Should I get a new camera?

[nycdisneygal]

Want to get some expert advice.
Have a Nikon D5000 (bought it in 2009!!). Am going to Alaska on DCL this June. Was thinking of just getting an additional lens but maybe at this point a new camera would be better. Was thinking of getting a canon refurbished rebel T6. Is it worth it?
I am NOT one to do much post processing , etc. I wish I had time. Just want some nice pics. I am still learning how to use different features.
I bought my sister a new Sony for XMAS - point and shoot Sony RX100 for the trip.
What would you advise...??? Thanks!!!!!!

 

[xlxo]

Thoughts.....

• if you have a Nikon..... why get a Canon? Perhaps all you need is a lens.
• what excursions do you plan to go on. Most zoom lenses will do the job. However you want more zoom with plans on a whale watch.

 

[mom2rtk]

What is it you want your new camera to do that your old one doesn't?

 

[nycdisneygal]

Thanks for the replies so far

My small point and shoots are all Canon and have seen others have good results with Canon Rebel.
I have 18-55 and 55-200 lenses for my Nikon (dont think the 55-200 is very good so looking into a different lens if I stick with this camera. The lens I am looking at is 209 refurbished from nikon. I can get the Canon rebel with 2 lenses refurbished for 389.

It is slow...But still good pics.

My thought is, unless it was one of those really high ends cameras, it being close to 8 years old, this would be a good time to upgrade.

But other than that I dont have a VERY good reason!!

 

[mom2rtk]

When you say it's slow, is it slow to focus? Slow to turn on? Slow, as in you don't have fast lenses?

 

[xlxo]

I don't think the Canon Rebel will give you much more over your D5000.

• My D300 is older than your D5000 and it works great.
• if people have problems.... it's likely how they are using your camera..... enough light, fast enough shutter speed, low ISO for noise free images, camera shake when not using a tripod
• you may need a f/2.8 or prime lens. However it means more to carry in your travels.
• I like the 18-200mm for travel convenience... but you get more distortion than your dual lens configuration

Unless the D5000 has mechanical issues.... you are not likely see much difference unless you get a full frame camera body. Warning.... full frame camera lenses cost significantly more.

 

[nycdisneygal]

slow shutter response at times in normal light conditions.

 

[nycdisneygal]

I don't think the Canon Rebel will give you much more over your D5000.

• My D300 is older than your D5000 and it works great.
• if people have problems.... it's likely how they are using your camera..... enough light, fast enough shutter speed, low ISO for noise free images, camera shake when not using a tripod
• you may need a f/2 .8 or prime lens. However it means more to carry in your travels.
• I like the 18-200mm for travel convenience... but you get more distortion than your dual lens configuration

Unless the D5000 has mechanical issues.... you are not likely see much difference unless you get a full frame camera body. Warning.... full frame camera lenses cost significantly more.

I did buy a new flash so I may try that... I had been thinking a new lens would be good, someone suggested a new camera so thats why I came here... To see what people who have more experience think...

was thinking of this lens
http://www.nikonusa.com/en/nikon-pr...-s-dx-nikkor-18-105mm-f%2f3.5-5.6g-ed-vr.html

Had looked into the 18-200 also.

If I get a new camera, I would also have to start investing in new accessories, ugh....

 

[xlxo]

Which flash did you get? I like the SB5000 for power.

18-105mm will not help in a whale watch.

You can continue upgrading with Nikon

• If you get a Nikon D7%00... you can use the lenses and accessories you already have. The D7200 will give you a newer sensor and faster autofocus.
• If you get a Nikon full frame or FX body.... you can continue to use your flash. Warning.... FX lenses will cost more.

 

[nycdisneygal]

Non Nikon flash...

My excursions are: Skagway: white pass train and bus
Juneau: Mendenhall and dog sledding (not on a glacier)
Ketchikan: city walking and totem pole (dont need a super zoom for that!!).

Not sure the D7200 is in my budget.

Thinking I should just stick with what I have. I have taken some nice pics with it

 

[xlxo]

I think what you got with the 18-55mmm will do for a majority of your pictures.

