D700, 0r D3S?

wilko

wilko

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Ian
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Got some money saved towards my first full frame body. The question is, do i purchase a D700 in April and keep my Gripped D300s as a backup, or sell it, and purchase a D3s instead, with what i sell the D300s and use my savings???My D300s has done less than 5,000 klicks. At the moment, i have a resonable set of lenses, but of course my Tokina 11-16 would become redundant, however, i am looking to buy a 14-24 f2.8 next year anyway?
 
Think hard.

Do you really need the D3s...?
Are you likely (as I would) to still 'want' as opposed to 'need' the D3s if you bought the D700...?
Will you be even slightly unhappy using a D700, knowing that had you waited or sold some kit (that you no longer really use), you could be using a D3s instead...?

If the answer to any of those is 'yes' then get the D3s...
 
i would be wondering, What if???? the question is, i doubt i'd use the D300s with whatever full frame body i purchase. Not really into Air display / wildlife photography so wouldn't miss the long range crop factor of the D300s. Also, looking at the lifespan of the shutter between the D700 and the D3s.hmmmmm!
 
being realistic - do you think you'll keep either a d3s or a d700 for the lifespan of the shutter - most don't and I don't think its a big consideration.

The D3S is truly awesome, but then so is the d700, but the d700 is rumoured to be inline for an update and the d3s is just a step up from it. If you're jittering and budget isn't an issue (you could get 2 d700 for a d3s) then go for the d3s - you'll regret it if not
 
I've got a couple of D700's. Absolutely love them. Don't really NEED D3s's....swap in a heartbeat if funds allowed.

Sometimes what you need isn't what you WANT !!

If I had to make that decision.....dunno, I like having two bodies...
 
I shoot a D700 and a D300. I generally carry the D300 as spare body and the use of full frame and cropped bodies allows me to carry less lenses as you can get more out of the lenses you have. I also like the flexibility of being able to ditch the grip if weight is an issue.

Unless ultra low light photography without a tripod is your thing a D700 and a 14-24 would be much better than a D3s.
 
trevorbray said:
I've got a couple of D700's. Absolutely love them. Don't really NEED D3s's....swap in a heartbeat if funds allowed.

Sometimes what you need isn't what you WANT !!

If I had to make that decision.....dunno, I like having two bodies...
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So if you could do it all again, would you buy the 2 D700's or the one D3s?
 
wilko said:
So if you could do it all again, would you buy the 2 D700's or the one D3s?
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Easy. Thought about it many times. 2 D700's
I only own 2 lenses. The Beast and 70-200 VR1
Shoot lots of Equestrian. Handy to be able to quickly switch from 70-200 to 28-70 to shoot the prizegiving.
Not to mention always having back up !
 
MMMM!!! now got me thinking.lol. 2 D700's???? why did you have to come along with your two penny's worth, Trevor? LOL!!
 
Laudrup said:
Buy a D700 and some good glass.
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Already got 24-70 f2.8, 70-200VRII, and will be buying 14-24 f2.8 very early new year
 
wilko said:
MMMM!!! now got me thinking.lol. 2 D700's???? why did you have to come along with your two penny's worth, Trevor? LOL!!
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Sorry. If/when I stop shooting events and revert to hobby togging and could choose....probably go with the D3s....or would I ?
 
I shoot on both. :)

I own 2 D700's but I also shoot for a friend who kindly chucks a D3s at me. (Hey I have nice friends)

Yes the D3s has a stop and a half above the D700 but..... I've not yet run out of headroom shooting with the D700 so for me it's not territory I have had to venture into.....yet.

The D3s does have the dual card ports which gives an instant backup which is nice.

But then it also loses the pop up flash on the D700 which I use to control a couple of SB900s.

What would I do?........what I did do was buy 2 D700's but those are business decisions based on needs rather than wants.
 
trevorbray said:
Sorry. If/when I stop shooting events and revert to hobby togging and could choose....probably go with the D3s....or would I ?
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Because i need replies like yours like a hole in my head!:lol:
 
Like AliB I haven't found anything that the D700 can't manage. You've got the glass....still a toughie !!
If only we could afford 2 x D3s'

I do find that I prefer to have mine both gripped. You may want to factor in the cost of these and en el4 batteries ?
I only use the high power battery in 1 grip for 8fps. I shoot single frames with the second body.
 
trevorbray said:
Like AliB I haven't found anything that the D700 can't manage. You've got the glass....still a toughie !!
If only we could afford 2 x D3s'

I do find that I prefer to have mine both gripped. You may want to factor in the cost of these and en el4 batteries ?
I only use the high power battery in 1 grip for 8fps. I shoot single frames with the second body.
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Already got one MBD10 grip that i use on my D300s
 
wilko said:
Already got one MBD10 grip that i use on my D300s
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See if you can negotiate a discount for buying two bodies...not helping much am I !

