My Nikon died - suggestions?

[Sherri Tierney]

I got the 'press shutter release again' error yesterday. The motor that opens and closes the shutter is pretty much shot. I am so bummed. I hate being without a good camera. I don't think it is in the budget to get a new one before the end of the summer though.

Since I will be looking for something else, does anyone have any suggestions? What do you love? Honestly, I've had my DSLR (Nikon D60) for almost 5 years and I've never taken it out of manual yet. A photography course was on my to-do list this summer (guess not now!). If I'm not going to be shooting in manual, should I lean towards a nice point and shoot? I mean, I'd LOVE to learn more about shooting in manual and making better use of my camera (assuming I get another DSLR) but is it worth it? I know a lot of people take their pictures with their phones more than anything these days. I wouldn't do that as it is really awkward for me, but I am open to other ideas.

I've considered buying a new camera body second hand and using the lenses I have. I've also considered upgrading to something that I can still use my lenses with. Then there is the idea of a nice point and shoot...

[scrap2day]

My suggestion would be to analyze what you really want to be able to do with your camera. For me I decided that what I really wanted was something in the superzoom category. I didn't want or need a DSLR.

I'm really happy with my Nikon Coolpix P90 that I've had since 2009. I'm looking at replacing it with the Nikon Coolpix P600 when it comes time.

Some of what I love about my Nikon. And remember, mine is old. I'm guessing the newer ones are light years better.

great zoom. This was the feature I wanted most. It's amazing how far away I can be from a zoo animal and get a nice shot. My zoom is 24x. The newest one I'm looking at is 60x.

surprisingly lightweight and small. I can fit the whole camera inside the camera bag in a purse.

quiet. I don't like the attention of all the shutter clicking that I hear with cameras such as a Canon Rebel. No offense to anyone who has a Rebel, my father loaned me his to use to shoot at a butterfly exhibit when my Nikon memory cards were full and I enjoyed using it. I just prefer to not draw attention to me or disrupt my subject be it animal or family. With my quiet camera people have no idea how many photos I'm taking to try to get that good one.

I don't have to worry about carrying or switching different lenses. Also see above, the whole thing can fit in my purse.

[Sherri Tierney]

I won't settle for less than a 10x zoom if I go with something other than a DSLR (my Minolta has a 10x zoom and I've grown accustomed to at least that with both the Minolta and the Nikon). I want very crisp, clear photos. I want the ability to bounce the flash during those times I have to use it. I need something that takes photos quickly in succession. I use the continuous mode a lot (or used.. *sniff*). The Minolta is great at that, which is one thing that drew me to it in the first place. My Minolta is OLD though... like 2003 old. It is also only a 3.2 mp. I do like that it has video, something my Nikon D60 does not. Newer models do have video though. I don't mind size and weight so much, I guess I've gotten used to them. I wouldn't mind something lighter and smaller but I hate to spend more on a high end point and shoot than I would on a DSLR... and many are more expensive than the new DSLR I'm looking at. I use a pretty versatile 18-200 lens so I don't change lenses a whole lot.

[aly321]

I keep getting the shutter error on my Nikon too! I just googled how to fix it and am going to try that before spending big money on a new camera...

[britaneejean]

we just replaced the mechanism that releases the shutter on my nikon...i think? it was just barely past the outside warranty we purchased (dang it!) but it only cost us $30 for the part. it's the labor that can get expensive.

if i were in the same boat, i'd look at a dslr body so you can use the lenses you have. if i couldn't use my external flash & additional lenses, i'd see it as being out even MORE money.

[carrie1977]

Man...sounds pretty common for the Nikon.

[britaneejean]

i dropped mine. i've also had it for 3 years so i knew i'd have to deal with sending it to a shop soon....i just didn't count on it happening while i was on vacation.

[Sherri Tierney]

Aly, I tried the fix suggested (if it is the same thing, opening the bottom panel and freeing the red wheel up) but it won't work. I can hear the motor struggle to move the shutter.

Britanee, did you guys replace the part yourselves? It looked complicated from the video I watched so I didn't want to bother going there. I figure I'll mess it up anyway... LOL

I'm starting to agree about the lenses and external flash. I think I might go for a newer body but stick with something I can use my lenses for. If I'm waiting until after summer, I might see about picking up a reasonable point and shoot since we'll be doing a little traveling.

[jesskab]

That's always how my Nikons die. I use a 14.1mp Sony Cyber-shot at work. It's decent. We also have a Nikon Coolpix S32 13.2 MP that everyone loves. I think it's waterproof too. I'm using a Coolpix S6500 right now. It was a Christmas present & is already having lens issues.

[britaneejean]

Originally Posted by Sherri Tierney

Britanee, did you guys replace the part yourselves? It looked complicated from the video I watched so I didn't want to bother going there. I figure I'll mess it up anyway... LOL

we paid a local camera repair shop to do it. it was under $200 to fix (for parts & labor)...so less than a new P&S. they did thoroughly clean it all too which was so nice (& so needed!). we just called around for quotes.

