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Q for DSLR camera people

abc

Veteran

We have a Nikon D90 that we absolutely love.

DH will be going out of town and needs the camera at the same time I will go on a trip with the kids. I need a camera for my trip.

At first I was thinking of getting a cheap point and shoot so I could keep it in my purse later for handy snaps of the kids etc. (meaning the camera wouldn't be just for the trip)

But I know the photo quality will be nowhere close to what I'm used to with the D90 and having good pics from this trip is important to me.

Then I thought of picking up a used D90 on eBay. I could use it for my purposes and turn around and resell it - hopefully for about what I paid.

Do you camera people have any other model suggestions? I'm used to the D90 and I trust it for good quality pics so that's why I thought of that one. But I haven't kept up with Nikon's model changes since we bought ours in 2010.

When buying used I know to look for number of shutter clicks and general (overall) condition. And what kind of range is ok vs not? Anything else to look out for?

I will be shooting vaca snapshots so I don't think I need any special lenses. I can get by on a normal one (forgot the specs now). Depending on what I find on ebay, I could keep whatever we wanted and sell the rest so long as it is compatible with our existing D90.

Thoughts? Ideas? Suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

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26 replies

Latest reply was from minimalist

Deborah

Veteran

I have a NikonD5100 but I know very little about cameras. ABC why don't you message Aida, Greg or Jenava as they each have a special interest in photography but may not see this post:) xxx

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I use a D60; I also have a point and shoot - I use a Fujifilm x20.

abc

Veteran

Thanks, Deborah and lyn*. PMing Aida now

Astrid

Veteran

My question is, do you do a lot of things manually with the D90? Or do you just use the automatic program and trust in the camera producing nice pictures? If it's the latter I would buy a good quality point and shoot camera. Of course you don't have depth of field blur and the option to change lenses with a serious compact camera, but if you would just use something like a 18-55 (?) on the Nikon anyway you don't need that option. And if you don't like to play around with the camera and just want nice snapshots a better quality compact should be all you need. Maybe something like the Olympus XZ-2 I was looking at, or the Canon Powershot S120 Aida just bought. They both produce very good pics out of camera if you don't want to do the work. Of course you can ignore what I said if you do like to play around with the D90! As for buying the same one used, I would consider what lenses you already have for your existing camera. So that you buy a lens you can definitely keep afterwards, as an expansion or upgrade. I would try to avoid reselling. Especially because when you resell the whole camera, you might have the same problem again in the future!

ETA

Here's a thread with example pictures of the Olympus XZ-2 (in German, sorry). Just so you can see what you can do with a good compact camera if you know what you're doing.

http://www.dslr-forum.de/showthread.php?t=1170987

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

You might also consider a micro four-thirds camera. It's half-way between a point and shoot and a full blown DSLR. They are not as big as DSLR.
I have a Panasonic Lumix.

abc

Veteran

Astrid, thanks for your very wise answer. I usually keep the D90 in auto mode - I'm ashamed to admit.

I also must admit I hadn't budgeted for this expense so buying used and reselling was my grand idea to try to save the hit on the pocketbook. But that's not to say we can't afford a new camera if that makes the most sense.

I guess I was thinking of a point and shoot more in the 100-200 usd range which I knew would not compare photo quality wise with the D90.

I looked up the Canon you mentioned Aida bought and it's more than I wanted to spend but it looks like a great option. It would be nice to have a smaller camera I can carry with me all of the time.

I told DH my eBay idea and he said why not get a Canon DSLR used so we can compare it to our Nikon. Food for thought.

So now I'm even more confused haha

Guess it comes down to money (as always) and use beyond just this one trip.

Thanks again.

abc

Veteran

Anna, thanks for weighing in. I haven't heard the term micro four-thirds before so I'm off to research. Which model Lumix do you have if you don't mind sharing?

Astrid

Veteran

I do like Anna's suggestion, those are very nice cameras. But I think getting one makes only sense if you plan to further invest in lenses in the future. Having two different camera systems might be a bit much (same for getting a Canon). Especially because a micro four-thirds camera with a great lens is a bigger expense than a compact camera. Seriously, for the money you pay for a Canon DSLR with beginner's lens you get one or two better quality lenses for your Nikon. Normally you go for a system and then upgrade your lenses over time, until your body gets too old to use and then you buy a new body to use with the existing lenses. That's if you're serious about photography. For me the decision would be about more Nikon or a compact as an alternative to take along in the future "just in case".

abc

Veteran

Astrid, you have been so helpful with your replies. You're pointing out things I hadn't even thought of. Thank you SO much.

