This is my first post to the forum...been enjoying the exchange on various topics for a couple of weeks now. I got my first DSLR - a D7000 - when I retired four years ago. I bought the camera mostly for photographing my young grandchildren, for family events, and for use while traveling. I'm hooked on photoshop/lightroom and mostly have only posted images online, though I have done a few photobooks. I recently have been doing a lot of remedial study - including the Tony Northrup ebook and the Steve Perry Nikon autofocus ebook as recommended on the forum. Anyway, having mostly lesser quality kit lenses, I decided that it was time for an upgrade. I struggled a little with the choice between staying with cropped sensor or taking the plunge to full frame. I though about posting here for advice, but saw enough advice provided to others to know that it was really a decision that I needed to make on my own. I looked at some quite good DX lenses such as the Sigma 18-35 and Sigma 50 -100 1.8s. Together these lenses would cost about $2000. If I also upgraded to the highly recommended D500, I'd be spending a total of about $4,000. I compared this buying choice to an investment in full frame and opted to go that way instead. The major driver for me was the sharpness data on Dxomark for numerous full frame lense options vs the highest rated DX lenses. It was absolutely no contest. Anyway, I ended up buying a refurbished D810(~$2k with 3 year warranty on Adorama) plus a Tokina 24-70mm F/2.8 AT-X Pro (about another $1K). The much higher resolution should pay off by making it possible for me to create much higher quality photo books and printed images. Anxiously awaiting delivery of my new purchase.