£300 buys you...

Lens or second hand body.....

So what would be the best option right now...?

Should I invest let's say £300 in a new Sigma 10-20mm lens or be on the look out for a second hand Nikon D200 body to up my pixel'age and hopefully the quality of the images I can take. The budget of £300 seems to just about put me into D200 body country but nowhere near D300 country, so that's definitely out!

At present as you can see from my profile I have a Nikon D70 which is just over 6mb pixels, together with an 18-55mm kit lens and a 50mm 1.8D prime lens.

I am wondering at present which way to go, either up the quality of the lenses or increase the number of the pixels. My own discomfort seems to stem from not being quite comfortable with some of the images I am shooting, and looking at them and seeing they aren't as sharp as they could be....

So what should I be doing, new lens or new (2nd hand) body?

I'd say get a lens - the D70 is a cracking camera

I would go for the lens too!

So it's a PICNIC problem.....


Person
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Definately go for the lens, I would always be wary about second hand bodies.

I had the Nikon D50 which was 6MP I think and to be honest (apart from the ability to produce images from crops or print very large) my pics with that camera are just as sharp as my Canon 40D which is similar pixels to the body's you're considering getting.

Obviously if it's all the other functions a body upgrade brings that you want then fair enough but if it's just about the pixels - go for the lens.

I'll put in a good word for the Sigma 10-20 too. It's a great lens and will open up a whole new range of opportunities. I've not checked but isn't it nearer 400 than 300 though ?

Thanks for the info Greyhawk/Phil, as far as price goes I've seen one advertised for £295 elsewhere which is secondhand but not very old, so I am basing that price on second hand in fairness!

I am off to the States in a couple of weeks so may have a look whilst I'm there

Will almost certainly be cheaper there!

Go for the lens - or if you really feel you need a new body, save up. That's what I'm doing!

xx

6Mpixels was really when digital reached parity with 35mm film in terms of definition.

I don't think you should concern yourself with MPixel numbers, after all, if you buy a new body and put the same kit lens on, you may not see many advantages.

Having said that, some of the new bodies that are out now, and that are coming out have a much better dynamic range, which is where digital still lags a bit behind some film formats.

Alan.