Upgrade from Nikon D5100 to D7100?
I have a Nikon D5100 with a Nikon 18-55mm, a Nikon 35mm, and a tamron 70-300mm lens. I've been thinking about upgrading to a new camera or getting new glass.
I really love the D7100 and being able to keep my DX lenses would be super convenient as opposed to upgrading to a full frame. The lens I'm looking at it the Nikon 18-140mm VR lens.
I just want to hear the opinions of those who have done this upgrade or if they have any input or advice I could use towards my decision. Thanks in advance!
Added (1). (I haven't upgraded to the D7100 yet.)
It is a "real" upgrade since the D7100 has a metal chassis and environmental seals. It will also use not only all the Nikkor AF-S lenses you have now, but can auto-focus with the older Nikkor AF lenses that will not auto-focus on your entry level D5100.
What is really kind of cool is that you can also use any of the Nikkor manual focus AI or AIs lenses.
Being able to use your DX lenses on a Nikon FX camera is something Canon users can't do, so you are a step ahead there
To help figure out what lenses you will want to buy in the future, here is a link that shows you the angle of view when using DX and FX lenses on DX and FX cameras
The D7100 is a better featured camera than the D5100. Is it the best use of limited money? Is your Tamron 70-300mm the good one with Vibration Compensation and Ultrasonic Silent Drive or is it the cheapo. Upgrading the body won't make a cheapo 70-300mm any sharper. The 24 MP D7100 will just give lens deficiencies more magnification.
Before upgrading give some thought to whether you really need to…
I shoot with the D5100, I moved from the Pentax *ist DS to the D5100 and didn't fancy the D5100 much so decided to invest in the D7100…
Sure the D7100 has all the advantages that I actually use and it's a really decent machine, If you need twin SD slots, improved build, the LCD screen on the top plate and the convenience of having access to regularly used features more available… Then upgrade, I'm really amazed how much I actually use the D5100 now considering that I actually didn't fancy it much, it's so small and lightweight, easy to use, spits out great quality images and it's fun and enjoyable to use… I only use the D7100 for shots that need that extra bit of attention to detail which isn't that often… I really enjoy the D7100, the D5100 delivers exactly what I expect from a camera though… The only way i'll ditch the D5100 is if Nikon introduce the articulated screen on the D7200, it's a handy option I prefer a screen that can fold away it's ideal protection against scratches and breakages… It isn't something that i'd expect Nikon to do though.
I have a D7100 (upgraded from a D90), but I never went from one of the entry level cameras. Since I had some legacy lenses from my Nikon film SLR, I always went to at least mid-level Nikon DSLRs.
However, I would recommend you consider upgrading lenses first, before the camera. The 35mm lens is probably the only lens worthy of using on the D7100. Fact is, you need good lenses if you expect to get everything out of the D7100 that you pay for.
Consider buying the D7100 as a body-only, and then the Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8, which is a superb lens (that is what I did).
http://www.althephoto.com/cameras/d7100.php
Then to that, add something like a Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 (or perhaps the Sigma 8-16mm f/4.5~5.6), and a suitable telephoto lens.
It is not as easy to pick out the telephoto lens. There are two clear paths here. Do you want a fast-sports lens or can you get by with a slower but still good telephoto.
While the sports lens seems nice, realize they are both heavy and expensive. But if that is your need, consider the Nikon AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8, Nikon AF 80-200mm f/2.8. Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8, or Sigma 50-150mm f/2.8.
If you can get by with the moderate speed lens, then the Nikon AF-S 70-300mm f/4.5~5.6 is hard to beat, and it is a lot lighter and cheaper than the sports lenses.
Once you get a nice lens set, then think about upgrading your camera body.