Cykdelic Loc: Now outside of Chiraq & Santa Fe, NM

If you can afford it......buy it! The winner is who has more toys in the end!

JimBart Loc: Western Michigan

Currently I have a D7100 and would like to upgrade but why should I?
I don't use the video mode at all and am still learning all the features of the present camera which takes excellent pictures with the 2 kit lenses. Even if money were no problem my nature still tells me to use what you have until you master all its features then move on......the results will all be the same.
There will always be advances in technology, so the key question then is: How stupid do I really want to appear.... know a little something of what I have and get good results or know nothing about what I want and ultimately shoot...........?

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

Indeed the question of upgrading happens to be very popular in the forum. If the question of upgrading arises it is my personal opinion that the person asking could be suffering of GAS or in the worst scenario could be confused regarding taking a wise decision. Let me explain.

I have always advised to the person with the intention to upgrade to ask to himself if the camera he is using is not doing the job. Do you need a faster AF, perhaps a faster firing rate, maybe more megapixels? There are many other valid reasons but those I just mentioned could be among the most common. I do not consider buying a camera or lens because it is the "best" as upgrading and I do not consider upgrading either buying a camera because "money is not a problem." I am saying buying the latest in technology but understand that the latest in technology does not mean the old camera or lenses cannot take good pictures. Your example that an entry camera can take as good shots as those from a professional model to me is a very valid statement.

Yes, pictures are made by the photographer. If we have a camera, regardless of age, that can take the pictures we want, then why upgrade? Just to have more bells and whistles that we could end up not using? That is not upgrading, that is wasting money.

I am entirely on your side when you stated that an amateur has to start somewhere. An entry camera, specially a refurb or used one is a good buy and it has the basics settings needed to begin learning photography. These little cameras are reasonably priced, accept all the lenses made for more advanced cameras and they are an economical way to begin this long journey into photography. If we learn that entry camera well we have the doors opened for the future and in many cases it is not necessary to ask over here if upgrade is necessary. We will know when the upgrade is needed.

A popular "upgrade" is to go from an APS camera to full frame. Many young photographers erroneously believe that a full frame camera means better quality. Noise performance with both cameras is rapidly becoming a thing of the past and the new cropped cameras perform as well as full frame in that arena. Depth of field with portraits used to be the domain of the full frame but using a lens with a large aperture and good technique it is practically impossible to say which camera made the best performance.

My cameras, except for an Olympus mirrorless body, are all old. My lenses are old, some of them from the 60's, 70's and 80's. I keep on using them because the quality when I do my part is there. I do not need anything fancy and many out there are in the same boat. If I had to select a camera for my needs I could easily go for the D200 or the D7100. Both bodies will cover my needs.

I need is not the same as I want. A person with scarce photographic knowledge will never do very well using a professional camera and lenses. An experienced photographer can turn works of art with a smart phone.

Jack Dykinga summarized all this when he said "Concentrate on technology and your pictures will be technically excellent. Concentrate on seeing the nuisances of light and your pictures will stir the soul."

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

Without artistic vision, all that quality hardware means nothing. It's like giving me an easel and all the artist's gear and telling me to create a masterpiece. At the other end of the scale I saw a picture in an aquarium that their octopus had created. It looked pretty good - for an octopus. A bit too impressionistic though.

PRodacy Loc: New Mexico

Peterff, Nothing wrong with using guns as an analogy. They're tools just like cameras. Any yes, you can get bump stocks for cameras. We used to call them autowinders, but they're now obsolete as all cameras are full automatics. Everyone needs to lighten up on the guns issues. Everyone has their own opinion. :)

jaycoffman Loc: San Diego

It still comes down to what you want to shoot and how. I understand that the IQ and other features of the 850 would exceed what I can do with my 7100, however, I shoot mostly travel photography and do a lot of walking on rough terrain and shooting from a motorcycle. The 7100 gives good images that I can use in my stories and is almost more than I can carry day in and day out on my trips. I just got back from three weeks in Morocco walking around on cobblestone paths, mountain trails and desert dunes and my body feels the weight of the 7100, however, I am not going to change because the DSLR gives me better pictures and faster response time than a point-and-shoot. That's just an example but my point is you should always start from what and how you want to shoot before making an equipment change.

