I have a D7500 and looking to add a second body(I have multiple photography vacations), I’m thinking something like a D500, D610 or D750 The shutter count on my D7500 is about 20K.  I have the following lenses, Nikon 35, 16-80, 70-300, Tokina 11-16 and Rokinon 8(my most used lens is the 16-80 and 35, I hardly use the others)I shoot landscapes, pets, theme parks, city scenes, low light).  If I add a FF I’d get a 24-120 f4.  The 2 lenses I plan to add no matter what is a 50 and 70-200.  I was originally thinking on just renting a backup, but since I have vacations planned and retiring in a few months(retirement gift to myself). I’m not having any issues with my D7500 and maybe just my worrying too much, I’d hate to have an issue.    I appreciate any input. Thank you

Two schools of thought and some principles1 school says get the exact same thing for commonality - controls, batteries, lenses2 says get different things for different optimized use cases.I sort of do both.The further different you get, the more cost you will incur in lenses, batteries, cards. Account for those costs also.Me? I'd probably get a 5500 - different battery, I know. but pretty good and small. Or a 7100 for economic and commonality reasons. Or I'd stretch it for a D610 or D750 because almost everybody with even a lick of photo skills could make use of the FX advantages.edit:  Have I said this before?  My vacation camera is a Nikon V1.  I love it because its capable, competent and so small its out of the way.  Of course I'm nuts.  I have a camera in every niche from tiny to huge.

Given the subjects you like to photograph, I'd recommend a full-frame camera.  Also, with low light photography why not try to find a faster lens than the 24-120 f4?  The Nikon 24-70 f2.8 is pricey, but maybe the Tamron?  Still more expensive than the 24-120 but is that extra stop worth the price for low light?

Cameras in general do not fail, so unless you need a back-up for resilience due to a critical need, e.g. a professional wedding shoot, just use your phone. They are fine as an emergency back-up. Or if you still feel you need one for sake of mind get the smallest lightest you can, in this case it would be a D5x00 series. A D5300 would be fine for what you need. If you do really need a back-up get a camera which is the same as you already use.If you have a need for two cameras for a photo shoot, e.g. Safari then it's best to work out what you'll be using both cameras for.  Buying a D750 is a significant investment in FX and will also need you to invest in other lens. A D500 will be a good match for the D7500 if you need even better AF and resilience. If you just need two camera bodies then getting the same body is really the best thing to do. You can switch between the two and not even notice except you will have a different lens.

If this is really just for peace of mind and emergency backup, I would go for something smaller and lighter, for example a D3400. But if I were choosing a second body, I would go for complementary capabilities, meaning full frame. The D750 is a popular body that does a lot well. The D610 offers a bit less but at a better price.

I certainly have a difference of opinion on this one. While I agree that cameras generally do not fail, they do occasionally fail and a phone is not even close to being an acceptable backup. A couple of years ago I went to Katmai to photography bears and that was a pretty expensive trip and so I rented a backup camera. Guess what, one of the participant's cameras failed during one day's shooting, something with the lens mount. He was able to fix it that evening (note also he was the only one without a backup). Imagine being on an expensive photography trip and having equipment failure and no backup. The cost of a rental seems pretty inexpensive in comparison.

Labmom60 wrote:I have a D7500 and looking to add a second body(I have multiple photography vacations), I’m thinking something like a D500, D610 or D750 The shutter count on my D7500 is about 20K. I have the following lenses, Nikon 35, 16-80, 70-300, Tokina 11-16 and Rokinon 8(my most used lens is the 16-80 and 35, I hardly use the others)I shoot landscapes, pets, theme parks, city scenes, low light). If I add a FF I’d get a 24-120 f4. The 2 lenses I plan to add no matter what is a 50 and 70-200. I was originally thinking on just renting a backup, but since I have vacations planned and retiring in a few months(retirement gift to myself). I’m not having any issues with my D7500 and maybe just my worrying too much, I’d hate to have an issue. I appreciate any input. Thank youIf you are going to spend the money on vacation to places you have never been or might not see again, I would think that IQ  will be very important to your images as well as assurance that if anything goes wrong with your current body, you would be able to continue to get the images you desire. I have owned a D600, D7100 and currently have the D800e, D750, D500 and the D850...I would suggest that you should get a full frame, like the D750 a very capable DSLR. Because it is a full frame, Its sensor has a superior dynamic range than any DX which is critical with landscapes and interiors. The downside is that you will need FF lenses...but you can use those lenses with the D7500 as well.I have won many 1st place challenges with my D750 like these:Good luck with your retirement!

