Monday, February 17, 2014

Why I upgraded to Nikon D5200 ?

Dear All,

With my experience with Photography, I have my own classifications on the level of photography.

Beginner

1. Just want to shoot a photo, dose not bother about any of the photographic aspects.
2. Just started to use a camera

Advanced Beginner

1. Already have some experience with basic point and shoot cameras and now looking for the next level to upgrade the output of photographs.
2. Not satisfied with the output of any priced point and shoot camera.

Intermediate

1. Already camera owns an APS-C sensor camera and knows to play around the manual settings of the camera to get optimal results.
2. Always want to use an post photo editing tool (Adobe Light-room) to enhance the output of most of the photographs taken)

Advanced Intermediate

1. Knows to play with the flash, External lighting, Aperture, ISO, Auto Focus/ Manual Focus, White Balance, FPS to get an optimal output at least >50% of the time.
2. Knows what may be the result of the photograph just by looking through the view finder with the displayed camera settings.

Professional

1. Knows the exact advantage of using a full frame DSLR when compared using APS-C sensor, and knows to utilize the full 35mm frame to get the depth and meaning of a photograph.
2. Knows to use all professional photographic gadgets to use when and why.

Advanced Professional

1. Knows to take a stunning image with any given camera.
2. Just with the settings of the camera and available lighting know how and when to use a camera to get a most justifiable image with minimal post processing effects.



I fall in to the “Advanced Beginner” category. Hence as I decided to upgrade my photographic gears I was left with two options “Canon or Nikon”, so when I procured Nikon D5200 it was the most updated camera with better specs in the market when compared to Canon models.

As Nikon's 'advanced beginner' DSLR, the D5200 sits between the entry-level D3200 and the enthusiast-targeted D7100 in the company's most recent APS-C lineup. The D5200 offers 24MP resolution, an articulated rear LCD and more physical controls than the D3200, but without the twin-dial interface and professional grade AF system of the decidedly higher market D7100.

Nikon has paired the D5200's 24.1 million effective pixel CMOS sensor with its EXPEED 3 processing engine, and this enables a native sensitivity range of ISO 100-6400. If light levels are very low, this can be expanded upwards to the equivalent of ISO 25,600.

I am not going to compare the specifications of Nikon D5200 with any benchmarks, rather this post will be of my experience in shifting from a point and shoot camera to an intermediate-professional camera.

My experience with Point and Shoot camera


I had previously owned a Samsung NV3 7.1 MP, Casio Exilim EX-Z33 10 MP and Sony –H9, with all the three Sony-H9 10.1 MP was my longtime favorite because of its versatile 15 X optical zoom.

Pros:

1. Light weight and highly portable.
2. No extra attachments to carry around, less cumbersome.
3. Cheap
4. Most of the memory cards works fine without time lag.
5. Can hold in hand upright for long time to take less shaky videos and photos
6. Anyone can shoot from my kids to my parents as by name point and shoot.
7. Customs are not bothered about my camera in my Hand baggage.
8. Various competitors in the market to choose from the best options to price
9. Comes in various colors and style if you are fashion conscious
10. Latest ones have (Phone, Music Player, Video Player, Games and lot more fun to customize through android apps.


Cons:

1. Cramped pixel packing makes shabby image depth, useless to change any of the basics of image reproduction.
2. Image Quality is far poorer when compared to basic APS-C sensor cameras.
3. Video Recording and Quality of reproduction is very poor.
4. No gadgets to add upon to upgrade the quality of the image
5. Camera decides the output of the image as most of the settings are preloaded.
6. There are too many options out there in the market and majority of the players do not upgrade the quality and standard of the image reproduction rather they concentrate on useless options and features. (too many cooks spoil the food)
7. Build quality is poor (weather protection), latest ones are coming with better protection against weather but still not up to the mark.
8. If you have passion for good photograph most of the time you end up being cheated by the results.
9. Most of the times we are cheated with the various options of the camera but the end result in the images are not promising.
10. Most of the time the menu and settings of the camera doesn’t have any hard button to access and makes it difficult for elderly or average persons to change the settings as they wish.

My experience with APS-C DSLR Camera


Last year I have upgraded to Nikon D-5200 with 18-55mm Kit lens and Sigma 18-250 mm macro zoom lens, Nikon WU-1a wireless adaptor. Within my first couple of shots I realizes that DSLR cameras stand apart from any of the Point and Shoot cameras in the market.



Pros:

1. Image Detail and Depth
2. You decide the image output with Manual settings
3. Options to include Flash, Triggers, WiFi Routers, Synchronization with Cameras and flash.
4. Versatility of choosing the lens as per your requirement.
5. Print your Images on a blowup
6. Tons are post image editing is possible with RAW format images (With JPEG you lose the quality)
7. To an extent even the entry level DSLR comes with weather proofing
8. Video recording and Quality on reproduction is very good
9. Easy to access camera setting hardware buttons, come handy when needed.
10. Focal Points give a varying image depth resolution, which is makes most of your steady images look good.



Cons:

1. Bulky and heavy to carry along. You cannot take a risk to place the camera or its accessories in your check in baggage because your luggage may be lost or handled carelessly to break your valuables within.
2. When you pack your DSLR with your hand baggage you give a better options for the customs in country like India to screw you a bit, it gets worse if you are an Indian.
3. Always you should keep an eye on your gears as most of them will cost a bit to bother you, even if one of your accessories is missed or stolen. It will be the worst nightmare to lose your complete back pack with your camera body, lens, flash, memory card and battery.
4. You should be familiar with all available manual options of your camera and how to access and configure the external hardware buttons to get a better output and if not you will not find any use in taking photos with an DSLR.
5. You will have to juggle around with lens when you will have to take a photograph with varying focal lengths at the same event.
6. You should be ready to invest at least 50 % more money on your DSLR gears than you will be buying a point and shoot camera.
7. Really it takes some time to at least master the basics of (Aperture, FPS, ISO, AF/MF, Image Formats, White Balance, Micro-Macro, Tele-Photo, Wide Angle) RAW photography which makes the first building block of owing a DSLR camera to make some sense.
8. If you do not have a gene that will appreciate or can differentiate between good and bad image just with your inner sense, DSLR will not make any sense to you.
9. It’s annoying to take candid portraits because of its size and presence.
10. Only few options to choose from with minimal competition in the markets.

If you have decided to upgrade your photographic gears, ask these questions to yourself and answer it honestly.

1. Why do I need to upgrade from Point and Shoot cameras to a DSLR camera?
2. Do I really find my point and shoot cameras are not delivering the image with the quality I think? Am I unsatisfied with the image quality of my point and shoot cameras?
3. What do I know about photographic basics?
4. What is my budget and best camera option that I have in the market for my budget?
5. Should I want an APS-C sensor or a full frame sensor camera?
6. If I need a full frame (Will I earn any money out of it or will I be taking part in any professional photographic competitions – because full frame cameras are much more heavier, costlier and critical to maintain and carry on)
7. Am I willing to carry the heavy gears as passion for my photography comes first?
8. Can I keep an eye on my gadgets where ever I go? (or am I careless)
9. Do I know something about post image processing software? (Adobe Lightroom)
10. Will I be moving to full frame cameras in the future, in that case make sure the accessories (lens, Flash, Triggers, Tripod) that you buy are compactable with full frame cameras, buy the way you can get most out of your investment.

Thanks & Regards,
S.Grace Paul Regan

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