Michael J.
Senior Member
That's the best advice
Camera upgrade
- Thread starter Dsiner
- Start date
That's the best advice
I absolutely loved my D610 the short time that I owned it. I sold it shortly after being laid off, only to be replaced with a D5300. One feature I missed from my 1st and 3rd bodies is the fold-out/rotate LED screen, most handy for me when shooting lunar, and aiming and focusing in Live View.
But the D610 will be noticeably heavier than your current body, and it seems almost every different Nikon DSLR has it's own signature body and grip dimensions.
EDIT: And I suggest selling the 2 lenses you currently own to add a little more to the budget.Perhaps keep your current body as a back up.
Agreed again.
A small part of the selection process might be having a common battery spec. between the two bodies.
But that might limit the increase in features. I know my batteries for the D610 were quite different from the D5200 that came before.
But, yeah,glass.
I just found out on a recent trip to Robert's Camera, here in Indianapolis, that their classes are free to buyers of major components. That is a nice benefit from shopping locally.
As someone that is way newbie, my post processing skills are sorely lacking, but with the ease of working with a digital medium on a computer - ii is a match made in Heaven (or Seattle/So. Cali).
But even post processing software has gotten a little pricey, as they are mostly a "subscription" purchase.
Just keep it in mind for your budget. $9.95/month
Lightroom and Photoshop | Adobe Creative Cloud Photography plan
I`m sorry to state it, but I would be careful based on this. First start using the D3200 a lot then see if you need more. The D3200 is not a bad camera, I do not think it is outdated.
p.s.: I do this partially to control my own GAS
Many stated you do not need to blow it all in one go. Lenses might be a priority (even if those can be fun), learn and build on your experience.
Start with looking what you miss, what you use most.
Macro: I would say, go for this first. They are great lenses which allow to play with depth of field, you can also use them for portrait.
The question is do you go the 90-105 range or the 150-200 range or is a diopter ring sufficient?
I believe it is worth going for a 90-105 range, this can be manual focus for macro, remember.
Do not exclude wide angle macro, try it first with your 18-55, it could be important to look at minimum focus distance in all your future lenses.
Landscape: the 18-55 is good, stop it down to f8 see if you get stuck on the wide side. Do try some with the 55-300 as well though, tele landscapes are interesting.
I agree I do like the Tokina 11-16 which you can probably find second hand in good state (version I AF does not work with the D3200). However for events I would prefer a newer 11-20 due to flexibility in range, but it pushes you towards DX, where FX is preferred for wide angle.
astro night stuff: have no clue on this, do not do it
All 3 topics do improve by using a tripod adapted to your needs (material weight, carry weight, you length, macro flexibility, stability, etc...) and a remote trigger and for macro probably some filters and light solutions (diffusers, reflectors and flashlights) and rails and extension rings. Do keep a budget for this, you will look into it together with bags to carry your extra material. Do not forget you might want to work on post processing and require a new computer, software, etc ... to use the dynamic range/graduated filters in landscapes.
Is this an other budget? It is a good idea to spend money on places to go and things to see, having your camera in your backyard only is limiting. Subjects are part of your photography.
Since you have good DX lenses concentrate on FX lenses, wait for bodies. Also on bodies I dare to go second hand, a D800 (E) is cheapish these days and hard to beat (for macro and landscapes) if you post process and use it correctly. But indeed jumping into a D7200 or D500 upgrade seems logical as many state, personally I would go to complement the D3200 with something that can help what you want to shoot (your experience is important). D500 might be the best for macro upgrade, landscape you might want to go 36Mpix and FX to go wider.
Keep in mind that a good photographer uses material to make his work easier, even with the simpiest machine they do good work (youtube: Pro photograper cheap camera).
P.S.: I understand a pro going for a new high end camera since they do take a high number of pictures (talking over 5000/week), for someone who takes less pictures a second hand semi pro or pro body, from a trusted reseller can allow to get super machines from gear junkies that need the latest machine.
The answer to the OP's question is, there is no correct answer. Each one of us has different opinions and expectations. You can't go far wrong with most Nikon stuff, and as a loose rule of thumb the more you pay, the better you get. That said, it can be a law of diminishing returns. I would suggest the second hand market. Hope that answers the question!
