Evaluating possible D7000 Upgrade to My Photo Rig

[Steve_in_FL]

I’m seeking guidance on upgrading my rig. I want to upgrade for the following reasons:

(1) I am dissatisfied with the lack of sharpness and detail – especially when I crop.
(2) I was shocked at the superior colors I got with a borrowed D3100.
(3) I’m suffering from long-denied GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome).
(4) Faster, better operations would sure be welcome.

My current rig (bought in the mid-1800’s) is as follows:
(1) Nikon D70S
(2) Nikkor AF f/3.5-4.5 G 18-70mm (27-105mm equiv.)
(3) Nikkor AF f/4.0-5.6 G 70-300mm (105 – 450mm equiv.)
(4) Nikon Speedlight SB-800’s (two) plus stands and umbrellas

What I shoot:
(1) Portraits (adults and children)

(2) Nature (some landscapes, but mostly animals at a distance, plus flowers, etc.)
(3) General, family get-togethers, weddings, baptisms, etc.
(4) I almost always shoot RAW

How I process my results:
(1) I mostly use Lightroom, but sometimes I resort to Photoshop.
(2) 75% of my shots are sent out in digital format.
(3) 20% are sent to a photo processor.
(4) 5% are printed on my Epson Stylus Photo 1400.

What I am considering:
(1) Nikon D7000 (now)
(2) Other lenses in the distant future.

Rationale:

(1) Almost triple pixels (6 vs 16.2 mp) on the sensor should yield sharper crops
(2) Tremendous improvements in technology should result in better color, etc.
(3) Several generations improvement in technology in general (ease of use, etc.)
(4) I really want to keep the Nikon CLS and Flash Command support.

Concerns:

(1) All the hoopla about defective D7000’s – although it appears that some of this has come from mob-hysteria, and more, from people who weren’t prepared for such a sophisticated camera, and the need to RTFM – so much smoke makes me worry about the possibility of some real fires. However, virtually every expert has praised the camera, and not one encountered any of the supposed issues. NOTE: I am not trying to “stir the pot” on this issue.

(2) Perhaps I should wait 6 – 24 months to ensure that something amazing doesn’t come out at about the same price point as the D7000.

If you are still with me, please forgive the lengthy posting – but I have seen many responses to similar questions which complained about insufficient information. Any suggestions would be most welcome. I think I am at that phase of analysis where one just goes around in circles, chasing one’s own tail!

 

[Alice OLeary]

I went through a lot of the analytical process before I took the plunge and got the D7000. Now I wish I had taken the plunge earlier. The D7000 is an excellent camera. I upgraded from the D90, which is a really fine camera too. But the 7000 is SO much better. You can wait because there will always be something better but if your GAS is really severe do yourself a favor and dive in. Unless you get a true lemon you won't be sorry. Buy from a reputable dealer so you have some recourse. Have fun!

 

[Reilly Diefenbach]

Steve, you're not getting married to the camera. If it isn't the best thing you've ever used by a wide margin, put it on Ebay and move on to plan B. For the majority of us, it's been an absolutely great experience.

The fact that you are an experienced user notwithstanding, I would recommend highly the Ray Soares settings, which have helped me achieve tack sharp results and can do the same for you:

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1034&message=37815130

 

[herbymel]

I'd say in the next 6 to 24 months you're certainly going to see a replacement...although there may be one sooner but not at the same price as you're looking at. The replacement for the D7000 could be anywhere from 6 months to a year from now, if you're comfortable waiting that long. You could also pick up a used D90 and use it until a replacement comes along. I wouldn't worry too much about the hysteria concerning the problems with the camera, finding one is more of a concern.
--
Herby

 

[Mako2011]

Steve, you're not getting married to the camera. If it isn't the best thing you've ever used by a wide margin, put it on Ebay and move on to plan B. For the majority of us, it's been an absolutely great experience.

The fact that you are an experienced user notwithstanding, I would recommend highly the Ray Soares settings, which have helped me achieve tack sharp results and can do the same for you:

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1034&message=37815130

That's a very good recommendation and an excellent link....but may do the OP little good until he actually upgrades his D70s and buys a D7000

 

[zig123]

I'm curious as to your budget. the reason I'm asking is that the lenses you have are of the same vintage as the D70S.

