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Jadoon
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I need to buy DSLR for product photography as a first requirement and hobby photography (landscape etc) as a second requirement. Your suggestions are welcomed. Specially with the following points in mind, which model is preferred?. Budget is around $500. I am open for Cannon product as well. 1- Later I will buy some extra lens, so basic camera functions should be enough for learning and also I don't want to change the basic camera very soon. Because spending on lenses is more important I guess. 2- Is DSLR basic Lens usually comes with camera (18-55mm) enough for product photography of say a button up to a shirt? (lightning will be considered good) 3-If adding a little more to my budget (for basic camera) can be considered only for some important reasons. Thanks for your time. |
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Gilbert Sandberg
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J, Welcome. I do not think $500 will cover your needs. The swivel-monitor of the Nikon 5nnn series may come in handy (but does add to the vulberability if used outside or in any hostile environment). Close-up is not a strong point of any kit-lens, a Micro-Nikkor 40mm for DX camera's may be required. The Nikon 18-55 lenses (many variants exist) have never impressed me, a 18-105 Nikkor is more versatile. Regards, Gilbert |
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Jadoon
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Thanks Gilbert. Just a point of consideration i have that what basic camera you suggest (specific model/s) beside the lenses. I will buy lenses later some time until I get some experience on basics. Regards |
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Gilbert Sandberg
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J, re: later I am sorry but do not understand your remark. In my part of the world cameras can be bought without a lens, so one needs at least one lens (or a bundled kit-lens) Regards, Gilbert |
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Jadoon
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Sorry I cannot make my self clear. Here just see the link http://www.shophive.com/canon-eos-600d-18-135-lens it includes one lens, although its not Nikon. Its Canon having price ~$700 Here is Nikon http://www.shophive.com/nikon-d7000-with-18-105-mm-lense Anyway I got some idea from your first reply. Regards |
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Gilbert Sandberg
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J, I cannot judge the link you give or its pricing. In Europe the D7000 is not available new any more, it is model from the year 2010. The D7100/7200 and D5200/5300/5500 etc are. If you are comfortable with the kit-lens that is included in the offer: go for it. My remark on kit lenses in general is to urge one to make an informed decision, many people buy the 18-55 without thinking (and discard that lens not long after, grin) Regards, Gilbert |
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jk
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Welcome to the forum Jadoon. A D7000 is only available as a second hand camera in Europe and USA but it is still a very good camera. If this camera is what you can afford or buy then it will give good results with a good lens. The lens is probably as important or more important than the camera. |
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Jadoon
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Really Thanks for both of you. As I am a newbie what you suggest based on your experience? for a product and family photography which camera body and lens should I buy? So that after gaining some experience, this camera later may become second camera with another lens on it, rather than throwing away. May be two or three model suggestion make me some room to decide. I want to start and learn while doing some product photography. The Budget of course is limited but can be tolerated higher for good reason. Thanks again for your time. Regards |
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Gilbert Sandberg
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Jadoon, The goals you mention are way too vague to give any clear advice. Family pictures can be made with any camera, ther is no optimum choice. As indicated: if one does a lot of product photography (as in studio, tropd and extra lighting), a swivel monitor (as on the D5nnn series) may come in handy. But then again, if you want quality high-res product photos, one needs a true Micro Nikkor lens (at aextra cost) Regards, Gilbert |
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Eric
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Jadoon Welcome. I did a lot of product photography some years back....mainly tabletop items like shoes, electrical equipment, ornaments, food, brass and stainless components. The choice of camera is not THAT important provided it is sat on a sturdy tripod. Product photography is more about lighting. So having good lights, reflectors are more important. The same is true about lens choice. For tabletop items where you are working close, it is more common to use small fstops to give more depth of field. ( unless you deliberately need to restrict depth of field for artistic effect.) So most lenses, even zooms, will give good results at say..f8. I've used the D7000... It's a nice camera. But it's no better than the lesser Nikon cameras like the D5500 and D3300 models. What is sometimes useful in studio is a tilting screen. It enables you to shoot more easily, at lower or higher angles as product may require. You can also get tighter focus using an enlarged rear screen. As a lens recommendation I would go for the 18-105 lens. You will be surprised how in studio having a longer lens becomes useful. It gets you away from light stands, it diminishes your reflection in shiny objects. I used to shoot brass door handles with a 300mm lens from across the studio...where I was hidden in darkness. I hope that gives you some help. |
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Jadoon
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Eric wrote:Jadoon Thanks Eric Yes you are right the light is the key factor. I have not only done some home work on it, but also on photographic tent etc etc. Just one more thing, about image Stabilization, in D7000 or D5500, no image stabilization, does it matters? I did not check it yet but I guess there will be lens stabilization on a 18-140mm lens. So any suggestions. Regards |
