To new camera or not to new camera...

[nubbinator]

So part of me really wants a new camera.  I'm still using a D70 I got before going to college, so it's something like 10 years old with tens of thousands of shutter actuations.  Something came loose inside, so the CF slot doesn't always work right without some jiggling (a common problem, but worth more than the camera to fix).  It's still completely functional, but showing its age.

One one hand, I really want a new camera and was looking at a D3200 (a huge step back in function and only 90 day warranty, but cheap and better quality photos) or a D7000 body (~$450, but more functionality, internal focusing motor, and a 3 year warranty).  On the other hand, that's a lot of money to be dropping when $500 a month is going to car payments, $2000+ is going to student loans, plus food and gas.  It's not like the camera is dead yet, but it's getting there.

Now that I wrote this, I'm not even sure if I wrote this to ask for opinions or for confirmation of my slowly growing decision to just wait until the camera is dead to buy a replacement.

Edit:  Also, this feels like nubs thread is tp thread.

[Dreamre]

I also feel you...not sure if I should get a Sony A7II or a 5D Mark 3...or just save and stick with my 40D.

[Badwrench]

I would hold out until it dies.  You are still able to get great photos with it.  Pay the bills and get what you really want when the $$ is there. 

[tbc]

2k a month fir student loans?!!!!!?

if you're fasttracking the payments, then you're fine taking a break for one month.  just do the standard 'cost / hours of fun' calculation. nothing special.

if those are mandatory payments, then i would imagine a new camera would eat up quite an uncomfortably large part of your fun budget. 

[njbair]

Get a new camera, but not a new camera.

I just picked up a Nikon D7000 body, which is a 2010 model, for $560 new in box. By comparison, the D7200 which replaced it is currently selling for about $1,200 for just the body. Here's a comparison.

Really the only differences are some 1080p video frame rates (I only ever use 24p so I don't care), and a slightly better low-light ISO score (but both cameras score over 1000 ISO which is really good).

EDIT: I just noticed you mentioned the D7000 by name. I suppose you can take my advice as a glowing endorsement, then.

[dwk396]

If I were you, I would not make any big purchases.
If it is a very critical, or job related, you have to, but if not, just wait till your camera just dies.

Or get a credit card that will give you no interest for ~20 months, like citi ones, and then you can make minimum automatic payments every month and get less financial hit.

But if you don't like credit cards, I guess just wait till the camera dies.

[tp4tissue]

Get a new camera, but not a new camera.

I just picked up a Nikon D7000 body, which is a 2010 model, for $560 new in box. By comparison, the D7200 which replaced it is currently selling for about $1,200 for just the body. Here's a comparison.

Really the only differences are some 1080p video frame rates (I only ever use 24p so I don't care), and a slightly better low-light ISO score (but both cameras score over 1000 ISO which is really good).

EDIT: I just noticed you mentioned the D7000 by name. I suppose you can take my advice as a glowing endorsement, then.

Wellllll.... if Nubb wants to start doing nature documentaries,  He might want something that does 1080i60 or 1080p60...  at least 1080p30

This is also true, if Nubbs wishes to get into the pr0n-circuit..

[jerue]

when $500 a month is going to car payments, $2000+ is going to student loans, plus food and gas.

  ...those student loan payments  , I pay a little over 1/4 of that per month, wow if I made those sorts of payments I could finish off in no time....

Anyways, I think that most people just post ?'s like these so they can get confirmation of their own thoughts, so it's OK - I too would wait for the camera to die. By then maybe you can get a closeout deal on a D3300 or something more amazing will be out. The entry level Nikons are in desperate need of a major refresh.

[tp4tissue]

Also, most important..

Cameras sit around and do jack nothing MOST of the time..


Let's say you can invest $1000 and get a girlfriend vs $1000 on a camera...


Which would you pick..


A girlfriend usually has significantly more utility.

[PunksDead]

Also, most important..

Cameras sit around and do jack nothing MOST of the time..


Let's say you can invest $1000 and get a girlfriend vs $1000 on a camera...


Which would you pick..


A girlfriend usually has significantly more utility.

