Nikon Upgrade Path

[DeanoH]

Well, after another years holiday I again look at our camera gear and the photo's taken and assess how the results can be improved (or in other words an excuse to upgrade) .

Our current 'stable' is my D70 coupled to IMO a very nice AF-S 18-70mm f3.5 - 4.5G ED DX short zoom plus SWMBO's D90 coupled to (what used to be mine :() an AF-S 18-200mm f3.5-5.6 G ED DX VR lens and SWMBO's old D80 (30K+ actuations) coupled to a AF VR 80-400mm f4.5-5.6D ED (non DX) zoom used for wild life photography. We also have an AF 35mm 1:2 D (non DX) lens which is a favourite of mine, especially for low light indoor non flash shoots. We also have an AF-S 18-135mm f3.5-5.6G ED DX which is IMO a fairly 'ordinary' though not a bad lens.

Whilst I would love to update my D70 for something a bit newer I find it a bit hard to justify. At the end of the day this camera is not the limitation in getting a good result. As much as it hurts to say it, the operator is, though a few more pixels would make life a lot easier. :)

Here's a few shots I took yesterday to 'test' the camera.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/11/941.jpg (http://s540.photobucket.com/user/DeanoH/media/DSC_5505as_zps811c8490.jpg.html)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/11/942.jpg (http://s540.photobucket.com/user/DeanoH/media/DSC_5508as_zps6199ca33.jpg.html)

both taken using the Nikkor AF-S 18-70mm f3.5 - 4.5G ED DX short zoom

also these

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/11/943.jpg (http://s540.photobucket.com/user/DeanoH/media/DSC_5552as2_zps9ab2d297.jpg.html)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/11/944.jpg (http://s540.photobucket.com/user/DeanoH/media/DSC_5533as_zps49550323.jpg.html)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/11/945.jpg (http://s540.photobucket.com/user/DeanoH/media/DSC_5522as_zps8433c988.jpg.html)

taken using the Nikkor AF 35mm 1:2 D

And just for fun, also with the Nikkor AF 35mm 1:2 D, a pretty ordinary shot

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/11/946.jpg (http://s540.photobucket.com/user/DeanoH/media/DSC_5579_zpse7de2bf5.jpg.html)

but with a little bit of 'PP'

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/11/947.jpg (http://s540.photobucket.com/user/DeanoH/media/DSC_5579as3_zps8d01192c.jpg.html)

it's amazing what's 'in there' when you look hard enough.

Whilst I can't justify a new camera for me, our avian photography is often a small subject in the middle of the shot so excess pixels (to crop) is a major advantage.

So my question is this, a D700 (at approx. $1K), or a D7000 (at approx. $550), what will give us the best results coupled to the AF VR 80-400mm f4.5-5.6D ED (non DX) zoom for our avian photography? Or stick with the D80 ?

The D700 (also 'fits' our AF 35mm 1:2 D [non DX] lens), although an old body, has battery commonality with our D70/80/90's but has old electronics but is full frame (and is something I've always lusted after) whereas the D7000 has oodles of pixels and modern electronics.

I'd consider a D600 but I'm a bit concerned about Nikon's response to D600 issues ( a bit like Nissans response to their 3 litre lemon a few years ago) and lens connectivity issues with the D7000. Am I better to go for the 'tried and true' though old D700 if full frame is the go or a D200/300 if DX ?

Thanks

Deano :)

[Bytemrk]

In my opinion Dean,

You would be better with the D7000 if you primary focus is on avian photography.

Firstly DX will help give you more reach in the first place - your 80-400 is effectively 120-600 on DX.

Secondly the D7000 will give you greater pixel density being 16 mega-pixel against the D700 (12 mega-pixels). This will obviously be a benefit when you are cropping.

The D700 is a brilliant camera, but definitely getting long in the tooth now.

Have you considered looking for a second hand D7100 ? I have a D7000 and my dad has a D7100. The newer camera is a significant step from mine and there are a few floating around used, you can even buy them new from the greymarket importers for under $1K .

Anyway, good luck with your choice, I will look forward to seeing the output from what ever you buy. You produce some lovely shots from the gear you currently have!

Cheers,

[Rok_Dr]

Hi Deano

Firstly I have a d600 and I did suffer the dreaded dust problem. Hartlands the local agent couldn't have been more helpful, giving it a clean in 48 hrs and saying to bring it back when I returned from my trip and they would get to Nikon for a shutter replacement. 6 months later and almost 3000 shots the sensor is still clean so I'm not rushing back, particularly as Nikon will resolve the problem at their cost after the end of warranty if it reoccurs.

So don't get too worried about the d600. Anyway it's superceeded by the d610 now.

If you want to stay with the smaller sensor then any of the high end Nikons (d7000/7100 or possibly the 5000’s??) will be a fine and you will be surprised by the improvements. I went from a similar vintage canon (to the d70) to the d600 and was pleasantly surprised by the improvement in quality, particularly in challenging light conditions. Ditto the extra functionality. Also for the high end nikons you can still use your old manual AI lenses, just have to program their specs in. So I've had some fun using my old 50mm and 70-210 zooms on the d600.

Cheers

Steve

[Chucaro]

Your D80 have the same problems that my old D200, it is very sensitive to ISO noise above 200 and to get a clean shot you need always to have your exposure spot on. If it is a tad under it will be have ISO noise which will be not good because to clean it on PP will make the image soft.

