Affordable back-up Nikon camera body

<p>Hello, everyone!<br>

I have a small photo business, doing mostly maternity, family and kids photos. I work a lot with preschools, and I also do a lot of free/charity photo work for friends just because I like it and they can't afford it. I can't afford a very expensive back-up camera body, but I do need one, because they do break and I can't afford to loose clients over this. I was once unfortunate enough to leave my house without my camera battery (left it charging) and lost about 40 minutes of the event I was shooting. Even though I offered free family session and ended up doing a free album and did my best to deliver great pictures in very difficult low light situation, I pretty much lost a client and another potential client. Lesson learned, I have to be prepared.<br>

So, anyway, I have to buy a back-up camera body and I need a relatively inexpensive one. Problem is, I don't have very strong arms, so I can't carry around a very heavy camera along with my metal Tamron lens and heavy SB-700. Does anyone have any suggestion for a camera body that would almost border prosumer in quality and weight and yet be acceptable for my (not very high-end) photography needs?<br>

Thank you!</p>

<p> </p>

<p>I use a D3100 for a carry around camera and for my 10-20mm lens on larger gigs. (D700 with 16-85 and a D300 with the 105 VR are the main cameras.) IQ is great. It could do the whole job but the other have better controls. The kid lens is sharp with bad bokh. <br>

I would recommend you look at the D3200.<br>

If that is to light for you then you cannot beat the D7000.</p>

<p>When I am shooting 35mm film with my two auto exposure/auto focus F4 bodies, I carry an inexpensive auto exposure/auto focus Nikon N70 as a backup.</p>

<p>When I am shooting with two identical digital SLR bodies, I carry a less expensive compact digital as a backup.</p>

<p>The D7000 is currently selling for a little less than $900. If you can't afford that body I think a D3200 would be the best body relative to cost at less than $600. You don't mention what body you're currently using. For my paid work I use a D700 and a D300s, different formats but virtually the same body which makes swapping bodies easy.</p>

<p>Another vote for the d7000. It is superb.</p>

<p>-O</p>

D3200 or D5100, whatever is the best price. The kit lens is really very nice, so it's good to have as a backup too.

 

B&H has the D5100 with 16gb card and extra battery for $596 right now.

<p>It really depends on what camera and lenses you use. If you use a DX camera and AFS lenses, a D5100 might be a good idea. If you use lenses that aren't AFS, you'd want a D90 or D7000. If you use an FX camera, you might be best off springing for a used D700.</p>

If you are on a serious budget look at

the D200 or even the D100. KEH has

the 200 at around $350, the D100 even

less. Both are still very useful event

cameras even if they are a bit dated.

Particularly with the D200 I've not

found anything I can't do with it which

is one measurement of when to

upgrade but you always need a

backup.

 

Rick H.

<p>What camera are you using now? It might be nice to have a back-up that shared like media and batteries, although I know this isn't always possible.</p>

<p>If a used or refurb d7000 is too much, I'd look for a used or refurb D5100 (same sensor as the D700, BUT camera must have AFS type lenses.)</p>

<p>Kent in SD</p>

<p>Buy a spare battery. </p>

<p>Thank you all!!! Great advice, all valid points - I've got some serious digging to do now and I know where to start! Didn't even think of refurbished ones and yes, I do have a DX and AFS, so I will have to look into that as well. Thanks again.</p>

<p>If you are shooting weddings for pay, you need two cameras and at least two batteries for each one.</p>

<p>Kent in SD</p>

<p>No, I don't normally shoot weddings for pay, but I think I need two cameras anyway. Extra batteries are on my list too. Thank you!</p>

<p>Perhaps the ideal is to get a second camera of the same kind as your first - used or refurbished ones have worked out well for me, and there's no confusion in how the thing operates.<br /> Second option is to get a more "entry-level" camera new. Used as a backup it will certainly be durable enough.</p>

<p>You always need to have lots of batteries available. The better providers of battery "clones" are <em>much</em> cheaper and may not last as long as the 'real' ones, but you can buy more of them and still not spend as much.<br /> With more batteries, you may also want to consider a (multi)battery grip if such is available for your model, although that definitely adds weight to the mix.</p>

<p>D3200 is a great camera if you have AFS lenses. Or the new D5200. If budget allows, D7000 is my recommendation. It can be had used for $700 in a mint condition with very little shutter count.</p>

<p>i keep a spare battery on a charger at all times. every time i leave the house with my camera gear, i swap out the battery so i always have a freshie. if you do this enough times, it becomes second nature. since ive been doing this i've never run out of battery.</p>

I second the D5100 suggestion. It is way better than the D3100 or D3200, useful high ISO, killer battery life, and is

moderately priced.

It helps save both weight and confusion of your main and your backup take the same type of batteries.

 

Curls and other basic exercises will not only help you get your gear to the job, but will help you hold your camera steadier,

and compose easier. Upgrading the photographer is often cheaper and easier than you think,

<p>Mm, still don't know wath camera you are using already, but in general its nest to have 2 of the samer camera's (and flashes), so that all the lenses and accesoires fit both camera's always, like JDM and Joseph already suggested.. ...</p>

<p>I agree that the D7000 is a great body. Not said above is that currently it can be bought refurbished for just under $750.00 at New York retailers, and it will work with virtually ALL Nikon lenses.</p>

<p>The D5100 is a good enough camera, same sensor, but it's restricted to DX lenses. It's more than adequate, but then the D7000 is simply one really fine camera body.</p>

<p>I've seen D3000s new advertised for $210 recently, refurbished, though they are not always available, and used good quality refurbs of that model from a good quality store (Samy's LA) at $190, but on special. You have to watch ads to get such deals.</p>

<p>My personal preference would be the D3200 which shoots acceptably up to ISO 6500, which is simply phenomenal, and it's a very compact camera. </p>

<p>Although you generally have to buy a kit, the refurbs for those kits are running about $550 or at least under $600 at New York retailers (you have to compare ads). </p>

<p>When you in the past could just buy the body without the kid lens, subtract about $80 for the 18-55 f 3.5~5.6 V.R. 'kit' lens, but few retailers will sell the body refurb without the lens. The 'kit' lens is plenty sharp and easily resold, but it's really quite a good addition to your lens collection. Being plastic, it can easily be broken, but it's plenty sharp. And who cries if they break a lens that lists refurb for about $120 alone and is far cheaper when bought with most kits? </p>

<p>Of course, for a little extra money, the D5200 has many more controls, and could be used as a stand alone camera, same sensor with same high ISO range, I am sure.</p>

<p>I prefer to buy refurbished . . . . . with cameras and often with lenses.</p>

<p>At least one retailer in New York adds their own warranty to the refurb warranty which extends the 90-day factory refurb warranty to one year which equals Nikon's warranty period in the USA (In Europe it's two years).</p>

<p>Hope this helps. It's based on real experience, not just reading publications.</p>

<p>john</p>

<p>John (Crosley)</p>

<p>Not being sure of the OPs budget, the D5200 is available body only for under $800. Even with some of its limitations (requires af-s lenses, viewfinder, etc.) there is still a lot to like about this camera I think. </p>

<p>I am leaning toward d5100, because:<br>

- my old D60 is DX and uses AFS lenses<br>

- 16 MP is enough for my modest needs<br>

- I am curious to see what "effect" mode does!<br>

- battery and memory cards will be interchanheable<br>

- I can get it without the kit lens (I can use kit lens from my old D60) or use it with my Tamron 2.8 zoom lens<br>

- I can buy a 35mm 1.8f/G fixed lens to go with it still within my budget</p>

<p>Thanks again for everyone's input!</p>