Hello All. Currently have a d70s and its time for a camera upgrade. I have about 2k to spend, about. I could save for more, but I'd rather get some stuff next Friday. Going to buy probably from Adorama. So for about 2k, I could get:


Option 1:
Nikon D300 (refurbished)
Sigma 18-200 os hsm

or

Option 2:
Nikon D200 (used)
Sigma 17-50 2.8 hsm (non os)
sigma 70-200 2.8 hsm (non os)

I shoot alot of different things really...but mostly at my church where the lighting isn't that good. What do you think is a better package? Also, I'd like to do portraits. I guess the 2.8 lenses would be better for that...better subject isolation. I'd like the crazy good ISO of the d300, but I'm just not sure.

I'd like to get nikon glass, but in this case, its out of my range.

Let me know your thoughts....thanks

 

glass before bodies.

 

You know, I've heard that before and I was thinking about it now too. So, your vote is for option two? Is that decent glass?

 

yea i would probably go with option 2.

2.8's would allow you to get higher shutter speeds in low light and more blurred out backgrounds with portrait shots.

 

imo thou i would stick with the D70s and use that saved money to get even better glass.

unless there is a factor with the D70s that is really hindering you from taking good photos.

 

The D200 option would be my choice of the two because the 18-200 is just going to be too slow indoors.

How about a D300 with the 18-125mm as your everyday lens and a fast prime for portraits and low light? You can get the 50/1.4, an 18-135, and a new (not refurb) D300 kit for $2090 from B&H.

 

dan has voiced his opinion so my mine is null and void.

 

Well, in that range, what glass could I get? 70-200 2.8 nikon is out...just too rich for my blood right now, even if I could save. What else would you recommend in that range? I was also thinking about the 70-300 VR, but not sure how the 2.8 compares to the VR...interesting....

Well, right now I'm using a SUPER slow and cheap quantaray zoom for my church shots. The lens really is trash, so anything will be an upgrade to it. (thanks mom for the gif though...) The only drawback is that I need consistent low light within the church. Even if 135 is long enough, would it be fast enough? I guess with the D300 high iso, it would be fine....Hmmmm....thanks for your responses....

 

LOL! I'd go with glass over bodies too. The D300 has at least a 1 or 2 stop noise advantage over the D70s, so you could go with a slower lens and compensate by dialing up the ISO. ISO can never give you better subject isolation that the faster glass would though.

What focal length do you mostly use now?

 

At church, I'm at 200 constantly. I don't really feel comfortable being as close to the stage/pulpit as I would need to be if I used something shorter.

Do you shoot Nikon or Cannon?

 

You can get a used D300 for probably 1200-1400 now, just look on the forums of FM.

Spend $900-1000 for a Nikkor 17-55mm f2.8 and you won't be disappointed. That's a very good setup for around $2000.

 

Keep the D70s...get the 70-200VR zoom.

 

I understand the glass idea.....but I am a testimony to the D300.

I LOVE IT.

I would go for it.

You can always get that lens, and then figure out better what you are looking for, and THEN later decide what other lens(es) you would like. The 18-200 will give you an outstanding walk around for the time being.

 

Thanks guys for all your advice! If I could get a D300, and the sigma 2.8 lenses, that would be perfect. I'd have to save a bit longer though...decisions, decisions. I listened to the nikonians podcast where they were talking about the d300, and the AF system, and the 3d tracking, and the colors...I was thinking I have to have that!!!

 

Get the 14-24mm and give it to me. Problem solved, you wouldn't have to worry anymore.

 

Riiiiiiiight...

This is pure sechs...d300 and sigma 70-200 2. 8

 

I saw one for $1300, but I'm not a member. I guess I need to register first before purchasing. The lowest price for sale is around $1500, from b and h and adorama. I wish I could have the d300, AND the fast glass. Maybe I should save for another whole month? I'm probably much too impatient for that....

 

Patience.

 

 

do it!

its worth the wait it in the end!

 

So....are the sigma lenses good enough? So now, in my mind, my kit looks like:

D300
Sigma 17-50 2.8 hsm (non os)
sigma 70-200 2.8 hsm (non os)

What do you guys think of that????

 

I think you keep your D70...get the 70-200 VR 2.8 Zoom.

Oh wait did I say that already...

Save a little more, then, while already having a good lens...upgrade to a D300.

 

LOL...I thought I responded...my budget included the sale of the camera, so that really isn't an option. We'll see what happens

 

It really will pay off in the end. I saved up for 4 months just to get my 40D.

Let's just say, any less, and I would've been dissatisfied

I'm glad I waited and got the 40D instead of buying a 30D

I had a Nikon D70s before the 40D, and loved everything about the camera. Glass definitely came before the body though. I would save, and upgrade to the new body and get a nice piece of glass, or if you're content with the performance of your D70s, you could just save up and get nice glass!

Unfortunately, a few hooligans pulled me onto the darkside.

 

Traitor!

A guy at church has a 40d...its a nice camera...doubt its better than a d300....different price ranges too though, so maybe its apples to oranges. So how about this combo:


Thoughts???

 

how much do you think you'll get for selling your D70s...cause I'll bet you you wont get as much as you think.

 

I've seen D70's listed on c/l for about $400, with more D200's on the used market, the others are dropping.

 

They are on CL, but are they selling for that much. I knew someone that was trying to unload a D70s for $300 before summer, and with all the specials on the D60 kits and D80 kits...couldnt get rid of it.

 

I don't think so, another one was justed listed in my area for $450 with a 50mm lens.

 

Wait...me confuseded...you do or do not think they are selling for that much?

 

It will be tuff to sell, but there's always someone out there. It just takes awhile sometimes.


Another road would be to trade it in or sell to say, www.keh.com

 

$600 for:

Nikon d70s
50mm 1.8
18-70 kit lens
cheap 50-200 quantaray lens
charger
d70s instruction book

Selling package to my cousin who is getting into photography.

 

I sold my D70s with Grip for 600$ last December.

 

That's a very good price, good for looking out for your cousin.

 

Refurbished d300 that I would be ordering right now...only one problem....payday isn't till friday!!!



No, I don't have any credit cards. DAMNIT

I actually did apply for an Amazon CC just to see...of course it wasn't instantly approved

 

Why no CC's???

 

Bad credit that I'm trying to clean up....closed tehm a couple years ago when they got out of hand...probably time to have one now, but not really for camera purcases.

If I'm going to be using the 70-200 2.8 (sigma...cant afford the nikon) most of the time, can I go "cheap" with my kit style lens? How would the d300 handle the "cheap" 18-55? Would it better to forgo the 2.8, and just go for the 18-200?

 

Sold the d70s...sigh....pretty sad...it was a good camera....d300 will be better....

I think I can get d300, sigma 70-200 2.8, and the nice, but cheap 18-55 afs for under $2000. Thoughts? I just need to wait till Friday, and find a d300 body for the best price.

 

Update: Just ordered 70-200 HSM 2.8 and 18-55 from Adorama. The sigma is a slightly older model. I spoke with the guy from Adorama and he assured me that the lens was similar, it just may focus a little bit slower, but it still has HSM. I'm sure it will be MUCH better than my cheap Quantaray. I also ordered the 18-55 just to have for closer stuff. Hopefully I'm not putting crap glass on my d300, but its what I could afford. D300 hopefully coming the first week of August. What do you guys think?

 

I think you'll find the D300 to have been a worthy investment. I shoot with D1H, D70, D200, D300, the D3 and... a D80 for daily use. The D300 is a significant updgrade over the 200, works great and will give you plenty of support as you work on the more important task: collection of useful, fine lenses.