Which next? Faster glass or D7100 body? (Page 3): That's where dealers can be competitive. They have to charge the Nikon price for the camera, but they can include extras.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

katbandit wrote:

i recently purchased the d7100 new from b and h photo and the price wasn't much higher than a refurbished..and i got with it the full warranty and a camera bag and also an extra battery ..check it out before considering a refurbished..

That's where dealers can be competitive. They have to charge the Nikon price for the camera, but they can include extras.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

NormanHarley wrote:

I can't wait to move to the D7100, so many features that my entry level D3200 doesn't have. I need the longer focal length of the 85mm first to match where we have to stand or sit in the school auditorium. But I will get the 50mm very soon afterwards with it's affordability! Thank you, GrandmaG.

You may want to think about the 50mm 1.8 with a 1.4X Tamron or Kenko TC behind it for 70mm f2.5. ....... Relatively inexpensive and pretty sure it will work in the Nikon world ....you are living in.

Picdude Loc: Ohio

[quote=NormanHarley]I am enjoying all of the input and comments, this is helping. I investigated the 85mm AF f1.8 vs the 85mm AF-S f1.8 and the price difference between them would save me around $200 give or take. I am thinking that I can easily afford the refurbed D7100 and a used 85mm AF lens by graduation time. This is the camera and lens that I think will cover most of my needs for the grandkids at school. Then I can add extra fast fixed primes and save a few dollars with the AF series lenses instead of needing the AF-S series. Thank you all for your help. UHH members rock! I think I will go ahead with the D7100 purchase first so I can familiarize myself with the controls so I will be ready and competent this spring.[/quote]

The familiarization time is a good point if your primary goal is to catch school shots of the grandkids. My wife gave me my D5200 for birthday/Christmas a month before my youngest son graduated from Marine Corps boot camp, just so I could get good pictures at the graduation. I had a LOT to learn in what turned out to be a short amount of time.

NormanHarley Loc: Colorado

katbandit wrote:

i recently purchased the d7100 new from b and h photo and the price wasn't much higher than a refurbished..and i got with it the full warranty and a camera bag and also an extra battery ..check it out before considering a refurbished..

I would love to purchase a new camera if my retirement funds would allow... But the kids, grandkids and bills come first. I have a 30 year old Lester A. Dines 105mm f2.8 macro lens and it is still going strong. And my 1955 FLH Harley may be in better shape than I am. ;-) I guess I may be one of those that just makes do with the older, used or refurbished items and is very satisfied with their being previously owned. Maybe I will get a few lottery tickets... With a big winner I will buy a D810! But I will still keep my old Harley. :lol:

NormanHarley Loc: Colorado

imagemeister wrote:

You may want to think about the 50mm 1.8 with a 1.4X Tamron or Kenko TC behind it for 70mm f2.5. ....... Relatively inexpensive and pretty sure it will work in the Nikon world ....you are living in.

That is a good suggestion, but I think I will need the extra half stop and slightly longer reach at the school. I may add a 1.4X in the future, though. Especially to use on my 50-500 Sigma!

NormanHarley Loc: Colorado

Picdude wrote:

[/color]

The familiarization time is a good point if your primary goal is to catch school shots of the grandkids. My wife gave me my D5200 for birthday/Christmas a month before my youngest son graduated from Marine Corps boot camp, just so I could get good pictures at the graduation. I had a LOT to learn in what turned out to be a short amount of time.

I had a Nikon F and a Nikkormat years ago in High School. Coming in to this new digital world has been quite a learning curve! It took me quite a while to figure out my D3200, and I still have so much to learn. And then there are the light rooms to figure out.... YIKES!!! I am having a great time being confused and trying to figure it all out for my needs! It sounds like both of us are here to learn and grow as photographers.

RRRoger Loc: Monterey Bay, California

I would wait for the D7200. It will be announced at the February CP show and available soon after.

If you need twice the low light capability now, go with the D5300. There are plenty of good used ones available.
I often use mine at 12,800 ISO.
I had a D7100 and changed to the D5300 for two reasons: High ISO and HD 1080P60 Video that are both possible due to the Expeed 4 processor.
The swivel LCD turned out to be a bonus.

