D3s or D4?

Joeturner11

Joeturner11

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Considering to change my D3 and D800 I have currently and get either a D3s or D4 instead and have my D2Xs as my trusty backup/second body.

Have been looking at many views online and many people say the D4 is not worth the upgrade from the D3s so this has got me thinking is the D4 worth the extra cash? Looking at the ISO performances of both cameras the D3s seems to have better colour detail and less noise upto 12800 ISO which would be the maximum I would ever shoot. A major benefit I have looked at also is the D3s Raw buffer is around 44shots compared to the D3 20 I believe, but the D4 has 100 shots RAW buffer I read online which is alot more, The main points putting me towards the D3s instead is that it is cheaper and takes 2 CF cards which is my working format and uses the same battery's as the D2Xs meaning I don't have to lug about two chargers and two different types of battery's making it more convenient, I'am not a big fan of the D4's XQD System and would mean I have to spend even more cash on battery's for the D4... I would love to know what your opinions on this topic is, Is the D4 worth the extra money? and which one would you go with? I know the D3s beats it on ISO but I would love to know what the AF comparison is like between the two cameras :)


Just to add I mainly do Birding & Sport Togging :)
 
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Joe - your are obviously going to be "into" bird and wildlife photography for the rest of your life

Which camera kit you buy is clear long term investment for you - buy the best that you can afford
 
BillN_33 said:
Joe - your are obviously going to be "into" bird and wildlife photography for the rest of your life

Which camera kit you buy is clear long term investment for you - buy the best that you can afford
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I think folks who say that the D4 isn't worth it from the D3S are merely thinking about the extra ££ to upgrade rather than is it worth it in terms of a better camera.
I went from a D3S to D4 and have appreciated both the better A/F and the buffer speed on occasions - it's true that the XQD/CF isn't everyone's ideal ... it isn't mine but it does mean that the camera will never stutter at the shutter button.

I think going from a D3S to a D4 is a bit of a 'luxury' move unless you are a Pro but going from a D3 (or D800) to a D4 you would notice a heck of a difference - if cash is tight (when isn't it) then a D3S is a major improvement on a D3 anyway and as you say batteries would be the same too - if you can afford the D4 I don't think you will look back.
 
gramps said:
I think folks who say that the D4 isn't worth it from the D3S are merely thinking about the extra ££ to upgrade rather than is it worth it in terms of a better camera.
I went from a D3S to D4 and have appreciated both the better A/F and the buffer speed on occasions - it's true that the XQD/CF isn't everyone's ideal ... it isn't mine but it does mean that the camera will never stutter at the shutter button.

I think going from a D3S to a D4 is a bit of a 'luxury' move unless you are a Pro but going from a D3 (or D800) to a D4 you would notice a heck of a difference - if cash is tight (when isn't it) then a D3S is a major improvement on a D3 anyway and as you say batteries would be the same too - if you can afford the D4 I don't think you will look back.
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Cheers for the reply Gramps, The D3s is a more realistic option currently as I could sell my D3 & D800 and happily buy a D3s without putting cash ontop, as I'am currently saving for a 400/500mm which I will be having in Late August/Early September time, If I was to go for the D4 Option it would cost ruffly £700 ontop which means it puts a set back on having the big lens which I would prefer to get the glass as soon as possible as that plays a major part!
 
Good reasoning Joe, the D3S and a 400 or 500 would be a very good combination ... the D3S has been keeping its price very well and there aren't too many around, an indicator of how popular the camera is.
 
I'd get the long lens first. The ability to crop wildlife with the D800 is just too convenient for me to part with it for a D3S or D4.
 
I echo Laudrup's statement; I went from a D3S to a D800 because of the flexibility it gave me with big glass; a 500mm with a D800 is fantastic, believe me. I've not missed the D3S frame rate, I use the D800 gripped anyway so 'in the hand' is no different and of course the D800 is a couple of years on in technology over the D3S.
 
D3S said:
I echo Laudrup's statement; I went from a D3S to a D800 because of the flexibility it gave me with big glass; a 500mm with a D800 is fantastic, believe me. I've not missed the D3S frame rate, I use the D800 gripped anyway so 'in the hand' is no different and of course the D800 is a couple of years on in technology over the D3S.
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Thanks for the comment but as stated I mainly do sport and wildlife photography so high ISO capability, Faster AF and high FPS is a must for me, hench I'am looking at getting rid of the D800
 
Depends what wildlife you shoot, the D800 certainly has its limitations.
 
Joeturner11 said:
Thanks for the comment but as stated I mainly do sport and wildlife photography so high ISO capability, Faster AF and high FPS is a must for me, hench I'am looking at getting rid of the D800
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What sort of things are you shooting specifically?
 
I seem to get by just fine; the pixelage of the D800 with the glass of a 500mm f/4 yieids cracking results, and at 5am in low light on a Highland lochan! Good luck
 
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I shoot with the D800E for sports (motorsport, so generally large objects) and have had no issue, even up around 1,600ISO and 3,200ISO being my personal limit.

I had a D3 until yesterday and never considered upgrading it until the D4s came out. The D3s had a massive leap in terms of low-light, which I can see is another step up to the D4s, plus the additional buffer - the D3 would max out around 18 shots on raw, the D3s upped that to around 40 (I believe) but the D4s is well over 100 shots (if you need that sort of buffer).

One suggestion though, how about selling the D3 and D2Xs, finding a bit more cash, and having either a D3s and D800 or D4 and D800 combo - for me that would tick all the boxes.
 
Thanks for the comments guys, selling the D3 and D2Xs is something I think maybe a better option, using say a D3s with a D800. Are look into the options more and see whats suits me in a few months after I have got a 400/500mm which is the main task at the moment!
 
I think the difference in the d3s and d4 is bigger than some make out. Image quality and colours are radically different - the d4 has better dr and richer colours at high ISO. Ergonomically the d4 is much better. Af is way more accurate and definitely quicker.

One word of warning when using a d800/d3s combo. They produce very different colours and are harder to match in post than a d800/d4 combo. Ive just started using a d610 as backup to the d4 instead of the d800 and am much happier. The d610 is a flawed camera but at that price its hard to fault.
 
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Gary hCoyle said:
Ade ditched his D800 for a D3S for wildlife/birds and think he hasn't looked back
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still have both Gary, both have different things they excel at, a good pair to use Joe.
 
Although I'm not a wildlife shooter, I was facing this dilemma myself a while ago. I bought a used D3s and I'm delighted with it. From what I can tell, the step up in technology between D3 and D3s is much greater than the step between D3s and D4 (or for that matter, D4 and D4s, although I've yet to play with the latest and greatest...)

The D3s is everything I need in a working SLR and although I might end up replacing my second body at some stage, I can't see me needing to upgrade it for some years to come.
 
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