Posted by Kayla Skillin on October 27, 2016 at 10:25 AM
Hi everyone,
I am fairly new to photography, been seriously shooting, taking classes, and trying to improve for about a year now. But, I am starting to think it might be time to upgrade my camera. I shoot with a Nikon D3200 and my go-to lens is my Nikkor 18.0-300.0 mm f/3.5-6.3.
My real question is - should I upgrade to a better camera and still stick with a crop-sensor - say a D7200 or should I "go big or go home" and go to the D750 full frame? My favorite type of photography is landscape and long-exposure - but I also very much like taking photos of my young nieces and nephews (in candid settings, not so much studio setting portraiture) and have been dabbling in macro.
I have already gotten some differing opinions from the camera club members and workshop instructors but I would love to hear some more input if anyone has any!
Thanks in advance :)
Posted by John Neukirch on October 27, 2016 at 1:50 PM
Hi Kayla,
Always fun thinking about new gear, you didn't say if you're also planning to upgrade some lenses also. A full frame body has some real advantages especially for landscape photography however unless you are planning to acquire some FX glass moving to full frame doesn't make much sense, in my opinion. Not knowing how much you are comfortable budgeting it can start running into some pretty serious money. I've been using a D750 for a couple of years and it's a fantastic camera but I won't use any DX lenses on it. Just my two cents worth!
Posted by scott lanz on October 27, 2016 at 1:55 PM
Kayla, I came from film, so when I went to digital, it was more natural to go straight to full frame, which I did with the 700. I still think full frame is better for landscape work. You can always crop for a narrower field of view, or use the camera in a crop format, but not vice versa. I've never used a 750, but I believe it is a superb camera. Right now (until 10/29), there is a $200 instant Nikon rebate on the 750, and a $800 rebate on the 750 plus the 24-120, which is a fine all around zoom lens. Certainly worth considering if you are looking to upgrade.
Posted by Bill Chambers on October 27, 2016 at 3:14 PM
I'm a landscapist and therefore I would recommend a full frame. I'm not that familiar with the D750 but I'm sure you would be pleased with it. I started in digital photography with Nikon D2x (crop sensor) and only recently moved to the D810 and the difference between crop and full frame is large. John brought a very salient point, go full frame and you'll also need full frame glass.
I too would suggest going full frame if you can afford it. As has been said, though, you will need to invest in FX glass, which can be pricey. By all accounts the D750 is a fine camera.
Now, if you need to stay with the DX glass you already have due to budget constraints, the D-7200 is a fine camera. I have the 7100, and like it a lot. The 7200 has some worthy additions/improvements over the 7100, so it would be a solid purchase.
--P
I will offer a somewhat dissenting opinion. If, owing to budgetary or other reasons, you are not willing to invest in full-frame lenses and wish to keep your current lenses, then go for the top of the line APS-C camera in your system. On the other hand, if you are willing to make a serious investment in full-frame lenses, then I would suggest that you forget DSLR's altogether and go for a mirrorless system. DSLR's are carryovers from the days before microelectronics, and some of the classic 35mm SLR's are masterpieces of engineering. But that includes engineering solutions and components that are simply not needed if you are using an electronic sensor. Among some of the great things of mirrorless cameras are: superb live-view capabilities (I seldom use the viewfinder anymore) with excellent focus-peaking functions (your interest in macro comes to mind), the option to use just about any manual focus lens ever made (the best way to do macro and, in my view, landscape as well), no mirror-induced vibrations that can mess up shots under some conditions, small size, outstanding image quality (especially the full-frame sensors, but some APS-C sensors are not far behind) , some mirrorless cameras allow you to see in real time the progress of a long exposure shot, allowing you to decide when to stop it. I could keep going. You can see some of my thoughts on the matter here
Discussion
5 repliesI am fairly new to photography, been seriously shooting, taking classes, and trying to improve for about a year now. But, I am starting to think it might be time to upgrade my camera. I shoot with a Nikon D3200 and my go-to lens is my Nikkor 18.0-300.0 mm f/3.5-6.3.
My real question is - should I upgrade to a better camera and still stick with a crop-sensor - say a D7200 or should I "go big or go home" and go to the D750 full frame? My favorite type of photography is landscape and long-exposure - but I also very much like taking photos of my young nieces and nephews (in candid settings, not so much studio setting portraiture) and have been dabbling in macro.
I have already gotten some differing opinions from the camera club members and workshop instructors but I would love to hear some more input if anyone has any!
Thanks in advance :)
Always fun thinking about new gear, you didn't say if you're also planning to upgrade some lenses also. A full frame body has some real advantages especially for landscape photography however unless you are planning to acquire some FX glass moving to full frame doesn't make much sense, in my opinion. Not knowing how much you are comfortable budgeting it can start running into some pretty serious money. I've been using a D750 for a couple of years and it's a fantastic camera but I won't use any DX lenses on it. Just my two cents worth!
Now, if you need to stay with the DX glass you already have due to budget constraints, the D-7200 is a fine camera. I have the 7100, and like it a lot. The 7200 has some worthy additions/improvements over the 7100, so it would be a solid purchase.
--P
I will offer a somewhat dissenting opinion. If, owing to budgetary or other reasons, you are not willing to invest in full-frame lenses and wish to keep your current lenses, then go for the top of the line APS-C camera in your system. On the other hand, if you are willing to make a serious investment in full-frame lenses, then I would suggest that you forget DSLR's altogether and go for a mirrorless system. DSLR's are carryovers from the days before microelectronics, and some of the classic 35mm SLR's are masterpieces of engineering. But that includes engineering solutions and components that are simply not needed if you are using an electronic sensor. Among some of the great things of mirrorless cameras are: superb live-view capabilities (I seldom use the viewfinder anymore) with excellent focus-peaking functions (your interest in macro comes to mind), the option to use just about any manual focus lens ever made (the best way to do macro and, in my view, landscape as well), no mirror-induced vibrations that can mess up shots under some conditions, small size, outstanding image quality (especially the full-frame sensors, but some APS-C sensors are not far behind) , some mirrorless cameras allow you to see in real time the progress of a long exposure shot, allowing you to decide when to stop it. I could keep going. You can see some of my thoughts on the matter here
I hope this is of some help.
Best,
Alberto