Which next? Faster glass or D7100 body?
Jan 25, 2015 14:06:53 #
I have been slowly building up my gear and am on the fence about which direction to go next. I have low light situations where my D3200 is falling short, both in focusing and higher ISO quality. At first I thought that I would add fixed, faster primes (35mm, 50mm, 85mm at f1.8 or faster) and that would be the way to go before adding the D7100 as my next body. But after reading, the D7100 seems to perform very well in these low light areas in both focusing and at higher ISO settings. I am going to eventually purchase both new glass and the D7100 as finances allow, but now I am leaning towards getting a reconditioned D7100 as my next purchase. Any guidance and experience is appreciated! Would you recommend the body or the glass? My current lenses and D3200 body are all listed below. Thank you.
Norman Lowe
Norman Lowe
Jan 25, 2015 14:16:41 #
I think it would be helpful it you told us what lenses you have now.
Dennis
Dennis
Jan 25, 2015 14:18:38 #
dennis2146 wrote:
I think it would be helpful it you told us what lenses you have now.
Dennis
Dennis
These are my current lenses. 18-55mm, 55-200mm, Lester A. Dines 105mm f/2.8 Macro, Sigma 70-300mm, Sigma 50-500mm. Thank you!
Jan 25, 2015 14:38:50 #
NormanHarley wrote:
These are my current lenses. 18-55mm, 55-200mm, Lester A. Dines 105mm f/2.8 Macro, Sigma 70-300mm, Sigma 50-500mm. Thank you!
Other opinions will certainly vary but if you are happy with the lenses you have I would unhesitatingly go for the D7100. The only lens choice you don't seem to have is something wide angle such as a 12-24 or 17-35, something in that general range. That is, if you have an interest in a wide angle. You could also go with a 20 or 24mm prime lens.
Good luck with your decision.
Dennis
Jan 25, 2015 14:43:28 #
NormanHarley wrote:
These are my current lenses. 18-55mm, 55-200mm, Lester A. Dines 105mm f/2.8 Macro, Sigma 70-300mm, Sigma 50-500mm. Thank you!
I went from a D3000 to a D5100 to a D7100 a year ago and am still quite happy with the D7100. I would say all your current lenses would work fine on the D7100, and you would get better low light performance with the D7100 as you suspect.
The D7100 also has a built in focus motor so lenses that would not AF on the lower model will focus AF on the 7100, lenses with the built in motor, AF-S, will also work fine on the 7100.
A refurbed 7100 could be a good deal for sure.
Jan 25, 2015 14:49:11 #
I'd have to agree with Dennis....a D7100 and a wide prime or a zoom. Maybe sell off the kit lenses and the sigma 70-300. The older 85 1.8 D is a very nice lens...super sharp and works well with the D7100.
Jan 25, 2015 14:52:54 #
dennis2146 wrote:
Other opinions will certainly vary but if you are happy with the lenses you have I would unhesitatingly go for the D7100. The only lens choice you don't seem to have is something wide angle such as a 12-24 or 17-35, something in that general range. That is, if you have an interest in a wide angle. You could also go with a 20 or 24mm prime lens.
Good luck with your decision.
Dennis
Good luck with your decision.
Dennis
Thank you. My 18-55mm with the flash works very well for me when I am not at the school. The school doesn't allow us to use flashes and I need a slightly longer focal length rather than a wide, faster lens. I would love to add a faster wide lens some day, but that will be after the next body and the medium length faster lenses.
Jan 25, 2015 14:58:25 #
Dngallagher wrote:
I went from a D3000 to a D5100 to a D7100 a year ago and am still quite happy with the D7100. I would say all your current lenses would work fine on the D7100, and you would get better low light performance with the D7100 as you suspect.
The D7100 also has a built in focus motor so lenses that would not AF on the lower model will focus AF on the 7100, lenses with the built in motor, AF-S, will also work fine on the 7100.
A refurbed 7100 could be a good deal for sure.
The D7100 also has a built in focus motor so lenses that would not AF on the lower model will focus AF on the 7100, lenses with the built in motor, AF-S, will also work fine on the 7100.
A refurbed 7100 could be a good deal for sure.
Thank you. I have been looking at the refurbished D7100 at Cameta, mainly because they offer a 1 year warranty instead of a 3 month. I am not going to go full frame because of expense and I have decided that the crop frame sensor gives me excellent results for my snapshot type needs.
Jan 25, 2015 15:01:26 #
Bret wrote:
I'd have to agree with Dennis....a D7100 and a wide prime or a zoom. Maybe sell off the kit lenses and the sigma 70-300. The older 85 1.8 D is a very nice lens...super sharp and works well with the D7100.
I am terrible about selling things once I have them! I do need two different camera kits, my D3200 will be going with me on my motorcycle and the 70-300 and the 18-55 will both be in that travel kit. Yes, I have looked at the 85 f1.8 and it gives me gas :wink:
Jan 25, 2015 15:02:48 #
NormanHarley wrote:
Thank you. I have been looking at the refurbished D7100 at Cameta, mainly because they offer a 1 year warranty instead of a 3 month. I am not going to go full frame because of expense and I have decided that the crop frame sensor gives me excellent results for my snapshot type needs.
Cameta is a good store - I have bought two camera's from them, including a refurb - I have had great experience with Cameta for online purchases.
I bought my first refurb there for the same reason.
Jan 25, 2015 15:08:14 #
Dngallagher wrote:
Cameta is a good store - I have bought two camera's from them, including a refurb - I have had great experience with Cameta for online purchases.
I bought my first refurb there for the same reason.
I bought my first refurb there for the same reason.
My two lens, D3200 kit came from Cameta and I was very pleased with them. I have to confess that I did order it through the Walmart website, and they use Cameta as one of their vendors. This was long before I found the UHH site. I have also ordered from B&H and Robert's Camera. All good experiences so far.
Jan 25, 2015 15:58:40 #
NormanHarley wrote:
I have been slowly building up my gear and am on t... (show quote)
The D7100 will gain you almost nothing in resolution over the camera you already have (both are 24MP DX sensors). I would say you will gain more image quality by progressing to better quality lenses.
If you simply need to ADD a body, the D7100 would be an excellent choice.
It is always wise to remember that it is the LENS that captures the image, the camera is merely a recording device.
Jan 25, 2015 16:34:08 #
NormanHarley wrote:
I have been slowly building up my gear and am on t... (show quote)
My recommendation would be to first contemplate better glass (no offense). Top quality glass is at least as important as a good camera and most likely more important. 50mm f1.4, 35mm f1.8, 24-70 f2.8 etc..
may be more of a benefit to you at this particular time. A D7100 would be a great investment, but do not overlook good glass. Just my honest opinion! Good luck, keep shooting and have great fun! :thumbup: Mike J.
Jan 25, 2015 17:45:35 #
I have a D7100 and love it & have a lot of glass, if you would like to see what it will do click the link below.
Jan 25, 2015 18:55:41 #
NormanHarley wrote:
I have been slowly building up my gear and am on t... (show quote)
As far as I can tell, the D7100 upgrade would be barely noticeable. Low light performance is only marginally better. It's helpful that the 7100 supports 14 bit RAW (the 3200 is only 12 bit).
If you want a stop or more improvement in low light, get faster lenses.
If you want to upgrade to a better camera, then the 7100 would be an improvement; but I don't think you'll see the improvement in low light performance.
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.