Body vs glass - what would you rather invest in ?

goodguy · Feb 7, 2013

I was answering a post which was talking about old body and an upgrade.
Some were saying stay with the old budy and get good glass instead and some daid get a good body and then build more cash for glass.

Would you rather keep an old body like a Nikon D3000 or Canon XS or other old DSLR and get good glass or rather go for a new model and then save up for good glass ?

For me I like good body and is willing to use the glass that came with the camera rather then have an older camera with top of the line glass.
I like to know I can shoot at low ISO and that my camera is up with today technology.

Of course I am not saying good glass is not important I am just saying I rather have the good DSLR first and then build my cash for a good lens.

480sparky · Feb 7, 2013

Glass.

All day long.

Good glass will be good for decades. Camera bodies have a limited lifespan before new technology renders them 'obsolete'.

pgriz · Feb 7, 2013

I'm with Sparky. For my type of shooting, low light levels just means using a tripod. Therefore, glass trumps sensor. IF, on the other hand, I was shooting fast action in low light, I'd definitely opt for a sensor capable of good performance under low light AND a good AF system. Along with bright lenses of course. Outside of that specific requirement, it's still "glass trumps sensor".

amolitor · Feb 7, 2013

If you save your pennies for good glass for long enough, you'll find that your body is out of date and needs a refresh first. This is what keeps Nikon and Canon afloat. Thank goodness!

cgipson1 · Feb 7, 2013

If I had a old body, and poor glass... then I would buy glass.

If I had a good body, and poor glass... then I would buy glass.

If I had a old body and good glass... then I would buy a body

but do what you want to do... that is your call! Almost any camera body is probably going to be able to capture images that exceed what a poor lens can do.. the body won't limit you!! But if you put a poor lens on a great body... you will be limited by the lens.

kundalini · Feb 7, 2013

I bought the majority of my good glass while I was still shooting with the Nikon D80. Being unsure whether I would go Full Frame or not, I still bought FX lenses after my second lens purchase.

imagemaker46 · Feb 7, 2013

This will always be a question. If you buy new glass and are using an old body you won't end up seeing the benefits of the new glass, same going the other way, great body and poor glass. It is almost better finding a good used body and glass at the same time, and saving until you can upgrade.

bhop · Feb 7, 2013

I would buy a new body to replace the d3000 because I would hate using that camera so much, thanks to its menus and lack of dual scroll wheels, that even the best most pro-iest glass there is wouldn't satisfy me.

raaskohx10 · Feb 7, 2013

Glass.

cwcaesar · Feb 7, 2013

I voted for glass, as this is the way that I feel it should be done, but in reality, I go tthe D600 as the Christmas sale was too good to pass up. I was actually going to get glass for the D7000. Oh well, I have the full frame now and some okay glass. I will get better glass over the next few years.

ronlane · Feb 7, 2013

I vote for both. Given a choice, I'd want new body and fast glass.

goodguy · Feb 7, 2013

cwcaesar said:
I voted for glass, as this is the way that I feel it should be done, but in reality, I go tthe D600 as the Christmas sale was too good to pass up. I was actually going to get glass for the D7000. Oh well, I have the full frame now and some okay glass. I will get better glass over the next few years.

So it looked while you vote Glass in the poll when it came down to voting with your wallet you voted for a Camera LOL

Isnt this easy to vote about something that is completly theoretical until the moment of truth comes and then your true desire makes the decision

I would go for a D600 anyday over any glass!!!
Love this camera :drool: