2 replies to this topic

[Lagephotography]

Hi!

I have been doing photography for almost 3 years now. I originally purchased the D3500 just to take with us when we travel and do more landscape photography. I quickly fell in love and got more into landscapes, astrophotography and portraits. I have been taking professional photos for about a year now- bridals, engagements, family etc. I need more than 1 camera body and I am looking to upgrade but every time I start to do research I become extremely overwhelmed. I am wanting better image quality and something that is quicker with better performance for low light photography. 

 

Let me start by saying, that I do not wish to spend a ton of money. As it is, I will likely purchase a refurbished or used camera to help me save some money. I have read many conflicting things about DX vs FX. However, alot of free lance jobs require you to have a full frame camera so I am wondering if that alone would be more of a reason to upgrade to that. I have been looking between a D7500 and D750. My concern is if I upgrade to a full frame camera, do I need to change out all the lenses that I currently have. Below are what I use pretty regulary.

 

35mm 1.8, 50mm 1.8, 70-300 2.8, 20 mm 1.8

 

Most of my friends that are photographers all shoot with Canon so they have been no help. I drastically want to pick some Nikon users brains to help with my decision. 

 

Thank you!

[Merco_61]

Is your 35 the DX version or the AF-S ED, which is FX? The others are all FX, even if I think there is a typo in the 70-300/2.8 spec.

 

As long as you don't underexpose, the DX sensor has a remarkable S/N ratio, but if the fashion for bridals  is a black tux and white dress, you will probably find the DR of the small sensor limiting.

You will probably need an 85 or 105 mm lens for portraits as a 50 is too short for single-person shots on FX. 

 

Some additional advantages for the D750 vs the D7500 are the dual card slots and the ability to use a vertical grip. Neither is absolutely necessary, but an in-camera backup gives peace of mind and the grip gives extended battery power as well as the better ergonomics.

 

A third body-option that is worth considering is a used D810 as it isn't that much more expensive than a D750 and gives better ergonomics and even better DR than the D750.

[Jerry_]

What is important in your field of photography is that the pictures please to the one(s) who look at them.
To get a good picture, the photographer’s eye and abilities are far more important than the tools (s)he uses.

Why am I stating this? Because apparently you succeeded taking pleasing pictures and have clients who recommended you to others.

However - at some moment in time - the technical specifications of the tool become a limitation to what the photographer wants to achieve and (s)he is therefore looking out for new tools. This is where you are now.

In the technical specifications upgrade path that you consider there are three aspects:
1/ ergonomics that come (on top of technical specifications) with the camera line (the D3xxx/D5xxx, the D7xxx/D7xx, the D500/D8xx)
2/ full frame FX versus DX
3/ lenses

Aspects to consider here, related to your current camera and lenses, are:
- as you keep your D3500 as a backup, using a different « line » will bring you new ergonomics. While these ergonomics offer extra comfort, you will have harder if you use the two cameras together. As there are number of advantages with improved ergonomics, this should not be a hindering factor in your decision, still one to consider.

- some of your lenses may be DX marked. Based on the specifications you gave, I could not identify which ones, therefore have a look here to find out:
https://www.nikonimg...00005532〈=en_GB
Also, you have to consider that there is a difference between AF-S vs AF-P full lens compatibility with some older cameras
https://www.nikonimg...00035705〈=en_GB

Does this mean, that you *have* to replace your (DX) lenses when you (possibly) move to FX? No.
Just consider when using a DX lens on an FX camera the cropping factor will have (mostly) one effect (when your FX camera is set to DX crop): the picture projected on the sensor will not cover the full area of the sensor and therefore not use all pixels. For this configuration the resolution of your picture will have less than half the Megapixels that the sensor offers.
Is this an issue? All depends how much you want to additionally crop (in post processing) and how large you want to print.
But as you will keep your D3500, you will be able to continue using those DX lenses as you are used to with that backup camera.

On the other hand using an FX lens on an FX body, while having used it so long on a DX body, will have an « uncrop » factor, as already mentioned by Peter.

So, what is the best path to upgrade from your current equipment?
It partly depends on how much of this upgrade is driven by business needs and how much is to improve on photoghraphy in general, as well as what your budget is.

Moving to a D750 will possibly give you the best cost/benefit ratio, as it allows you to have the advantages of an FX sensor at a reasonable price, provided that some of your lenses are designed for FX; but possibly also check the follow-up model (D780) if you also have already AF-P FX lenses.

As for business, consider additionally that having an FX camerabody is a vending argument to attract new clients. Independent of the quality of the photographer - as mentioned in the introduction - number of paying clients still look at the tools to evaluate how serious you take your business.