Future of my gear

[nmoody]

Im very torn right now on what direction I should go with my next gear upgrade and would like some advice. I typically shoot landscape and such, its all for myself I make no money off photography. Currently using a D7100 and have a 24-70 2.8g, 50 1.8g, 70-300 Tamron SP. So a mix of DX and FX lenses.

Here is my dilemma, im not sure what route to go with upgrading my body. Do I stick with DSLR or move to Mirrorless and get the FTZ adapter to use my existing lenses?

Was looking at a Nikon Z50 Mirrorless Camera with Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR Lens WIth FTZ Bundle. My main worry is quality issue with the FTZ adapter or if its even worth upgrading from my D7100.

I try and get my images as good as I can in camera and do only a little editing in lightroom. If it wasn't for the fact the the latest cell phone cameras didnt do Raw without a special app then I might have gone that route.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[stk]

There's no loss in quality using the FTZ adapter, but it's an extra part that can get in the way of your workflow. Especially if you switch between native glass and F-mount optics regularly. And even more if you use quick release tripod plates.

And it can't be used with the Peak Design Capture Clip. If you mount the quick release plate on the camera, it will, because of the FTZ adapter's tripod mount, not be enough space to clip it in. And if you mount it on the FTZ adapter you will, with most lenses, get the wrong balance point.

I don't know how much money you are willing to spend, but I think I would go full frame and buy lenses that don't need an adapter. Even if that means you'll have to wait and save up more money.

 

[Derrel]

D610

 

[Designer]

Here is my dilemma, im not sure what route to go with upgrading my body. Do I stick with DSLR or move to Mirrorless and get the FTZ adapter to use my existing lenses?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

About the only upgrade that I can recommend is to go for a FX Nikon. You already have one of Nikon's best DX bodies, but only two Nikon lenses. There are many good Nikon lenses that you haven't tried. I doubt if the Z50 will produce significantly better images that what you've got now. Derrel's suggestion of the D610 will get you into a professional-level camera body, and then you can start working on your lens collection.

 

[nmoody]

Thank you all very much for the excellent suggestions and information.

Not too keen on making the jump to FX and having to replace a body as well as a few lenses. Though that surely would be an upgrade im not ready to spend that much.

Sounds like I should stick with my D7100 and maybe get a wider lens. The Tamron zoom I don't seem to use as often and sometimes find the 24mm side of the 24-70 not wide enough.

Thanks again for the help all, really appreciate it.

 

[Derrel]

If I am correct ,it seems you have two FX capable lenses; by moving to a 24 megapixel D610, you get a good camera with great image quality for about the lowest possible price.

The reason you do not find the 24 mm end of the 24-70 wide enough is that you are using it on a body that uses an aps-c sensor. The 24-70 mm is designed as a wide-angle toshort telephoto lens on a full-frame camera.

 

[ronlane]

I'll just put this thought out there. We are all going to have to go to mirrorless eventually. That's a fact and that is where things are headed.

I have not seen where the adapter had caused any loss in quality of images. I used a Canon EOS R last Thursday night at a photowalk adapted to my EF glass and the images looked great.

That being said, I think that most of the mirrorless cameras are full frame bodies (well the new ones anyway) but like Derrel said, the additional field of view using a 24mm will be noticeable when changing from an crop sensor.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[Strodav]

What do you see in your images that makes you think you want to upgrade, or what newer camera features do you just need to have for the type of photography you practice? If you don't do much post processing why shoot raw? Sorry for all the questions, but it's the type of things I ask myself before deciding to upgrade of not. You don't want to buy too much camera, i.e., you want to match the camera to what you shoot, but if your D7100 and a cell phone does what you need, why upgrade?

 

[Designer]

Not too keen on making the jump to FX and having to replace a body as well as a few lenses. Though that surely would be an upgrade im not ready to spend that much.

Are we not on the same page?

Were you not thinking of purchasing a new body, one that requires an adapter to use your current lenses? Wouldn't that be a significant cash outlay? (For no appreciable improvement in image quality, I may add.)

Why would you balk at an FX body, when you were already thinking of a new body? (One with which your existing lenses will not work, I may add.)

Continuing to use your D7100 and getting some new lenses is still the best for le$$, IMO, but if you're determined to upgrade the camera body, the lenses you already have will work on an FX Nikon.

 

[nmoody]

The Z50 with adapter could use my two DX and one FX lens. If I went FX then im down to just the 24-70 and need to replace the zoom lens at least.

The Z50 upgrade new would be about $1k for the body, adapter and bundled 16-50mm which would give me some wider angles though the lens isnt as great one but would do the job.

A D610 upgrade would used from Keh is about $675 then I need t replace the zoom so another $1k for a used 70-200 2.8g. Still need to get a FX wide lens at this point. but we are look at about $2800 for used for all three is my guess.

Then I looked at keeping my current setup and just adding a wide to it, maybe splurge a bit on a used 14-24mm 2.8 G for about $1k and wait for a better body later on when the jump is greater. Maybe FX at that point when I only need to get the body and 70-200.

I wasnt determined to upgrade the body. My train of thought was more I want a wide lens, is DSLR going away over time in favor of mirrorless and I should move over now and not invest in any existing DSLR lenses? If so how can I do this with not spending so much up front and spread it out more over time.

But from what I have been hearing mirrorless isnt as big of a jump as I thought. What happened was me wanting a wide lens snowballed into looking at the Z50. This make more sense? Sorry, I should of been more clear with my intentions of getting a wide lens in my first post.

 

[nmoody]

So now that I evaluate this more, I will get more out of the 24-70 with a FX and might not need the wide lens.

I also was thinking my Tamron 70-300 SP was a DX but is an FX so guess I dont have to replace it.

Just a used D610 is sounding more and more interesting.

 

[Strodav]

If you decide to add a wide angle, look at the Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5. I bought one for my D7200 and and happy with it. You can get one new for about $350.

 

[Derrel]

I think all three of your lenses are FX-capable... And I think that if you had any full frame body you would much prefer the way your lens set performs

 

[Derrel]

Do not make any rash decisions which you might regret. Be sure of your path before you embark on it. It might even be advisable to rent a camera before you elect to buy it.

 

[nmoody]

Do not make any rash decisions which you might regret. Be sure of your path before you embark on it. It might even be advisable to rent a camera before you elect to buy it.

Thanks Derrel and I wont. Im a few months away from making this purchase. And now that you have me looking at the 610 used since you cant get it new anymore I then checked out the 750 since it has a replacement out. Seems I can get that for about $1k used or $300 more than the 610. Keh might even have more being traded in by then.