Nikon D5500 recommended?

[CTaylor]

Hi,

I'm totally new to photography, but I mainly want to take really nice pics of my corals, esp now after a really long time everything is doing amazing. (That's another topic ).
I read only good things about the above camera. And I'm happy, b/c it's not a ton of money compared to other higher end models. I would get a basic lens to start, and then a nice macro once i can justify it.
I see examples of coral pics on this site with the 'basic' 18-55 mm lens, and they look great just like that. But what about real life pics, just out and about.. on vacation etc? From experience, this is still a great camera? I'm going to Alaska next year on a cruise, and will likely get a telephoto lens for that, if the answer is yes to it being a great all around camera.
I'm happy (if it's a yes) b/c I assumed I'd need to pay $2000 for a decent DSLR -- again, I'm a newbie, but would like intermediate level maybe
My dad and grandpa were photographers, so it might be in my blood also


Thanks!!

 

[minus9]

I have the D5300 and love it. It takes great pictures and with a good macro lens, you'll be able to take really nice shots of your corals. Spend some money on LightRoom or another post processing software to "clean up" and white balance your pictures.
I have the 18-140mm kit lens, along with a 55-300mm zoom and a 60mm macro. I can cover a lot of ground with these lenses, but I would prefer 105mm macro lens, some day soon.

 

[CTaylor]

Thanks Minus!
I already ordered it. I'm pretty sure I got a good price on it also. With the basic lens 18-55 mm VR II with tax it was $563 << from walmart . I never buy anything highly techincal from there, but hey, why not? I'll keep note of the lenses you got also.
I'll look at LightRoom also, likely get it based on what you said.
**Which one is a telepboto? For when I take my trip next year, and maybe one this year.
Thanks!

 

[minus9]

the VR II lenses are pretty good, so you can pick any of the zooms. Also, there are a lot of reviews out there, so just check on the lens you're interested in and read away. I bought my 55-300mm zoom on craig's list for a great price.
Have fun!

 

[ReeferNtraining]

It really depends on your price range. I've had the 5200 and 7100 and I quickly outgrew them. I noticed front focusing and back focusing issues with both body's. Even after I bought a pro lens. These cameras are consumer grade and far from professional. They also have cropped sensors which means you are losing resolution. Last year I upgraded to the full frame D750 and I couldn't be happier. To comment on what minus9 said about lenses, you can use a non-macro lens but you usually have a minimum focus distance of around 16 inches. That is not nearly close enough for good macro photography. I just purchased the Nikon 105mm Micro lens Sunday and I am extremely happy with the macros I've made so far. No matter what body you get, spend your money on top notch glass!! For good macros you will also need a remote shutter button and a good tripod....

 

[OoNickoC]

I would return the kit, and just grab the body off of ebay or craigslist. Dont feel locked into a kit as the return policy is rather liberal these days. The bodies can take a decent beatin and the kit lenses are rendered useless in anything but near optimal lighting conditions. If you are going to be shooting outdoors, they can be okay when the weather calls for f12+.

** You can pick up that body for under $400 and throw the savings into more equipment, like a tripod and remote which you will need for in focus macro shots. its all about the glass for macro...for the most part.

 

[CTaylor]

minus, reefer, oonicko,
thanks for all that input. I'll consider all of that. My camera gets here Thursday. Though iF I were to a return and just repurchase the body, I would only get it from a seller I'm comfortable with and I can take it back to. Likely not Ebay or Amazon. I'll keep looking for bodies at a good price. But from limited search I did I cant find a body only for much less than my combo from a brick and mortar place I can return it to.

 

[ReeferNtraining]

I agree with not getting the body from anywhere other than a place you can return it to if it's not working perfectly.
Yes you got a whole kit for a decent price and that's ok for simple photography at the "consumer" level. If you want to do precision macro photography, I promise you that you will not be happy with that body or the kit lenses it comes with. I paid close to $1,000 for the D750 body and almost $900 for the 105mm Macro lens. Both purchased at a brick and mortar store that price match Adriana and BH Photo. Its all about cost vs. what you want to achieve. It didn't take long to realize that the consumer level bodies and lenses just couldnt keep up with my progression as a photographer.

