Need to buy a Nikon D3 ?

blaze_away

blaze_away

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Frank Wilson
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Hi Folks

I've want to be able to do more wedding shots in low light so I am thinking of moth balling my D2x and buying a D3.

If I could justify it I'd go for the D3x but as most of my work is weddings and portraits I can't justify it from a business perspective, if I were doing stuff that would be blown up to A1 and beyond then OK D3x it is but for albums and wall prints the D3 should do OK I think.

I've got most pro lens which are all FX compatible so that shouldn't be a problem but what are your thoughts on my plan ?

Also assuming its a goer for the D3 who's got one they want to sell ?

I think I'll buy used for now with a plan to go for a used D3x next year.
 
Mifsuds have a used D3x in, but just sold the D3 they had :bonk:
 
As someone who has moved up from a D3 to a D3x, here's my advice:

If you can afford and justify it - D3x now, but as you can't - get the D3 and I'll be suprised if you do move up to a D3x, especially if your normal print size is small.

I have found that a computer upgrade is also required, as the huge file sizes make mine crawl along.
 
I regularly print 35x25cm full-bleed double page album spreads with my D3 images and they're marvellous. An album I received this week had one at ISO6400 and it was excellent.
 
Jayst84 said:
Does the D3 not have more high ISO capabilities than the D3x? Would make sense to get that and stick with it if so, would it not?
Click to expand...

V.Good point, though the D3x can be pushed 2EV to give equivalent to 6400.

I'm not much of gear freak I just use my kit as tools-of-the-trade so I've never really understood why Nikon has these range statements in their literature.

QUOTE FROM NIKONS D3x SITE
ISO 100 to 1600 in steps of 1/3, 1/2, or 1 EV; can be set to approx. 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, or 1 EV (ISO 50 equivalent) below ISO 100, or to approx. 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 1, or 2 EV (ISO 6400 equivalent) over ISO 1600
UNQUOTE

Why don't they just say ISO 50-6400 ?

QUOTE FROM NIKONS D3 SITE
ISO 200 to 6,400 in steps of 1/3, 1/2, or 1 EV; sensitivity decreases approx. 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, or 1 (ISO 100 equivalent) EV below ISO 200, and increases approx. 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 1 (ISO 12,800 equivalent), or 2 (ISO 25,600 equivalent) EV over ISO 6,400

Why don't they just say ISO 100-25,600 ?

So in summary maybe the D3 is the right long term choice as well.

That said I'd still like to buy a used example. It mae a lot of sense, if I get on with it OK then I could just carry on with it, if its showing signs of age then sell it and buy a new one.

So who's got a good used D3 they want to sell ?
 
barneyrubble said:
As someone who has moved up from a D3 to a D3x, here's my advice:

If you can afford and justify it - D3x now, but as you can't - get the D3 and I'll be suprised if you do move up to a D3x, especially if your normal print size is small.

I have found that a computer upgrade is also required, as the huge file sizes make mine crawl along.
Click to expand...


I hope I don't come-off rude, but what is it you shoot that requires you to have the D3x?

I ask, since, I did contemplate the D3x for a while. My idea was that, since I will be moving to printing A1 and bigger I may get better results with the higher pixle count. High ISO wouldn't be a problem for the shots that I have in mind, hence why I didn't think of the D3 (I got the D700 for that) ... but the price of the D3x drove me away.

The price of the D3x made me think again about a MF with a digital back; but these prices gave me a fright that almost put me off photography. Hence, I am back thinking of the D3x, since I could save having to buy MF lenses.

Back to my question, why did you opt for the D3x?

And yes, I can imagine the file size to be a nightmare with such high pixel count. So, not only a more powerful computer will be needed, but a lot more store space (hard drives and memory cards); but thank God 1TB drives are now very cheap, so are 16GB CF :)
 
sdb123 said:
Make 39 more posts on here and then you can post your own wanted ad up in the wanted section. :thumbs:
Click to expand...

39 posts uuummmmhh could take a while I guess, unless I just go around "bumping", bit too synical for me that.

Does posting this mean I need only make another 38 ?
......Rhetorical Question I'll go check.....
 
I was watching a repeat of the gadget show yesterday, and they blew up a photo the size of a tall building from a D700 in a test with a 35mm film camera, to see which was the better quality, by all accounts the D700 had a better quality photo, not quite sure how they did this i'm guessing it's something to do with interpolation, however i'm just pointing out the size you can get with an excellent 12mp full frame DSLR :)
 
blaze_away said:
39 posts uuummmmhh could take a while I guess, unless I just go around "bumping", bit too synical for me that.

Does posting this mean I need only make another 38 ?
......Rhetorical Question I'll go check.....
Click to expand...


Well heck Yes, and another one down now so its down to 37.
 
What about a D700 IQ very similar and very well built........ideal for your usage?
 
and I'm getting close to the post number I need to advertise too!

(not that theres anything I want or to sell!)
 
