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Upgrade from Nikon D40

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greybagel

senior member
Joined: May '12
Posts: 78
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Hello all,

Currently I'm using a D40 mainly for portrait use with hopes of breaking into wedding photography as well (website is in profile for examples) and I am finding many reasons to validate an upgrade.

My questions is which route do I go: DX or FX?

In terms of glass I have the 35mm f/1.8, 55mm-200mm VR and the kit lens. I've been tossing back and forth the prospects of going with the D7000 and carrying on my DX relationship or going into FX (waiting to see what comes of the D600) since I'd eventually like to get there anyways.

Budgetary limitations would allow for D7000 with a new lens or an FX body and waiting on new glass for it.

Of course, with all the rumored updates floating around I wonder if it's a good time to upgrade or wait a while longer to see what comes to light. I've always been a believer that technology always changes and if you wait to see what's coming next, you're never going to buy.

Any advice would be great, thanks!

Posted 12 months ago #
msmoto

big gun cougar
Joined: Mar '10
Posts: 2,736
offline

First, search the NRF for "upgrades" and you will find many forums on related issues. But, the move to FX, begins with an investment of a minimum $3500. The body, $2200, the 24-120mm f/4 VR $1300. To start. And, if you need lights, another $500. This is not enough to do the job, unless you use the D40 as back up and have a second flash.

On the other hand, the lens assortment you have can get you started with a new DX body. And, if you are serious, two bodies, two flash with weddings. They really hate to do it a second time because the equipment didn't work.

I think I might wait until summer and maybe NIKON will bring us a new D400.... or something in the way of a pro DX body. OK, this is one opinion, do the search, read all the great ideas, and most of all

WELCOME TO NRF

Posted 12 months ago #
spraynpray

preferred member
Joined: Feb '10
Posts: 1,514
offline

Yes. What msmoto said, but to emphasise: You seem to have overlooked the fact that you have no lenses at all if you go the FX route, plus the lenses you have are pretty much bottom of the pile if you are going pro with weddings. It would be quite usual for you to turn up with less good equipment than the guests...

I don't mean to be rude, but you should know what I just said already so I'm thinking that 'pro' is mainly aspirational right now for you. My advice would be shoot the hell out of what you've got to learn, second shoot with pro's as well then when going pro is really on the cards, you will need to get at least a D800 equivalent plus 24-70 & 70 - 200 f2.8's.

HTH.

Posted 12 months ago #
greybagel

senior member
Joined: May '12
Posts: 78
offline

Thanks for the replies!

The fact that I have no FX lenses was not overlooked and that reason most of all is pushing me more towards a DX upgrade versus an FX entry.

Going "pro" is a long term goal. Right now I consider myself amateur and am looking get equipment to grow with me as my experience does. Maybe I should have been more clear that "hopes of breaking into wedding photography" is just a dream on paper at the moment. Although I do know several successful "pro" photographers that spent several years shooting weddings with mid-range DX bodies.

So more or less I'm looking for the next launch point to further myself. I've had the D40 for about 2.5 years and am now at the point with my experience that I feel it's causing issues with my image capturing possibilities.

Posted 12 months ago #
kyoshinikon

preferred member
Joined: Jan '10
Posts: 1,200
offline

Anything would be an upgrade for you :P

Get a D7000

Posted 12 months ago #
msmoto

big gun cougar
Joined: Mar '10
Posts: 2,736
offline

@spraynpray....let's see, I think that comes to about $7100,.00 USD, plus tax of 8% or about $7668.00, and shipping of a $150.00 oh yeah, $7800.00 + As a very basic beginning.

Maybe the idea of shooting behind the pros, I mean thousands of shots, editing to ten good ones, then deciding what to buy....

But, alas, I was young too, mmmm.... we had covered wagons as I remember...

Good luck, greybagel...we will help you in any way we can. But we love to laugh at ourselves.... and just to see how some of us do it..

http://nikonrumors.com/forum/topic.php?id=5447

Posted 12 months ago #

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