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

If I want a video, I'll use my Go Pro...I prefer a button driven camera to a menu driven... Here is a link to a Snapsort comparison of those 2 cameras.... Bottom line though is to get whatever it is that satisfies your needs...

http://snapsort.com/compare/Nikon-D5300-vs-Nikon-D7100

RRRoger wrote:

I would wait for the D7200. It will be announced at the February CP show and available soon after.

If you need twice the low light capability now, go with the D5300. There are plenty of good used ones available.
I often use mine at 12,800 ISO.
I had a D7100 and changed to the D5300 for two reasons: High ISO and HD 1080P60 Video that are both possible due to the Expeed 4 processor.
The swivel LCD turned out to be a bonus.

NormanHarley Loc: Colorado

RRRoger wrote:

I would wait for the D7200. It will be announced at the February CP show and available soon after.

If you need twice the low light capability now, go with the D5300. There are plenty of good used ones available.
I often use mine at 12,800 ISO.
I had a D7100 and changed to the D5300 for two reasons: High ISO and HD 1080P60 Video that are both possible due to the Expeed 4 processor.
The swivel LCD turned out to be a bonus.

The D5300 is in my price range, but I have been wanting a weather sealed body. I often walk my dog and end up an hour away from home down at the creek. These Colorado thunderstorms pop up out of nowhere and I think I need the added protection of a sealed body. The D5300 looks like an excellent camera! I know that the D7200 will be out of my price range, esp since there may not be refurbished units available for a while.

NormanHarley Loc: Colorado

Screamin Scott wrote:

If I want a video, I'll use my Go Pro...I prefer a button driven camera to a menu driven... Here is a link to a Snapsort comparison of those 2 cameras.... Bottom line though is to get whatever it is that satisfies your needs...

http://snapsort.com/compare/Nikon-D5300-vs-Nikon-D7100

I have looked at those Go Pro cameras! The last thing I need right now is a new addiction! :lol: I saw a Go Pro accessory that could be attached to my dog... no no no!!! D7100 FIRST!!! Maybe next year... ;)

Hando Rei Loc: Long Island New York

My sentiments go with MT Shooter exactly . If you are still not sure check with a knowledgeable person or visit a club and discuss what they think ...but you will get a myriad of answers from all . I always think of glass first .!

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

I just got one & promptly got a harness to attach it to my dog...Only drawback to the Go Pro (I have version 3+) is that the files ae huge & take up lots of space on the hard drive...

NormanHarley wrote:

I have looked at those Go Pro cameras! The last thing I need right now is a new addiction! :lol: I saw a Go Pro accessory that could be attached to my dog... no no no!!! D7100 FIRST!!! Maybe next year... ;)

tomeveritt Loc: Fla. + Ga,NY,Va,Md,SC

after practicing with the power of your menus, be sure and look at page 55 of your manual, U1 & U2 Modes. After setting them for 2 different types of instant readiness, you can be ready for 2 quick challenges with instant camera settings.

Your making the correct decision.

:idea:

NormanHarley Loc: Colorado

Hando Rei wrote:

My sentiments go with MT Shooter exactly . If you are still not sure check with a knowledgeable person or visit a club and discuss what they think ...but you will get a myriad of answers from all . I always think of glass first .!

I always value MT Shooter's advice, he has guided me more than once. But we all have our own needs, and for me, adding a D7100 body and one faster lens for now seems to be the direction I am headed. The ability to use the AF lenses vs the more expensive AF-S lenses will actually allow me to add more glass with the money that I will save since I would be adding the D7100 body anyway. :lol:

NormanHarley Loc: Colorado

Screamin Scott wrote:

I just got one & promptly got a harness to attach it to my dog...Only drawback to the Go Pro (I have version 3+) is that the files ae huge & take up lots of space on the hard drive...

Now I want a Go Pro AND a better computer! ;-) When will all of this expensive fun ever end!!! :lol: