Nikon body upgrade advice?

[EOM]

I started with a D3200 and the two (non-VR) kit lenses. Since then I've acquired a bunch of gear (too much) including a D5000 and a handfulof lenses.
I'm trying to reduce my lens count for quality instead of quantity, which means my slower aperture/DX lenses go on craigslist. I'm also wishing for a body upgrade. I am looking for better low light performance, and better ergonomics/functionality as well as a FF to better utilize wide lenses. Will my proposed purchases below meet those requirements?

Current inventory:
D3200 (WTS)
D5000
Nikon AF-S 28mm 1.8
Nikon AF-S 50mm 1.8
Nikon AF-S 85mm 1.8
Nikon AF-S 105mm 2.8 VR Macro
Tamron 24-70mm 2.8 VC
Nikon AF-S 40mm 2.8 DX Macro
Nikon 18-55mm 3.5-5.6 DX (WTS)
Nikon 55-200mm 4-5.6 DX (WTS)
Nikon 18-140mm DX VR (WTS)
Sigma 70-300mm 4-5.6 OS DG (WTS)



Desired Purchases:
D750
D7200
A 70-200mm 2.8 IS/VC/VR/OS to round it out

 

[CuriousMike]

If "FF to better utilize wide lenses" is indeed a requirement, the only option you have listed that meets that requirement is the D750.

FF does indeed mean wider - but it also means "shorter" when coming from DX.
200mm is OK on a crop-sensor, but it feels mighty short on FX.

A lens that you could also consider ( if you're in any way budget conscious ) is the Rokinon 14mm/f2.8 - that sucker is wiiide.

 

[bigi]

Man, been there done that.

Lighter, less?

Get used D800. I'd still get one over 750. Yes, yes, just know how to use it right.
Skip 70-200. It is the most boring zoom ever. Get used Sigma 150 macro, which is the middle focal length. It is much sharper, lighter and smaller lens.

Get new super wide - Tamron 15mm?
Get new wide - Sigma 35 ART.

Once you see 35ART on D800, you will know when your money went.

In summary. D800 + Tammy 15, Sigma 35 ART and Sigma 150mm Macro. Done.

 

[Syborg1211]

Any reason you want the D750 over the D810? From looking at your lenses, it doesn't seem like cost is the main concern, and if your quest is for the best image quality, the D810 is going to be king. I have/had a lot of focus issues with the D800E so I can't recommend the D800/E over the D810. The better autofocus was worth the cost alone in getting the D810 and demoting my D800E to backup duty.

Also, I don't know where Bigi got that the Nikon 70-200 is not THE lens to get. I use that lens with the Tamron 24-70 for 90% of my shots. Autofocus on the 70-200 is second to none, and sharpness through the whole zoom range at all apertures can't be beat.

I guess the real question is what you plan to shoot. D810 is going to be better than the D750 for landscapes and portraits while the D750 will win for sports and wildlife because of the faster fps.

 

[bigi]

Syborg1211,

D810 is $3200.

Minty used D800(E) can be puchased for ~$1600.

 

[EOM]

If "FF to better utilize wide lenses" is indeed a requirement, the only option you have listed that meets that requirement is the D750.

FF does indeed mean wider - but it also means "shorter" when coming from DX.
200mm is OK on a crop-sensor, but it feels mighty short on FX.

A lens that you could also consider ( if you're in any way budget conscious ) is the Rokinon 14mm/f2.8 - that sucker is wiiide.
[CUT IMAGE]

Thanks for the reply, Mike.
Sorry, it must have gotten taken out when I was editing the OP. I want to have two bodies that "compliment" each other... so in my mind ending up with one FF and one Crop is a good idea. Thus, i don't loose the length, but i gain the width. (still talking about photography here! :awe

I will take a look at that Rokinon. On my wife's Canon(crop) she's got a 10-18mm and even at 10(16)mm it's WTF WIDE.... so I can only imagine what a 14 looks like.

In short, right now I'm a hobby photographer, mostly portrait style but my friend who does weddings said she could maybe get me as a third or possibly second shooter later this year... so i want to be prepared for that if it pans out, both gear, and my knowledge of it.