Don't waste your money on a D610.  I'm surprised Nikon hasn't discontinued it yet.  The A/F module is two generations removed from current (D5, D850, D500), it cannot focus accurately for squat in low light, and it's not worth the extra savings IMO.The D750, however, is only one generation removed re the A/F module, can hit focus on a raven in a candlelit cave, has DR/IQ to kill for, and is by far the best and most versatile DSLR I've ever owned.   Ive shot to iso 51800 with good results.If you wish to stick with crop, a D7100 or D7200 will do you very well and won't break the bank.   D500s are still pretty expensive; about the same as a D750.   If you shoot wildlife sports or action, however, the D500 is your ticket with its deep buffer robust build and 10fps capabilities....Tip: you may want to rent, save your $$, and wait until the holidays to purchase a new body.  Prices go down, and things like battery grips are thrown in for free.

vbuhay wrote:Labmom60 wrote:I have a D7500 and looking to add a second body(I have multiple photography vacations), I’m thinking something like a D500, D610 or D750 The shutter count on my D7500 is about 20K. I have the following lenses, Nikon 35, 16-80, 70-300, Tokina 11-16 and Rokinon 8(my most used lens is the 16-80 and 35, I hardly use the others)I shoot landscapes, pets, theme parks, city scenes, low light). If I add a FF I’d get a 24-120 f4. The 2 lenses I plan to add no matter what is a 50 and 70-200. I was originally thinking on just renting a backup, but since I have vacations planned and retiring in a few months(retirement gift to myself). I’m not having any issues with my D7500 and maybe just my worrying too much, I’d hate to have an issue. I appreciate any input. Thank youIf you are going to spend the money on vacation to places you have never been or might not see again, I would think that IQ will be very important to your images as well as assurance that if anything goes wrong with your current body, you would be able to continue to get the images you desire. I have owned a D600, D7100 and currently have the D800e, D750, D500 and the D850...I would suggest that you should get a full frame, like the D750 a very capable DSLR. Because it is a full frame, Its sensor has a superior dynamic range than any DX which is critical with landscapes and interiors. The downside is that you will need FF lenses...but you can use those lenses with the D7500 as well.I have won many 1st place challenges with my D750 like these:thank you.  Great photos btw.You have quite a collection of bodies.  I’m leaning towards the D750, it’s cheaper then a D500.  I will probably get it with the 24-120 f4, I think this is good for my use.  The Tokina 16-28mm f2.8  has been suggested.Good luck with your retirement!

historianx wrote:Don't waste your money on a D610. I'm surprised Nikon hasn't discontinued it yet. The A/F module is two generations removed from current (D5, D850, D500), it cannot focus accurately for squat in low light, and it's not worth the extra savings IMO.The D750, however, is only one generation removed re the A/F module, can hit focus on a raven in a candlelit cave, has DR/IQ to kill for, and is by far the best and most versatile DSLR I've ever owned. Ive shot to iso 51800 with good results.If you wish to stick with crop, a D7100 or D7200 will do you very well and won't break the bank. D500s are still pretty expensive; about the same as a D750. If you shoot wildlife sports or action, however, the D500 is your ticket with its deep buffer robust build and 10fps capabilities....Tip: you may want to rent, save your $$, and wait until the holidays to purchase a new body. Prices go down, and things like battery grips are thrown in for free.Thank you.  I have a 7 day trip in October and hate to waste the $$ renting, Forgot about holiday $$.  I figured the D610 was getting pretty dated.   I have other trips planned for February, April, May and December.

Unless going on a Safari where photography was the entire point of the trip, personally I don't think I'd worry too much about lugging around a backup camera . I would make sure my cell phone was one that takes decent photos and leave it at that. I doubt your shutter will fail anytime soon. As long as you're not someplace too remote you could purchase another d7500 if your's breaks if you felt that you couldn't live without (I know - no US warranty).If you don't mind at all carrying around another camera you could purchase a d3300 or d3400 - that would be a minimum investment, is light and could stay packed away until needed. All the cameras you listed are too bulky for me, especially with the 24-120. I know there are some small gains by going full frame, but dx can deliver amazing images. Just take a look at Juuso Oikarinen on Flikr, all his landscapes are taken with the d7200 many in low light and they are pretty spectacular. Until I can take photos like that, I'm sticking with dx.Very nice dx lens selection by the way - I'm jealous.

