Quote Originally Posted by Tumber
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So with the upgrade to a new camera, I think I am going to go with one I can get help for, buy accessories for here in Utah and with the upgrade I am thinking a full-frame camera so I don't have to upgrade the body for years and can just upgrade glass.
Regardless of the system, purchase the best lens you believe you will want 'first'. In this digital day and age it appears that body upgrades may be far more frequent than ever.

I used one film body, a Nikon F2A Photomic, for a quarter of a century. There was a second F2 body that I had that had far more use than most people would ever give one and it was a 'backup' and it stayed with me for nearly 20 years before I sold it

I've bought and used far more DSLR bodies in slightly less than a decade from each of the two major (Canon and Nikon) players, than I did 35mm and MF combined in the previous 20+ years. Not every upgrade is needed or wanted but some are worth trying. I've also sold most all of those DSLR bodies, rented them, returned them, or gave them away too!

I'm still using Canon glass that originally was purchased for use with a EOS 1v film body. Now for one Rebel DSLR I rarely ever mounted anything other than a kit lens as it was a backup to a backup and used to teach or hand to someone to use for the day. Great camera, but just like buying film at the grocery store, a necessity.

Do think about your long term needs, but a great body many be hampered slightly with slower focusing and less than the best possible lens on occasion. Admittedly I've mounted a $100 lens on an $8000 body (a 50/1.8 II on a EOS 1Ds Mk II), and that is an unusual exception.

Handling a body may be your best idea as many of the lower cost bodies from various makers are fine performers. Those bodies will make great photos and if they support a great lens, well the lens output will only be improved by a new body, but not the other way around. An adequate lens is always going to be just adequate.

Do consider what you may need with flash control and systems at some point in the future. There is a world of difference with the various DSLR systems and after this past summer I think it is getting wider. Different manufacturers are doing various things and it is apparent that not all flash for Digital is created equal in the camera! One more reason to consider the need for body upgrades in the not distant future.

Best wishes and let us know, with samples too, what you choose!