D700, D7000 or D300s?

[MReid]

d700, really fx is a different world
If you need to save money used or refurbished.
50 1.8g
17-55 Tamron
sb800
off you go

 

[2WheelPhoto]

d700, really fx is a different world
If you need to save money used or refurbished.
50 1.8g
17-55 Tamron
sb800
off you go

indeed

 

[greybeard]

d700, really fx is a different world
If you need to save money used or refurbished.
50 1.8g
17-55 Tamron
sb800
off you go

Why would you consider a 17-55 Tamron with a FX body? Isn't the 17-55 a DX lens?

Anyway, I have yet to read any great reason for you to switch to the FX format from DX. Statements like "a world of difference" really don't say much of anything. If you are getting good results with DX and your customers are happy, what do you think you will gain by switching. If you are not happy with the build quality of the D90 or even the D7000, you might look at a D300 or even consider waiting for the D400. I'm a firm believer in "if it ain't broke don't fix it"

 

[LittleMiss]

Can you rent a FX body?

Yes, I can.

 

[LittleMiss]

You only have two lens for wedding?

I didn't know the D90 has a "wedding scene" mode

Anyways, jokes aside, I'd recommend D300s (or which ever replacement that may appear later). You can use the remainder money towards a good lens.

Haha i do just fine with 2 lenses at weddings, thank you. It's not like I'm claiming to be super pro but I do know how to operate off auto mode lol! I have only been at this a few years but they enjoy my work and that's all that matters

 

[DiskoJoe]

I am purchasing my second body in the next few weeks and am trying to figure out if I want to upgrade to FX this year or stick with DX for the time. I only have 2 lenses, the 50mm and the crappy 18-55 kit lens.

I already own a D90 and that will become my backup camera. I will more than likely be purchasing a used camera from a local photo store, but I am not settled on which body I would like to have. Should I spend all money on the D700 or save a bit and buy a D7000 or D300s? If I bought the D700, I would just rent lenses when I needed them and purchase once I got the funds. The other 2 cameras, I could probably afford a new lens. I will probably have about $3000 to spend. I also need to purchase a new flash since mine took a swim, and some little accessories like an umbrella, softbox and strobe.

I mainly shoot weddings and portraits but also a lot of macro and landscape/night shots in the off time.

Any recommendations would be great

Go d700. I say this because you have almost nothing invested in lenses and FX take different lenses then DX. So you can just get the FX stuff.

 

[greybeard]

You only have two lens for wedding?

I didn't know the D90 has a "wedding scene" mode

Anyways, jokes aside, I'd recommend D300s (or which ever replacement that may appear later). You can use the remainder money towards a good lens.

Haha i do just fine with 2 lenses at weddings, thank you. It's not like I'm claiming to be super pro but I do know how to operate off auto mode lol! I have only been at this a few years but they enjoy my work and that's all that matters

I'm with you on 2 lenses for a wedding. Given all the group direction and nerve calming you have to do, the last thing you want is too much equipment to have to fumble around with. I think the #1 thing a wedding photographer has to be is in control of the situation. They have to know their equipment like the back of their hand and not make the client nervous fumbling with the gear. The guy that shot my wedding used a RB67 and 1 lens. He did just fine.

 

[DiskoJoe]

You only have two lens for wedding?

I didn't know the D90 has a "wedding scene" mode

Anyways, jokes aside, I'd recommend D300s (or which ever replacement that may appear later). You can use the remainder money towards a good lens.

Haha i do just fine with 2 lenses at weddings, thank you. It's not like I'm claiming to be super pro but I do know how to operate off auto mode lol! I have only been at this a few years but they enjoy my work and that's all that matters

This is quite a bold statement. I would not shoot a wedding with only these to lenses. One the quality of the glass is low and you are missing quite a bit of focal range. So your shots would be quite limited. I would say add a 70-200 for close ups, especially during the ceremony, and a wide angle in case you need to take group family shots. Not having a wide angle really bit me in the ass on the last wedding I did. The groom was asian and his whole side of the family wanted to get a shot together. Were talking about 40 people in a group shot. Only lens I had that was close to wide enough was my kit. The quality was low and I had to get positioned back further then I would have liked.

Not saying that you cant do it with only two lenses but you can do it better with more lenses that are geared towards specific focal ranges.

