Upgrade question

[cshgeorge]

I am considering upgrading from a Nikon D40x to either D300s or D700 - or even maybe a D90. I am concerned about the lens that I already have - would they be usable on any of these other bodies? If so, should I just buy the body and then start buying other lens? I have an 18-55 (non-VR); 70-200 VR; and a 50 mm prime lens plus a SB600 flash. I just don't know what to do. I want to start moving into wedding photography, and children's portraits. Got any suggestions?

[dcclark]

Yes, all of your lenses will work on the newer Nikons. Your D40x is the most "restrictive" as far as lenses -- it can only use certain ones. The others will happily use ones that work on the D40x, as well as many others.

The D300s is nice, but much heavier and more complex than the D40. The D70 is long discontinued -- nothing wrong with that, but you'll get some nice features on a newer camera like the D90, which is about as heavy and has some nicer things.

[Almond.Butterscotch]

The D700 will "work" with the 18-55, but it'll crop down to 5mp or so. It's a DX lens and it's not made for the full-frame sensor of the D700. The 50 f/1.8 and 70-200 f/2.8 will work perfectly with the D300, D90, and D700. Only difference is the effective focal length will be shorter on the D700 than the 40x/90/300 (again, because of the full frame factor).

[dcclark]

Ah, the OP edited -- he meant the D700. Yes, the D700's full frame sensor will work -- but not ideally -- with DX lenses. I don't know which 70-200 and 50mm you have, but if they're DX, you may want to consider investing in more full-frame lenses. Alternately, go with the D300. It's a great camera, and unless you really need the full-frame sensor or a few extra features, it may not be that big of an upgrade from the D300 for your situation.

[cshgeorge]

So are you saying that my lens would work with a D90? If so, would that be a good upgrade from a D40x?

[dcclark]

Originally Posted by cshgeorge

So are you saying that my lens would work with a D90? If so, would that be a good upgrade from a D40x?

I don't mean to be too snarky here, but:

Originally Posted by dcclark

Yes, all of your lenses will work on the newer Nikons.

Yes, ALL of your lenses will work on the newer Nikons. That means the D90, and all others you mentioned.

What is a "good" upgrade? Depends. What do you need it for? How serious are you about wedding photography? The D90 is high-end consumer ("prosumer"), the D300 and D700 are pro-level. They'll give you more features, but also more complexity and more weight.

[Almond.Butterscotch]

Originally Posted by cshgeorge

So are you saying that my lens would work with a D90?

"work" and "work well" are two different things. Every lens Nikon has made for an SLR system since 1959 will fit on any SLR Nikon has made since 1959. Whether or not it meters (tells the camera what the proper exposure should be), whether or not it autofocuses, whether or not it can electronically set aperture- that depends on the lens.

Originally Posted by cshgeorge

If so, would that be a good upgrade from a D40x?

What do you need? Faster FPS? More durability? Better High ISO performance? Weather sealing? Use with AF lenses? How you answer changes the answer. If you don't know why you want a new body, you don't need one.

Originally Posted by dcclark

I don't know which 70-200 and 50mm you have, but if they're DX, you may want to consider investing in more full-frame lenses.

There's a DX 50 and/or 70-200?

[dcclark]

Originally Posted by Almond.Butterscotch

There's a DX 50 and/or 70-200?

I'll admit that I didn't go look each up individually, but there are multiple 70-200's and 50mm's, and I recall at least some of them being DX -- especially the newer, cheaper models.

[Almond.Butterscotch]

i don't think there's ever been a 50mm DX (nor do I think there ever will be- they have the 50 1.8 for under 100 already and the 35 1.8 for 200), and a quick google search didn't yield a 70-200DX- I'd be surprised on that one as well considering what its used for / who uses it

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by dcclark

I'll admit that I didn't go look each up individually, but there are multiple 70-200's and 50mm's, and I recall at least some of them being DX -- especially the newer, cheaper models.

Nope: All FX