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New body or lens

Author	Post

Posted by Big Jon: Thu Apr 3rd, 2014 14:04

1^st Post

Hi All,
New to the Forum and after a bit of advice please!
I know this comes up all over the place as to which is best, a better body or invest in better glass and the better glass is always the winner although my situation is this - purchased a D3000 a couple of years ago which was meant to shoot pics of the little one etc and ended up driving my mrs crazy as it comes everywhere with us and I shoot pics of everything :-)

Posted by Eric: Thu Apr 3rd, 2014 14:36

2^nd Post

Big Jon wrote:
Hi All,
New to the Forum and after a bit of advice please!
I know this comes up all over the place as to which is best, a better body or invest in better glass and the better glass is always the winner although my situation is this - purchased a D3000 a couple of years ago which was meant to shoot pics of the little one etc and ended up driving my mrs crazy as it comes everywhere with us and I shoot pics of everything :-)

. I currently have 3 lenses which are kit 18-55vr / 55-200vr / 35mm 1.8.
looking to upgrade my kit but don't have a whole load of spare cash right now so looking down the second hand route. Do I change my body for a D90 or maybe the D7000 if I can afford the latter or stick with the D3000 and get a better lens collection together.
Advantages I see of changing the body first is that it opens me up when I have a bit more money to buy older but better lenses than I currently have due to the built in af motor. I also am starting to find that to change settings quickly on the go is a bit of a pain on the D3000 due to the layout etc.
what to do advise please???

thanks

Jon

Hi Jon ...welcome

First question....is it just the operating methods on your D3000 that recommend upgrading or do you feel there are other limitations for your progress?

While you are answering that question, I would say the D90 is an old camera. The technology in your D3000 is going to be better.

The D7000 is a better camera than the D90. So I would suggest you need to compare what the D7000 does or can do ...compared to the D3000.

Most people upgrade as a result of something deficient in their current equipment. This could be speed of focusing, speed of firing (mainly for when people want to take action shots)...or size (entry level cameras can be small for large hands) .....or manual control (entry level cameras tend to offer more automated functions which CAN constrain experimentation)

Although there may be greater access to manual control on more 'advanced, cameras, each model has its own quirks with regard to accessing these controls.

The D7000 is a nice camera and I would recommend that as a next step. But equally you might want to look at a used D300 ...depending on budget. Even though its from a previous generation ....it's a super pro quality camera that's fast, robust, weatherproof and produces great images. But it is heavier than the D7000 and your D3000.

____________________
Eric

Posted by Big Jon: Thu Apr 3rd, 2014 14:47

3^rd Post

Hi Eric,

thanks for the reply.

Manual control is my biggest issue currently, changing ISO WB and even aperture in manual on the D3000 is a pain, I have to continually go through menu's or press multiple button simultaneously to change setting which can be overcome I believe by buying a better body. I also find that the time changing setting could mean the difference between me getting the shot I want and not having to adjust later in software. Also as said the built in AF motor I see would be an advantage to me as gives me more options for lenses in my price range.

Posted by jk: Thu Apr 3rd, 2014 15:49

4^th Post

Hi welcome to the forum.
Looking at what you need it looks like you might like a Nikon D5300 or D7100.
These are two different cameras with different interfaces and functionality.

The D7100 is a more technical camera that can use older lenses as well as the latest.
The D5300 is more automated but has a more simplified interface but extra functions e.g. Wifi and GPS.

For me I think wifi is a gimmick as it doesnt provide fast enough transfer of large JPG or RAW files. GPS I use more often so it is more valuable to me.

For you I think maybe a D7100 is maybe what you really want!

____________________
Still learning after all these years!
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Posted by Eric: Thu Apr 3rd, 2014 17:39

5^th Post

Big Jon wrote:
Hi Eric,

thanks for the reply.

Manual control is my biggest issue currently, changing ISO WB and even aperture in manual on the D3000 is a pain, I have to continually go through menu's or press multiple button simultaneously to change setting which can be overcome I believe by buying a better body. I also find that the time changing setting could mean the difference between me getting the shot I want and not having to adjust later in software. Also as said the built in AF motor I see would be an advantage to me as gives me more options for lenses in my price range.

Ok ..so I think a D7000 would be right for you. The D7100 is a bit more responsive when it comes to speed of focus...but the D7000 is no slouch.

I have a D7000 and for most situations it's perfect.

Most commentators say that if you have a D7000 there is little advantage upgrading to the D7100...so that says a lot.

The D7000 will also be cheaper on the second user market as some people feel the need to upgrade every time a new model comes out.

Show us some of your photos when you have time...and let us know where you in the world.

Good hunting

____________________
Eric

Posted by Graham Whistler: Fri Apr 4th, 2014 05:35

6^th Post

Big Jon yes welcome to our forum.

You seem to have been given plenty of good help above. Going for a new camera body I would stay with DX too keep kit reasonably light and compact and my money would still be on a good 2nd hand D300,

____________________
Graham Whistler

Posted by Big Jon: Fri Apr 4th, 2014 06:42

7^th Post

Thank you for all your comments!

Ok, so what are the main advantages of the D300 over the D7000. What are if any the disadvantages of using CF cards to the SDHC cards I currently use?

Thanks

Jon

Posted by richw: Fri Apr 4th, 2014 08:25

8^th Post

D7000 might be (open for debate) slightly better at high ISO. Ergonomics of D300 which seems to be what you are most interested in are better, and it's build quality and therefore durability are much better. If Nikon ever bring out a D400 you'll be able to pick up the D300 for pocket change at which point it will be an incredible buy.

CF cards are bigger, and traditionally have led SD cards in speed and capacity, however there is not much difference now.

Posted by Eric: Fri Apr 4th, 2014 10:41

9^th Post

Big Jon wrote:
Thank you for all your comments!

Ok, so what are the main advantages of the D300 over the D7000. What are if any the disadvantages of using CF cards to the SDHC cards I currently use?

Thanks

Jon
The D300 or it's update the D300S are solid, waterproof bodies. They focus and fire faster than consumer models and are build to withstand more abuse. They are heavier and a tad bigger in the hand. The D300 has slightly more noise at high ISOs ...BUT... its a cleaner noise, less colour artefact, and more like old film grain.

When it was launched the D300 was way ahead of other DX cameras. It's a testament to its quality that it STILL hasn't been updated to the D400 after 5? years. At the time I did predict it would become a classic....the last 'pro' DX body!

That may still be true given Nikons reticence to launch a D400.

Personally I think the D7000 or the slightly faster D7100 would fit your needs ...but if a D300 comes up at a good price it would be a good contender.

I thought the D300 had both CF and SD slots? The D7000 has two SD slots.

CF cards were the original card and more robust...especially when pulling the card in and out of the camera or card reader. SD cards having their terminals exposed on the side can be more easily contaminated or damaged...in particular static can be generated when sliding the contacts out. In the early days it was easy to spike the card and corrupt contents....but I think they have developed a lot since then.

I still take care the camera is switched off when removing SD cards.

I think the market is more focused on SD cards now...so prices and capacities favour SD.

____________________
Eric

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