Nikon vs Sony vs Canon camera - help me get back into photography

I just introduced myself in another post on this site where I mentioned I have left my love for photography go dormant for a long time (nearly 15 years).  To put things in perspective, I have a Nikon D90!  I called B&H a week ago and was fishing around for ideas on what direction to go.  Which is how I learned of this site.  But the B&H guy also told me that it might not be a bad idea to look at other camera brands if I was going to pick up a whole new kit.  Actually he told me to post such question on this site and get feedback from actual photographers.   

So there you have it.  I have an old camera and haven't done anything in photography in long time and have time to pursue now.  I used to enjoy landscapes and nature.  I have budget to start off $8000 that I'm hoping will be enough for camera body and ideally 3 lenses, camera bag and tripod.  Any sort of advice would be appreciated.  

Thank you,

Chase

Welcome back, and to this website. I've been a photographer since the early 1950's, digital since 1998 and many brands of cameras along the way. I have 3 Canon DSLR cameras now, with the 90D being my most recent purchase. But I also have a Nikon and a Fuji X camera. I still have an old Sony too. No mirrorless yet, but probably soon.

All of these brands have good cameras today, and the newer models are quite advanced from what you have been using. The best way to decide is to find a local camera store, take your own memory card with you, and try each model of interest in the store to see which is most comfortable for you. It's kind-of a Ford-Chevy-Honda thing. All of the better cameras by these manufacturers produce fantastic photos today, so your decision needs to be more about the features each has and how comfortable that it feels when you are using it, how easy it is to download photos from, etc. WIFI capability is now available to connect your camera and cell phone, tablet, or PC. It is about 4X slower than a tether cord, but sometimes in certain shoots when you need to move around a lot, a tether cord just doesn't work out so well, so a WIFI backup capability can save the day. For me, here in my studio, I  run the tether cord to my ceiling lighting support grid and along it and down to my PC location. There is enough extra tether cable to allow me to move around the camera half of the studio. Then, when it proves not to be long enough, I have an extension cable and also WIFI as back-up.

Don't make a hasty decision on this camera purchase. Use your old D90 for awhile, while you familiarize yourself with the cameras that are available today. Decide what you like and what you don't about each model that interests you, how it feels in your hands, and are the controls positioned for comfortable access and use. Keep notes about each model in a small notebook and then compare each one to the others. Then, when comfortable with your decision, go buy one. Even if the camera and lenses of choice don't consume all of your budget, there are plenty of accessories to be bought. extra batteries, flash, stands, tripod, PC, etc. A lot of your decision will be affected by what kind of photography that you like to do, and you may have interests in several directions here, so be certain to include these in your camera and accessory decisions too.

Take your time deciding on this purchase, and don't hesitate to ask us questions if you think we may be able to help further. To me, it would be unwise for any of us to tell you what to buy without you really investigating for yourself. 

Charley  

At this very moment, Sony is selling more 'Full Frame' Mirrorless cameras than anyone else, and has a broader selection of quality 'Full Frame' mirrorless lenses than anyone else.

Your call, but, at this very moment, you're more likely to find something you like from Sony than from anyone else.

Look at the system especially lenses. Camera bodies leapfrog one another on features as a new one comes out. Like the old saying goes, date the camera body but marry the lenses. 

Shadowfixer1 wrote: Look at the system especially lenses. Camera bodies leapfrog one another on features as a new one comes out. Like the old saying goes, date the camera body but marry the lenses. 

Ha, that is so true.  Never heard that before, but it makes so much sense!  

Shadowfixer1 wrote: Look at the system especially lenses. Camera bodies leapfrog one another on features as a new one comes out. Like the old saying goes, date the camera body but marry the lenses. 

This times 100. All 3 brands make top end systems. See what feels good to you.

I haven't shot heavily in a few years and wanna get back into it. 

D800 is still serving me well as well as the D3s. 

Scotty wrote:

Shadowfixer1 wrote: Look at the system especially lenses. Camera bodies leapfrog one another on features as a new one comes out. Like the old saying goes, date the camera body but marry the lenses. 

This times 100. All 3 brands make top end systems. See what feels good to you.

I haven't shot heavily in a few years and wanna get back into it. 

D800 is still serving me well as well as the D3s. 

D800 is an amazing camera!  

First off, thank you very much for the help.  Would you all suggest buying used?

If I had $8,000 to spend on photography I certainly wouldn't be buying a used camera, but I wouldn't be buying the biggest, fanciest, latest possible model either, and I wouldn't be in a great rush to go out and buy the first one that I held in my hands. 

Shadofixer1's post is very true. Go back and re-read it.

Charley 

Chase Watermith wrote: Would you all suggest buying used?

I would never buy a used camera, but used lenses are a different story. All but one of my lenses were bought used, and I've been very satisfied. If there's a problem with a used lens, it'll jump out at you; if there's a problem with a used camera, it may confound you forever.

I've bought used cameras and lenses from KEH multiple times and they always looked brand new. They also have a decent warranty. Used is the way to go if you find what you want. I'm looking at getting another lens in the next few days and it will be used. I will save a third of the price over new.