Buy a Nikon DSLR camera or a iPad Air?

That is a choice only you can make. They are chalk and cheese.

If you want a camera - the Nikon

If you want a tablet - the iPad

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This is the best photography course online:

http://photography-course.info/

You can be like the masses of humanity and buy a camera you can afford that has auto this and that for worry free picture taking. And learn through trial and error how to use something like aperture or shutter priority auto modes or even attempt to use the thing on full manual mode.

You seem to know already there is some thinking to using a camera and to take pictures. A good place to start is by reading the owners manual that comes with a camera. Read the information and look at the illustrations with part names and look at the real camera. Handle the camera and take pictures. Let me rephrase that. Take pictures to learn how to use the camera and maybe even to keep some. Don't start with important stuff you cannot photograph over again such as birthdays, a toddlers first steps. That puts picture taking out of the learning phase and puts the pressure and emphasis to taking pictures for real and to keep.

These first pictures are for you to learn how to use your camera. And you have learned how to use your camera when you can take pictures with it and can teach others how to use it. Honest. You can also go to a college in your area and take a beginning photography course. There you will be taught the basics even a pro must learn and do in their work. Camera handling and use, taking exposures with film and/or digital cameras, and maybe even some photo assignments to get some real time learning. In this learning do not take serious pictures you must keep as that detracts from the learning aspect of the class. Do so only if you have mastered the use of your camera before class is over.

It's like growing up in a way. And I am happy you know there is a way to learn how to use a camera and take pictures. It's like learning how to drive I suppose. Someone can teach you or you can get taught at a driving school. Both will get you a drivers liscense. One though will really teach you the fundamentals you can use for the rest of your driving career.

Buy iPad air because that will let you have more entertainment and more access to knowledge and productivity tools than the other. Even with ipad camera you can take tons of photos and tweak those to near dslr range of photos etc's.

I think if I were you, I would choose the one that I would use more often. I personally, being a camera geek, would buy a new camera. However, if you don't have access to a computer, the iPad may be a good choice.

You have to consider the total cost of ownership in a DSLR, especially one such as the D7100. This is a fine camera, but it demands high quality lenses if you expect to get the most out of it - and the image quality you paid for.

For that reason, you will likely spending $3,000 or more in the coming years on premium lenses. If not, you will probably not use the camera as much as you should.

Perhaps that helps you in your decision.

Good Question, and I'm sure you will get some very mixed opinions! Mine being either the D90 or D300 I own both and tend to carry about my D90 for everyday shooting, where as if i know i am going somewhere that i would want to take Landscapes or night shots i always go for my D300. The D300 although slightly bulkier has a much better ISO and hence you get alot less grain in darker light conditions. On the other hand my D90 is lighter can be used to point and shoot (in auto mode) And takes superb Video's If you are wanting it for everything, then i would always go for either one of these.

You would need to consider which one would have more practical use. If your camera still works and takes decent photos then I would buy the iPad air, you can do work things on them, research, games and social activities. It has a wider range of usage.

That depens how much do you love on photography. To myself, I'd choose iPad Air if the old DSLR is still working.

Old cameras can still do so much! If you really want to buy yourself a present, get the iPad :)