Archive 2020 · help with a new body

dgodwin
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · help with a new body

I've been kicking around with a D200 for quite a while (10+ years.) Lately I've been taking more photos in a courthouse (foster care adoptions) and the building is just too dark and the ISO performance of the D200 makes for a challenging environment. I've convinced the CFO (wife) that a new body would improve the photos immensely, and have been given the ok to purchase a new camera. We have a trip to New Orleans for Mardis Gras coming up and I would like to get one before the trip. I want to stay with Nikon as I'm invested in some older Sigma F mount lenses. (18-50 f2.8, 24-70 f2.8 (no hsm), 70-200 f2.8)

I was pretty sure I wanted to get a D750 and regret not bringing up the subject back in November when I knew they would be $999 on Black Friday. I've been doing some more reading and are considering the other cameras mentioned above. The video aspect is intriguing as I don't usually take any video other than on my iPhone but I know I would use it to record video of some local musicians I work with. If I go with the D750 (used) or D7500 (refurb) I would have more in the budget for some more glass (11-20mm if DX, 100 macro if FX likely) I don't really do a lot of sports so I don't think the difference the D500 is worth the extra cost compared to the D7500 in my case. What am I missing? The camera purchased will be in use for at least 10 years.

Jan 25, 2020 at 07:26 PM

steve807
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · help with a new body

Get a used D7200, beats the d7500 by a mile

Or live it up and get the D750 (and a few more FF lenses)

Jan 25, 2020 at 07:36 PM

Photozack81
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · help with a new body

FWIW (data point of one and all that) I owned a D750 and D500 at the same time. They were both excellent cameras. My mistake was shooting them side by side to compare them.

Most will agree that the D750 has one of the best sensors out there. I can't disagree.

The issue that arose was that I couldn't tell enough of a difference between the D750 files and the D500 files.

To my eyes and for my purposes, the images were essentially interchangeable. Yes, the D750 had nicer backgrounds for a given aperture, but other than that (noise level etc) I couldn't tell a difference and in several cases the D500 was better. At worst they were as I said, interchangeable.

I still own that D500. The AF and metering system make it worth it, plus the sensor is the best DX sensor they've ever made and it whips most of their FX sensors as well. I loved the D750, still do. Would not mind having another if I had the free cash. Maybe a D850 instead. There's something to be said about the FF "look" to an image, particularly portraits.

I can get pretty close using my 1.8 lens on my D500 though.

Jan 25, 2020 at 08:49 PM

AcuteShadows
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · help with a new body

If you're looking for low-light capability, a D800 will do. If you need low-light AF capability, a D750 is clearly better. I would not choose a DX camera, as a larger sensor will catch more light.

Jan 25, 2020 at 09:00 PM

mawz
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · help with a new body

Honestly, anything you get will be a massive improvement over the D200, because it was on the lower end of the biggest jump in capability we saw in the DX line (the D200 to D300 jump).

The D7500 and D750 will take some serious getting used to, as well the D750 just isn't really useful in DX mode. Both will have game-changing high ISO capability compared to the D200.

My suggestion however is a little off the wall.

Get a used D300s for next to nothing and replace some of your glass (specifically ditch the 18-50/2.8, which is an unexceptional lens and replace it with Sigma's 18-35/1.8). Alternatively get a D700 and ditch the 18-50 and 24-70 and get a more modern 24-70 as a replacement.

You're getting a couple stops better ISO at the top end, all your current batteries & cards work, the UI will be obvious. The D300 (and the newer D300s) was a sea change in capability over the D200.

Alternatively, I can't argue with the D800 suggestion, that's new batteries but cards & accessories will come over, it's another stop of performance at least over the D300 in DX mode (plus bumps up to 15MP) and the DX and 1.2x crop modes are very usable. You're going to think older Sigma zooms are kinda crap on the D800 though, of your lenses only the 70-200 will perform up to the D800's sensor.

I would not buy any DSLR today with the goal of keeping the body for 10 years. I'd recommend right now spending less on a body and expecting to get fewer years as a side effect.

Should note I shoot the D800 today and still have a D300.

Jan 25, 2020 at 10:47 PM

AcuteShadows
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · help with a new body

mawz wrote:
Honestly, anything you get will be a massive improvement over the D200, because it was on the lower end of the biggest jump in capability we saw in the DX line (the D200 to D300 jump).

The D7500 and D750 will take some serious getting used to, as well the D750 just isn't really useful in DX mode. Both will have game-changing high ISO capability compared to the D200.

My suggestion however is a little off the wall.

