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0007776

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Original poster
Jul 11, 2006
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My wife has told me that she is planning on getting me a new SLR for Christmas, and is asking me for advice about what camera to get me. I'd previously had a D70 that died on me, so I already have Nikon lenses. We are looking at either the D750 or D7200. I'd love to go to a full frame SLR so the D750 is really tempting, but it's a bit out of our price range right now. I was looking at BH Photo and saw that they have a refurbished D750 body only for $1400 which would get it down to my price range. How is the quality of their returns compared to new?
 

mihike

macrumors member
Mar 30, 2016
59
44
Unless gray market, wouldn't they all come from the same source (Nikon repair center) anyway? If so, if I were to buy one, I'd still go with B&H given their customer service.
If you're concerned about reburbished, what about a D610? Only $100 more, similarly highly capable sensor (at least per DXOmark). You give up some autofocus points, wifi, tilt viewfinder, and a generation of Expeed processor.

But if you're at the edge of your budget, lenses might break the bank, assuming you're got DX stuff now.
That being said, full-frame is wonderful - great depth of field, bright viewfinder and images so low-noise you can push them all over the place in post. Not that the D7200 is by any means a shabby camera, and it'll be very low noise vs. the D70. Though I'm sure that quadrupled resolution will have you wanting a whole new set of lenses anyway ;)
 

0007776

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Original poster
Jul 11, 2006
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Unless gray market, wouldn't they all come from the same source (Nikon repair center) anyway? If so, if I were to buy one, I'd still go with B&H given their customer service.
If you're concerned about reburbished, what about a D610? Only $100 more, similarly highly capable sensor (at least per DXOmark). You give up some autofocus points, wifi, tilt viewfinder, and a generation of Expeed processor.

But if you're at the edge of your budget, lenses might break the bank, assuming you're got DX stuff now.
That being said, full-frame is wonderful - great depth of field, bright viewfinder and images so low-noise you can push them all over the place in post. Not that the D7200 is by any means a shabby camera, and it'll be very low noise vs. the D70. Though I'm sure that quadrupled resolution will have you wanting a whole new set of lenses anyway ;)
Thanks for the input, if they are coming straight from Nikon repairing them then I'm not too worried about refurbished. Lenses won't be a problem as most of the ones that I have were not DX lenses. I mostly tried to avoid DX since I was hoping to be able to get a full frame SLR down the road, unfortunately being in college kept me from having enough money to get one until now. I think the only lens I'll have to replace is the kit lens that came with the D70, but that won't be too bad.
 

mihike

macrumors member
Mar 30, 2016
59
44
I'm not positive about the repairs coming from Nikon - more of an assumption than anything definitive.

As for a replacement for your kit lens, if you stick with Nikon branding, there's a pretty hefty pricetag:
http://www.dslrbodies.com/lenses/lens-databases-for-nikon/fx-nikkors/mid-range-zoom-nikon-fx/

The cheapest in that list (24-85) isn't the best lens, so $1200 or so to get something that'll show what that camera is capable of. Maybe stick with a couple cheap-but-sharp primes in the meantime? Not sure what glass you have now, but it can be a little disappointing what big, high res sensors can show with cheaper lenses, especially at the edges of the frame.
 

mofunk

macrumors 68020
Aug 26, 2009
2,421
161
Americas
You can also go with a used D750 for $1350-1400. Some of my buddies have purchased used bodies from B&H and from KEH that looked new. You can ask them how many actuations there are on the camera before buying. I've only purchased used lenses from them. The ratings on the site were accurate including my open box purchase which looks more like a brand new lens.

If you are coming from D70 to D750 you will love it. I had the D50 and then D90, and love my D750. Go with the used body and maybe pick up a nice prime lens that fits your style of shooting. Most of my images are around 50-60mm range, and 24mm when I'm shooting a large group. 60mm prime or 85mm prime d-type could fit your needs until you find the right lens for you.
 

0007776

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Original poster
Jul 11, 2006
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You can also go with a used D750 for $1350-1400. Some of my buddies have purchased used bodies from B&H and from KEH that looked new. You can ask them how many actuations there are on the camera before buying. I've only purchased used lenses from them. The ratings on the site were accurate including my open box purchase which looks more like a brand new lens.

If you are coming from D70 to D750 you will love it. I had the D50 and then D90, and love my D750. Go with the used body and maybe pick up a nice prime lens that fits your style of shooting. Most of my images are around 50-60mm range, and 24mm when I'm shooting a large group. 60mm prime or 85mm prime d-type could fit your needs until you find the right lens for you.
I checked out used ones from B&H, and the price range is about the same as the refurbished model. So I think I'll go with the refurbished one instead, and probably buy a lens to replace the one DX lens that I already have.
 

alphaod

macrumors Core
Feb 9, 2008
22,183
1,245
NYC
B&H used and refurbished stuff is mostly pretty good, but it would be more helpful if you live in NYC since you can see it before you buy it.

Otherwise their returns is pretty flexible if you got problems within the initial month of ownership, you'll likely get a full refund.
 

0007776

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Original poster
Jul 11, 2006
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B&H used and refurbished stuff is mostly pretty good, but it would be more helpful if you live in NYC since you can see it before you buy it.

Otherwise their returns is pretty flexible if you got problems within the initial month of ownership, you'll likely get a full refund.
Thanks, I live about as far away from NYC as you can get and still be in the US so that wasn't really an option. We did go ahead and order along with a 16-35mm lens to replace the wide angle lens that was the one DX lens I already had.
 

phrehdd

Contributor
Oct 25, 2008
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Forgive me if I am having a spaced out moment but you said you had a D70 camera and then mentioned you had the lenses. The real question then is whether your lenses are for full frame or "cropped" frame Nikons. The latter being the smaller sensor. If they are for the smaller sensor then those lenses might fit on the full frame body but not provide the full frame. In your shoes, I would skip the D750 unless you want to dump your lenses and start with lenses designed for full frame.

BTW, I have bought throughout the years from B&H and had nothing but a good experience. However, I am sure there are those that might have had less than stellar results with their purchases but I would and will continue buying from them on an as need basis.
 

0007776

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Original poster
Jul 11, 2006
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8,170
Somewhere
Forgive me if I am having a spaced out moment but you said you had a D70 camera and then mentioned you had the lenses. The real question then is whether your lenses are for full frame or "cropped" frame Nikons. The latter being the smaller sensor. If they are for the smaller sensor then those lenses might fit on the full frame body but not provide the full frame. In your shoes, I would skip the D750 unless you want to dump your lenses and start with lenses designed for full frame.

BTW, I have bought throughout the years from B&H and had nothing but a good experience. However, I am sure there are those that might have had less than stellar results with their purchases but I would and will continue buying from them on an as need basis.
My lenses are all FX lenses with the exception of the kit lens that came with the D70. And we bought a wide angle FX lens to replace that as part of my Christmas present.
 

phrehdd

Contributor
Oct 25, 2008
4,500
1,457
My lenses are all FX lenses with the exception of the kit lens that came with the D70. And we bought a wide angle FX lens to replace that as part of my Christmas present.

Smart investment on the glass (assuming its their better glass).
 
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