Body upgrade - Help me decide!

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bildo

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Name
Bill
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6 months have flown by since I first picked up a DSLR, but to say I'm hooked would be an understatement. I find I spend most of my spare time wanting to go out and shoot various things. I sold my BMW M3 yesterday so that I can downgrade to a diesel and be more sensible so I can do longer journeys mainly for photography but also to get away and do things I enjoy a lot more!

Here's my current equipment list:
Nikon D5100
18-55mm kit lens (I'll be selling this with the D5100)
16-85mm DX
35mm f1.8 prime
70-300 VR

I ordered a 70-200 f2.8 VRII today, it'll be coming Wednesday and I can't wait!

Now, I'm intending to upgrade the body, I'm happy with the D5100, it's a great starter camera but I feel like it's time to upgrade.

I have a fair few reasons, here's the first ones that come to mind:
Lack of buttons on the camera
1 memory card slot
Better picture quality could be achieved from an upgrade
1/4000 shutter speed max
4fps
Lack of internal motor leaving me a little restricted with lenses
Would really like a bigger viewfinder
Lack of focus points

I usually shoot motorsports, sports in general and fast moving things a lot. I also enjoy most other forms of photography, but none that really push the camera to it's limit as much.

I'm not entirely sure if I want to go full frame or not, I think I'd consider the idea but having got the 16-85 only a week ago I'd be a little sad to get rid of it right away.

Cameras that have sprung to mind so far are:
D7000
D7100
D700

I'd be open to considering others, just they're the most likely candidates from what I've seen.

I'd rather keep the budget at a maximum of about £800, I'd consider going a little higher if it was a great lens.
 
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Well, both the D7000 and the D7100 will give you most of what you want but don't expect image quality to be any better.

The D700 is great and offers most of what you want but only has 1 memory card slot (and it's CF) and you need to decide if FF is right for you.
 
Nawty said:
Well, both the D7000 and the D7100 will give you most of what you want but don't expect image quality to be any better.

The D700 is great and offers most of what you want but only has 1 memory card slot (and it's CF) and you need to decide if FF is right for you.
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I had heard that the quality was a little better with the D7100? If not, what are the advantages of the D7100 over the D7000? I have been hearing of focus point issues with the D7000, were these resolved over time?

I could live with changing to CF, but not entirely sure about FF yet. Part of the reason being that the crop sensor is helpful for photography, and saves me having to fork out the extra for a TC. Having got the 70-200 f2.8 and filters for it lately, to then get a new body, and THEN have to get a TC would be a bit overkill I think!
 
Bill this is the site I use and I think quite a few others do as well Dpreview.

Now along the top where it says Home Reviews etc go to cameras and in the drop down list go to the 4th one down "Side by side comparison" pick the cameras you want to compare, in your case 7000 and the 7100.

I'm in Basildon.
 
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bildo said:
I had heard that the quality was a little better with the D7100? If not, what are the advantages of the D7100 over the D7000? I have been hearing of focus point issues with the D7000, were these resolved over time?
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If you're photographing test charts in a studio then you may see a slight difference but in real life, there isn't one.

As for differences, the only reason I would get a D7100 over a D7000 would be for the better AF and, I believe, better weather sealing. It certainly wouldn't be for more MP.
 
Having 2x D7000 for me is great! I shoot lots of things but having a wide lens on one and a tele on the other is fab - especially with sports where you need a quick transition between wider and closer shots :)

Perhaps think about that.
 
AFC said:
Bill this is the site I use and I think quite a few others do as well Dpreview.

Now along the top where it says Home Reviews etc go to cameras and in the drop down list go to the 4th one down "Side by side comparison" pick the cameras you want to compare, in your case 7000 and the 7100.

I'm in Basildon.
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I appreciate that, seemed a little vague at points where it had missed out details and bits and bobs but was good overall.

Nice to see a local boy, I'm in Benfleet so just down the road! Serious lack of camera shops around here, wanted to go and get my 70-200 f2.8 tonight but couldn't find anywhere in Essex that stocked it! :(

Thanks for the link mate.

Nawty said:
If you're photographing test charts in a studio then you may see a slight difference but in real life, there isn't one.

As for differences, the only reason I would get a D7100 over a D7000 would be for the better AF and, I believe, better weather sealing. It certainly wouldn't be for more MP.
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Can't see weather sealing being a huge advantage as I normally get out of the rain if I can. Better AF definitely sounds tempting from a motorsport perspective. Seems a lot to be paying about £200+ more to get a few extra focal points though. Feel like there should be something really good about the D7100 I'm missing but I'm failing to see it!

Phil Young said:
Having 2x D7000 for me is great! I shoot lots of things but having a wide lens on one and a tele on the other is fab - especially with sports where you need a quick transition between wider and closer shots :)

Perhaps think about that.
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I could perhaps consider that in the near future, I definitely see where you're coming from but not quite into it enough to lug 2 cameras around spectators areas at the mo! If I was lucky enough to get trackside at some point I'd definitely be willing to consider it.

Glad you like the D7000 though, had you considered the D7100 at all?
 
I got my 1st lot of gear from CameraWorld in Chelmsford, but usually the top quality goods have to be ordered, unless you strike lucky and they do have one in stock.
 
Phil Young said:
Nope. Not at all.

Maybe if I had a D90 but I don't think it has much more to offer over the D7000 user.
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Been looking around and it looks as though most D7000 users agree with you, so that's looking increasingly tempting.

Can anyone tell me though, am I likely to get much improvement from a D7100 over a D7000 for motorsport use, what with the focus upgrades?

AFC said:
I got my 1st lot of gear from CameraWorld in Chelmsford, but usually the top quality goods have to be ordered, unless you strike lucky and they do have one in stock.
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I tried them today actually, for the lens. They offered me the f4 but I had my heart set on the 2.8 from day one. Said they've got it on backorder but I'm a little impatient and don't like not having a date for something I'm so excited for!

Thanks for the advice though. :thumbs:
 
I might add...

I work a lot with kickboxing, taking shots indoors at f1.4

My D7000 still gives me a good percentage of keepers and that's focusing A LOT closer than where you will be. If anything I'd need increased buffer over the AF which is good enough...but I'm not about to buy a D4 :)
 
Spent the entire evening reading reviews from people who've had both cameras and looking at comparisons. Whilst I definitely wouldn't have paid the release price, I decided to go with the D7100.

AF is so essential and that seems to be the main upgrade, so I figured I'd rather spend the money now rather than potentially do so later after I've already made a loss.

Phil, I appreciate your responses and your input, thank you very much. I hope you don't feel offended in any way, that's not my intention at all. I may well regret the decision but right now I'm hoping I've made the right one!
 
Phil Young said:
Lol I am not offended don't be silly :P

I think you'll love the D7100
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Thanks mate, I really hope so.

Since you've had more D7000's than most people it seems (I think I remember you selling one recently too?) Did you ever come across the autofocus issues I heard of? Hard to gauge just how common these things are on the grand scale of things.
 
bildo said:
Thanks mate, I really hope so.

Since you've had more D7000's than most people it seems (I think I remember you selling one recently too?) Did you ever come across the autofocus issues I heard of? Hard to gauge just how common these things are on the grand scale of things.
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I did. I've had 3 and had the problem in one of them. Ended up with a new one because of it.

Decided not to sell since I really need two bodies.
 
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