First off, I have the D7000 which I purchased in October. I upgraded from the D90, which is a fine camera also, but the D7000 is really superior in many ways. For the type of photography that I get involved with, I find myself at the either the very wide end-landscapes, etc. or at the other long telephoto end for shooting birds in flight.

To get the most out of the camera and sensor, I got the 70-200mm f2.8 VRI. For UWA lens, I bought a Tokina 11-16mm 2.8. Since a medium zoom is not something that I use a lot, I still use the 18-70mm Nikkor. Frankly, the 18-70mm lens doesn't do a whole lot for me. It's just okay.

The point of my long winded story is; if you're looking to upgrade to the D7000, do yourself a favor and get a good lens for it. Something like a 16-85mm Nikkor lens would be a better choice. Also, if your shooting people a lot, then you might consider the 35mm f1.8. It is inexpensive but a pretty good performer. Obviously, there are other medium zoom choices out there that will give you better performance than the 18-70mm.

At this point, you may notice I haven't said too much about your main question: Well, the D7000 is so much better than the D70s in so many ways that it really is an easy decision, in my mind.

Good luck in whatever you decide.

Zig
Zig

 

[Reilly Diefenbach]

You know he's going to do it, he just needs a little encouragement :^)

 

[Mako2011]

You know he's going to do it, he just needs a little encouragement :^)

I just didn't want him to make up his mind before anotherMike has a chance to get here and bash the camera. You know how he gets without his fix

 

[Steve_in_FL]

Thank you all so much for your kind responses! I have to say, that if you look at the fact that I am still shooting with a D70S, to me, it IS like getting married! LOL

Please forgive me for abusing a dead equine, but just to be sure.... You folks agree that I will get much sharper images and better color - even with my crappy existing lenses? How about whiter whites?

I do want to get better lenses, but that will have to wait. For only having two lenses, they have served me pretty well all these years.

Oh, and thank you for the links - I will certainly investigate them.

 

[herbymel]

Please forgive me for abusing a dead equine, but just to be sure.... You folks agree that I will get much sharper images and better color - even with my crappy existing lenses? How about whiter whites?

Sounds almost like a detergent commercial...you'll get better color and whiter whites with D7000...Actually not really, the color that came out of the d70 was very nice, as far as sharpness, that's more a product of the glass and photographer...here is an example of a recent image shot with the lowly d70
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1034&message=40032507

That being said, I'd still get the D7000, there will be less noise at higher ISO, and lower ISO, which was more important to me. In a way having higher mb would make it easier to crop from, so I guess could be seen as sharper.
Herby

 

[justice strike]

with the lenses you have i would rather opt to go with a d3100 and some extra lenses... you might even be able to get a d90 for a nice price and have some change for a 18-105. That's really going to be a lot better than upgrading your body but not your lenses.

 

[Sante Patate]

Yeah, but ... the extra pixels will expose the weaknesses of the 18-70, so the pictures may not look better. IMO, the upgrade to the D7000 is a no-brainer, but it really may necessitate a lens upgrade.

 

[Ray Soares]

--
Ray Soares

See my pictures at http://www.pbase.com/raysoares

 

[Deleted1929]

Almost triple pixels (6 vs 16.2 mp) on the sensor should yield sharper crops

Not necessarily.

It's only 50% extra vertical and horizontal resolution. That's 50% bigger prints. Is that a real advantage to you - only you know.

The 18-70 is sharp enough, but the older non-VR 70-300 is a little weak towards the long end. The newer Nikon and Tamron 70-300 VR/VC models are better, and possibly the 55-300 VR as well.

Tremendous improvements in technology should result in better color, etc.

The improvements do mean improved dynamic range, lower noise. But I don't think you could say that the colour has improved outside of those areas.

Several generations improvement in technology in general (ease of use, etc.)

Don't bet on it.

You're still going to shoot with PSAM. Control is still largely your job. While the system is more sophisticated that doesn't mean it's easier to use. Many of the so-called problems with the D7000 boil down to a sophisticated camera that takes users by surprise.

I really want to keep the Nikon CLS and Flash Command support.

Good call. The older D90 can do this as well.

--
StephenG

 

[David Grabowski]

In jpegs that is. The D7000 will take quite a bit more learning and tweaking to get it in line with your thought process. Least that was the case for me. My daughter has a 3100 and Grand Daughter also, they are fun cameras to shoot. The D7000 I own myself and it took me quite some time to get a real handle on it. Ya, I could take nice pictures but to really get a handle , well, still doing that I guess !! At least so for a decent jpeg output, which opposite common belief, can be had..

