Struggling between D7000 and 105mm Micro

[Benny Pan]

I have been saving up to get a 105mm micro on my D40 for 3 reasons:

1. My 18-55mm and 50/1.8D are too short to shoot in conference and theatre play
2. Manual focus on 50/1.8 is just too hard to do in party and theatre play as it's dark and people are moving
3. I love micro work and 105mm can AF on D40!!

Since D7000 is released I have a dilemma to decide . . . if i sell my D40 I would pay roughly the same money to get D7000 or 105mm micro (~$900USD)

D7000 can solve problem number 2 since it can AF on pretty much ALL lenses only but give a few bonus:

• Way better high ISO performance (on D40 photo quality greatly compromised on ISO800)
• I can pretty much dump 18-55 and just use 50/1.8 all the time

So it's hard to weigh between these two products. I love shooting animal as well so I think 6FPS (cf 2.5 on D40) on D7000 can give me a nice ground to buy a tele lense in the future.

I just want to hear more ideas from any photographers out there.

[Benny Pan]

Sorry mistakenly put the post at the wrong place

[kirbinster]

I would go for the D7000, but I thought they were going for $1,200.

[Benny Pan]

Originally Posted by kirbinster

I would go for the D7000, but I thought they were going for $1,200.

Yeah $1200 for D7000. If i can sell my well maintained D40 for $250~300 then I would pay $900 for D7000, which is the same for 105mm micro.

[RecurrentNerve]

Normally I'd say invest in lenses not bodies, but it's a big upgrade jump to the D7000...

[mysonsaysaudi]

As I'm not a fan of the Nikon's I say buy a Canon and you won't regret it.

But in all honesty I say buy the lens.

[Jim Poor]

I do a LOT of shooting in dark venues and in this case, I say go for the D7000 for the image quality at higher ISO settings.

[zona5101]

if you had a d90 and were asking the same question, I'd say go for the lens...but from a d40 - i'd get the new body. Heck maybe you find a deal on the recently discontinued d90 and still have a few bennies for a new lens too.

[Benny Pan]

Originally Posted by RecurrentNerve

Normally I'd say invest in lenses not bodies, but it's a big upgrade jump to the D7000...

Yeah hell knows if D7000 will drop below $1000 in a year. But micro 105mm probably will remain the same price for some time.

Originally Posted by Jim Poor

I do a LOT of shooting in dark venues and in this case, I say go for the D7000 for the image quality at higher ISO settings.

Originally Posted by zona5101

if you had a d90 and were asking the same question, I'd say go for the lens...but from a d40 - i'd get the new body. Heck maybe you find a deal on the recently discontinued d90 and still have a few bennies for a new lens too.

It's a big upgrade from D40. I wouldn't even think about it if nikon didn't make D7000 becoz im always in love of D300 but freaked out by the price.

[Michael_nine22.com]

D7000 and find older style 105mm f2.8 for cheaper~$300... there was a reason it was out for almost 20 years before nikon replaced it. The body will be a much better change for you for sure.