Home Forums Gear Photography Nikon D7000 for new DSLR shooter

I was pursuing the Black Friday deals for this year and found a deal on the D7000 with an 18-140 lens for $800. I'll be new to the DSLR scene, but I'd like to get into good photography. I had been looking a the D3200's, but for a little extra money this didn't seem like a bad deal. What are your thoughts on the camera and the situation?

That's a good deal!

That's what I thought. I was looking at getting into a beginner camera, but with the price it would be hard to pass the D7000 up.

The D7000 basically takes the place of the old D70 in Nikon's lineup. I started my DSLR experience with the D70 and then passed it along to my wife who has worn it out. We will be getting her a new D7000 and she will give me back my D200 which she thinks is too complicated to run. If I were you, I'd jump on it.

Sounds like a plan. I can just save more money to buy a larger lens later instead of getting it with the package like the D3200 has.

Photographers learn a simple rule pretty quick, You BUY camera's and INVEST in lenses. The D7000 is a fine camera; the lens I can't comment on because I haven't used it. As a general rule that I tell new photographers, get your "walk around" lens first. This is the lens that will remain on your camera 70-80% of the time. The GOOD one's usually run in the 24mm - 80mm range and are usually at least f/2.8; with some exceptions for a few f/4 lenses. Tamron makes a GREAT 24-70 VC f/2.8 for Nikon that will save you some bucks over the Nikon lens. Your second lens will depend largely in your interests. If you love landscape photography, then take a look at the good wide angle lenses. If it just general photography with a few kids sports and dabbling in wildlife photography, I usually suggest a good 70-200 lens. If you can afford it, go with a f/2.8 if not, both Canon and Nikon make GREAT f/4 versions in that range. Lastly, get your 10% lens; a lens that you will use in 10% of your pursuits. For most, this is a good long lens. Unfortunately, this is where you really get into bank account damage. The lens I'm saving for is a Canon 500mm f/4 IS for the LOW LOW price of $11K. My wife says I'm insane, I tend to agree. I have LOTS of lenses but to be truthful, I could get by with 90% of my photography with my walk around lens and the 70-200. I make most of my money with those two lenses. Lastly, another general consensus is that the the wider the zoom range, the quality tends to fall off a bit. This is not to say there are not some fine long range zooms; the Bigma (Sigma 50-500) is a good example. hope this helps.

I'm going to have to agree with your wife on that one. I'm all about photography, but maybe not that good of photography. What you've said is great advise and I think it's what my plan is as of now. Thanks for the advise.

I would go for that lens. My D5000 came with an 18-55 kit lens. I turned it down and got just the body and got the 18-105 with it, glad I did.

Is there any reason I should go with the D3200 kits or a T3I kit over this D7000?

No.

Would the Nikon 55-300mm VR lens, a 32GB memory card, and a bag constitute another $300? It doesn't seem like it's any kind of real deal for the added money. Might save $25 or so from what I found, but I could be wrong.

Package "deals" are where camera stores make their money. I'd hold off and buy separately. You want fast SD cards, not just big cards. Get Class 10 or faster. A slow card will slow down your camera immensely. Bags are personal preference, but buy quality and you'll only buy once. I like Lowepro, Domke and Tamrac but there are many good brands.

The 55-300 is just another kit lens, and can be found cheaply. Nikon comes out with a new version every few years, and the third-party lens makers follow suit. I wouldn't be in a rush to buy one.

Sounds like I can get by with what they've got listed. I'll but everything else at CameraLand like I normally do. At least that's my plan.

Good plan. Get a "good Camera" (the first D7000 is good) and buy very good to great lenses. I'll second the reccomendation on Cameraland. If you do your research and find a lens you really like and CL doesn't have it, they'll usually get it for you and get it to you at a good price.
Bags? I agree with Oregon45's reccomendation.
Cards? I agree with him somewhat. I like big memory cards but speed has never been an issue for me. Thus far, the only issue I've ever noticed with speed is when I shoot video (you gotta have a fast write speed for long vids). The cards speed for regular photos isn't usually an issue. I find that more often than not, the limiting factor is the camera's own buffer.

What will you be shooting- landscapes, indoor family, sports? Budget?
I think you may like the controls on the D7000 more than the 3200, although the 3200's sensor is more highly rated. For lenses, you might consider the 16-85 and 70-300 if fast speed is not needed for sports/indoors.

Mostly landscapes, family, business items. Budget hasn't really been a big concern. If I don't have the money for something that's quality, I'll wait. I have a $400 gift card to a retailer that I've held onto so I could see what popped up on Black Friday. I had planned on the 3200, but the 7000 seemed to be the better body. The only reason I'm getting the lens that I posted was that it came with it.

With an 18-140 lens, what would be the next step? A 55-300, 200-400, I really don't know, but if I could find another Black Friday deal to get this outfit done it would be great.

That's a good article, and make a lot of sense. Thanks.

If you do get the D7000 kit, you could always sell the lens and put the money towards a better lens of your choice.
Don't forget about a tripod for landscapes. You will want one with adjustable leg angles, not one with the center bracing for studio work.