Nikon User: Upgrade camera body or buy new lens? - Stupid Decision Inside!

[Krioni]

UPDATE w/ My Decision: OK... so I went way over my budget... I bought the Nikon D7000 kit that comes with the 18-105 lens. I'm selling my current body and 2 kit lenses for $325, so the net cost is a little over $1K. Amazon gave 12 months interest free financing so i can pay it off when my state tax return comes in. Wow, my wife is going to KILL me!!!

First off... it's been quite a while that i've had a chance to participate here on the Cam forum at AT. So i thank everyone in advance for your opinions.

I have enough in my budget to where i could buy a refurb Nikon D5000 (~$375) OR a Nikon 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX (~$320). UPDATE: It looks like i can throw the D90 into the mix instead of the D5000.

Here's my current gear:
Nikon D50 (ancient)... http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond50/
Nikon 18-55mm AF-S kit lens (not VR)
Nikon 55-200 AF-S kit lens (not VR)
Nikon 50mm f/1.8 prime
Nikon SB-600 external flash
Autofocus Extension Tubes (awesome!)
Good tripod, memory, etc.

I know that the D5000 is a "baby" Nikon and doesn't have the built focus motor, so this will render my prime without auto-focus. So, if i went that route, I would probably sell that lens (for ~$90) and and buy the 35mm AF-S prime. Which is about $250... $140 net). Ideally, i'd really like to get the D90 which would allow for me to use all my lenses... but it's just a bit out of my budget, even used (~$650 for refurbs or used). I suppose another option would be to hold off for longer and save more to get the D90.

The D5000 would allow for me to use my SB-600 off-camera, wirelessly... which is very appealing (I've got a beautiful wife, 2 sons with another on the way that I would love to get creative photographing).UGH... I was wrong about this... Munky is right, D5000 will not do wireless flash (commander mode). Darnit!

The 300mm VR lens would be great for the extra reach as I also love taking outdoor pics of wildlife, landscapes, plants, etc.

So... I'm looking for opinions from the good people here on AT. I'm so torn!

Again, thanks to all who give opinions!

 

[Munky]

I don't know if the D5000 supports wireless flash, I believe only the D90 and up support that feature. As far as the lens, I personally find the 35mm prime much more useful than a 50mm, so I would swap those two without a second thought.

 

[Krioni]

Thanks Munky.... you are correct, after looking into it further, the D5000 will NOT do commander mode on the wireless flash... this throws a wrench in everything... maybe i will have to look at the D90 harder. Might be time to just start saving!

 

[Indus]

Get better lenses.. you can always get a sb-700 or sb-900 to be the commander and use remote if you wish.

 

[JohnnyRebel]

K,
I would save my money for a while and make a major move up when you can. The D5000 isn't going to be a lot more camera. Have you mastered the D50 yet? I guarantee you can take great photos with what you have. Don't worry about the equipment so much, work on mastering your media and when you make a move move up to at least the D7000. Now is a bad time to buy as prices are skyrocketing and supply is dwindling due to the disaster in Japan. Save up, and when supplies return to normal make a big move. For Glass, also save up and buy great full-frame lenses. You will eventually move up to FX...

 

[Krioni]

K,
I would save my money for a while and make a major move up when you can. The D5000 isn't going to be a lot more camera. Have you mastered the D50 yet? I guarantee you can take great photos with what you have. Don't worry about the equipment so much, work on mastering your media and when you make a move move up to at least the D7000. Now is a bad time to buy as prices are skyrocketing and supply is dwindling due to the disaster in Japan. Save up, and when supplies return to normal make a big move. For Glass, also save up and buy great full-frame lenses. You will eventually move up to FX...

What would you say if I were now more looking into the d90?

 

[Sp12]

I would say save your money and get a D7000. That thing has Canon's full frame beat in IQ. You can rescue shots 10 shots underexposed.

 

[Krioni]

I would say save your money and get a D7000. That thing has Canon's full frame beat in IQ. You can rescue shots 10 shots underexposed.

The D7000 is nearly twice as much as the D90 right now... it will take a LONG time for me to save that much... I just don't know if/when i would be able to spend $1200+ on a camera body.

 

[twistedlogic]

Have you thought about buying a 10' TTL cable or some non-TTL wireless triggers? Throw in a light stand + umbrella and your set. This would also eliminate the pre-flash of wireless TTL that can cause your subjects to blink.

As for your lens selection, I'd like to throw a few more out there. Nikon offers the 70-300 4.5-5.6 VR ($~350-400) used, and there is also the new Tamron 70-300 USD VC which has been reported as being slightly sharper than the Nikon @ 300mm. There are also some users reporting the Tamron's VC is better than Nikon's VR. Both of these lenses have a much faster motor than the 55-200 or 55-300.

 

[Indus]

Krioni honestly upgrading from a D5000 to a D90 is pointless unless you'll be using it with a lot of old AF lenses. They are basically the same camera and the same sensor. The main part of the upgrade will be you can use its built in motor to autofocus on the old AF lenses. The newer AF-S lenses work on either. The only other things you get are commander mode and a few more direct manual controls and a better lcd. I own a D90 and it was one of the choices I made.

If off camera flash is that important.. might I suggest 2 options..

1. A flash with a cord
2. SB-700 commander on your camera (which can control other flashes).

The D7000 is a good upgrade over the D90 but I'm still not convinced its better because 16 megapixels is a lot and if you use the same kit lens.. the pixels can start coming out blurry. Think of it as this.. same recording, watch it on a conventional TV and then on a HD TV. That's what increasing the megapixels is doing.

Unless you have really good lenses I wouldn't upgrade to a D7000 because on quite a few places I've heard the 18-105mm kit lens isn't good enough for a D7000 while it was stellar on a D90.

