So I have been shooting for the last year with the Nikon D70S....and while I have had good results it is definitely time to upgrade when half of the guests have the same gear. Being that I am still starting up I do not have a TON of extra money but I definitely need something that is going to be an upgrade and a good camera for a year or two. What camera do you suggest and what lens do I absolutely need??
I have:
2 Nikon D70 S
70-300 4-5:6
18-70 3.5 - 4.5
50 1.8
SB 800
Full Version: Time to Upgrade...
In my opinion it's all about the lens. I use a 24-70 F2.8 as my primary lens. This is ideal if you intend to go to a full frame camera like the D3. If you intend to stay with the crop sensors, then I've seen great pictures come off of the 17-55mm.
It might help to have a ballpark figure you are trying to keep it under.
It might help to have a ballpark figure you are trying to keep it under.
definitely some fast glass.
the 18-70mm is only 3.5-4.5
you might want the 35mm 1:2D or like Matt said, invest in the 17-55mm AF-S if you're planning on staying with crop bodies for a while. The Tamron 17-50mm 2.8 has been touted as an alternative, but personally I've found that you get what you pay for with lenses. the Tamron seriously lacks in build quality and AF speed and accuracy in comparison to the Nikon 17-55mm AF-S
another good idea might be a fast long lens. the 80-200mm 1:2.8D lenses (two ring with camera twisting af speed) could probably be had for about $650 (give or take), or if that sits out of your budget, the Nikon 85mm 1.8D and the Nikon 180mm 2.8D could be alternatives as well--sure the the last two lenses are primes, but I'd be willing to sacrifice some flexibility for fast apertures and better AF, especially for wedding work.
I believe these days you can pick up a used D200, a lot of times WITH the battery grip, for about $1000 on eBay or forums (like Nikonians.org) --which is a FANTASTIC deal imo.
you might also want another flash? the SB-600 will make a great companion to the SB-800, or if they fall out of your budget, the SB-26 has built-in optical slaves to help you fire them off camera.
the 18-70mm is only 3.5-4.5
you might want the 35mm 1:2D or like Matt said, invest in the 17-55mm AF-S if you're planning on staying with crop bodies for a while. The Tamron 17-50mm 2.8 has been touted as an alternative, but personally I've found that you get what you pay for with lenses. the Tamron seriously lacks in build quality and AF speed and accuracy in comparison to the Nikon 17-55mm AF-S
another good idea might be a fast long lens. the 80-200mm 1:2.8D lenses (two ring with camera twisting af speed) could probably be had for about $650 (give or take), or if that sits out of your budget, the Nikon 85mm 1.8D and the Nikon 180mm 2.8D could be alternatives as well--sure the the last two lenses are primes, but I'd be willing to sacrifice some flexibility for fast apertures and better AF, especially for wedding work.
I believe these days you can pick up a used D200, a lot of times WITH the battery grip, for about $1000 on eBay or forums (like Nikonians.org) --which is a FANTASTIC deal imo.
you might also want another flash? the SB-600 will make a great companion to the SB-800, or if they fall out of your budget, the SB-26 has built-in optical slaves to help you fire them off camera.
QUOTE(Joseph Yoon @ February 6 2008, 08:29 PM) 
definitely some fast glass.
the 18-70mm is only 3.5-4.5
you might want the 35mm 1:2D or like Matt said, invest in the 17-55mm AF-S if you're planning on staying with crop bodies for a while. The Tamron 17-50mm 2.8 has been touted as an alternative, but personally I've found that you get what you pay for with lenses. the Tamron seriously lacks in build quality and AF speed and accuracy in comparison to the Nikon 17-55mm AF-S
another good idea might be a fast long lens. the 80-200mm 1:2.8D lenses (two ring with camera twisting af speed) could probably be had for about $650 (give or take), or if that sits out of your budget, the Nikon 85mm 1.8D and the Nikon 180mm 2.8D could be alternatives as well--sure the the last two lenses are primes, but I'd be willing to sacrifice some flexibility for fast apertures and better AF, especially for wedding work.
I believe these days you can pick up a used D200, a lot of times WITH the battery grip, for about $1000 on eBay or forums (like Nikonians.org) --which is a FANTASTIC deal imo.
you might also want another flash? the SB-600 will make a great companion to the SB-800, or if they fall out of your budget, the SB-26 has built-in optical slaves to help you fire them off camera.
the 18-70mm is only 3.5-4.5
you might want the 35mm 1:2D or like Matt said, invest in the 17-55mm AF-S if you're planning on staying with crop bodies for a while. The Tamron 17-50mm 2.8 has been touted as an alternative, but personally I've found that you get what you pay for with lenses. the Tamron seriously lacks in build quality and AF speed and accuracy in comparison to the Nikon 17-55mm AF-S
another good idea might be a fast long lens. the 80-200mm 1:2.8D lenses (two ring with camera twisting af speed) could probably be had for about $650 (give or take), or if that sits out of your budget, the Nikon 85mm 1.8D and the Nikon 180mm 2.8D could be alternatives as well--sure the the last two lenses are primes, but I'd be willing to sacrifice some flexibility for fast apertures and better AF, especially for wedding work.
I believe these days you can pick up a used D200, a lot of times WITH the battery grip, for about $1000 on eBay or forums (like Nikonians.org) --which is a FANTASTIC deal imo.
you might also want another flash? the SB-600 will make a great companion to the SB-800, or if they fall out of your budget, the SB-26 has built-in optical slaves to help you fire them off camera.
Thank you so much for all of the suggestions! If I am investing should I not get the D300 instead of the D200?
QUOTE(JenniSPhoto @ February 7 2008, 12:26 AM)
Thank you so much for all of the suggestions! If I am investing should I not get the D300 instead of the D200?
Get the D300.
The difference in price isn't great enough to give up all the technical advancements in the newer body (IMO).
and yes. i'm with damon.
splurge a little and go for the D300 (and the amazing MB-D10 which has a multi-directional AF selector ON the battery grip!!!)
splurge a little and go for the D300 (and the amazing MB-D10 which has a multi-directional AF selector ON the battery grip!!!)
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