Need Help to find my wife a christmas gift

Nocturne79 · « **on:** 20 Nov 2012, 04:08 pm »

Hello everyone,

First off I have no idea about photography and no knowledge about it but my wife is into the hobby and I am trying to learn about it. I am looking to get her a gift but not sure where to go to find information about stuff.

She has a Nikon D60 (its a digital one, heh sorry again dont know much) and she likes taking photos of people and animals and occasionally landscape shots. I was thinking of getting her another lense but not sure where to look for it or if there is a photo forum somewhere.

Thank you all for any help you can offer.

jtwrace · « **Reply #1 on:** 20 Nov 2012, 04:10 pm »

So many choices. What's your budget?

SET Man · « **Reply #2 on:** 20 Nov 2012, 04:57 pm »

Hey!

Lots of options here. What lens is she using right now?

Take care,
Buddy

jqp · « **Reply #3 on:** 20 Nov 2012, 05:30 pm »

I was just thinking about creating a topic on gift ideas in general...will put that in personal touch.

But I think this is a great idea for a photography-specialized topic.

I can make some suggestions for Nikon

You can find some good candidate lenses that will not really work with the D60 so you have to be careful - I would go to this site because he goes into good practical detail about these things

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/nikkor.htm

Beyond lenses there are plenty of do-dads that she may or may not use, so if you know her habits, annoyances, wants, in using the D60 that would be helpful. You could get her alternate bags, straps, a more powerful flash, but those options should be understood based on how she uses or wants to use the D60.

Maybe she could use a higher-capacity, faster SD card, but make sure it is compatible with the D60.

Does she want to experiment with a money-pit of a photographic printer?

Or you could just upgrade her to the D3200 or D5100/5200

Reasons to do so are that after 2 or 3 generations the D60 is getting a little long in the tooth, and the technology really has improved, and you will have more options for presents in the future.

Nocturne79 · « **Reply #4 on:** 20 Nov 2012, 09:57 pm »

Yep sorry, my budget is around 500-800. She is my wife and I want to get her something nice as she is such a wonderful woman.

The current lenses she uses now is AF-s Nikkor 50mm 1:1.4G (I just typed what is on the lense I hope that is the name of the lens lol.)

She is looking into a bag and one time she mentioned a flash, but only one time. When she got the lense mentioned above about 4 months ago she absolutely loves it. I would not mind getting her a new camera though not sure if the above lens woudl work, again all input is welomced. thank you all

Her habits at least from what I can gather is she loves taking photos of people outside and for fun with the stock lense that came with the camera she shoots random shots from the car lol. I am open to getting her a new camera as she has mentioned a few different times.

Sorry I know that is not much go off but I am still trying to learn this hobby of hers

thunderbrick · « **Reply #5 on:** 20 Nov 2012, 10:06 pm »

Does she have an 18-55 or similar lens? I love the 50mm 1.4 but she needs an AF-S version if it is to be used on newer Nikon bodies. OTOH, if she appreciates fast glass get her a used 17-55 2.8 AF-S VR. It's HEAVY for a small body like the D60, but WOW! I bought a used one and LOVE it!

Flash? Maybe an SB-600 or SB-800?

If she concentrates on outdoors, and already has an 18-55 or similar kit lens, get her a 70-200 or 70-300. I recently bought my wife a used Sigma 140-500 AF lens for her D80. While not the best-built lens I've ever used, it is remarkably sharp. But all she like to photograph is birds and squirrels, and she LOVES the lens.

Disclosure: I may have a 70-200 2.8 AF VR Nikon lens for sale soon.

Early B. · « **Reply #6 on:** 20 Nov 2012, 10:40 pm »

Buy her a Nikon D7000 camera body and she will absolutely love it. It would be a significant upgrade to what she already has and she'll be able to use her existing lenses with it. New bodies are a bit higher than your budget, so you'll have to shop around to find it for less than $800. This one is a manufacturer's refurbished body from a highly reputable seller and authorized Nikon dealer: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nikon-D7000-Digital-SLR-Camera-Body-Refurbished-by-Nikon-U-S-A-25468B-/320991448108?pt=Digital_Cameras&hash=item4abc94cc2c

ptempel · « **Reply #7 on:** 20 Nov 2012, 10:58 pm »

You could get the following:

Another prime lens. Maybe an 80 or 85 for landscapes, 28 to 35 for normal or wide angle for street shooting.

Tripod or monopod. Essential for reducing camera shake.

Camera bag. Maybe a backpack type like Lowepro and others make?

Circular polarizer filter. Great for reducing glare or darkening the skies a bit.

Nikon flash. If she shoots indoors or need fill light outdoors for portraits.

Lens baby. Can get creative soft focus shots with it. Not sure if doable with D60 but you can check.

Hope that helps...

JohnR · « **Reply #8 on:** 20 Nov 2012, 11:01 pm »

Maybe one of these:

http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-28mm-1-8G-AF-S-NIKKOR/dp/B007VGGIRK

Or

http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-Micro-Nikkor-Digital-Cameras/dp/B002SQKVE4

Doublej · « **Reply #9 on:** 20 Nov 2012, 11:18 pm »

What about another camera, something to complement the one she has? Perhaps something small that she would take with her when should wouldn't take the D60 or perhaps a waterproof one?

Or does she already use her smartphone for this purpose?

