Go Unlimited with Magzter GOLD

Go Unlimited with Magzter GOLD

Get unlimited access to 10,000+ magazines, newspapers and Premium stories for just

$149.99
 
$74.99/Year

Try GOLD - Free

Ask Uncle Ronnie

Smart Photography

|

March 2018

Ask your question to Uncle at sp@nextgenpublishing.net

Ask Uncle Ronnie

Which model?

I had two cameras, Nikon P900 and Nikon D5200. I have sold both of them. I am looking for a new one (D-SLR) which will cover the purpose of my previous cameras and also will be a little bit upgraded and cheaper too. So please suggest me. I am an amateur photographer.

Amit Roy, Santiniketan, West Bengal.

Since you were using a P900 (252000mm equivalent zoom lens), I assume that your priority is photographing distant subjects, like birds or wildlife. If that is so, why did you sell the P900? And what is it about the D5200 that made you sell it too? If I were you, I would have kept the D5200 (it has a much larger imaging sensor as compared to that on the P900) and upgraded the lens to something like the Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary for extra reach or the Nikon 200-500mm.

In case you want a better camera body, you could consider the Nikon D7200 or the Nikon D7500. Also note that any “upgrade” and “cheaper” don’t go together!

Also understand that a better body/ lens is unlikely to get you better pictures unless you get familiar with the usage of your camera and techniques of photography.

Macro on a budget I am new to photography and love close-ups of insects and other small things. I have a Canon 1300D with its 18-55mm kit lens. Currently I am unable to afford a macro lens. A friend told me that a special ring is available which can let me use my kit lens in reverse. Is this true and where can I get such a ring?

Anand P. R. via email

Your friend was referring to what is known as a ‘lens reversal ring’. One side of this ring has the body compatible mount and the other side has a thread for attaching the lens in reverse. You first attach the ring to the camera body and then attach the lens in reverse. With this done, you can focus very close.

MORE STORIES FROM Smart Photography

Smart Photography

Smart Photography

Fujifilm expands GFX film tools

Fujifilm's GFX ETERNA 55 brinens the company's large-format sensor technology to professional video production.

time to read

1 min

November 2025

Smart Photography

Smart Photography

The Joy of Making Photozines

Compact, affordable, and creative - photozines are an easy way to turn your photographs into tangible stories. All you need are a few images, a simple idea, and the desire to see your work in print.

time to read

1 mins

November 2025

Smart Photography

Smart Photography

Sony enhances pro camcorder range

Sony with has strengthened its professional video lineup with the HXR-NX800 and PXW-Z200, two compact 4K camcorders equipped with Al-driven autofocus and subject recognition.

time to read

1 min

November 2025

Smart Photography

Smart Photography

BenQ 4K monitor for creators

BenQ's PD2770U monitor offers professional-grade colour management in a 27-inch 4K panel designed for photographers and video editors.

time to read

1 min

November 2025

Smart Photography

Smart Photography

Fujifilm GFX100RF first impressions

The Fujifilm GFX100RF has received strong praise for its extraordinary image quality and large-format aesthetic.

time to read

1 min

November 2025

Smart Photography

Smart Photography

Panasonic firmware and kit update

Panasonic has delivered a major firmware update across its S-series cameras, including the S9, S1II and S5II lines.

time to read

1 min

November 2025

Smart Photography

Smart Photography

Viltrox builds its Evo lineup

Viltrox has introduced the AF 85mm f/2 Evo, a compact and affordable portrait lens aimed at enthusiasts and social creators.

time to read

1 min

November 2025

Smart Photography

Smart Photography

From Ambala to Bambai: A Photographer's First Photozine Journey

Ambala-based photographer Tushar Narula turned his lens on Mumbai's Ganeshotsav 2025 to create his debut photozine Bambai. Blending devotion, street life and festival grandeur, the project marks his first step into the world of self-publishing and the timeless power of print.

time to read

4 mins

November 2025

Smart Photography

Smart Photography

Are you ready to pay the price for an incredibly thin iPhone?

I'm not going to lie; I'm a Pro Max kinda guy. Ever since Apple released the 11 Pro Max, I've naturally gravitated towards the biggest, mostest iPhone. The iPhone Air then is the kind of phone I'd expectedly veer away from, the antithesis of the Pro Max, a phone that prioritized slimness and hand-feel over camera versatility and battery life. But, three weeks of testing the Air has me reconsidering my priorities, appreciating the in-the-hand benefits I'd long forgotten.

time to read

3 mins

November 2025

Smart Photography

Smart Photography

Hoi An - A Photographic Journey

Hoi An is a city in the central region of Vietnam, where history, culture, and everyday life come alive in colors, textures, and light.

time to read

1 min

November 2025

Translate

Share

-
+

Change font size