Full frame DSLR purchase, but not the latest model

flashp

flashp

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Hi all, been poking around here for a while and now I have a question to ask.

I want a full frame DSLR and I'm not worried about high pixel counts either. I appreciate the philosophy behind fewer pixels on a larger sensor and I like that idea. I also prefer lower noise and better low light/high ISO performance over high pixel counts.

I also intend to be buying the typical set of prime lenses, 28mm, 50mm, 85mm or 100mm macro and a 200mm.

But...there seems only to be 2 to choose from at the price point I have in mind. ~£1500 would get you a 5Dmk2 or a D700.

I'd like any opinions on my thoughts, all welcome! I don't have £3k for a camera so the 5Dmk3 and D800 are out of the question.

Have I missed a choice here??

Thanks in advance!
 
You'd squeeze a D3 in that budget too, but remember you need lenses that match the quality of the sensors. The lenses youve listed will set you back a good few £k.
 
TCR4x4 said:
You'd squeeze a D3 in that budget too, but remember you need lenses that match the quality of the sensors. The lenses youve listed will set you back a good few £k.
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This why I feel a 12MP sensor on FF will be more than adequate. The lenses I have in mind are the Nikkor AF-S 28mm f/1.8 G, Nikkor AF-S 50mm f/1.4 G, Nikkor AF-S 85mm f/1.8 G, as for the 200mm...that will have to wait! May trade that lens idea for a 70-200 or 100-300 zoom.

Having a bit of bother finding Canon equivalents for price and performance though.
 
I was debating between these 2 cameras myself a few months ago, and did a fair amount of research.

Both have pro's and cons but I ended up going for the D700 for a couple of reasons (better AF, and I prefer Nikons button layout), and I don't regret my decision at all.

Having said that the 5D mkii is still a fantastic camera, and if I hadn't have wanted the D700's better AF I would have found my choice much harder.

At the end of the day you will be happy whatever camera you choose, and they both have fantastic image quality.
 
Used 180mm f2.8 is an alternative to 200mm at fraction of cost..;)
 
Nguss said:
I was also going to say D700 but only as I am a Nikon user. Either camera would be great I imagine, the alternative being the Sony A900?
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This could be the last dSLR they made and it is discontinued. Now they only make those electronic viewfinder small sensor bodies so that could be a very debatable investment.
 
There's no guarantees that the 'D600' is going to be better when it arrives is there. Could well have a plastic body rather than magnesium alloy for starters. They may fit a 24MP sensor but a 12MP will produce decent print sizes after all.

I spoke to Sussex Cameras in Chichester earlier and they sold a used D700 for ~£1300 at the weekend :eek: It was mint with box etc mind you.
 
daugirdas said:
This could be the last dSLR they made and it is discontinued. Now they only make those electronic viewfinder small sensor bodies so that could be a very debatable investment.
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There's a new Sony FF coming in aug/sep. 24mp SLT (so yes, it'll be an EVF), with 10-12fps, 1080/60 video, IBIS etc etc. Rumoured price is around £1600-1700.
 
flashp said:
There's no guarantees that the 'D600' is going to be better when it arrives is there. Could well have a plastic body rather than magnesium alloy for starters. They may fit a 24MP sensor but a 12MP will produce decent print sizes after all.

I spoke to Sussex Cameras in Chichester earlier and they sold a used D700 for ~£1300 at the weekend :eek: It was mint with box etc mind you.
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Sold my 3 y/o D700 on eBay for just short of £1,400 after fees...

IMHO, the D600 will be a very desirable camera. No way will Nikon make it less well specified than the D700. Even if it wasn't entirely metal construction (which I very much expect it will be) it'll still be a better device for making images. Few people actually subject their cameras to the kind of abuse you need an all-metal body to withstand.
 
That's amazing residual value! Even more so once they've mugged you for their fees!
 
SLRist said:
Sold my 3 y/o D700 on eBay for just short of £1,400 after fees...

IMHO, the D600 will be a very desirable camera. No way will Nikon make it less well specified than the D700. Even if it wasn't entirely metal construction (which I very much expect it will be) it'll still be a better device for making images. Few people actually subject their cameras to the kind of abuse you need an all-metal body to withstand.
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BTW - what did you replace your 700 with?
 
Walked straight into that one didn't I ! :bonk:

Are you using prime lenses or high quality zooms?
 
The 12 MP D700 is a fine camera. I regularly produce 4 foot by 3 foot acrylics and canvases from shots taken on it. They always look stunning.
 
With Nikon you also have the option of some superb manual focus lenses, they still manufacture some today, but there are a good number of gems available used out there, and they are cheaper than the AF stuff.

I have a couple that I use with my D700, manual focusing is fairly easy with the D700, get back to old school photography :D

The 105 f2.5 AiS I have is 30 years old, it is nice and compact and is sharp wide open, used cost around £200.

Regarding the 200mm range, as said above there is the 180 f2.8D AF which is available new, but should be easy to pick up a good copy used.
 
IMHO the 1ds mark 2 is just amazing, if you can cope with the weight / speed / tiny screen. Much, much better than the 5d1 or 2.
 
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