I'm now leaning toward the compact so I can have it as a "throw in the bag" camera for the future.

Astrid

Veteran

No problem. I'm in the same boat at the moment, that's why I've done so much thinking about it. I have an old Canon DSLR from 2006. The body is alright, but my main lens has given up on me and my second lens isn't good for everyday use (inexpensive prime lens for portraits). I'm hesitant to buy more Canon because the body is so old anyway, it would be a good time to switch if I wanted to, maybe to the system Anna mentioned (although I'm leaning more towards Olympus than Panasonic). Or maybe getting a nice compact for Scotland and stay with Canon and replace my lens later on... I'm still not sure what I want to do.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I think it's this one. I can't remember the exact model number
http://www.amazon.com/Panasoni.....o&ie=
I do like have a point and shoot still. Especially if I'm going out and want a camera that I can put in my purse.

AviaMariah

Veteran

I didn't read through the thread so sorry if this is a repeat. Do you have a smart phone? I have a Canon Rebel but find that I use the camera on my smartphone (iphone for me) for everyday pics and traveling. I always have it on hand so I don't miss pictures that I otherwise probably would. Some of the smartphone cameras are as good if not better than your average point and click.

Astrid

Veteran

If you like the Canon S120 Aida has, have you looked for the S110? It's the older model, but still available online (at least in Germany). Much cheaper now, of course. And the picture quality is supposed to be very good too. You often get a good deal if you don't buy the newest model and you still get a good camera. I think Amazon had the S110 for 200€ a few weeks ago.

abc

Veteran

Anna, thanks for sharing the model.

AviaMariah, yes, I have an iPhone and iPad but this is an important vacation with the kids so I want really good pics and intend to make a gift album for family afterwards. So I want very good pics. Better than I can get on my phone or iPad, which usually suffice for those types of situations. Thanks for the suggestion though!

Astrid - going to look up the older model. Now you're really getting me excited. I don't mind buying a model back as long as it's pretty close and has good reviews. Sounds promising. What made you lean toward the Olympus over the Canon, just curious?

I'm usually an "analysis paralysis" person but I'm under the gun here. We leave in two weeks so I need to decide soon. Thanks for sharing your research and recommendations with me.

Astrid

Veteran

The Olympus has a lot more options to manually adjust when you take pictures (so buttons instead of having to go into the camera menu). So more of an DSLR feel still. It is also possible to add a big normal flash or an electronic viewfinder to the camera, if that's an option you'd like to have (not so important for me). It's bigger overall, so you'd rather wear it on a strap around the neck instead of putting it in a pocket like the canon. The Canon is clearly a compact camera, fine for automatic mode and small enough for putting it into your coat pocket. The Olympus is bigger and allows for more (or better said easier) playing, if you miss that too much coming from a DSLR. The Canon has more wide angle than the Olympus, but the Olympus lens has more speed. At the beginning it has 1.8 (in comparison to Canon's 2.0), not a big difference. But at the end the Olympus still has 2.5 and the Canon only 5.9! So the Olympus is the better option for low light pics if you don't want to use a flash (or increase ISO).

ETA

Here's a comparison of the size:

http://j.mp/1lqAqzD#sthash.YT1UD11q.dpuf

Oh and the Olympus lens is really good, it's branded as Zuiko. It's one of their better lenses they normally use only in higher priced models. Not to say that the Canon isn't good. But look at those XZ-2 pics, totally amazing:

http://robinwong.blogspot.de/2.....treet.html

(It's a great review in Englisch btw, testing practical use, not just numbers and so on).

Rambling Ann

(website)

Veteran

FWIW I teach photography to adult learners and talk a lot about gear and maximizing happiness with household income. The new high-end P&S camera will exceed the D90, most brands like Nikon or Canon or Olympus.

A friend of mine runs http://http//www.photographyreview.com and I trust his reviews. He has some nice top ten camera lists.

One option is to look for a used D7000, has compatible lenses with the D90, sell the D90 afterwards. I wouldn't buy the 5100-5200 series, the ones I see in class have serious ergonomics issues (too much reliance on menus rather than dedicated buttons like you have now).

My favorite Nikon lens for the kind of trip you are talking about is the 18-200, kind of the Swiss army knife of lenses. Most people need better lenses before they upgrade the camera machine itself. New body+old lenses doesn't generally get as much bang for buck as the other way around. They don't get sold used much, but that means your resale value should be good if you buy new and don't want to keep it.

