Need some advice for camera and/or lenses, please?

[renato88]

Am new here and I hope to get some answers.......let's go:
I am interested to learn more about wedding photography. I registered for a 10-week course so I will get some hands-on practice. I already read a lot in books and on the net. So for now I have a Nikon D80. (I was just reading that article/forum about how a camera makes you a pro or not......and I think too, a good photographer is good with a point and shoot or an expensive D3, whatever. )
I don't have the lenses that are required for weddings like 24-70 and 80-200mm (both f/2.8) , so my question is; I also would like to upgrade my camera for a D300 or a D7000. What would i do first. I know glass is more important than the body, but how is the ISO for the D300 and D7000 compared to D80? Do I get better results with one of those DX lenses? Or do I go for another camera and in that case; D300 or D7000?

[zona5101]

hi and welcome,
good fast glass will reduce the need for uber-high iso. Also camera bodys change pretty regularly where glass doesn't. And when it comes to image quality the glass is really doing most of the heavy lifting. You may also want to budget for a good speedlight.

[OsmosisStudios]

You're going to need both faster lenses (like those mentioned) AND better ISO level results. The D80 is nice, but for high-iso, it isn't the best.

You'll want the D7000, or better yet, the D700

[renato88]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

You're going to need both faster lenses (like those mentioned) AND better ISO level results. The D80 is nice, but for high-iso, it isn't the best.

You'll want the D7000, or better yet, the D700

I know...big price difference, but great cameras.
Am afraid that going from D80 to D700 is a huge step. In $$ as well. Also the FX lenses I would need :-(

Probably get a AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8 G ED first, not sure either D300 or D7000 as next step.

[OsmosisStudios]

The D7000 will perform better at high ISOs than the D300, by about a stop and a half.

[renato88]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

The D7000 will perform better at high ISOs than the D300, by about a stop and a half.

I guess a No-Brainer!