£1,400 to spend – help!

[Irish_Tom]

Hi everyone, it's been a long time since I posted here.

A friend of my mum has asked me the following question and I'm so out of touch with camera hardware that I don't know what to say.

Help me OCUK, you're my only hope!

On holiday last month, my Nikon 18/200 lens stopped working. The estimate said it was 'impact damage', which seems strange, but the cost of repair is more than the cost to buy.

That led me to look at replacing the camera & lens.

I am torn between a Nikon D5100 & 7000, & a Canon 60D. I am a bit nervous about getting another 18/200 lens, as this one only lasted 2 years...although once on, I never removed it.

The D5100 seems a bit light to cope with the weight of a long lens, but the Canon (which, obviously, I could fit a cheaper Sigma lens to) is not dust sealed. Plus, I wondered if it has too many bells and whistles for me, as I would be shooting jpeg, not raw.

I toyed with getting the D7000 with an 18/105 kit lens - but am still not clear.
One of the problems is, when asked what I like to photograph, I can't say categorically 'sport; scenery, portraits', because I'm a keen amateur photographer who looks for interesting things, rather than developing my skill with portraits (or whatever).

I am interested in going on a course, & found when I did one before that the tutor was a Canon man, so couldn't really help me with my Nikon.

I have a max budget of about £1400. In my position, what would you do?

 

[Derek W]

Theres a couple of things that are springing out at the moment from that quote.

The D5100 seems a bit light to cope with the weight of a long lens

Not really a viable reason not to get one as you can support the long lens via monopod or tripod attached to the lens rather than the body.

but the Canon (which, obviously, I could fit a cheaper Sigma lens to) is not dust sealed

Will the camera be used in an excessively dusty environment much?

Plus, I wondered if it has too many bells and whistles for me, as I would be shooting jpeg, not raw.

Presumably the D5100 and D7000 both have raw capabilities on them as well so not sure why the raw / jpg was only raised for the Canon.

Also ask your mums friend if they would wish to have a choice of lenses with the budget or just one all rounder which appears to be what they're used to.