Upgrade Body vs Lenses: I presently have a D5100 W/ Nikkor 18-55, 55-300, and 35mm lenses and a Sigma 105mm macro lenses and SB 400 and 600 Speedlites. I'm thinking of getting either a...

Tesnoma Loc: Cape Cod

I presently have a D5100 W/ Nikkor 18-55, 55-300, and 35mm lenses and a Sigma 105mm macro lenses and SB 400 and 600 Speedlites. I'm thinking of getting either a D7200 body or a Tamron 18-400 lens. Which way to go first? I photograph mostly scenery and flowers.

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

I'm not familiar with Nikon or any of the lenses that you mention. However, if your camera body is still giving you the performance and capability you want and need, and the lens you are contemplating has good reviews then I would certainly go for the lens first.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

Tesnoma wrote:

I presently have a D5100 W/ Nikkor 18-55, 55-300, and 35mm lenses and a Sigma 105mm macro lenses and SB 400 and 600 Speedlites. I'm thinking of getting either a D7200 body or a Tamron 18-400 lens. Which way to go first? I photograph mostly scenery and flowers.

Go for the D7200. 24MP vs 16Mp and much better specs and features. Your lenses will be fine.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Tesnoma wrote:

I presently have a D5100 W/ Nikkor 18-55, 55-300, and 35mm lenses and a Sigma 105mm macro lenses and SB 400 and 600 Speedlites. I'm thinking of getting either a D7200 body or a Tamron 18-400 lens. Which way to go first? I photograph mostly scenery and flowers.

I would definitely get the D7200. It's a big step up from your D5100.

mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma

D7200!

SueScott Loc: Hammondsville, Ohio

Oh my, what a choice! I recently upgraded from a D7200 (which was a wonderful camera) to a D7500 paired with a Tamron 18-400, a combination which I love. I'm not by any means an expert but personally, I would upgrade the body and then save up for the lens.

leftj Loc: Texas

Tesnoma wrote:

I presently have a D5100 W/ Nikkor 18-55, 55-300, and 35mm lenses and a Sigma 105mm macro lenses and SB 400 and 600 Speedlites. I'm thinking of getting either a D7200 body or a Tamron 18-400 lens. Which way to go first? I photograph mostly scenery and flowers.

I'm not a Nikon user but based on all the raves about the D500 why wouldn't you upgrade to that body?

tripsy76 Loc: Northshore, MA

Just my personal opinion, but here is my general rule of thumb (which I sometimes ignore due to new shiny things catching my eye)...

I would almost always go for the best glass first. The only exception is if the body I was considering will have significant features or upgrades that I know will pay for themselves with my client work.

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

I agree with Joer, get the Nikon D7200.
Learn how it works and get comfortable with it.
Then upgrade to the best glass available.

BebuLamar

I don't think you will see a lot of difference either case. You have a longer lens but not by much 400 vs 300. The D7200 is better than the D5100 but not by much either. The controls on the D7200 are better but if are used to the D5100 they may not make a difference.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

leftj wrote:

I'm not a Nikon user but based on all the raves about the D500 why wouldn't you upgrade to that body?

Yes the D500 is a great camera and would be my choice if money was no object, but it appears that it is.

SueScott Loc: Hammondsville, Ohio

joer wrote:

Yes the D500 is a great camera and would be my choice if money was no object, but it appears that it is.

So split the difference and get the D7500 - it has a lot of the features of the D500.

fourlocks Loc: Londonderry, NH

This is not that easy a choice. UHH advice has always been to "go for good glass" but if your D5100 has 16 megapixels (is that right? My D5500 has 24 megapixels, same as the D7200), going to the D7200's 24 megapixels could make a difference if you enlarge photos. However, I had the same two lenses as you mention (18 - 55mm and 55 - 300mm) and it annoyed the hell out of me to be constantly changing lenses in the field. If you shoot outdoors...wide landscapes to birds in the distance...you want the 18 to 400 mm range and the Tamron lens will give it to you. So if you don't mind changing lenses, go with the D7200. However, if you want an all-around lens that can stay on your camera, go with the Tamron.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

Tesnoma wrote:

I presently have a D5100 W/ Nikkor 18-55, 55-300, and 35mm lenses and a Sigma 105mm macro lenses and SB 400 and 600 Speedlites. I'm thinking of getting either a D7200 body or a Tamron 18-400 lens. Which way to go first? I photograph mostly scenery and flowers.

My general feeling is that glass is more important than camera. The D7200 is a great camera, but unless your D5100 is failing you in some way, get the lens. Camera upgrades come along more frequently than lens upgrades. Get the lens(es) you need/want first and when you are settled with that start saving/shopping for a new camera.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

fourlocks wrote:

This is not that easy a choice. UHH advice has al... (show quote)

MPs are over rated. Both Nikon's and Canon's pro cameras are 20MP, if more MP was important for better photographs the pro cameras would have sensors with more MPs.