Kit upgrade advice - d700 vs d7000

[4114effects]

Hi guys,

New to this forum - so hello! Hopefully this will be the first post of many.

Anyway, here's my question - would appreciate a little friendly advice.

I've been asked to photograph my friend's wedding (do I hear a collective groan from you all ... not this post again ...). I've photographed two weddings before in a similar manner, using a d90. The couples loved the pictures but it was a bit of a struggle technically from my point of view - especially in low-light situations. I was constantly manipulating the settings to get the best picture I could, which led to missing a few shots I would have liked. I felt like the camera was working against me at some points. Just so you know, I used a 105mm Nikon Micro, 18-55 f/2.8 Tamron and 50mm Nikon 1.8 as lenses. Church was the usual dim-light, no flash allowed scenario. Posed shots outside were less of a problem.

So we come to now - I've been thinking of upgrading my kit for a while and actually have some money to do so at the moment (around £1000 max). Do I take the plunge and go full frame - used d700 bodies seem to be very reasonable at the moment - around £600 with low shutter counts. This only leaves me £400 for lenses though, and the nikon pro 2.8 lenses seem to go around a grand ... unless anyone knows a decent third-party alternative? Is the jump to full frame worth me just using my prime lenses with a d700 at the moment and saving up for a decent wide/mid-zoom?

Or do I stick with DX and upgrade the body to a newer d7000/d7100 which leaves me a bit more money for lenses? I've been offered £300 for my d90 and 18-55 lens, so that would offset the cost of either option a little, but leave me without a mid-zoom lens.

MOD EDIT: DELETED

Apologies for the ramble, and thanks for any advice!

 

[Swanseajack]

Hi Dan and welcome.

If you went for the D700 you should also have enough to cover a Nikon 80-200mm f2.8 zoom but you have nothing then below 50mm which you would possibly need for group shots? I think a lot of wedding photographers use this length along with a 24-70mm, but with possibly the newer 70-200mm f2.8. You could also look at the Tamron 28-75mm f2.8 if you can squeeze into budget.

Another alternative is going just the prime route of 35mm 50mm & 85mm. The 85mm is excellent value at present with the Nikon cashback. The 35mm FF lens will possibly take you over budget, but not the DX one? Also, Im not sure on your 105 lens compared to the 85, but could you look to sell this to increase funds or do you do a lot of macro? I would of thought the 105mm maybe a little long on DX.

I suppose only you can answer this as to how much of a benefit is the D700 over the D7100 for your normal use, are weddings going to be something regular and low light use? If so, I would think the FF route would be better. Myself if going DX, I would get the D7100 over the D7000 after owning both, I thought the ISO was a little better but still not great, but the AF system was a lot better. Plus you have the 24mp for cropping.

Perhaps some experienced wedding togs will give better advice if they see the thread.

One thing springs to mind though, what is your backup camera? you should have one for weddings even if you hire one or borrow.