Upgrade or new glass? (Page 2): In your case, I would go for the new camera. Either one will be a big step above your D7100, which you can keep or sell on ebay. Comparison sites -...

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

gainesn wrote:

Question: We're taking a family trip next year an... (show quote)

In your case, I would go for the new camera. Either one will be a big step above your D7100, which you can keep or sell on ebay.

Comparison sites -

(Reviews) https://www.youtube.com/user/TheCameraStoreTV/videos
http://www.cameradecision.com/
http://cameras.reviewed.com/
http://camerasize.com/
http://www.imaging-resource.com/IMCOMP/COMPS01.HTM
http://snapsort.com/compare
http://www.dpreview.com/products/compare/cameras?utm_campaign=internal-link&utm_source=mainmenu&utm_medium=text&ref=mainmenu

mikegreenwald Loc: Illinois

whwiden wrote:

It seems to me that your weak link in lenses is th... (show quote)

While I agree with much of this post, your tremor is a BIG problem, and vibration reduction lenses need consideration. The tremor is likely to worsen as you age, and that too is a consideration. A fast VR lens in the range most useful to your interests should be considered. I too am a Sigma fan - top quality at lower cost than OEM glass.

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

gainesn wrote:

Question: We're taking a family trip next year an... (show quote)

Your Nikkor 50mm 1.8 is probably a full frame lens and it is very good. I have the Nikkor 50mm f/1.2 and love it on my D610 as a "normal" prime and use it on my D7100 as a roughly 70mm f/1.2 portrait and mid lens. You do have to be careful on DOF though because if you are using it as a portrait lens and wide open you may not have your subject's face in good focus. I've shot a couple that just the eye was in focus and the point of the nose forward and from the ear (or shoulder) back were blurry. It does also make a very good low light lens. I'm assuming that your 35mm is similar and if both are prime lenses, their zoom counterparts will suffer in quality. So, it really depends on what you are shooting and trying to get in your photos. I'm not saying don't purchase new glass, just saying you may not want to get rid of your old glass.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

gainesn wrote:

Question: We're taking a family trip next year an... (show quote)

Your camera and glass are better than you will ever be.

Save. Your. Money. Please.

Don't get caught up in the GAS thing here on the 'hog. It won't help....really it won't. It WILL give you a temporary feeling of euphoria while shooting it and then 6 months from now it will be no different than the gear you are thinking of upgrading from now.

It's a mental hamster wheel...avoid it.

Save your cash...go on your trip.

Family man FIRST....photographer SECOND.

MrBob Loc: lookout Mtn. NE Alabama

Hey Gaines, I am just down the road from you and love roaming the Battlefield looking for shots... Take some anti gas medication and spend the money on the family; you have great glass and equipment.

whwiden

mikegreenwald wrote:

While I agree with much of this post, your tremor is a BIG problem, and vibration reduction lenses need consideration. The tremor is likely to worsen as you age, and that too is a consideration. A fast VR lens in the range most useful to your interests should be considered. I too am a Sigma fan - top quality at lower cost than OEM glass.

A 45mm Tamron f/1.8 is a very good lens with VR, and is very discounted now.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

gainesn wrote:

Wilsond12 - agree totally. I have a 36x36 over the mantle taken with the 7100 and the 50/1.8 and I see no grain and no noise. (On1 resize helps). I seem to have problems with outdoor shots without a tripod. With a tripod and some time, I can get what I consider "keepers" pretty easily.

Forget pixel peeping. Forget noise and sharpness.

Nobody ever said "what a great image! Just look at the lack of grain and sharpness!"

Content is king and that's the hard part. Work on that, keep your cash for the trip, work on getting good content and forget about better lenses, better noise specs, all that boloney that makes the 'hog go on a daily basis.

gainesn Loc: Chickamauga, GA

Thanks! I like the thought.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

gainesn wrote:

Thanks! I like the thought.

You might want to consider using the <quote reply> button ....

RKL349 Loc: Connecticut

gainesn wrote:

Question: We're taking a family trip next year an... (show quote)

I would keep most of what you have and sell the Tamron zoom and pick up a Nikon 70-200 f/4 zoom. The rest of what you have should work well. If you need help fine tuning, Bryan Peterson’s Understandinf Exposure is always a great refresher.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

Let me start from the beginning, the D7100 is a great camera. If you are not happy with your photos another camera is not the answer.
You seem to have a good assortment of interchangeable lenses. I am not familiar with the Tamron 18-200 but I am with the other lenses you have and all of them are very capable of excellent images. If I had to replace something and as I said, I am not familiar with the Tamron 18-200, it would be the Tamron lens. I favor lenses made by the camera manufacturer and in your case a tele zoom is missing, perhaps for those action shots you talk about. Nikon makes an excellent 70-300 VR lens but only you can tell if that lens is for you to have.

Leon S Loc: Minnesota

RKL349 wrote:

I would keep most of what you have and sell the Tamron zoom and pick up a Nikon 70-200 f/4 zoom. The rest of what you have should work well. If you need help fine tuning, Bryan Peterson’s Understandinf Exposure is always a great refresher.

I totally agree. The Nikon 70-200 f4 is a great lens and runs circles around the Tamron. Even a 18-200 or 18-300 Nikon would produce better than your Tamron. If weight isn't your issue, try a 80-200 Nikon. Its a great lens and available quite cheap now and even available new if you like. As some have said, the 24-70 2.8 is great or if money is an issue look for a good used Nikon 28-70 2.8. Lets face it, if you're my age, most lenses will last longer than you and will need a lot less maintenance in the future.

GENorkus Loc: Washington Twp, Michigan

gainesn wrote:

Question: We're taking a family trip next year an... (show quote)

The only reason to go for a more modern camera is because you need, (want?), the ability which the newer cameras have. For example, I just purchased a newer Pentax, (K1), because it has much better low light abilities, better color abilities, better anti-shake abilities, and I'm wondering about the pixel abilities and astrophotography it has.

Being a full frame is a bonus as I rarely print larger than what a crop camera can normally do.

Jules Karney Loc: Las Vegas, Nevada

gainesn wrote:

Question: We're taking a family trip next year an... (show quote)

I have both the 7100 and a 500. Both cameras have excellent image quality. However the glass makes all the difference in the world. I would say stick to your 7100 and upgrade glass. I shoot sports with both. On the 500 I shoot with a 80-400 4.5-5.6, and the 7100 24-70 2.8 or 70-200 2.8. Both lenses I bought used and saved a lot of money. From B & H camera, not a complaint.
I paid 1350.00 for the 24-70 2.8 and it produces beautiful IQ. on the 7100.
Good luck and Happy Thanksgiving.
First shot 7100 24-70
Second shot 500 80-400

24-70 2.8

(Download)

D500 80-400 4.5-5.6 vr
D500 80-400 4.5-5.6 vr...

(Download)

Elsiss Loc: Bayside, NY, Boynton Beach, Fl.

You are having a spell of GAS. Your glass is very good as well as your d7100. If it was me, I would be more inclined to listen to suggestions for a new lens. With your budget, you have quite a few possibilities. I will allow fellow hoggers to help you spend your money. Have a safe and memorable trip!