Trout man Loc: Alabama

I currently have a D5100 and want to upgrade. I'm thinking about the D5300 or the D7100. I would like to go to the FX format but all my lens are DX. I know they will fit on the FX but that kind of defeats getting the FX. I do have an 18-300 Nikon lens which is pretty much all I use now. Any thoughts on upgrading!

Db7423 Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

I you want FX you could consider selling what you have and getting a Factory Reconditioned D600 with the 28-300 lens. The sooner you do it the less invested in DX you are. If you elect to stay with DX I would get the D7100. Good luck with whatever you decide. ;)

Trout man Loc: Alabama

Thanks and that is probably what I'll do. I just wish I would have bought the FX 18-300 lens instead of the DX. Both were in stock and the same price but like you said I was in DX. Going FX is good advice and that's the way to go.

CHOLLY Loc: THE FLORIDA PANHANDLE!

The D7100 is an EXCELLNT camera.... It is one of the BEST crop sensor bodies on the market and you can't go wrong.

Db7423 Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

I hear you, my dilemma was the same as yours awhile back. I knew I wanted to go FX but was dealing with the "resell thing". Fortunately, I wasn't to invested in DX lenses. You can sell your stuff here or on eBay or sell to B&H, Adorama or KEH. I would try here first and to get an idea what everything is worth check selling prices on eBay and the others mentioned above before you post. ;)
I can tell you you won't be disappointed with the 600 or 610 with the 28-300.

Trout man Loc: Alabama

You're correct. Looking at the specs the D600 and 610 are looking better and better. Like the D800 but pricey for someone who just likes to take pictures and not trying to make a living with a camera. So many choices.....

Ched49 Loc: Pittsburgh, Pa.

The D7100 better upgrade than the D5300.

MtnMan Loc: ID

I went from a D5100 to a D7000. I didn't like it all and got rid of it. I much preferred the D5100's info screen for settings to the crappy one on the D7000 and the need to use buttons on the D7000 that I couldn't get used to. I couldn't read the little green screen often without reading glasses. And I REALLY missed the articulated screen of the D5100.

So I'd go for the D5300 over the D7100. I don't know if the sensors are exactly the same as the D5100 and D7000 were but it is pretty close and both eschew the low pass filter.

Some of your DX lenses will work fine on a D800; if not in full FX mode then in one of the two intermediate modes. Some will work with limitations. I was most pleased to find my 10-24 works fine in FX mode above 18 mm and for the two intermediate image area modes above 15mm. And of course it works down to 10mm in DX mode. My f1.8 35mm also works fine in the lower three modes...vignettets some in FX mode but even that may be OK sometimes.

PS: I went to a D800 and love it...but still miss the articulated screen. I'm seriously considering a D5300 as a backup camera...after the refurbs become available and the price drops a bit. The button layout on the D800 is quite different than the D7000 and somehow works well for me. So I don't miss the info screen on it. I don't know which the D7100 has.

nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

If you are not earning a living with your photography then I see no reason to go for FX if you are already invested in DX equipment. Just my humble opinion.

Cornman Loc: Grand Rapids, Michigan

I started with a D60, sold it to buy a D7000, and decided I wanted an FX camera at some point so I began buying FX glass, first the 150-500 Big Sig, then the 50mm f1.4 Nikkor, and last (but not the end) the 28-300mm VR II, using them on my D7000. so 2 years went by, finally in July, I bought the D800, already had 3 lenses for it. Just a suggestion, if you want to go FX, take your time, get the glass first, and go from there. (PS I still have the D7000 as my backup!)

Trout man Loc: Alabama

Thanks for your input. Have you had any experience with the D600 or D610.

RetiredPhotog Loc: South West Ohio

Troutman, I upgraded from a D5100 to a D7100 and it was a great move. Like you I had some nice DX lenses and couldn't see upgrading to a FX with the lenses I all ready have. The D7100 is the best DX you can buy in the Nikons. Don't think I could have done better.

Trout man Loc: Alabama

You're right. I guess it's just progression. DX to FX and I still have my old FM Nikon too. I need to start selling some stuff I guess.

Trout man Loc: Alabama

I know the DX lens will work on the FX D800 but the FX lens will work on the DX D7000? I thought you could go one way but not the other.

blazar70 Loc: New York, NY

They work both ways with Nikon. On Canon, the DX lens (which Canon calls EF-S) will not work on an FX camera.