is the D7000 worth buying?

KnockKnock

The 85mm 1.8G would probably be my first choice - just based on reviews and considering it's low price. Yeah something that goes to 200mm at 2.8 would be great, but much more money. Maybe next the 105mm 2.8 next. Both are on sale in the U.S. for the rest of the week I think. That would get you 2-3 stops improvement: 1/250s vs 1/60 or 1/30s.

spraynpray

For reasonable money, you should get the 85 and the 18-105. Without spending huge money you will not get long focal length for frame filling shots but at least you will get some shots with the 85 f1.8. The 18-105 is a very good general purpose kit lens at its price.

Keemo

That clicking sound you hear is me pulling the trigger!

Thanks, everyone, for you input. I'll still be around but consumed by the start-up phase for a while.

May you receive ten-fold the generosity you have given me.

MikeGunter

Hi,

What lenses you should own depend upon what kind of pictures you want to take, and what you want them to look like.

Portraiture often relies on a narrow depth of field (DOF) and interesting bokeh (not only the blur of the things not in focus, the the quality of the things out of focus). Fast lenses (f1.4 to f2.8) in the mid-telephoto are best for portraits, but stopping down to f4 is common. [That opens a another discussion for another time - why not always get a more economical f4 lens?] ;-)

The 50mm f1.4 or the 50 f1.8 (the one I use) are great and give terrific bokeh (IMH0).



Nikon D90 ISO 250 1/60 50mm @ f4.5

3 D900s

Street photography, which seems to be quite popular, is often caught from the human perspective, that is, from the eye of the observer. That would be 35mm - 40mm in DX terms, either f1.8 or perhaps the 40mm f2.8 Macro, if wanted to go that slow and pick up a dual purpose lens. I have the 35mm f1.8 - it's on my camera right now - and I shoot with it a lot.



Nikon D7000 ISO 200 35mm lens f3.5

Composited in Photoshop Elements for Adobe Systems demonstration.

Either of these two are cheap and worth exploring first and will certainly help you gain skills.

My best,

Mike

Severin

Thank you for your replies.

I am convinced and I am going to buy the D7000, with 35mm 1.8G (I really like these bokeh effects !)

I was just wondering if it's worth to get the 18-105 lens kit, or if it's better to save money for a better quality multi-usage zoom lens like 24-120 f/4G or 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR ?

Severin

spraynpray

16-85 yes if you like general photography and landscapes. 24-120 is a great lens, but it will be a lot longer than you will want for most non-stitched landscape work.

SquamishPhoto

Some of the best landscape shots are taken with telephoto lenses, so maybe not the best advice, snp.

spraynpray

8-|

Paulohn

Thank you for your replies.

I am convinced and I am going to buy the D7000, with 35mm 1.8G (I really like these bokeh effects !)

I was just wondering if it's worth to get the 18-105 lens kit, or if it's better to save money for a better quality multi-usage zoom lens like 24-120 f/4G or 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR ?

Severin

Have you considered the 50mm f/1.8G? It is a fx lens, so using in dx will give you even sharper images. Also, the bokeh, as I've been reading is better with the 50mm.

If you don't need going 35mm wide, I would recommend you to consider it.

alvesma

Hi! This is my first post on the forum but on the past few days I've been reading the comments about the D7100.

About three years ago I bought an used D90 and started a basic photography course. Now I'm going to start a full course in a "college" here in Brazil and I decided that was the time to get an upgrade. I've been thinking to get the D7000, but Nikon just announced the D7100 and I'm not sure if it's worth to get the D7000 or wait and get the D7100. What you guys think?

P.s: Reminding that the price here in Brazil is bigger than US. For exemple: the D7000 now on BH Photo is around U$800. Here we pay the equivalent to U$1300~U$1600.

spraynpray

With that much price inflation, I would say you are perfectly poised to take advantage of the D7000's current low price. BUT if you do buy a D7100, at least wait a few months to learn if there are any issues surfacing...

Welcome to NR alvesma.

alvesma

Thank you for the welcome!

The thing is that my friend wants to buy a camera, and he's kind of interested in mine. And when the D7100 releases here, probably will cost like U$2000 (things are ridiculously overpriced here, I know). So my point is if that difference on the D7000 to D7100 price makes sense when compared to the camera upgrades.

spraynpray

If the huge price difference isn't putting you off, I would say that there is nowhere near the difference between the D90 and D7000 that there is between the D90 and D7100 - check the specs - so give it a few months to see how the QA is on the D7100, then if it's all good, go for it.

DaveyJ

I totally agree with MikeGunter. We are keeping our D7000 which has been terrific. I pre-ordered a D7100 but the lack of AA filter could be a real problem. I was about two days from ordering a D7000 (second body) and although I still think the D7000 is a "better deal than the not yet in hand D7000 I under recommendation of my son and grandson turned in our second D7000 body and opted for the D7100 in the chance the video aspect is better. The two D7000 we had were identical with no shortfalls with either body. Focusing technology is different between the D7100 and the D7000. When you consider all the unknowns of the D7100 versus the D7000 and the difference in price, I still think the D7000 is a better investment. If I only had one D7000 I would keep it. Long term we have no plans to sell the D7000 we do have as I feel it has earned its keep here more than any other camera in my career. I for one love the still performance and the video is quite excellent. There is a fair amount of technique required to get the best and most consistent results.

Severin

Have you considered the 50mm f/1.8G? It is a fx lens, so using in dx will give you even sharper images. Also, the bokeh, as I've been reading is better with the 50mm.

If you don't need going 35mm wide, I would recommend you to consider it.

I was interested by this lens but I want to use my camera for a wdding next month, and I have read that the 50mm is a bit too long in DX mode for interior photography.

I have finally bought D7000+35mm 1.8 and it looks reallly great. the bokeh is impressive and the field of depth is really short (a little to bit maybe). I am studying how to use it but I am eager to take photos using it.

David

The 35mm 1.8 is a nice lens. Learn how to use 'A' mode on the dial - this is Aperture Priority mode. Spin the dial to a higher number for more depth of field, and spin it lower for a more shallow depth of field effect. Read, experiment, enjoy!

manhattanboy

I have the 50 1.8G on the 7000 and you need to shoot about 10 feet back to get decent group shots indoors. In a low light wedding you should be fine as long as you are stationary. Its fast and the nice thing is that you can click click click and later look for the keepers. The focus is dead on as long as you are not moving, but in shutter priority you can click away while walking around and the photos turn out great in the outdoor portions.

DaveyJ

Well now we know from our D7100 that camera is wonderful. Given that I would personally pass on getting yet another D7000. The low light handling and video improvements are just so far beyond the D7000 that the D7100 now looks like the camera to buy. Still, it totally depends on YOUR use, the price, etc.

gophillies74

Ive found myself in a comfortable position. It's nice if you can stand having hand me downs and/or used equipment and be a step behind, not necessarily keeping up with the Joneses. Bought a used D700, then shortly after bought a used D7000. No need to update my computer hardware and money saved can go to glass. Both cameras are excellent and all computer software works with them.

DaveyJ

@gophillies: Sounds good! You have two of the best Nikon DSLRs. Now the thing is to just be a the right place at the right time!

dissent

D7100 sounded great, but I opted to recently pull the trigger on a D7000. Just got it today. Looks like fun.

Dredden85

@dissent- Congrats on your delivery day! You will not be disappointed. Happy Shooting!

dissent

Boy howdy.

Look at all these buttons!

spraynpray

Enjoy!

NSXTypeR

Boy howdy.

Look at all these buttons!

Welcome fellow D7000 owner!