Buying My Wife a DSLR For Christmas ~$1000

<p>Hello,<br>

As the title suggests, I want to buy my wife a camera for Christmas. She's still pretty new to photography, but is going to school for it. She wants to be a wedding photographer. As such, I would like to get her something that will last her awhile until her next upgrade. I would like to get her a camera body and one lens for as much under $1000 as possible.<br>

From my research, pretty much every wedding photographer uses a full frame camera. However, the prices just for the body alone usually are over budget. While it's a DX Crop sensor, I've read some wonderful articles about the the Nikon D7100. It's even featured in wedding kits I've seen as a backup camera. My thinking is that I can get her a D7100 to use for a while until her inevitable FX jump, and then the D71000 can become her backup. Would this be feasible for wedding shoots as a backup photographer at least? She has some gigs lined up already for next year. Also, what would be a good starting lens to get with this in mind. Obviously, we'll expand out to a few more lens later, but for now I need a good all-purpose lens for her to play with until then. As we expand, should we focus on FX lenses?<br>

TLDR - Is a Nikon D7100 sufficient for wedding work, and what starting lens?</p>

<p>The Nikon D7100 is a wonderful camera, with an excellent sensor, good controls and very capable autofocus, and it is currently a real bargain now that the D7200 is available. I sometimes shoot events, never weddings, but the equipment requirements are similar. I have used a pair of D7100 bodies, which served very well. (Do keep in mind that two bodies are a minimum for shooting events professionally, just in case one of them fails.)</p>

<p>For shooting events (or weddings) with a DX body, the workhorse lens is an f/2.8 zoom with a focal length range of 17 to 50 or 55mm. While Nikon makes a nice 17-55mm f/2.8, there are others which cost and weigh lens. If the equipment doesn't get rough treatment, the very solid construction of the Nikon becomes less important. I like the original Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8, but later models should also be fine, and similar lenses are made by Sigma.</p>

<p>It is possible to do beautiful work with DX, so don't worry about FX for now.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Christmas in July?<br>

I'm sure that you will get some good advice in this thread, but-<br>

I'd wait a few months to see what new might be coming out. Or what price drops might be available. Things can change quickly....</p>

<p>I've had my D7100 for about 4 years. It's a great camera. I use it mostly with my Tamron 17-50mm, which makes it a pretty portable walk around lens.<br>

D7100 $668: <a href="https://www.keh.com/shop/nikon-d7100-24-1-megapixel-digital-slr-camera-body-only-black.html">https://www.keh.com/shop/nikon-d7100-24-1-megapixel-digital-slr-camera-body-only-black.html</a><br>

They're out of stock on the lens right now, but you can find one around for about $250-300.<br>

This would be a good start to build from.</p>

<p> </p>

@Michael Linn - I just wanted to be prepared and know what to look for when sales start to appear

closer to Christmas.

<p>Think system and think lenses. The camera body isn't the single most important aspect (and a jump to full frame not inevitable). Bodies are relatively short-term, while lenses typically are not, and their lens-mount does tie you to a specific system.<br>

Not only do lenses last longer than bodies, and in terms of creative options play at least as important a role as the body, and also for the quality of the image. So, consider to split the budget to reflect that. Personally, I'd prefer a D5300 with a great lens over a D7100 with a mediocre lens. And between a better body and adding a telelens, I'd lean towards a telelens more too.</p>

<p>In the choice for camera, and hence camera brand, I'd consider how complete the whole system is - which lenses are available, which not; are accessories easy to find at reasonable prices and most of all, is compatible lighting equipment available. Canon and Nikon are safe bets, but not the only ones.<br>

I'd also consider the handling of a camera - how easy does it fit the hands, how easy does the user find it to find the controls, to work the controls etc. What for one is too large a camera, is too small for somebody else. So maybe you may want her to actually choose the camera, rather than do it for her. It may not be as big a surprise, but it will make sure she gets a camera she likes using and that fits her sense of ergonomy.</p>

<p>If you're going to buy in 4 months time, it makes no sense to pin down on one specific body now. Things move quick enough, and the D7100 has been replaced by the D7200 for quite a while, so no way to say if in November any store still has the D7100 around. I think if you start your considerations now around 1 specific camera, you're narrowing down way too far.</p>

<p>Finally, I wouldn't worry about this camera being enough for wedding work yet. If this is her first camera, she'll need quite a bit more time before really working as a wedding photographer as that does take some experience and more familiarity with photography. Get her something nice and versatile to get started first. After all, you have to learn how to walk before you run.</p>

<p>Another vote for the Nikon d7100. I use it as the backup for my d810 and it is fantastic. For the money you cannot do better.</p>

<p>-O</p>

<p>The D700 (used) is less than $1000. With a good lens, you might be a little over, but maybe not so much. </p>

<p>Not so long ago, the D700 was the usual one I saw for weddings. It might be that the D800 is more usual today, but the D700 is still a fine camera.</p>

<p>Between the D700 and D7100, I don't know, but if you want to plan ahead for the D800, then the D700 might be a better choice now.</p>

