Help needed chosing fullframe.

[Gallinova]

Hello all,

After having shot about 2,5yr with my first dslr Nikon D90 (incl. 18-55mm kit lens) but almost always used 50mm 1.4 I am looking to upgrade to fullframe along with another lens. I'd like to take photography to a more serious level and focussing on just portrait (natural light) and still life. Right now I'm not sure what would be the best choice. I have no problem switching another brand if needed.

My budget will be around €2000-2500,-, I'm ok with used body/lens. Something along D700 or Canon 5d mark ii a good choice?

Thanks in advance!

 

[weepete]

Dont know about the nikons but the 5D mkii is a bit old now. Canon have just released a 5D mkiv, and there are also the 5DS and the 5DSR. The slightly older model is the 5Dmkiii but they are all excelent cameras but possibly a bit outside your budget. The 6D would probably be my choice from Canon given your subject matter and budget.

I'll let one of the others chime in on the nikons, as I'm not familiar with their lineup. But brand wise either Canon or Nikon would be a good choice.

 

[astroNikon]

The D700 is still a fantastic camera though released in 2008 - 2012. Though the technologies in it are a bit dated now. But it has a great AF system and fast FPS, though with a 12mp sensor - half of the current models. So if you find your self cropping a lot the newer models may fit better.

Comparatively priced is a used D600 or newer D610 which is considered a fantastic camera for the money. Not all the bells and whistles of the D750, D800, D4/5 series but a great 24mp sensor in it. Great for portraiture and everything else. I've used a D600 for years now and also have a D750 .. the differences are not really related to the end result performance.

after that you have the D750 which is $500 more new than the D610. Unless you need the slightly better in low light or the flippy screen or improved AF system, the D6x0 is still the one to beat for $$ v performance.

After that you jump up quite a bit in price and sensor technology to the D8x0 and 36mp sensor.

The D600 is the competitor to the Canon 6D

 

[astroNikon]

FYI, your 18-55 kit lens is for a crop DX camera.
But your 50/1.4 will do fine on a FF FX camera. there's many FX lenses out there though that are inexpensive and sharp for little money. Such as 28-70 AF-D lenses.

 

[goodguy]

Best value full frame camera today with an AMAZING sensor is the Nikon D610, its an outstandingly good camera especially considering its price.
Fantastic dynamic range, very good low light performance, very dissent auto focus system.
If you are willing to invest a little more then you can get my camera which is the Nikon D750, has same sensor as the D610 but with a newer processor, even better auto focus system and few more goodies.

 

[Gallinova]

Thank you for the advice!

The reason why I considered both D700 and 5dmII at first was because, 2nd hand they go from €500-600,- (D700) ; I could maybe invest in not one but 2 lenses 24-70/2.8 and 100/2.8 macro. And 5dmII from €1000 and up and one lens. I intend to follow a course specifically portrait in natural light figured being new to fullframe it isn't bad to get to know it with a dated model?

I'm at lost though lol.

 

[Frank F.]

I bought the D3 in 2008 and still have her but rarely use her. She is similar to the D700, her little sister.

D3 means 3rd generation
D500 means 5th generation

My D500 is hands down the best camera I have ever used. She is DX but she runs circles around the D3 in every respect

At a budget of 2000 to 2500 I would wait for black Friday and add two lenses of the current AF-S f=1.8 series to it.

If the 1.4/50 is the AF-S it is not a very good lens. She is explicitly not ecommended for the D800-Series by Nikon. I sold mine for 222 Euros and got the 1.8/50G for 163 Euros instead. Much better.

If speed autofocus and white balance in mixed light are not important to you the D750 is an alternative. She is 4th generation. Low ISO tonality up to 3200 is stunning. Better than the D500. In every other respect the D500 is better.

If you shoot mostly at 3200 ISO and above the D5 is second to none. But she is way out of your budget.

 

[Frank F.]

If you want to fit more lenses in your budget and are ready to cope with some deficiencies, a used D600 is also an option.She has the same chip as the D610 and D750.

75% of these cameras have never had any oil splatter problem and Nikon is very generous in replacing the shutter unit if problems should occur or persist.

Concerning the best lenses to choose I would surely dig into the f=1.8-AF-S-series:

20, 24, 35, 50, 85

all very good lenses!!!


PS: If you like the interface and like to shoot manually, also the Df might be an option. She features an even finer tonality a tad better high ISO than the D600/610/750 but only 16 Megapixels instead of 24.

 

[Derrel]

Thank you for the advice!

The reason why I considered both D700 and 5dmII at first was because, 2nd hand they go from €500-600,- (D700) ; I could maybe invest in not one but 2 lenses 24-70/2.8 and 100/2.8 macro. And 5dmII from €1000 and up and one lens. I intend to follow a course specifically portrait in natural light figured being new to fullframe it isn't bad to get to know it with a dated model?

I'm at lost though lol.

5D Mark II is still an outdated focusing system in an inexpensive, low-specd Canon body, with a very outdated sensor by current, 2016 standards. The D700 has a better AF system and a better body, and a good but not-current 12MP sensor. IU really think I would go for a used Nikon D610 as the best, current ,low-cost used camera.

Lenses? On a 24-MP FX NIKON (great sensors!) like a D3x, D600,D610,or a Nikon D750. I would suggest that the 24mm, 35mm, 50mm, and 85mm prime lenses are very useful for all-around use. Why? You have a QUALITY sensor, with 24 million pixels, so you can CROP images a bit, and still have good quality.

The new G-series f/1.8 lenses are the sweet spot for value, but I prefer some of the older lenses; the 35mm f/2 AF-D has good lens rendering character, and is very low in cost, and is good for PEOPLE work. This will save you hundreds of dollars, going 35/2 AF-D. Same with the 50mm f/1.8 AF-D...I prefer it to my 50mm f/1.8 AF-S G in terms of lens rendering character.

The 85mm f/1.8 AF-S G-series is almost too-perfect: you could likely get by with an 85/1.8 AF or AF-D, or an 85/1.4 AF-D. For a sterile, super-sharp lens, the 85mm f/1.8 AF-S G is a modern champion in the under $2,000 class. But again-STERILE. Flat-looking images of people.


24-70mm f/2.8 zoom? NO. No.no,no,no. Macro lens? Maybe, I guess...

On a full-frame Nikon from the above list, with 24MP pixels, a 24-35-50-85 prime lens kit would be very handy. That is the kit I carry the most, for people work. Add some flash capability. SB 800 or SB-910. or some studio lighting gear, like three, 150 Watt-second monolights and some light modifiers and stands.