£2000 budget what camera ?

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jameshobson

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Ok here is the facts, I am in my first year of university studying photography looking to upgrade my camera from a Nikon d70s to something a bit better !

I have a £2000 budget but with this I want to get a new body and a semi pro or pro lens either canon L series red ring or Nikon gold ring, I have a slight preference towards Nikon but nothing keeping me there I am selling all my current gear !

ATM I am thinking either a Nikon d7000 and nikkor 24-70 f2.8 or 16-35 F4

A Nikon d700 and a cheaper lens alternative

Or a canon 5d mark ii kit with L series 24-105 f4 lens

One final thing, nearly everything online suggests always upgrading lenses before bodies I am aware of this however my d70s I feel needs upgrading, I understand that the Nikon d700 and Canon 5d mark ii can not be compared to the d7000 because of fx v dx but the real advice I need is do I get a cheaper body (d7000) and invest in the best nikkor glass or have a pro body in the d700 and have cheapo glass the 5d mark ii seems to be a good deal with the 24-105 at just over my budget which can be stretched a little. But what your opinions guys ?

Thanks in advance for any replies I will let you guys know what I go for when I make my mind up.
 
Sorry I missed this out but just going to get this in here before someone else does, I will be using this camera and lens combo for a number of different projects I know that the lenses and bodies that I have suggested will be fine for what I need right now I am not specialising in landscape or anything so just mid range lenses are fine I.e. my 24-70 or 24-105 suggestion.
 
If your course includes studio work or you plan to use flashguns for creative shoots I'd be tending to keep the D70s as it is one of the best cameras (due to it's ability to flash sync up to 1/8000) for this kind of work. Personally I'd always buy decent glass before I spent money on a shiny new body....
 
Yer we are doing a studio projects ATM but we have to use the uni's 5d mark ii's also my d70s is only going back home to my dad so I am not getting rid of it completely :)
 
If you're effectively starting from scratch then buy whichever camera feels best to use, both will do the job. If going down the Nikon line how about a secondhand D700 body (£1200 or so) and say a 50mm f/1.4 and a 70-200 VRI (both secondhand), that little lot would be just over your budget but far better than buying cheap glass as something like a D700 or 5DII will really show up any deficiencies .
 
Flash In The Pan said:
If you're effectively starting from scratch then buy whichever camera feels best to use, both will do the job. If going down the Nikon line how about a secondhand D700 body (£1200 or so) and say a 50mm f/1.4 and a 70-200 VRI (both secondhand), that little lot would be just over your budget but far better than buying cheap glass as something like a D700 or 5DII will really show up any deficiencies .
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Our save a little more by getting the 80-200.
 
jameshobson said:
Sorry I missed this out but just going to get this in here before someone else does, I will be using this camera and lens combo for a number of different projects I know that the lenses and bodies that I have suggested will be fine for what I need right now I am not specialising in landscape or anything so just mid range lenses are fine I.e. my 24-70 or 24-105 suggestion.
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Are you saying that you will only need one mid-range zoom, James, because if so, you have the right budget for getting yourself a great condition D700 and 24-70mm f/2.8 combo. This would be a very high quality set up indeed :naughty: and would yield some very well-rendered images (if handled properly).

Also, quality never goes out of style and buying used, high quality gear is the best way that I've found to minimise the long term financial impact of 'hobbies' like photography. With the combo I've suggested, you get the benefit of supreme image quality and durability, as well as the chance to sell the lens on again for almost what you paid for it (used) and the body for a fair percentage of your outlay, too (depending on just how long you keep it for) :).

Should you decide that you want to have an additional zoom lens within in your budget, an interestnig (cheap) altenative to the Nikon 'Beast' (24-70mm) is the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8. It doesn't go as wide, but this wouldn't matter if the second lens that you purchased was a wide angle one :shrug:. The Tamron it is reckoned (by Internet 'experts' like me :lol:) to be about 90-95% as 'good' as the Nikon (from an IQ POV). Sigma also manufacture lenses in this focal rangle, but I don't own one, so I dare not offer any recommendation.

