Camera Upgrade

[Shooty Boi]

I'm currently rocking a Nikon D5000 with the kit lens as well as an AF-S 50mm 1.8G. Recently I was appointed as the head of the documentation committee of an organization in my college which meant I now have to cover conferences and sports in addition to my usual photography. Because of this I thought it would be best to get a camera with a faster continuous shooting fps for continuous shooting. My current choices are the D7000, D7100, D7200, and D300s. I would like to know what you would suggest and what are the advantages/disadvantages of each one.

 

[Bobthearch]

The D7200 has a much larger buffer (burst shooting), newer processor, and better low-light performance than the D7100.

Don't get me wrong, the D7100 is an excellent camera and I love mine. But I don't think it's the best choice for your usage.

https://www.google.com/search?q=D7200+vs+D7100+site:www.dpreview.com

I would not consider something as old as the D300s for the type of shooting you've described. Lower resolution, older processor, heavier and bulkier with no obvious trade-off advantage.

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[Shooty Boi]

Thank you for your input! I've done some extra reading and it really looks like I should go for the D7200

 

[SJacPhoto]

Just invest in a rather inexpensive mirrorless camera.

No need to invest in an old system like the D7200.

 

[Bassam Guy]

Just invest in a rather inexpensive mirrorless camera.

No need to invest in an old system like the D7200.

Just what I was going to say. Mirrorless will always be faster because you don't have to wait for a mirror to flip up and down. Put the Olympus E-M1 Mark ii in electronic shutter mode and you can get up to an insane 60 frames per second.

 

[Badwater]

I'm currently rocking a Nikon D5000 with the kit lens as well as an AF-S 50mm 1.8G. Recently I was appointed as the head of the documentation committee of an organization in my college which meant I now have to cover conferences and sports in addition to my usual photography. Because of this I thought it would be best to get a camera with a faster continuous shooting fps for continuous shooting. My current choices are the D7000, D7100, D7200, and D300s. I would like to know what you would suggest and what are the advantages/disadvantages of each one.

To do a documentary journalistic type of photography and video, you may need to invest into a different camera and lens. A modern mirrorless system will future proof your photography career for many years to come.

However, based on your selection above I suspect budget is limited to used gear. Thus, your D5000 should do just fine. But you'll need more lens to cover sports. And a telephoto with f/2.8 aperture to allow for indoor low light shooting as well as outdoor sports at night. You should be able to find a lot of good used 70-200mm lenses on the market for real cheap.

Right now the trend is toward mirrorless, and a lot of people are selling off their DSLR gear for real good prices. So keep checking on the used market for the best deals. If you want burst speed, I would avoid the D7000 and D7100, both are slow and have slow buffer ability. The D7200 is faster than both. D300s would be the better for sports, but they are old, and because they are sports cameras, usually have high shutter counts when used.

Congratulations on the gig.

 

[NikonNature]

I would suggest you take a few minutes to set realistic goals and expectations, and also make a budget. This sounds like more than just shooting as a hobby. Many cameras can do sports, but if you need to do it well and consistently, then it is worth investing in the right tool for the job.

For example, if the sports include indoor activities like basketball, volleyball, etc. then you will need a fast lens (e.g.: f/2.8) as well as a camera with good AF that is also good in low light. I really don't see an advantage in mirrorless, but if that interests you just make sure you line up camera + lenses so you can make a fair comparison.

The D7200 would be good, or the D500 if you can swing it. It might be a good idea to check out the Sports and Action forum to see what they're using. Or even post your question there.

 

[bob13bob]

who's paying for this? shooting sports, especially indoor, is hard and expensive.

usually means a 2k 2.8 70-200 lens + a non entry level body taht can focus fast and accurately enough to get the shots. high fps is easy if they don't need to be in focus. the new canon eos R shoots 8fps with no autofocus = useless; but 3fps with AF, very bad for a modern camera.

if you going to to spend over 2k in lens, get a ff. FF lens are actually a lot cheaper for the same performance and equivalent appertures. F2.8 on a aps-c camers is the same as F4 on a full frame.

probably the best perf/$ you can get right now is probably m50 + efs adapter + used efs lens. maybe buy the body used as well if you get a good discount. 8fps with good autofocus. Check with m50 owners who have tried to shoot sports before buying; i have not.

 

[Shooty Boi]

So, this is an update on the whole thing and pretty much a reply for everyone's messages since I was away for quite a while.

Originally, I was going to pay for this by myself which restricted me to only used gear, hence my options for this. But now I have someone who's willing to pay half the price which means I have twice the purchasing power. So, instead of the models I listed at first, I'm now trying to decide between a new D7500 and a used D500. I'm aware that I can go full frame with a used D750 with this money, but switching to full frame would mean spending more for the lens since DX lens won't work.


So right now here are the possible camera+lens combinations

1. Nikon D7500, Sigma 17-50 f/2.8, Nikkor 80-200 f/2.8D or Nikkor 85 f/1.8G

2. Nikon D500, Sigma 17-50 f/2.8

As for the people suggesting that I go for a mirrorless camera, it's not something I'm considering right now since I'm invested in Nikon's ecosystem so I won't be switching any time soon.

 

[NikonNature]

So, this is an update on the whole thing and pretty much a reply for everyone's messages since I was away for quite a while.

Originally, I was going to pay for this by myself which restricted me to only used gear, hence my options for this. But now I have someone who's willing to pay half the price which means I have twice the purchasing power. So, instead of the models I listed at first, I'm now trying to decide between a new D7500 and a used D500. I'm aware that I can go full frame with a used D750 with this money, but switching to full frame would mean spending more for the lens since DX lens won't work.

