Cropped Sensor for now, FF later??

[therest]

For a while now I have had my heart set on a D700. The main reason for getting is to have a strong foundation in my equipment for wedding photography (awesome low light performance, and FF). However, I have realized that buying one will deflate most of my funds. Another problem with that is that I will only have my D80 as a backup.

Just today I started contemplating the D7000, one of the best cropped sensor cameras at the moment so I keep reading. I would able to afford to buy two of them with cash still left and leaves me with an option to sell my D80 for lens money. This also eliminates the odd pairing. My idea would be to use the two D7000 say for a year until I can actually afford, God willing, two full frame cameras.

So my question is if you guys think this is a good idea? How much of a bad or good idea is this?

[Redneck]

Well, it is a good idea NOT to spend your entire budget on just a camera body. However I don't quite understand why you would want to buy two D7000.
You can totally start with just one since you have the D80 as an emergency backup.

BTW, I'm still selling an excellent used D7000 if you're interested.

[d2creative]

For a wedding it's handy to have two bodies. One with a wide angle, one with a zoom.
Makes for much quicker shooting, less missed opportunities.

But if it was just a backup, I agree with Andre.

[RT_Panther]

Then there's the film option.
You can get used N75 for dirt cheap & you will be shooting full frame with a body that can use the modern & older lenses too

[contributor_M]

Depending on what you are shooting, but if you aren't shooting any action shots, I'd say get a FF camera and be done with it.

[Gildersleeve]

Two of the same camera makes a lot of sense from the standpoint that you only have to "know" one camera. Sell the D80 and be glad it's gone. The D7000 will be better in low light, while the D700 is awsome, two D7000's will serve you better then one D700.

Point two, the lens quality is more important then the body. Buy the best lens you can afford. For weddings and other more general purpose jobs, you could not go wrong with the Nikon AF-S 17-55 and either the Nikon AF 80-200 or the Nikon AF 70-200 VR lens. All three lens are F/2.8 maximum f-stop thru out the zoom range.

After you do enough work to pay for the D700, then you'll need the Nikon AF 24-70 / 2.8 to pair with the D700. There is a place for both formats. Got my eye on the D3s, but by the time I save enough money, the D800 and D4 should be out.

Good luck with your decision.

[therest]

Thank you for all the input guys, I think that getting one D7000 and one high quality lens for now will be the way to go. I will be keeping my D80. Will probably leave me room to buy other equipment.

[TxTowman]

I think you are making the right move.

Buy and sell equipment as you need to and remember to check out used and refurb stuff.

New isn't always better.

[DigMe]

I think it's a good decision as well.

brad

[therest]

Thank you guys, and I am most definitely looking in to buying a used camera.

[brad]

You should always get the best you can afford.. it will all be obsolete in 3 months, anyway.

As for FF vs Crop.. you know what they say... "Once you go FF, you'll never go back" ....... or, uh... something like that.

(Kidding, I've been shooting a 5D Classic as my primary body almost since it was introduced, but I'm strongly considering a 7D as my next body purchase.)