No budget, new Nikon...go!

[David Dvir]

So, you really only ever had 3 options in my opinion. D300s, D700, D7000.

Full frame is always an awesome choice, however you have a few DX lenses at the moment. Which, besides being slow to begin with, are going to be useless for a full frame body like the D700. Another thing to consider is that when shooting sports, *especially* if most of your sports are outdoors, then a crop sensor can actually be better for you than a FF. That extra reach goes a long way, and if you chose the D7000 for instance, you'd also have more of a crop when processing to get really tight due to the 16MP.

Now, frame rate is another factor, but since you dont like the size of the big guns, I assume you're not going to like handling a gripped D300s, D700 or D7000 so you're going to limit your frame rate regardless. Now if low-light is a big concern for you, you should probably opt for the D700.

I think that over all, the D300s is still a better camera than the D7000 but I won't argue that when given the choice I'd probably go with the D7000 because of the cost and frankly, it's pretty sweet.

SO... for me, I'd consider, low light, sports and everything in between and make a decision on either the D700 or adding a "0" and the D7000

 

[KAikens318]

Hah yeah the D700 looks good I think the D7000 looks more like the D3000 and D5000, but that's just IMO. I love the look of the D3x but then again, what regular person that is a hobbyist has $7,000.00 to spend on a camera body?

Exactly...a lot of money for a camera that I would not know how to properly play with just yet, not to mention I don't have the client base to warrant something that fancy. Not yet anyway.

 

[Bram]

I think i'll personally just stay with my dinky D40x for now and save for a 70-200 2.8 VRII, but that's just me. hah./

In due time though i'll probably opt for a D7000 or remove a 0 for that matter. Not too sure yet.

 

[ababysean]

Well she isn't saying she is getting rid of her D80 which can still be used for crop type of situations and the lens....

 

[Bram]

Ooo good call by babysean, still if I were to upgrade my body i'd still carry the D40x with me but i'd use the new one as my primary like I think everybody would. I mean when your doing sporting events have your bag strapped to you and use your primary body and lens.
Then for the closer action have a smaller lens on your secondary body which would be your D80.
I think that'd be pretty sweet.

 

[KAikens318]

Well she isn't saying she is getting rid of her D80 which can still be used for crop type of situations and the lens....

Nope, the D80 will still be in my arsenal. It is a great camera and I love it, but would love to bump up a little.

So most of my lenses won't work with the D700? The only one that I use ALL the time is my 18-105 VR AF-S DX. That is my baby. I like my 50mm 1.8 as well. Those are the 2 that I really use the most.

 

[Bram]

Then yeah check the specs on the D700 on the lens compatibility. I posted it in a previous comment, or wait that was the D7k. Oh snap I just made a new name for that camera! TM!.

 

[KAikens318]

Then yeah check the specs on the D700 on the lens compatibility. I posted it in a previous comment, or wait that was the D7k. Oh snap I just made a new name for that camera! TM!.

I am pretty sure that my 50mm is a DX too, but all of my important lenses are so I should be all set. Plus I will be getting that gorgeous 70-200 2.8

 

[Bram]

Alright first off I hate you. Hah, sorry it's just I really want that lens lol. My little brother is in germany right now playing football semi-pro, he's 16 years old! When he gets back next year july or so, he will be playing football here and under low light conditions I need that lens to document his play. So that's why I need that lens lol I got a year to save i guess.
Then after the 70-200 2.8 VRII, I would love to own maybe a D90 or D7k.

 

[Overread]

I'm amazed we've gone 3 pages and nobody has yet mentioned the most important thing - NEW GLASS

Have you considered instead of aiming to improve your camera body, instead upgrading a selection of your lenses. For sports and wedding something like a 70-200mm f2.8 (VR version if you can afford or save for it) would be a massive upgrade over what you have now in your setup. I also think nikon has one or two other options in that focal range that you might want to consider.

 

[Bram]

A common mis conception, glass is NOT the most important thing about photography homes. Yes, the body itself has alot to do with how you do your thing and how much it helps you.

 

[Overread]

True, but looking at the OP's areas of interest and their gear list in their sig I can't help but feel they will get a better improvement in their overall image quality by improving the light that their camera has to work with. Part of that of course comes with controlling light and then the rest with how the light is focused to the camera - ie the lens involved.

 

[Bram]

I think as long as the OP is not working low light condition too often just yet, that he'll be okay with the glass he's got now. As he said in previous comments: He will also be aquiring the 70-200 2.8 along with (if he chooses it) th D700. Then again I think if he may go for the D7k, that he'll have enough left to aquire the 2.8 200.

 

[ajkramer87]

A common mis conception, glass is NOT the most important thing about photography homes. Yes, the body itself has alot to do with how you do your thing and how much it helps you.

I will disagree with this to a point. Yeah upgrading a really old body to a new one will make a difference. The d80 isn't that old. Looking at the glass that the op has Id say that her best lens is the 50 1.8. Maybe you should be looking at a 24-70 2.8 or something along those lines. The 70-200 2.8 will work in a lot of situations. Id say go get some glass before the body and make sure your getting FX compatible so when you do go full frame you have no issues.

 

[ajkramer87]

I think as long as the OP is not working low light condition too often just yet, that he'll be okay with the glass he's got now. As he said in previous comments: He will also be aquiring the 70-200 2.8 along with (if he chooses it) th D700. Then again I think if he may go for the D7k, that he'll have enough left to aquire the 2.8 200.

Im not sure about the sigma 70-300 but the only lens that will work on the d700 that she has is the 50mm. Id say build up the glass before you switch bodys