Dave Pickett said:
What about a D700 IQ very similar and very well built........ideal for your usage?
Click to expand...

If I were shooting people, like weddings, I wouldn't think of the D700; I'd go for the D3.

The fps on the D700 isn't that good, and may mean you'll miss that shot; and if you add-up the price of the battery grip, bigger battery, charger, and casing ... it comes very close to the D3 ... keep in mind that you'd still not get the 2 CF slots and better sealing that the D3 offers.
 
Dave Pickett said:
What about a D700 IQ very similar and very well built........ideal for your usage?
Click to expand...

Another good oint, cheers, however the D700 doesn't have some of the pro features I'm looking for, eg second shutter release and doesn't have the same ergonomic feel, I love my D2x its built for pro's and feels like it, the D700 doesn't quite cut it for me, whereas the D3/D3x do.
 
blaze_away said:
Hi Folks

I've want to be able to do more wedding shots in low light so I am thinking of moth balling my D2x and buying a D3.

If I could justify it I'd go for the D3x but as most of my work is weddings and portraits I can't justify it from a business perspective, if I were doing stuff that would be blown up to A1 and beyond then OK D3x it is but for albums and wall prints the D3 should do OK I think.

I've got most pro lens which are all FX compatible so that shouldn't be a problem but what are your thoughts on my plan ?

Also assuming its a goer for the D3 who's got one they want to sell ?

I think I'll buy used for now with a plan to go for a used D3x next year.
Click to expand...

It's a common mistake that the D3X is an upgrade to a D3.
It's simply not. It's Nikon's answer to Canon's 1DSMkIII.

The D3X is geared toward Landscape, stock agency photography and commercial portraiture, basically anything where very large prints with high levels of detail are concerned.

The ISO capabilities on the D3X are no where near as clean or as forgiving as the D3 and you've mentioned that you require a camera for low light circumstances during weddings.

It's a no brainer really mate.

A D3 for you :thumbs:

P.S, I used to work In Solihull, for five years at the Library Theatre and also at Express Music too.
 
Tomas Whitehouse said:
It's a common mistake that the D3X is an upgrade to a D3.
It's simply not. It's Nikon's answer to Canon's 1DSMkIII.

The D3X is geared toward Landscape, stock agency photography and commercial portraiture, basically anything where very large prints with high levels of detail are concerned.

The ISO capabilities on the D3X are no where near as clean or as forgiving as the D3 and you've mentioned that you require a camera for low light circumstances during weddings.

It's a no brainer really mate.

A D3 for you :thumbs:

P.S, I used to work In Solihull, for five years at the Library Theatre and also at Express Music too.
Click to expand...

Thomas thats a very clear message, cheers.

Solihull is still here, know both those places very well, I buy my strings, picks etc from Express Music, nice guys in there, not quite as big as PMT up in Brum though, thats what you call a music shop, I guess if I sold my guitar stuff I could ge a D3 and a D3x, I've got 2 PRS's, a Fender, a 2 JJ's a Gibson and some other junk ones, just adding that lot up comes to OH MY GOD !!
 
blaze_away said:
Thomas thats a very clear message, cheers.

Solihull is still here, know both those places very well, I buy my strings, picks etc from Express Music, nice guys in there, not quite as big as PMT up in Brum though, thats what you call a music shop, I guess if I sold my guitar stuff I could ge a D3 and a D3x, I've got 2 PRS's, a Fender, a 2 JJ's a Gibson and some other junk ones, just adding that lot up comes to OH MY GOD !!
Click to expand...

It's been a while since I last was there, I used to work at Fairdeal in town for quite a few years too.

Oo you don't wanna sell the JJ's or the Gibbo's or even the Fenders, get rid of the P.R.S's though :lol: That's a pony tail rocker's guitar! :lol:

I had to sell a few during the migration over here but I still have my standard Les Paul, a Std Fat Strat, Gretsch semi and a Std Tele. My Mesa Boogie stack went and a few other six strings a few years back. I used to play in a punk rock band and toured all over the UK so you could say they were tools :lol:

Anyway, back on topic, I can vouch for the D3, it's an awesome machine and mine will only leave my side when it's worn to dust :thumbs:
 
Tomas Whitehouse said:
It's been a while since I last was there, I used to work at Fairdeal in town for quite a few years too.

Oo you don't wanna sell the JJ's or the Gibbo's or even the Fenders, get rid of the P.R.S's though :lol: That's a pony tail rocker's guitar! :lol:

I had to sell a few during the migration over here but I still have my standard Les Paul, a Std Fat Strat, Gretsch semi and a Std Tele. My Mesa Boogie stack went and a few other six strings a few years back. I used to play in a punk rock band and toured all over the UK so you could say they were tools :lol:

Anyway, back on topic, I can vouch for the D3, it's an awesome machine and mine will only leave my side when it's worn to dust :thumbs:
Click to expand...

