Camera Labs

My Grand daughter likes the nikon brand and has requested a new one she mentiond the 510.
I asked if this was the best for her thinking more of a little upgrading.
What would be a good recomendation ? guessing here it would have to be an allround and strong camera.?
She indicated a 200 lens would be nice, is the framing important ?? like a full frame ?
Also would it be practicle to get a used top end Camera rather than a lower down the scale but affordable new one?
I thank you .
Ron B

Hi Ron & welcome.

Is it the 5100 you're referring to?
It's a very competant camera & costs around £450 new, but don't get hung up on the body, but focus more on the quality of the glass/lens.
As usual it will depend on the budget, as well as what she intends shooting tbh. & whether she wants/needs more than 1 lens, certainly to begin with.

The AF-S VR 70-300 f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED is a very good lens for the money, if she needs some `reach`, but it also costs nearly as much as the body alone.

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Nikon D700 & D7100 bodies + Nikkor 300mm F2.8 VR11, 1.7TC, 50mm F1.4G, 16-35mm f/4G VR, 105 F2.8 VR macro, 70-300mm lenses. A couple of filters, Giotto tripod & ballhead. Lowepro Slingshot 302 AW

http://www.flickr.com/photos/oldcarlos/

Thank you Carlos, yes its that body (the510) she wanted the lens she has been told she would need was a 55 x 300 (does that sound right) I am not sure what photo journos use in the field.......I have seen some pretty scarry looking lens.specially at football.

No I am not sure what she will be doing she had mentiond news photography so I am thinking tough rugged.

On my budget I was thinking the 510 ( what is the P510) am going through Hong Kong next week be nice to go into a shop and act like I know what I am talking about lol.

She did say Gramps we have to watch the budget when I suggested she maybe gets a better Camera.

Would I be silly to consider a much loved used piece of equipment ??/

The P510 is a superzoom camera and you can't change lenses on it.
The Nikon D5100 has one more 0 and it's a DSLR body.

Buying used is usually no problem.

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Canon EOS 500D + Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Canon EF 24-105mm 4L IS USM + EF 100-400mm 4.5-5.6L IS USM + EF 100mm 2.8L Macro IS USM + Sigma 12-24mm 4.5-5.6 EX DG HSM + Canon Speedlite 580 EX II + Nissin Speedlite Di 466

Hi Ron.
Apologies, but I meant the D5100, which is an interchangeable lens camera (ILC) & probably what your G/daughter was referring to if she was talking about a seperate lens.

The [u]P[/u]510 is a `superzoom` camera that has a powerful 42x optical zoom lens built in. which is equivalent to 24-1000mm (in 35mm format)

re the 55-200mm lens. It is what's known as a `kit` lens, (if it's the older non VR/stabilised one http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-nik ... s/p1010195 ) which is ok for the money, but not very bright/fast @ 4.5-5.6
Then there's the newer VR version http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-nik ... s/p1018071 which is much better. Also don't be afraid to check out the reviews of non Nikon lenses.

In general, the faster/brighter the lens, the better it is, BUT, at a cost! I still reckon the Nikon AF-S VR 70-300 f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-nik ... s/p1014102 is a great lens for the money, but it might be slightly over budget. If she needs to go wider in the future, she can always save for another dedicated lens

No probs buying a used body, if you get it from a reputable source, then that may give you the extra money to invest in the glass, which is more important than the body for most folk.

It's a real minefield this camera lark .....& very addictive too!

Don't be afraid to keep asking for help advice. Hopefully others might come up with some other ideas too.

Good luck with your decisions.

Are you UK based btw?

_________________

Nikon D700 & D7100 bodies + Nikkor 300mm F2.8 VR11, 1.7TC, 50mm F1.4G, 16-35mm f/4G VR, 105 F2.8 VR macro, 70-300mm lenses. A couple of filters, Giotto tripod & ballhead. Lowepro Slingshot 302 AW

http://www.flickr.com/photos/oldcarlos/

Carlos & Jilko.
Many thanks I have found your comments most helpfull.
I am an Australian based ex pom ben here for 58 years ( i am 73)
Armed with your advis I am going hunting for a D5100 preff used in great condition and a 300 glass lol
looking at lens now do they come manual and auto?

But I am guessing if she is doing well at her subject neither should be a problem, yes and if she would need any other s I am sure we/she can get them later. We My wife and myself are heading to the UK for a month next Sunday.....going via Hong Kong hope to have a look there and buy on the way home..(there for a couple of days )