I have followed DP review for well over a decade. I run an internet motorcycle ezine, so have shot digital since the late 1990s (anyone else remember paying several hundred dollars for a 2 megapixel camera?). This is my first post!
I started with Olympus cameras, which had gorgeous JPEG colors from the very beginning of digital. My first DSLR was a Canon 10D (6 mpx, i believe), and I stuck with Canon, eventually with the original 5D and finally a 7D. I believed in having good glass, and owned the 70-200 F4L, as well as the 135L (I like shooting with primes, and this was a versatile focal length on the 5D when shooting motorcycles).
I eventually sold my Canon gear and worked with a photographer who shoots a Nikon D300s. His name is Chris, and he also posts on DPR. Chris is very talented...much more so than I. Over the years, I have been fortunate to work with some of the best photographers in the motorcycle business, including Kevin Wing (Canon) and Tom Riles (Nikon).
My company needed to have its own DSLR for various reasons, so I started to look around recently. I am kind of a geek when it comes to researching equipment, and I watch DXOMARK.com, as well as other camera sites rather religiously. I know that the sensors in Nikon cameras rate very highly. With regard to lenses, Canon and Nikon each have their strengths (I think the Canon 70-200 F4 non-IS is the best bargain out there for shooting moving motorcycles). When I saw that the new D5200 was getting the AF engine found in the D7000 (as well as the D600, which I had recently shot with), as well as a new Toshiba sensor that DXO-Mark considers the best APSC sensor ever, I thought it would be a good body to get started with in the Nikon system. Eventually, I would like a body with the build quality of Chris' D300s (more similar to my old 7D), but I would want a newer generation sensor. My best friend has a D7000, but I know it will be replaced soon, and it doesn't feel as nice in my hands as the D300s.
I immediately bought the 85mm 1.8G, because I had read so many wonderful things about it, and the focal length (127.5mm on a crop body) is very similar to the Canon 135 I loved on my 5D. I also bought the 35 1.8G, and the 24-85 VR ( which is tack sharp on a crop body, and is available pretty cheap from D600 kit buyers unloading it). The 70-200 F4 VR Nikon is a great lens by all accounts (and much lighter than the 70-200 F2.8 VR I lugged around a race track recently), and it might be my next lens purchase. I plan to sell the kit lens that came with the D5200, even though I have heard good things about it (I have to admit I have not used it, however).
I have very large hands (my motorcycle glove size is XXLarge), but I bought the D5200 from B&H in a deal where a free Vello BG-N6 battery grip (and extra battery) is included. The grip makes the camera tremendously more comfortable to hold, and balances the camera nicely with the 24-85 zoom.
I have to say I am very impressed with the Nikon system so far. Although I bought an inexpensive body, it feels very solid and well built. The three lenses I am using are outstanding in sharpness and contrast/color. The built in flash provides perfect exposure indoors (way more consistent than my Canon bodies), and all of the lenses are reasonably priced. So far, I think the 85mm is as sharp, or sharper than my old Canon 135L, at roughly half the price.
I have not tested the D5200 AF on moving motorcycles, yet, but I did shoot some action shots at a track with a D600 recently (same AF system) and was very pleased. As for the D5200, I am simply blown away by the images it is producing, particularly with the 85 1.8. Here are some samples The first is SOOC, not even sharpened. The second has been edited in Lightroom.
I started with Olympus cameras, which had gorgeous JPEG colors from the very beginning of digital. My first DSLR was a Canon 10D (6 mpx, i believe), and I stuck with Canon, eventually with the original 5D and finally a 7D. I believed in having good glass, and owned the 70-200 F4L, as well as the 135L (I like shooting with primes, and this was a versatile focal length on the 5D when shooting motorcycles).
I eventually sold my Canon gear and worked with a photographer who shoots a Nikon D300s. His name is Chris, and he also posts on DPR. Chris is very talented...much more so than I. Over the years, I have been fortunate to work with some of the best photographers in the motorcycle business, including Kevin Wing (Canon) and Tom Riles (Nikon).
My company needed to have its own DSLR for various reasons, so I started to look around recently. I am kind of a geek when it comes to researching equipment, and I watch DXOMARK.com, as well as other camera sites rather religiously. I know that the sensors in Nikon cameras rate very highly. With regard to lenses, Canon and Nikon each have their strengths (I think the Canon 70-200 F4 non-IS is the best bargain out there for shooting moving motorcycles). When I saw that the new D5200 was getting the AF engine found in the D7000 (as well as the D600, which I had recently shot with), as well as a new Toshiba sensor that DXO-Mark considers the best APSC sensor ever, I thought it would be a good body to get started with in the Nikon system. Eventually, I would like a body with the build quality of Chris' D300s (more similar to my old 7D), but I would want a newer generation sensor. My best friend has a D7000, but I know it will be replaced soon, and it doesn't feel as nice in my hands as the D300s.
I immediately bought the 85mm 1.8G, because I had read so many wonderful things about it, and the focal length (127.5mm on a crop body) is very similar to the Canon 135 I loved on my 5D. I also bought the 35 1.8G, and the 24-85 VR ( which is tack sharp on a crop body, and is available pretty cheap from D600 kit buyers unloading it). The 70-200 F4 VR Nikon is a great lens by all accounts (and much lighter than the 70-200 F2.8 VR I lugged around a race track recently), and it might be my next lens purchase. I plan to sell the kit lens that came with the D5200, even though I have heard good things about it (I have to admit I have not used it, however).
I have very large hands (my motorcycle glove size is XXLarge), but I bought the D5200 from B&H in a deal where a free Vello BG-N6 battery grip (and extra battery) is included. The grip makes the camera tremendously more comfortable to hold, and balances the camera nicely with the 24-85 zoom.
I have to say I am very impressed with the Nikon system so far. Although I bought an inexpensive body, it feels very solid and well built. The three lenses I am using are outstanding in sharpness and contrast/color. The built in flash provides perfect exposure indoors (way more consistent than my Canon bodies), and all of the lenses are reasonably priced. So far, I think the 85mm is as sharp, or sharper than my old Canon 135L, at roughly half the price.
I have not tested the D5200 AF on moving motorcycles, yet, but I did shoot some action shots at a track with a D600 recently (same AF system) and was very pleased. As for the D5200, I am simply blown away by the images it is producing, particularly with the 85 1.8. Here are some samples The first is SOOC, not even sharpened. The second has been edited in Lightroom.
(and good for over 50mp ..? heh) another nice lens on 24mp dx is the new sigma 35 1.4 , at least on the samples i've seen...