Whoa whoa whoa mr.TP

Idk where you are finding these $1000 girlfriends but I can tell you your calculations are way off. If we factor in just birthdays and Holiday gifts for said gf that's about a grand right there. These girls eat at the bank account like some sort of ravenous Marc Jacobs buying machines. Diners/movies/etc, not to mention you might want to spruce up your own wardrobe to keep her wanting a piece of that everyday. The sex may seem worth it in the beginning but as the time moves on and you realize how much $$$ you are actually spending you may want to reconsider.

My vote is for a reasonably priced escort and a D3300

[iamtootallforthis]

Also, most important..

Cameras sit around and do jack nothing MOST of the time..


Let's say you can invest $1000 and get a girlfriend vs $1000 on a camera...


Which would you pick..


A girlfriend usually has significantly more utility.

Whoa whoa whoa mr.TP

Idk where you are finding these $1000 girlfriends but I can tell you your calculations are way off. If we factor in just birthdays and Holiday gifts for said gf that's about a grand right there. These girls eat at the bank account like some sort of ravenous Marc Jacobs buying machines. Diners/movies/etc, not to mention you might want to spruce up your own wardrobe to keep her wanting a piece of that everyday. The sex may seem worth it in the beginning but as the time moves on and you realize how much $$$ you are actually spending you may want to reconsider.

My vote is for a reasonably priced escort and a D3300

Hahaha. You also need to calculate all the dates before officially dating and all that.

Back on topic though, I would say wait till your camera dies.

[Jokrik]

Hi Nub,
From reading your case I can see that you've the lust for a new camera
I've always ended up with the same problem, recently with Drones (DJI Phantom)

I love photography and really wanna try the new trend of drone photography, but than again I've lack of time and object (since I live in a small city)
That is why, from worthy pov I retracted my intention

Now to your problem, I might suggest you to see it from functionality point of view
Does spending on a new camera would tripled the quality of the result? IMO photography does not rely 100% on most expensive camera, BUT I can also assure you a good camera would help a lot
but it's the play with lighting, ambient, moment and object

so if you have products to showcase/sale like your keycaps (which I adores dolly so much), yes a new camera would help
if no, you still have obligations to do, unless you get a huge bonus at the end of the year

one last thing, how about waiting for boxing day? still half a year to go and dont you Americans get crazy discounts at that time?

[VoteForDavid]

Speaking as someone who upgraded from a D70 to a D7000:

If you get the newer camera you will be happy with it.  You may not like the financial situation into which it puts you, but that is a separate concern. 

The camera is not 100x better as the model might imply, but it is nice.  The feature set is similar, the buttons are a little different.  In theory it can shoot video.  But sometimes it's magic where the D70 would blow a shot or blow out highlights.  The auto mode is smarter.  The improved autofocus is very nice.  The larger screen and the easier zooming and scrolling are very nice.  If you make use of both the control dials on your D70 don't compromise and get a D3x00 or D5x00 series.  Save up and get the D7x00 series.

Prices are falling all the time on previous-generation equipment.  Mouse out somewhere between $0 and $500 a month.  Try for the low end of that if your budget is tight.  Put it in a clear vessel so you can see it building up.  When you get around $500 go camera shopping.  If you find a nikon-refurbished body from an authorized distributor, it will be as-new and work perfectly.

[hwood34]

With cameras, it's not really about the camera body itself as it is the lenses. Your best bet would probably be to pick an older model DSLR for cheap.

[nubbinator]

With cameras, it's not really about the camera body itself as it is the lenses. Your best bet would probably be to pick an older model DSLR for cheap.

It's both, and if I'm going to buy a camera, I'd rather spend $400-500 on a body with a warranty than $200-300 on something without one that has an unknown number of shutter actuations and where I have no clue how the internals are.

I saw it's both because many older models don't have the same color range or handle colors as well as others.  Older DSLRs (like my D70) have a very difficult time with the color orange.  More modern DSLRs do better with orange.  Older DSLRs have a lot more grain at ISO over 400-800, modern (in the last 4 years or so) handle low light dramatically better and have more aesthetically pleasing grain.

