Camera while waiting for the D400 (if it ever shows...)?

Nizztos · Oct 16, 2013

I feel the need for more pixels, read I got upgraditis, so I want to upgrade my old d200 to a d400. Since the d400 does not exist, and might never, I'm contemplating a camera that will give me my pixels while I wait (or die from holding my breath..).

To make a short story long:
I'm not a an active photographer. I got myself a N90 early 2000 to do underwater photography. Got a Nikkor 105 and 60 at that time. The 105 is still my favorite lens. I later on got a Tamron 70-300. I think there might be a fourth zoom lens as well but if so my brother is sitting on it.
When I got the D200 I also got a Sigma 18-50 (DX). The 18-200 was almost mythical at the time and always out of stock. Recently I did get the Nikon 18-200 (DX) so I only would need one lens when going on a longish business trip to Tokyo. This is the lens that is, by far, most often attached to the camera.

I pretty much never take photos with people in them. Macro in my fish tank and nature mostly with other motifs thrown in at irregular intervals.

The way I see it:
I can go D600/D610. Might need to replace the 18-200 lens in that case as while I'm mostly covered for ranges, while not in quality, it is nice to have that one walk around lens.
I can go D7100. This is probably the natural choice as it would give me a very good camera and all my lenses would work. Possibly a tad less quality??? but at half the price of the D610. I always fancied an FX but not sure if it would really gain me anything. Or at least enough to warrant the price. Might just be that I consider it to be more "professional" and who doesn't want to look like a pro...

Should I also consider the D5200 (D5300 if it improves IQ, couldn't care less about wifi and gps)? Given that I consider this a temporary solution the lower cost is tempting. Possible that I would be unhappy with the size but would have to hold one to know for sure.
My understanding is that the 5200 is close (identical?) to the 7100 in picture quality and I'm not sure what features I get from the 7100 that I would miss in the 5200.

I can afford any of the three but it would be silly to spend money that wouldn't gain me anything. Especially since I consider this temporary. What are the questions I should ask myself to determine which one I should go for?

Unfortunately I don't like buying used so that is out even though it would probably be a smart choice.

jaomul · Oct 16, 2013

If you feel the need to go fullframe you will have to change your lenses to get the most out of the camera, however the current range of nikon crop cameras should all give you an improvement in amage quality but not necessarily build quality. You would likely be more at home with a d7000, or d7100 simply because they are closer in build to the d200 than a d5200 is. Don't be surprised if a d400 does not materialise

CaptainNapalm · Oct 16, 2013

If you shoot in manual mode, I wouldn't consider the 5200. If you shoot a fair amount of night photography and can afford to upgrade your DX lenses to FX then I'd go the D600 route. If you don't feel like your DX set up limited you in anyway then keep all your lenses and go the D7100 route.

coastalconn · Oct 16, 2013

I don't see anything that you said that screams d400.. the d7100 or d7000 would probably work great for you... I'm assuming your older lenses are af-d style so they would not AF with the d5k series... the only real limitation of the d7100 is the buffer, and for what you shoot it wouldn't make a difference...

TheLost · Oct 16, 2013

Nizztos said:
I feel the need for more pixels, read I got upgraditis, so I want to upgrade my old d200 to a d400. Since the d400 does not exist, and might never, I'm contemplating a camera that will give me my pixels while I wait (or die from holding my breath..).

[..]

I can afford any of the three but it would be silly to spend money that wouldn't gain me anything. Especially since I consider this temporary. What are the questions I should ask myself to determine which one I should go for?

Unfortunately I don't like buying used so that is out even though it would probably be a smart choice.

You say you would buy the D610/D7100/D5300 as a temporary solution until the D400 comes out... Can i ask what you need the D400 for?

Nizztos · Oct 16, 2013

Thanks all for the fast replies.

Given that I have not even reached the potential of the D200 any camera I pick will be better than I am. Just want to get the best I can or I could just go with the camera in my phone...
Since most of my lenses are FX I consider that a minor issue. Just the one lens that I would possibly have to replace.
The lack of focus motor on the 5200 was something I had not thought of. That completely takes it out of the picture.

Even before I made the post I had half way convinced myself to go with the 7100. The 5200 came up as a wild card for some reason (probably due to the upcoming 5300). The full frame 600 is a nice option but given that I'm still hoping for the D400, and yes it will be way out of my skill level, I don't think I can motivate the cost. Given the lack of motor in the 5k I guess the 7100 is the way to go and if the D400 or equivalent doesn't show up in the next few years I will probably switch to whatever FX camera seems best for me at that time.

Thanks all!

goodguy · Oct 16, 2013

I see you pretty much decided to go with the D7100 and I think you will do the right thing, I was considering the D5200 over the D7100 and decided to go with the D7100, yes same IQ but the D7100 does give you much more and for me it made a lot of sense and not just the in body focus motor.
I want to add that the main advantage of the D610 over the D7100 is low light performance!
In the IQ and Dynamic range these cameras are both very close not justifying to go for the D610 but in low light the D610 is better.
Saying that after I got to learn how to work with my D7100 I can tell you its fantastic in low light, in the first few weeks I was hesitant especially when I compared it to my old D7000 but now I can tell you with all honesty that this camera in low light ROCKS!

So after reading your posts I know you will be amazed by the D7100 because its a wonderful camera and I think a great value for its money.