I am of the theory that when selecting photographic gear the following rule applies:
1) Good lens.
2) good tripod (specially for landscaping)
3) good body

If I was going to select between the bodies that you have mentionerd I would go for the D700. Do not worry about if it is getting old, my D300s is older and will be good for the next 5 years or more.
For avian I am not fun of the Nikon 80-400, it is a bit soft above 300.

[DeanoH]

Thanks all for the input.

Mark you're assessment sums up what I've been thinking although I haven't really considered the D7100 till now. With DWI selling this camera with 12 month Australian warranty for $938 it looks pretty attractive especially considering it's approx. $100 cheaper than the average second hand D700, and whilst mega pixels are generally over rated they're pretty handy when cropping avian photos.
My only concern here with the D7100 is its lack of a low pass or AA filter. Does this mean only the 'best' lenses will work satisfactorily with this camera ? Will PP moire reduction be necessary when using 'lesser' lenses than would be the case with say the D7000 with it's inbuilt AA ?
Thanks also for the kind words, my goal is to be able emulate some of Arthurs always superb results. To this end I'm going to concentrate more on using RAW images than my usual jpegs.

Thanks also Steve for your FF info though I think the leap to FF will be a bit too expensive for me at the moment. I'm prepared to spend approx. $1K currently (at a stretch). ;) What was that about 'it's easier to ask forgiveness than permission' ? The body isn't he issue here it's putting a decent 'standard' lens on the front of it though your point of re using my old Pentax Spotmatic F and Me lenses is an interesting one. I'm sure there's a box of my old stuff in the bottom of a wardrobe somewhere though it's up to 40 years old now and probably has more mould/fungus than a mushroom farm. :p I'll have a look. Got a nice Carl Zeiss 135mm manual lens somewhere along with the standard 50mm offerings and a Tamaron 75-210mm. Never thought they'd really be much chop on modern gear and I don't know if the AF & AE would work. I'll have to have a look.

Thanks Arthur for your advice, it is as usual right on the money. I had a D300 but was unhappy with its red/orange resolution. It may have been a one off but I don't really know. Someone on here at the time explained this as being the difference in the mix of red and green 'receptors' in the CCD (D70 vs D300) but it was a bit over my head.:confused: So I am a bit loathe to re visit this model.
You're right about the 80-400mm but it's what we've got and as much as I'd like to upgrade, especially to an AF-S lens, the shekels just aren't there.

We do a lot of outback travel where it's harsh, hot and dusty and are very wary of changing lenses and dust ingress.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/11/919.jpg (http://s540.photobucket.com/user/DeanoH/media/Holiday%202013/WindyCamel_zps22246949.jpg.html)

Not a great shot, but shows the problem.

On our last trip the D90 failed so we were often changing lenses, an extra body will also limit this risk.
While it might seem a bit extravagant I could retain the D70 with its 18-70mm, the (well used) D80 could be coupled to its original 18-135mm kit lens for (equipment) hazardous use, Kaye's (now fixed) D90 with my :( 80-200mm would be her camera of choice and a D7xx(x) could stay affixed to the 80-400mm whilst in the desert and with the 35mm for 'normal' use.


Deano :)

[Chucaro]

I am happy with the red tones in my Nikon D300s but then again I use the Nikon software to open the nef images so the camera settings are not ignored.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/11/916.jpg

[Bytemrk]

Deano,

Obviously better quality glass is always preferable, however my dad is getting on a bit (he is in his 80's) and he finds changing lenses in the field a bit tricky now.

For that reason he bought a Sigma - I think 18-250 which he uses most of the time and it still produces lovely shots. So I don't think it is overly fussy about top glass.

However, I did try my 70-200 f2.8 VRII and my 105mm f2.8 Micro on it and the images where amazing.

If I hadn't just been rather naughty and purchased a D750 I would have probably bought a D7100.

If you want to investigate that more, another forum I have found quite helpful over the years is Nikon Cafe (http://www.nikoncafe.com/xenf/index.php)

They have lots of good threads on both that body and every lense you could imagine.

I too am striving to get my skill level to a point I can consistently produce images like Arthur :D.... one day maybe ;)

[dullbird]

pretty bloody happy with my D7100

[Bytemrk]

pretty bloody happy with my D7100

They are a damn good camera.

[DeanoH]

pretty bloody happy with my D7100

What glass do you use with it ?

Deano :)

[dullbird]

Fast glass :)

This was taken with my Nikon 100mm Macro lense and its a fairly substantial crop

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/11/626.jpg

I'm yet to save enough money to replace my mid range tamron lense with a Nikon but once I do my life will be complete.

All my lenses re 2.8

[Bytemrk]

Lovely shot Lou

[DeanoH]

Here's a real good buy (not). Talk about 'buyer beware'.

NEW Nikon D7100 18 300mm VR Digital SLR Camera With 1 Year Warranty | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/NEW-Nikon-D7100-18-300mm-VR-Digital-SLR-Camera-With-1-Year-Warranty-/140972748980?pt=AU_Digital_Cameras&hash=item20d2a170b4)


I've sent the seller a 'question' asking if it's just an error with an additional zero erroneously added or alternatively if he's just a common thief. :D:D:D


Deano :)

[dullbird]

Did you read the fine print?

Perhaps it comes with a free photographer :D

[Ausfree]

Did you see further down, they also had a Nikon D3200 for $6,500!!!:eek:

[DeanoH]

Or how about this for an absolute bargain. :o

NEW Genuine Original Nikon SD 9 SD9 Battery | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/NEW-Genuine-Original-Nikon-SD-9-SD9-BATTERY-/130927682699?pt=AU_Cameras_Photographic_Accessorie s&hash=item1e7be5e48b)

Deano :)