The lenses do play a role, but the $100-200 difference between a nicer DSLR with a better feature set and an older one or one with worse features is not enough to buy some really nice glass. 

[hwood34]

With cameras, it's not really about the camera body itself as it is the lenses. Your best bet would probably be to pick an older model DSLR for cheap.

It's both, and if I'm going to buy a camera, I'd rather spend $400-500 on a body with a warranty than $200-300 on something without one that has an unknown number of shutter actuations and where I have no clue how the internals are.

I saw it's both because many older models don't have the same color range or handle colors as well as others.  Older DSLRs (like my D70) have a very difficult time with the color orange.  More modern DSLRs do better with orange.  Older DSLRs have a lot more grain at ISO over 400-800, modern (in the last 4 years or so) handle low light dramatically better and have more aesthetically pleasing grain.

The lenses do play a role, but the $100-200 difference between a nicer DSLR with a better feature set and an older one or one with worse features is not enough to buy some really nice glass.

Well then then Rebels are certainly a good camera in the $400-500 range

[nubbinator]

Well then then Rebels are certainly a good camera in the $400-500 range

I already have Nikon glass.

[tp4tissue]

Also, most important..

Cameras sit around and do jack nothing MOST of the time..


Let's say you can invest $1000 and get a girlfriend vs $1000 on a camera...


Which would you pick..


A girlfriend usually has significantly more utility.

Whoa whoa whoa mr.TP

Idk where you are finding these $1000 girlfriends but I can tell you your calculations are way off. If we factor in just birthdays and Holiday gifts for said gf that's about a grand right there. These girls eat at the bank account like some sort of ravenous Marc Jacobs buying machines. Diners/movies/etc, not to mention you might want to spruce up your own wardrobe to keep her wanting a piece of that everyday. The sex may seem worth it in the beginning but as the time moves on and you realize how much $$$ you are actually spending you may want to reconsider.

My vote is for a reasonably priced escort and a D3300

I've seen guys that spend quite alot on dates..  But I think they're doing it wrong..


I usually get where I want to be after a simple lunch date..   couldn't be more than $40


so.... I can get almost a month and a half of -relationship- for $1000.

[njbair]

With cameras, it's not really about the camera body itself as it is the lenses. Your best bet would probably be to pick an older model DSLR for cheap.

It's both, and if I'm going to buy a camera, I'd rather spend $400-500 on a body with a warranty than $200-300 on something without one that has an unknown number of shutter actuations and where I have no clue how the internals are.

I saw it's both because many older models don't have the same color range or handle colors as well as others.  Older DSLRs (like my D70) have a very difficult time with the color orange.  More modern DSLRs do better with orange.  Older DSLRs have a lot more grain at ISO over 400-800, modern (in the last 4 years or so) handle low light dramatically better and have more aesthetically pleasing grain.

The lenses do play a role, but the $100-200 difference between a nicer DSLR with a better feature set and an older one or one with worse features is not enough to buy some really nice glass.

Well then then Rebels are certainly a good camera in the $400-500 range

FWIW In my comparison shopping, I found that the Nikons in that price range have much better low-light ISO performance (like, double) than their Canon counterparts.

[dwk396]

Also, most important..

Cameras sit around and do jack nothing MOST of the time..


Let's say you can invest $1000 and get a girlfriend vs $1000 on a camera...


Which would you pick..


A girlfriend usually has significantly more utility.

Whoa whoa whoa mr.TP

Idk where you are finding these $1000 girlfriends but I can tell you your calculations are way off. If we factor in just birthdays and Holiday gifts for said gf that's about a grand right there. These girls eat at the bank account like some sort of ravenous Marc Jacobs buying machines. Diners/movies/etc, not to mention you might want to spruce up your own wardrobe to keep her wanting a piece of that everyday. The sex may seem worth it in the beginning but as the time moves on and you realize how much $$$ you are actually spending you may want to reconsider.

My vote is for a reasonably priced escort and a D3300

I've seen guys that spend quite alot on dates..  But I think they're doing it wrong..


