Looking for a digital camera

[Jim]

Jim, what do you want to do with these pictures?
What is driving the need for a separate camera?
Asking this as someone who has used SLR cameras for decades and still use a Canon 1D with a few lenses that are carried in a backpack that weighs in around 17#.

Edit - I see you already pulled the trigger.

At the end of the day, I wanted a serious tool that I won’t outgrow in six months, even if I never shoot for anything other than my own needs. And yes, I’ve pulled the trigger. Now I just need a wheelbarrow for the camera bag.

Monday can't get here fast enough!

 

[Jim]

According to my AI friend, whom we affectionately refer to as "The Wizard".

• The D850 deserves better glass if you want to take full advantage of its insane sensor.
• The 18-140mm will work, and for casual use it's fine, but it's like putting regular gas in a Ferrari. You’re leaving a lot of performance unused.
• If you just want simplicity and convenience, it’s a fine starter lens.
• If you want to get the absolute jaw-dropping full-frame magic you’re paying for, you’ll eventually want to invest in FX (full-frame) lenses.

So it appears I will soon be sourcing lenses as well . . .

 

[CaptainGizmo]

According to my AI friend, whom we affectionately refer to as "The Wizard".

• The D850 deserves better glass if you want to take full advantage of its insane sensor.
• The 18-140mm will work, and for casual use it's fine, but it's like putting regular gas in a Ferrari. You’re leaving a lot of performance unused.
• If you just want simplicity and convenience, it’s a fine starter lens.
• If you want to get the absolute jaw-dropping full-frame magic you’re paying for, you’ll eventually want to invest in FX (full-frame) lenses.

So it appears I will soon be sourcing lenses as well . . .

Jim,

Now that you have a solid DSLR body, I can give you advice from a Pro.

Yes..It’s all about the lens. Don’t cheap out. It’s better to have a really good, fixed aperture, short range zoom, than a cheap, variable aperture super zoom that “tries” to do it all…yet fails miserably. These mega zoom, one lens wonders, simple fall flat in pretty much every metric if you examine the details. Tamron was the first to market with their 28-200mm 2.8 ultra zoom that gained a lot of respect for a travel lens. But just be cautious and look for pro reviews.

So. Evaluate what you wanna shoot, then put as much money as you can into a lens that is perfect for that use. You won’t be sorry!

I’ve had cameras from all the pro companies and this philosophy has never changed and done me well.

 

[redbaron]

Most of my lenses are for the DSLR cameras, only a few for the Mirrorless.

I tend to shoot more nature than anything, so my collection reflects that.

My everyday carry lenses are:

Nikkor 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6 ED
Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 ED
Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 ED


Other lenses that I love, but don't always pack are:
Nikkor 24mm f/1.4 ED
Nikkor 24-70 f/2.8 ED
Nikkor 500mm f/4 ED
Nikkor 120-300mm f/2.8 ED

 

[MemoriesByTheMile]

I echo what @redbaron @CaptainGizmo said
Lenses are very very important, buying the camera with the starter lens… it is just the start of your new addiction.

 

[Neal]

A great stereo is only great with great speakers.

A great camera is only great with... yeah, don't go cheap on the lenses but you can find good options with zooms that cover your needs so you need less quantity and go for better quality.

Let us know what you get.

 

[MemoriesByTheMile]

There are businesses that rent lenses, usually the higher quality lenses.
I don’t know what Nikon provides, but they may have something similar to Canon’s Professional Services program (CPS) where you can borrow equipment for an evaluation (try before you buy).

 

[Jim]

Nikkor 120-300mm f/2.8 ED

Holy crap!

 

[DennisT]

Holy crap!

Yes, pricing the glass to go with the camera is always interesting.

 

[Jim]

First Lens Purchase:

After countless hours of intense research (or what Trish refers to as “another one of his deep dives into something he barely understands”), I’ve selected my first lens. The winner is the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6 ED VR.

It should handle everything from capturing scenic views of the park to zooming in on squirrels stealing birdseed. Trish will no doubt roll her eyes when it arrives, but I plan to deny any knowledge of how it got here.

 

[Neal]

Some people put clear lens filters on to protect the glass. It looks like that lens is 77mm, so something like this:

Amazon.com

 

[Neal]

Time for a bag

 

[Jim]

This is going to cut into my drone budget.

 

[team bradfield]

Some people put clear lens filters on to protect the glass. It looks like that lens is 77mm, so something like this:

Amazon.com

thats what I use, its threaded both ways for attaching filters, etc

 

[MemoriesByTheMile]

Congrats on your new lens purchase!
I had a couple wide range zooms, ended up changing out to using a couple zooms (28-70 and 70-200) as the sharpness of the image was so much better and the lens was “faster”, meaning that it could work in lower light conditions and use a faster shutter speed when capturing sports or fast motion.
Be sure to keep your box in case you change your mind.
Have fun with your new hobby!