Get a used D300s for next to nothing and replace some of your glass (specifically ditch the 18-50/2.8, which is an unexceptional lens and replace...Show more →

I would concur with planning to keep a digital body for less than 10 years in active use. While the D800 is the best choice, in my view (as you have more possibilities of image sharpening even for lenses that lack contrast at the 36MP level), a D600 looks like a strong second best choice, maybe for 6 years. With a D800, you can add a sharp (used) F mount lens anytime, if you need the additional resolution.

Jan 26, 2020 at 09:12 AM

mawz
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · help with a new body

The only caveat with a D600 or D610 is that the handling is atrocious, especially if you are coming from a D200. The D600 simply has the worst grip design Nikon's released in recent memory and also has the limitations of the consumer UI vs the D200's Pro-style UI.

Don't buy a D600 unless you've handled one and are fine with the grip. For a D200 user, a D300 or D700 will feel identical in the hand and a D800 is only slightly different.

Jan 26, 2020 at 10:48 AM

ericbowles
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · help with a new body

I've got a number of Nikon cameras. I recently sold my D500 for $1000 because it was getting virtually no use for the past two years. It's a very good camera - the flagship for a crop sensor camera.

The D7500 and D7200 are the best comparisons with the D500 - and the D500 is miles ahead. The D500 is a pro level DX camera. It uses faster cards and can take advantage of that speed with a virtually unlimited burst at a very fast frame rate. It's got a great AF system - unmatched by the other DX cameras. Build quality it at the top. There are no issues with the camera if you want DX. You can buy the camera as a refurb, used, or on eBay as well as through dealers. I'd strongly consider the used route because there are some great deals.

The D7200 and D7500 are good alternatives if they are available at a reasonable price. Market value for a used D7200 is $500-600, and it's a reasonable alternative to the D7500. I have a D7200 with 5000 clicks listed on Nikonians.

Moving to FX is a usually big deal because of the lenses, but you already have FX lenses. FX by itself gives you 1.25 stops better low light performance, but a D750 or D780 will give you 3 full stops compared to your D200. There are some great deals on used D800's and D810's right now. The build quality is a little better and thye offer higher resolution than the D750. Other technology is probably slightly better on the D750. The D850 is a big step up. The D780 is a big step up. But of course, that step is expensive.

I'd take a good look at the D750 refurbs or used models. It's a very good camera and at $900-1000, is probably a good move. If you have been comfortable with a D200, you'll be very happy with the D750. It does not match the performance of the D500 in terms of focus for action, but it's solid for most situations and a little better in low light.

I think the D750 and D500 offer the longest life ahead for your price point of around $1000. Rather than looking at a 10 year future, I'd consider them for about 7-8 years. They have both been out a while, and used and refurbished models are available if you are patient. If you want a 10 year life, it will double your cost to $2000-2200.

The Z50 would be an interesting choice. It would not use your older lenses with AF, but it's a fantastic travel camera with very nice kit lenses. I think image quality is as good or better than any of the options you are considering. It's remarkably small and light. Pricing is $1000 with the kit lens, and $1200 or so if you add a second longer lens. With the FTZ you have great manual focus on any older lens that does not have an AF motor and compatibility. The FTZ is terrific and opens up a host of other lenses.

Jan 26, 2020 at 11:18 AM

GiantTristan
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · help with a new body

I had a D200 for many years and I took great pictures with Nikon 70-200/2.8 and 24-70/2.8. Since I was interested in WA, I switched to a D700 and a 14-24/2.8. I still believe the D700 is one of Nikon's best dslrs. If you can get a good used/refurbished copy this would be a very good solution for you. Since going to the high sensitivity D800 and D850, I changed to high performance Zeiss lenses. If you are going this route, you ought to upgrade your lenses. For a macro lens I can recommend the excellent Tokina 100/2.8.

Jan 26, 2020 at 11:29 AM

RexGig0
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · help with a new body

Depending upon the age of those Sigma lenses, some of them may require FW updates, from Sigma, or, may not be update-able. You may want to contact Sigma customer service, to see about this, before you base any camera-buying decisions upon being compatible with the lenses. Nikon’s AF system changed so much, in 2016, I would be especially concerned about older third-party lenses being OK with post-2015 cameras.

Even a D300/D300s would be a noticeable upgrade, over the D200, according to my wife, who used employer-issued D200, D300, and D300s cameras at work. It was a D300s that caused her to become a dedicated Nikon DSLR shooter. She still uses a personally-owned D300s, sometimes, by choice, even though she has a D850 and two D500 cameras.

My APS-C system was/is Canon, and my path with Nikon DSLRs was D700, D3s, and then the big leap to D5/D850, so I cannot offer experience-based advice on the D750 or D7500.

Jan 27, 2020 at 01:38 PM


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