Another which body upgrade thread

scott199

scott199

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just after some advice please, recently gone back to sports and wanted some advice on a body upgrade, not done a lot, but I done a football team shoot and now seem to be the official club photographer (its free, so not really a massive pat on the back :D) I’ve also been asked to be picture taker for a local MX club. Both mostly outdoors, well completely )

Also, i do like macro work, water droplets/lightning and would love to get into landscapes, but sports is/are my main reason to upgrade, if it does the rest, bonus.

So with the above in mind.

Currently have D5100, although I think it’s more than capable little body, I’m finding it uncomfortable with 70-200 2.8 lens, and finding it very fiddly out and about, I do like the weight, can happily stand holding it for 90 mins footy game, lack of af points, could be my imagination or lack of skill, but I’m getting annoyed with AF lock or hunting as well, changing settings etc (not to bad as have s couple set to other buttons now)

Can you recommend a good body for the above, don’t need a pro body, no real budget but not willing to spend thousands yet, good/fast AF, weather proof or resistant for our stunning weather,

Been looking at d500 as it seems to tick most boxes, but im open to all advise.
(Just a body change, not planning on any lens replacements yet, so needs to be work with what I have)

EDIT: Lens list ( in case it makes a difference ?? )

Nikon 35mm F1.8g af-S
Tamron 17-50 non vc 2.8
Nikon 18-200 afs vr
Sigma 70-200 2.8 osm
Sigma 105os macro 2.8

Thank you for any advice or help.
 
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holty said:
put a grip on your body see how that feels
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That will do nothing for the AF. Personally I don't much like grip in shooting in landscape orientation, but then it is very good for verticals.
D500 should give the AF and frame rate upgrade if that is required.
 
If you have the budget then the d500 will last you a very long time for what you describe. If budget an issue then d7200 can still be picked up new and it would be a good upgrade with a reasonable buffer
 
Either the d7200 or the d500 should put you right.

After having grips on my bodies since I had a d90 I can't use a body with out one now. I find them too fiddly and uncomfortable.

But if you can afford the d500 then I would definitely choose that.
 
I think I would feel the same in the OP's position. I started off with predecessor to that camera, the D5000. In image quality terms there was absolutely nothing wrong with it and that would still apply to this day (even more so in the case of D5100) but I got frustrated having to dive into menus for everything and the small, dark viewfinder. You can always get good images but sometimes it feels like you're having to work around the camera rather than it making life easier for you. And yep, that range of cameras is quite small particularly around the grip area so doesn't necessarily suit being held for longer periods. I know many people love adding a battery grip and I've had one or two myself but unless you're shooting in portrait, I don't think they help at all in terms of ergonomics, as you're not touching them most of the time. Yes, they might balance things out a little and add some battery life but I just find them a bit clumsy. Just my opinion.

There are some really obvious natural steps you could take. A D7000 would probably answer most of your prayers and cost very little, D7100, D7200, D7500 all up the MP count and add a few other mod cons. But I think one option that hasn't been mentioned is the D750. Currently £910 brand new import. It's a total bargain at that price and would be a big leap up. Maybe worth considering. I guess it depends what other lenses you currently have beyond the 70-200.

Otherwise D500 does everything brilliantly but obviously most expensive option.
 
holty said:
put a grip on your body see how that feels
Click to expand...

holty said:
remember its the idiot behind the viewfinder that makes the shot
not the price of the camera
Click to expand...

Hi, Thank you, i understand exactly what you're saying, the size is an issue, has been from early days, but its something i can live with, but that with the af points, slow af, iso range and the fact its not weatherproof are more the issues.
 
kingo15 said:
Either the d7200 or the d500 should put you right.

After having grips on my bodies since I had a d90 I can't use a body with out one now. I find them too fiddly and uncomfortable.

But if you can afford the d500 then I would definitely choose that.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice (y)

gad-westy said:
I think I would feel the same in the OP's position. I started off with the predecessor to that camera, the D5000. In image quality terms there was absolutely nothing wrong with it and that would still apply to this day (even more so in the case of D5100) but I got frustrated having to dive into menus for everything and the small, dark viewfinder. You can always get good images but sometimes it feels like you're having to work around the camera rather than it making life easier for you. And yep, that range of cameras is quite small particularly around the grip area so doesn't necessarily suit being held for longer periods. I know many people love adding a battery grip and I've had one or two myself but unless you're shooting in portrait, I don't think they help at all in terms of ergonomics, as you're not touching them most of the time. Yes, they might balance things out a little and add some battery life but I just find them a bit clumsy. Just my opinion.

There are some really obvious natural steps you could take. A D7000 would probably answer most of your prayers and cost very little, D7100, D7200, D7500 all up the MP count and add a few other mod cons. But I think one option that hasn't been mentioned is the D750. Currently £910 brand new import. It's a total bargain at that price and would be a big leap up. Maybe worth considering. I guess it depends what other lenses you currently have beyond the 70-200.

Otherwise D500 does everything brilliantly but obviously most expensive option.
Click to expand...

Hi thank you, to be honest, i haven't even looked at the D750, ill take a look at some reviews. in terms or comparison, equal or better than D500 ?, ive had the d5100 prob 3-4 years now, really happy with 70% of it but sports-wise its just lacking a little, nearly moved to the d7000 and then thought about d7200 when it came out but decided to wait untill i had an issue or bug in mine i needed to move away from, and thas now.
 