 

[LittleMiss]

Go d700. I say this because you have almost nothing invested in lenses and FX take different lenses then DX. So you can just get the FX stuff.

See, I had that thought in the back of my head. Buy FX right now, keep the 50mm attached and when the time comes, rent. Do this for the year and invest into 1-2 lenses during the year with what is earned. Only need 2 weddings to buy a nice piece of glass and I've got quite a few already.

 

[LittleMiss]

This is quite a bold statement. I would not shoot a wedding with only these to lenses. One the quality of the glass is low and you are missing quite a bit of focal range. So your shots would be quite limited. I would say add a 70-200 for close ups, especially during the ceremony, and a wide angle in case you need to take group family shots. Not having a wide angle really bit me in the ass on the last wedding I did. The groom was asian and his whole side of the family wanted to get a shot together. Were talking about 40 people in a group shot. Only lens I had that was close to wide enough was my kit. The quality was low and I had to get positioned back further then I would have liked.

Not saying that you cant do it with only two lenses but you can do it better with more lenses that are geared towards specific focal ranges.

Which two lenses you are speaking of? If you're talking about me using the kit lens and 50mm at weddings, I do not and will not use either for a wedding. As mentioned a few times, I rent. 24-70, 17-55, 70-200 and 85mm are the ones I have used in the past.

 

[2WheelPhoto]

This is quite a bold statement. I would not shoot a wedding with only these to lenses. One the quality of the glass is low and you are missing quite a bit of focal range. So your shots would be quite limited. I would say add a 70-200 for close ups, especially during the ceremony, and a wide angle in case you need to take group family shots. Not having a wide angle really bit me in the ass on the last wedding I did. The groom was asian and his whole side of the family wanted to get a shot together. Were talking about 40 people in a group shot. Only lens I had that was close to wide enough was my kit. The quality was low and I had to get positioned back further then I would have liked.

Not saying that you cant do it with only two lenses but you can do it better with more lenses that are geared towards specific focal ranges.

Which two lenses you are speaking of? If you're talking about me using the kit lens and 50mm at weddings, I do not and will not use either for a wedding. As mentioned a few times, I rent. 24-70, 17-55, 70-200 and 85mm are the ones I have used in the past.

FYI renting those may not be the best business case - I could sell my 24-70 and 70-200 today used and spend less op-ex money than renting them 5 times

 

[DiskoJoe]

Yeah.................

I seem to have missed that. Very reassuring. D700 is a nice way to go. I know lots of people with them and they usually are hooked on FX after that. But a crop sensor has its place to. Real nice to have one when you need zoom. Its like having a teleconverter but with no loss of aperture.

 

[mjhoward]

I will reiterate...

I would still buy one of the lenses I was planning to use for something as important as a wedding. I don't know how many times you've rented the 24-70mm but it doesn't take a large number of times before you could have just bought it yourself. Regardless, by only renting it for 2 days at a time right at your event, you're not really getting to take advantage of getting to know it and really practicing with it and becoming comfortable with it.

 

[fsquare]

Lens over body. Start with the 24-70mm. From there upgrade the body. If spending $3000 i would opt to buy used. A D700/24-70mm combo would run you about $3300 used. You're in Plattsburgh, check out some used prices in Montreal and take a drive up..only 1 hour away. I bought my D700 for $1800 and i've seen 24-70mm's going for $1400.

 

[LittleMiss]

Yeah.................

I seem to have missed that. Very reassuring. D700 is a nice way to go. I know lots of people with them and they usually are hooked on FX after that. But a crop sensor has its place to. Real nice to have one when you need zoom. Its like having a teleconverter but with no loss of aperture.

It's all good, lol. I love my D90 and with the right lenses, it really is a great camera.

Lens over body. Start with the 24-70mm. From there upgrade the body. If spending $3000 i would opt to buy used. A D700/24-70mm combo would run you about $3300 used. You're in Plattsburgh, check out some used prices in Montreal and take a drive up..only 1 hour away. I bought my D700 for $1800 and i've seen 24-70mm's going for $1400.

Thanks for that info. Never even thought about Montreal. I have a few customers at work who come from there, I could possibly talk them into taking a looskie for me. If only I was allowed to cross the border haha. Are there any shops up there that have websites to browse through? It would be nice to find a D700 for that price.