 

[twistedlogic]

Krioni honestly upgrading from a D5000 to a D90 is pointless unless you'll be using it with a lot of old AF lenses.

He has a D50.

 

[Indus]

Oops my oversight.

 

[Krioni]

updated with my decision

 

[Indus]

Congrats! Enjoy.. I think you'll be happy, its a big upgrade for you. As for the wife.. shoot some nice pics of her to start and then zoom in to 100%.. mine went to immediately put some make up on LOL so I was excused from the gallows!

 

[Sp12]

I think you'll be happy with it. Make sure to read the manual, that thing has some advanced AF functionality to master.

http://snapsort.com/compare/Nikon_D50-vs-Nikon_D7000

 

[DaWhim]

are you selling all 3 lens with your d50?

I have a d40 with kit lens and 35mm f/1.8. I am going full time with the 35mm. I think this is a must-get lens and it is only 200 bucks. i had the 50mm f/1.8 and hate it. i suck at manual focus.

I was so thinking about doing the upgrade to d7000, but decided against it at the end. I will be going to travel in south travel for like 6 months. the plan is to pack the lightest. I don't want to lose a $1k camera either. did I mention i beat the hell out of my d40?

 

[Krioni]

are you selling all 3 lens with your d50?

I have a d40 with kit lens and 35mm f/1.8. I am going full time with the 35mm. I think this is a must-get lens and it is only 200 bucks. i had the 50mm f/1.8 and hate it. i suck at manual focus.

I was so thinking about doing the upgrade to d7000, but decided against it at the end. I will be going to travel in south travel for like 6 months. the plan is to pack the lightest. I don't want to lose a $1k camera either. did I mention i beat the hell out of my d40?

Hey... no, my current listing is just with the 55-200mm lens, etc...

However, i'm going to change my listing to include the 18-50mm lens and an extra battery for $350 (firm).

As far as the d7000 goes... one thing to consider if you are that rough on your gear... the D7000 is a magnesium alloy body vs. plastic on the D40. It also has weather/dust sealing. So, it might be a better option for you from a durability standpoint. Did you hate the 50mm because it wouldn't autofocus on your camera, or for some other reason?

Cheers!

 

[Indus]

are you selling all 3 lens with your d50?

I have a d40 with kit lens and 35mm f/1.8. I am going full time with the 35mm. I think this is a must-get lens and it is only 200 bucks. i had the 50mm f/1.8 and hate it. i suck at manual focus.

I was so thinking about doing the upgrade to d7000, but decided against it at the end. I will be going to travel in south travel for like 6 months. the plan is to pack the lightest. I don't want to lose a $1k camera either. did I mention i beat the hell out of my d40?

Sell the 1.8D and pick up a AF-S 50mm 1.4G. That'll autofocus and not to mention its one of the best nikon lens. Everyone that has it seems to love theirs.

 

[DaWhim]

Hey... no, my current listing is just with the 55-200mm lens, etc...

However, i'm going to change my listing to include the 18-50mm lens and an extra battery for $350 (firm).

As far as the d7000 goes... one thing to consider if you are that rough on your gear... the D7000 is a magnesium alloy body vs. plastic on the D40. It also has weather/dust sealing. So, it might be a better option for you from a durability standpoint. Did you hate the 50mm because it wouldn't autofocus on your camera, or for some other reason?

Cheers!

gotta retract what i said earlier. i just bought the tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 lens. I did tried to go full time with the 35mm once, but ended up regretted not bring the 18-55mm. I could really use the wide angle.

d7000 is heavier. the difference is if i drop my d40, i will be please break apart so i can upgrade. if i drop the d7000, i will be pissed. lol

i totally hate manual focus with the 50mm. i sold it and got the newly announced 35mm f/1.8, couldn't be happier.

50mm with the chop factor is 75mm, 35mm is much closer to the real 50mm on the DX body and it is only 200 bucks!

 

[JohnnyRebel]

UPDATE w/ My Decision: OK... so I went way over my budget... I bought the Nikon D7000 kit that comes with the 18-105 lens. I'm selling my current body and 2 kit lenses for $325, so the net cost is a little over $1K. Amazon gave 12 months interest free financing so i can pay it off when my state tax return comes in. Wow, my wife is going to KILL me!!!

You've got a great Camera. The D7000 is this best thing going at anything less than double it's price point and then just in technical quality, Nikon really hit an ergonomic homerun with the D7000. I hope the D700(s or x) will be a similar leap forward.

I don't love the lens. I have always thought that particular lens is overpriced and have read that it's fuzzy on the edges. Perhaps you can trade-up. Adorama will buy it at 89% of what they can sell it for if you decide to trade it in later.

Congrats.

JR

 

[JohnnyRebel]

I have a d40 with kit lens and 35mm f/1.8

I like that combo. The D40 is still a gem of a camera. Once I got the 35mm f/1.8 I rarely used the kit lenses. My teenager still uses that combo and takes some great shots.

JR

 

[Smoove910]

I'd still prefer a K5 over the D7000, however since you have lenses already...

 

[gar655]

Sell the 1.8D and pick up a AF-S 50mm 1.4G. That'll autofocus and not to mention its one of the best nikon lens. Everyone that has it seems to love theirs.

The 1.8D will AF on the D7000. It's also pretty good from about 2.8 on up on FF and likely better still on a 1.5X. Save yourself the $300 "upgrade" fee.

 

[Krioni]

The 1.8D will AF on the D7000. It's also pretty good from about 2.8 on up on FF and likely better still on a 1.5X. Save yourself the $300 "upgrade" fee.

Yeah, since i ended up with the D7000 i had/have no intentions of getting rid of my 50mm... I love that lens... can't be beat for the price!