Also updated the first post with a lens list, if it makes any difference or helps ??

Also budget wise, i dont really have one, im happy to buy whats right or right for me, i would say my thinking is £1k -£1300 ish max, ( but happy to go cheaper if its right for my needs) i could go higher but I'm not sure id see much benefit to me, for the extra £££
 
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scott199 said:
Thanks for the advice (y)



Hi thank you, to be honest, i haven't even looked at the D750, ill take a look at some reviews. in terms or comparison, equal or better than D500 ?, ive had the d5100 prob 3-4 years now, really happy with 70% of it but sports-wise its just lacking a little, nearly moved to the d7000 and then thought about d7200 when it came out but decided to wait untill i had an issue or bug in mine i needed to move away from, and thas now.
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D750 is full frame so you get the sensor benefits that brings. It's just a great all rounder and remarkable value right now. AF is excellent but D500 better again.

However, now that I've seen your lens list, the first three would only work in DX mode which would be wasting the best thing about the D750. So maybe D500 is looking more sensible and in all honesty would likely work out cheaper when lenses are considered.
 
Someone mentioned the D7500, price-wise seems in the same region, so any thoughts in comparison to the D500, i would have thought being newer the D7500 should be equal or better ??
 
Also worth considering a second hand D4 - they just produce great pictures IMO. Our pro motorsports photographer states the D4 just knocks his D500 into the next county (States spec wise it shouldn't but in use the Pro bodied D4 is far better).

He says the images from the D4 need very little editing and that the camera just hits focus every time.
 
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scott199 said:
Someone mentioned the D7500, price-wise seems in the same region, so any thoughts in comparison to the D500, i would have thought being newer the D7500 should be equal or better ??
Click to expand...

They are aimed at different markets. Different body styles/controls/construction/memory card set-up etc. D500 has everything Nikon knows thrown into a DX DSLR. D7500 is much of the same stuff crammed into a smaller body. Hard to argue against either of them.
 
holty said:
d7500 shi***
get the d500 brilliant
Click to expand...

Lol, simple but effective description of the pro's and con's, my type of info (y)

Fraser Euan White said:
Also worth considering a second hand D4 - they just produce great pictures IMO. Our pro motorsports photographer states the D4 just knocks his D500 into the next county (States spec wise it shouldn't but in use the Pro bodied D4 is far better).

He says the images from the D4 need very little editing and that the camera just hits focus every time.
Click to expand...

Thank you, the D4 is FF ??, im just not sure how or if my glass would work with the FF, not a huge deal as i can slowly build/replace but does add an air of extra spending and also unknown/new learning curve on glass etc

gad-westy said:
They are aimed at different markets. Different body styles/controls/construction/memory card set-up etc. D500 has everything Nikon knows thrown into a DX DSLR. D7500 is much of the same stuff crammed into a smaller body. Hard to argue against either of them.
Click to expand...

Thank you
So technically, internal wise roughly the same, but in a smaller body and also price wise a £300-£400 cheaper from what I'm seeing?, it's always one of those, would i have this for a while then start to regret not having the controls of the "pro" d500 body. need to grab hold of both bodies and see what/how they feel/work really, i have thought about hiring a 500, but that's just adding another £200 to the equation.
 
scott199 said:
Lol, simple but effective description of the pro's and con's, my type of info (y)



Thank you, the D4 is FF ??, im just not sure how or if my glass would work with the FF, not a huge deal as i can slowly build/replace but does add an air of extra spending and also unknown/new learning curve on glass etc



Thank you
So technically, internal wise roughly the same, but in a smaller body and also price wise a £300-£400 cheaper from what I'm seeing?, it's always one of those, would i have this for a while then start to regret not having the controls of the "pro" d500 body. need to grab hold of both bodies and see what/how they feel/work really, i have thought about hiring a 500, but that's just adding another £200 to the equation.
Click to expand...

No, wasn't trying to say that. They are not exactly the same internally but they have a lot of similarities. The sensor and processor are the same so IQ will be no different. I believe the AF system on the D500 is quite a bit better. It can also shoot at higher FPS should that matter. And I suspect, though I don't know, it will have a bigger buffer. They have quite a different memory card set up too. The D500 uses super fast (and super expensive) XQD card and an SD card. D7500, just one SD. Worth finding a site that compares all the differences and see which whether they'll actually matter to you.
 
Just a little update and big thanks to all that helped.

I done a load of research, I was leaning towards a slightly cheaper body than the D500 and put some more money to the budget and get a lens (nikon 70-200 vrii/ Nikon 200-500, maybe sigma 150-600 sport)

But yesterday sat and had a think, watched buckets loads of reviews and decided to get the D500 and live with glass I have for now, assuming this body will stay with me and if/when I can upgrade glass, knowing the body will accommodate.

Appreciate the advice, sat quietly waiting now for delivery. :(:banghead:
 
D500 arrived Friday, took it yesterday to a football match.

Just wanted to say thanks for the advise, fantastic body, thought it was me missing focus, was looking at 50% hit rate on the 5100, easily 70-80% on this, the misses were my fault..

So thanks for the advise
 
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