I need some help and advices

[npadron]

I'm new to the forum and I find very all the comments very useful therefore I want to ask for some recommendations.

I've been shooting Nikon for 2 years with my amateur camera. d5000. Although it's one of the smallest one it has allow me to learn, practice and make an extra income while I take care of my two year old. I've done a couple of weddings, fifteens, babies, newborn. family etc.

Believe it of not i've survived without a backup and with the camera kit and the 18-55 and 80-200. Now things are getting more serious because I know i need a back up body plus my camera is not a professional nor are my lenses.

I have about 4000 dollars to do some upgrades.

First I need a body (I initially was thinking on the d300s, but i read that d7000 is better and of course the d700 will be ideal because of the low light capabilities and its a full frame, but Im thinking that if I get that one will not have enough for the glass. Also i need to get another flash (i have the sb-600, so i will need the sb-800 to do some light set up at location) I don't know if i need a transmitter since some cameras has it built in, i know my d5000 doesn't.

At the same time I've heard that the 300s and 700 will be discontinued and the new bodies are not for sale until summer. So i don't know if it will be worth the wait (if there is a lot of difference)

Can I get some recommendations on what Nikon combination (body and lens) should I get that will meet the purpose and that will stay on my budget. (I definetly need a wide lens) cuz I'm thinking I can still use my 55-200 on my d5000 to get closer to subjects.

I'm open to use Sigma or any other brand. (if price doesnt compromise quality)
Also please list my options by priority.

Thanks

Nily

[dakwegmo]

Other than the fact that your current gear doesn't bear the Nikon "Professional" stamp, why do you want to upgrade? The reason I ask is that the best way to determine what your next purchase should be is to determine where your current gear is failing you then figure out what purchases will help solve those problems. What do you see are your biggest needs or shortcomings when it comes to your gear, and what are your priorities with purchases?

[inkista]

This is just me, but I'd say, to tide you over until the newer cameras come out, consider getting a used D200 or D300 as a body. Or bite the bullet and go with the D7000. Or consider renting a body specifically for shoots until the newer cameras arrive. That way you could try out both the D7000 and the D300s before purchasing anything.

In terms of glass, most pro wedding shooters go with the 24-70/2.8 and a 70-200/2.8 on a full frame, and then supplement with fast primes.

On a crop, the equivalent of a 24-70/28 is usually a 17-55/2.8 or in that range. The Tamron 17-50/2.8 has a decent reputation, but you're liable to be happier with the Nikkor in terms of image quality. I'd also recommend looking into the new AF-S 85mm f/1.8, and possibly pairing that with an AF-S 35/1.8. They won't break the bank, and they're awesome portrait focal lengths on crop.

[TheMoons678]

Used prices are going down on D700 and d300 with the soon release of the d800.

I went from D90 to D200, but disliked the ISO performance of the D200 compared to the D90, and eventually went back to the D90 until recently I got the D7000.

D7000 is great, go for about $1000-1100 for the body, and I'm seeing D700 bodies sell for $1800 if you need the full frame.

I'd go with D7000 over D300, it will hold its value until you feel you need the FX.

Which 80-200mm do you have? Push pull AF? Two ring? AFS? If its doing well for you, you may just wanna upgrade the kit lens to a 17-50 2.8 or 24-70mm 2.8, and get a sb910. I'm a fan of upgrading one piece of equipment at a time, upgrades being dictated by where you feel limited, not by what the pros are using.