bob_h

<p>I might recommend both a point and shoot and a D5300 to your friend. He can buy either the D5200 or D5300 as Nikon factory refurbished for under $500.00 now direct from Nikon. I have a Sony RX100 first version and it is easy to use for the most part. There are some days that I wish that it had a viewfinder in addition to the screen on the back. As far as the DSLR, the D5000 series are light enough to take anywhere, not one you would want to leave at home. The difference in handling and weight between the D5000 series compared to the D7000 series, well I leave the D7000 at home a lot. D5000 is just much nicer to carry. Another point and shoot to consider might be the Panasonic LX7, nice images, with a fairly low price now that the LX100 has replaced it.</p>

<p>I used FM2n's and Hasselblad for weddings for years. A nice 50mm lens for not a lot of money is the Nikon 50mm 1.8 Series E. They are nice to use, sized just right for good balance on an FM2 and very sharp. Right now they are very inexpensive. Spend 50 or 75 dollars on one and use the $325.00 you save on film and another focal length lens.</p>

<p>As the title says, we have a Nikon S9500 that is very slow before it will allow you to take a shot, and also in between shots. It was slow to begin with but now seems like the dinosaurs will come back to life before it will get the shot. Catch a fleeting expression with it, no chance at all. I have used many digital point and shoots and several Nikon DSLRs, but am very puzzled by this one. Any ideas that might help please?</p>

<p>If I were buying one of your 3 choices it would be the FM3a, because it is newer and should be problem free longer. Don't rule out a nice FM2n that has not been used as a workhorse they are very nice to use. You are buying a body for 1 E lens?</p>

<p>The price for the 16-80 is insane for what you get. Almost as if Nikon was actually trying to send customers away, directly to the secondary lens makers. Nano coating is nice, but I will just hang on to the old 17-55 2.8 thanks.</p>

<p>If you ever shot any of the Nikon Series E lenses which were very good, they were made by Kiron for Nikon.</p>

<p>Great shot Wade! Were you a Konica Hexar RF shooter once upon a time?</p>

<p>I have had 2 Sony cameras that I thought were superb. The R1 and RX100. When push comes to shove, the Df is what I like to use the best, no matter what the lens is. When warranty and repairs out of warranty are involved, I trust Nikon. Can't say the same for Sony.</p>

<p>During the film era, FM2n's performed flawlessly and helped me to earn my living shooting weddings. These days a Df makes me happiest.</p>

<p>Another possible method would be to use a tight headshot style where the top of the head is cut off. They seem to like that they are suddenly no longer just another bald guy.</p>

<p>Tim, your 150 stop photo journey sounds as if it would be very interesting to hear about after you have completed it. Good luck!</p>

<p>After looking at the faces section of his website gallery, if his portrait workshop was being held near me, I would take a pass.</p>

<p>For traveling light I use an old D5000 with 1 or 2 lenses. It just feels so much lighter than carrying the D7000, especially if its for all day long. Its not the most current at 12mp, but it gives me what I need.</p>

<p>If he was within 20 yards of that grizzly he may be very lucky to have survived. It was much more fun when we could feed the bears as they came up to our car windows as a kid in the early 60's. Those bears were much friendlier and just wanted food, not to tear you or your camera up.</p>

<p>These places have vast areas to cover and photograph. If I were going for the first time I would keep it simple and use the body and lenses that you already have. Once you have visited, you will want to return. Use this trip as exploratory, shoot what you can, then once you have seen it you can plan for your return trip. Bring a few items of warmer clothes if you can, I have been snowed on in Yellowstone and the Tetons in July a time or two. Enjoy the trip!</p>

<p>If it does not feel right to you, just decline the session.</p>

<p>It would be very interesting to see the D7000 results included along with the 7100 and 7200, if for no other reason that to see the improvement with each newer successor. Maybe with no crop added.</p>

<p>The D7200 looks like a nice camera, but as a D7000 shooter, the "value" in upgrading to the 7200 just does not seem to be there for me. Sadly the resale value of the D7000 is so low that shooters looking to upgrade may find that the additional features of the 7200 are not worth the dollar difference that it will cost to trade up. I have to say that I was hoping for more with the D7200 and am kind of disappointed that it not there.</p>

<p>Before starting a portrait studio, take some time and seriously study the market and the direction that the portrait only studio is headed. Will it be weddings and portraits, or portraits only. What kinds of portrait will you be making and which markets do you intend to serve? Knowledge will bring you the power for success, but from your posts it seems like you need to gather more knowledge and experience before investing your money. Please take this statement at face value and not as a slam. It may sound a bit harsh to you, but it is based upon reality.</p>

<p>Don't forget to consider the Nikon Df, a kind of retro looking full frame that uses the same 16MP sensor as the D4s that is very sensitive and responsive to lower light images. If you get the silver version it looks like an old film camera and people are prone to dismiss you as a tourist or an amateur often allowing you the freedom to shoot unfettered where others would not. Try one, they are interesting and not like every other plastic looking DSLR on the planet.</p>

<p>Mark, you are shooting with an older body, have you thought about whether you might switch to full frame in the future before selecting another lens? Just a thought.</p>

<p>If you go back to visit another time, just north of Port Richey is Hudson Beach, where the canal that the shrimp boats use to go to the gulf would make an interesting background for you. It would be nice in morning light, toward the end of the canal where it meets the gulf waters.</p>

<p>Pentax is way late with a FF DSLR. They brought the 645D and 645z to market and pretty much ignored their base users. Not smart marketing at all.</p>

<p>For me, the best combo would be a Nikon Df body for digital and a FM3a or a well kept FM2n. Wide selection of lenses available used and new. In addition to Nikkors you can use Leica R lenses with a Leitax adaptor. About going to North Korea unrestrained.....not in this lifetime.</p>