Nikon body upgrade

[ManFromDelmonte]

Hello,

I currently have a Nikon D5100 and am looking to upgrade. The primary reasons are - lack of external controls, low-light performance and the fact I find it a bit small.

I am currently looking at the D7100, D600 and D610. My biggest concern with the full frame bodies is the spread of the focus points throughout across the frame (or lack of it), but I'm not convinced if this is valid or not.

Current lenses are:

Nikkor 70-300 VR
Nikkor 35mm 1.8 DX
Nikkor 10-24mm DX

If I went down the FX route, the 35mm and the 10-24mm would be sold and I would likely replace them with the 50mm 1.8 and 85mm 1.8. I might eventually add a wide too (16-35 or 18-35) but I only generally use the 10-24mm on holiday and would get by by renting something in the meantime.

Has anyone faced a similar dilema or does anyone have any thoughts on any of the bodies I mention?

Thanks,

TMFD

[chrisj_abz]

wouldnt go for a D600, great camera but the historic oil/dust issue means that you'll be forever getting it cleaned and spending time cloning out spots..

[Gad-Westy]

chrisj_abz said:

wouldnt go for a D600, great camera but the historic oil/dust issue means that you'll be forever getting it cleaned and spending time cloning out spots..

Its less of a worry than it was a few weeks ago as Nikon will now address this FOC whether the camera is in warranty or you are original owner or not. That pushed the balance for me and I went ahead and bought one. I spoke to Nikon to confirm that they would sort the camera if I had any issues. I understand that after 2 sensor cleans they will replace the shutter mechanism. For what its worth, the sensor on mine is spotless after around 2.5k shots.

To answer the question, the D7100 is the sensible choice but don't expect miracles in the high iso stakes because your 5100 is really pretty good in that area.

If you do go full frame, either of the D6's are lovely things to use. I was concerned about the central focus points but I'm not finding it such a big deal now that I have my hands on one. Full frame camera have never been great for spread of sensors so I'm kind of used to it a little. IQ is incredible. I really am blown away by it.

I have a fairly budget line up of lenses to cover the bases. 28mm 2.8 ais (lovely lens that cost me buttons), 50mm 1.4g (a 1.8g is arguably better) and the 70-300 vr. I sometimes would like something wider but all three of those lenses can produce the goods and cost me less than £600.

I could probably rattle on for a while but if you want to know anything specific, fire away.

[Jon1967x]

D7000? From the reviews I've read the D7100 isn't a massive leap ahead and I've been perfectly happy with mine. Low light is ok especially with a f1.8 50mm lens that its usable most of the time without flash

Edited by Jon1967x on Wednesday 13th August 19:06

[Ari]

Gad-Westy said:

Its less of a worry than it was a few weeks ago as Nikon will now address this FOC whether the camera is in warranty or you are original owner or not. That pushed the balance for me and I went ahead and bought one. I spoke to Nikon to confirm that they would sort the camera if I had any issues. I understand that after 2 sensor cleans they will replace the shutter mechanism. For what its worth, the sensor on mine is spotless after around 2.5k shots.

To answer the question, the D7100 is the sensible choice but don't expect miracles in the high iso stakes because your 5100 is really pretty good in that area.

If you do go full frame, either of the D6's are lovely things to use. I was concerned about the central focus points but I'm not finding it such a big deal now that I have my hands on one. Full frame camera have never been great for spread of sensors so I'm kind of used to it a little. IQ is incredible. I really am blown away by it.

I have a fairly budget line up of lenses to cover the bases. 28mm 2.8 ais (lovely lens that cost me buttons), 50mm 1.4g (a 1.8g is arguably better) and the 70-300 vr. I sometimes would like something wider but all three of those lenses can produce the goods and cost me less than £600.

I could probably rattle on for a while but if you want to know anything specific, fire away.

I would echo all of this, but add that I'm up to 36,000 actuations on my D600 and have had the sensor cleaned once (which, to be honest is probably pretty normal for any camera after that amount of use, I change lenses quite often too).

Also, I upgraded from a D7000 which is a fantastic camera, but I feel it has been a worthwhile upgrade.

Regarding the focus points, that was my main concern too, but in practice it has never been an issue.

For me, the D600's combination of size (smallest lightest full frame I believe) and price combined with phenomenal quality shots meant it was the obvious choice.

[ManFromDelmonte]

Thanks all.

I think FF is the way I will go. As Kai Wong said, if you're deliberating now about whether to go FF or not, you might as well go for it, otherwise you'll just be wondering the same thing next time you come to upgrade your body and the time after that etc.

The choice between D600 and D610 will probably come down to price and availability when I come to upgrade.