It sounds like you have a good bead on things. I'm glad, because there's nothing worse than spending your money and being really disappointed afterward.

So right now here are the possible camera+lens combinations

1. Nikon D7500, Sigma 17-50 f/2.8, Nikkor 80-200 f/2.8D or Nikkor 85 f/1.8G

The D7500 is great and will handle your events fine. I will probably do fine for sports too, just not quite the action beast the D500 is.

Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 sounds like a good option, especially for the price. It has a useful range and large aperature.

Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8 should also be good. Not sure what price you are finding (new/used), but the Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 G2 is excellent.

Nikon 85mm f/1.8G is excellent, but maybe a bit of a one-trick pony. It will be more like a 128mm on a DX body.

2. Nikon D500, Sigma 17-50 f/2.8

There's no doubt the D500 is built for action. If sports is critical, then it might be worth the extra money. But the D7500 is no slouch and will probable do fine. The normal criteria for sports is 1) Burst rate, which you should be fine with either camera, 2) Buffer, both are fine, and 3) AF speed and accuracy - here the D500 has an edge, but maybe not enough to justify the cost for your particular use.

As for the people suggesting that I go for a mirrorless camera, it's not something I'm considering right now since I'm invested in Nikon's ecosystem so I won't be switching any time soon.

 

[Shooty Boi]

Okay, this is gonna be my last update for this thread since there's not much more to talk about.

Basically, I ended up getting the D7500 and the 17-50 because all the D500 units sold out the day before I went to buy. While it was disappointing at first, I'm more than happy with the d7500 as it was still a massive step up from my previous camera and I'll probably be using it until i earn enough money to either upgrade to full frame or get a D500.

 

[baloo_buc]

You don't have to wait the 1/800 s mirror flaps. You will wait 1/180 s the sensor is cleaned for the shot.

 

[baloo_buc]

Enjoy the new toy. It lacks only one feature to be professional (dual cards) so just use smaller cards and do yourself the backup especially at important events.

 

[scokill]

Enjoy the new toy. It lacks only one feature to be professional (dual cards) so just use smaller cards and do yourself the backup especially at important events.

LOL! Condescending much. Out of all the opinions in the world yours is one of them.

 

[baloo_buc]

Not at all. You need to prepare if you shoot professionally. Some cameras make it easier but you have to deal with what you have so an efficient backup strategy (like a laptop with a card reader) reduce the risk.

If you shoot for leisure 128 G of lost photos may be painful. If you are professional it may be very damaging for you. The OP clearly stated that it took that camera for professional use.

 

[BobSC]

Okay, this is gonna be my last update for this thread since there's not much more to talk about.

Basically, I ended up getting the D7500 and the 17-50 because all the D500 units sold out the day before I went to buy. While it was disappointing at first, I'm more than happy with the d7500 as it was still a massive step up from my previous camera and I'll probably be using it until i earn enough money to either upgrade to full frame or get a D500.

Good luck!

If you don't have a flash get one. You'll need that for the conferences and stuff.

The most important thing I learned working briefly for a newspaper is when you get there take a photo. Of anything. The last thing you want is to not have any photo.

 

[FingerPainter]

Just invest in a rather inexpensive mirrorless camera.

No need to invest in an old system like the D7200.

And which mirrorless camera can he get that will AF indoor sports as well as the D7200 , with as little noise, for a lower price?

The D7200 is a finee choice, The D7500 would be even better if he could afford the price bump.

Having bought an a6000, I wouldn't recommend it over a D7200 for outdoor daytime sports either.

Fujifilm XT-3, XH-1 , or Sony a6500 are considerably more expensive than the D7200 at current prices. The only MFT cameras that might rival the D7200 for sports are more expensive.

 

[FingerPainter]

So, this is an update on the whole thing and pretty much a reply for everyone's messages since I was away for quite a while.

Originally, I was going to pay for this by myself which restricted me to only used gear, hence my options for this. But now I have someone who's willing to pay half the price which means I have twice the purchasing power. So, instead of the models I listed at first, I'm now trying to decide between a new D7500 and a used D500. I'm aware that I can go full frame with a used D750 with this money, but switching to full frame would mean spending more for the lens since DX lens won't work.

So right now here are the possible camera+lens combinations

1. Nikon D7500, Sigma 17-50 f/2.8, Nikkor 80-200 f/2.8D or Nikkor 85 f/1.8G

2. Nikon D500, Sigma 17-50 f/2.8

As for the people suggesting that I go for a mirrorless camera, it's not something I'm considering right now since I'm invested in Nikon's ecosystem so I won't be switching any time soon.

I'd choose option 1 because you need the longer lens. You'll also find the UI a bit more similar to your existing camera. Also the D7500 has a built in flash that you might need for some of your non-sport event coverage.

The D500 will give you even better subject tracking than the D7500, but it has the same sensor, so IQ will be almost the same.

 

[scokill]

Just invest in a rather inexpensive mirrorless camera.

No need to invest in an old system like the D7200.

And which mirrorless camera can he get that will AF indoor sports as well as the D7200 , with as little noise, for a lower price?

The D7200 is a finee choice, The D7500 would be even better if he could afford the price bump.

Having bought an a6000, I wouldn't recommend it over a D7200 for outdoor daytime sports either.

Fujifilm XT-3, XH-1 , or Sony a6500 are considerably more expensive than the D7200 at current prices. The only MFT cameras that might rival the D7200 for sports are more expensive.

But mirrorless is the future....perhaps he can transport himself to the future and purchase.

I wish I had my D7100 back as a second body...but then I remember it's an old camera so I wouldn't be able to use it.