BlueMorel Loc: Southwest Michigan

Except I would add "after careful consideration of what you really want, taking into consideration your goals and needs."

bamfordr Loc: Campbell CA

A few thoughts and alternative analogies. My spouse is a music teacher and nothing is more frustrating than having a beginner with a cheap instrument that is difficult for my spouse to play - impossible for a beginner. My daughter played baseball through Little League and Pony. We always provided her with good equipment and lessons. Same with horseback riding. Having said all that, you don’t need top of the line, but you need tools and equipment that you are comfortable with now and that you expect to stay with until you outgrow it.

repleo Loc: Boston

I was a little puzzled by the number of UHHrs who associate guns with cameras. As I thought about it, I came to realize why so many birders 'shoot' their subject dead center. All that's missing is the crosshairs. If it wasn't for those godarn liberals and their environmental laws they could blow that bald eagle right out of the sky !!!

travelwp Loc: New Jersey

Tell him that it's fun to have new stuff, get the D850.

AK Grandpa Loc: Anchorage, AK

I got a D3300 a couple of years ago and was satisfied, but upgraded to a D5500 because of it's additional features, especially the articulating touch screen. I thought I was happy until I held a D500 at my local camera shop . . . I had to have it, so I saved up and got it. Best move I ever made in my photography, the D500 beats everything out there in the cropped framed cameras. The camera is outstanding. . . . SO . . . Having learned my lesson . . . If I decide to go full frame, I'm not making any intermediate stops . . . I'm going with the D850 . . . It's the full frame version of the D500. GO FOR IT . . .

crazydaddio Loc: Toronto Ontario Canada

putting artistry, composition, skills, "its the photogrpaher not the equipment " arguments aside (btw, I agree that these are MORE important than gear)

Having said that, something else to consider....

A beginner photographer may not know what the higher end cameras can do and therefore do not really know what is possible and the choice of a beginner camera impede their progress at some point.
A little catch-22 situation.

I started with a 70D ... my first camera at the age of 48. The menu, pinterest, social media, sports photos all contributed to my curiosity and learning progression
"Knowing what I wanted" involved learning both the cameras capabilities (and its limits) while applying the learning in shooting conditions....ie what I wanted was progressive.
My hypothesis I pose here is that a beginner may not know what they want tomorrow. (assuming they even know what they want today)

Net: I will always promote buying the best gear you can afford for these reasons. (assuming they have an AUTO feature so you have an easy place to start:-)

Soooo ...if money is no option ...D850 :-)

(Sorry Canon friends, it is better than my 5DmkIV at least on paper.)

jccash Loc: Longwood, Florida

Ditto. Great point. Went from D40, D5100, D7200, D500. If I was going for a full frame it would be the D850. When you buy the best it only hurts once.

SteveLew Loc: Sugar Land, TX

Some people just like to have the best. For example, some people by a Maserati, seven series BMW or a Mercedes 500S. Why? Do these expensive cars go faster, go further on a tank of gas or do the owners use all the features of these automobiles? I believe the analogy with autos and cameras to be a valid comparison. Some people just want the best camera whether it be a Nikon, Canon or perhaps it is a Fuji GF medium mirrorless or any other top of line camera. Whether semi beginning, intermediate or seasoned photographers when they ask us should they buy these recently released premium cameras our first inclination is to offer our advice in the form queries as to essentially " why do you need this type of camera." Or we offer our advise couched in providing them our stories of our first camera, second camera and so on through our history. Our intentions are good but do not really answer their question about camera purchase. To close, I think that if any level of photographer is asking the question of whether they should be buy the latest and greatest camera we should take it for granted that they can afford this camera and spend our time advising them of how to integrate this camera into their photographic education, work flow and software and the reality of needing the best glass and other factors and not dissuade them from buying their camera of their choice.

Blaster34 Loc: Florida Treasure Coast

OOPS, President Nixon, an evil Republican put into law the 'Endangered Species Act' which includes the Bald Eagle. BTW, I and I'm sure others, take exception with your comment. I, and others hunt, many have a great selection of tools, however I'm, and I'm sure others, are very aware and respectful of all environmental laws. Now I prefer to 'shoot' with my camera, all species.....but when I, or my wife who loves wild game, get a hankering for some Moose, Deer, Elk, Pheasant, Quail in the refrig.....BANG!!! 😇😇😇 Now my Sony does most of the talking, but once in a while, my Browning likes to get a word in now & then.....

Now back to the topic at hand, as for beginning or upgrading, go for as much as you can reasonably afford, then save for more, more, more