Fact is you'll love either....but will you lust after D3s. What Rob said is very true.
 
trevorbray said:
See if you can negotiate a discount for buying two bodies...not helping much am I !

Fact is you'll love either....but will you lust after D3s. What Rob said is very true.
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There's so little between the two though?:bang:
 
scottthehat said:
ian i think the d700 will do what you want mate, and will still give you money left if you decide you want a second d700, or more glass.
yes the d3s is everyone dream, but its also lots of cash, what about a d3.
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No, that dog won't hunt - I'm already thinking about upgrading at least one of my bodies...
 
Arkady2 said:
No, that dog won't hunt - I'm already thinking about upgrading at least one of my bodies...
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how long have you had your d3 and why have you maxed out the d3 and if i had the money i would have d3s but thats just me:D

no on a serious note if a had £3500 to spend it would be 2 d700.
 
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I bought a D700 with Grip in May 2010 upgrading from a D300.

Although I saw a big difference in using a FF camera, I still was not 100% happy with the upgrade, something just did not feel right to me.

Around November time, I got caught short by a rogue Wave at Scarborough which covered me and the D700 in water and from that day the D700 has never worked again.

I claimed on the insurance and rather than buy another d700, I bit my tongue and put the difference towards a D3s and have never looked back since.

I dont use the Video function but the feel of the D3s in my hand just feels right and the performance is fantastic. I do have a couple of niggles with the D3s

1) When shooting in Vertical mode, the palm of my hand can catch the vertical shutter button

2) When shooting Vertical, my hands are not big enough to operate the AE/Lock or multi selector very well.

3) They have changed the colour of the Focus point and in bright light, I find it hard to see.

Apart from these niggles, its a pleasure to use.

I do like the way that when you are in Live View and stop the lens down, it automatically adjusts on the LCD and also having the Histogram live on the LCD in Live View is great.
 
ianbarber said:
I bought a D700 with Grip in May 2010 upgrading from a D300.

Although I saw a big difference in using a FF camera, I still was not 100% happy with the upgrade, something just did not feel right to me.

Around November time, I got caught short by a rogue Wave at Scarborough which covered me and the D700 in water and from that day the D700 has never worked again.

I claimed on the insurance and rather than buy another d700, I bit my tongue and put the difference towards a D3s and have never looked back since.

I dont use the Video function but the feel of the D3s in my hand just feels right and the performance is fantastic. I do have a couple of niggles with the D3s

1) When shooting in Vertical mode, the palm of my hand can catch the vertical shutter button

2) When shooting Vertical, my hands are not big enough to operate the AE/Lock or multi selector very well.

3) They have changed the colour of the Focus point and in bright light, I find it hard to see.

Apart from these niggles, its a pleasure to use.

I do like the way that when you are in Live View and stop the lens down, it automatically adjusts on the LCD and also having the Histogram live on the LCD in Live View is great.
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So tell me, why have you never looked back since making the change? what is so much better?
 
It's worth pointing out that the gripped d700 is both larger and quite a bit heavier than the d3s

I have both, and a D3, the D700 gets used as my snappy camera when I'm on holiday or need to travel light, every other time a d3s or D3 comes out with me. D3s is better built, quicker, more ergonomic, and can be subjected to a lot of abuse without anything breaking

wilko said:
Already got one MBD10 grip that i use on my D300s
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Arkady2 said:
Think hard.

Do you really need the D3s...?
Are you likely (as I would) to still 'want' as opposed to 'need' the D3s if you bought the D700...?
Will you be even slightly unhappy using a D700, knowing that had you waited or sold some kit (that you no longer really use), you could be using a D3s instead...?

If the answer to any of those is 'yes' then get the D3s...
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:plusone:

Also do you really need to increase in high ISO performance the D3S offers over the D700 and is that worth the extra outlay?

I am a big fan of the D3S but its hell of a lot of money when the D700 may do the job for you
 
scottthehat said:
how long have you had your d3 and why have you maxed out the d3 and if i had the money i would have d3s but thats just me:D

no on a serious note if a had £3500 to spend it would be 2 d700.
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Been using D3 for over 18 months now...before that we used D2x, though I borrowed a D3 for a few jobs back in 2008.
It's not that the D3 is maxed-out, just that at any given ISO rating higher than say 400, the D3s will produce smoother results...
I quite often go to 1600iso and while the results are very good, I know the results from a D3s at 1600 would be better...

