new lens or new body? Advice plz!

Which do you think is better to purchase first in my case?

  • D750

    Votes: 1 8.3%
  • 70-200mm F/2.8G VRII

    Votes: 11 91.7%

  • Total voters
    12

Percussionman11

Senior Member
So I'm not sure what to invest in next and am hoping some of you can offer me some thoughts or guidance...

I am currently using all of the below listed equipment in my signature as well as a 24-70mm F/2.8 nikon lens. I have the D7100 still and am debating if I should invest in either:

D750
or
70-200mm F/2.8G VR II

I feel I am leaning more towards one but want some guidance on which would be a better investment. A few things should be noted though about what it would take to make each purchase happen...

For the D750 I would have to sell my D7100 (no idea what one will go for that's in mint condition with 1 year of light use).

For the 70-200mm I would have to sell my 18-200mm lens as well as my 55-300mm lens to make up the cost. Any ideas on what each of these will go for with 1-2 years use and again in mint/near mint condition?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts and advice. I'm hoping to get more into portrait photography and haven't really been able to find many opportunities to make money but would like to get into the wedding scene eventually. I'm hoping to find a local wedding photographer who will take me on to work with them but want to make sure I have the right gear to make myself desirable. I fear that not having a full frame camera could cost me job opportunities, is this a real concern?
 

ShootRaw

Senior Member
What is your reason to get either? The D750 is a beast...You will love the 24mm-70mm 2.8G on it..
Is the 70mm-200mm something you need? Are you a portrait photog? Do you earn $$ from photography?
 

Bill16

Senior Member
Well the lens is a much better "investment" since it will hold it's value very well indeed! The D7100 is a great camera from all I've heard about it, but it seems the D750 is also. What you haven't mentioned is the fact that you'll need to get new glass if you go with the D750, since the DX glass won't work very well on the D750.

But if I were you I'd look to what types of photos you like to shoot to decide if you really need/want to go FX and if so when and if your ready too make that step.

You might want to get the lens first, so you'd have a couple FX lenses to start out with when your ready make the jump to FX if that is what you decide to do! :)

But like I said, I'd highly recommend you look to your photography needs based on what type of shots you do! Because the DX has some big advantages depending on what you shoot and how much you feel able to spend! FX costs more, especially if you go with high tech and high MPs like the D750, but it looks like you might already have that in mind. Lol :)
 
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RocketCowboy

Senior Member
I don't know much about what kind of photography you like to do, so my recommendation doesn't take any of that into account. I do understand where you're wanting to go with your photography though (portraits and weddings).

I have a lot of the same lenses you have, and am also shooting a D7100. The best move I've made was to pick up better glass, and I would expect you've seen similar results when using your 24-70mm f.2.8. Of the two option you listed, I recommend going with the 70-200mm f/2.8, or at least getting more glass that favors the type(s) of photography you do.

If you replace your D7100 with a D750, you'll find the 18-55, 55-300, and 18-200 pretty disappointing. The only FX glass you have right now is the 24-70mm and 50mm. Anything requiring longer reach on a D750 is going to leave you with a lot of dark pixels on the D750. With the right glass, you won't be struggling for portraits or weddings with your D7100. Upgrading to a D750, and you'll be struggling with the glass you have.
 

Percussionman11

Senior Member
I currently am an amateur working my way into the portrait scene. I enjoy shooting for fun mostly but have done a few small paid gigs (although I'm looking to do more). This is a side deal as I have a full time job as a school teacher but would like to do weddings down the road in my summers off.

EDIT: Another thought, is it bad to buy used glass and if it is ok where is a good place to look? I've always bought new and am curious if it is worth the almost $400+ cost savings to buy used I've seen online.
 
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ShootRaw

Senior Member
I currently am an amateur working my way into the portrait scene. I enjoy shooting for fun mostly but have done a few small paid gigs (although I'm looking to do more). This is a side deal as I have a full time job as a school teacher but would like to do weddings down the road in my summers off.
Glass then...
 

RocketCowboy

Senior Member
EDIT: Another thought, is it bad to buy used glass and if it is ok where is a good place to look? I've always bought new and am curious if it is worth the almost $400+ cost savings to buy used I've seen online.

KEH and others have well regarded used lens departments. If buying from someone who knows how to qualify (and consequently price) used lenses, then I'd be comfortable. Going the eBay route on used glass ... I'm not too keen on that.
 

