Camera upgrade- Nikon d7100 or d600?

[Chicxulub]

I'm considering upgrading cameras soon. I'd really like to go full frame, but since I"m still definitely an amateur, I' can't really see any advantage to going full frame, especially since for all practical purposes the d7100 will produce an image of equal quality to the d600. Another main advantage of staying with the DX d7100 would be not having to buy a new set of lenses.

However, once I'm out of the army the wife and I are considering trying to go at least semi-pro while moonlighting on our own. We each have several years experience and decent portfolios. She's actually been shooting professionally for companies with company owned equipment for several years now, but those images are company property and she can't really use them for her portfolio. I'm concerned that if we attempt to make the transition to professional, we won't be taken seriously if we don't have full frame cameras, in spite of the fact that a top end crop sensor camera can, in all aspects, outperform most older full frame cameras that are still considered professional quality.

Price isn't a factor, both the d600 and d7100 cost about $1500 for a body only setup, which is what I would choose to get.

In my shoes, which camera would you choose?

 

[prskiller]

Your answer is in your second sentence. Go full frame My dream camera is the old D700.

 

[Chicxulub]

Your answer is in your second sentence. Go full frame My dream camera is the old D700.

Does shooting full frame really make that much of a difference? I'd like to mess around with a full frame camera, but I don't know anyone nearby who has one.

 

[neoprodigy]

d600

 

[Chicxulub]

Li, do you think the 2.8 fixed aperture zoom glass is worth the extra cost over the 3.5-5.6 glass?

 

[prskiller]

Does shooting full frame really make that much of a difference? I'd like to mess around with a full frame camera, but I don't know anyone nearby who has one.

I can't tell you from experience, just things I read about FX vs. DX and that was a while back. I had the D90 and it was a good starter camera but I want the D700. Check your local camera stores because ours here where I live rents out cameras and lenses and maybe yours does the same.

 

[Adamrhh]

after reading... I read: "Price isn't a factor"

then why are you asking? Honestly if price isn't a factor, by all means go full frame. It's only going to be better in the long run. (Able to bump up higher ISO, more detail, usually tougher cameras --- important when your a professional/heavy user.. buy 1 full frame tough camera or maybe have to buy 2 less tough cameras --

In my opinion though on your statement that you said you "don't think they will take you seriously" if they chose you from your portfolio, obviously they think your good. And also to add in, most people don't even look at the camera they look at the lens, I'm not a professional or anything but I can't recall how many times I've heard "He must be a professional he has a white lens, etc" most cameras now a'days look "professional/full frame" if you just put a battery grip on it, maybe not to someone who is into photography but to everyone else it does.

 

[rayluc]

after reading... I read: "Price isn't a factor"

then why are you asking? Honestly if price isn't a factor, by all means go full frame. It's only going to be better in the long run. (Able to bump up higher ISO, more detail, usually tougher cameras --- important when your a professional/heavy user.. buy 1 full frame tough camera or maybe have to buy 2 less tough cameras --

In my opinion though on your statement that you said you "don't think they will take you seriously" if they chose you from your portfolio, obviously they think your good. And also to add in, most people don't even look at the camera they look at the lens, I'm not a professional or anything but I can't recall how many times I've heard "He must be a professional he has a white lens, etc" most cameras now a'days look "professional/full frame" if you just put a battery grip on it, maybe not to someone who is into photography but to everyone else it does.

he said price is not a factor for the d600 and the d7100 because they are both the same price.

 

[Egon]

subscribed

 

[Chicxulub]

I can't tell you from experience, just things I read about FX vs. DX and that was a while back. I had the D90 and it was a good starter camera but I want the D700. Check your local camera stores because ours here where I live rents out cameras and lenses and maybe yours does the same.

Unfortunately, the nearest camera store to me is about two hours away. I have considered this.

after reading... I read: "Price isn't a factor"

then why are you asking? Honestly if price isn't a factor, by all means go full frame. It's only going to be better in the long run. (Able to bump up higher ISO, more detail, usually tougher cameras --- important when your a professional/heavy user.. buy 1 full frame tough camera or maybe have to buy 2 less tough cameras --

In my opinion though on your statement that you said you "don't think they will take you seriously" if they chose you from your portfolio, obviously they think your good. And also to add in, most people don't even look at the camera they look at the lens, I'm not a professional or anything but I can't recall how many times I've heard "He must be a professional he has a white lens, etc" most cameras now a'days look "professional/full frame" if you just put a battery grip on it, maybe not to someone who is into photography but to everyone else it does.

If price really wasn't a factor, I wouldn't be thinking about mid range cameras like these two! The cost of a d600 and a d7100 is so close that they are natural cameras to compare.

he said price is not a factor for the d600 and the d7100 because they are both the same price.

Indeed. The decision was a slam dunk for the d600 until I realized how awesome the d7100 was for a DX camera -it matches or in some areas even exceeds the ability of the d600- at essentially the same cost. As far as I can tell, there's no real advantage to stepping up to the d600 when comparing directly to the d7100, especially when you factor in the cost of buying new FX lenses, as I only have one FX lens already.

However, the d600 seems like a great way to jump ship and move up to 35mm, preparing me for long term improvements. There's pros and cons to each, but I'm still leaning toward then d600.