Which NIKON camera to buy?

mcguire717 · Oct 20, 2011

Originally I had my mind set in the canon 7d camera now I'm not so sure. If you had to recommend a dslr for pic taking of children and families which one and what multi purpose lens would you choose?

Derrel · Oct 20, 2011

Nikon D7000. Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8.

rgregory1965 · Oct 20, 2011

D7000 and dont look back

Kerbouchard · Oct 20, 2011

Nikon D90, 18-105, and an SB600.

Much cheaper than Derrel's kit, a lot more flexible, and much better results out of the gate.

Now, if you would give a budget, we might be able to fine tune our suggestions...

mcguire717 · Oct 20, 2011

My budget max is $2000 for the camera body and lenses.

Kerbouchard · Oct 20, 2011

mcguire717 said:
My budget max is $2000 for the camera body and lenses.

If you're not opposed to used, there is a pretty good deal on a D7000, lens, flash, cards, etc... over at the buy/sell section.
http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/buy-sell/260202-nikon-package-deal-d7000-plus-extras.html

Would leave you enough money for a general purpose lens, like the 18-105, or you could play with the 85 1.8 for a while, and if you don't like it, sell it and get the 16-85.

Personally, I would still go with the D90 and save a bit of cash for when I knew exactly what I wanted to upgrade, but you really can't go wrong in either case.

mcguire717 · Oct 20, 2011

My friend has the d90 and likes it. She just recently upgraded to the NIKON d3s I believe. She is a photographer who mainly specializes in family and kids photos. This is what I would like to eventually do. So I'm thinking the d90 may be a good stepping stone until I can get comfortable and good at this. What lens is suggested for taking full body and facial portraits in natural light for the d90 then?

2WheelPhoto · Oct 20, 2011

Derrel said:
Nikon D7000. Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8.

^^^^^^^^^^^^that

mcguire717 · Oct 20, 2011

What are the thoughts on the 35mm lens on the NIKON d90 ?.

TheFantasticG · Oct 20, 2011

mcguire717 said:
My friend has the d90 and likes it. She just recently upgraded to the NIKON d3s I believe. She is a photographer who mainly specializes in family and kids photos. This is what I would like to eventually do. So I'm thinking the d90 may be a good stepping stone until I can get comfortable and good at this. What lens is suggested for taking full body and facial portraits in natural light for the d90 then?

Whoa. From a D90 to a D3s? That's quite a jump. Personally, if I had that budget and I wanted to do portraits, I'd get a used D90 and used Nikon 28-70 2.8 or 35-70 2.8. Both of which will work on FX as well.

Patrice · Oct 20, 2011

TheFantasticG said:
Whoa. From a D90 to a D3s? That's quite a jump.

Not really. She's a photographer specializing in family and kids and she may be earning some dosh doing it. She upgraded from a pretty decent dx body to a good full frame body, and since she could afford it, I think it is a natural and sensible upgrade.

TheFantasticG · Oct 25, 2011

Middle of the Line DX to Top of the Line FX is a helluva jump. Great for her she could afford it. If I wasn't married, I'd be pimping one as well

KmH · Oct 25, 2011

The D3s isn't top-of-the-line, though it's close. The D3x is the top-of-the-line, and is for doing portrait work.

The D3s is primarily intended for shooting action sports. No doubt, the D3s can also shoot portraiture.