Nikon Camera People - DSLR Christmas Gift Help

[spankis]

I have a Nikon D70 that I've had for a few years now and really enjoyed it. I'm by no means a pro, at all, but I'm continuing to learn as I go.

 

This Christmas, my dad is considering buying my mother ( and kind of himself obviously ) a DSLR to replace their old fuji 5mp point & shoot. I've accumulated some pretty good Nikon glass since I've had my camera, and rarely use the stock lense that came with my D70 body, so I suggested he might buy the body he wants and just inherit that lense. I'm out of the loop on what Nikon's lineup is like at this point, and what would meet the needs of my parents. They take quite a few pictures and do a lot of traveling, so a point and shoot truly won't get the job done.

 

Any suggestions on where I should start as far as current Nikon bodies? What might be a good choice for my parents? Is my idea for initially using my stock lense fine? Thanks for any advice.

 

 

 

P.S. - If I had the money right now, this would be a great opportunity to buy myself a newer, better Nikon body and pass my D70 onto my mother. Not an option at the moment though.

[Tractor]

You could always get yourself a d90 and give them your old one. Kinda need budget info.

[mrs.cos]

I think you should get them a VERY nice Canon Setup

 

Personally, i think that Canon has a MUCH easier learning curve than the Nikon, but thats just me.

[spankis]

Budget is less than a grand DEFINITELY, preferably closer to half of that if possible, for a body alone. All I know is that my new D70s body/lense/batteries combo cost me around $750 when I bought it, about a month after it was discontinued. I would not being willing to go with a refurbished piece in order to fit within budget.

 

Damreds, I don't mind Canon stuff at all, but with all my gear I'm kind of committed to Nikon at this point, and I'm completely happy with it. I also don't want to give up the ease of letting my mother borrow something like my awesome Nikon VR Zoom if she needed it.

 

As far as what they need, they are very outdoors-oriented people, and they do a lot of camping, hiking, kayaking, and the like. Their pictures never turn out as good as they should given the scenery they feature, because they are limited by their point and shoot. In some cases my mother has even reverted back to her one quality film camera in order to ensure that she gets a good picture, which is a shame.

 

Hopefully that helps.

[mrs.cos]

Thats the nice thing about my setup for your parents, they wont NEED to borrow anything.

 

There is a Zoom Lens, a Portrait lens, and an everyday lens, as well as a Flash.

 

Anywhoo.. Im done whoring my shit out..

 

If you are shopping for them, then shop for them and THIER needs, IMHO. What does your mom want out of camera? You obviously want your glass to work on thier camera, so you need to get them somethign that uses the AF-S motors (i assume thats what you have)

 

Do they really want a big DSLR?

Or would they want something a bit more portable like a Panasonic Lumix G1, where they wont have to worry about lens and what not.. (this camera has some REALLY great reviews on all teh photography webites i read, as well as the magazines and was rated as the #1 non full DSLR camera last year) Its the P&S that photographers use, when they dont have their gear with them.. (yah like that ever happens)

[ForeverMaker]

I have a Nikon D5000 and it makes me look like a great photographer -- which I am not, lol. I would recommend it for parents too.

[spankis]

All that is good info, and I'll look into the Lumix cameras. I've heard a little bit about them.

 

I know they like my camera, and they don't mind the size, as they still use their old 35mm ( also Nikon ) on occasion. I let them borrow my D70 for trip to Tennessee last year, and after a brief tutorial on how to use it, my mom actually managed to take a couple frame-worthy pictures that are in their house right now. As for my lenses, yes all are AF-S.

 

Whether the NEED a DSLR is debatable, but whether they would feel comfortable with it isn't really.

[spankis]

I have a Nikon D5000 and it makes me look like a great photographer -- which I am not, lol. I would recommend it for parents too.

 

Yea I've been comparing the D5000 and the D90 somewhat. I'm still learning myself up.