It's knowing that there's something better out there that's the killer...:suspect:
 
Can you not hire a D3s and D700 and use them both for a week and see which you prefer? You might find the D3s too big for everyday use, or you might confirm the fact its awesome and you want one?
 
Arkady2 said:
Been using D3 for over 18 months now...before that we used D2x, though I borrowed a D3 for a few jobs back in 2008.
It's not that the D3 is maxed-out, just that at any given ISO rating higher than say 400, the D3s will produce smoother results...
I quite often go to 1600iso and while the results are very good, I know the results from a D3s at 1600 would be better...

It's knowing that there's something better out there that's the killer...:suspect:
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i know what you mean, if its within your means go for it, for me i will just keep using my 2 d300, but there maiking me money so i cant grumble(full frame next year me think)
 
wilko said:
Got some money saved towards my first full frame body. The question is, do i purchase a D700 in April and keep my Gripped D300s as a backup, or sell it, and purchase a D3s instead, with what i sell the D300s and use my savings???My D300s has done less than 5,000 klicks. At the moment, i have a resonable set of lenses, but of course my Tokina 11-16 would become redundant, however, i am looking to buy a 14-24 f2.8 next year anyway?
Click to expand...

I think both are great, but if you like a camera that shoots quick, shoots in low light, I would get the D3s. It is very pricey compared to the D700 and the rumor is that they will beef up the 700. If you are not in a rush, I would wait a bit and see what 2011 brings to the table.
 
It's a shame Nikon haven't yet put the D3S sensor in a D700 type body (ie with a removeable grip and popup flash).

All things considered I'd prefer the D3S over the D700 but the price doesn't justify it, unless you absolutely really definitely need the video or extra 1.5 stops of low light performance.
 
loplyg said:
It's a shame Nikon haven't yet put the D3S sensor in a D700 type body (ie with a removeable grip and popup flash).

All things considered I'd prefer the D3S over the D700 but the price doesn't justify it, unless you absolutely really definitely need the video or extra 1.5 stops of low light performance.
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Video? i couldn't give a hoot about video. Not a selling point for me. If i want to record something, i'd use a video camera. Starting to think maybe the D700 is the way forward for mr, or maybe 2 of them?
 
have a look at all your recent photos - the D3 is a big camera - are you should you would have lugged it with you and would it have been inconspicuous enough for all your shots - if not go for the D700.
 
loplyg said:
It's a shame Nikon haven't yet put the D3S sensor in a D700 type body (ie with a removeable grip and popup flash).
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that's what i was hoping for.
i use my 2 x D700 without grips i hate them and prefer smaller lighter less conspicuous cameras.

flash isnt needed though with the high iso.

the only reason i am selling one of my D700 is for a D3s is because i shoot so much stuff in very dark venues.
if it was well lit venues it wouldn't matter,i routinely shoot at 3200 and sometimes higher [but i regard 3200 as optimum]
i am a bit worried i will find it to big and clunky after the D700 but i want to give it a go.

i will definetley keep one D700 as i love it and it can go with me when i want smaller lighter
 
5279966685_28d7abacb6.jpg


D700 at work in a dark venue, ISO 8000. :)
 
I have both the D700 and the D3s and whilst I love the D3s I would only suggest getting the D3s if you have a business need for it. For a photographer that doesn't earn money from the camera the D700 is more than enough.

Yes the D3s can shoot a cat in coal cellar but the D700 is almost as stunning for noise as AliB shows (although shrinking to 500px shrinks what noise is there, but then so does printing at normal sizes ;) ).

It may be difficult to hold back but you might want to wait until the middle of the year and see what Nikon brings us in 2011; I think that with the D700 being over 2.5 years old a replacement is about due. There are even feint rumours of a D4 mid 2011, but that I find odd given that the D3s hasn't been out 18 months.
 
AliB said:
5279966685_28d7abacb6.jpg


D700 at work in a dark venue, ISO 8000. :)
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that aint dark thats a spotlight :)

whan i say dark i mean so dark i cant see with my eye and the af light is hunting all over for something to lock on :lol:
 
i tried to buy one today grays, where to busy to set up the 6 mths interest free for me on the dog.people were queuing out the door they said.
 
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