I'm the longtime Canon user who speaks little Nikon. But, my very, very smart girlfriend shoots Nikon. Her D40x is woefully obsolete for her portraiture, landscape, wildlife (but not BIF), and macro shooting. I'd characterize her as a non-expert enthusiast, increasingly frustrated with the D40x's limitations (no MLU, no RGB histogram, etc., for example). For her next camera, in my opinion she needs neither the world's finest optics nor a step up to a full-frame sensor.Would you consider the D7100 and 18-140mm lens combo a suitable DX-format solution? I'd be purchasing within the next couple of weeks. Thanks for your help.

What lenses does she have already? And do you have a budget?

phaedin wrote:What lenses does she have already? And do you have a budget?Thanks for your reply and for prodding me to provide information that should have been in the original post.Two of her three lenses are broken down and will be junked. The only lens she'll keep is the excellent Sigma 180mm non-OS macro. She'll also keep her SB-800 flash. My budget is not in any way constrained, but it's not necessary to go crazy. I'm a strong believer in the concept of "good-enoughness." I figure the 18-140mm is decent enough for most purposes, and at f/3.5, it's only a half-stop slower (at the wide end) than something at f/2.8. I also figure that 18-140mm is a good utility range (similar to my walk-around Canon 24-105mm f/4). I do not see a 70-200mm f/2.8 in the mix in the foreseeable future. In a year, I can see adding something in the hobbyist-class 300mm or 400mm vicinity, and maybe a shorter macro, but that would be it.

The 16-85 would be closer to your 24-105 (if you are using full frame) and is a highly rated lens. I like large aperture lenses so I have a sigma 17-50 f/2.8 Another lens to consider might be the Sigma 17-70 f/2.8-4. The 2 sigmas are both approx the same price The problem is that everyone has their own opinions so you are likely to get quite a few suggestions for some very good lenses so trying to choose might become harderGood luck

I just got d7100 and 4 lenses after longer time off from photography. I had d40, d300 (25k shots done) and d700 fx ( about 15k ...)I choose not to go fx again for personal and casual shooting . I dont regret getting d7100. Its great camera. Like every camera it has its quirks and limitations but every camera does. Its no d800 lol but for 1100 bucks its nice

DotCom Editor wrote:I'm the longtime Canon user who speaks little Nikon. But, my very, very smart girlfriend shoots Nikon. Her D40x is woefully obsolete for her portraiture, landscape, wildlife (but not BIF), and macro shooting. I'd characterize her as a non-expert enthusiast, increasingly frustrated with the D40x's limitations (no MLU, no RGB histogram, etc., for example). For her next camera, in my opinion she needs neither the world's finest optics nor a step up to a full-frame sensor.Would you consider the D7100 and 18-140mm lens combo a suitable DX-format solution? I'd be purchasing within the next couple of weeks. Thanks for your help.Based on your info, I would highly recommend the D7100. She will love the step up in sensor technology and AF performance. It has 51 AF points and 15 cross-type AF sensors. It also has the "very important for accurate AF" feature called AF Fine Tune (AF Micro Adjust in Canon speak).I have the D300 and the D7100.imho.. the D7100 is under-priced.I hear that the 18-140 is a "good" lens for a consumer zoom. For walk about wilidlife shooting she may need a longer lens. She may even like the 18-300 DX VR zoom as a multi-purpose zoom.Many copies of the Nikon 70-300 VR get soft over 220mm. The Tamron 70-300 VC is sharp all the way through the zoom range - but the production / sample variation is poor at best. I went through 3 copies to get a good one - but the climb is worth the view.Another wildlife option is the new Tamron 150-600 VC. Not yet available in Nikon mount. Many good reports from the Canon side though.Good luck with your decision(s).Wayne

If the deal for D7100 and 18-140 for $1,296.00 is still available, I wouldn't think twice about it. That's a (retail) $599 lens for essentially $150 more than the body alone (that typically goes for around $1,146).This new lens is a tad sharper than the 18-105, and has the latest VR, which is good for up to 4 stops stabilization - 16-85 and 18-105 use older VR that is somewhat less effective. And with a range of 27-210mm equivalent, there's not much you can't do with it. With 1.3x crop, you still get enough resolution for moderately sized prints, and nearly 280mm telephoto equivalent.Just get it!

DotCom Editor wrote:I'm the longtime Canon user who speaks little Nikon. But, my very, very smart girlfriend shoots Nikon. Her D40x is woefully obsolete for her portraiture, landscape, wildlife (but not BIF), and macro shooting. I'd characterize her as a non-expert enthusiast, increasingly frustrated with the D40x's limitations (no MLU, no RGB histogram, etc., for example). For her next camera, in my opinion she needs neither the world's finest optics nor a step up to a full-frame sensor.Would you consider the D7100 and 18-140mm lens combo a suitable DX-format solution? I'd be purchasing within the next couple of weeks. Thanks for your help.The D7100 is a hell of a camera -- it's the best DX body made.But Nikon makes other cameras with equally excellent imaging. All of the 24MP bodies have the same Toshiba sensor, and all of the 16MP bodies have an excellent sensor as well -- it arguably has better dynamic range. If she doesn't need the bells and whistles on the D7100 -- the larger viewfinder, the AF that will track birds in flight, the weatherproofing, the burst rate, the extra controls -- she might be better off getting a 5x00 or 3x00 body. It'll have essentially the same image quality, and she can use the extra cash on a lens like the 35 f/1.8 or 50 f/1.8 for her portraits.I don't know about the 18-140 specifically, but it's rumored to be good. (I have the 18-105, which is good.)

I have the D7000 and the Nikkor 18-140. I think she will be very happy with the D7100 and 18-140 combo.

mikaelsj wrote:I think she will be very happy with the D7100 and 18-140 combo.Agreed. And that's precisely what I'm going to do — D7100 with 18-140mm. In fact, I now have to: I've already ordered a D7100 L-bracket. Thanks all for your Nikon expertise in helping out this clearly under-educated Canon shooter.

I imagine the girlfriend will like this as a step up from her D40x and broken-down off-brand lens. Ordered the bundle that includes theThe last two items are a waste, but, whatever. Overall, a good deal for $1,477.95 USD. As for me, I'll stick with my Canon gear and Paul Buff Einstein lighting; they're the only thing I know.Thank you all for your expertise and opinions.

Excellent choice and an excellent gift. She should be delighted with it.

Where did you find that deluxe deal for that price?

upnorth47 wrote:Where did you find that deluxe deal for that price?B&H