, I'd recommend looking at FZ70.  It's 2 generations after FZ47 and has a crazy high zoom for a bridge camera (for macro photos and also for various landscape zooms while traveling).  Generally good reviews too. Currently on sale for $280 on NewEgg and BH Photo.

http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Panasonic_Lumix_DMC_FZ70_FZ72/index.shtml

I was seriously considering that one a few days ago when it was on a shell shocker deal for $260 or something like that.

[atlas3686]

A 650D canon is a solid entry level choice. I have lots of friends who work with cameras professionally in various capacities and that is often the camera that comes up as a good choice for a reasonable price.

[Malphas]

The high-end mirrorless cameras are much better than the bottom end DSLRs, for sure. The Panasonic DMC-GH3 can almost punch it's weight with the 5D.

[dustinhxc]

I've never tried fujifilm but I will tell you this. I love my Nikon D60! It shoots awesome photos.

[HoffmanMyster]

Yup, there's a semi-recent class of "mirrorless" cameras which is pretty nice and costs between bridge cameras and low end DSLRs.  Although there are non-DSLR compact cameras that are as capable as mid-range DSLRs and cost similar (like Sony Alpha NEX-7, which is a very good camera and also does cost around $1000).  I've been using a Panasonic FZ47K for a couple years now and plan to upgrade next year--only because the sensor is a smaller CCD and has trouble in low light conditions.  But if you want to go lower than FZ200, I'd recommend looking at FZ70.  It's 2 generations after FZ47 and has a crazy high zoom for a bridge camera (for macro photos and also for various landscape zooms while traveling).  Generally good reviews too. Currently on sale for $280 on NewEgg and BH Photo.

http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Panasonic_Lumix_DMC_FZ70_FZ72/index.shtml

I was seriously considering that one a few days ago when it was on a shell shocker deal for $260 or something like that.

I'm a big fan of the mirrorless format for that intermediate jump.  I also like them because they're smaller and more portable.  "The best camera is the one you have with you."  (doesn't apply to taking pictures of keyboards in your house    )

[Trent]

That's a great lens!

In a review of that camera (here: http://www.bythom.com/fujis2.htm ) they mention it has some weird battery issues (I emphasised one section):

But everything isn't hunky dory in the battery realm. CR123 batteries seem to have a fairly limited life span in the S2, with 500-1000 exposures being about average, in my experience (and they discharge even when the camera is on AC power and even when the camera is OFF!). When they die the camera goes into what I call a "moping about" mode. The battery indicators may both indicate low, but the viewfinder display won't stay lit, and other features start to work sporadically (such as DOF preview). The camera will continue to mope until you either replace the CR123a, take the CR123a out and shoot just with the AA, or your AA go dead. If you shoot without the CR123a in, the battery indicators no longer are accurate (they'll read low even with fully charged AA's most of the time) and you lose use of the internal flash.

In short, it has 2 sets of batteries and if you don't have fresh ones in both slots it'll complain. With decent CR123As in the grip (like say Duracells) and some high capacity NiMH AAs in the base it should last a few hundred shots at least.

I have a DX which I am happy with (2005 Nikon D50), but full-frame is really nice. The Fujifilm camera has the same size sensor as a Nikon DX and the lens actually acts as a 52-100mm due to the smaller sensor (would be a 35-70mm on a 35mm or FX body).

With FX you will get better low light sensitivity, more lens options for wide angle, and they tend to be on more advanced bodies, too, so you'll get more features. They are pricey, though, and will show up the flaws of poorer quality lenses due to the larger area used for imaging.

I'd recommend you keep the camera and use until you start to feel limited by it or unless it really is faulty.

Omg I didn't find that review on the camera!  I found the slot that takes those added batteries and found out that the compartment was completely empty!  Glad I didn't send the camera to the store for the $25 repair...  Who knows what sort of "issue" they could have found with it.

Now off to CVS to find some of those batteries... Or Costco...

[Oobly]

More

That's a great lens!

In a review of that camera (here: http://www.bythom.com/fujis2.htm ) they mention it has some weird battery issues (I emphasised one section):

But everything isn't hunky dory in the battery realm. CR123 batteries seem to have a fairly limited life span in the S2, with 500-1000 exposures being about average, in my experience (and they discharge even when the camera is on AC power and even when the camera is OFF!). When they die the camera goes into what I call a "moping about" mode. The battery indicators may both indicate low, but the viewfinder display won't stay lit, and other features start to work sporadically (such as DOF preview). The camera will continue to mope until you either replace the CR123a, take the CR123a out and shoot just with the AA, or your AA go dead. If you shoot without the CR123a in, the battery indicators no longer are accurate (they'll read low even with fully charged AA's most of the time) and you lose use of the internal flash.

In short, it has 2 sets of batteries and if you don't have fresh ones in both slots it'll complain. With decent CR123As in the grip (like say Duracells) and some high capacity NiMH AAs in the base it should last a few hundred shots at least.

I have a DX which I am happy with (2005 Nikon D50), but full-frame is really nice. The Fujifilm camera has the same size sensor as a Nikon DX and the lens actually acts as a 52-100mm due to the smaller sensor (would be a 35-70mm on a 35mm or FX body).

With FX you will get better low light sensitivity, more lens options for wide angle, and they tend to be on more advanced bodies, too, so you'll get more features. They are pricey, though, and will show up the flaws of poorer quality lenses due to the larger area used for imaging.

I'd recommend you keep the camera and use until you start to feel limited by it or unless it really is faulty.

Omg I didn't find that review on the camera!  I found the slot that takes those added batteries and found out that the compartment was completely empty!  Glad I didn't send the camera to the store for the $25 repair...  Who knows what sort of "issue" they could have found with it.

Now off to CVS to find some of those batteries... Or Costco...

Glad I could help. Hope you have many happy hours taking pics with it

You'll find that about 70mm is similar "zoom" level to the naked eye, so somewhere near the middle of your lens' range. Smaller is wider angle, 50mm is a very nice "portrait" setting (zoomed all the way out), 100 is slightly zoomed in. That's a great kit to start out on.

If you feel the need for wider angle or more zoom, you can get some lens reviews by Thom Hogan here: http://www.bythom.com/nikon.htm

Or by Ken Rockwell here: http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/recommended-cameras.htm#lenses

dpreview.com is a great site, very objective and with lots of directly comparable information.

I got a decent pair of lenses with my D50, an 18-70 (the D70 kit lens) and a 70-300 Nikkor ED (light, but good optics). I like to go to air shows, so I wanted a reasonable zoom. I still haven't outgrown the camera and don't feel the need to "upgrade", but I don't use it as much as I'd like to (not enough time nowadays).

[ynrozturk]

1) Select a camera from a camera company like Nikon, not an electronics company like Sony.
2) Start with a DSLR body alone and a fast 50 mm lens. For example, the D3200 is a decent Nikon:

http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-Format-Megapixel-Digital-Camera/dp/B00EV8GZA6/ref=sr_1_18?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1388164692
http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-50mm-NIKKOR-Digital-Cameras/dp/B004Y1AYAC/ref=sr_1_21?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1388164745

3) Take pictures of people. People want to see people, not landscapes.

I'm sorry but Sony makes some incredible cameras, and use the best glass out there - Carl Zeiss.