Upgrade D5100 to ?????
- Thread starter dustydes
- Start date
Horoscope Fish
Senior Member
I must not be understanding something... You want to go full frame (FX) but want to keep your DX lenses and you're looking at the D7100, a DX body?
Having recently gone from DX to FX myself, I can tell you that DX lenses on FX bodies, while do-able, is simply not a great combination. I would go this route only as last resort and I'd be grinding my teeth the whole way. If you're not willing to put FX glass on your FX body, I'd advise you stay with the DX format all the way. The D7100 is an amazing camera and I still have mine, even after getting the D750.
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RocketCowboy
Senior Member
I'm a fan of the D7100 myself, and upgraded here from a D5300. I highly recommend that step.
It's (the D7100) not a full-frame FX camera, as was mentioned, but does open up a larger set of lens options than your D5100 can support. Once I got the D7100, I also started migrating my lenses to FX, so that I would be in a position to take advantage of an FX body in the future.
While some of the DX glass is pretty dang good, I saw more of an improvement by going towards better fixed aperture FX glass than anything else.
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It's (the D7100) not a full-frame FX camera, as was mentioned, but does open up a larger set of lens options than your D5100 can support. Once I got the D7100, I also started migrating my lenses to FX, so that I would be in a position to take advantage of an FX body in the future.
While some of the DX glass is pretty dang good, I saw more of an improvement by going towards better fixed aperture FX glass than anything else.
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RocketCowboy
Senior Member
You are correct, the FX body will account for most DX lenses and crop, but then you are also passing up on a significant amount of FX pixel density in doing so.
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Horoscope Fish
Senior Member
The image will be cropped, yes. But that's only the beginning, really. As has already been mentioned, you'll have less than half the resolution you would have had shooting full-frame when shooting in DX-Crop mode. The view you'll have through the viewfinder will be FX with a small box showing the DX crop you'll actually be getting when shooting and while the "crop box" in the viewfinder sounds simple enough in practice, frankly, it sucks. Seriously... Using DX glass on an FX body just sucks. I am the Voice of Experience: I've been there and I thought DX glass would be fine as my "bridge" to the more expensive FX glass but in practice, I couldn't put proper FX glass on my D750 fast enough.
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tandesmond
New member
I went from d5100 to d610. No regrets and I find that the photos have higher dynamic range, and it is much better in low light. Regarding keeping DX lens, i do not suggest that. You will be better off selling them and get the FX lens.
Fortkentdad
Senior Member
Last May I added a D610 to my bag.
I don't say upgrade as I kept my D5100 and it does see occasional use - mostly in my wife's hands now. She is starting to get the hang of the DSLR and I'm hoping she'll get more into it, right now she is very happy 'auto-everything' but she just loves the photo's she is getting with our 35mm DX lens.
But I wanted more and dove into the deep end of the D7100 vs D610 debate. Watched lots of Youtube reviews and read many an on-line recommendation. Handled both of them at camera shops and discussed it (way too much according to my dearly beloved). Eventually it came down to looking at both of them in the shop and my wife asking me if I'd feel like I 'settled' for the D7100 when I really wanted the D610. That did it and I bought the D610. It was my 60th birthday and my darling put a 60mm F/2.8 on the counter "a 60mm for your 60th birthday". Very sweet. I did not get the kit lens.
Since then I've begun my quest for FX lenses. Yes I did try the DX lenses and they do work. But you will want FX lenses. I happened to have two old lenses from a F60 film Nikon from about 2000. They work just fine. I've only bought one other new lens - a 50mm 1.8 AF-D (bargain clearance at a store closing it's doors). All the rest are older, vintage, legacy (or just call them cheaper) used lenses from stores, private sale and eBay. I keep MS Windows Shopping on my PC looking at Kijiji, eBay and the on-line offerings of various venders of used lenses. Want more solid F 2.8's. Looking hard at a 24mm F2.8 AF-D prime lately, and would love a 70-200 (or 80-200) F2.8. And eventually a long lens to 600mm but I've over spent my fun money budget for a while. Point is, if you shop around and if you are open to older lenses you can build up a very usable collection - and then someday trade them in for a newer lens when you can afford it.
