Nikon Body Upgrade vs New Lens
Nov 23, 2017 13:03:19 #
About two weeks ago I posted a question about upgrading from my D3100 to a 5____ series body. I have been very happy with the 3100 - my first DSLR - but would find a tilt screen handy for low shots, especially being over 70. My interest is landscape and wildlife photography and while I am happy with my 55-300 VRS zoom, it doesn't have the reach I need. Since my 3100 doesn't have a focus motor in body, what would be a good lens to check out? This is another reason why I might consider a used/refurb 5 series. And as for nigher priced bodies, money is an object.Thanks!!
Nov 23, 2017 13:30:18 #
adamsg wrote:
About two weeks ago I posted a question about upgr... (show quote)
If you are going stay with a 3000 or 5000 series body, any AF-S lens will work on Af. Any of the upper-tier bodies also have the focus motor in the body and will work with older Af-d(fx) and Af-s lenses. And obviously you can use manual focus lenses on each. The big variable is if you want to move up-scale to full-frame.
Nov 23, 2017 13:40:04 #
If you are on a tight budget, you would do well to get a used/refurb 7100 - that way you could use the older/cheaper used lenses. No tilting LCD tho ...8-(
Nov 23, 2017 13:48:37 #
My first dslr was also the D3100. I also upgraded to a D7000. In terms of increasing my reach I bought a used Nikon 1 J1 for $80 on ebay, and a new Nikon FT-1 autofocus adapter that lets me use my 55-300 AF-S VR lens on the J1 with center point autofocus. This gives an equivalent focal length of 810 mm due to the J1's CX sensor 2.7 crop factor. It was the cheapest and best solution I could find to getting more reach with the 55-300 lens. The lens, adapter and J1 camera only weigh about 2 lbs and is easy to use hand held. The 55-300 lens on the J1 resolves better than it does on the D7000. Images with the 55-300 lens on the J1 resolve about the same as a 400mm manual lens on the D7000. But the manual lens is not ideal for wildlife. Attached is the J1 extended and retracted with the FT-1 adaptor and the Nikon 55-300 lens.
Nov 24, 2017 05:43:41 #
Bobspez wrote:
My first dslr was also the D3100. I also upgraded ... (show quote)
Now that's very clever, and you like the results with the adapter? I wonder why Nikon used a different mount on the N1.
Nov 24, 2017 07:25:41 #
The cost of af-s lens longer than 300mm is around 1500 used, for that amount you could get a used d7100 and a used 80-400 af vr lens, but no tilt screen. You may want to try a used d5000 series with a tilt screen to see if you really need it, if not you could then decide if you really need the extra reach.
Nov 24, 2017 09:21:18 #
adamsg wrote:
About two weeks ago I posted a question about upgr... (show quote)
With all of the Black Friday sales going on, I would look for a refurbished or used D7xxx series Body. KEH has 10% off used items and has extended their warranty to 365 days. The only thing this may not get you is a tilting screen and you would need to ask yourself how important is that feature with wildlife and landscape photography. If very important, then you may have certain limitations on lenses.
Nov 24, 2017 09:24:06 #
rdubreuil
Loc: Dummer, NH USA
adamsg wrote:
About two weeks ago I posted a question about upgr... (show quote)
The D5xxx series don't have internal drive motors either. Look to the D7xxx series, I believe the D7500 has a tilt screen like the D500. As for long reach and affordability look to the Sigma or Tamron 150-600mm f/5-6.3 lenses.
Nov 24, 2017 10:14:29 #
adamsg wrote:
About two weeks ago I posted a question about upgr... (show quote)
If you change bodies to the D5xxx body (which has the focus motor) look at a used or the older 80-400mm Nikkor lens. I have one that I got from KEH for about $600 that I love. It is slower to focus than the newer versions that have the SWM (Silent Wave Motor) built in but was also less than half the price. If you are keeping the D3100, the newer 80-400 is a decent choice but there are many others.
Nov 24, 2017 11:56:20 #
rdubreuil
Loc: Dummer, NH USA
dcampbell52 wrote:
If you change bodies to the D5xxx body (which has the focus motor) look at a used or the older 80-400mm Nikkor lens. I have one that I got from KEH for about $600 that I love. It is slower to focus than the newer versions that have the SWM (Silent Wave Motor) built in but was also less than half the price. If you are keeping the D3100, the newer 80-400 is a decent choice but there are many others.
Which D5xxx has an internal focus motor?
Nov 24, 2017 12:05:05 #
Thanks Jerry. The adapter works great for center point autofocus and it doesn't have any glass in it so the lens is still f5.6 at 300mm. The whole rig is just a bit over two pounds and is well balanced and hand held easily in my left hand at the center of the barrel. The J1 has no viewfinder, just live view, so I hold the screen about a foot in front of me. The lcd screen is always bright (doesn't change with the settings) and even in lower light auto focuses in just a second. When the red target square turns green it is in focus. Attached are two recent photos taken with the rig from a bench on my front porch.
1. Small bird on a 1" diameter fence rail at about 40 ft.
2. Medium sized bird on an electric wire at about 60 ft.
Both pics are heavily cropped and got some brightening in Photoshop.
The N1 mount has a smaller diameter than the f-mount. The insides of the mounts are 38mm and 45mm respectively. The smaller N1 mount was required by the smaller N1 body which didn't have enough height for an f-mount.
1. Small bird on a 1" diameter fence rail at about 40 ft.
2. Medium sized bird on an electric wire at about 60 ft.
Both pics are heavily cropped and got some brightening in Photoshop.
The N1 mount has a smaller diameter than the f-mount. The insides of the mounts are 38mm and 45mm respectively. The smaller N1 mount was required by the smaller N1 body which didn't have enough height for an f-mount.
jerryc41 wrote:
Now that's very clever, and you like the results with the adapter? I wonder why Nikon used a different mount on the N1.
Nov 24, 2017 13:36:17 #
Camera bodies come and go but find a lens you like and keep it forever.
If your desire is to have a Nikon body with a focus motor, to have access to a greater selection of lenses, then does it make sense to buy another camera body without that feature?
If your desire is to have a Nikon body with a focus motor, to have access to a greater selection of lenses, then does it make sense to buy another camera body without that feature?
Nov 24, 2017 14:16:00 #
Bobspez wrote:
That's great, I didn't know you can use a 55-300 lens with adapter on a Nikon mirrorless camera.My first dslr was also the D3100. I also upgraded ... (show quote)
Nov 24, 2017 23:41:52 #
JD750 wrote:
Camera bodies come and go but find a lens you like and keep it forever.
If your desire is to have a Nikon body with a focus motor, to have access to a greater selection of lenses, then does it make sense to buy another camera body without that feature?
If your desire is to have a Nikon body with a focus motor, to have access to a greater selection of lenses, then does it make sense to buy another camera body without that feature?
My D3100 doesn't have a focus motor in body. In order to retain as much compatibility with any new lens or body I buy, my question is: will my VRS lenses, which have their own focus motor, work on a body that has a focus motor, i.e. a 7000 series? Sorry, but this is new territory for me and I have to ask a very basic question. Thanks for all the replies as I work toward a decision.
Nov 24, 2017 23:58:41 #
adamsg wrote:
My D3100 doesn't have a focus motor in body. In order to retain as much compatibility with any new lens or body I buy, my question is: will my VRS lenses, which have their own focus motor, work on a body that has a focus motor, i.e. a 7000 series? Sorry, but this is new territory for me and I have to ask a very basic question. Thanks for all the replies as I work toward a decision.
Yes.
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