Help Me With A decision

Menzies

I am going to move off my Olympus platform.

I can chose from a number of cameras as a retirement gift from my company. They gave 40-50 selections across all manufacturers but I have decided to go Nikon. I have narrowed it down to the following packages, what I can select based on years of service.

What do you think regarding these packages?

Nikon - D7200 DSLR Camera (Body Only) - Black

Nikon - D7100 DSLR Camera with 18-55mm VR II and 55-300mm VR Lenses - Black

Nikon - J5 Mirrorless Camera with NIKKOR 10-100mm f/4-5.6 VR Lens - White

B&H has each of these listed at just over $1K.

Use will be outdoors mainly, cruising on our own boat.

Chuckc

If you are OK with a standard sized body the D7200 would be the way I would go. Then you pick up the glass you want to use. What glass you want depends on what you want to do and when. The 18-140 VR lens is a decent walkaround lens that would probably satisfy 85% of your needs.

Menzies

Chuckc wrote: »

If you are OK with a standard sized body the D7200 would be the way I would go. Then you pick up the glass you want to use. What glass you want depends on what you want to do and when. The 18-140 VR lens is a decent walkaround lens that would probably satisfy 85% of your needs.

****, that piece of glass ain't cheap!! :hairraiser

Menzies

Chuck, have you any experience with the 18-300 lens?

Wondering if I should get the 7200 and then just bite the bullet and get the fuller range lens at an extra $200 or so?

Only downside I see on reviews in the weight, since you would always be carrying this around.

Cane Pole

1. forget those mirrorless toys
2. dont waste your time with the kit 18-55 or 55-300.
Both are probably no better than your Olympus gear. These two do have advantages of being really light, if that's an issue...

3. $496 for a lens (18-140) is not a lot!
4. spend the grand and get the 16-300. It will be the only lens you ever need, no switching lenses, no big cases, just one small pelican case and your good for anywhere. I dont know anything about it, but you usually get what you pay for with Nikon. I use a 28-300 on my FX bodies quite a bit these days, looks like the same lens, same cost, and I've been getting pro results most of the time. The 18-200 would save you $350, and some weight, but not get you as close to birds and such.
5. Get the 7200 for sure! Any DX below that is not worth much in my opinion.

OR, step up to full frame, D610, $1500, and get the 28-300. If had your deep pockets, I sure would.

Chuckc

Menzies wrote: »

****, that piece of glass ain't cheap!! :hairraiser

Shop KEH used to save some bucks. You could get the 18-105 VR which will be a good deal less expensive. It's pretty good glass for what it is. If you are shooting early or late faster glass is your friend but the price to play is higher.

Chuckc

Menzies wrote: »

Chuck, have you any experience with the 18-300 lens?

Wondering if I should get the 7200 and then just bite the bullet and get the fuller range lens at an extra $200 or so?

Only downside I see on reviews in the weight, since you would always be carrying this around.

Nope. Never had my hands on one.

fish_stix

I have the D7200 and the 18-140 VR lens. Nice lens but I think it's too heavy for a walkaround lens. So, I also have the 35 f1.8 prime as my walkaround and carry the 18-140 in a small backpack. Also have a 70-300 for longer shots on birds, etc. I know, I know; too much lens overlap but I already had the 70-300 on my old F100. The D7200 is way beyond my expectations, simply a super camera. I wavered between the D7200 and the D610 but thought the 7200 was better for my first digital SLR.

WB Drifter

There are two versions of the Nikon 18-300 ( f/3.5-5.6G = $996.95 & f/3.5-6.3G = $696.95 ). I have the older / heavier / more expensive one. It lives on a D90 as the designated / lives in the truck setup. I can put it on a D7100 and post some shots if it would help you decide.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/872407-REG/Nikon_AF_S_DX_18_300mm_f_3_5_5_6G.html
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/18-300mm.htm

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1045736-REG/nikon_2216_af_s_dx_18_300mm_f_3_5_5_6g.html
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/18-300mm-vr.htm

gerrys

I have the D7200 with Nikon AF-s Nikkor 70-300 lense. Also have just purchased a Sigma 150-600mm 1:5-6.3DG. Many other lenses from super wide to macro. Playing with the long lense right now.

Camera is really good without a lot of $$$.

Menzies

WB Drifter wrote: »

There are two versions of the Nikon 18-300 ( f/3.5-5.6G = $996.95 & f/3.5-6.3G = $696.95 ). I have the older / heavier / more expensive one. It lives on a D90 as the designated / lives in the truck setup. I can put it on a D7100 and post some shots if it would help you decide.

One more question on this - any way of defining the impact to light with that 0.7 aperture difference, understanding that this is the max at 300 zoom.

