I am thinking about upgrading to a Nikon D7100 and saw a body only price for about $770 from a reputable vendor.
I can also get the same camera with a Nikkor kit lens 18-105 with the VR stabilization for just under $1000.
I currently have a Nikon D80 which has served me well, but I have had issues with camera itself.
I love to shot with an old Nikkor lens 28-105 (3.5 - 4.5) and find it very versatile. I particulary love that it has a very nice macro, and it suits my needs pretty well. It is heavy, and does not have the VR.
I have the kit lenses from the D80, but don't use them too much (18-55 mm and 55-200mm). I have a 1.8 50mm lens which I use often. I am just not sure if I will be happy with the kit lens even though it has VR. Would I be better off saving some money for a better lens further down the road?
If you already have kit lens for the D80 - not sure it is worth you buying a kit lens for the D7100 as they are both crop sensor camera's (alhough the D7100 will be better technology) I had a D80 and bought a D7000 a few years ago, rather than buy a kit lens with it I used the kit lens from the D80 and bought a few other lens to go with my kit to give me more versatility
I'll have to say that if you find yourself shooting often at slower shutter speeds the VR is totally worth it. One can often handhold at two stops slower with VR than without and I can say with certainty that I know VR has saved some of my shots that would have otherwise been ruined. Now having said that I realize its hard to argue in favor of dropping $$$s for a lens that is basically one you already have. And, you've shot without VR technology this long, I'm sure you'll continue to produce great images. It's a tough choice for sure, but to summarize I think I could only recommend going for the new kit lens if you find yourself shooting frequently in low light and/or at slower shutter speeds because the VR is definitely pretty darn cool to have in those situations.
I'd go with the body only and save your money for another lens; the 28-105 you have is sharper and less distortion than the newer kit 18-105. If you are shooting OK without the VR, stay with it.
If you are after all-in-one zooms, the new Tamron 16-300 is darn good, $900+, but then so are the Tamron 18-270 and the Sigma 18-250 at 1/2 the price of the 16-300. Nikon has an 18-300, reputed to be excellent at about the same price as the 16-300 Tamron, but I have never shot with it. An excellent zoom at 70-300 is the VR FX from Nikon. Only something like f/4.5-5.6, but paired with the D7100, which is great in low light, I think you would be pleased with the value for money. The constant aperture f/4 70-200 is excellent as well (At $1,400 though), and the venerable 70-200 f/2.8 is twice as much but truly superb, but very heavy, probably overkill on the D7100 though, I'd say.
I have the f/4 in conjunction with my D7100, and it is on the camera almost as much as the 24-85 VR, another excellent lens (FX) for the money (less than $350) especially on the APS-C D7100. The nice extra with the f/4 is that you can fit it with Nikkor teleconverters, and the newest x2 (don't even consider the older ones) gets you out to 400mm at f/8, where AF will still function fine. I've had excellent results with the combination.
My view only of course. Good luck on whatever you decide.
@lorrainelouise@frankhymus@icamera
Thank you so much for your advice. It confirms my own thinking. I am leaning toward a "wait and see" approach, getting the body only and purchasing a lens if necessary. I think it will be interesting and educational to see if the new camera makes a difference when using my old lenses.
I might get a VR lens through Amazon and test if its low light capabilities justify the expense.
I'm definitely with Frank on this one! I don't think you need the kit lens, either. Just buy the body then put the additional money towards a better lens.
Good advise..go with the body and get better glass. I have had good luck with getting some top quality lens' from EBay auctions. Generally 20-40% off the price of new. (just investigate the seller a bit).
I just got a "like new" 24-70 f2.8 for $1350. Can't tell the difference from a new one!
@pistonbroke@jfitzroy50
Thank you for response.
I decided to order just the body, and buy a good lens sometime down the road. I've gotten so excellent suggestions for lenses here too!
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If you are after all-in-one zooms, the new Tamron 16-300 is darn good, $900+, but then so are the Tamron 18-270 and the Sigma 18-250 at 1/2 the price of the 16-300. Nikon has an 18-300, reputed to be excellent at about the same price as the 16-300 Tamron, but I have never shot with it. An excellent zoom at 70-300 is the VR FX from Nikon. Only something like f/4.5-5.6, but paired with the D7100, which is great in low light, I think you would be pleased with the value for money. The constant aperture f/4 70-200 is excellent as well (At $1,400 though), and the venerable 70-200 f/2.8 is twice as much but truly superb, but very heavy, probably overkill on the D7100 though, I'd say.
I have the f/4 in conjunction with my D7100, and it is on the camera almost as much as the 24-85 VR, another excellent lens (FX) for the money (less than $350) especially on the APS-C D7100. The nice extra with the f/4 is that you can fit it with Nikkor teleconverters, and the newest x2 (don't even consider the older ones) gets you out to 400mm at f/8, where AF will still function fine. I've had excellent results with the combination.
My view only of course. Good luck on whatever you decide.
Thank you so much for your advice. It confirms my own thinking. I am leaning toward a "wait and see" approach, getting the body only and purchasing a lens if necessary. I think it will be interesting and educational to see if the new camera makes a difference when using my old lenses.
I might get a VR lens through Amazon and test if its low light capabilities justify the expense.
I just got a "like new" 24-70 f2.8 for $1350. Can't tell the difference from a new one!
Thank you for response.
I decided to order just the body, and buy a good lens sometime down the road. I've gotten so excellent suggestions for lenses here too!