Advice Wanted DSLR choices

mnhoj

gee aahrr
Location
Los Angeles
Name
John
I have a work colleague interested in getting an ILC.
He's a big guy with huge hands so I think a dslr may work better for him.
As well as the fact that he's budget constrained, likes the look of shallow dof and wants good AF tracking.

He's mostly interest in photographing his young, quick kids but would like to try landscapes and off camera flash down the road.
He's not a a stranger to buying used on market forums.

I'm thinking FF dslr.
I've seen very attractive pricing of late. Especially the D610.
Also with the benefit of a very nice assortment of high value lenses for later.

I'm thinking maybe a D610, 50mm 1.8G and a Tamron 28-75 2.8 or Nikon 28-105, 24-85, etc.
If he's patient he could probably find that for $800-900 which is his budget for hardware.

What say you?

Thanks.
 
Go for a D750 over the D600/D610. The D6## series uses the 39 point AF system from the APS-C D7000, it's a bit tight and doesn't cover as much of the frame. The D750 uses the 51 point system, it's a little tighter than in the D800/D810, but still much better than the 39 point system and much better in lower light (the AF that is since the D6## and D750 use the same sensor).

He could also look at a D800/D810 or even a D3/D3s. The Big body D3/D3s aren't my pick for landscapes, but they'd track the kids for years to come. The D800/D810 would be great for landscapes, but they are big files when you're shooting off a burst chasing kids around.
 
If his budget allows for it, the D750 has the better AF in all respects than the D610 - otherwise, the D610 is a fine choice indeed.

The old Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 (the new one is only avaiable for Sony FE!) is a slow focusing lens IIRC - you'd sort of kill the advantages of having a fast focusing camera (the D610 is no slouch, just a little less sure of itself than the D750). My personal tip for someone who's not afraid of the size and weight would be the Sigma 24-105mm f/4 Art - that can be had for comparatively little money and is a very good performer, optically as well as far as AF is concerned. I have not yet have the opportunity to try the Nikon 28-105mm AF-D; it's said to be a good lens optically, but I don't know enough about its AF performance ...

Otherwise, yes, the 50mm f/1.8G is great. Together with the Sigma, quite a wonderful combo.

M.

EDIT: Should have known that David would get there first (Nikon D750 ...) :)
 
D750 bar none. The D750 has been so good for me, it's kept me from upgrading to the Z6, D810, D850, D4 and even the D780 which is the direct replacement. It has a perfect combination of features, image quality and price. The D6xx bodies are okay, but for slightly more the D750 is just better in every metric. Nikon screwed up big time not offering a grip to the D780 and Z6. The lack of grip has made me skip both those cameras! I'll probably just get a D850 once I can get one for under $1000 USD!

In regards to lenses, I'd just hunt down a cheap 24-85mm VR and a 50mm 1.8 G and call it a day!

This whole set was shot two D750 bodies, and I was shooting against D4S, 1DXmk3 and Z6 shooters. I still schooled them!
 
I have the Tamron 28-75 f2.8 and use it on my D700 and focus is fast (enough) for me. Mind you I no longer chase the kids around trying to capture the moment.
I think that if he has big hands he may find the D600/610 a little cramped and would suggest either a D750/8** for the extra room around his fingers, of course this comes with a weight hit.
I have never got around to upgrading my D700 as it does what I want, which is mostly landscape and urban. I am also only a small fella at 5'4" but find I have no trouble with the weight or size of the D700.
 
Thank you mucho Guys!

I didn't realize that the D750 was even in range.
I think that and the 50 G will be an excellent start.
He can save and wait a little on a zoom. He should be very happy with that.

@davidzvi - I didn't realize that the 800 and D3 were also close. I guess I have to realize that it's 2020 and the excellent high dollar tech breakthroughs back then are all becoming excellent values in today's market.
@MoonMind - the 24-105 looks pretty darn good for the money
@Jonathan F/2 - mind and body > technology
@Harry Cutts - I loved the D700. If it wasn't for GAS I'd probably still have mine and the 28-75.

This research has gotten my Nikon FX inner longings flowing again.
Oh crap.
 
This research has gotten my Nikon FX inner longings flowing again.
Oh crap.
There's a reason why I never got out of Nikon DSLRs in the first place - and still see no reason to let the D750 go (I've considered it several times, but it'd be unwise). I'd probably just end up with another one over time. And the one I have has had everything ironed out - very reliable.