I usually get where I want to be after a simple lunch date..   couldn't be more than $40


so.... I can get almost a month and a half of -relationship- for $1000.

Hi, is this pot talking again??

[tp4tissue]

Hi, is this pot talking again??

Tp4 no do drugs..

How could you afford to go on dates + do drugs..

[Sed8op8]

Oh come one we expect gifts to punks, drinks when we go out and to be taken out to do something interesting on a fairly regular basis  )

For real  though you find the right one of us and we will put in just as much or more as the guy in the relationship

That being said the camera is definitely the safer easier less complicated purchase by far !!!!

[PunksDead]

Oh come one we expect gifts to punks, drinks when we go out and to be taken out to do something interesting on a fairly regular basis  )

On a real basis though you find the right one of us and we will put in just as much or more as the guy in the relationship

That being said the camera is definitely the safer easier less complicated purchase by far !!!!

[Sed8op8]

Oh come one we expect gifts to punks, drinks when we go out and to be taken out to do something interesting on a fairly regular basis  )

On a real basis though you find the right one of us and we will put in just as much or more as the guy in the relationship

That being said the camera is definitely the safer easier less complicated purchase by far !!!!

Show Image

geez I learn2 spill wit deardliest ofz precisionz

[Binge]

With cameras, it's not really about the camera body itself as it is the lenses. Your best bet would probably be to pick an older model DSLR for cheap.

...It's both...

qft-  My father has always tried to tell me that the lenses will create the greatest difference.  I find this to be partially true but slightly dated in thought.  Back in his day you had film... got the right film and the lense basically did all the work while the body allowed you to set the parameters.  Not all sensors are created equal, not all firmware/software are created equal.

I've seen what a good lense can do on a great camera, but I've seen what a great lense can do on a dated camera... the results are just not very impressive.

If your body is starting to crap out save for yourself first and because you have lenses sticking with Nikon is a great choice.

I've recently purchased a 5300 which will not be as fast as the D7000, but I am enjoying a number of the other features.  In the shop the D7000 was not as easy to adjust on the fly, and I liked how the external screen on the 5300 played a greater role in recording video/previewing the effect (live view) ISO/shutter/aperture on a subject.

That all being said... the 5300 body can be about $400 new if you find the right deal.  I've seen that Massdrop is starting to work with DSLRs, so a deal might pop up there for a nice camera body GB.  The D3300 that HP mentioned is also a great great great purchase if you plan on doing photo work only.  The reason I went with the 5300 was to do more with video as well as photo work.

Best of luck to you in the future with finding a new camera body that has all its ports working, but timing is important...  Gotta be comfortable with where you are at with your finances or a new camera will go out just as soon as it came in.

[tp4tissue]

Oh come one we expect gifts to punks, drinks when we go out and to be taken out to do something interesting on a fairly regular basis  )

On a real basis though you find the right one of us and we will put in just as much or more as the guy in the relationship

That being said the camera is definitely the safer easier less complicated purchase by far !!!!

Show Image

geez I learn2 spill wit deardliest ofz precisionz

Show Image

Not sure if spelling mistakes were on purpose..

Could be a medical condition..

[Sed8op8]

Oh come one we expect gifts to punks, drinks when we go out and to be taken out to do something interesting on a fairly regular basis  )

On a real basis though you find the right one of us and we will put in just as much or more as the guy in the relationship

That being said the camera is definitely the safer easier less complicated purchase by far !!!!

Show Image

geez I learn2 spill wit deardliest ofz precisionz

Show Image

Not sure if spelling mistakes were on purpose..

Could be a medical condition..

Show Image

just a bit of self deprecating humor 8p

[nubbinator]

Thanks for the input everyone.. though that's probably the wrong phase given the lady user to say that...

I may look more at the D5300.  The pentamirror v pentaprism, smaller viewfinder, no AF motor, single dial for shutter speed and aperture, and a few other features got to me on the D5000 series, but it may be worth rehashing.

I'll probably be selling some keyboard stuff (my Leitch G81 and G80 phone system board) to help fund it.

