Upgrade Glass or Body

I am currently shooting with a D7000 and use the kit 18-140 zoom and 35mm 1.8 prime. I know that this is still a very capable camera, but it has been out for over 5 years and there have been definite improvements to this series (7100 & 7200).

I understand the importance of upgrading to quality glass, but am wondering if that is where I would need to start or if upgrading the body would be more beneficial.

I am not ready to purchase just yet, but thought I would get your input/advice so I could start to focus my research.

Thanks!
Matt

Is there anything your camera or lens is not doing you need them to do? If not, upgrading really isn't worth it.

Also are you staying D.X.or moving up to F.F.
And what do you shoot the most?

My current camera is/has been fine for me. I would love to move to FF, but I don't think it would be in my budget. I would classify myself as a generalist shooter, and right now I am primarily taking pictures of our two young daughters (3 years and 18 months).

I am working on improving my photography skills this year and know that one of the best "investments" you can make is upgrading lenses. When I was reading the 24-120 f4 threadI thought I should see what others had done, as I am sure I am not the first person to be in this situation.

Thanks!

If you have a great new camera body but ok lenses, then you won't get the full benefits out of the new body; and by the time you're able to upgrade lenses, it's possible another new/better body will be out. If you upgrade the lenses first, then you have the potential to get the most out of your current D7000; plus the better lenses would be available to use on a future new/better body.
I've gone the route of doing the lenses first as I'm happy with my D7000. Ultimately it's up to you and your budget.

If you're headed towards an FX body, then you should start accumulating FX glass.

Based upon what I've read from you here, I'd stay with the D7000 and buy glass, but possibly not right away. While your zoom has a good range of focal lengths, it is rather slow, especially at the long end. Therefore, were it me, I'd look at a fast zoom such as the 70-200 f4 or 70-200 f2.8, or the 24-120 f4 that you mentioned earlier. If those are out of range for you, I'd opt for a prime in a longer focal length, such as an 85mm f1.8. If you are willing to, look at the used and refurbished market, especially from established reputable retailers. But do your homework (research) on both the lens and the retailer if you go this route.

Remember, as long as you keep it in good shape, good glass is going to stay the course. We're not yet where bodies won't eventually become obsolete for one reason or another.

WM

I've learned the hard way over the years to be patient to get the glass you really want instead of compromising. So if you really want something with a maximum aperture of f/2.8, for example, but you settle for the f/4 lens, you could have used the money you spent on the f/4 toward the f/2.8 if only you saved up for longer, even if it's many months or even a couple of years. And when you sell the f/4 to finally upgrade to the f/2.8, you're getting a lot less than what you initially spent for it, so therefore less money towards the f/2.8. I say this all based on experience.

Also, if a Nikon lens is looking too expensive, say the 70-200 f/2.8 VR II, then consider something like the Tamron equivalent that I've read many rave reviews about for basically half the price. Or, search around for somebody selling a good, used Nikon lens that you're interested in.

Anyhow, a quality lens can last you many, many years whereas a body has much better technology after only a few years. I have no idea about the capabilities and features of your D7000, I'm still very new to Nikon with a D750, but I DO know that better lenses will probably make you feel in some situations as though you have a brand new camera!

The old saying glass before body came from the film days,at that time changing body made no difference to the quality of your images as the sensor was film and you just put a different film in.Now the balance has moved slightly and upgrading (i hate that word)your camera body can improve your images,especially if your shooting in a high ISO situation or needing more DR for your images.

That said for normal family photography better lenses could improve your keeper rate more than a new body.

Whatever you decide to spend your money on, we'll be right here behind you with support. If you need to know how to hide camera/lens purchases from the missus, we can help you with that as well.

Prefrosh01 said:

My current camera is/has been fine for me. I would love to move to FF, but I don't think it would be in my budget. I would classify myself as a generalist shooter, and right now I am primarily taking pictures of our two young daughters (3 years and 18 months).

I am working on improving my photography skills this year and know that one of the best "investments" you can make is upgrading lenses. When I was reading the 24-120 f4 threadI thought I should see what others had done, as I am sure I am not the first person to be in this situation.

Thanks!

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I would only move to the 24-120 if you are planing to moving to FF fairly soon. That is what I did. I was shooting with the 18-140 on my D7100 and it was great. I did move up to the 24-120 and it is a great lens but I am not sure it is worth it on the DX cameras and you do lose some reach with it. I really missed the range between 18-24.

I just made the jump in bodies. I had a D3200 and I went to the D7200. The D3200 was a great camera, but I really wanted the additional low light performance and flexibility that the 7XXX series offered and I got a smokin' deal on a refurbished D7200 in a 1 day sale from Nikon. I upgraded the body to make a significant change not an incremental. I wish I had the budget for incremental change Now it is all about the glass.

I have a kind of limited budget now so I have really been looking at what lens to buy and I looked a lot at my LR history to see what type shots I have been taking and the "if I had only a little xxxxx" that would have a been a good shot. And based on what I like to shoot I have settled on two lenses. A wide angle 2.8 in the 10-20 range and a zoom in the 150-600. I have not locked in on the brand yet as I am still saving, and who knows what may come, but I am reading reviews and looking at shots people take here.

Wish you will in your quest.

Try the 85 f1.8 as suggested in an earlier post. I run the 35mm prime and the 85mm most of the time.
I have to use my feet to zoom but it's the best way I could get great images and stay within my budget.
I found the 85mm f1.8 locally for $320.
If the D7000 isn't broke I don't think I'd fix it.

I have to feel I'm getting a LOT more body before I'll upgrade and while going from the D7000 to the D7200 would be nice, it wouldn't justify the cost in my mind. I'd suggest a really good 70-200mm f/2.8 such as the Tamron Di VC USD or a top-notch prime such as the aforementioned Nikon 85mm f/1.8G or one of the Sigma Art series lenses. That's the sort of glass you keep for a lifetime.

Oh, and I'll just toss this out there in case it's relevant... If you're feeling like your shots are not living up to your expectations, I would suggest you spend some time studying up on composition. Seriously. Composition: STUDY... IT.

Thank you everyone for your replies; your advice is greatly appreciated. This helped tremendously and it really made things clear which direction I should go when it is time to make my next purchase!

The glass you have is pretty solid for DX bodies like the D7000. Even with the D7100/D7200, the glass would be pretty good. There could be reasons to upgrade glass ... more reach beyond 140mm, or needing more low light performance at focal lengths other than 35mm, but you haven't mentioned those as being issues.

My suggestion, partly piggy backing off Paul's suggestion to focus on composition, post some of your images that you're not as thrilled with for critique and comments (C&C) to get some ideas from others on how they could be improved. It's just looking for ideas on how things might be done differently, but some of that could be done through technique where others might be done by leveraging camera features (auto-focus functions, for example). One of the things I love about this group is that the feedback I've gotten isn't intended to just crush an image on how bad it is, but there's a genuine interest in helping everyone improve.

I will definitely be posting some images in the Photo Critique section to keep progressing. I have been "lurking" in those forums and the weekly challenges for a long time now and need to become more active in them.

The amount of knowledge I have gained from this forum is amazing and I know once I begin posting images it will help me continue to grow.

Horoscope Fish said:

Oh, and I'll just toss this out there in case it's relevant... If you're feeling like your shots are not living up to your expectations, I would suggest you spend some time studying up on composition. Seriously. Composition: STUDY... IT.

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And light!!!

WM

Whiskeyman said:

And light!!!

WM

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Funny you mention learning about light, as I was trying to find a good place online to learn about it yesterday afternoon.

Do you have any suggestions or recommendations?