These older lenses are probably not going to depreciate any more and if kept properly will be desirable trade ins. The new DSLR's are giving these old lenses a new lease on life. My D610 is good with higher ISO values meaning you can crank the ISO on lenses that do not have modern V.R. to compensate - this will improve shutter speed for a given F stop for very little reduction in noise quality - which can often be cleaned up in pp with the right software - although that is usually not that necessary. I'm not talking 6400 - you just need to go to 1600 or 2000 to get an acceptable shutter speed to work at the F stop you want to use.
Unless of course money is no object for you in which case just buy a D810 and all the lenses you want new.
I don't say upgrade as I kept my D5100 and it does see occasional use - mostly in my wife's hands now. She is starting to get the hang of the DSLR and I'm hoping she'll get more into it, right now she is very happy 'auto-everything' but she just loves the photo's she is getting with our 35mm DX lens.
But I wanted more and dove into the deep end of the D7100 vs D610 debate. Watched lots of Youtube reviews and read many an on-line recommendation. Handled both of them at camera shops and discussed it (way too much according to my dearly beloved). Eventually it came down to looking at both of them in the shop and my wife asking me if I'd feel like I 'settled' for the D7100 when I really wanted the D610. That did it and I bought the D610. It was my 60th birthday and my darling put a 60mm F/2.8 on the counter "a 60mm for your 60th birthday". Very sweet. I did not get the kit lens.
Since then I've begun my quest for FX lenses. Yes I did try the DX lenses and they do work. But you will want FX lenses. I happened to have two old lenses from a F60 film Nikon from about 2000. They work just fine. I've only bought one other new lens - a 50mm 1.8 AF-D (bargain clearance at a store closing it's doors). All the rest are older, vintage, legacy (or just call them cheaper) used lenses from stores, private sale and eBay. I keep MS Windows Shopping on my PC looking at Kijiji, eBay and the on-line offerings of various venders of used lenses. Want more solid F 2.8's. Looking hard at a 24mm F2.8 AF-D prime lately, and would love a 70-200 (or 80-200) F2.8. And eventually a long lens to 600mm but I've over spent my fun money budget for a while. Point is, if you shop around and if you are open to older lenses you can build up a very usable collection - and then someday trade them in for a newer lens when you can afford it.
These older lenses are probably not going to depreciate any more and if kept properly will be desirable trade ins. The new DSLR's are giving these old lenses a new lease on life. My D610 is good with higher ISO values meaning you can crank the ISO on lenses that do not have modern V.R. to compensate - this will improve shutter speed for a given F stop for very little reduction in noise quality - which can often be cleaned up in pp with the right software - although that is usually not that necessary. I'm not talking 6400 - you just need to go to 1600 or 2000 to get an acceptable shutter speed to work at the F stop you want to use.
Unless of course money is no object for you in which case just buy a D810 and all the lenses you want new.
sonicbuffalo_RIP
Senior Member
I went from DX to FX Nikon once upon a time....and I can tell you too that the FX lenses are beasts. They are massive (if you get any of the Trinity) and heavy as heck. I decided to buy a Sony FX and a few of their lenses. A lot smaller footprint and I did buy another D7100 because, frankly, they are a damn good camera for the money. I bought a refurb and it is a great DX camera. I just haven't spent any more money on DX lenses besides the 18-140mm kit lens that is an awesome lens for the 7100. Just keep in mind how heavy and bulky the Nikon FX glass is, and do you feel like lugging all that weight around? Good luck and happy shooting!
Fortkentdad
Senior Member
RE: Weighty FX lenses and camera.
I like hefty lenses - when I read "built like a tank" I like that. Light and flimsy? not keen on that.
Think of it as savings on gym fees, no need to pay to pump iron, just carry that FX camera and a big lens on a photo shoot. For added work-out top it off with a SB-910.
On the other hand, when I put on the 'nifty fifty' I have to check and make sure it is still there because it is so light.
I like hefty lenses - when I read "built like a tank" I like that. Light and flimsy? not keen on that.
Think of it as savings on gym fees, no need to pay to pump iron, just carry that FX camera and a big lens on a photo shoot. For added work-out top it off with a SB-910.
On the other hand, when I put on the 'nifty fifty' I have to check and make sure it is still there because it is so light.
Wow, glad someone else also has the same dilemma ...I also have a D5100 with two kit lenses and recently picked up a Sigma 50mm f/1.4. I have been going between upgrading to a D7100 and a D610 as well. The good thing is that the Sigma will work on full frame so I have one less lens to thing about. Guess I have to make a decision and go with it.
~ Joe
~ Joe