Nikon: D3/D4 vs D700/D800

gman

gman

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Was chatting with my neighbour about the D800 and he raised a point about how it's still just a prosumer camera and the build quality won't be anywhere near as good as the D3/D4 series.

Is there really such a big difference in build quality between the Dxxx series and the Dx series?
 
Well, put it this way. I won't be swapping my D3 for one of the new ones, either model. I don't need to. Mine was the first one in use in the country (I got it before it was officialy launched). It still does everyday work, what's that, 4 years later is it? nothing - another 10 in it probably.

Why do I need an upgrade? I don't want video, or at least if I do I'll buy a video camera. The D3 produces images that are too big for most clients anyway, so getting a D4 would simply mean filling the computer faster and clients throwing away even more image information than they do now.:thinking:

Is there a difference between the D700 and the D3 (I don't know about the others). Oh yes, the D3 is built so you can knock in fence posts with it. The D700 is strong, but not Armageddon proof like the D3. I suspect the D800 /D4 might be the same - but go on, surprise me!
 
gman said:
he raised a point about how it's still just a prosumer camera and the build quality won't be anywhere near as good as the D3/D4 series.
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Lensflare said:
the D3 is built so you can knock in fence posts with it. The D700 is strong, but not Armageddon proof like the D3.
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The D700/D800 are not delicate. They can handle the weather and to be treated as work tools. But if your gear takes serious knocks, you're better off with a D3/D4, that can handle it.
 
gman said:
Was chatting with my neighbour about the D800 and he raised a point about how it's still just a prosumer camera and the build quality won't be anywhere near as good as the D3/D4 series.

Is there really such a big difference in build quality between the Dxxx series and the Dx series?
Click to expand...

I would say that there is a small difference in build quality, but I don't know how much of this is just a perception based on the larger size of the D3 etc... Either way, I'd never heard the D700 described as 'prosumer'. That seems to sell it a little short. The D700 is built very well.
 
gad-westy said:
I would say that there is a small difference in build quality, but I don't know how much of this is just a perception based on the larger size of the D3 etc... Either way, I'd never heard the D700 described as 'prosumer'. That seems to sell it a little short. The D700 is built very well.
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it is well built, but there is far more then 'just a small difference' between that and the Dx bodies. Just remembering the big repair bill for a d700 from wear and tear type damage. Something that seems unlikely with one of the D3s
 
Lensflare said:
Well, put it this way. I won't be swapping my D3 for one of the new ones, either model. I don't need to. Mine was the first one in use in the country (I got it before it was officialy launched). It still does everyday work, what's that, 4 years later is it? nothing - another 10 in it probably.

Why do I need an upgrade? I don't want video, or at least if I do I'll buy a video camera. The D3 produces images that are too big for most clients anyway, so getting a D4 would simply mean filling the computer faster and clients throwing away even more image information than they do now.:thinking:

Is there a difference between the D700 and the D3 (I don't know about the others). Oh yes, the D3 is built so you can knock in fence posts with it. The D700 is strong, but not Armageddon proof like the D3. I suspect the D800 /D4 might be the same - but go on, surprise me!
Click to expand...

This pretty much sums up what I've been thinking and has made me think twice about the d800. The d3 appears to be excellent in all areas so why go for the d800 just because it may excel in a few of those areas which aren't perhaps all that necessary but falls short in other areas that could be considered essential?
 
Depend what you use the camera for. The D3/D4 is superb for sports, use in extreme conditions and pretty much everything really where mega pixel is not important. Only down side is weight.

If you want to go light then D700 is good but you don't get that superb build quality from D3/D4.

Some user may want to keep it light or use battery grip optional.

The new D800 is completely different thing, if you want a good studio/landscape camera then the d800 is superb.

Depend what you shoot and yours needs.

For my leisure and semi pro purpose I would go for D700/D800 combo.
 
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