Anyway, there are many, many options with a budget like that. I wish you luck with making the right kit decision and with your course :thumbs:.
 
always buy the best lens ie 24-70 2.8 and go for the cheaper body d7000
as its the glass that makes the differance
 
Which every side of the fence you fall, personally I would look at going 2nd hand, you definitely get more for you $$$

Check out the forums, but also look at shops like, mifsuds, mpb photograph, ffordes, camtech and digital depot, all have decent 2nd hand selections and I can recommend most of them.

As for lens / camera combo, spend the most money on the lenses, a good lens will get you a better image on an average body v a top spec'd body and a %$£! lens
 
what uni are you going to? and what kit do they have most of in stores? for example, derby is almost solely Nikon lenses.
 
I'd say definitely get the D700 and and maybe get some primes (perhaps start with the 50/1.8 or 1.4) instead of a zoom.

I did just that and I'm glad I did as it means I do not have to budget for a body upgrade for ages.

If I had gone for a consumer body like a D7000 or a cheaper pro body like a D300s then I'd no doubt be hankering after the D700 to this day.
 
Get a D700 or D300 - both have plenty of external controls which the D7000 lacks and I feel this is important. 24-70 is great, but I would also play with a couple of primes too - depending on what you shoot something like 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, 85mm
 
holty said:
always buy the best lens ie 24-70 2.8 and go for the cheaper body d7000
as its the glass that makes the differance
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The 24-70 will act like a 35-105 on the cropped D7000 sensor which is a kind of "awkward" range as it's not really "wide" at the wide end.

The 17-55 is probably a better bet for crop while retaining the pro quality of the 24-70
 
If it were me,
Used D700, Nik 24-70. Then start saving for the siggy 70-200 OS.

The other reasonable option is the d300s, plus Nik 17-55 and the siggy.

Or you could just get the tammy 28-75 and the Nik 70-300 and give to the bazep charity...
 
If you are considering second hand and \ or want some more money for lenses \ flash \ umbrellas etc you could consider a Canon 5D Classic, around £600. Or you could even get a spare body (two 5ds, 1 5d + 1Dmkii, 5d + 40\50d etc).
 
You can't go wrong with a 1D MKII (my MKIIn still going strong, even my 20D is giving as good as it gets), but depends if you want a 1.3x crop or full frame
 
boliston said:
The 24-70 will act like a 35-105 on the cropped D7000 sensor which is a kind of "awkward" range as it's not really "wide" at the wide end.

The 17-55 is probably a better bet for crop while retaining the pro quality of the 24-70
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Not for me - 24-70 is perfect, 17-55 was too wide.
 
boliston said:
Well I guess you are fine as long as you don't ever upgrade to a D700 as the 24-70 will then act like a 16-46 ;)
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...err, It'll be a 24-70 on FX....

If I went crop, I certainly wouldn't go with a 24-70, it'll only end up being an inconvenience when you decide that you want a wider FOV and that a 17-55 (or similar) would have suited you better.

I'd deffo get one prime, be it a 35mm or 50mm f/1.8 on crop, or if you go FX, 50mm or an 85mm. Something that'll give you the ability to go razor-thin on the DoF, which seems to e a right of passage for most people these days.

If you want a long zoom (i.e. 70/80-200) either go for the slower versions to save money (Canon f/4 70-200mm) or if it's Nikon you opt for, go for an 80-200mm AF-D.

Whether you buy new or used is up to your feelings towards saving several hundred points over RRP by buying used, or getting a warranty that will probably see you through the majority of your course. Personally, I'd buy used, get more for my budget and worry about any problems as and when they arise. Get insurance too.

itsDavedotnet has raised a brilliant point - if the university has a collection of gear, you could buy into that system so you can borrow additional lenses - might mean you can spend a bit more now on quality body and lens. However, this isn't essential, it's just a convenient advantage and ultimately, you may feel more comfortable using the bodies of another manufacturer due to some factor or another.
 
