Upgrade: I have a Nikon D5100 and am considering upgrading to a higher level camera. I am not new to photography nor to digital. Expense is a consideration only if I have to sell my...

peterwbarber

I have a Nikon D5100 and am considering upgrading to a higher level camera. I am not new to photography nor to digital. Expense is a consideration only if I have to sell my first born if you understand my meaning. What do you suggest I buy and what do you suggest I do with my 5100? I really like the way the digital vewier on the back rotates so that I can take photos from a low level without getting down on my belly. I have bad knees.

davyboy Loc: Anoka Mn.

Buy Panasonic 😉

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

peterwbarber wrote:

I have a Nikon D5100 and am considering upgrading to a higher level camera. I am not new to photography nor to digital. Expense is a consideration only if I have to sell my first born if you understand my meaning. What do you suggest I buy and what do you suggest I do with my 5100? I really like the way the digital vewier on the back rotates so that I can take photos from a low level without getting down on my belly. I have bad knees.

Since you have a cropped sensor camera now and might have a lens or two for it, I would suggest a Nikon D7200 refurbished from Nikonusa.com. They come up on sale from time to time, Nikonusa.com has a sale every month or so and offer 10% off refurbished. This camera will give you years of service and would be a very good upgrade from what you have now.
B&H and Adorama also have refurbished D7200's and you MIGHT talk them into a year warranty. I believe Nikonusa offers 90 days on their refurbished. BUT, that said, usually if something is going to go wrong with the camera it would happen in the first week of light use so chances are if it works fine during that period it'll work well for a while.

ReFlections Loc: From LA to AL

Do you have several DX lenses?

WayneT Loc: Paris, TN

I have an old D5000 that I converted into an infrared camera and although it's only 12mp it gives me really nice IR shots. My upgrade is a D7200 and I couldn't be happier, great camera and I can still use all my lenses.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

peterwbarber wrote:

I have a Nikon D5100 and am considering upgrading to a higher level camera. I am not new to photography nor to digital. Expense is a consideration only if I have to sell my first born if you understand my meaning. What do you suggest I buy and what do you suggest I do with my 5100? I really like the way the digital vewier on the back rotates so that I can take photos from a low level without getting down on my belly. I have bad knees.

Do you have pictures of your first born and how much are you asking?

I can't suggest a specific camera, but since you already have Nikon gear and appear to like it why switch brands?

The Nikonistas here will give you plenty of good advice.

By way of disclosure, I use Canon, but unless you want to change I would stay with Nikon.

ELNikkor

I also have the D5100, and am spoiled for the fully articulating screen on the back. Make sure your next camera also has a similar screen. You might just stay in the D5xxx line, as none of the other Nikons have the versatility of that screen. The D500 and D750 have tilting screens, but only up and down.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

peterwbarber wrote:

I have a Nikon D5100 and am considering upgrading to a higher level camera. I am not new to photography nor to digital. Expense is a consideration only if I have to sell my first born if you understand my meaning. What do you suggest I buy and what do you suggest I do with my 5100? I really like the way the digital vewier on the back rotates so that I can take photos from a low level without getting down on my belly. I have bad knees.

How about a refurb D7200 for $699?
https://www.cameta.com/index.cfm?fa=display.search&page=1&keywords=d7200

The D5100 isn't selling for much on ebay, so I'd keep it as a second body.
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_sacat=0&_nkw=nikon%20d5100&LH_Complete=1&LH_Sold=1&rt=nc&_trksid=p2045573.m1684

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

peterwbarber wrote:

I have a Nikon D5100 and am considering upgrading to a higher level camera. I am not new to photography nor to digital. Expense is a consideration only if I have to sell my first born if you understand my meaning. What do you suggest I buy and what do you suggest I do with my 5100? I really like the way the digital vewier on the back rotates so that I can take photos from a low level without getting down on my belly. I have bad knees.

Having read your post, you indicate that price is really not a big concern (short of the 1st born thing) so I will tell you what I would do in your situation.

First I would give the 5100 and all the accessories to my 1st born.

Second, I would get a Sony A7RII with these Sony e-mount lenses: 24-105 f/4, 24-70 2.8, 70-200 2.8 and a Sigma 16mm. This will put you in the $10K range. Another $1K for the 1.4 x and 2.0x extenders.

Third, I would rethink that whole not selling your first born thing. Just think what you could get selling the 1st born and the 5100 as a package!

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

peterwbarber wrote:

I have a Nikon D5100 and am considering upgrading to a higher level camera. I am not new to photography nor to digital. Expense is a consideration only if I have to sell my first born if you understand my meaning. What do you suggest I buy and what do you suggest I do with my 5100? I really like the way the digital vewier on the back rotates so that I can take photos from a low level without getting down on my belly. I have bad knees.

What you upgrade to is going to depend on your budget and what you want out of photography. If you already have a couple of FX lenses (or even if you don't but might want to purchase one later) you might want to buy FX lenses. Keep your D5100 as a "backup" or for long shots and use the FX for wide to normal shots. I have a D7000 (wifes) a D7100 and a D610 for my arsenal. I have managed to get mostly FX lenses (after starting with a DX 18-70 and an FX 70-300). I do have a Tamron DX 10-24mm, an FX Nikkor 50mm f/1.2, and a Nikkor FX 80-400mm (older version without SWM). Look at the used high quality lenses at Adorama, B&H, and my favorite KEH for good deals on glass.

jederick Loc: Northern Utah

davyboy wrote:

Buy Panasonic 😉

I will second that recommendation and specifically recommend the GX85!!

dyximan

peterwbarber wrote:

I have a Nikon D5100 and am considering upgrading to a higher level camera. I am not new to photography nor to digital. Expense is a consideration only if I have to sell my first born if you understand my meaning. What do you suggest I buy and what do you suggest I do with my 5100? I really like the way the digital vewier on the back rotates so that I can take photos from a low level without getting down on my belly. I have bad knees.

What is your budget that will dictate a lot

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

In my humble opinion what you should consider before an update is if the camera is failing to do its job or if it lacks features you need in your photography. If you have issues in those two areas then you should update.
The recommended D7200 is an excellent update and although I have never used one I know of its quality and performance.

jacklewis014

D7200 is a great option - strong in quality & performance and not too bad on the wallet.
Also, you can find refurbished units from the trustworthy retailers like B&H, KEH, etc.

Haydon

Keep your 5100 as a backup and look at a refurbished 7200.