Wanting to upgrade, camera or lens?

drummerJ99

Senior Member
Hello Nikonites. Was trying to get some opinions from better educated people then me. I'm looking at upgrading my gear. I'm thinking of moving up to a D7200 from my D3200. I rented a D7200 this weekend but haven't been impressed so far. Most images seem to be blurry. Or out of focus. Not sure if that's a operator error (assuming so) or since it's a rented body if something is wrong with the camera. As I know the 7200 can take amazing photos. My budget is about $800, which eliminates the D7500 unless I go used which is alittle over $800.

I shoot mostly sports, motorsports, wildlife and landscapes. Very seldom do my shoots include people.

Reasons for 7200:
I like the new control options with the dual dial.
Dual card slot
Like the focus squares better then the small dots on 3200.
Suppose to be better at low light, as far as I know.
WiFi built in.
Focus motor built in so it can use any lens. Which raises even more questions. Lol

Reaons for new lens:
More reach for wildlife, so something 400mm+.
The Tamron lens isn't the best. So maybe I should look at a used 70-200 2.8? But that kills me even more for wildlife. So, maybe I need to compromise with a better 70-300?

So many questions and so many options. So please help me out. Lol


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Danno

Senior Member
I upgraded from a D3200 to a D7200 and like any upgrade it takes a bit of time to get used to the system. I had a lot of trouble getting used to the focus system. Shifted to single point AF-C and that helped me get used to the new systems.
 

Bikerbrent

Senior Member
I have a D7200 and love it. When I first upgraded from my D200 to the D7200, I was disappointed with the new camera. However, after a little practice, I learned how to use it to maximum benefit. Most users on this site, frankly, consider the D7500 as a downgrade from the D7200.

Also, I assume you were using the Nikon 18-55mm lens and frankly this lens is not the sharpest knife in the drawer. I had a Tamron 200-400mm lens which worked OK on my D200 but turned out to be a real dog when it came to sharpness on my D7200 (which is why I lno longer own it). So this could also be contributing to your issues.
 

drummerJ99

Senior Member
I have a D7200 and love it. When I first upgraded from my D200 to the D7200, I was disappointed with the new camera. However, after a little practice, I learned how to use it to maximum benefit. Most users on this site, frankly, consider the D7500 as a downgrade from the D7200.

Also, I assume you were using the Nikon 18-55mm lens and frankly this lens is not the sharpest knife in the drawer. I had a Tamron 200-400mm lens which worked OK on my D200 but turned out to be a real dog when it came to sharpness on my D7200 (which is why I lno longer own it). So this could also be contributing to your issues.
Could have sworn I had all my info in the post. But maybe I messed it up on my phone. Lol but I actually have
Nikon 50mm 1.8G (use 25% of the time)
Tamron SP AF 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 Di VC (use 75% of the time) and most of photos so far in the rented model have Been with the 70-300.

And that's kinda what I was thinking as well on the 7500. That it's a downgrade.

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Bikerbrent

Senior Member
I got the 18-55mm lens from your profile. It was the only lens you had listed there. The Tamron 70-300 is not a bad lens so this should not be the issue. When you got the rental camera, did you do a full factory reset on the camera. Something that is always recommended on a rental camera. You never know what settings the previous user may have set. Also, the user might have had the same lens and fine tuned it to his lens which could vary greatly from your copy. Can you post some of your photos with EXIF data as this would help us determine any possible issues. However, far too many users of the D7200 rave about this cameras ability, therefore I would think it likely it was a settings or learning curve issue.
 

drummerJ99

Senior Member
I got the 18-55mm lens from your profile. It was the only lens you had listed there. The Tamron 70-300 is not a bad lens so this should not be the issue. When you got the rental camera, did you do a full factory reset on the camera. Something that is always recommended on a rental camera. You never know what settings the previous user may have set. Also, the user might have had the same lens and fine tuned it to his lens which could vary greatly from your copy. Can you post some of your photos with EXIF data as this would help us determine any possible issues. However, far too many users of the D7200 rave about this cameras ability, therefore I would think it likely it was a settings or learning curve issue.
Guess it's time for me to update profile lol as evidently I haven't done that in awhile. I actually haven't done a factory reset. I may try that. And I agree that everything I've heard is raves about the 7200. So I'm assuming it's user error from using new camera.

Out of town at the moment but will post images later tonight.

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hark

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Contributor
I don't think Nikon makes a grip for the D7500 so if you would ever need one for motorsports, I think there is an aftermarket grip available. The sensor of the D7500 edges out the D7200 slightly, but the D7200 is still quite impressive!

