Nikon D60 DSLR Camera Review

The picture above was shot with my Nikon. My aim with this photo was to focus in on the little dolls in the foreground and have my daughter be softly unfocused in the background. I think it is a great shot and it is one that has garnered many compliments from professional photographers.

I think we have demonstrated that it can take high quality shots. But what else do I love?

I will be honest, my first and foremost consideration was price. Since I was new to the DSLR world I did not want to spend a thousand dollars on a new camera. I wasn't even sure if I would take to DSLR photography or be any good at it. My first camera was not going to be super expensive and the Nikon D60 was priced just right. You can usually find it on Amazon for around $550. That included the camera body and kit lens... a 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX VR Nikkor Zoom Lens. Don't let the name "kit lens" scare you. This is a quality lens and I used it exclusively for many months before adding more lenses to my arsenal. The shot above was taken using the kit lens. For many people the kit lens might be the only lens you will ever need, making this camera one heck of a deal!

It is also incredibly light weight for a DSLR camera. This is important because most of my shots are taken on the move... at state parks, on vacation, on nature shoots, and at sports events. I wanted high quality images in a small package that would not put a lot of weight around my neck. Since many upgraded lenses are heavy I did not want to double the weight either.

I wanted a name I could trust and Nikon has a great reputation for quality cameras and good customer service.

Comes with a Strap, Body Cap, Eyepiece Cap, USB Cable, Quick Charger (MH-23)w/ AC adapter, Rechargeable Li-ion Battery (EN-EL9), Accessory shoe cover, Lens cap, Software CD-Rom, Quick Start Guide, Instruction Manual, Warranty and Registration card.

Nikon D60 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX VR Nikkor Zoom Lens

Honestly I really only have one con to list. The Nikon D60 has no auto focus drive. This is what makes it so leightweight and easy to carry. The kit lens that it comes with has an auto focus motor inside it as indicated by the AF-S in the name. So you can use the auto focus with this camera provided you have an AF-S or motorized focus lens attached.

What exactly is auto focus? Well, to get a clear and focused shot you need to focus your camera and without auto focus you would need to turn the focus ring until you get the desired result. With auto focus you merely line up your focus points in the view finder and depress the exposure button once...it will automatically focus on the 3 points you have selected. Auto focus is... automatic and easier.

The lack of autofocus comes into play when you want to buy more lenses... if you ever do. To use auto focus on your camera you have to choose a lens with an internal motor or drive. Many standard Nikkor lenses have no motor because the camera body does (ie D90, D200, etc). The lenses with a motor (AF-S) are more expensive. The D40 camera body through the D60 do not have this internal motor... just FYI.

So what does this mean in a nutshell? Well, it is very possible that the kit lens will meet all your needs and you may not need another lens. This is especially true if it is just a small hobby or a camera for family shots and gatherings.

If you DO think you will want additional lenses, like a higher zoom telephoto lens, you may face having to pay higher prices. So basically you may end up spending as much on camera equipment as you would have if you had just went ahead and bought a more advanced Nikon DSLR. But remember you can buy a non AF-S lens and use it with your D60...you will just have to focus manually. So technically you don't HAVE to spend more on lenses...just thought you should know about the auto focus issue. If auto focus is important to you than you need to consider this limitation... if you can call it that.

Personally I chose to overlook this issue because the price difference between a D60 and a D90 was significant. Also I have been able to find off brand motorized lenses that are not priced too high. The Sigma telephoto lens I highlight below is one of them. I can also manually focus for specialty lenses I don't use as much. Also be aware that other camera brands do not use the same initials to signify auto focus (AF-S). Sigma for example uses HSM.

These Nikon cameras will have auto focus included in the actual camera:

Nikon D90 DX 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED AF-S VR DX Nikkor Zoom Lens

Nikon D200 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-135mm AF-S DX f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF Nikkor Zoom Lens

Even professional photographers don't get it perfect right off the bat. They all use editing software to correct lighting, color balance, zoom, and imperfections. Here are 3 examples of the same photo I took of my son. The original shot showed all of his head and much of the background at a park. I cropped the image to show what you see below and then using action filters I created the second two pictures. Pretty nifty eh?

Original Photo:



With a "golden" finish filter:



Edited to filter out all color but the blue:




Professional photographers use Adobe photoshop to edit pictures but with a $600+ price tag that is not within the range of most hobby photographers. Lucky for us there is a great option called Adobe Photoshop Elements. It is a tamer version of Photoshop for sure but many digital photographers use it along with "PSE Actions" that enable your elements program to do some advanced editing. There are several online sites that offer free PSE Actions.

Adobe Photoshop Elements 7

Many of your hobbies can be turned into business ideas that can make you money. As a digital photographer you can sell those beautiful photographs online. Here are some ways to do that.

Digital photography allows you to capture a variety of images in a variety of formats. For instance, remember when you used to visit the carnival or amusement park and they took those old-fashioned pictures of people? The pictures looked faded but that was simply a sepia tone. You can create the same effect on your digital camera when you edit a photo.

Stock photography is one of the best ways to break into the online digital photography market. You can sell your photos to others who need pictures for websites, newsletters, magazines and e-zines and other media. Surf the Web lately? Many of the photos look the same. Your photos can add a new flavor to what is currently being offered. There is never any harm in seeing how your images will be perceived.

First, understand how the stock photography business works. On these sites, customers can purchase pictures or lease them for a certain amount of time. On some sites, photos are free to use when signing an agreement of use and including a link back to the site.

As a photographer, you will make more money if your photos are leased as opposed to being sold. The one time sale may net you some cash but the lease will provide a continuous source of income off of that one photograph. And, many people can pay to lease the photograph at one time. Through the leasing process, your work will be viewed by a large audience.

Start by researching current stock photography sites. Find one that offers the leasing option to customers and also has an easy-to-navigate site. Begin here and test the waters with your work.

Now, all you need to do is produce some quality work. Look at other stock photographs. What do they have in common? Are the pictures clear? Can you make out all of the features of the photo? At the least, your photographs need to be clear with the subjects in the foreground.

Another consideration is the type of digital photos you are trying to sell. More of the same that already exists won't be received well. The stock photography companies are out to make money too. Don't be afraid to try some new ideas for holiday photos or for everyday photos. They will let you know what does and does not sell.

In the meantime, create a website or blog with links to the stock photography sites featuring your work. This will send more people to view your photographs and may lead to other opportunities in the future.

Click here for a FREE report that shows you just how Profitable and EASY it is to
make money with your camera!