Major Dilemma!!! Need Your Help

RookieDSLR

Senior Member
Okay so I have a dilemma, I am contemplating on getting the D7000 and selling my D5100 or to keep the D5100 and buy the Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 OS EX DG lens.
I have already the Tamron 70-300 VC and the Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 and was wanting the Sigma for action shots and portrait mainly because of the reviews on the quality of the glass.
I guess what I am asking you is what would you do, would you go for the better quality D7000 or keep the D5100 and get the new Sigma lens.
I did some research and read the differences between the two cameras so I know the technical specs I just would like your opinion on what you would do. Thanks and look forward to your views to ultimately help me decide what to do. :nevreness:

Jeremy V.
 

Phillydog1958

Senior Member
Without giving it much thought, and off the cuff, I'd probably keep the D5100 and get the 70-200. I'd also consider selling the Tamron 70-300.
 

Rick M

Senior Member
Think in terms of which path will reach your immediate goals today. (If immediate satisfaction is the priority) What do you hope to do that you cannot do with what you have now?
 

pedroj

Senior Member
If you get the D7000 you will have a camera with the in built AF motor then you can use a lens like the Nikon 80-200mm F2.8 and others...
 

Eye-level

Banned
I would add if you are happy with the D5100 the 7000 is not really going to offer you anything more than the built in AF motor...and if you are satisfied with your images then why would you need anything else?
 

RookieDSLR

Senior Member
WOW! I appreciate everyone chiming in so fast I appreciate that, what I am trying to achieve is the speed and low light, I recently went an indoor barrel racing event and couldn't get an good shots due to the poor lighting. Also I like the idea of selling the 70-300 didn't really think that route because I rarely use it anymore and especially if I were to get the new lens. As far as the D7000 I also like the weather sealing and the built in motor for more lens options but as well as the overall build of the D7000 seemed sturdier and more like a pro camera than my D5100, I also heard that it has a better processor and better overall internal parts. Keep the opinions coming I like to see what other peoples logic is. Thanks again.
While I am at it here are a few of the barrel racing shots.
Girl Rider.jpg
 

Eye-level

Banned
Man I really believe in cowgirls... :)

I don't believe in superstars,
Organic food and foreign cars.
I don't believe the price of gold;
The certainty of growing old.
That right is right and left is wrong,
That north and south can't get along.
That east is east and west is west.
And being first is always best.

But I believe in love.
I believe in babies.
I believe in Mom and Dad.
And I believe in you.

Well, I don't believe that heaven waits,
For only those who congregate.
I like to think of God as love:
He's down below, He's up above.
He's watching people everywhere.
He knows who does and doesn't care.
And I'm an ordinary man,
Sometimes I wonder who I am.

But I believe in love.
I believe in music.
I believe in magic.
And I believe in you.

I know with all my certainty,
What's going on with you and me,
Is a good thing.
It's true, I believe in you.

I don't believe virginity,
Is as common as it used to be.
In working days and sleeping nights,
That black is black and white is white.
That Superman and Robin Hood,
Are still alive in Hollywood.
That gasoline's in short supply,
The rising cost of getting by.

But I believe in love.
I believe in old folks.
I believe in children.
I believe in you.

I believe in love.
I believe in babies.
I believe in Mom and Dad.
And I believe in you.
 
Last edited:

pedroj

Senior Member
Man I really believe in cowgirls... :)

I don't believe in superstars,
Organic food and foreign cars.
I don't believe the price of gold;
The certainty of growing old.
That right is right and left is wrong,
That north and south can't get along.
That east is east and west is west.
And being first is always best.

But I believe in love.
I believe in babies.
I believe in Mom and Dad.
And I believe in you.

Well, I don't believe that heaven waits,
For only those who congregate.
I like to think of God as love:
He's down below, He's up above.
He's watching people everywhere.
He knows who does and doesn't care.
And I'm an ordinary man,
Sometimes I wonder who I am.