[dustinhxc]

I say stick with your current camera bro! Im still using my Nikon D60 and I love it. I use this macro lens with it:
http://photojojo.com/store/awesomeness/wide-angle-macro-lens/

 

[nubbinator]

The D70 is slowly dying or I would.  I think I have around 200k on the shutter.

[Sed8op8]

Thanks for the input everyone.. though that's probably the wrong phase given the lady user to say that...

I may look more at the D5300.  The pentamirror v pentaprism, smaller viewfinder, no AF motor, single dial for shutter speed and aperture, and a few other features got to me on the D5000 series, but it may be worth rehashing.

I'll probably be selling some keyboard stuff (my Leitch G81 and G80 phone system board) to help fund it.

You take really nice pics as is Nubbz . However given the amount of money you have dedicated to Bills and loans I'm not really sure how hard a $500 camera would hit your wallet. I guess I would say if you could sell something In your collection your not completely enamored with to help mitigate the cost go for it.m

[HoffmanMyster]

Your photos are really good already, so you don't need to upgrade for that reason.  I'd wait til it dies and buy then.  But maybe start saving now to make that easier. 

Also, it's great to see someone else with that much a month in student loan payments!   

[nubbinator]

You take really nice pics as is Nubbz . However given the amount of money you have dedicated to Bills and loans I'm not really sure how hard a $500 camera would hit your wallet. I guess I would say if you could sell something In your collection your not completely enamored with to help mitigate the cost go for it.m

That was kind of the plan.  I have keyboards that I'm not using and don't plan on using, so I'm going to try and sell them to fund a new (to me at least) camera and/or lenses.  I figure I could most likely raise a couple hundred doing that.

Your photos are really good already, so you don't need to upgrade for that reason.  I'd wait til it dies and buy then.  But maybe start saving now to make that easier. 

Also, it's great to see someone else with that much a month in student loan payments!   

Thanks man.  I convinced myself I didn't need a new one yet, then decided I did, so I'm all screwed up.  I was looking at a new one not just for the pictures on here but because I've been thinking about some of the features and how the camera and features may encourage me to start hiking or going on walks again.  Grad school got me out of shape and my job didn't help, so I'm looking at it to help encourage me to get off my ass a little more.

Sorry to make you sad about the loan payments Hoff.  I started at ~$30k last January or February and I've been paying them off as quickly as I could and I'm now down to $3500...or will be once the payment from my last paycheck clears.

[njbair]

I've recently purchased a 5300 which will not be as fast as the D7000, but I am enjoying a number of the other features.  In the shop the D7000 was not as easy to adjust on the fly, and I liked how the external screen on the 5300 played a greater role in recording video/previewing the effect (live view) ISO/shutter/aperture on a subject.

The D5300 was the other one I looked at really hard before buying the D7000. Your comparison is pretty spot-on, and I liked some of the firmware features (like built-in HDR) but at the end of the day, I figured it was better to spend the money on more sensor in exchange for fewer features.

That said, it's an awesome camera you've got there and I don't think there's one right answer for everyone.

[Binge]

You take really nice pics as is Nubbz . However given the amount of money you have dedicated to Bills and loans I'm not really sure how hard a $500 camera would hit your wallet. I guess I would say if you could sell something In your collection your not completely enamored with to help mitigate the cost go for it.m

That was kind of the plan.  I have keyboards that I'm not using and don't plan on using, so I'm going to try and sell them to fund a new (to me at least) camera and/or lenses.  I figure I could most likely raise a couple hundred doing that.

Your photos are really good already, so you don't need to upgrade for that reason.  I'd wait til it dies and buy then.  But maybe start saving now to make that easier. 

Also, it's great to see someone else with that much a month in student loan payments!   

Thanks man.  I convinced myself I didn't need a new one yet, then decided I did, so I'm all screwed up.  I was looking at a new one not just for the pictures on here but because I've been thinking about some of the features and how the camera and features may encourage me to start hiking or going on walks again.  Grad school got me out of shape and my job didn't help, so I'm looking at it to help encourage me to get off my ass a little more.

Sorry to make you sad about the loan payments Hoff.  I started at ~$30k last January or February and I've been paying them off as quickly as I could and I'm now down to $3500...or will be once the payment from my last paycheck clears.