I really can't bring myself to sell any of them, the PRS is soooo pretty though and that Indian Rosewood neck, with birds and the 10 top, it feels just amazing.....I think I'd rather buy a pony tail than sell it.

D3 it is for me then, can't yet post a wanted ad, need 100 posts 1st
so.....

WHO WANTS TO SELL ME A GOOD USED D3 ?
 
blaze_away said:
I really can't bring myself to sell any of them, the PRS is soooo pretty though and that Indian Rosewood neck, with birds and the 10 top, it feels just amazing.....I think I'd rather buy a pony tail than sell it.

D3 it is for me then, can't yet post a wanted ad, need 100 posts 1st
so.....

WHO WANTS TO SELL ME A GOOD USED D3 ?
Click to expand...

Spam a few of the forums and you'll get 100 posts in no time ;)
 
blaze_away said:
I really can't bring myself to sell any of them, the PRS is soooo pretty though and that Indian Rosewood neck, with birds and the 10 top, it feels just amazing.....I think I'd rather buy a pony tail than sell it.

D3 it is for me then, can't yet post a wanted ad, need 100 posts 1st
so.....

WHO WANTS TO SELL ME A GOOD USED D3 ?
Click to expand...


This started to look like a japanese for beginners lesson... go and have a look through all the 365's and 52 threads and you'll be up to 100 posts in no time!!
 
Hi Blaze

Defiantly D3 I bought one mainly for sports a month ago, the low light ISO is amazing and I can imagine its perfect for those dark churches!

I looked for few weeks on all the second hand sites and ebay and saw nothing for under 2K most were going for £ 2,300 so decided better off with a new one and beleive it or not Jessops was the cheapest at £ 2,800 + I bought a 70-200 lens and done a deal with the manager getting around £400 off the package and just love the camera, best of luck if I see one around I'll let you know.
 
Wail said:
I hope I don't come-off rude, but what is it you shoot that requires you to have the D3x?

I ask, since, I did contemplate the D3x for a while. My idea was that, since I will be moving to printing A1 and bigger I may get better results with the higher pixle count. High ISO wouldn't be a problem for the shots that I have in mind, hence why I didn't think of the D3 (I got the D700 for that) ... but the price of the D3x drove me away.

The price of the D3x made me think again about a MF with a digital back; but these prices gave me a fright that almost put me off photography. Hence, I am back thinking of the D3x, since I could save having to buy MF lenses.

Back to my question, why did you opt for the D3x?

And yes, I can imagine the file size to be a nightmare with such high pixel count. So, not only a more powerful computer will be needed, but a lot more store space (hard drives and memory cards); but thank God 1TB drives are now very cheap, so are 16GB CF :)
Click to expand...

My Reasoning for the D3x?

I want one :D:D

Seriosuly though, I posted a long time back that my dream camera would be a D3 of 24mp with a 12 mp crop mode. Well, I got 10mp. I shoot various different stuff, from sport to wedding, so I have varying requirement. I didn't like the IQ of the d300 once I had the D3, and I don't want two bodies any more. So - all in one body. The IQ of the D3x at high iso is better than people make out too. Doesn't match the D3 but it's good, so much better than the d300. I probably use cropped mode as much as I use FF.

Also, it was my 40th birthday present from the wife. She couldn't think of anything else to buy me, so she bought me that.
 
barneyrubble said:
Also, it was my 40th birthday present from the wife. She couldn't think of anything else to buy me, so she bought me that.
Click to expand...

Could you ask her to have a word with my wife? I'm lucky if it's more than a pair of socks and a DVD for my birthdays :'(
 
barneyrubble said:
My Reasoning for the D3x?

I want one :D:D

Seriosuly though, I posted a long time back that my dream camera would be a D3 of 24mp with a 12 mp crop mode. Well, I got 10mp. I shoot various different stuff, from sport to wedding, so I have varying requirement. I didn't like the IQ of the d300 once I had the D3, and I don't want two bodies any more. So - all in one body. The IQ of the D3x at high iso is better than people make out too. Doesn't match the D3 but it's good, so much better than the d300. I probably use cropped mode as much as I use FF.

Also, it was my 40th birthday present from the wife. She couldn't think of anything else to buy me, so she bought me that.
Click to expand...


Thank you for the feedback, and it's great to hear about the high ISO abilities of the D3x .. somehow everywhere I read, it's made out to be horrible :thumbsdown:

Now, may be you can have your Mrs. speak to my "financial controller" .. I've asked for the 200VR as my graduation gift :shrug: ... got this look for an answer :| .. not sure if that's a yes, no, you're crazy, or am I being kicked out :thinking:
 
Bear in mind that to get the D3x, I had to sell a D3, D300 14-24 F2.8, 18-200 VR, WT-1 Laptop and a few other bits and pieces. So actually I bought most of it myself.

It's not as good as the D3, which is the yardstick everyone is using now.
 
So I think that's just about it, I'm on the hunt for a D3
 
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