Value SLR Help

Good afternoon POTN,

My days of owning the beloved Canon SLR and L lenses ended months ago after much fun. However, a family member with a Nikon d5200 has re ignited my love for the hobby and I am tinkering with re investing in a easy to use, lower value SLR while getting the most bang for the buck...

Im considering my options between the Canon 60d, Nikon D3300/3200, or Nikon D5200/5300...

Im open to discussion and suggestions as I mainly shoot family and fun, and predominantly aquarium macro photos.... This will be the bulk of the use... So i don't need anything fancy other than a nice solid SLR, and a great lens...

Thanks

Heya,

If you're really into value, just get a basic SLR of any kind, and start exploring the world of vintage manual glass. Lots of excellent glass from $5~50 that still perform great. You simply control aperture & manual focus all manual of course. But that's part of the fun too, as you control everything, it requires skill and practice, and you really get into the nuts and bolts of understanding how it really works, rather than just auto-moding around. Lots of value there, as you can get tons of lenses for the cost of a modern lens.

You could get something as basic as an old Rebel XSi ($190) that performs great even today, or move towards a T3i, T4i, 60D, etc. Or you could grab a used 5D classic and go full frame. Overall I would get a really fast wider angle prime (28mm to 35mm on a crop; 35mm to 50mm on a full frame) based on what you said you want to shoot. Or get a zoom that covers wide to normal (15-85 on a crop, 17-50 on a crop; 18-135 on a crop; 28-135 on a full frame; etc).

Also, dSLR isn't it anymore, there are good mirrorless options too that take interchangeable lenses. Look at the EOS-M system, it's inexpensive. Fuji makes some incredible mirrorless options too.

Don't forget a flash! Yongnuo 560 III is excellent, and already has a wifi built in so you can go wireless with a $30 transmitter.

Very best,

Perhaps this, and then get a couple of other lenses, like a macro and UWA.

http://shop.usa.canon.​com …-stm-lens-kit-refurbished

Other than deciding by simply how the camera feels, could someone elaborate on the performance between these 2

Canon 60d
Nikon d5200

Can get my hands on either for around $500
Once chosen, I'll be ordering either the 105mm macro for the 5200 or the 100mm L for the 60d...

This family member with the D5200: I assume you can barrow the body and lenses to try Nikon? If they are willing to exchange/barrow lenses from time to time then it's certainly a favor for a Nikon.

There are certain features of the Nikon and Canon that are different. One thing with the Canon that I'd prefer is it lets you manually dial WB (the 5200 has a custom WB, but not a manual one). To really compare the two, I think dpreview is the best source:

http://www.dpreview.co​m/reviews/canoneos60D/​2

http://www.dpreview.co​m/reviews/nikon-d5200/2

Interface might be the other main deciding factor...if you can borrow/rent/ demo a 60D/70D at a local source, you figure how it feels (the difference between 60D vs 70D isn't too different).

I'm curious to give the Nikon feel and interface a test drive... I'll be trying the d5200 this weekend... I've used my friends 60d, and recall the Canon interface from my old t3i.

Are Nikon accessories less expensive than Canon?

SouthFlorida_Tron wrote in post #16992715
Are Nikon accessories less expensive than Canon?

I think in many cases they're pretty equal. Especially if you consider 3rd party accessories (almost all have Canon and Nikon compatible models at the same price). If you look at lenses, at some FL Canon is a little cheaper, others Nikon is a little cheaper. If you get into wireless flash control, both brands can be expensive to get a true wireless system (that's not IR). One of the cheapest wireless controls for speedlites is Yongnuo, a Chinese brand. The units for Canon are pretty nice since you can control them directly in camera. For Nikon, you have to get a dedicated controller (not a deal breaker, but not as convenient IMO).

Flash isn't going to be the biggest priority at the moment, need to take step 1 before jumping into step 3, 4 or 5!!!

The 60D Canon refurbished is available at http://shop.usa.canon.​com …/eos-60d-body-refurbished. Price, body only, is $575 so Canon Loyalty Program might bring the camera body to about $460. This is for a product with one year warranty.

Search Canon Loyalty Program for details.

If you go with Canon, don't get the 100mm f/2.8 L lens. It's overrated and expensive. Get the 100mm f/2.8 USM lens. It's about half the price and has almost the exact same performance as the L version.

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …00mm_f_2_8_USM_​Macro.html

Gregg.Siam wrote in post #16993473
If you go with Canon, don't get the 100mm f/2.8 L lens. It's overrated and expensive. Get the 100mm f/2.8 USM lens. It's about half the price and has almost the exact same performance as the L version.

I love the IS function, it is very valuable for macro work (and portraiture), and it gives an extra fine AF mode to some bodies, so that macro AF is more usable. I also do macros outside in inclement weather, and the added weather sealing is nice. Finally, its AF seems a bit faster. If funds permit, I think the L is worth it over the non-L. However, for somebody just getting back into the thick of things, it probably wouldn't be necessary. In fact, the 100 non-L probably isn't necessary either, there are other less expensive very good macro lenses.

I actually think the Sigma 150 non-OS macro is a better overall value to the 100 macro non-L, due to a longer working distance, with nearly identical everything else. I haven't tried the OS version yet to see if I would think the same of it compared to the 100L.

So this is actually a persuasive note depending on whether or not I enjoy both cameras, the lenses would help give and edge...

I have used the 100mm L... loved it... being able to get some great shots hand held is nice, but am curious on how the sigma or nikon versions work on the nikon...If they also take spectacular photos id be inclined to going that direction and getting the Nikon d5200...Something about all those focus points that makes me itch for trying it out...

One tip about macro photography that I think is good, is have your focus be back button...then try to "microadjust" (move in or out ever so slightly)