Excellent advice already given, but here's my perspective. Simply:
* is there anything that frustrates with your current camera?
e.g. lack of controls (the extra command dial, extra button, position of buttons), or image related, such as ISO performance, 12bit/14bit uncompressed.
Personally, I found I was often going out with the camera early or late (in England in the winter it pretty gloomy in the winter 1/2hr either side of midday!), so I wanted decent low light performance and the lack of controls I personally found to be frustrating. But that's just me, the point is to think about what you'd like to be different/better and address that.
Also note that image quality is pretty decent on the whole range, e.g. D5000/D7000series, but for the extra money you get more controls, buttons, weather sealing, options (lens fine tuning, time lapse, HDR and so on).
Lettuce know your thoughts.
* is there anything that frustrates with your current camera?
e.g. lack of controls (the extra command dial, extra button, position of buttons), or image related, such as ISO performance, 12bit/14bit uncompressed.
Personally, I found I was often going out with the camera early or late (in England in the winter it pretty gloomy in the winter 1/2hr either side of midday!), so I wanted decent low light performance and the lack of controls I personally found to be frustrating. But that's just me, the point is to think about what you'd like to be different/better and address that.
Also note that image quality is pretty decent on the whole range, e.g. D5000/D7000series, but for the extra money you get more controls, buttons, weather sealing, options (lens fine tuning, time lapse, HDR and so on).
Lettuce know your thoughts.
I was quite impressed with the size and brightness of the pentaprism on the D610 over the pentamirror on my D5200!
Once again, these are things that can best be experienced in the retail store.
I know my next body will be pentaprism and probably a focus motor. And yeah, I like the 2nd control dial.
I wouldn't be surprised if it will be a refurbished D610 in a couple of years.
Once again, these are things that can best be experienced in the retail store.
I know my next body will be pentaprism and probably a focus motor. And yeah, I like the 2nd control dial.
I wouldn't be surprised if it will be a refurbished D610 in a couple of years.
I have a D3300 and use it mostly with either the 18-55 kit lens or 35mm F1.8DX. In last two and a half years I have crossed 65,000 shots and barring that the D3300 is a DX ;I would love to have an FX so that wide angles shoot wide; I still find it an excellent camera - it is cheap, light and the battery last at least 500 shots.
That said, as others have advised, do some introspection as to why you need to upgrade. Here are a few valid reasons
1. I want an articulating screen.
2. I want a motor in the body so that I can use the older AF lenses
3. I want to use older MF AIS lenses, so I need body that can meter AIS lenses
4. I shoot landscapes mostly, so I need an FX sensor to shoot wide
5. I need better low light AF capability
6. I need that 10+ fps
7. I shoot in rain, so I need a water proof body
........
There can be many reasons not the least is "I want the best as I can afford it".
If none of the above reasons listed above are of paramount importance to you, stick with the D3200. If your fingers are still itching to spend money, then do so on lenses and accessories. They will, in general pay more dividends than upgrading a body. Here are some options that come to my mind
. Lens 200-500 f5.6
. Lens 70-200 f2.8
. Lens 24-70 f2.8
. Manfroto CF tripod with ball head
. SB700/910 flash
Last but not the least a good computer with a 4K display
That said, as others have advised, do some introspection as to why you need to upgrade. Here are a few valid reasons
1. I want an articulating screen.
2. I want a motor in the body so that I can use the older AF lenses
3. I want to use older MF AIS lenses, so I need body that can meter AIS lenses
4. I shoot landscapes mostly, so I need an FX sensor to shoot wide
5. I need better low light AF capability
6. I need that 10+ fps
7. I shoot in rain, so I need a water proof body
........
There can be many reasons not the least is "I want the best as I can afford it".
If none of the above reasons listed above are of paramount importance to you, stick with the D3200. If your fingers are still itching to spend money, then do so on lenses and accessories. They will, in general pay more dividends than upgrading a body. Here are some options that come to my mind
. Lens 200-500 f5.6
. Lens 70-200 f2.8
. Lens 24-70 f2.8
. Manfroto CF tripod with ball head
. SB700/910 flash
Last but not the least a good computer with a 4K display
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