Labmom60 wrote:vbuhay wrote:Labmom60 wrote:I have a D7500 and looking to add a second body(I have multiple photography vacations), I’m thinking something like a D500, D610 or D750 The shutter count on my D7500 is about 20K. I have the following lenses, Nikon 35, 16-80, 70-300, Tokina 11-16 and Rokinon 8(my most used lens is the 16-80 and 35, I hardly use the others)I shoot landscapes, pets, theme parks, city scenes, low light). If I add a FF I’d get a 24-120 f4. The 2 lenses I plan to add no matter what is a 50 and 70-200. I was originally thinking on just renting a backup, but since I have vacations planned and retiring in a few months(retirement gift to myself). I’m not having any issues with my D7500 and maybe just my worrying too much, I’d hate to have an issue. I appreciate any input. Thank youIf you are going to spend the money on vacation to places you have never been or might not see again, I would think that IQ will be very important to your images as well as assurance that if anything goes wrong with your current body, you would be able to continue to get the images you desire. I have owned a D600, D7100 and currently have the D800e, D750, D500 and the D850...I would suggest that you should get a full frame, like the D750 a very capable DSLR. Because it is a full frame, Its sensor has a superior dynamic range than any DX which is critical with landscapes and interiors. The downside is that you will need FF lenses...but you can use those lenses with the D7500 as well.I have won many 1st place challenges with my D750 like these:thank you. Great photos btw.You have quite a collection of bodies. I’m leaning towards the D750, it’s cheaper then a D500. I will probably get it with the 24-120 f4, I think this is good for my use. The Tokina 16-28mm f2.8 has been suggested.Good luck with your retirement!One note regarding Lenses, do not be afraid to go with a third party (Tamron) or a refurbished or used Nikon, I have bought from   Borrowlenses.com my Used 14-24 f2.8 and have been very pleased with it, no issues whatsoever. Roberts Camera is a good source of refurbished Nikons as well.

Labmom60 wrote:I figured the D610 was getting pretty dated.Last couple holiday (nov-dec) and summer (may-june) sales a new D750 body was $1496. With free grip. Got one to send my older D750 with about 95K clicks (and happily-replaced shutter under Service Advisory) to backup status.But, D610 was also $1496. No free grip. I wonder how many were sold at that price point, when something superior is the same? With free grip?? My guess is zero. Good one Nikon.Here's a low-res snap of a weather system moving through a valley near me. Taken with the backup and a Zeiss Distagon 15mm F2.8 with cpl. One thing I love about the D750 is that it's hard to blow highlights in clouds, and if you do they recover easily.San Luis Valley storm

historianx wrote:Labmom60 wrote:I figured the D610 was getting pretty dated.Last couple holiday (nov-dec) and summer (may-june) sales a new D750 body was $1496. With free grip. Got one to send my older D750 with about 95K clicks (and happily-replaced shutter under Service Advisory) to backup status.But, D610 was also $1496. No free grip. I wonder how many were sold at that price point, when something superior is the same? With free grip?? My guess is zero. Good one Nikon.Here's a low-res snap of a weather system moving through a valley near me. Taken with the backup and a Zeiss Distagon 15mm F2.8 with cpl. One thing I love about the D750 is that it's hard to blow highlights in clouds, and if you do they recover easily.That is due to its class leading Dynamic Range...I hope to see a similar or better DR in Nikon's next iteration of FF DSLR bodies... Nice picture BTW!San Luis Valley storm

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This is the FX forum and probably most people will disagree, but I'd get Sigma's Art marvels, the 18-35 1.8 and the 50-100 1.8 With those two lenses and a D7500, it's a hard time to justify the purchase of an FX camera.

straitouttahell wrote:This is the FX forum and probably most people will disagree, but I'd get Sigma's Art marvels, the 18-35 1.8 and the 50-100 1.8 With those two lenses and a D7500, it's a hard time to justify the purchase of an FX camera.I heard those are great lenses.

I never tried the 50-100 personally. I use the 18-35 on D7200, and, if you can live with its limitations, it's one outstanding lens. The 50-100, for what I've heard, it's even better than the 18-35.

If the primary reason for getting another camera is that you are concerned the D7500 may fail while you are traveling, then the best backup IMHO would be another D7500.  Different bodies can be confusing if you aren't using them regularly and a duplicate would be seamless if one failed while on the trip of a lifetime.However, chances of that happening are probably really low, so if you aren't making a living at it and your real reason is GAS (no judgment intended), then I suggest something to complement what you already have rather than to nearly or exactly duplicate it.  I assume you already have a cellphone, so I'll skip that, but give it serious thought.  For me, a pocket camera is amusing.  Unlike a duplicate body, a pocketable wouldn't be too much of a burden to take along on a vacation as a backup and a 1" sensor would be good for the times when you don't want to bring the DSLR.  Alternatively, a D610, D750, D810, D850 would be fun as well if you've been wanting to get into FX.  At least you could use the same batteries and charger as your D7500 if you brought it along.  Or, make it simple and get a pocketable and an FX.  I hope I've spent your money wisely!

vbuhay wrote:That is due to its class leading Dynamic Range...I hope to see a similar or better DR in Nikon's next iteration of FF DSLR bodies... Nice picture BTW!Thank you, and BTW that bird pic you posted is quite nice as well.   You should post that on the Nature and Wildlife forum.