Advice! Want to upgrade my Nikon DSLR camera (Page 6): You beat me to it, this was pretty much EXACTLY what I was going to say.

cowboydid2 Loc: The highways and byways of America

Keen wrote:

Without breaking the bank, I'd suggest either a D7200 if you want to stay with DX format, or a D750 if you want to move up to FX (Full Frame). Other items may be just as good, or even better in some ways, but would probably cost more. Shop around, and consider buying a used, refurbished, item. I have both a D7200, and a D750, and I have no regrets concerning either of them. Let us know what you decide.

You beat me to it, this was pretty much EXACTLY what I was going to say.

Harry0 Loc: Gardena, Cal

*sigh* The better you define the problem, the better you define the solution.
Mucho generalizations of my own observations only. Big grain of salt goes here.
What is it you want to do that the D3400 can't? The d3xxx, D5xxx and the D7xxx that have the same sensor take the *same picture*. The processing is the real diff.
My D7100 has 2x the slots, 6fps vs 4, an AF motor, lots more picky menu choices and waay better battery life than my D3200. The D3200 is a tad simpler, and @ 2/3 the weight.
The D5300 is like an upgraded D3200, to @ 3/4 of the D7100, but with built in wifi added.
Otherwise- same results. Same pictures. Same almost everything.

A buddy is trying to sell me his DF, and lent it to me this weekend. I'd trade, but he wants cash to sweeten HIS upgrade attempt. MAYbe you're also looking for the results of a FF? Or MAYbe it;s time to switch teams? A nikon Z6, or a OM or Sony? There are a few folk here that decided a P1000 beat a backpack full of $$ equipment; and more than a few went the other way. So:
Mirror vs mirrorless? FX vs DX? Bridge vs body? Not just what you want to do, What are you *really* going to do, say, 90% of the time?

You should sell your incompatible equipment to subsidize your choice of direction. Otherwise, you'll end up like a lot of us old farts, with bookcases and boxes of barely used but still useful purveyors of enhanced memories.

Innershield1

D500. The 7xxx series all have motors for older lenses which your 5xxx series doesn't have. It allows you to use non-motorized lenses which are pretty inexpensive used and you can acquire more glass at a less expensive investment. I have a 5300 and a 7100 and I just got the D500. I also have a D810 so I think I'm covered. By the way I will be selling my my 5300 and 7100

Jbrustrom

Late to the party as usual. I just bought a used (but new to me) D7000. Yeah, the original 7000. Dual card slots, incredible battery life (rated at 1100 shots per charge per Nikon), top LCD panel, really bright 100% optical viewfinder. Picked it up for $279US. Has 5k clicks. I know I'll put at least that many on in the coming 6 months. I have two lenses - 18-55 mm VR II DX ED and a 35mm 1.8. Yeah, just two lenses. So many buttons. No digging through menus.

Read online reviews at dpreview and imaging resource. Visit their forums. Read real-world experiences. Stay away from ken rockwell. Visit YouTube for personal reviews, not paid mouthpieces.

Just my $0.02.

Harry0 Loc: Gardena, Cal

frankraney wrote:

Please do not ever buy another automobile..... You don't need one.

Same reasons- and results.
Are you buying that car because you're concerned about what people you don't know might think about you when they see you in it? Or are you tired of untying and retying the rope that holds your door shut?
I have cameras that were old when I was born. Minor wear and tear, minor maintenance. They work well.
I have a Toyota, @ a dozen years old. Minor wear and tear, minor maintenance. Good ride, great mpg, never a major repair. What would a huuge pile of money for a 2020 buy me that I would want?
For *me*, @ 90% it's either the A900 or the D3200. @ 10% is either the Ikonta 531 or the Nikon EM.
YMMV.

depscribe

I shoot a D500, but that might be more than you need. I shot a paid of D7100s entirely happily for years, and suspect that a D7500 would more than meet your needs -- though if you can find a very good used D7xxx you might well be happy with it at a lower price than a D7500 would be.

Rick-in-Tor0nto Loc: Toronto & Ft. Lauderdale

CRoy wrote:

Hey everyone....I have had my 5300 for about 4 years. Thinking of upgrading and would like to continue using the 4 lenses I now have. Bought it as a kit, then added the 10-24 wide angle and the 35 mm.

Without breaking the bank, any suggestions on an upgrade? Another option is keeping the 5300 and upgrading the kit lenses. Thoughts appreciated.

I mostly photograph my grandkids, real estate photography and landscapes. Thank you!

Carol

Coincidentally, I have the same 4 lenses you do and I wanted to upgrade from a D5200.

Unless you want to get into a whole new format (other than DX camera and lenses), stick with something that will be compatible. I went to a D7500 and it's more than enough for me.

If you don't want your new camera to be obsolete quickly, there's a table online that shows when certain models were introduced and retired so pick something that was introduced recently.

Of course, if you don't want all the standard attachments (tripod, external flash, filters, etc.) and you just want REALLY high-quality snapshots, then strongly consider a really good phone. The quality is really amazing!

Rick

BebuLamar

Rick-in-Tor0nto wrote:

Coincidentally, I have the same 4 lenses you do an... (show quote)

When do you consider a camera as obsolete? When the replacement model is introduced? When they discontinued that model?
To me something is obsolete when it's still in perfectly good condition but you can't use it because you can't buy the consumables for it like batteries. Or when a typical PC/software can't open its file. Or when the law prohibit its use.

srt101fan

BebuLamar wrote:

When do you consider a camera as obsolete? When the replacement model is introduced? When they discontinued that model?
To me something is obsolete when it's still in perfectly good condition but you can't use it because you can't buy the consumables for it like batteries. Or when a typical PC/software can't open its file. Or when the law prohibit its use.

Good point! My Nikon D50 is still fully functional. However, it can only handle the small size cards, which are no longer available as far as I know. So, for me, it becomes obsolete when my 2GB cards wear out 😐

Moondoggie Loc: Southern California

LOL, that is true. Everyone offers their best opinions and I appreciate what more knowledgeable people have to say. I have a D5300 and it works well for me. I just need more practice, & experience using what I have already. I do value your opinions, and reading UHH can create GAS. I always ask myself, will new gear give me better pictures? A new Fx lens might, but I'm good for now. Thanks!

BebuLamar

srt101fan wrote:

Good point! My Nikon D50 is still fully functional. However, it can only handle the small size cards, which are no longer available as far as I know. So, for me, it becomes obsolete when my 2GB cards wear out 😐

I have a number of 2GB SD cards. You can still buy it though if you search online. I have a number of devices at work that need 2GB or smaller SD cards and I buy the cards from the manufacturer of the devices and they charged me $70 for a 2GB SD card.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

Have you guys tried 4GB cards? They will usually work either as 4 GB cards or at least as 2 GB cards in most older systems. 4 GB cards are available lots of places at prices that aren't too extreme. Might be worth a try if you aren't sure...

depscribe

fwiw, the Temple of Retail Doom has Transcend 2gb SD cards at 5 for $32; Sandisk are about twice that.

srt101fan

depscribe wrote:

fwiw, the Temple of Retail Doom has Transcend 2gb SD cards at 5 for $32; Sandisk are about twice that.

Wow! I was sure the 2GB cards had gone the way of the dinosaur. Good to know they're still available... You had me going with your "Temple of Retail Doom" thing. Took me a while to connect that to Amazon - aah, old age....

larryepage - seems like I tried a 4GB card in that camera and it didn't work. In any case, I still have a few 2GBs and only use the D50 as a backup.

Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina

I have a couple of 256mb CF cards that can hold 8-10 RAW files from my latest camera...Priceless...😎