On 4/10/2013 12:10 AM, Nige Danton wrote:
I'm in a bit of a quandary. I've currently got a D7000 and an 18-105 lens.
Ive recently (this year) switched back to SLR's after a decade of using
digital point and shoot. I'm certainly pleased with D7000, but am finding
the 18-105 to be a bit too slow in low light (indoors without flash) and am
thinking of buying a faster lens.

Also I've found some of the (cropped) images to be not quite as sharp as I
would like. This mainly seems to occur in low light shots.

I'm also keen to try some macro photography too, and have been thinking
about a macro lens, perhaps extension tubes or even a bellows.

My quandary is this. I'm not (at all) sure that I'm satisfied with a DX
format and really don't want to buy new lenses and accessories and then
find myself needing to re-buy them if/when I buy an FX body.

So, what do you think. Should I spend more time and practise getting the
best out of my D7000 or switch to an FX body now? Cost is not particular
issue - that said I don't want to be wasteful.

Appreciate any feedback.


If you are able to afford the changeover then without question the FX is
the way to go. In any event, consider procuring FX type lenses in lieu
of DX type lenses. However, be aware that FX lenses being much larger
than DX lenses may interfere with using the cameras built-in flash. A
flash to seriously consider obtaining is the Nikon SB700. Yep, having a
couple or three of them won't hurt at all. Spaced in a suitable manner
one just might or could light-up a museum hall.

I suppose it may be of some interest to you as to what I use and am very
satisfied with using as working equipment set-ups, varying lenses as
needed at the time of photographing a scene.

I generally use a Nikon 17-35 f2.8 lens on my FX camera and a 24-120 f4
(full frame) lens on my DX camera, switching cameras as the lens befits
the scene I intend to capture. All my lenses, except one, are FX lenses.
The DX lens was a gift.

My overall suggestion would be to plan your procurement on eventually
obtaining an FX camera and/or getting into using FX lenses and support
equipment (whatever they may be). As in the case with using film of a
bygone era, bigger is better.