[mrs.cos]

bear in mind that entry level nikon can not use the AF-S lense

[Tractor]

Well a canon 40d and 28-135 IS lens can be had for around 600. It is weather sealed and more than enough camera.

 

I always buy refurb bodies. They are pro grade and can be repaired cheaply if necessary.

[smokin5s]

Buy a used d40...

[944s2]

bear in mind that entry level nikon can not use the AF-S lense

 

But a D5000 can, and for the body alone that would be my choice for an entry level person. I want a D90 after about a year with mine now though, just for ease of use now that I somewhat know what the settings do.

[JaSSon]

If they want to take it hiking, kayaking, etc a DSLR is the complete wrong camera.

[Veritas]

Make sure you get them a monopod and a tripod.

[TTQ B4U]

IMO, find out more about what your parents real needs are. Why does dad want an SLR ? My father was thinking the same thing only because he thinks associates the word camera with SLR and never really considered a P&S anything more than a toy.

 

I talked to them both and showed them what really could be done with a P&S while accomplishing their needs and he was more than shocked.

 

Besides, while many newer DSLR's have much better in camera jpeg processing, they still achieve best results with post processing. In the end IQ of the two types right out of camera are getting closer as is the capability of the newer P&S.

 

I vote for more details on mom and dads needs then we'll come back with a better answer.

[spankis]

Well, seems some think a DSLR is a poor choice, and maybe so. After speaking with my mom, she feels like she already has a pretty decent point and shoot, which they do, and that if she spends any money on a camera it will have to be a DSLR. She feels like any in-between is just going to be a dissapointment, and she might as well spend the money and get what she is SURE she'll be happy with. I keep hearing this "why spend 3 or $400 on a good little camera when a few hundred more will get me a good SLR". It's this idea of partial investment that could be better put toward something superior that she's stuck on....if that makes sense.

 

Now clearly she could just be misinformed, but I'm not sure I entirely disagree.

 

For the comment about hiking with a DSLR as being a bad idea, I've taken mine on damn near every trail inside of Smokey Mountain National Park, without a single issue. If you take care of your things it's really not a problem at all.

 

All the more info I can provide is that they are both in their early 50s, they have pretty good experience using 35mm film cameras and digital point and shoots, although they are willing and able to learn more. My mother has used my D70 and really enjoyed it. They do a lot of hiking, camping ( out of a camper, not a tent ), and kayaking/canoeing all over the place. The camera would obviously also get use at family gatherings and whatnot, as I use mine for now. They are both interested in getting better with their photography, and have expressed interest in learning to do some of the post-processing they've seen me do with my own images.

 

Hopefully that helps.

[Tractor]

I'll agree that P&S cameras produce better JPEG files then DSLR's "straight out of camera." A few main points of DSLR's these days is ability to change lenses and shoot RAW files which are useless to users, but to PRO's they get the full potential of the camera in a file that needs processing to become art.

 

Sounds like they want a DSLR. I wouldn't talk them out of it.

[spankis]

My dad is apparently looking hard at the D90 packages both Best Buy and Cord Camera are peddling right now. I see that it's 12mp to my D70's 7mp, and it has the 720p video capability. I'm reading up right now, but if anybody's familiar a brief breakdown on what's different/improved regarding picture-taking functionality would be helpful.

 

I understand it has a better image sensor, more advanced autofocus ability, performs MUCH better at higher isos, etc. etc. Anything else important? As far as the routine controls and button configurations around the case, all seems pretty comparable to my D70....

[mrs.cos]

I believe that the sensors are the biggest thing that makes the d90 so awesome.

 

has he looked at B and H, Adorama, amazon, or Newegg for pricing yet?

[spankis]

I believe that the sensors are the biggest thing that makes the d90 so awesome.

 

has he looked at B and H, Adorama, amazon, or Newegg for pricing yet?

 

D90 is what he ended up with, I must say holding reminded me alot of my D70. We did check prices online and he could have saved himself a bit of money doing it online, but the available warranty and financing justified purchasing at Best Buy. Thanks for all the input though.