Nocturne79 · « **Reply #10 on:** 21 Nov 2012, 04:14 pm »

Hey all, want to say thank you for the great input. I have a copy of the lense that my wife has for her d60 nikon and I was wondering if I purchase a new nikon camear...d3200 or d7000 ( I understand this is an older model but what read sounds better than what she has) if it would work for it. Any input would be great. I really think she would love a new camera as she brings it up more often lol. She only has the lense mentioned below and the stock one that came with it when she bought the camera long time ago.

Nikon 50mm f/1.4G SIC SW Prime Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras

Thank you all

thunderbrick · « **Reply #11 on:** 21 Nov 2012, 04:27 pm »

What is the stock lens that came with the camera? An 18-55? 18-70?

viggen · « **Reply #12 on:** 21 Nov 2012, 04:46 pm »

The lens she has now is very good but a bit too much tele for most situations. Maybe get her a 24mm or 28mm lens.

But, the D60 is pretty old. Digital has improved quite a bit since then. D90 is in your range. The D7000 is even better but for a bit more. So, I'd second the suggestion for the D7000. D90 is just as good imo just has slightly grainier pictures during night photography. So, if she doesn't do any shooting when it's dark, she'd not need the D7000.

If your wife is handy with playing with photo settings, then don't even consider the D3000 or D5000 series. If she uses Auto all the time, then maybe D5100.

Early B. · « **Reply #13 on:** 21 Nov 2012, 05:35 pm »

Quote from: Nocturne79 on 21 Nov 2012, 04:14 pm

Hey all, want to say thank you for the great input. I have a copy of the lense that my wife has for her d60 nikon and I was wondering if I purchase a new nikon camear...d3200 or d7000 ( I understand this is an older model but what read sounds better than what she has) if it would work for it. Any input would be great. I really think she would love a new camera as she brings it up more often lol. She only has the lense mentioned below and the stock one that came with it when she bought the camera long time ago.

Nikon 50mm f/1.4G SIC SW Prime Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras

Absolutely. The Nikon 50mm f/1.4 SIC SW will work quite well with the Nikon D7000. The Nikon D3200 is a low end DLSR camera. Your wife deserves better.

Nocturne79 · « **Reply #14 on:** 21 Nov 2012, 07:21 pm »

Thanks all, this is really helping me alot!

the stock lense that it came with is

VR Nikon DX
AF-S Nikkor 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6g

thunderbrick · « **Reply #15 on:** 21 Nov 2012, 07:26 pm »

Good! She has WA capability in that lens, but not much telephoto. Either way she'll LOVE the bigger display screens on the newer camera bodies.

low.pfile · « **Reply #16 on:** 21 Nov 2012, 07:56 pm »

It's tough buying any technical equipment for someone if you are not familiar with the equipment.

There are so many accessories that may be of use to your wife, but often those sit in the back of drawer, even when purchased by the photographer themself

You either have to ask her directly or ask questions about what her current camera system is falling short (does that sound like a familiar approach?

)

some examples:

-IF she says she can't get close enough to the subject (people or large objects), then you should look into the telephoto lenses that are suggested above or anything above 85mm. A zoom lens type for the flexibility

-IF she says she can't get close enough to the subject that is small like a flower or plant or small object then a macro lens is the direction to look into.

-IF she says she is having trouble stopping motion of kids, sports or animals it may be because of the focusing abilities of the D60/lens combo or the the light capturing capabilities of the sensor in lower light. the newer D5100/D7000 would be an improvement

-IF she says she is getting blurry photos inside or in dark lighting (or they are unpleasantly grainy), that is because of the camera sensor, again newer cameras have improved, since the D60 has a CCD sensor and the newer Nikons use CMOS sensors also have updated image processing engines,
so a new camera D5100/D7000 would address this

I like the idea of the new 28mm f1.8 lens but it is pricy at $600 and without knowing her type of photography it may be not see much use. A similar lens (wider angle view and larger max aperture), but at a better value is the Nikon 35mm f1.8 at ~ $200

Both lenses you mention that she already has will work with any of the newer Nikon DX cameras suggested by others above.

Another option is to find a photography class (camera store, local adult education centers, Nikon School @ nikonusa.com) in your area and sign her up for that. This class may improve her photography and/or make her happier than a new tripod or lens.

good luck

thunderbrick · « **Reply #17 on:** 21 Nov 2012, 08:10 pm »

I've been teaching photography in community education programs for 20 years, mostly to soccer moms, and I agree 100% with low.pfile.

Frankly I find that women want fewer tools and accessories than men do. They MUCH prefer something that helps them accomplish an idea, like a true macro lens as low.pfile suggests, or a zoom tele if chasing kids. They are NOT photo accessory packrats! Just like us audiophiles who ONLY buy the minimum essential items necessary to get good sound, right? Riiiiiiggggggghhhhhhhttttttt!!!!!!!!!

Devil Doc · « **Reply #18 on:** 21 Nov 2012, 08:25 pm »

Women want diamonds. If you want to have fun Christmas night, buy diamonds.

Doc

pansixt · « **Reply #19 on:** 21 Nov 2012, 08:38 pm »

I will mention it since nobody else has. A really good scanner can be a real family tool, you may have one. But if not, everyone has prints or negs from back in the day (like myself and my family) from family moments, some of which could be as far back as the dearly departed twentieth century or even older. I have been intending to buy myself one.
Resurrect some of those old treasured (or not) frozen moments.

Good photo equipment can be a tough buy for someone, though I would like to think we have the skinny on what our spouses use to capture images. I know my ex has my 74 Nikkormat FTn, so she is good if she actually uses it. Probably less than a PAS.

Tough call but as always, above there is some good input from a good group.

James

Edit: Doc is right ^^^