 

[ReeferNtraining]

Auto correct got me... that was supposed to say Adorama, not Adriana

 

[OoNickoC]

I agree with not getting the body from anywhere other than a place you can return it to if it's not working perfectly.
Yes you got a whole kit for a decent price and that's ok for simple photography at the "consumer" level. If you want to do precision macro photography, I promise you that you will not be happy with that body or the kit lenses it comes with. I paid close to $1,000 for the D750 body and almost $900 for the 105mm Macro lens. Both purchased at a brick and mortar store that price match Adriana and BH Photo. Its all about cost vs. what you want to achieve. It didn't take long to realize that the consumer level bodies and lenses just couldnt keep up with my progression as a photographer.

I think this person misread, and or has not used entry level bodies out in the wild. D5300 and afew other bodies can take a decent beating physically without issue, and those that do arise are relatively easy and or cheap to fix.
If your purchase from ebay or even cragslist you can still get a square trade....dont be sucked into new for a body, it is a waste for a beginner dslr.

 

[ReeferNtraining]

I think this person misread, and or has not used entry level bodies out in the wild. D5300 and afew other bodies can take a decent beating physically without issue, and those that do arise are relatively easy and or cheap to fix.
If your purchase from ebay or even cragslist you can still get a square trade....dont be sucked into new for a body, it is a waste for a beginner dslr.

If you read my posts earlier you would know why I do not recommend consumer level body's. Both models I owned had auto focus issues. No, a beginner photographer probably wouldn't notice a little front or back focusing issues but I did as I learned and became a better photographer. Hence the reason I said I "outgrew" them. That is why I am now using a pro level body.

 

[CTaylor]

just want to add, I probably wasnt clear in my posts. I do realize that I would need a much more $$$ lens for macros and what I'm getting is not that. It's a basic 'starter' lens that's probably fine for every day use, and taking 'better than iphone' pics of my fish/corals, every day life. I am assuming I cant get closer than 12" for a pic, maybe a little further, and it still may not be perfect, but will look decent. And for everyday life I would be surprised if there were any zoom abilities on it.. but would be nice to take decent pics. And then move on from there to more specialized lenses. Though I"m set in my ways, there are certain things I just feel better at getting from a place that has a brick and mortar basis. For whatever reason a camera falls into that category for me :-D

 

[ReeferNtraining]

I agree with you CT. Brick and mortar only. And that's mostly for return reasons...

 

[Xandernfs]

Crop sensor cameras have come a long way since we started shooting with them (D40). I would suggest buying the body and getting a lens from a third party. We shoot almost everything Sigma and have great success with them. This is just my $.02. The 18-55 is going to limit you on what you can do. I've learned that glass makes more of a difference than the body itself.

 

[CTaylor]

Reefer, thanks
Xander, see my last post
And I can barely get the body only from a brick and mortar place for much less than the combo. I rather spend maybe $50 more net overall with the combo at price I have than jump on a $$ lens that I havent researched. I already did the camera buy without a lot of research, but at this point and secure with it. And for that $50 i mght in long term have not needed to spend for a while at least I can get acquainted with the camera with a basic lens.

 

[FishN00b83]

I dont really agree with some of the comments in this thread. I have a D3300 that I got on super sale a long time ago and the 18-55mm VRII lens is sharp as ****. It's minimal focal distance is also 9.8 inches which can really take some nice close up shots. I have a the Nikon 35mm 1.8F DX lens which produces extremely sharp images along with the kit lens. I'm looking into getting a Tamron 70-300 VC for some different photography but thats off topic.

The differences between the 3 series to the 7 series is features not sensor. They all run on the same crop sensor and are able to produce the same images, the higher 5-7 series just have more features like bracketing, wifi, bluetooth, tilt/touch screens and customization options like one touch 100% previews. Some of them are definitely worth some money, but they dont produce any better images.

As for the front/back focusing a lot can contribute to this, and with the lower D series cameras you can't adjust this. However you can send the lens/body to Nikon and they can adjust it for you. I haven't needed to do it myself but know someone who has and when they got the body/lens back it's been spot on ever since. Even with the ability to adjust the front/back focusing some people need to send their body/lenses in for adjustment because some copies are just off.

The full frame Nikon D810 is still considered an consumer camera and costs well over 2000 just for the body, actually currently Nikon only produces TWO "pro" cameras. Anyone that discredits a D810 as a great full frame camera is really just being crazy.

DSLRs are great cameras and the entry level ones (especially the Nikons) are capable of taking great images. Don't get caught up in features and numbers, a great photograph is produced by the photographer, not the camera.

Enjoy your new camera man, have fun with it. I bought mine to take pictures of my family and kid, and I've really grown an obsession for photography. I bring it everywhere with me and really have a lot of fun.