That said, for day-to-day shooting, both the Z6 and the Olympus E-M5 III trump it ...

Good luck with all aspects of this process :)

M.
 
Oh I missed the lens question, The 28-105 suck, hated it all the years I owned it and the macro was worthless.

28-105 (12 of 12).jpg
Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
 
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I have a work colleague interested in getting an ILC.
He's a big guy with huge hands so I think a dslr may work better for him.
As well as the fact that he's budget constrained, likes the look of shallow dof and wants good AF tracking.

He's mostly interest in photographing his young, quick kids but would like to try landscapes and off camera flash down the road.
He's not a a stranger to buying used on market forums.

I'm thinking FF dslr.
I've seen very attractive pricing of late. Especially the D610.
Also with the benefit of a very nice assortment of high value lenses for later.

I'm thinking maybe a D610, 50mm 1.8G and a Tamron 28-75 2.8 or Nikon 28-105, 24-85, etc.
If he's patient he could probably find that for $800-900 which is his budget for hardware.

What say you?

Thanks.

FF Nikons are great, I have one, but I'm not sure they're for your colleague when compared to Canons, given the criteria you used. The principal reason for this is that they're heavier than their Canon counterparts, a big factor if capturing young quick kids over sustained periods of time, in the short or long term. Plus you've never really heard someone say they don't like Canons because they do crappy landscapes have you. And bang for buck, the Canon lenses are obviously great in terms of rendering and value, especially used.
 
If his budget allows for it, the D750 has the better AF in all respects than the D610 - otherwise, the D610 is a fine choice indeed......
The D600/610 aren't bad bodies. But I would not get the D600, I'd opt for the D610 instead. There were issues with the D600 and the D610 was basically a quick fix update release.

For me for events, I had problems with the D600. The narrow point spread made rule of thirds framing a challenge with moving subjects. Coming from a pair of D700's with the 51 point system it was frustrating.


Wonderful twist, David. And very nice shots to prove your point. I had GAS for that lens once - but owning the 24-105mm Art made the idea of getting one kind of frivolous ...

M.
It's funny, the Nikon 28-105 were what got me into M4/3. My wife and I were headed out on a road trip and the smallest kit I had was a D700 and the 28-105. I picked up an E-PM1 and kit lens to try. That kit was lighter than the 28-105 lens alone.
 
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I used the 28-105 with a D700 for quite awhile. I really liked the lens.
It was affordable, had a nice range, F4.5 at the long end, decent screw driven AF speed, close focus and decent output.
It wouldn't come close to Matt's suggestion of the 24-105 but I have seen nice looking copies for less than $100.
And Tamron's are in the $200 range. Did see a lot of copies with the oxidized rubber that drove me crazy back then.

@rayvonn I delved into the Canon system long ago for a short time with a 5DC and 40D. Had a great time with the glass. Especially the value L.
Just seems like the D750 is better from my quick analysis.
 
While I understand that the D750 is a superior camera, a new, with manufacturer's warranty D610 with a 50mm 1.8 (and battery grip) for $896.95 is IMO a smoking deal. I believe the D610 and the Df have the same AF system which, while not state of the art, is perfectly workable.
 
@ajramirez The deal that started my train of thought. Could be worth it down the road. I've never had a used purchase body fail on me - knock on wood. And I'd hate to have it happen to him.
 
It's funny, the Nikon 28-105 were what got me into M4/3. My wife and I were headed out on a road trip and the smallest kit I had was a D700 and the 28-105. I picked up an E-PM1 and kit lens to try. That kit was lighter than the 28-105 lens alone.
I remember much the same thing for my D90 and the Nikon 16-85mm - that's quite a competent kit, but when I set down the E-PM1 and the 20mm f/1.7 I had bought for it, the 16-85mm (which isn't a big lens) looked and felt bulkier than the whole E-PM1 setup (I think the :mu43: combo actually did weigh less!).

M.
 
I had one of those M43 moments.
I'd been shooting for a few months. PM1, 14, 20 and 45.
My son came over with his D700 and I freaked out.
The camera that I had sworn was an extension of my hand had suddenly grown into a bowling ball.
 
Funny, but for me it's been the opposite. Id been using m4/3 since 2011 and when I picked up a D3200 last fall, it was wonderful. And a few months later the D7100 was even more so. I find myself carrying a camera every day again and shooting constantly.
 
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