D7000 or D5100 or wait for D400

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whitbydave

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Hi all

First off Ive just added a signature to my profile I hope its not a pain and too big do let me know and I will adjust it.

Anyhow I'm just about to go proish well sort of. With a budget of pence and will of angry office staper I hope to get something going. I've been taking pics for about 23 years since I was a wee one. I got my head around still and ended up working in TV for a while music videos etc.

I've got an old faithful D200 that I would never sell it like an old friend. I nearly just brought a D7000 then I thought I know I'll speak to you guys and get some thoughts. Do I just buy the D7000 and a SB900 and a wireless trigger and use my D200 and SB400 as back up. It wont be taxing work weddings etc I've put one up I shot http://photographyco.co.uk. I may do some video as i know a fair bit about it and the D7000 or D5100 would be fine. I've shot things on a cheap sony dv camcorder and with some clever lighting and post processing you can pull it out the bag.

The big question is do I buy a D5100 it does video etc or the D7000 (which does remind me of my D200), or wait till the D400.

To add another issue I could just buy a D3100 for now and get a D400 when it becomes available.

Sorry if there are typos I'm going blind looking at the screen for to long.

Many thanks

Dave
 
Whilst I'm sure the D5100 is great camera especially for video, I think you would not like the lack of some controls. I switched from a D70 to a D5000 and in a few ways it was a backward step (IMHO).

If you have AF-D lenses for you D200 these would be manual focus only on a D5100 limiting the use of the kit you already own?

D7000 is more likely to offer you something close to a D200 experience. Otherwise look for a s/h D300s and at worst p/x for a D400 when it finally appears and the price has fallen a little ?
 
If you're using flash then you don't need high ISO performance so the D200 will be more than good enough for what you need.

Save your beans for a proper upgrade.

edit: by the way, although the video feature is a nice to have the general consensus is that you're better off with a half decent camcorder.
 
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I also considered a D7000 as an upgrade from my D300 (more through GAS than anything else), but having had a play with a friend's last weekend, I decided to shelve that option and wait for the D400 or consider going full frame with the D700.

The D7000 is undoubtedly a great camera, but it just didn't feel right in my hands, it's quite a bit smaller than the D300 (and subsequently, your D200 as they share pretty much the same body). The other thing that put me off the D7000 is that it's missing some buttons, the one I missed most was the AF-ON button, my friend had configured the AE-L button to work as AF-ON but I felt it uncomfortable to reach having to stretch my thumb to press it. Lastly the build quality was nowhere close to that of the D300, being plastic it just felt a little vulnerable.

On the other hand, the D7000 has a few pluses over the D300, the first being it's High ISO capabilities, I'm only really happy to shoot up to ISO800 and ISO1200 at a push on my D300 whereas the D7000 will cope with ISO1600 easily, and can be pushed to ISO3600 without much heartache.

It's horses for courses, but I'm definitely holding out for something else, I'm just not sure what yet.
 
I changed from a D700 to d7000 a week or two ago and love it. It's smaller, yes, but with a grip its big enough. The dynamic range and resolution is well worth it.

I'm waiting for the new full frame offerings, but wouldn't hesitate in buying another 7000 as back up.
 
If your in no rush, wait. If your used to a d200 you may find anything less than a d300 to be too small and not have enough controls on the body. For me, I am most likely to upgrade to a d700 or d400 depending on price. In no urgent need to do that so happy to wait. If you are in no rush, I would wait as something will be along soon.

I used to have a sb600 and it was a good flash. Then got a sb900 and that is far better. More power, better controls and I would go for that.
 
cambsno said:
If your in no rush, wait. If your used to a d200 you may find anything less than a d300 to be too small and not have enough controls on the body. For me, I am most likely to upgrade to a d700 or d400 depending on price. In no urgent need to do that so happy to wait. If you are in no rush, I would wait as something will be along soon.

I used to have a sb600 and it was a good flash. Then got a sb900 and that is far better. More power, better controls and I would go for that.
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+1:thumbs:
 
Don't rule out the sb800. A steal used now and ample power.
 
Nawty said:
If you're using flash then you don't need high ISO performance.
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Sorry but that's nonsense in so many ways.

Being able to shoot at higher ISO levels means that:

- You don't have to resort to flash so often.
- When you do use flash you can reduce power to shorten recycle times and/or prevent flash over heating.
- Shoot at higher shutter speeds to freeze movement in subjects lit by ambient light
- Use a smaller aperture to increase depth of field.


