gpdunc

<p>kent, you planted the seed and I've been the owner for a xt1 for just over a week. I can only characterize the last month as a journey which started with testing the sigma 18-35 Art lens to gradually accepting the APS-C format, to considering mirrorless, to buying into the x system. I started with buying the 10-24mm and the 27mm, and adapters to use my nikon and konica lenses. I plan on getting some old MF lenses to experiment and a focal reducer for nikon.</p> <p>the xt1 is not without it's faults, but the size is perfect and I'm acclimating myself to thinking about the mechanics of image capture from a fuji perspective; it's quite different, the process is less precise , requires more trust, but is also quite enjoyable.</p>

<p>Elliot, I hardly know where to start, thanks for your post; you're saying the D7k is a perfectly suitable platform for me (based on the images I linked above) and if an upgrade were justified I should buy a little behind the bleeding edge for maximum value. I agree with the buying philosophy completely, I'm not an early adopter typically, if you knew me you'd understand; i drive a 10 yr old vw, 2yr old google phone and 4yr nikon dslr: just not all at once.</p> <p>I admit you've seeded doubt in the necessity for upgrading. I'm 16k clicks into the d7k and feel like 90% of what it does is predictably good, and when it fails, the ability to pull out a decent image from the raw file is amazing. I do use and truthfully like cnx2 and am preparing to move to LR with my next camera since nikon is dropping support of cnx2. So It's partly (10%) technical frustration, but predominantly a lack of a personal connection. I do remember what a given focal length is supposed to look like through a viewfinder and what an ektachrome slide, velvia print, ilford160 or agfa25 looked like without post processing. I should probably be happy that it only takes a few adjustments to fix dynamic range and color balance issues. AF issues once in a blue moon result in soft focus. I also miss the depth of field and bokeh of film days. I rarely use the long end of a lens anymore.</p> <p>There is a lot going on right now, I don't particularly like carrying a hefty dslr around, I could live with the CF cards and the older sensor in the D700 but the weight would be a detriment (which I would have endured if the technology was better than the d7k). The rest of my OP was whether to upgrade to a D750 or a lightly used D800; I'm sure either is more than I need, but D800 I see as a pro's camera and the D750 I see more like a D650 (so it's closer to what I wanted in the D700, except it adds video). There are other formats which I don't know a lot about but which offer an aps-c or better sensor in a smaller footprint, so carrying a rangefinder sized camera around with a quality fixed lens would be a nice change. Aiming a dslr at people can be intimidating as well, which was one of the reasons I bought the 28mm/2.8; so they wouldn't shrink from the 18-200. The 28mm doesn't have the natural tones or shallow depth of field of the 50mm.</p> <p>I never thought I would use my phone camera outside work, but Instagram has allowed me to capture moments and archive them with a spontaneity that doesn't exist when you have an expensive and extremely capable camera in your hands. I don't market my pictures, but over the years I've been asked to sell or donate some of my images and have had several pictures published as magazine covers or themes. My pictures have become much more contemplative and abstract than what you may see above, I feel like I'm just beginning to touch some fringes of ability to express the subjects how I want, but it's frustrating...</p> <p>All that said, the bottom line is if I follow yours and my own advice I would buy a high quality FX lens this year and wait a year to get a lightly used D750 body. Will have to think about it some more. rule#1-good glass beats everything else and good glass always appreciates in value. conversations in email are complicated but thanks again for your help.</p>

<p>part of me also thinks that perhaps now is the time to look at alternative systems before I plunk down my hard earned money on a hobby, albeit one that is personally enjoyable.</p> <p>thanks everyone for your suggestions, looks like I'll be shopping on Black Friday. If anyone sees a deal on a D750 PM me please. I might take a few more suggestions re; a wide lens... The tokina 17-35 mentioned by Alan is just what i was looking for and it gets good marks.</p>

<p>Jocelyn,<br> my $.02 although you have much to digest already. the body is almost immaterial in this discussion unless you're blowing these pictures up life size. A macro lens (only Nikon calls them Micro) will give you the highest quality reproduction. Most lenses have some distortion in the corners and there are settings to minimize the effect. Macro lenses are designed to have little to no distortion.</p> <p>next decision would be focal length, the smaller lenses like the 55mm Micro are best at closeup reproduction work, copying documents, etc. but since your pieces can be 30"or 42" in size you'll have a problem using a macro lens in the traditional way. When they recommended 50-55mm I think what they were suggesting is to keep the perspective of the captured image "normal". a "normal" lens is approximately 50mm (give or take) and yields an image very closely to what you'd see with the "normal" eye. so you could use a 40mm Micro lens for it's quality, but shooting the pieces from a distance.</p> <p>you'll probably want to make a lightbox for yourself and get a good tripod, then start by renting some gear from borrowlenses.com or lensrental.com and test, maybe rent a dslr and a zeiss lens for starters. good luck.</p>

<p>@wouter, so your primary body is the d700? I have no interest in buying/selling lenses. Interests change and esspecially not if they don't fit into my long range view. I see aps-c sensors staying around for people who want extra reach. I've only ever needed more reach for macro and supermoons. But I do see fx sensor bodies coming down in price. And at the same time if I buy a wide zoom, should i buy a DX version and further invest in DX or jump now to FX and perhaps find a fx lens that's doesn't need to be quite so wide. Thats the dilemma with staying on DX. BTW, your pictures have been cycling below since you posted ~very nice.</p>

<p>Hey, Thanks for the help. @Tom, the nikkor wide zooms would be out of consideration if I opted for a D750/D800. </p> <p>It seems my feeling about the D700 might be born out by your comments. That's okay, I don't upgrade often so when I do I like it to be a good bump up. I was thinking if I bought a D700 I would keep the D7000 and DX lens. I still have my D70 which my sons use occasionally.</p>

<p>if you can get it, there is a free desktop app named Preview Extractor 1.6</p>

<p>I apologize in advance if this question skirts several of the unacceptable post topics. My purpose is to have a discussion on several FX bodies. My Nikon progression has been N80, D70, D7000 and I have the following lenses: 28/2.8D, 50/1.4D, 85/1.8D, 80-200/2.8D, 18-200/DXVR1, 55/2.8AISmicro. And these albums are very typical of me. http://img.gg/j9Cx91h http://img.gg/3sNwuRU</p> <p>My most recent purchase was the 28mm to give me a prime in the approximate range of a normal lens, I rarely use the 50mm and never use the 85 because of the multiplier. My thinking is that I would use those lenses more if I had a fx sensor. I'd also like the greater dynamic range of the newer sensors & processors. My other concern is that I'd like to get a wider lens or maybe a wide zoom in the mid teens to high 20s (or mid 30s) range.</p> <p>Now I'm going to write some things that may be completely off base, which is part of why I'm posting. My first look was the D700, which would work for me since I wouldn't miss the video of the D7000, but I don't know whether its wise to buy a digital camera from an older generation than the one I'm trying to improve on. If the prevailing wisdom is against the D700, my next look is towards a D750 or a used D800. from a technical standpoint, is the end product of the sensor/processor in the D700 an upgrade from the D7000? I've read many reviews and compared the specs of the new D750 to the D800. One thing I do like about the D750 is it's weight and small size, so I'm leaning toward it more for that reason. On the other hand, if I bought a D700 I'd have more options for a good wide angle lens.</p> <p> </p>