Whiter whites sounds like a WB issue. I own a D70, D100, Fuji S2 and D7000, white is white if you set it up that way. What you will gain is resolution up the ying yang by comparison. I've made verticals out of horizontals with the D7K. You will also gain dynamic range at base ISO and base ISO of 100. Most of the added range is in the shadows, and they lift pretty cleanly, especially compared with the D70.

The D70 shoots pretty sharp, you won't gain a lot with the lenses you have, might even lose a bit in terms of sharpness. You will gain in crops though because you will keep a nice level of resolution. So you will keep detail, not sharpness per say. The D7000 and even the 5100 like really good glass, not neccessarily expensive but good, like 50mm 1.8 good or 85 1.8 good and certainly 17-55 good. Sigma 50-150 good etc... Or aftermarket APO glass for instance. They just respond well when a lens can resolve well. Your files sizes are going to greatly increase incidentally.
David

 

[TFergus]

Steve, you're not getting married to the camera. If it isn't the best thing you've ever used by a wide margin, put it on Ebay and move on to plan B. For the majority of us, it's been an absolutely great experience.

The fact that you are an experienced user notwithstanding, I would recommend highly the Ray Soares settings, which have helped me achieve tack sharp results and can do the same for you:

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1034&message=37815130

That's a very good recommendation and an excellent link....but may do the OP little good until he actually upgrades his D70s and buys a D7000

It wouldn't be DPR without people giving completely irrelevant advice

 

[toomanycanons]

Over analyze much? Just buy one already!

 

[Steve_in_FL]

Perhaps I am confused. When I calculate Horiz. x Vert. Resolutions for the two cameras, and largest quality picture size @ 300 dpi, I get a significant difference.

D70S = 3,000 x 2,000 ~ 10" x 7" photo
D7000 = 4,930 x 3,286 ~ 16" x 11" photo

Am I missing or misunderstanding something here? Or is it that one man's significant difference is not equal to another man's? I do not ask this to be contentious, but rather to be sure I understand, and to be sure I am not wasting my money.

My major motivation is improved sharpness/image quality when cropping, with the lenses I have, for the time being. Unfortunately, I can't afford a new body and new lenses simultaneously.

To get substantially improved images with new glass, would require a much larger expenditure. And I believe it would be mostly wasted money until I can afford a better camera. Am I in the same position with the body, ie:, do I need to replace both body AND lenses in order to get markedly improved image quality?

 

[Noreen CT]

I cannot address any of your technical questions, but I do have the same two lenses you have and also the D90 and its 18-105 kit lens. I loved my D70 and only bought the D90 because of the much larger and brighter monitor on the back. (And, we had two family weddings to attend in one month....)

I forget the specifications now, but I think the D90's monitor was several times brighter and certainly much larger than the D70's. The larger monitor made it much easier to not only view photos and the histogram but also to adjust the camera settings. The 90's ISO sensitivity is also higher than the 70's.

As I said, not a technical explanation, but a vote in favor of either the D90 or 7000 just from a usability standpoint.

 

[Mako2011]

Perhaps I am confused. When I calculate Horiz. x Vert. Resolutions for the two cameras, and largest quality picture size @ 300 dpi, I get a significant difference.

D70S = 3,000 x 2,000 ~ 10" x 7" photo
D7000 = 4,930 x 3,286 ~ 16" x 11" photo

Am I missing or misunderstanding something here? Or is it that one man's significant difference is not equal to another man's?

Yes peoples opinion differ on the IQ differences. For example, If most pics are viewed from more than a few feet away ...then 220dpi may be just as acceptable as 300dpi.

So, yes a D7000 is capable of giving some bang for the buck and you will eventually need a better sensor. But what folks are saying is your D70s is capable of some stunning pics....and the D7000 is capable of upping the bar. But many of the differences will be unnoticed unless viewed side by side and up close. But, if your willing to but effort into the picture taking and PP then you will certainly be able to get better pic with the D7000 than the D70.
Here is what you can expect with a simple body and lens upgrade.

Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED





AF-S Nikkor 16-35mm f/4G ED VR





The real big difference will come in your technical improvement over time. So in relative terms....if you don't improve your technique and abilities the dif in IQ might not be as big a jump as you expect even with better glass. If you print big though.....yes, the D7000 will be a bigger jump than just better glass. Hope this helps. Good Luck