dlutkehaus1 Loc: sun city west, az

So I am getting ready to purchase a new DSLR and am faced with several choices. I have been considering a Canon 70D, a Nikon D7100 and now, thanks to a visit to my local camera shop I have added a Full Size Sensor in the Nikon D610. I am leaning toward the D610 but am looking for similar experiences in the Photographic world

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Any of these are good choices, but it makes a big difference what your photographic aspirations are.

Oh, and a single posting will do just fine.

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

Do you have a budget? Lenses, imho, are the real investment. The box is just the means. I would like to move up to FX from DX and I will after I have a couple of additional lenses. Right now, I have a D7100 and I really like it. I have collected a 70-200 f2.8 and a 105 f2.8 that are FX lenses. I want a 14-24 f2.8 and a 24-70 f2.8. After I get those I will upgrade.

SonyA580 Loc: FL in the winter & MN in the summer

Some things to consider. What do you have now? Are you more familiar with Canon or Nikon? Any Nikon/Canon lenses that might work with the new camera?

dlutkehaus1 Loc: sun city west, az

Sorry about the double posting wasn't sure the first one took. My Bad

dlutkehaus1 Loc: sun city west, az

I have about the same limited experience with either Canon and Nikon. I grew up learning on a Minolta Film camera so now I am really a novice all over again.

amehta Loc: Boston

I think the D610 is significantly better than the D7100 for low light performance, by about 2 stops of ISO. It is better in other ways, but I think those are less significant.

An important question is what your photographer goals are, both in terms of type of photography and the level (beginner / intermediate / advanced / expert)?

As David said, the lenses are a big expense, especially if you want the pro/prosumer level ones like what he mentioned. With both the D7100 and the D610, you can get consumer level lenses, but especially if you spend the extra money on the D610, it's also worth considering the better lenses.

dlutkehaus1 Loc: sun city west, az

I have a Nikon Point and shot camera which I share with my wife.

dlutkehaus1 Loc: sun city west, az

my means will become easier later on this year so a budget isn't necessarily that critical.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

DL, welcome to the Hog!
Hey, do look at the Canon 6d as well, if you are considering a d610 FF.
If you do Video, the 70 has no equal with its Auto Focus video.
Also, this may be a ways down the road, but Canon makes some lenses that no one else makes or can compete with. For nature, sports and portraits, Canons top-of-line lenses can't be beat. Take a good look at all of that before deciding.
Again, welcome and Good luck. ;-)
SS

amehta Loc: Boston

Cool, then you can make the decision based on your goals.

I would say that the photographer, camera, and lens should be comparable for the best results. On a 1-10 scale, let's say the D7100 is a 6, the D610 a 7, and the D800 an 8. Where are you as a photographer, or where do you wish to be? Maybe buy the corresponding camera, and the corresponding lenses, and make some great images. :-)

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

I'm on a learning quest. I researched dslr's before I purchased the D7100. Had I know then what I know now I would have decided on the lenses first and then the camera.I bought 4 DX lenses right out of the starting gate. I don't have any regrets because I have had to learn a lot more than I thought. You cannot beat FX lenses, even to mount on DX cameras. But it doesn't go the other direction. FX lenses are costly but they are also and investment of sorts. They retain 80-90 percent of their value if you don't buy "gray market". That's a whole other subject and one you should research. Expect to spend 1/3 of your budget on a camera body and 2/3 on lenses. That doesn't take into account for the accessories you will want to acquire. Bags, tripod, monopod, flash cards, flash and on and on. It can be an inexpensive hobby or an expensive hobby. It is totally up to you and your means and desires. At some point you are going to have to declare to yourself how much you are going to budget and work from there. B&H Photo and Adroama are good places to start because they enjoy superior reputations. When you do decide and when you have done a little homework we can give you better advise. Frankly, I'm having a very good time and it is worth every dime I have spent. Good luck to you.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

DL, welcome to the Hog!
The 70 is a great camera. If you are into video, it has the most cutting edge video currently available, with Auto Focus.
If you are considering the d610, it's also worth looking at the Canon 6d, with it's super low light sensitivity. It's compact and light with both WiFi and GPS. Those two features are added to make it a more suitable travel camera, if you ever travel. Those two options would also cost $400 extra, to add them to any other camera.
Also, this may be a ways down the road, but Canon makes a few lenses that nobody else makes. For nature, sports and portraits, Canons lenses are industry leading, and have no equal.
Take a good hard look at that those cameras and the lenses that you may ultimately need down the road.
Again welcome and good luck with your new camera. ;-)
SS

LyneLa Mesa

A few years ago I moved from a Minolta film camera to a D5100. It has been a fun learning experience that I have still not fully mastered. Learning photography is fun, but is a time commitment I never anticipated. There is also learning lightroom/photoshop. Until you play around a bit, you may not know what will be in your comfort zone. Go to the bookstore and find a book on the camera you are considering. Read it. My suggestion is to rent a few cameras to see what feels right to you. Until you play around a bit, you can make expensive mistakes. I purchased a 50mm lens influenced by a great review. The lens is great for small group shots, but not the best for closeups. A different lens would have been better for me. You will know what you want once you do more research. Jumping in at the top sounds fun, but may not be a good fit for you.

studavis

I have a Canon and usually say buy a Canon or A Nikon until I went to but a pocket camera. The store showed me a $200.00+ Nikon and advised it. I took it home and started to charge the battery. The camera would not open and stay open. I called the store and they said bring it back, no problem. I also decided to call Nikon tech service. The 1st call they told me they don't accept the brand of memory card I put in it (the same as the store's demo. I told them I have the same problem without a card. They stuck to "It's the card" I draped it and sent a email to Nikon. I received an answer to call a number and ask for a person. Idid the person was not working that shift and another tech told me that the 3/4 charge was at flat. I had to fully charge it and call back. I did and it still didn't work they then said I should send it in for repaire. I said why don't you replace it. The Answer was "We don't replace them we repaire them>"