GKarl Loc: Northern New Hampshire

I bought a Nikon D7000 in 2011. I am now ready to make another purchase. I have a limited budget and have saved up $1200. I have both DX and FX lenses. My two plans are as follows. All lenses aside from the 24-70 are Nikon.

#1 Buy a refurbished D500 and have the ability to use all my lenses.

#2 Buy a new or refurbished D750 to go along with (50mm 1.4, 85mm 1.8, 105mm 2.8, Sigma 24-70 2.8, 70-300 4.5-5.6 VR. Give the D7000 along with (35mm 1.8 DX, 18-140 DX to an aspiring photographer)

I will be left with a Nikon 12-24 f4 that I may attempt to sell in an attempt to gather money for a new FX lens purchase.

The D750 is available new for $1295 and $1050 refurbished. D750 is available refurbished for $1350.

Lastly, Rumor is a new D760 is on the way. Will the prices for the D750 drop further?

I know that a lot of talented and intelligent photographers use this site and are willing to help in a constructive way. In advance Thank You.

GKarl Loc: Northern New Hampshire

Sorry, D500 is available refurbished for $1350.

Jules Karney Loc: Las Vegas, Nevada

I have been shooting with the D500 for 3 years now, I have 160,000 clicks on the beast. Great camera and I would highly recommend. What do you shoot?

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

For the most versatility I would go with the D500. You can never go wrong with a Pro level body!

orrie smith Loc: Kansas

You left out the most important data, what do you prefer to shoot. If you primarily shoot portraits, landscapes, and stills, in my opinion, you would be better off with the d750. The full frame body will do all of these just fine, and if you do decide to get the occasional action shot, the d750 works well for that as well. The only disadvantage would be if your wildlife subject is farther out than you have lenses.
If you mainly shoot action and wildlife, the d500 would be your best option, as the cropped frame allows a bit more "reach" than the full frame body of the d750.
Which ever you choose, it will be a wise choice, as both bodies are excellant cameras. Good luck with your upgrade.

ELNikkor

Since it looks like you have more FX lenses, (I've read that the 35mm DX actually covers an FX sensor), I'd look more toward getting the D750. A friend of mine recently did exactly that from his D7000, and he couldn't be happier with it. (I would get the new D750, just so you know its history is all yours.)

bpulv Loc: Buena Park, CA

To answer your last question first, the price of the old model always drops when a new model becomes available and by usually a few hundred dollars until Nikon sells off all of their stock of the old model. Then the price drops further as more of the old model becomes available on the used market.

As to the body, I would always go for the full frame camera because of the technical advantages of the larger format. That being said, you must first answer a question for yourself. What are your goals for use of your new camera. Remember, a full frame DSLR is larger and heavier than a crop frame camera. Also, accessories tend to be more expensive, especially high quality lenses. If you want to make large prints or have more flexibility, the D750 would be the choice. On the other hand, a newer crop frame camera might be sufficient to your needs.

As to your lens collection, I would keep all the lenses since both FX and DX lenses can be used on either a FX or DX body. I would also keep the D7000 as a backup unless there is a strong financial reason to sell it since its used value has decreased. I have a D800 as my main camera, but I carry my old D90 in my roll-a-board as a backup or for use as a second camera when I want to avoid the inconvenience of switching lenses or in case the D800 malfunctions. It is good insurance, especially when I travel overseas where loss of a functioning camera would cost time and money.

BebuLamar

My guess is that the price of a new D750 won't drop further. I think just before the introduction of the D760 (???) Nikon will raise the price of the D750 to $1800. They do so in order to sell the D760 at about $2250.

GKarl Loc: Northern New Hampshire

I shoot mostly landscape and portraits. Lots of travel photography.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Very clear to me..OPTION 1. Get 500 refurbished. Just do it and have fun.

GKarl Loc: Northern New Hampshire

Thank you for your response. I often read what you have to say. A further consideration is that I cannot afford a new D500. Therefore, the comparison is between a refurbished D500 and a new D750. (approximately the same price). Does that change the equation?

GKarl Loc: Northern New Hampshire

Wow, I was typing the refurbished consideration when you replied. Thanks.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Factory refurbished is always a good buy. however "dealer refurbished" is almost always junk. Pay attention to seller terminology whenever you are not buying new.

IR Jim Loc: St. Louis

What a coincidence but I have done option #2. I bought a d750 for night/astro/landscapes and gave my d7000 to a friend of mine along with the dx lenses.
I <3 my d750.

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

D500.