Beginner Advice please to upgrade my D40!

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benfolds

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Big birthday coming up and friends and family are being generous... What would you experts recommend as the next best upgrade?
Lenses wise, I have a 50mm prime and a zoom. I really want to shoot indoor groups but the 50mm isn't the one for the job and the camera can't cope with low light. So recommendations for the ideal lens for indoor groups would be appreciated too, thanks.
 
Depending on your budget, maybe a d7100 and 35mm f1.8 prime.
 
Give us an idea on budget etc, and we can go from there
 
I agree with Sep9001.

The D7xxx range are probably what you should be considering. The D7200 would have pushed down the prices of the 7100 with little difference between the two.

You'll also find the D series lenses will auto focus on those bodies as well so if AF is something you like/need, you'll be opening up a range of lenses for yourself.

You could look at a 28mm D (or G), and the 35mm as well.
 
benfolds said:
Big birthday coming up and friends and family are being generous... What would you experts recommend as the next best upgrade?
Lenses wise, I have a 50mm prime and a zoom. I really want to shoot indoor groups but the 50mm isn't the one for the job and the camera can't cope with low light. So recommendations for the ideal lens for indoor groups would be appreciated too, thanks.
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If you are going for a wide-ish lens with a large aperture a 20mm f1.8 (if there's one that will fit your camera) may be your widest field of view and widest aperture choice. f1.8 may not be ideal for group shots though depending upon distance to the subjects and required depth of field.
 
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What about a used D700? It's still a very good camera indeed, with excellent low light performance, and you can pick from a range of lenses up to about 50mm, depending on the size of the groups and the space available, without having to take the crop factor into consideration.
 
If you love your D40.. then you'll love any of the D3100, D3200, D3300 cameras also. :)
 
MartynK said:
What about a used D700? It's still a very good camera indeed, with excellent low light performance, and you can pick from a range of lenses up to about 50mm, depending on the size of the groups and the space available, without having to take the crop factor into consideration.
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That's a good shout, the 50mm on the FF body will probably be a more useful field of view too.
 
D700s are about £500, best I've seen just now is £430 body only
 
Thanks for the fantastic replies. I think I'll look for a used body and try and get the 35mm lens. To begin with...
 
benfolds said:
Thanks for the fantastic replies. I think I'll look for a used body and try and get the 35mm lens. To begin with...
Click to expand...
Look out for shutter actuations.
I saw a D700 for about £500, from a wedding photographer, with 198000 actuations. It's probably rated for 250000 but that is a lot of use.
 
Interesting point, Kendo, do you ultimately think it's worth going for a new camera rather than used?
 
Bear in mind the 35mm f/1.8 isn't designed for full frame bodies. It will work, but you'll be in crop mode.
 
I use both. I've had no problems with second hand cameras or with new ones.
Most cameras are looked after by the owners, sometimes they are used more often.
 
If you are looking at used, what about a D90?

...and D40 is a crop! :)
 
There are loads of options.
A used D90 is a very capable camera. So is the D700, old but very good and requires full frame lenses to make the most of it.
If you were happy with the D40 I see no need to go beyond cropped sensor.
A more modern camera in the same amateur bracket would be the D3000 or D5000 series. Used ones are available, but you could get a new 24MP with lens for £389
http://www.digitalrev.com/product/nikon-d5300-with-18-55mm/MTEwMjkxMA_A_A

I have a D5200 among my collection :) and it is very good. Not professional, but I don't need that.
 
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