But I believe in love.
I believe in music.
I believe in magic.
And I believe in you.

I know with all my certainty,
What's going on with you and me,
Is a good thing.
It's true, I believe in you.

I don't believe virginity,
Is as common as it used to be.
In working days and sleeping nights,
That black is black and white is white.
That Superman and Robin Hood,
Are still alive in Hollywood.
That gasoline's in short supply,
The rising cost of getting by.

But I believe in love.
I believe in old folks.
I believe in children.
I believe in you.

I believe in love.
I believe in babies.
I believe in Mom and Dad.
And I believe in you.

One of my favs...Don Williams..Are you country fan...

I Believe In You lyrics chords | Don Williams
 

Eye-level

Banned
I'm good for anything before 1990 sir and the older the better...and I really do believe in cowgirls...I have seen them with my own eyes!
 

Sambr

Senior Member
Of the two D7000 - otherwise get a D700 if you want something now or wait for the D600 which is yet to be announced officially
 

gqtuazon

Gear Head
D5100 has the same sensor as the D7000, so my question is what other improvement do you expect if they offer the same sensor since that is the main concern here (cleaner images at higher ISO levels)?

Sell the 70-300mm as previously mentioned. Sigma70-200mm f2.8 is not bad and is much lighter. So it is not a bad compromise. Save more and get a used Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 VRI or VRII. They are much sharper than Sigma.
 

RookieDSLR

Senior Member
The differences between the two of the f2.8 lenses was mentioned to me at our local camera shop and he said the same thing. He showed me a used Nikon 70-200 there but still wanted $1699 for it so......yeah still can't decide. I went back to the camera shop today and had him lay out the two cameras side by side and I just like the overall design and ergonomics of the D7000 it just feels sturdier and I can't get over the sealing and the alloy frame, granted I know as far as IQ it will be nearly the same but I geuss I can live with that. Just haven't decided yet. Thanks for all your help everyone.

Jeremy V.
 

AxeMan - Rick S.

Senior Member
I would hold off on the new body with all the rumors flying around about new bodies coming out soon. I would invest in a 2.8 lens. A faster lens is going to help you out more than a newer body will if your shooting in low light conditions.

What you choice in bodies down the road you can take your new lens with you. If your wallet can do it go with the Nikon, if not the Sigma is not bad, just remember it's soft at the long end, I know I have the Sigma for the simple fact I could not afford a new Nikon 2.8 at the time. (the Nikon 2.8 70-200 can't be beat by no one)

As for your 300mm lens, as said I would sell it. If you want to make it up you can put a 1.4 teleconverter on it and you got a 300mm 3.8 (you lose at lest one f/stop using the teleconverter) seeing how you have a newer camera that can handle higher ISO you should be able to make up for the lost f/stop using a higher ISO.

One more thing, fast glass holds it resale value better than anything else you could by for a camera. Buy, use, sell, and get a good portion of your investment back and up grade to Nikon glass. That's what I'm doing, using my Sigma lens for a year, then upgrading to Nikon glass.

Good luck with your dilemma.
 

AC016

Senior Member
Sorry to be honest with you, but you not getting good shots in low light is not the cameras fault. I have a d5100 and it takes great low light shots. Sounds like you have fallen in love with a sense of "my pics will get better if i spend more money". You will NOT see any difference with a d7k. If you are not able to take low light pics now, you will not be able to do it with a d7k. I highly doubt the d7k has better quality parts. With the d7k, you are paying for the in body focus motor, sealing and a bit of mag alloy. Without those, you have d5100.
 

silvercreek

Senior Member
Without giving it much thought, and off the cuff, I'd probably keep the D5100 and get the 70-200. I'd also consider selling the Tamron 70-300.

I think I would agree. I don't think the 7000 would take that much better pictures than a 5100. It only has more optional settings. I've viewed 5100 and 7000 photos and honestly could not see any differences.
 
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