So which is your biggest concern at the moment? Needing a longer reach? Or do you want easier access to the controls?

The D7200 should have better low light capabilities and an improved AF system. Does the D3200 allow continuous shooting? The D7200 can be set up for back button focus. I don't think that's an option on the D3200. BBF would be a phenomenal option for motorsports.

As far as lenses go, some of the longer lenses within your budget will still be slow to focus. Tamron and Sigma make 150-600mm lenses, but you'd be looking at used. And most likely even those would exceed your budget.

Sorry, there isn't a lot of helpful info that I can add. Good luck with whatever you choose!
 

drummerJ99

Senior Member
I don't think Nikon makes a grip for the D7500 so if you would ever need one for motorsports, I think there is an aftermarket grip available. The sensor of the D7500 edges out the D7200 slightly, but the D7200 is still quite impressive!

So which is your biggest concern at the moment? Needing a longer reach? Or do you want easier access to the controls?

The D7200 should have better low light capabilities and an improved AF system. Does the D3200 allow continuous shooting? The D7200 can be set up for back button focus. I don't think that's an option on the D3200. BBF would be a phenomenal option for motorsports.

As far as lenses go, some of the longer lenses within your budget will still be slow to focus. Tamron and Sigma make 150-600mm lenses, but you'd be looking at used. And most likely even those would exceed your budget.

Sorry, there isn't a lot of helpful info that I can add. Good luck with whatever you choose!

Yeah the battery grip for the D7500 or lack there of does kinda bug me. Never have understood why they take away features.

The low light is capabilities is one of my biggest selling point on upgrading. At a concert tonight so will give my rented 7200 a good test run.

The 3200 does allow both continues shooting (think it's 3fps) and back button focus.

I think I've talked myself into the D7200. The price is good good and it'd be new and not used.

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hark

Administrator
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Never have understood why they take away features.

From things that have been reported, Nikon might do away with the D3x00 and D5x00 series bodies. That means the D7500 might be their entry level consumer body. And perhaps it's the reason why some of the features were removed. But we will have to see....;)
 

hark

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Contributor
As long as Nikon keeps producing the D7200, I will be a happy camper. But unfortunately, I don't really see that happening. :mad:

After just checking, it's back in stock on Nikon's web site. The last time I looked, it was out of stock making me wonder if they'd get any more. Glad to see they have more available.
 

Bengan

Senior Member
If you're going to use longer lenses there might be a demand for AF fine tuning. This feature is not possible with the D3xxx and D5xxx series, but is with the D7xxx
 

Andy W

Senior Member
Like others have said the D7200 is a good solid camera. There are great deals to be had on used Sigma 150-600mm C lenses. I see them for around $595.00.
 

drummerJ99

Senior Member
Well I ended up biting the bullet and buying a D7200. The low light capability along with my 50mm worked great at the rock concert I was at. Much better then my D3200 could of.

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hark

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Well I ended up biting the bullet and buying a D7200. The low light capability along with my 50mm worked great at the rock concert I was at. Much better then my D3200 could of.

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Glad to hear you made your choice and received it! It's a fantastic body and will serve you well for many years. You might want to consider selling your other body and setting that money aside towards a future lens. At least you got off the fence. Not knowing which way to go can be frustrating. Enjoy your D7200!
 

Bikerbrent

Senior Member
Well I ended up biting the bullet and buying a D7200. The low light capability along with my 50mm worked great at the rock concert I was at. Much better then my D3200 could of.

Congratulations, great choice on the D7200. Did you ever figure out what was going on the the rental D7200?
 

drummerJ99

Senior Member
Congratulations, great choice on the D7200. Did you ever figure out what was going on the the rental D7200?
I think it was mainly Operator Error. The photos of the concert with my 50mm turned out great and tested a few photos with my 70-300 on the new 7200 and they came out pretty good, better then I got with my D3200. Not sure if it was a combination of focus error or shutter too slow or something else.
 

drummerJ99

Senior Member
At Salem Speedway this day and tommrow for ARCA race and here are two pics taken with my 70-300 that I was having issues with on rented body. I'm impressed with how they look. So either my previous problems were the rented body or a setting on there or something. I don't have a clue. Lol These are SOOC. Transfered to phone via Nikon App.
2e16b250bfa963da43aff6837faab3c8.jpg
80f437240038c024adbb7861e3c18f4f.jpg


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