<p>There are a few questions that you are asking -</p>

<p>Selecting any <em>'tool of trade'</em> as a <em>'gift'</em> is fraught with danger if the gift is a 'surprise' - I suggest that you seek your Wife's input. It could be as simple as she does or doesn't like the feel or the layout of a D7100 . . . this is especially so if your intention is to buy into a SYSTEM of gear on which your Wife could build - though that stated with only one camera and one lens it is quite feasible and not too costly to change systems - but the point is most people don't do that - so I strongly suggest that you involve your Wife in this initial choice - if you haven't already done so. </p>

<p>I agree that the D7100 and a Tamron 17 to 50 F/2.8 Zoom is a very good, cost effective combination for any serious Student. Also this combination would stand as a good backup camera and lens for Weddings and Social Events Photography. But equally - a comparative Canon APS-C Format Camera and the same lens will do the same job and also be a good back up for a Canon System - it's 90% about what is behind the camera.</p>

<p>I don't think that there is an <em><strong>"inevitable FX jump":</strong></em> your Wife should define her business choices by the outcomes she wishes to achieve: there is a terrible amount of hype about gear - if she wants to be excellent and successful at Wedding Photography then there are more important technical issues than gear to consider, once one has a certain level of quality and operation gear in the bag - and that bag could certainly consist of a set of APS-C Format DSLR Cameras - or indeed a set of mirror-less cameras and lenses.</p>

<p>Concerning the D7100 (and a Tamron 17 to 50 F/2.8) being <strong><em>"feasible for wedding shoots as a backup photographer at least?"</em></strong>: that depends on the tasks that the Lead Photographer will allocate for your Wife. Often, but not always, the Second Photographer is mainly tasked with Cutaway, Reaction or Candid Portraiture which is designated to be shot at a distance farther than the proximity of the Lead Photographer - in these cases the Second Photographer usually uses a longer Focal Length lens than a "Standard Zoom" for example on an APS-C camera something like an 85 100 or 135 - or (what I asked to be used) a 24 to 105 zoom. It also depends on the relationship with the Lead Photographer and what gear s/he uses, For example, I use Canon DSLR's and my Second (a Student) also uses (only APS- C) Canon DSLR's and she has two lenses - (a standard zoom 17 to 50) and a fast 35 Prime) but I was quite happy to let her use my 24 to 105/4 IS for those tasks I described above, when we recently worked some Business Functions together.</p>

<p><em><strong>"She has some gigs lined up already for next year."</strong> </em>- not sure if this refers to your Wife being a Second Photographer or if this refers to her own Clients - if these are her own jobs, then she needs to have a full kit which includes at least one backup camera and one back up lens.</p>

<p>***</p>

<p>As only one example of the related and not strictly "photographic' considerations that your Wife should take into account if she chooses to embark into this area as a business:<br /> On Forums and other Social Media there is presently general comment linking <em>"Dual Card Slots"</em> to <em>"Wedding Photography - you only get one shot"</em>: Social media conversation often drive Client Expectations and on this topic it is definitely is so. I note the increasing number of Wedding Photographer's Websites and Advertising Material which make a point of stating that they use gear with "Dual Card Security for your valuable Wedding Images" or similar phrases.</p>

<p>WW</p>

<p>The D7100 would be fine for weddings. I have shot weddings with its predecessor, the D7000 not to mention the even older D200 and Nikon film cameras before that. And no, full frame it not at all inevitable. Many wedding photographers shoot in DX format.<br /><br />But I do agree with WW -- never buy photography gear for a photographer. Photographers are very, very specific about what they want. Even if you are a photographer yourself, what you think they want and buy for them is not necessarily what they would have bought. Buying your wife a new camea is a very generous thing to do, but don't go buy a camera. Instead, take her shopping and let her pick out whatever she wants within your budget. And if your budget doesn't cover what she wants, wait until the money is there.<br /><br />What kind of camera and lenses is she using now? If she isn't already making pictures at an advanced level, she is nowhere near ready to become a wedding photography and has no business having "some gigs already lined up for next year."</p>

<p>Agree 100% with Craig. What is good on paper she may not like so much when she picks it up. I would offer to buy her something, but she really should try the choices out beforehand. Nikon, Canon, are safe choices, but there are others: some people think the others are more exciting.</p>

<p>I agree with the recommendation to have her select the camera.<br>

What feels and fits good to you may not feel and fit your wife.</p>

<p>Example1, weight. A Nikon F4 feels OK in my hand and I can comfortably use it, but the smaller and lighter Olympus OM is soooo much more comfortable for extended carrying and usage. This is more so now, as I am much older than I was in college. Gear weight is now a concern that I did not have before, when lugging a 20 pound camera bag all day was not a problem. Carrying all the gear will be a weight and bulk concern (camera + lens, 2nd camera + lens, 3rd lens, spare batteries, flash, etc.) Sometimes you have to haul it all around yourself, other times you don't (assistant to carry it or leave the gear in a safe place). </p>

<p>Example2, bulk. I have small hands and somewhat short fingers. A device that others feel comfortable holding, is too BIG/FAT for my hand, and is uncomfortable to the point that I cannot properly use it.</p>

<p>Granted these are somewhat extreme example, but I hope the idea behind them gets across.</p>