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Thanks to everyone that has helped me out at the uni they use 5d mark ii's but only have a few lenses I could consider canon for this but ATM I leaning towards a d700 with a 50mm 1.8 or 1.4 then after a while develop my kit once I have found my feet a bit better and know what I want to shoot ! Thanks again for all getting involved :)
 
jameshobson said:
Thanks to everyone that has helped me out at the uni they use 5d mark ii's but only have a few lenses I could consider canon for this but ATM I leaning towards a d700 with a 50mm 1.8 or 1.4 then after a while develop my kit once I have found my feet a bit better and know what I want to shoot ! Thanks again for all getting involved :)
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The 5D2 is a good multi-use camera (i.e to shoot still AND video) but the D700 is a vastly superior camera in terms of how it handle and how it suits a variety of shooting techniques. On the AF alone the D700 would be my choice...

I wouldn't limit myself to a prime though, no matter what it was. A zoom will help you learn more. Even if it's something like a Sigma 24-70 or a Tamron 28-70 (for FX) it'll be a better all-round lens.
 
If I get a d700 tho and put a tamron 28-70 on it am I not just putting cheap glass in front of a pro body ?
 
jameshobson said:
If I get a d700 tho and put a tamron 28-70 on it am I not just putting cheap glass in front of a pro body ?
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I don't think they do a 28-70.

I have looked at their website and the only FX midrange zoom is a 28-75.

It's a constant f/2.8 so could be worth considering if you want a zoom, but I'd prefer to invest in quality primes :cool:
 
Nice that people are saying "Nikon 24-70 f2.8" but dont forget about taking into consideration Nikons other beastie the "28-70 f2.8" which is a fair bit cheaper than the Nikon 24-70 - if you can get one (near on rarer than rocking horse 5h17)...

Trev for where art thou :p
 
Trig's said:
Nice that people are saying "Nikon 24-70 f2.8" but dont forget about taking into consideration Nikons other beastie the "28-70 f2.8" which is a fair bit cheaper than the Nikon 24-70 - if you can get one (near on rarer than rocking horse 5h17)...

Trev for where art thou :p
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The 28-70 looks like it has a better build quality than the newer 24-70. Nikon have been cutting costs by removing the aperture ring on the newer lens :(.
 
Yes sorry meant the tamron 28-75 2.8 but still the same situation people say spend more on a lens than body and buying this lens would be like 1/3 of the price of the d700 :/
 
jameshobson said:
Yes sorry meant the tamron 28-75 2.8 but still the same situation people say spend more on a lens than body and buying this lens would be like 1/3 of the price of the d700 :/
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Well I spent £225 on my lens (28/2.8) and £1850 on the D700 (8x the cost of the lens) and it does not seem to have done me any harm :D
 
boliston said:
Well I spent £225 on my lens (28/2.8) and £1850 on the D700 (8x the cost of the lens) and it does not seem to have done me any harm :D
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This.

"They" say to spend more on the lens, but if you're in D700 territory that gets quite difficult; even the gold standard 24-70 costs hundreds less than the body.

Let's face it, you can whack on a hundred quid 50mm and get great results. The advantage of spending money on lenses is that in theory they will hold their value better than digi bodies.

To answer your question more broadly, just get a D700 from HDEW and you've got enough left over for a 24 or 50 AF (or both if you buy used off here) that should get you started nicely.
 
specialman said:
The 5D2 is a good multi-use camera (i.e to shoot still AND video) but the D700 is a vastly superior camera in terms of how it handle and how it suits a variety of shooting techniques. On the AF alone the D700 would be my choice...
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Very similar cameras imo, and while the AF on the 5d does suck a bit... I wouldn't call the d700 superior.

jameshobson said:
Thanks to everyone that has helped me out at the uni they use 5d mark ii's but only have a few lenses I could consider canon for this but ATM I leaning towards a d700 with a 50mm 1.8 or 1.4 then after a while develop my kit once I have found my feet a bit better and know what I want to shoot ! Thanks again for all getting involved :)
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Very good plan. You'll realise quite quickly what you need.
 
itsdavedotnet said:
Very similar cameras imo, and while the AF on the 5d does suck a bit... I wouldn't call the d700 superior.

Very good plan. You'll realise quite quickly what you need.
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Dave, Pat said superior in how it handles, and that is unquestionable.
 
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