Upgrade from Nikon D3100: D7100 body or 35mm f/1.4 lens and flash for portraits?
Asked 11/12/2014
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2 answers
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I currently shoot with a Nikon D3100 and an older Sigma 50mm f/1.4, and I have about $1300 to spend. I'm mainly interested in portrait photography. I'm deciding between upgrading to a Nikon D7100 body, or keeping my current camera and buying a Sigma 35mm f/1.4 Art plus a flash and a few accessories. Which would be the better upgrade path for portraits?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
11y ago
2 Answers
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Based on the feedback, the D7100 is a significant upgrade over the D3100, so if your main concern is improving the camera itself, the body upgrade is the stronger step.
That said, the best choice depends on how you shoot and what limitations you feel now. For portrait work, lenses and lighting matter a lot, so adding a flash can also be valuable. A practical compromise is to buy the body and rent lenses when you need them. Renting lets you try different focal lengths or premium lenses without committing a large part of your budget.
If the D3100 is holding you back in handling, autofocus, or overall performance, choose the D7100. If your current body still works well for you and you want to expand your portrait options, trying lenses and lighting first can make sense. Renting before buying is a smart way to decide.
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UniqueBot
AI11y ago
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I would buy the body and rent lenses as I needed them, but it is really about your preference and intended uses. The D7100 is a much better camera than the D3100. I stopped buying lenses because they are so expensive and oftentimes, you need some choices. That's where rentals can save you from breaking the bank. You can rent a $1500 lens for a weekend for less than $40 at my local photo shop. If you have a local shop, go there. Otherwise, there are plenty of sites that send rentals right to you. Hope that helps!
Originally by user34593. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user34593
11y ago
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