Upgrading from Nikon D3000

[Badprop_za]

Good day to all.

As the title describes, I am looking in upgrading my DSLR. I will still keep the D3000 as a second body.

My main uses for my camera is general photography from people, portraits to landscaping. Included will also by my annual trips to the KNP.

My current lenses are:
- 18-55 VR kit lens that cam with the D3000
- 70-300 Sigma non-APO (Will be upgrading to the 70-300VR soon)

For the Kruger, I will be renting the nikon 200-400VR f/4 lens. At the moment, I have a second-hand D7000 in mind.
I don't want to spend more than R6k-R7,5k on the body. Obviously as cheap as possible.

So my questions is what else can I consider?

 

[kolaval]

D7000 is nice but what feature do you need that you do not have now?
If you can name something critical then go for it.

Otherwise look for more glass IMHO
18 - 200mm for all round
80 - 200mm secondhand (70-200 is a tad expensive)
?

**I have a D90 and want a 7000/7100 as well

 

[fvdbergh]

D7000 is nice but what feature do you need that you do not have now?

The D7000 will give you better dynamic range for landscape shots (over the D3000).
Infra-red trigger, flash commander (for portraits), U1/U2 modes, higher burst speed, decent number of AF points, ability to drive AF-D lenses (like the 80-200?) ...

... and I probably missed quite a few.

Personally I think the D7000 is the sweet spot in Nikon's enthusiast line-up. Sure, the D7100 does give you quite a bit more, but bang-for-a-buck the D7000 is really attractive.

 

[Stillie]

mmmm this thread applies to me too lol!!! i was weighing up the option of more glass or better body, but im leaning more to better body because of above-mentioned features but for me i love my HDR photography and its hard with the D3000 as it doesnt have the built in feature!

 

[Badprop_za]

Just an update.

Got a D7000 with the 18-105 VR kit lens for R10k at Dion Wired. So now I must decide in which direction I want to go with my equipment.

The initial plan was just to replace the Sigma with the Nikon 70-300VR, but now I am not so 100% sure. The D3000 will still be my back-up body and will also be primarily used by my wife.
So, I am still thinking of getting rid of the Sigma.

Currently, my head is going towards either of the following:

- Sigma 18-200
- Sigma / Tamron 17-50 f2.8 (This will entail of getting rid of the 18-55VR lens as well)
- Sigma / Tamron 70-200 f2.8 (will be secondhand if I can get a good deal and the Nikons out of reach)

The more I read the more confused I am becoming.