Buy a Better Lens or Better Camera Body? | FerrariChat
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Buy a Better Lens or Better Camera Body?

Discussion in 'Technology' started by jeff, Mar 1, 2011.

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  1. jeff

    jeff Formula 3

    Feb 19, 2001
    1,924
    North America
    #1 jeff, Mar 1, 2011
    I will be taking some wedding pictures and I want the best pictures possible. I have a Nikon D60 with some standard lenses that came bundled with the camera. I'm looking at the new Nikon 7000. Is it better to spend the money on a better lens for the D60 or buy the Nikon 7000? I'm willing to spend a $1000 for a single lens for the D60 or spend the $1000 for a Nikon 7000 body and then spend another $1000 for a lens. Which one will produce a better picture?
     
  2. Forza355

    Forza355 Formula 3

    Jan 19, 2006
    1,928
    Ontario, Canada
    Full Name:
    Derek
    #2 Forza355, Mar 1, 2011
    Last edited: Mar 1, 2011
    I'm no photography expert but, based on what you typed, I would definitely recommend going for a lens.
     
  3. 430man

    430man Formula Junior

    Jan 18, 2011
    489
    #3 430man, Mar 1, 2011
    lens lens lens lens lens lens

    Any more questions?

    go to pbase.com and look at samples from the lens you want to buy.
     
  4. Zack

    Zack Formula 3

    Dec 18, 2003
    2,001
    Nicosia, Cyprus/Cali
    Full Name:
    Zacharias
    #4 Zack, Mar 1, 2011
    D60 is a great camera.
    Buy lenses.
    And if your budget allows, a battery shoe and offset flash.

    Will you have an assistant? Have you made a "plan" of what shots you are going to take, and when? This will tell you/your assistant what needs to be set up when.

    Get a couple of books on wedding photography or just leaf through them at a bookstore. You will get some good tips that will raise your work above the mediocre first-time stuff.

    If you ever upgrade the camera body, just make sure the new one is compatible with the Nikon family of lenses so your investment isn't wasted.
     
  5. speedy_sam

    speedy_sam F1 Veteran

    Jul 13, 2004
    5,559
    TX
    Full Name:
    Sameer
    #5 speedy_sam, Mar 1, 2011
    Lens!

    You need large aperture lenses for low light performance and for the bokeh effect.

    Get a low light lens like a 50mm F1.8 (under $200) - this is superb on a digital body. Then buy a 20mm F2.8 to cover the wide angle shots.

    Eventually you will need to replace your D60 and get into a more backward compatible camera like the D300. The D60 works well with the digital (DX) lenses only. With non digital lenses, it doesnt autofocus or meter well.

    I had a D50 with a set of Nikon lenses - 50mm lens, 70-200 lens and a 18-70mm lens. I have upgraded to the D300 body and am loving it.
     
  6. jeff

    jeff Formula 3

    Feb 19, 2001
    1,924
    North America
    #6 jeff, Mar 1, 2011
    Last edited: Mar 1, 2011
    Thanks for all the replies. I will spend the money on the lens. As an aside, a professional photographer will be taking pictures. I'm taking pictures for my own pleasure. I'm hoping better equipment will make up for my lack of photography skills.
     
  7. kali

    kali Formula Junior

    Dec 17, 2007
    271
    Full Name:
    Elle
    #7 kali, Mar 1, 2011
    to further beat in the message. Lens lens lens lens. Always, unless someone slipped a doggy doo inside your camera body and it can't be rescued.
     
  8. ENDOSURG

    ENDOSURG Karting

    Dec 9, 2008
    70
    Massena,New York
    Full Name:
    Vijaykumar Mandalaywala
    #8 ENDOSURG, Mar 6, 2011

    Go with Nikon d7000 and 18-200 mm VR nikon lens
     

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