[sprauncey1]

There are new mirrorless cameras now that are compact and can shoot high quality jpegs and RAW. They are not cheap though, but they are a great option for a P&S sized high quality photo camera with options for lenses (not yours though).

There are always second hand camera options through reputable places like B&H or KEH that will guarantee for a period of time. They are more than second hand through a personal sale but they have a good reputation to keep.

Or you can use your phone this summer. Just go for it. Make it a project to see how far you can push it and in the mean time just save the money you would have spent on a P&S. Then use it later to buy a new Nikon. Pretty much any of the newest cameras will use the lenses except the full frame and you aren't sounding like you would want that anyway. AF-S lenses are needed for lower end cameras in the Nikon lineup but the older/higher end ones can use them as well.

And for the record I've owned 4 Nikons and never had the shutter go out. They do eventually go out and are rated to a certain number of clicks. Lower end cameras will wear out faster due to the manufacturing standards are less stringent.

Anyway...those are my thoughts. We own a P&S waterproof camera and it is pretty good. And definitely fun around the water because it can go in with us. There is also that option for the summer since it will not be "useless" later if you decide to have a dSLR again.

And yes learning manual is not necessary but it does open up a lot of control for you to get the shots that you want. Trying to take shots at a Hawaiian luau pushed me over the edge to learn. And 6 years later I cannot imagine going back.

Oh and just forgot...here is a P&S that can shoot in manual, and can do low light pretty well. It comes recommended from another photographer mom. She added a waterproof case to hers this summer and is having a blast with that too. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00889ST2G/...I1FCOIT12GRMJ6

[Sherri Tierney]

I wish my phone camera worked. My phone camera is pretty awful. Maybe there is an app to help it along? Not sure. I like it for panoramic pictures but I can't imagine using it for 'real' photography. I do still have my old Minolta. It will work for now, but definitely isn't my first choice.

We don't have any local camera shops and I'm honestly not willing to pay $200 to have this one fixed anyway considering how old it is and the price of a newer camera. I think I'm just going to have to make do for the summer, as much as it bums me out. I mean, I could just go ahead and get something but I want to be really happy with whatever I get if that means waiting and stretching the budget at a more convenient time (like when I'm back to work )

[MissKim]

Originally Posted by Sherri Tierney

I wish my phone camera worked. My phone camera is pretty awful. Maybe there is an app to help it along? Not sure. I like it for panoramic pictures but I can't imagine using it for 'real' photography. I do still have my old Minolta. It will work for now, but definitely isn't my first choice.

Use the $200 to upgrade to a new phone with a good camera and maybe invest in the Phone Photography class about to start at Big Picture. Camera phones are getting to where they're almost better than some point and shoots. I love mine for everyday stuff. And then I have a nice point and shoot (as big as a dSLR) for portraits and important stuff.

[navaja77]

If you are used to shooting manual, have invested in external flash and several lens, I would opt to get a newer Nikon. You don't have to get the latest and greatest if you don't have the funds. Maybe one that is 1-2 years old? B&H and KEH are reputable places. Other places I would suggest is Adorama, Nikon refurbished, fredmiranda.com buy/sell forum (requires membership free which is really low). I'm not really familiar with Nikon as I shoot with Canon but I'm sure there is a newer generation Nikon that replaced the D60 and is a good used price.

Once you shoot manual, its really hard to go back to point & shoot and phone camera. I primarily use my Canon 5d and recently, have started using my phone camera again since I upgraded to the Samsung Galaxy 4.

Or if it looks like you might be spending $200+ on the repair, find a used D60 as a replacement. There's one on B&H selling for $270.

[Sherri Tierney]

I'm pretty sure I will just be upgrading to a newer Nikon. I have a few lenses (not super expensive ones, but still...) and an external flash that I'd hate to just get rid of. Plus, the more I think about it, the more I really feel like I want to learn to shoot manual.

For this summer, I'm just going to hold off and research some options. I'll use my old Minolta for now. I have some amazing pictures taken with that camera from when my daughter was little, so I know it is possible. I don't have anything coming up that needs professional quality pictures anyway. I might think about an inexpensive compact point and shoot though. My Minolta is pretty light, but it is almost as big as my Nikon. It also has the ability to control several of the settings, add new lenses, an external flash, etc. I don't even know if lenses and a flash are still available for it given how old it is though. LOL

Thanks for the suggestions! I did look into a better phone but with my plan I'm kind of limited as to what phones I use (a pay as you go, no contract plan that is super cheap!). I don't want to have a bigger cell phone bill and I find taking pictures with my phone pretty awkward anyway. I might see if there are some apps that I can use for mine to at least make the pictures a bit better.