WB Drifter

A 0.7 aperture difference on a max of 6.3 at 300mm - there's got to be some calculation or test, but I'd say not much impact between those two lenses. That's probably more a matter of how they worked the compromise for a "super zoom" between the 67mm and 77mm lenses. The spread on the max of f/3.5 - 6.3 is a result of that zoom compromise. The lighter lens along with vibration reduction will make more difference in handheld, low light situations.

https://pixelpeeper.com/adv/?lens=13620&camera=2005&perpage=12&focal_min=none&focal_max=none&aperture_min=none&aperture_max=none&iso_min=none&iso_max=none&exp_min=none&exp_max=none&res=3

FWIW:

The on board flash may be blocked with the lens zoomed out.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/750015-REG/Vello_RW_N2_FreeWave_Wireless_Remote_Shutter.html

Menzies

Well I ordered the D7200 online Sunday and it arrived this afternoon! Quick. Dowside is that it is sitting here with no lenses ordered yet! :banghead

Will do that this evening.

And the manual -390 pages! :hairraiser

I am going to get a 18-300 3.5-5.6, plus look for a prime lens as well,

fish_stix

Menzies; try www.bythom.com. In the right column click on D7200 Guide and order one. Best $30.00 you'll spend. I've used his guides for every Nikon I've owned. Lots of info but he gets into minute detail on using the camera and settings. Nikon needs to hire some Tech Writers that speak English and understand that everyone is not a pro photog!

Menzies

fish_stix wrote: »

Menzies; try www.bythom.com. In the right column click on D7200 Guide and order one. Best $30.00 you'll spend. I've used his guides for every Nikon I've owned. Lots of info but he gets into minute detail on using the camera and settings. Nikon needs to hire some Tech Writers that speak English and understand that everyone is not a pro photog!

Thanks.

Just read the summary on that. Not sure I am quite ready for that, but will think about it! Maybe for now I need to play a bit with it.

mississippi mac

with zoom lenses, try not to go for more than a zoom ratio of 4:1....
after that point, they get really soft on focus at 1/2 zoom, outward...
if you can find a "MTF" graph for that lens, and compare it to 4:1 glass you'll see what I mean...
18mm-300 is absurd if you want sharp images with good contrast...
the best piece of "walking around" glass I have is a canon EF-L 24mm-105mm f4 IS USM glass.....
I can get really good images at 200% crop on a FF body with it, if need be...
on my FF body, I have the 24-105, and carry my EF-L 100mm-400mm IS around and it covers just about anything I want to shoot, and they are tack sharp images...

Menzies

mississippi mac wrote: »

with zoom lenses, try not to go for more than a zoom ratio of 4:1....
after that point, they get really soft on focus at 1/2 zoom, outward...
if you can find a "MTF" graph for that lens, and compare it to 4:1 glass you'll see what I mean...
18mm-300 is absurd if you want sharp images with good contrast...
the best piece of "walking around" glass I have is a canon EF-L 24mm-105mm f4 IS USM glass.....
I can get really good images at 200% crop on a FF body with it, if need be...
on my FF body, I have the 24-105, and carry my EF-L 100mm-400mm IS around and it covers just about anything I want to shoot, and they are tack sharp images...

Thanks. I am going to get something much lighter than the 18-300, it really is a weight.

I am looking at the 24-85 f2.8. I would like the 24-120 but it is really up there in cost and I am already 2K in this past week!

Flash

Don't forget to check eBay out for used lenses. I don't think any of my lenses are new. 10-20 4-5.6, 18-70 3.5-4.5, 80-200 2.8, 300 4.0
The 80-200 2.8 is one of their best. Find the two ring not the slide. Mine is not VR but it does a whale of a job. See the first base shot done with my old 6 meg D50

http://forums.floridasportsman.com/showthread.php?239059-Canon-or-Nikon

Menzies

I got the Nikon 18-300 f 3.5-5.6G ED from an Amazon reseller for $575 all in. It looks brand spanking new, not a mark or scratch on it. Brand new they are ~ $1000.

Flash

Lenses, especially the good ones, are rarely abused. I had someone sell me a Canon 70-200 L 2.8 because they didn't like it. Paid him $400 for it. A steal. Of course I did not have a canon camera, but knew I could turn it around on eBay. After testing it out, sold it for $935 and then bought my Nikon 80-200 ED 2.8. Ended up running me $400, again a steal.

Cane Pole

Menzies wrote: »

I got the Nikon 18-300 f 3.5-5.6G ED from an Amazon reseller for $575 all in. It looks brand spanking new, not a mark or scratch on it. Brand new they are ~ $1000.

You should be good to go!

Remember, shutter speed is king! in other words keep it real high, don't be afraid of high ISO. Never use auto ISO. At a minimum, shutter speed should be twice the focal length you're shooting.

I shoot everything in P mode. For Professional...well, actually program. then I use the +/- exposure compensation for back lit or bright highlights.

Post up, and not tiny little images. Go big. Good luck, welcome to the team.

mississippi mac

I only thought my wife used the program mode, and not often at that....

tim

Cane Pole

I shoot mostly events, high volume, rapidly changing light conditions. Program works well.

I do shoot all manual for concert and sports. And any flash photography. TTL metering

rodz

I find the best way to get exactly what will work for you is to rent what you might like to buy - first.
Although, renting is a far more practical approach if the lens is deathly expensive and will have limited actual use.
There is a shop up your way, www.lensfly.com
Good luck!

John McKroid

My sister does photography for a living.  Keep in mind the lenses can last a lifetime, but the bodies need to be upgraded every 3-5years.