New here - D610 VS D800?

[goodguy]

I think you got plenty of good advices

Nikon 105mm 2.8G is a fantastic lens especially for Macro.
Nikon's sharpest current lens is the Nikon 85mm 1.4G, its not cheap but if image quality is at the top of your need then this is the lens for you.
The cheapper Nikon 85mm 1.8G is also considered one of the best lenses Nikon makes and its much cheaper then the 1.4G version so if money is tight then that's something to consider.
I think you already have the tools to create great pictures and you need to improve your skills.
Photography is all about painting with light and there are Soooo many accessories to do that and of course the skills how to use it to get the results you are looking for.

 

[mikoh4792]

I think you got plenty of good advices

Nikon 105mm 2.8G is a fantastic lens especially for Macro.
Nikon's sharpest current lens is the Nikon 85mm 1.4G, its not cheap but if image quality is at the top of your need then this is the lens for you.
The cheapper Nikon 85mm 1.8G is also considered one of the best lenses Nikon makes and its much cheaper then the 1.4G version so if money is tight then that's something to consider.
I think you already have the tools to create great pictures and you need to improve your skills.
Photography is all about painting with light and there are Soooo many accessories to do that and of course the skills how to use it to get the results you are looking for.

Yup I got great advice. Thanks for the input guys.

I'm confused on one thing. Why is one macro lens of "x"mm better than the other in terms of quality? Are they just made in better quality or do those "mm" just allow people to take better pictures?

 

[hamlet]

The talk at the water cooler is all about the d610 and the d800e. The d610 is not a real upgrade to its predecessor and the d800e? I cant find one where i live, its sold out.

 

[TheFantasticG]

Why is one macro lens of "x"mm better than the other in terms of quality? Are they just made in better quality or do those "mm" just allow people to take better pictures?

The "mm" of the lens has no bearing on image quality. With macro lenses your working distances increases with the longer focal lengths which is fantastic for shy bugs... Which is why I use a Siggy 150mm 2.8 and sometimes I use it with a 1.4x teleconverter.

Stop worrying. That macro lens you have is a great lens. I've done some reptile macro work and, as in any macro, it's all about the light. Until you learn how to control and manipulate light it won't matter what gear you're using, IMO. For my macro (and I do a lot) I use a D7000 and still haven't really hit the limit of its abilities.

 

[jesse101]

I agree with the above comments, even considering I own a D600, and the D7000, which is a close performer to your 5200..and without a doubt I think you will have more success considering some new glass and learning how to take a proper exposure rather than spending roughly 2k on a new body. JMHO.