 

[EOM]

Any reason you want the D750 over the D810? From looking at your lenses, it doesn't seem like cost is the main concern, and if your quest is for the best image quality, the D810 is going to be king. I have/had a lot of focus issues with the D800E so I can't recommend the D800/E over the D810. The better autofocus was worth the cost alone in getting the D810 and demoting my D800E to backup duty.

Also, I don't know where Bigi got that the Nikon 70-200 is not THE lens to get. I use that lens with the Tamron 24-70 for 90% of my shots. Autofocus on the 70-200 is second to none, and sharpness through the whole zoom range at all apertures can't be beat.

I guess the real question is what you plan to shoot. D810 is going to be better than the D750 for landscapes and portraits while the D750 will win for sports and wildlife because of the faster fps.

Cost is part of a concern, as I don't make money (yet?, hah!) with photography, it's a hobby, but i'm growing to like it more and more. Three of those lenses just got ordered two weeks ago...
The D750 can be had for 2400 new. As said in my reply to Mike, I plan to shoot mostly portraits, possibly some wedding style shots, and maybe even other event photography. There's also the 610 which is $1400.....

 

[carlton_fritz]

I highly recommend the Sigma Art lenses. The image quality and build quality are top notch. The 50 1.4 got rated as good as or better than Zeiss.

 

[GarfieldtheCat]

Thom Hogan's take on the D810 vs D750:

http://www.dslrbodies.com/newsviews/d750-or-d810.html

There are a lot of Wedding photographers that have reviewed/blogged about switching to the D750 for their work as well.

Thom comments about the 24 vs 36Mpixel (on the D610 vs d810 review, but D750 is also 24Mpixel):

D610 or D800? Partly answered already, but I'll provide a bit more here. The usual questions/comments I get are along the lines of (1) "I don't want to have to upgrade my computer for those large files"; and (2) "I'm worried about my lenses or handling skills so I think the D610 is probably the better choice." I have news for you. If you're moving from the 12mp or older cameras, both those things apply to both the D610 and D800, just in different degrees. I personally don't think you make the choice on either of those things: no matter what you'll be upgrading your computer to deal with 24mp files, you'll be giving your lenses a thorough workout, and when you pixel peep you're likely going to find you've gotten a little too casual in your shooting discipline. I think you make the choice on where you want to be eventually. Just more of a casual shooter? D610. Looking to see how good you can get? D800. So which are you? Be honest with yourself, it may save you (or cost you) some money.

For UWA, what about the 16-35 f/4 VR? Supposed to be a very good lens.

70-200 f/4 VR also gets really good reviews and is lighter and cheaper then the f/2.8 version. Those two lenses with your primes should cover pretty much everything.

 

[Paladin3]

If I had the 24-70/2.8 on one FF camera, and a 70-200/2.8 on another, I'd shove a flash and a 1.4x teleconverter in a small bag and never look back. I could do 99% of my shooting with that combo of gear.

- 85/1.8 would be nice for portraits, low light and indoor sports like basketball.

- 28/1.8 would be great for general available light work, when you can't use a flash or documentary type work.

- 40/2.8 or 105/2.8 macro would be necessary for macro work.

- Sigma 70-300mm 4-5.6 OS DG (WTS) is one of your "weaker" lenses, but it might be my first choice if I was going to the zoo and only wanted to carry one lens.

Everything else you have would be backup gear, which is never bad to have available.

Everyone is going to have a different opinion on what is the best gear to carry for their type of shooting, but those lenses are going to cover you for everything short of the more extreme sports and wildlife shooting.

 

[Anubis]

Personally I would go with the 800/800E whichever you could get the best deal on

As for your lenses I agree with your WTS list however I would also toss the 40mm F/2.8 macro, with the other lenses you are keeping its a redundant FL.

you look to be getting rid of all your long lenses which is fine if you don't use them but sometimes they are nice to have.

the 150mm Macro someone suggested would be a nice pickup, and TBH if you got that I would also sell the 105 macro

If you want a longer range zoom the Sigma 100-300 F/4 is a very nice lens, the only real downsize is that is large and bulky but besides that it preforms well