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Looking to Upgrade

d3200 d610 lens

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9 replies to this topic

#1
EricJohn216

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Hi Guys!

 

So I am considered between a beginner and intermediate as far as photography goes.  I understand all of the basics but I am still working on getting faster with adjustments, etc. but I feel like I have taken some pretty decent photographs.

 

I up and bought a Nikon D3200 about 2 years ago before I looked into the crop frame/ full frame camera existence.  I now am ready to move up to a full frame DSLR.  I primarly do portrait photography and sometimes some landscape photography.

 

So this is what I have "accumulated" haha:

 

- Nikon D3200

- Nikon DX 55mm-200mm AF-S Nikkor 1:4-5.6G ED (Non- VR) lens

- Nikon 70mm-300mm AF-S Nikkor 1:4.5- 5.6 ED (VR) lens

- Nikon DX 18mm-55mm AF-S Nikkor 1: 3.5-5.6 GII ED (Non- VR) lens

- Nikon 50mm AF-S Nikkor 1:1.8 G lens

- B and H polarizing filter ring

- B and H ND filter ring

 

I have experimented with long exposure photography and I am excited to get more out of the HDR function that full-frame cameras offer (instead of just adjusting the stops on my crop-frame).  

 

So, my questions are:

 

1.  I was thinking about upgrading to a D610 camera; do you think this would be a good place to start?  I can't spend a ton of money (well my budget is about $1,200).

 

2.  Now that I am upgrading to a full frame, I understand that I need to make sure I'm buying FX or full frame lenses.  Do you recommend selling any of my existing ones to upgrade to full frame lenses or should I keep these?  If so, which lenses do you recommend for portrait photography or general landscape photography?  I was recommended to get an 85mm lens which is great for portrait photography I was told.

 

Thank you all!

 

Eric



#2
Merco_61

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Your 50 and the 70-300 are already FX lenses. An 85/1.8G is a very good replacement for the 50 on DX as a portrait lens and the 50 is very nice for environmental portraits on FX. What you need is a 18-55 replacement. The 24-85 is amazing value for money and can sometimes be found in a package deal with a D610. 

 

As you are on a limited budget, perhaps selling off the DX equipment and getting a used D700 and the lenses for now could be a better option. The D700 is a workhorse and easy to use for portraiture even without the vertical grip. Having the glass is much more important than the body in the long run. You can save up for a D750 while using the D700 and get a much more capable 24 MP body that way



#3
TBonz

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I agree with Peter.  I might have suggested a D810 vs. the D750 but both are excellent bodies.  I'd also suggest looking at the 24-120 f4 although it is a bit more expensive than the 24-85...I really liked that lens when I had it.  I needed the 2.8 of the 24-70 or I would still have it.  The 85 1.8 is a nice lens - especially for the price.  

 

Other than that, I'd also agree that the glass is much more important.  The D700 would definitely give you a more capable body while saving for the D610, D750 or the D810.  Assuming you are going to switch out the glass first, the big question on the D700 to me would be how long you think you would be "stuck" with the D3200 while saving for the body you want.  D700s are great bodies and frequently available at pretty reasonable prices.  You may just decide it will be the right one for a few years!



#4
EricJohn216

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Thanks for the advice!!

What do you guys mean by glass? The lenses? I didn't know anything about glass....

Also, I have no problem selling my D3200 but I know I won't get a ton for it. I'm just nervous investing that much money into a used camera... Do you know any good reputable sellers?

Thank you guys!

#5
Merco_61

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Yes, we mean lenses when we say glass.
The only used-gear dealer I have used in the US is keh. They have a deserved reputation for low-grading their merchandize, so their ex is often rated ex+ by others. The D700 doesn't have any usual weaknesses, the only thing to look out for is a high-mileage amateur-owned one that hasn't had it's services on a par with maybe 150000 to 200000 clicks. A pro-used one with 150000 shouldn't be a problem.

#6
EricJohn216

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Thank you!!

So is it FX lenses that are glass?

I am finding different D700s so I'll have to just chance it :) Thank you!
I also meant to ask. I have a 24MP now with the D3200 and I always thought the MP matter for good quality is this not necessarily true?

Thanks!

#7
M.Beier

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I slightly disagree with others in this thread (first time on the forum :) )

Instead of considering a 85mm F1.8G, then spend about the double and buy the Tamron 70-200 F2.8 USD VC, it'll do extremely well for portraits too, and it is an extremely fast lens... It's a must have.

 

Daily zoom, I'd not pick in beginning - your 50mm will be excellent...

 

Selling your 70-300, that'll already bring you quite a nice tad of the gap between 85mm and 70-200, just a thought :)



#8
Merco_61

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Glass in this context is just a slang expression for lenses. It can mean any lens, for any format. You will find the truism "Always glass before body" quoted now and again in the forums, this just means that it is wise to get the best lenses you can afford before blowing the photography budget on a new body.

 

I have sold 6 MP files for double-page pullouts in magazines... It all depends on how clean the files are and what resolution and size is needed for the final product. 12 MP is enough for 20x30" if offset-printed(150 ppi) and 12x18" from an inkjet (240 ppi). Everything above that gives room for cropping or bigger prints, but is seldom *needed*. I still use a D300 and a D700 as my daily cameras, even if the D500 is tempting. I replaced my D700 with a less used one some months ago as I started feeling a bit nervous depending on a body with over 240000 shutter clicks on it and it was not cosmetically in a shape worth getting a new shutter.

 

The reason for the 85 rather than a tele zoom is the isolation that is so easy to get @f/2 or 2.3, as the f/2.8 zooms aren't at their sharpest wide open either, this translates to about 1-11/3 stop advantage for the prime. This matters for classic portraiture, for a more photojournalistic style the zoom is easier to use and more versatile.



#9
Kenafein

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You'll definitely get a more pro body out of the D700 over my D600, and the prices have really dropped on the D700.  I am very happy with my D600, though.  I was just checking the eBay sold listings and someone sold a D600, Buy it now, in working condition, for $350.  That was a mistake, lucky winner.  I'll second the 85/1.8g.  It's a great portrait lens if that's your angle of view.  



#10
TBonz

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I personally prefer the 100-105 length for portraits, but the 85 is a better deal for your $$ unless you are interested in macro photography.

 

I have bought quality used gear (bodies and lenses) from B&H as well as KEH.  Both will give their rating on the equipment and will price it accordingly.  For example, a D700 rated 8+ won't be in quite as good shape as one rated a 9+ which won't be in as good shape as one rated Like New.  The better the condition, the higher the cost.  You can see their rating scales on their sites.  Also pay attention to what they come with (battery, charger, body cover, manuals, etc.).  

 

Megapixels can help, but I'd say they are only one piece of the puzzle and are generally over rated.  I would be willing to wager a good amount of money that you would not be able to tell which camera was which (all with different megapixel values) if I were to post multiple images...Shooting sports, I've cropped a number of images very tightly and still gotten very nice prints at larger sizes (>16x20).  







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