D3 and D700

swordjo

swordjo

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Jonathan
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Hi,

Sorry for dragging up some older technology but I'm in the process of moving onto full frame and I'm a little stuck on what to get. As you can from the cameras which I'm looking at, I don't have the budget for a D800 or D4!

Now I know these cameras are very similar spec'd but there is still a decent price difference. From checking prices I've seen D700s with around 20k clicks for £800ish and D3's with 120k clicks for the same price. So my question is, is it worth getting the D3 with ALOT more clicks over the D700.

I am mainly a portrait shooter if this is any help.

Thanks,

Jonathan
 
Personally,I'd get a d700 and a grip, best of both worlds then. Small lightweight to carry around, but option of a big gripped fps monster when needed.
 
It would probably make sense, I've got a gripped D300 just now so I could just use that grip and batteries etc. Didn't even consider this,cheers!

Anyone have an argument for the D3?
 
I think the D3 and D700 share the same sensor. If you have a grip for the D300, then the D700 makes more sense.
 
That's guys, I was pretty set on a D700 but had spotted a few D3's going cheap and being rated to 300k clicks u thought they may have been a good alternative.
 
chances are, D3 would have been heavily used, thou as a pro work horse, it can handle it,, D700 on the other hand, would either have been a backup to a pro, or well looked after if amature owner. Id go for the D700, or or do what im doing and waiting that bit longer for a 2nd hand D800 to come my way
 
As much as I'd love a D800 I can't justify it at the moment. I'd more than likely need to upgrade my laptop to handle the files! Ideally want to keep spend under £1k, which is either going to be D700,D3 or dare I say it 5D mk2 territory.
 
I changed my D700's for a D3 & D600 and I'm just about to add another D3. For me, I prefer the size and feel of the D3 to the D700 & grip. It just feels "sorted".

Images are comparable as they share the same sensor. Plus the D3 has twin slots which was a comfort blanket for me as I shoot weddings.

No sensor cleaning on the D3 though.

Both cracking bodies.
 
Having previously owned a D3, I'd go with that. Its a superb camera and fits the hand far better than the D700 + grip does. The battery life is also vastly better on the D3. The D3 is the one camera I actually regret selling.
 
Can somebody explain summat to me please, I have had a D700 with a grip and now have a D3s, how does the D3 body feel better than a gripped D700?

Serious question by the way.
 
I had to use a 5D mk2 last week, due to issue with my triggers, :mad: ,,,,, great images, great camera, just couldnt get on with menu :oops: :$

D700 is the way to go when you take into consideration new comp and u already have grip
 
fracster said:
Can somebody explain summat to me please, I have had a D700 with a grip and now have a D3s, how does the D3 body feel better than a gripped D700?

Serious question by the way.
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I don't think it does need explaining or justifying Ade, it's simply a personal thing. I find it slightly more comfortable and better balanced that's all. You may not.
 
I can see where you guys are coming from regarding a gripped body. I suppose it has an advantage of being able to remove the grip too.

Who could have thought buying a small metal and plastic box could be tough!
 
Gripped D700 is bigger overall than a D3, the D3 is a much more compact and nicely balanced unit than a gripped D700.
 
jpw said:
Gripped D700 is bigger overall than a D3, the D3 is a much more compact and nicely balanced unit than a gripped D700.
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But an ungripped d700 is far more compact than a D3! Depends what you want and how you work. I certainly wouldn't want to carry round a D3 all day on a hike, but I can stick my D700 in a backpack and not worry.
 
TCR4x4 said:
But an ungripped d700 is far more compact than a D3! Depends what you want and how you work. I certainly wouldn't want to carry round a D3 all day on a hike, but I can stick my D700 in a backpack and not worry.
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Sorry was attempting to answer fracster's question but forgot to quote it.
 
Cheers guys, lots of good reason here.
 
i have to agree with the comments about a full sized body feeling just right & a gripped body feeling just a little bit wrong (along with bigger!)
 
Went for the D700, I've got a load of batteries for it already and the grip. Liked the idea of having a smaller camera without grip if required too.

Thanks for all your help.
 
Can't go wrong with either, looks like you've made the best decision for you :)
 
PeteMo said:
I don't think it does need explaining or justifying Ade, it's simply a personal thing. I find it slightly more comfortable and better balanced that's all. You may not.
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Fair enough Pete, I guess your right.
 
TCR4x4 said:
But an ungripped d700 is far more compact than a D3! Depends what you want and how you work. I certainly wouldn't want to carry round a D3 all day on a hike, but I can stick my D700 in a backpack and not worry.
Click to expand...

man that extra 200 grams must be a dealbreaker....

which is more than made up for with 2 card slots, better AF & a 100% Viewfinder along with the much higher capacity battery..
 
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In the end for me it was a more sensible step due to the kit I have already. Got 5 batteries which fit it and on my budget the shutter count was the real winner. A sub 30k D3 was going to cost me a good bit more. I'd rather use that to put towards another nice lens. The best camera for you is the one which suits you, especially of the specs of them are so similar.

If I'd still being doing a bit of action stuff the D3 would have been a no brainer.
 
yeah. the D700 is great & as you already have a compatible grip & batteries it was the logical choice :agree:

when i went FF i already had a D2Xs with a few batteries so the D3 was the obvious choice :banana:
i had previously used a griped D200 before the full sized D2xs so i was already hypnotised by the full sized experience :woot:
 
Tirpitz said:
man that extra 200 grams must be a dealbreaker....

which is more than made up for with 2 card slots, better AF & a 100% Viewfinder along with the much higher capacity battery..
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No need to be arsey. Like I said, its up to how each individual works and what thee I needs are, 200g makes a lot of difference to me as I can barely walk 200 yards without being in severe agony.
 
If you shoot 3000 pix over 12 hours at a wedding, carrying two bodies, the 200g is a massive difference. Don't get me wrong, I like the ergonomics and specs of the large bodied cameras, but if there was a df with 2 card slots and better AF, my D4 and D3s would be in the classifieds.

Good luck with the D700! It's a great camera.
 
TCR4x4 said:
No need to be arsey. Like I said, its up to how each individual works and what thee I needs are, 200g makes a lot of difference to me as I can barely walk 200 yards without being in severe agony.
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i'm not getting arsey i merely picked at random somebody posting saying the weight was an issue to which i pointed out it was only 200 grams. you chose to assume i was getting arsey :thinking:

now i suppose i have to question the contradictory statements on your 2 posts. the first being about putting it in a rucksac & hiking all day & the next saying you can barely walk 200 yards max :tumbleweed:
are you just "padding out" your replies to emphasise your point as needed or just forgetful?
 
I never said I could walk 200 yards max, I suggest you re read.. I said I'm in agony after 200 yards.. Doesn't stop me walking though.. Life's too short for pain to stop me doing what I love doing..

If the weight is an issue to me, then its an issue, whether you think it is or not.. Try walking in my shoes for an hour, you'll soon realise it makes a difference.
 
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