If I were the OP I'd buy the D7000 now and start earning straight away.
 
NorthernNikon said:
Sorry but that's nonsense in so many ways.

Being able to shoot at higher ISO levels means that:

- You don't have to resort to flash so often.
- When you do use flash you can reduce power to shorten recycle times and/or prevent flash over heating.
- Shoot at higher shutter speeds to freeze movement in subjects lit by ambient light
- Use a smaller aperture to increase depth of field.


If I were the OP I'd buy the D7000 now and start earning straight away.
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Which part of it is incorrect? The OP states he wants to use flash :shrug:

I've seen exquisit wedding albums shot with a D200 (and natural light), if you feel it's the camera that's stopping you achieving great results then there's something wrong.

FWIW I always shoot natural light wherever possible but that doesn't mean it's the only way to shoot.

Of course, if the OP has unlimited funds then why not but if it were me I'd wait for something significantly better.
 
Aledafis said:
I also considered a D7000 as an upgrade from my D300 (more through GAS than anything else), but having had a play with a friend's last weekend, I decided to shelve that option and wait for the D400 or consider going full frame with the D700.
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D800 should be announced around November, hold thy horses till then.
 
Interesting comments thanks alot.

I'm one for being able to use pretty much anything to get a good piccy, as the old line says its not the equipment its the tog, I get the feeling I may just get a D7000 as I want to be able to have double of everything for shoots to cover my ass. the lack of having back ups is stopping me marketing properly as I don't want to get a call and say oh yeh I can do it and not have spares so I think in terms of peace of mind I may plum for the D7000. If you wait for the next camera computer etc you will never get anything.
I did some training work for apple when the Ipad came out and there was rumors of the Ipad2 before the launch of the Ipad 1, it's amazing how the retailers try to get you with the next wizzy buttons and bigger numbers. I had a heated discussion with a guy in a well know camera shop who was trying to tell me you need a minimum of 10 megapixels to take images for the web I understand conversion loss etc but really man a ruddy mobile will to a goodish job in terms of pixels for the web.

Thanks for all the replies I may pop down the shop tomorrow.

cheers

PS have a look at a wedding I shot a few weeks back, not long but the site up so needs more TLC but comments on the pics would be appreciated. This is the link
http://photographyco.co.uk/galleries/weddings/fullwood-wedding-2/
 
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Flash In The Pan said:
Between £2000-2200 at launch would be a fair guess.....
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I'd be more inclined to think £2500 maybe more for recommended retail.
They won't drop for quite a while after launch. Too many folk are already forming the queue.
 
Aledafis said:
I also considered a D7000 as an upgrade from my D300 (more through GAS than anything else), but having had a play with a friend's last weekend, I decided to shelve that option and wait for the D400 or consider going full frame with the D700.
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Sorry whats GAS, I think I'm being stupid but do tell, please.

Dave
 
Then you are insane

sorry but you are. (this thread is about photography not video)
 
trevorbray said:
I'd be more inclined to think £2500 maybe more for recommended retail.
They won't drop for quite a while after launch. Too many folk are already forming the queue.
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I would guess that, maybe more at the start when people ebay the pre-orders. Hold on till the supply lines are good and the price drops and get a D700 because boy the price on those are going to bomb /rubs hands together
 
Nawty said:
Which part of it is incorrect? The OP states he wants to use flash :shrug:
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I don't know, maybe the line I quoted? Do you reckon that could be it?
 
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Decca said:
I would guess that, maybe more at the start when people ebay the pre-orders. Hold on till the supply lines are good and the price drops and get a D700 because boy the price on those are going to bomb /rubs hands together
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I doubt that, if a new d800 is, say, £2200 then even if it drops a couple of hundred pounds once the price settles then a used D700 at £1200-1300 is still going to look like a bargain.....
 
Flash In The Pan said:
I doubt that, if a new d800 is, say, £2200 then even if it drops a couple of hundred pounds once the price settles then a used D700 at £1200-1300 is still going to look like a bargain.....
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Smeagol.jpg


One day my precioussssss, one day you will be mine
 
whitbydave said:
If you wait for the next camera computer etc you will never get anything.
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To a small degree yes, but I dont get that argument myself. A few months ago there were rumours of an ipad2 coming shortly, now there should be some new Nikons (seeing as D3, D700 and D300 have been out for a long time now). If you need a camera then get one now. If not then waiting will do no harm as one is due soon. If something has been out only a short while then unlikely to be replaced so get it.
 
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