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Author Topic: Budget DSL-R recommendations?  (Read 1617 times)

littleman

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Budget DSL-R recommendations?
« on: May 21, 2017, 07:55:40 PM »
So, Jenn and I are in need of a DSL-R.  We'll be taking a lot of snapshots of small items in a light box.  It will also be used occasionally for regular camera duties like indoor/outdoor shots and videos.
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jetboy

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Re: Budget DSL-R recommendations?
« Reply #1 on: May 22, 2017, 10:43:37 PM »
Your requirements sound modest, and virtually any current D-SLR is going to be more than capable. As a Nikon shooter I'd suggest the D3400, but if you see an older D5xxx or D7xxx body discounted it may be a better deal. Nikon bodies in these ranges don't tend to change much year-on-year.

Alternatively, the entry-level Canon is the Rebel T6/1300D, but its HD video tops out at 30 fps.

If I were choosing a system now I'd be taking a good look at Sony's mirrorless range. The A6000 is a similar price, and its features may fit your needs better than a Nikon or Canon.
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Travoli

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Re: Budget DSL-R recommendations?
« Reply #2 on: May 22, 2017, 11:17:05 PM »
To echo Jetboy,

Nikon 3XXX, 5XXX, or Sony RX100.
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ergophobe

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Re: Budget DSL-R recommendations?
« Reply #3 on: May 23, 2017, 12:33:41 AM »
Ditto to all (any SLR, but if I were looking now, I'd look at mirrorless). For me the main advantage of the mirrorless would be form fact, but if you're mostly doing lightbox shooting is probably not an issue.

Just to add, based on what your use case is, I would probably not spend a lot on the body, but would go low-end there and spend money elsewhere, such as...

1. If you want to be able to have a really narrow depth of field, buy a fast lens. You can get an f1.8 50mm for pretty cheap and that will let you get quite a narrow band in focus with everything in front and behind blurred out. Below f.18 they get pricey fast, but your depth of field also gets ridiculously narrow unless you have a specific need.

2. If you want a long depth of field, spend your money on lighting so you can shoot at higher f-stops

3. If you want to get really zoomed in on small objects, get a macro lens.
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Rooftop

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Re: Budget DSL-R recommendations?
« Reply #4 on: May 23, 2017, 08:59:59 AM »
If you are only shooting stills you could save money on the body by picking up a used older one and put that money into better lenses. My old Nikon D80 is doing champion work in the office. They go for a song as they are the last generation without video built in, but still takes a great picture.

I used to do a lot of jewellery close up work with it.  We found success with a combination of:
* 50mm f1.8 lens
* close up filter
* 3 x Cheap lights from ebay (warning : They did cause me to get electrocuted once)
* Better replacement bulbs for the lights to improve colour balance
* Really annoying tent cube thing
* Good tripod
* Remote release
* Lots of stands, cloths, backgrounds etc to keep things interesting
* A step by step idiot sheet so that we got consistent shots whoever was taking them

(disclaimer: Going back a few years and trying to do this from memory)
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Brad

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Re: Budget DSL-R recommendations?
« Reply #5 on: May 23, 2017, 11:07:15 AM »
I like the Fujifilm line of Cameras, but a Nikon might be better for closeup work.  Agree with those above, put the money in the lenses.
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