ShootRaw

Senior Member
EDIT: Another thought, is it bad to buy used glass and if it is ok where is a good place to look? I've always bought new and am curious if it is worth the almost $400+ cost savings to buy used I've seen online.
Yes you can buy used or refurb...All my lens were bought used in mint condition...Amazon,ebay etc..
 

gqtuazon

Gear Head
So I'm not sure what to invest in next and am hoping some of you can offer me some thoughts or guidance...

I am currently using all of the below listed equipment in my signature as well as a 24-70mm F/2.8 nikon lens. I have the D7100 still and am debating if I should invest in either:

D750
or
70-200mm F/2.8G VR II

For pro photographers, it is just a matter of time that you will end up with both. Which one you should get first is all up to you. Knowing the routine history of Nikon with regards to its bundle sale, I would wait a bit so that you could save you some cash if you buy both. Save some more so that when the right time comes, you'll have both and some significant savings.

If you cannot wait, I personally would go for the full frame.
 

Moab Man

Senior Member
I was about to say the same. If your final destination is weddings then you will need both full frame and FX glass. Knowing the two paths in front of you will bring you to the same end point I would go with glass first.

1. The D7100 really shines with great glass.
2. The D750 is new. Give it some time to prove itself. D600 is an excellent example. Once the camera had a bit of mileage it was found to have a shutter issue.
 

SteveH

Senior Member
I'd start with the glass and then move to FX after the D750 is "Bedded in" like [MENTION=11881]Moab Man[/MENTION] says.

If you are starting out on your wedding / portrait photography journey, I think the D7100 would suffice to start and then possibly be a good second body. The only place you may struggle is low light / high ISO.
 

rocketman122

Senior Member
hes quite the douche but kai shows the difference what a good lens does. he has the most expensive camera but has crap glass on it. the other is the lowest on the scale and excellent glass. youre not making such a drastic change but good glass is really key. sure you wont be able to shoot at FF high iso levels but wait for prices to come down on FF. consider getting a tamron or sigma 70-200 2.8's

if you never held such heavy lens before youre in for a huge surprise that a LOT of your pictures will be blurry. you aquire the balance after time. after time youll be able to get acceptable images at 200mm at 1/30 of still images when youll have no light. but thats with using proper technique. it will come in time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hk5IMmEDWH4
 

Percussionman11

Senior Member
Thanks everybody for all the thoughts and advice, all of it is very useful. I have actually seen that video before Rocketman122 but was curious with my equipment if it would differ the answer (especially since it's not full frame).
 

aroy

Senior Member
I would also suggest getting the glass first. With the right glass and a good technique, most of the current Nikon bodies will give you great images.

So start collecting FX glass and hone up your technique. As some have commented, if you are going to do paid jobs, then you have to have a backup body, hence you will need your D7100 along with any FX body you buy in future.
 

sonicbuffalo_RIP

Senior Member
If it were me, I'd consider getting FF mirrorless like the Sony A7 II that will be coming out. I'd definitely recommend FX glass before the body if you are going the FF DSLR route.
 

AC016

Senior Member
...but want to make sure I have the right gear to make myself desirable. I fear that not having a full frame camera could cost me job opportunities, is this a real concern?

From reading this, i say invest in the glass and much more time in learning. It's what you produce that matters and your D7100 will help you produce very nice photos. If a potential client looks at you and says to themselves, "Well, he has a D750, he must be a pro and must take breathtaking wedding photos. Let's hire him!", then they are stupid. Anyone can buy a D750. Not everyone can produce great photos. Again, i suggest you get more time behind the camera instead of thinking a FF camera is your ticket to being a wedding photog. Just friendly advice :)
 

jay_dean

Senior Member
EDIT: Another thought, is it bad to buy used glass and if it is ok where is a good place to look? I've always bought new and am curious if it is worth the almost $400+ cost savings to buy used I've seen online.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with second hand equipment, as long as its in good condition of course. As far as camera bodies are concerned, again, second hand bargains are out there. Alot of the wedding/portrait favourites shooters bodies like the D800, or even the D700 prices are dropping at a frightening rate, and can be picked up cheaply. The D750 is a great camera from what i hear, but so are the D700 and D800, theyre still contenders, and worth looking at
 

SkvLTD

Senior Member
Since you have a 24-70 and a 50, you'll fare pretty well without your DX glass that you could sell towards the 70-200 if you feel the need for it (and 7100 if you can live without a backup bod for a bit). I was itching to dive into FX and quality difference as well as capability were miles apart, but that's coming from a dinky 5100, not 7100.

As far as weddings, I feel a more capable body could go a longer way than a couple stops since you'll be working quick and in various lighting conditions. 2 lenses you already have + flash will likely cover 90% of that style of shooting.
 
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