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Robert
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Hi Jadoon, Welcome to the forum. With close up photography and especially with a tripod mounted camera, which is essential in my opinion, the VR, or image stabilisation does not work, in fact using VR on a tripod can actually induce vibration in the lens. Likewise I don't use AF in these circumstances, far better to place the focal point where YOU want it rather than where the AF thinks it should be. I am a great fan of the 18-105 lens, it's very sharp for a DX lens and I find it a very useful range for general photography. Mine is almost always attached to my D3100. |
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Gilbert Sandberg
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Jadoon, re: IS Unlike some other brands, Nikon builds VR (Image stabilising) into some lenses, not in the camera. One remark: It may be helpful to some/sometimes, but is no guarantee for un-moved pictures! I read recently of a (beginner-) user who complained that shots amde with something like an 800 mm lens were not sharp at a shutter speed of 1/60, no one is his/her right mind would even try. Regards, |
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Eric
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Jadoon wrote:Eric wrote: As Robert and Gilbert have said, VR isn't the complete answer. Apart from the fact that VR shouldn't be used with a tripod as it causes vibration, it's a fact that VR doesn't work as well, if at all, on close subjects. I believe Nikon say at less than 1metre, VR is less effective. Some table top photography might be that close, I certainly found that VR on the 105 MACRO lens was useless! I still believe that a tripod is better than a monopod....a monopod is better than VR. However, with the high ISO capabilities of newer Nikons, there should be no reason why when hand holding, you cannot select a shutter speed fast enough to remove camera shake and still get good images. |
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Jadoon
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Thanks indeed! all of you. Regards |
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jk
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I hope you have all the information that you need to make a good purchase. If you need more help in the future then just ask. |
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Jadoon
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jk wrote:I hope you have all the information that you need to make a good purchase. Yes, I have all information. Today I went to local Nikon distributor, there is a bundle offer which is as follow: Option-1: D5500 with kit lens(18-55mm)+Lens(AF-S DX 55-200mm f4-5.6G ED VR II) for $715 One Year Warranty. Option-2: If I go for (without kit lens), that is D5500 Body+ 18-140mm ("f"-I don't remember now), then it will be as follows:
So what should I go for option-1 or option-2? if in case option-2 then part #1 or #2. (one more thing if I go for D5500+kit lens (18-55mm) it will be $590) Thanks and Regards |
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Eric
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Jadoon wrote:jk wrote: I would go for option 1. The 55-200 is quite a good lens. Many people use that lens on the camera most of the time. The 18-55 can suffer from a bit of edge distortion at 18mm but as long as you don't fill the frame you can crop the edges. The 18-105 for some reason is much better. For studio work you may also find the 55-200 more useful...you just have to stand a bit further back from the subject. For this reason it's also good for portraits...you aren't right in the face of the sitter, which can make them intimidated and assume stiff facial expressions. Go for it!  As a further point....try reading Ken Rockwells review of the D5500 here... http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d5500.htm#rex Although I don't particularly like Ken Rockwell style or reporting approach, he does know a thing or two about Nikon cameras. |
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jk
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The D5300 is a very good alternative and should be cheaper than the D5500. Of your options I would go for the Option 1. |
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Eric
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jk wrote:The D5300 is a very good alternative and should be cheaper than the D5500. That's true. If the D5300 is an option, it's functionally the same! http://www.dpreview.com/products/compare/side-by-side?products=nikon_d5300&products=nikon_d5500 |
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Jadoon
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Thanks For the replies. Tomorrow I will go and look if D5300 is cheaper for $150 or more I will go for it. otherwise D5500. |
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Eric
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Jadoon wrote:Thanks For the replies. Let us know what you buy...and show us some of your photos! Good Luck |
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Jadoon
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Eric wrote:Jadoon wrote: Sure I will. But what a pity that I cannot take photo of D5500 Camera from itself.  I have to take from my mobile. I will share and discussed the results from this camera. Thanks and Regards |
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Eric
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Jadoon wrote:Eric wrote: Use angled mirrors and put the camera on its timer setting?  |
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Jadoon
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Hats off to you.  |
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Jadoon
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I have purchased the camera D5500, (D5300 was not in stock, lead time was one week and also its price difference was under $110). As I decided to go for my Option-1 (offer was D5500 with kit lens(18-55mm)+Lens (55-200mm f4-5.6G ED VR II). I will surely show you some picture taken later when I get some familiarity. One thing I am confused with, that the model printed on Warranty card is "AF-S DX 18-55mm VRII" and on the packing box "AF-P DX Nikkor 18-55mm" but surprisingly both have same serial #, Lens is also AF-P, is this OK? Attached are pics of both. Today is Sunday, before asking them, I can have a opinion from you. By the way I did not notice is at the distributor shop. Regards Attachment: WarrantyCard.jpg (Downloaded 20 times) |