Feeling you about getting out more and wanting to make it as fun as staying in.  Cameras are amazing with daylight

I've recently purchased a 5300 which will not be as fast as the D7000, but I am enjoying a number of the other features.  In the shop the D7000 was not as easy to adjust on the fly, and I liked how the external screen on the 5300 played a greater role in recording video/previewing the effect (live view) ISO/shutter/aperture on a subject.

The D5300 was the other one I looked at really hard before buying the D7000. Your comparison is pretty spot-on, and I liked some of the firmware features (like built-in HDR) but at the end of the day, I figured it was better to spend the money on more sensor in exchange for fewer features.

That said, it's an awesome camera you've got there and I don't think there's one right answer for everyone.

Big sensors are teets.  Right you are.

[demik]

Wait are you deciding between a gf and a camera?

Camera. Then just pretend you run a blog and start nailing fake suicide girls.

[nubbinator]

nubs needs to remember how to make friends and women outside of school.  Grad school sucks your life. 

In other words, camera now, girlfriend later.  And the suicide girl look is my type.  How'd you know demik?

[demik]

i understand the hipster mindset.

And I like them also.

[nubbinator]

nubs is not a hipster.

[demik]

Hipster has gone meta

[heedpantsnow]

I'd wait. Never buy a piece of tech until you absolutely need it due to falling prices.

The megapixel race causes the situation that used stuff  is adequate and gets cheaper and cheaper.

[nubbinator]

Unless the keyboard hobby is considered ironic, I'm not well enough dressed or ironic enough to be a hipster.  The vegetarian thing does count against me though.

[demik]

And the nose ring

Don't know about the keyboard thing. I tried to tell my new car buddies about GH and like 2 sentences into it I just gave up. Didn't even make it to the wacky world of click clacks

[njbair]

Speaking of hipsters and cameras, this video is probably the best way ever to spend 20 minutes.

[GL1TCH3D]

I might be selling my camera setup xP

Having a camera you enjoy using is good but what really matters are the lenses.

A very sharp and clear lens in a focal length you use is FAR more satisfying than getting a nice camera body (unless you need the features from the new body or something is disrupting the picture taking from the old body).

[njbair]

I might be selling my camera setup xP

Having a camera you enjoy using is good but what really matters are the lenses.

A very sharp and clear lens in a focal length you use is FAR more satisfying than getting a nice camera body (unless you need the features from the new body or something is disrupting the picture taking from the old body).

My only lens right now is a 35mm prime. People are surprised when they see my camera and then find out it "doesn't even have zoom," but the lens is super fast and tack-sharp:


Drew on a Boat by Nick Bair, on Flickr


At the Helm by Nick Bair, on Flickr


IBM Model M SSK by Nick Bair, on Flickr


Sadsters by Nick Bair, on Flickr

[GL1TCH3D]

Prime lenses are the best for quality.

I'm hoping to move to the new Sony A7 body and get some other nice primes

[njbair]

Prime lenses are the best for quality.

I'm hoping to move to the new Sony A7 body and get some other nice primes

The Sony A7 is no joke. I just...Sony...I just can't.

[GL1TCH3D]

Prime lenses are the best for quality.

I'm hoping to move to the new Sony A7 body and get some other nice primes

The Sony A7 is no joke. I just...Sony...I just can't.

I've had good experiences with some of sony's stuff. They tend to be hit or miss with some products but the Sony A7 is definitely a hit.

[njbair]

Prime lenses are the best for quality.

I'm hoping to move to the new Sony A7 body and get some other nice primes

The Sony A7 is no joke. I just...Sony...I just can't.

I've had good experiences with some of sony's stuff. They tend to be hit or miss with some products but the Sony A7 is definitely a hit.

I never thought I would see the day when real pro's would abandon SLR in favor of mirrorless. In fact, I never even considered it as a possibility. But leave it to Sony, they've always been the pioneers in digital imaging.

The really nice thing about the A7 is that they seem to be really good with non-Sony lens support, which is something decidedly un-Sonylike.