Upgrade Body vs Lenses (Page 2): Regardless of subject matter I'll be surprised if you didn't already know that there are two opposing camps, religiously adhering to their two paths...

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Tesnoma wrote:

......
Which way to go first? I photograph
mostly scenery and flowers.

Regardless of subject matter I'll be surprised
if you didn't already know that there are two
opposing camps, religiously adhering to their
two paths, "glass first" and "body first".

"T'was ever thus" and prolly will be forever or
as long as lenses remain interchangeable. So
crowd sourcing an answer is quite predictably
gonna be inconclusive.

I'm in favor of anything that helps me to work
quickly and more effectively, not just features
but ergonomics. Progress on that front tends
to be almost completely body related. And I'm
derisive toward Lens Geekism. So I'm kinda in
the body bunch, but not religiously so. Sharing
my thoughts but, sorry, not voting either way.
I just shared thoughts in case that offered any
perspective that might be new to you.

`

leftj Loc: Texas

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.

When you average the additional cost over the number of years you will enjoy having the camera that makes you happy it doesn't amount to a hill of beans.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

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.

Yes I do upgrade bodies frequently, lenses not so much, they usually last me a life time, ( I have many that I used over 40 years ago)!

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

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?

That’s a low mp camera. Would be going backwards unless he’s only gonna shoot sports!
SS

leftj Loc: Texas

SharpShooter wrote:

That’s a low mp camera. Would be going backwards unless he’s only gonna shoot sports!
SS

Lower than a D7000 series? i don’t think so.

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

SharpShooter wrote:

That’s a low mp camera. Would be going backwards unless he’s only gonna shoot sports!
SS

A 20.9 APS-C

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

leftj wrote:

Lower than a D7000 series? i don’t think so.

D500 is 20.9 MP.
D7200 is 24.2 MP.

Woodsman Loc: North of Peterborough Ontario

You are shooting mostly flowers and scenery so ask yourself what is it with my current equipment I need to improve my photos. If its image quality in low light then you might want to look at the lenses. If its a feature of the camera like better high ISO performance with less noise, or larger buffer for continuous shooting modes then consider the camera. I updated to a D7200 and love it. I got newer lenses with it but my old lenses from the D50 still work. I updated because in my case I shoot birds and wildlife and wanted a larger buffer and better high ISO performance because I shoot a lot into deep shadowed backgrounds. So think about what you need and then what is it that will improve on your need, camera or lens.

hookedupin2005 Loc: Northwestern New Mexico

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?

I have to agree with leftj... Go fo rthe D500, and save up for the 18-400mm.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

LFingar wrote:

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.

Fully agree. Build your lens system first. Gives the most versatility for the buck.
If it is a choice between a body or lens think which gives you what you want to do the most. You will find the lens wins out over the camera unless the camera is hopelessly old or not functioning properly.

ELNikkor

D7200

Hbuk66 Loc: Oswego, NY

Normally I would say lenses, but in the case of the 3000 and 5000 series I would absolutely upgrade body and be able to use screw drive lenses... just my opinion and I'm not a pro...

Bultaco Loc: Aiken, SC

I have both the D7200 and D500, shooting landscape and flowers I'd go with the D7200. If you shoot manuel the two wheel make it a lot easier. The D500 has a higher FPS making it better for sports. Many on here love the 18-400, but reviews indicate it's not the sharpest on the block.

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

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.

Your current 55-300 is great for scenery and your Sigma 105 is great for flowers. The Tamron 18-400 is more of a wildlife lens, and, it is extremely heavy. The 18-400 is not a walk around lens like your 55-300.
For what you shoot I would think you are good for now. I do not see the D7200 body making that much of a difference.
Usually the difference is a quality lens, not a body.

Opusx300

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.

First, here is a comparison of the two cameras, d5100 vs d7200:
https://cameradecision.com/compare/Nikon-D5100-vs-Nikon-D7200

I would normally say to go for better glass but in this case I would question whether or not this lens would actually be classified as “better glass”. More convenient? Yes. Better? Hmmm...

In looking up both the d7200 and the Tamron glass, I saw the lens goes for $650 and today nikon is selling refurbished d7200 for $700. In my mind refurbished from Nikon are like new. Go handle the d7200 in person, if you havent already, and make sure you like the way it feels in your hand. It is a bigger and heavier camera than what you have. If it feels good, I would go for that vs the lens.