Camera Labs

Hi all,

I currently got a D60 with the kit 18-55 lens. I'm now looking to upgrade my camera and lenses and for the camera body I have narrowed it down to 2 choices. It's between a D5100 or a D7000. The D5100 is of course a lot cheaper but I like all the extra functionality that you get on the D7000 and am inclined to go for the D7000 as I think it will last me longer.

For lenses I have been looking around and will build up the lenses when I can afford them. To start off I was going to buy a
Nikon AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED Autofocus Lens to supplement my kit lens. Afterwards I was going to get the Nikon 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G ED AF-S DX lens and then decide between the Nikon 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX ED VR or the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED FX Full Frame Zoom Lens. The 24-70 seems to be a better lens but it also quite a bit more expensive so it might come down to price when I decide on this.

My questions are if I am making the right choice for the camera body or would it be better to go for the D5100 instead of the D7000? With regards to my lens choices am I right to think that 70-300 + 10-24 + 24-70 or 16-85 would cover all possibilities? Later on I'll also look to add a 50mm lens and a flashgun too. For now I just want some opinions to see if I am on the right track.

Thank you for your time.

Cujo

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Camera: Nikon D60
Lenses: Nikon AF-S DX 18-55 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR, Nikon AF-S VR 70-300 f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED
Flash: Nikon SB-910
Tripod: Joby Gorillapod Focus with Ball Head X, Manfrotto 055CXPRO4 with Manfrotto MH054M0-Q5 ballhead

Flickr

Hello cujo, and welcome to the friendly Camera Labs forum!
To enjoy your stay here please have a look at the house-rules!
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As to your questios:
The D7000 is the best current DX-Body from Nikon imho. But you have to tak einto account that there may be the D7100 sometimes in the future (possibly this year). If you can't bear the thought of having an "outdated" body you better wait!
Your choices of lenses look very good to me albeit I'd suggest to get the 10-24 + 70-300 first and wait a bit until you can afford a 24-70 FX lens. Than You're better prepared to upgrade to FX should that option come up in the future.
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P.S.: Ask yourself whether you really need focal lengths shorter than 18mm! I rarely do (24mm FX-equivalent).

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Thomas (beware: Nikon-fanboy and moderator!) My Lens Reviews, My Pictures, My Photography Blog
D800+assorted lenses

And another question; what do you not like about the D60?

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Ruben

Panasonic DMC-FZ18, Panasonic DMC-FZ28, Canon G5, Canon 350D, Canon 50D + BG-E2N
Tamron 17-50 2.8, Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM,
Canon 18-55 II plus lots of Minolta MD/M42 lenses and bodies

Thanks for your replies Thomas and Ruben.

I forgot about a possible D7100, especially if it's so near in the future. I might change my plans and buy the lenses I can now and wait a few months to see what happens there and which body I will buy.

When on holidays and taking pictures in the cities it can be difficult to get the whole buildings in one photo. I was in New York in May on holiday and I often wished I had a wider zoom. Hence the reason for looking at the 10-24 lens.

Ruben, I like my D60. The only thing that I don't like as much is that it only had 3 focal points. As I'm upgrading my camera I would like to get the best one within my budget.

I hope this answers your questions. Thanks again for your answers.

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Camera: Nikon D60
Lenses: Nikon AF-S DX 18-55 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR, Nikon AF-S VR 70-300 f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED
Flash: Nikon SB-910
Tripod: Joby Gorillapod Focus with Ball Head X, Manfrotto 055CXPRO4 with Manfrotto MH054M0-Q5 ballhead

Flickr

Dear cujo

If you look at my equipment list, I'm delighted with it all!

The 16-85 is very handy, and mostly very sharp (edges at 85 just a bit down). The 70-300 is really excellent for the money.

If I want something wider, I generally stitch multiple images, though a bit of thought is needed there, however, you can end up with a high resolution image. And it removes the need for an extra lens.

True, a D7100 may be tempting, and spending money on lenses is always a good option. Still, I haven't really hit the limits of the D7000.

Having said all that, the D40 does very well too.

By the way, I generally use a single focal point (maybe a bit of a hangover from the D90). I always know where it is and it is low light capable, and hold + recompose seems to be hardwired into my brain. Which is a complicated way of saying that I don't mind the 3 focus points of the D40. Better still, the red lighting makes visual focus confirmation easier.

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HCC
Nikon DSLRs, film cameras from Leica to Linhof

Hi HilaryC,

Thank you for your response.

I am going to keep the D60 as a second body because it does take good photos.

The 70-300 has been ordered. For £373.49 that seems good value for money. I'm sure I'll be happy with it.

As for a D7100 I'll start saving up and see how much the price difference is. I can buy the lenses first and use them on my D60 to get used to them. And then get used to a new camera. Which one will depend also on how much the D7100 is going to cost and how it compares to the D7000.

Kind regards,

Cujo

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Camera: Nikon D60
Lenses: Nikon AF-S DX 18-55 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR, Nikon AF-S VR 70-300 f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED
Flash: Nikon SB-910
Tripod: Joby Gorillapod Focus with Ball Head X, Manfrotto 055CXPRO4 with Manfrotto MH054M0-Q5 ballhead

Flickr