Upgrade camera or Lens?

[Susan]

Hello everyone I would like to hear your input about upgrading equipment, some people say it's the lens that make the picture and other people say it's the camera, what do you think?

The reason why I'm asking is because I'm starting to shoot more weddings and would like to upgrade my equipment but I don't have the money to purchase both the Nikon D700 and the Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II Lens so, which one would you purchase?

Thanks for your input.

[jeffclow]

Originally Posted by Susan

Hello everyone I would like to hear your input about upgrading equipment, some people say it's the lens that make the picture and other people say it's the camera, what do you think?

The reason why I'm asking is because I'm starting to shoot more weddings and would like to upgrade my equipment but I don't have the money to purchase both the Nikon D700 and the Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II Lens so, which one would you purchase?

Thanks for your input.

Tough call, but I would opt for the lens. It does an incredible job on portraiture and some say it is the best lens that Nikkor makes currently.

Plus, there is going to be a replacement for the D700 within the next six months, so get the lens and save up for the D800 or D900.

[Tom]

Hello everyone I would like to hear your input about upgrading equipment, some people say it's the lens that make the picture and other people say it's the camera, what do you think?

I think it is me that makes the picture.

The reason why I'm asking is because I'm starting to shoot more weddings and would like to upgrade my equipment but I don't have the money to purchase both the Nikon D700 and the Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II Lens so, which one would you purchase?

It kinda depends on the rest of your gear and what your current limitations are.

[Susan]

Thanks Jeff for your input, I didn't know that the D700 will be replace within the next six months, thank god I didn't go out and buy one.

great answer Thomas, it's always the photographer that make the picture ;-)

I'm currently shooting with Nikon D80 with Nikon 50mm 1.8 lens and the Tamron 17-50mm 2.8 lens.

[panda81]

Originally Posted by jeffclow

Tough call, but I would opt for the lens. It does an incredible job on portraiture and some say it is the best lens that Nikkor makes currently.

Plus, there is going to be a replacement for the D700 within the next six months, so get the lens and save up for the D800 or D900.

Originally Posted by Susan

Thanks Jeff for your input, I didn't know that the D700 will be replace within the next six months, thank god I didn't go out and buy one.

1. a rumor is just a rumor. pretty sure nikon never officially announced a d700 successor yet, so it would certainly suck to wait a couple of months only to find out the d700 successor will be coming out in yet another couple of months...

2. the d700 was $3000 when it first came out. when the successor is released, i imagine it will be at least $3000, if not more. the d700 is $2400 right now. another good question to ask yourself is, will you be able to swing for the minimum increase of $600 for the successor then?

3. the d700 is a really great camera. really, really great. not the BEST camera in the world, but certainly a fantastic camera. i don't understand why it would be so terrible to buy a d700 right now (assuming a camera upgrade is the right choice, which might not be the answer to your original question anyway) and be able to use it for photos right now, as opposed to waiting for the successor to come (whenever it does) and miss out on all the advantages the d700 can offer you right now. the d700 is certainly not going to disintegrate into a pile of ash when the successor comes out - it will still continue to be a fantastic camera.

4. i think you missed the most important part of thomas' (sorry, is it thomas' or thomas's?) question - what is limiting you that makes you feel like you need to buy new equipment?

[DougC]

As new bodies come along every few months, I would always opt for a lens upgrade unless there is a HUGE difference in the IQ produced by the newer body.

[jtriron]

Originally Posted by Susan

Thanks Jeff for your input, I didn't know that the D700 will be replace within the next six months, thank god I didn't go out and buy one.

great answer Thomas, it's always the photographer that make the picture ;-)

I'm currently shooting with Nikon D80 with Nikon 50mm 1.8 lens and the Tamron 17-50mm 2.8 lens.

Even a used D700 would be a huge up grade from the D80 IMO
Or you could go D3

[toverman]

What does your current equipment do that you would like to fix? Issues with focusing, low-light performance, frame rate, etc. etc. etc. Once you know the answers, then you can prioritize your equipment. A quality lens won't solve all the problems of a camera that's holding you back, if that's the case.

[Susan]

Thanks again everyone for your input, the reason why I would like to upgrade my camera is because I'm not happy with the noise I get from my Nikon D80 when I bump up the ISO so I thought if I upgraded to the D700 I wouldn't get alot of noise when I bump up the ISO.

[kayumangi]

Pixel noise is relative I say. What do you shoot anyway? Can't you use flash to compensate? The Tamron 17-50 alone is a very capable lens.

[jtriron]

Originally Posted by Susan

Thanks again everyone for your input, the reason why I would like to upgrade my camera is because I'm not happy with the noise I get from my Nikon D80 when I bump up the ISO so I thought if I upgraded to the D700 I wouldn't get alot of noise when I bump up the ISO.

I shoot my D700 @ 800 to 1600 regularly with very good results, Even @ 3200 the images are very sharp.

[KdLaneJr]

Originally Posted by Susan

Thanks again everyone for your input, the reason why I would like to upgrade my camera is because I'm not happy with the noise I get from my Nikon D80 when I bump up the ISO so I thought if I upgraded to the D700 I wouldn't get alot of noise when I bump up the ISO.

Noise is one thing a lens cannot fix for you. The lens you want is known to be superb, but putting maserati tires on a volkswagon beetle does not make it a maserati.

If you buy the D700 now, all the lens upgrades you make in the future will be very worthwhile.

[DEMDeepEllumMusic]

Susan at this point I would look at upgrading the camera, your technology is quite old (look at the release date for your camera model) and jump the shark over the noise problem. If Nikon is going to replace the D700 expect to see some price cuts on them when the new model comes out and retailers will be wanting to move the 700's out of inventory-it is very capable and if you can save 20% or more on a new body I really would consider it unless the new camera just blows the doors off in what it offers (not talking about bells and whistles like video but performance in low light/battery life/write spead/etc).

[Tom]

Originally Posted by KdLaneJr

Noise is one thing a lens cannot fix for you. The lens you want is known to be superb, but putting maserati tires on a volkswagon beetle does not make it a maserati.

If you buy the D700 now, all the lens upgrades you make in the future will be very worthwhile.

Disagree. A good lens can reduce noise.

If you are shooting with a POS 70-300 5.6 lens and the settings you are using are 1/200th ISO3200 F/5.6 at 200mm, you can make a huge dent in the ISO by switching to a 70-200mm 2.8 VR (IS) by being able to shoot at 1/200th ISO800 F/2.8. Throw a prime on there, and your savings would be even better. What if you had a 135mm 2.0 and you were shooting at 1/160th, ISO 320 F/2.0? That's a pretty damn big reduction in noise just by using good lenses over consumer POSes.

[chemisti]

Hey, another view...

I might consider the D90 which (reportedly) will gain you 1 - 1.5 stops because of noise over the D80 in a very similar body - (better than the original D300 which has the same sensor).

I would then consider 80-200 f2.8 lens and a flash to round out the kit.

Scenario 1:
D90 = $750
80-200 f2.8 = $1000 (or a used 80-200 f2.8 AF-s)
SB-900 = $450
Already own Tammy 17-50 f2.8
Keep D80 as back-up body (Important for wedding photogs)
Cost (approximately) $2200 (no shipping or tax)

Scenario 2:
Nikon D700 - (refurb) $2274
No new lenses

Scenario 3:
Used 70-200 VRI - $1400 - $1600
Used SB 800 $350
Cost: $1950
No new body...

So - which setup gets the most versatility and covers the most wedding photog situations. Only you can decide.

(I know which one I would pick - Hint. Hint. #1)

Hey - just sayin'

Good luck.