Time to Upgrade

f/16 at 1/320 sec ISO 200 using my 50mm Nikkor f1.8G

I got into photography after a home invasion resulted in the loss of my Canon Powershot....a very basic DSLR that I used for family functions and special memories. After speaking briefly with a helpful man at Best Buy I was persuaded to replace that Canon with a Nikon D3000. Initially I had some trouble learning the system. So I delved into the user manual and learned very quickly that I had an eye for photography....and better yet a passion for this medium that I couldn't maintain in other visual arts. After about two years study with the D3000 I started to beat against the limitations of that camera. Rather than bore you with what the D3000 can't do I'll simply explain what my upgrade, the D7000 can. In researching my upgrade I knew I needed an affordable, but professional-grade model that could bracket, act as flash commander, deliver auto-focus with all my lenses, and create crisp, virtually grain-free images at ISO levels above 400 (the D3000 produces unacceptable noise at levels above 200). My initial attraction was to the D90, which is an older model but very well reviewed. Yet if I was willing to spend just a little bit more I could dive into the D7000--the D90's replacement. I've had this camera for three days and I couldn't be happier with my choice.

The above photo is a demonstration of everything I the D3000 wouldn't let me do. I'm flying my SB-700 speedlight high above the subject's head in slave mode with the D7000 as commander. The exposure is pushed past the 1/200 wall I used to constantly beat my head against. ISO is set to 200 here but even at levels as high as 4000 the grain isn't intrusive and overall seems more pleasing.

Action shots like this were impossible with my D3000. 

This camera is fast, rugged, holds way more memory and is full of bells & whistles. As a photographer moving up from the D3000, this camera is equivalent to jumping from my back yard to the moon. But...there is one downside.

If you use Adobe Camera Raw to edit your .NEF files, you must upgrade to Photoshop CS6. I was working with CS5. I did not expect this additional expense. That aside, the D7000 is a truly fantastic machine and I couldn't recommend it more.

f/10 at 1/400 sec ISO 800 using my Nikkor 55--200mm f/4.0-5.6 at 200mm

Mark William Mills Images