Upgrade 5100?

jonritter

Senior Member
I'm just a hobbyist. I don't shoot as often as I'd like, but I still enjoy it. I"ve been toying with getting a new lense for my 5100. I was thinking about getting the Nikon 18-300 and calling it good, then I got to thinking would I be better off upgrading the body as well and maybe going the 18-140. I've been out of DSLR research for a while so I thought I'd see what you guys recommend.

Thanks!
Jon
 

Moab Man

Senior Member
Is there something that you think the D5100 is falling short on? That should be your question. Example: I've recently started shooting low light concerts and the D5100 doesn't have the ISO capability. That is a body upgrade.

Like Don said, the D5100 is still a great body.

I would look at pooling your money and buying the best glass you can afford. As to what lens, what do you shoot the most?

Great glass on a lower end or older camera will outperform lower glass on the best body.
 
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jonritter

Senior Member
Is there something that you think the D5100 is falling short on? That should be your question. Example: I've recently started shooting low light concerts and the D5100 doesn't have the ISO capability. That is a body upgrade.

Like Don said, the D5100 is still a great body.

I would look at pooling your money and buying the best glass you can afford. As to what lens, what do you shoot the most?

Great glass on a lower end or older camera will outperform lower glass on the best body.

The only real feature I think would be nice is being able to offload the pictures wirelessly (I'm not sure how that works). I shoot really random stuff. I like driving gravel roads and just finding anything from old Churches, cemeteries, some nature, general landscape. Thats why I was looking at the 18-300. I wouldn't necessarily need the 300 zoom often. Currently I have the kit 18-55 VR and 55-200 VR.


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Moab Man

Senior Member
The only real feature I think would be nice is being able to offload the pictures wirelessly (I'm not sure how that works). I shoot really random stuff. I like driving gravel roads and just finding anything from old Churches, cemeteries, some nature, general landscape. Thats why I was looking at the 18-300. I wouldn't necessarily need the 300 zoom often. Currently I have the kit 18-55 VR and 55-200 VR.


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I have never found Nikon's wireless to be that good. Anyone else with a different feel please chime in.
 

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
The only real feature I think would be nice is being able to offload the pictures wirelessly (I'm not sure how that works). I shoot really random stuff. I like driving gravel roads and just finding anything from old Churches, cemeteries, some nature, general landscape. Thats why I was looking at the 18-300. I wouldn't necessarily need the 300 zoom often. Currently I have the kit 18-55 VR and 55-200 VR.


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Going to go ahead and suggest the following... I found refurbished Nikon D5600's with the newest 18-55mm (the P-version) kit lens selling for $614 which, in my opinion, is a steal. The D5600 body itself (no lens) bought NIB goes for $650 on the same site.

And while I agree your D5100 is probably just dandy, it IS is five-year old technology and there's nothing wrong with upgrading from time to time. I'm suggesting the D5600 because it would be a *very* significant upgrade in technology overall, it would work with all your existing 55-200mm zoom and keeps you out of the "pro-sumer" series of bodies and the higher price points that go with them. Of course if you want to pay for some extra bells and whistles, by all means explore the 7000-series bodies. I'm just taking a wild stab at things with this suggestion.

D5600 Bundle on Amazon
 

nikonpup

Senior Member
$$$wise I would got with a lens upgrade 18-140mm, reconditioned or a good used lens for a known Nikon dealer. My 18-140 mm sits on my D7100, combo is in the car most days. For a second lens I would look for a 70-300mm.
 

SkvLTD

Senior Member
The only real feature I think would be nice is being able to offload the pictures wirelessly (I'm not sure how that works). I shoot really random stuff. I like driving gravel roads and just finding anything from old Churches, cemeteries, some nature, general landscape. Thats why I was looking at the 18-300. I wouldn't necessarily need the 300 zoom often. Currently I have the kit 18-55 VR and 55-200 VR.


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I have never found Nikon's wireless to be that good. Anyone else with a different feel please chime in.

Eye-Fi, Mobi or Pro somethingoranother. I've had Mobi and all it does it auto-offload either jpegs and/or raws as you take em to a mobile device or PC that you pair with it while camera is on. Tethering basically, but I personally would prefer being able to browse them first and select which I want to offload from the camera - this is where either Toshiba or Chinese EZShare come it, and I just ordered EZ to try it out for 2 reasons based on reading about them:
1- you can browse first and select what jpegs/raws to actually transfer over to your phone to avoid missed shots/clutter.
1.2- its app has social sharing inside to make that easier, but
2- they make SD sized, wifi-enabled microSD adapter that you can feed your own cards unlike the rest!
3- wifi on/off switch on the bottom of the card

These aren't terribly fast or anything, but convenient for sure.
 

jonritter

Senior Member
Eye-Fi, Mobi or Pro somethingoranother. I've had Mobi and all it does it auto-offload either jpegs and/or raws as you take em to a mobile device or PC that you pair with it while camera is on. Tethering basically, but I personally would prefer being able to browse them first and select which I want to offload from the camera - this is where either Toshiba or Chinese EZShare come it, and I just ordered EZ to try it out for 2 reasons based on reading about them:
1- you can browse first and select what jpegs/raws to actually transfer over to your phone to avoid missed shots/clutter.
1.2- its app has social sharing inside to make that easier, but
2- they make SD sized, wifi-enabled microSD adapter that you can feed your own cards unlike the rest!
3- wifi on/off switch on the bottom of the card

These aren't terribly fast or anything, but convenient for sure.

Would you mind sharing a link to the mentioned products?


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jonritter

Senior Member
After reading the reviews I"m starting to gather that. So back to glass, is the 18-300 a good choice or would I be better off with the 18-124 (or so) and a separate zoom lense?



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jonritter

Senior Member
18-140


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Thank you, sorry for all the questions, one more comes to mind. I just looked at Amazon and they have that lense for 268 certified-refurb. My only experience with cert-refurb is with Apple. Any experience with Nikon and this scenario?

Thanks!


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Thank you, sorry for all the questions, one more comes to mind. I just looked at Amazon and they have that lense for 268 certified-refurb. My only experience with cert-refurb is with Apple. Any experience with Nikon and this scenario?

Thanks!



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I have bought refurbished lenses and cameras and have never had a problem with them.
 

jonritter

Senior Member
I want to thank everyone for their replies. I haven't been nearly as active with my camera lately, this discussion has me excited to get back at it, potentially with some new equipment. Thanks so much!



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nikonpup

Senior Member
A LENS FOR THE US MARKET WILL HAVE A SERIAL NUMBER STARTING WITH "US". CONTACT THE SELLER FOR SN AND NIKON WARRANTY. INFO FROM LINK SAYS IT MAY BE CERTIFIED BY A 3 RD PARTY.
This is a Certified Refurbished product on Amazon Renewed
This Certified Refurbished product is tested and certified by the manufacturer or by a third-party refurbisher to look and work like new, with limited to no signs of wear. The refurbishing process includes functionality testing, inspection, reconditioning and repackaging. The product ships with relevant accessories, a minimum 90-day warranty, and may arrive in a generic white or brown box. Accessories may be generic and not directly from the manufacturer. Only select sellers who maintain a high performance bar may offer Certified Refurbished products on Amazon Renewed. See all Certified Refurbished products
 
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