D800 or D3?

Toggerman

Toggerman

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Scott
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My beloved D700 has met an unfortunate end and the insurance company is sending me a D800 as a replacement. However the more I think about the more I wonder if I would be better off selling it and getting a used D3 instead. I was very happy with my D700 performance and IQ wise and had no plans on changing it.

At the moment I take a lot of motorsport pictures for my local motor club and next year I'm going to be taking pictures for some of them who are breaking into circuit racing. I'm also planning on going to my local foootball and rugby teams and asking if they need/want a tog and hopefully break into that field. When I think of these I keep wondering if I can manage with 4fps, I don't always machine gun but there are times when it is very handy.

I do have a D300 which is a very capable sports camera, but it starts struggling (compared to the D700) when the light starts going dim or when in shaded areas.

I also do a lot of wildlife/zoos/family stuff and I've got a way into some event photography with a band. In these situations I think that the higher resolution and better DR of the D800 would be preferable.


So, basically, what would you choose?

Cheers.
 
Sell the D800 and buy a lightly used D700 - there are plenty about.
 
For greater speed and better high ISO performance, a D3s would be ideal for your needs. I've seen a good few for sale used on here. Keep an eye on the classified section.

The D800 is an amazing beast. It suits me because I never need high FPS - even though i do a lot of family portraits, which of course means hyper kids zooming about. With my old D90 [4.5fps] and now the D800, I never feel like I can't keep up. Plenty of practice maybe.

I just love the intense detailed RAWS I get off this thing. I did have to upgrade my laptop to an i7 with turbo boost though. My old i3 was struggling with the large files. It was frustrating to say the least. But I'm happy now, all set up. That's an extra cost you may not want right now.

Either get another D700, you could get a shiny new one and have lots of change after selling the D800 - or get a used one and have even more change! get a lens with the leftovers :) - Or, get a used D3s.
 
Had a quick look at your lens list. For me, there's no point in having both the sigma zooms - thats a lot of doubling up.

You're happy with the d700 so I'd sell the D800, sell the 120-300 and get a D700 and a used nikon 300mm f2.8. You'd be getting an IQ upgrade for free!

Mike
 
From what I've heard the AF on the D3/d3s is superior to the D800. Certainly for the photography you're doing I'd get rid of the D800 and get a d3/d3s.
 
Thanks for the comments guys. I've made my mind up and ordered a decent looking D3 with the buffer upgrade done. As soon as the D800 comes through it'll be going up in the classifieds.

TG. said:
Can i ask how ?
Click to expand...

I had to make an instant decision which was going in a pond, my head or the camera, the camera lost :lol:.

pooley said:
Had a quick look at your lens list. For me, there's no point in having both the sigma zooms - thats a lot of doubling up.
Click to expand...

When I'm on track I tend to use both bodies. I have the 70-200 on my D700 (maybe that should read had) and the 120-300 goes on my D300 so the effective FL is 180-450mm.
 
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