Nikon D5200

[Phoenix86]

I'm looking to get a good DSLR, this will be my first so I expect I'll have a lot of learning to do. Basic research points me to a Nikon D5200 for the amount of money I want to spend ($600-800 for camera and starter lens). I found one as cheap as $570, so that's good, it give me some money to throw at basic accessories (extra battery, charger, strap, case, memory card, etc.)

Couple questions, is there another camera in this price range I should be considering?

Is the lack of a focus motor in the camera a big deal?

These bundle kits, they seem like a bunch of junk, should I skip them and buy accessories one at a time?

What's a good place to go to teach myself about ISO/F-stop/DOF settings for noobs?

My first lens would likely be a macro lens, any recommendations?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Mgz]

I have a D5200 since Jan/2013 and like you it is my first DSLR. I did tonnes of research before buying this . For that price 570$ is very good. I got mine for 700$

no focus motor - not that big of a deal anyway. 155 lens should be enough, rite ?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Nikon_F-mount_lenses_with_integrated_autofocus_motor

well, depend on what kind of the bundle. Can you give me the link to check it out ?

Macro lens is VERY expensive. I bought the Tamron 17-50 F2.8 as my first lens and it works great to get to know about shooting and stuffs.

 

[biostud]

Why would you start with a macro?

For a good walk around lens nikkor 35mm f1.8 is hard to beat.

 

[Phoenix86]

Well, now that I think about it the bundles are very silly since I found a good price on the camera. I was comparing the bundles vs. other amazon listings which were about $250 more for the bundle. However, with that $570 price it's closer to $450 which makes it a no-brainer that the bundles aren't worth it.

Why would you start with a macro?

For a good walk around lens nikkor 35mm f1.8 is hard to beat.

It comes with a 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR lens, that'll do for walking around right?

I want a macro as my first extra lens. I'm sure I could do better for a starter lens but the body only prices aren't much different.

 

[Tom]

Bundles can be ok. Sometimes you can get an extra battery and memory cards basically for free.

Other stuff in bundles, tripods, add-on lenses and filters, cleaning stuff, aren't worth paying extra for.


As far as a macro lens, you should buy what you want; don't let people take the joy out of photography for you by making you think there's right choices and wrong choices.

There are things to consider with macro. How much magnification you want, how far away from your subject is convenient. If you're really close, how to light your subject.

And there's lots of ways to get close. A macro lens, extension tubes, close-up lenses you add to an existing lens. I'm no expert at it but you can get lots of expert advice by searching forums like dpreview for your camera and what people are using.

 

[biostud]

Well, now that I think about it the bundles are very silly since I found a good price on the camera. I was comparing the bundles vs. other amazon listings which were about $250 more for the bundle. However, with that $570 price it's closer to $450 which makes it a no-brainer that the bundles aren't worth it.


It comes with a 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR lens, that'll do for walking around right?

I want a macro as my first extra lens. I'm sure I could do better for a starter lens but the body only prices aren't much different.

Ok, makes sense now

And yes it's a ok starter lens.

 

[slashbinslashbash]

Since you're looking into macro, I am going to say you may want to think about getting a body with the focusing motor in it. There has not been much advance in macro lenses in the past 30 or so years. You can pick up a cheaper older macro lens (FYI: Nikon, Sigma, Tamron, etc. all use pretty much the exact same optical formula for their 90/100/105mm macro lenses; there is very little difference among brands when it comes to macro lenses) with the correct Nikon mount, but without the focus motor in the body, it will not auto-focus. This is not terribly important for macro work (usually manual focus, set it to minimum and then move the camera back and forth) but macro lenses can be good for other purposes as well, in which case it would be handy to have AF.

To learn exposure, pick up the book "Understanding Exposure", it will teach you all of the basics.

 

[zCypher]

I have a D5200 since Jan/2013 and like you it is my first DSLR. I did tonnes of research before buying this . For that price 570$ is very good. I got mine for 700$

no focus motor - not that big of a deal anyway. 155 lens should be enough, rite ?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Nikon_F-mount_lenses_with_integrated_autofocus_motor

well, depend on what kind of the bundle. Can you give me the link to check it out ?

Macro lens is VERY expensive. I bought the Tamron 17-50 F2.8 as my first lens and it works great to get to know about shooting and stuffs.

I'm in the same boat, D5200 as my first DSLR. I'm very happy with mine! You'll see my thread about it in this forum.

I'm also interested in getting a macro lens, but for now I just have the 18-55 kit lens. It's perfect for learning the ropes and general pics. It won't do any miracles, but you can still take some really great pics with it, and getting experience with that normal lens will help push you in the right direction in terms of figuring out what kind of photography you actually enjoy doing. Once you feel what aspects are limiting you the most on the kit lens, you'll be most well informed to pick your next lens!