Canon puts buttons in very different spots than Nikon, most of the time I think just to be different. But if you are used to one and like it, it's a good idea for an important event to stick with the system you know, unless you have time to learn the other and practice.

abc

Veteran

Rambling Ann, thanks for weighing in! Wow, I guess things have changed quite a bit since we bought the D90. I have been stunned by the quality of the photos from that camera - so if now a P&S can meet or exceed that, I am going to be thrilled!

Since we are already Nikon users with a body and two lenses, no need to go muddying the waters with Canon. It was an idea, but I think a short lived one for the points you and Astrid so smartly pointed out.

I will check into the used D7000s.

RA, do you have any specific P&S recommendations or just see your friend's site for his ideas?

abc

Veteran

I should also mention, I suppose, that anything we buy we can likely sell here locally for more than we pay (I have the benefit of buying at US prices and selling locally where the market prices are higher)

abc

Veteran

Just checked. We have:
D90 body
18-105 lens
70-300 lens

We use the 18-105 lens about 95% of the time.

Ann, I quite like your idea of getting the D7000 and then selling the D90 later.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

My Dad had a highly rated Olympus point and shoot a few years ago. I had a Panasonic Lumix point and shoot. We went to Iceland. All his pictures of the snow, the white balance was way off. It looked too dark.
Maybe they've improved though.

Aida

Veteran

Loads of good responses! I agree with the idea of sticking to Nikon if you're getting another DSLR, partially because it'll be familiar and partially because if it comes with a lens you don't already have you can keep it and just resell the base. I also rather like the idea of getting the newer DSLR body and then selling the older one. For your vaca photos if you're going to be primarily taking photos of the kids I'd take the 70-300 lens, but your hubby will probably also want that lens for wedding photos Basically whoever you anticipate taking more portraits of people photos should get that telescoping lens. The 18-105 is plenty versatile for typical vacation shots, you just lose the extreme zoom of the 300. Now if you do want a proper wide angle lens and can find a body that comes with one, great. I doubt you're looking at primes, but a 50 is a good general-purpose-wide-enough lens.

All that said, if you would rather have a smaller camera for your trip there is a class of compact cameras which many refer to as the "enthusiast" class which has lots more options to tinker with. The Canon S120 P&S I have is in that category; its predecessor is a fine camera as well, and certainly much less expensive (some info comparing the two here). The Olympus Astrid mentioned is a great camera too. For me the DSLR feel was not important, and I know that I like Canon's color profile for my skin. And since my camera will be taking my outfit photos for probably 90% of its duties, that was a very important factor for me. What can I say, vanity I also like how tough they are; I've already thrown mine across the driveway a few times and it's doing OK ><

Some other cameras in the "enthusiast" class: Nikon Coolpix P340, Sony RX100 II, Panasonic Lumix LF1 or LX7, Fujifilm X20, and Olympus XZ2.

If you shoot primarily in auto modes, then it may be worth looking into the types of auto modes that are available to see which ones suit you. I don't use them often, but will say that the S120 has an HDR mode which I've found really useful for photos in the sun. Not great for movement in those situations, but for stiller shots it's easier than trying to do the HDR processing myself on the computer.

Irene

Veteran

I use my Canon 50D, which is now 6 years old (4 with me, time does fly by!) when I want to take really pretty photos (I use a 50 1.8 to get blurry bakcgrounds and cool close-ups) but for trips and normal photos I use an EVIL camera. Mine was dirty cheap (340 with lenses) but you can have them from 300 euros to 4000, so... The good thing about EVIL cameras is that they have great sensors but are quite smaller than your DSLR (especially the 50D, which is quite heavy).

abc

Veteran

Anna, thanks for the extra info.

Aida, as always your post was super informative. You saved me hours of research right there. Thanks again.

Thanks to everyone for taking the time to respond.

Rambling Ann

(website)

Veteran

I thought of another option: rent a camera for either trip. I've used Borrowlenses.com, but your local camera shop, if such exists, is another way and there are other on-line vendors. That way you can try before you buy anything, and if you are still happy with the D90, you don't have to deal with reselling another machine.

For shopping I would just use the site, but features I look for in a P&S are: button to turn flash OFF, ON and auto; dedicated button for exposure compensation, then image quality samples. And how long it takes to power up and shutter lag. Those are the things people hate about their P&S: takes too long to make a picture and the moment is gone.

My latest P&S is a Nikon waterproof camera that I can carry in the field and not worry if a goat jumps on me or I fall in the irrigation ditch. Both of these happen far too often.

Astrid

Veteran

Many more great tips in this thread... Let us know when you've decided! I'd love to hear about what you've bought and why.

minimalist

Veteran

Echoing Aida's suggestion of the Sony RX100 (or ii) as an excellent compact.