Upgrade question

I'm currently shooting with a D5500. Like the camera but I really want some of the additional features of an upgrade. I'm into mostly product, macro and landscape.

Right now I'm torn between a D500 and a D750. I have a couple of DX lens and 1 FX lens (70-300mm f4-5.6 VR).

I like the features of the D500 and I have mostly DX lens but I kind of want the full frame and higher megapixels of the D750 for the product stuff. The biggest con for me is replacing all my DX lens.

Anyone know if there would be any benefit in going with the better sensor 750 or will my product/macro quality not really be any better than the 500?

Terry_____ said:

I'm currently shooting with a D5500. Like the camera but I really want some of the additional features of an upgrade. I'm into mostly product, macro and landscape.

Right now I'm torn between a D500 and a D750. I have a couple of DX lens and 1 FX lens (70-300mm f4-5.6 VR).

I like the features of the D500 and I have mostly DX lens but I kind of want the full frame and higher megapixels of the D750 for the product stuff. The biggest con for me is replacing all my DX lens.

Anyone know if there would be any benefit in going with the better sensor 750 or will my product/macro quality not really be any better than the 500?

Click to expand...

First off welcome to the forum.

What features do you want that you think the D500 or D750 will have that your D5500 does not have?

Welcome aboard. Enjoy the ride.

I agree with Don. What can't you do with your D5500 that you can do better with a D500 or D750? Frankly, you may be better off spending some money on better glass, better lighting and perhaps some classes rather than buying a more expensive camera, thinking it will greatly improve your photography.

Welcome to the forum Terry. It would be nice to know more about the things your feel your current camera is lacking, and a bit more about the lenses you have and the ones you think you would like to add to purchase.

Welcome Terry. I'm guessing you don't like the lack of buttons and wheels on your 5500, forcing you to use the menu system to change settings that you can change on a 500 or 750 without taking the camera from your face. Since your only FX lens is the 70-300, maybe it's best to stay DX for the time being and go with the D500. You'd spend way more than the price of a body to buy decent FX glass.

Good luck.

Welcome to the wonderful world of N.A.S. - Nikon Acquisition Syndrome. From my signature you can see I am totally into NAS (well more properly GAS as Gear Acquisition Syndrome as I don't limit my acquisitions to Nikon).

I just went through a similar internal debate that is chronicled here https://nikonites.com/general-digital-slr-cameras/39412-new-camera-d800-d750-d500.html#axzz4iwfZLsPI I debated the 500 vs 750 and added a refurbished 800 into the mix just because ... I have not yet bought anything (well I did buy that Husky but you'll have to read to get that one)

The questions asked already give a great starting point for your quest for the best option. Mull on them and let them keep you from falling asleep.

Rather than D500 vs D750 you need to decide if you want to ( need to is such a tricky term) if you want to FX or not. You are into DX now. FXing will mean new lenses.

My upgrade path from my D5100 was to go FX with a D610 which has worked for me. But be warned, as others have said, FX lenses are more expensive. But if you want to FX then FX, you just need an FX sized wallet. And FX sized storage cabinet.

There is a less expensive (not cheap but cheaper) option with FX - and that is the vintage glass route - old film glass can and does work well on FX digital cameras and that is a real option. And almost another hobby within the hobby.

Good luck with your choice.

Howdy Terry and welcome to Nikonites!!!

First, the D750 does not have more megapixels than your D5500, and the D500 actually has less. If that's your motivator, you're safe with what you have!

I went through a similar cycle, having started with the D5300, then the D7100, and on and on. I agree with what others have suggested. For me, I stated keeping a list of the things I needed that the D5300 could not do. When that list got big enough, it was clear that I was better served staying in the DX camp for awhile in order to change over lenses slowly, and so the decision to go D7100 was obvious.

The D5500 is a great camera on its own, so before spending money that could be spent on better glass, knowing exactly what you're buying and why can help make things very clear.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Welcome to the forum. You have received some great info ^^^. To upgrade, just to upgrade is ok if you can afford it, but most of us have to watch the cookie jar closely to pay the bills. Ha!

Terry_____ said:

I'm currently shooting with a D5500. Like the camera but I really want some of the additional features of an upgrade. I'm into mostly product, macro and landscape.

Right now I'm torn between a D500 and a D750. I have a couple of DX lens and 1 FX lens (70-300mm f4-5.6 VR).

I like the features of the D500 and I have mostly DX lens but I kind of want the full frame and higher megapixels of the D750 for the product stuff. The biggest con for me is replacing all my DX lens.

Anyone know if there would be any benefit in going with the better sensor 750 or will my product/macro quality not really be any better than the 500?

Click to expand...

If you want an upgraded features-set you have no choice but upgrade the body, that's the only way to get them. Based on what you've posted I don't think you'd see an increase in overall image quality by upgrading to a D500 or D750 but you'd definitely get an improved features-set. So there's that. If the features-set is whats driving your decision then we should discuss what route to take.

But on the topic of image quality, and possibly saving you a lot of money, have you done things like check your current lenses for front/back focus and calibrated the auto-focus for them? That can have a huge impact on overall image quality. Do you shoot raw, or JPG? If you primarily shoot in JPG have you adjusted the Sharpness setting in the profiles menu? That too can have a dramatic effect on the overall sharpness of your images. Further, if you're shooting JPG would you consider shooting raw and processing images? Just my opinion but shooting in JPG is castrating just about any modern DSLR. To leverage the full capability of the sensor you need to be shooting raw and processing the files. I don't mean to demean JPG -- it's great for what it is. But we can't escape the fact it's a highly compressed, lossy, 8-bit image that offers only a tiny fraction of what the camera is capable of delivering. Lastly what DX lenses do you shoot with? The D5500 has a lot resolving horsepower and to get the most out of it you need to pair it with top-notch glass that can deliver what the D5500 is putting out. The D5500 is a powerful camera with a LOT of potential so I'm trying to gauge if you thinking you're taking full advantage of what it can offer.
...

Welcome. One thing you will find on this site is that you definitely need to consider the entire system, not just the camera, and how you use it. I've been putting some thought lately into what I might eventually do in order to replace my D7000 (D7200?, D500?, D750?). However, unless I find some absolutely ridiculously cheap, can't pass it up deal, I'll stay will my original plan to hopefully add a Tamron 70-200 2.8. So for now, I would rather have my older D7000 with two very good lenses than a newer body with limited lens options.

Camera Fun said:

... I'll stay will my original plan to hopefully add a Tamron 70-200 2.8. So for now, I would rather have my older D7000 with two very good lenses than a newer body with limited lens options.

Click to expand...

Loved my Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 Di VC USD; smashing good lens. The newer G2 version is all that, and a lot more. Enough to get me to upgrade to it over the original.