Considering Upgrade

[romanpaolo]

Hey guys,

This is actually my first post on DPS. I've been reading a bunch of the articles and usually point to this site whenever I need questions answered. I'm reading around on a bunch of posts about similar things but I need a few more specifics.

My current gear:

• Nikon D40
• 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S (kit lens)
• 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S(D90 kit lens)
• 35mm f/1.8G AF-S
• 24mm f/2.8 AF
• SB-600 Flash

A few of my projects:

• 365 Project/Self-Portrait Blog
• Ohnoimlateforschool (Local music blog)
• MM Gallery (Just an archive of selections)

My ideal future setup:

• D700/D7000
• 50mm f/1.8G
• 24mm f/1.4G
• 24-70mm f/2.8
• SB-700/900

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I do mostly music. I don't (or at least haven't yet) turned a profit from this type of work but that isn't what I'm after.

The reasons for upgrade are these:

• Significant difference in higher ISO performance
• 1080p Video (D7000)
• Lens compatibility
• Faster frame rate (6-8fps over 2.5fps)
• FX (D700)

These are the main ones at least.

Performance-wise, the D7000 will pretty much outdo the D700. Lighter, faster, AND has video.

Obviously, the difference between cameras in price is the equivalent of a new lens or underwater casing for the D7000 so I'm pretty set on my decision between the two but justifying it from the D40, surprisingly, is pretty difficult.

The ONLY addition that would give my photography a new dimension would be something like an Orbis ring flash or a Gary Fong diffuser for places I can't bounce flash very well.

I'm fine where I am but for the future, what can justify the upgrade?

Thanks in advance.

[Almond.Butterscotch]

don't do the upgrade en masse; do it in pieces.

for example, since the 50 f/1.8 won't AF on the D40, why not invest in the 24-70, 24mm, or a 50mm f/1.4 first and build up to the rest?

[romanpaolo]

There's another option to go with a D3100 as a small upgrade to video and some type of wide angle lens maybe?

I had a 10-24mm ultra wide and I loved it but never had any real use for it until now.

[OsmosisStudios]

I wouldn't normally do upgrades en masse, but given your gear, I'd suggest it. I don't know if I'd suggest what you have listed, but that's just me.

If you have a 24-70 f/2.8, why get the 24/1.4? or the 50/1.4? I'd go 35/1.4 and 85/1.4 instead, especially if you're going to be going FX.

Don't go FX. Sounds counter productive, but seriously, unless you're swimming in money and making enough to cover your outlay from the photos, then there's no real reason to go FX. The D7000 doesnt extremely well at higher ISO and, with the 16mp, can be down-res-ed to 12mp to reduce noise further.

As for flashes: I don't know if I'd recommend a flash upgrade, unless A) you were doing off-camera work and B) you bounce your lights a LOT. If you don't have both, then I wouldnt bother.

[romanpaolo]

I think I might just grab an Orbis ring flash and an SC-28. It'll put more use to my SB-600 and most of my lenses are wide enough to handle the type of photography I want to keep doing.

As far as the body goes, the D7000 will be the body of choice but that can come in a few months when I have the spare cash.

If I'm going to upgrade, adding video to the same camera (D40 -> D3100) won't be a game changer for me.

FX is a luxury and the D700 doesn't have HD video or video to begin with.

As for choice in lenses, I want a fast, wide lens and a mid-range zoom. The 35mm handles the fast part but isn't nearly as wide as I'd like it to be.

The 24-70mm f/2.8 is the perfect lens for low-light situations.

[Almond.Butterscotch]

Also, there is no 50mm f/1.8G. There's a 1.4G and a 1.8D.