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Jadoon
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Here is the Packing Box pic Attachment: PackingBox.jpg (Downloaded 19 times) |
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Robert
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I would take the warranty certificate as accurate. The box may be old stock which they are using up, with latest VRII lens in it. They will print many boxes at a time to keep printing costs down and then update the lens before all the boxes are used up. Packaging can vary from actual contents. Notice the lens number is printed on on a label stuck on to the box, probably printed as the warranty was printed, to avoid mistakes. Have fun! |
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jk
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Well it seems the camera and lens are purchased so now you have the fun of going to take photos. Enjoy your new camera. |
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Eric
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Robert wrote:I would take the warranty certificate as accurate. The box may be old stock which they are using up, with latest VRII lens in it. They will print many boxes at a time to keep printing costs down and then update the lens before all the boxes are used up. Hmmm! I think it's the reverse. The P models are the latest additions to Nikon line up with new quieter stepper motors. There is apparently no difference in optical performance. They are slightly more expensive than the AFS version. Of course the lens itself will have AFS or AFP painted on it...so that will clarify which lens has been sent. The point here is...does the warranty paperwork match the serial number stamped on the lens itself? |
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Robert
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Either way it will still take nice photographs. No need to get too hung up on exactly what technology. My old manual focus AI lenses still turn out remarkable images. As they say on some car forums, "It's the nut behind the wheel that really counts!". |
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Jadoon
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Robert wrote:I would take the warranty certificate as accurate. The box may be old stock which they are using up, with latest VRII lens in it. They will print many boxes at a time to keep printing costs down and then update the lens before all the boxes are used up. Actually the Lens inside is same as Box, that is, AF-P here its pic. I have check the specs of both lens, no major difference I noticed. Regards. Attachment: Lens.jpg (Downloaded 19 times) |
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Eric
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Robert wrote:Either way it will still take nice photographs. No need to get too hung up on exactly what technology. My old manual focus AI lenses still turn out remarkable images. I suspect the concern was more about the consistency and hence validity of the paperwork in the event of a warranty repair, rather than which technology he had bought. |
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Eric
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Jadoon wrote:Robert wrote:what is the serial number stamped on the lens body? If it's the same as the paperwork then you are ok. |
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Jadoon
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It is same serial number on the lens body. What I wonder, (if it make any difference that) there are no switches on the lens body. One is Auto-Manual and other switch is VR ON-OFF. Which I think is on the AF-S models, not on AF-P. So it is my main point. |
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Eric
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Jadoon wrote:It is same serial number on the lens body. What I wonder, (if it make any difference that) there are no switches on the lens body. One is Auto-Manual and other switch is VR ON-OFF. Which I think is on the AF-S models, not on AF-P. So it is my main point. Ok...your photo doesn't show any switches...so that is P lens. This is what the S lens looks like... http://www.dpreview.com/products/nikon/lenses/nikon_18-55_3p5-5p6_gii_dx |
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Jadoon
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Ok...your photo doesn't show any switches...so that is P lens. Yes I know that. Thanks. Of course P and S lens both can take pictures. Actually if there is not much cost difference in S and P and do not have more option in S then P, I will not pursue it, otherwise I will. Thanks Eric for your time. |
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Eric
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Jadoon wrote:Ok...your photo doesn't show any switches...so that is P lens. Not a problem...we are always a friendly helpful group. As Robert said...you just need to use the lens you have and not worry. The paperwork showing S instead of P is probably a clerical error. What's important is the serial number matching the lens if you ever need warranty repair. But hopefully this will never be required. As far as the switches on lenses are concerned.....in my experience I rarely use them! They stay fixed in the position they were when I bought the lens. In fact on my wife's Panasonic camera the switches are a problem ...because the left hand holding the lens moves them accidentally causing changes to the camera functions. Many pro photographers 'fix' with duct tape, the knobs and switches around their cameras to avoid accidental movements. So having a lens with no switches could be a blessing. Get out there and enjoy the new camera, |
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Jadoon
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Yes Eric, Thanks and I already have gain some familiarity for different shutter speed and aperture on this camera, then I will move forward to have more information on other things as well, in order to get most what I want. I will show you some of my result when I get some confidence. Thanks and have a nice day. Regards |
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