Non-Nikon flash? What is the make/model? Without TTL, I think you are more likely to get exposure issues with a third party flash.

 

[havoc315]

slow shutter response at times in normal light conditions.

That's an indication you're not likely using the autofocus system correctly.

When comparing cameras on the same basic level, there is no real difference between Canon and Nikon.. and Pentax and Sony and Olympus etc etc.

I recently posted a thread comparing the iPhone 7 to a kit dSLR on auto.

Here is the reality -- if you are shooting with the basic kit lenses, on a consumer dSLR, set on auto, with no post processing, your photos will not be any better than iPhone 7 photos. (In fact, iPhone photos may be better).
Even if you upgraded to a $1,000 camera body -- it might give you a nicer LCD and wifi, etc, but as long as you're shooting auto with the kit lens, your photos won't be any better.

Your current kit is just fine for Alaska. The d5000 is a mid level camera, but older. The T6 is newer but bare bones entry level. Being basic entry level, it's probably still not as good as the d5000.

 

[kbnovak]

When I was on our Alaskan cruise, I was wishing I had brought a wider lens (I used 24-120 ƒ/4 on my D750). The vistas are just incredibly vast that I wanted to capture more of it.

https://www.facebook.com/kevinbnova...44329670248.1073741991.100000140802249&type=3

 

[mom2rtk]

Do you shoot in auto or do you get into the modes with more control?

If you shoot auto, your very first purchase should be Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson.

My next suggestion would be a nice fast mid range zoom (f/17-55 f/2.8 or whatever equivalent Nikkon sells). These do well in low light and tend to have much higher image quality than kit lenses. If there's not a Nikon one in your price range, take a look at the Tamron version. It non VC version gets great reviews for sharpness.

The 18-105 lens you mention is convenient, but it's probably not fast and definitely not long enough for an Alaskan cruise.

My next suggestion is renting a high quality long zoom for the cruise.

 

[nigelp]

D
If you shoot auto, your very first purchase should be Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson.

Reading this will could save you $200

My excursions are: Skagway: white pass train and bus
Juneau: Mendenhall and dog sledding (not on a glacier)
Ketchikan: city walking and totem pole (dont need a super zoom for that!!).

Thinking I should just stick with what I have. I have taken some nice pics with it

Done all of those (except dog sledding) and your 18-55 will be adequate enough.
You only need zoom for nature eg whale watching

 

[nycdisneygal]

Thanks! Looks like i have a lot of reading to do!
Will try to learn how to maximize my camera's features (should finally read the book I bought when I bought the camera!).

 

[mom2rtk]

Thanks! Looks like i have a lot of reading to do!
Will try to learn how to maximize my camera's features (should finally read the book I bought when I bought the camera!).

The manual is a great place to start. But I would still highly recommend the Bryan Peterson book. The manual will describe how to do what you want with your camera. The Peterson book will help you understand what it is you're trying to do.

 

[Groucho]

My next suggestion would be a nice fast mid range zoom (f/17-55 f/2.8 or whatever equivalent Nikkon sells). These do well in low light and tend to have much higher image quality than kit lenses. If there's not a Nikon one in your price range, take a look at the Tamron version. It non VC version gets great reviews for sharpness.

I agree with that. Older SLRs can still have great quality but cheap kit lenses are generally not going show the camera in its best light (no pun intended.) No need to switch systems unless there's some compelling feature. A good-quality F2.8 zoom will make a big difference, and usually go wider than the kit lens, too. Check eBay, you can likely find good used lenses from people who have upgraded to a full-frame camera, and a decent lens should last for many, many years, so you won't lose much of anything going with a used lens. Plus, it's already had whatever depreciation it's going to get so you'll probably be able to sell it in the future for what you paid for it.

 

[nycdisneygal]

The manual is a great place to start. But I would still highly recommend the Bryan Peterson book. The manual will describe how to do what you want with your camera. The Peterson book will help you understand what it is you're trying to do.

Ordered the book!

Will look into lenses..

Thanks so much everyone!!