Nikon D3 or D700

tom24

tom24

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Having traded my d700 toward a d500, i'm now missing it. Thinking of getting another d700 after the new year but the d3 is on my mind.
Any opinions on which and why?
Both would be within budget, d800 and 810 outwith I think.
 
D3 if you had the choice, dual cards, better focus, more durable.

Or D700 if you want lighter ;)
 
I've used both professionally and if I had to chose again tomorrow it would be the D3. Purely for the "feel" and the twin slots.

Both are fantastic cameras and it really is a toss up between them.

Having said that, seeing as you've already owned a D700 and you were happy enough with it, then get another...:)
 
I had d3 and d700 as backup. I wanted a lighter setup for travel but can also use as backup camera. At the end i sold the d700 and got a fuji. I still use a D3 and all my pro glass. Just shot with my d3 today and it reminds me why it is a legend lol. Can't get a crap shot on the d3. Always in focus and everything is just righ.
 
This probably doesn't help but ...
I had a D3 for wildlife for a very short time, I thought it was terrific to handle on a monopod and I was very pleased with everything about it and with the results.
Bought it secondhand for £900 with 15000 actions and as being in excellent condition but there was a nasty fault in the lcd which could only be seen when direct sunlight shone into it.
It looked like it had burnt inside and there was a large milky white blotch in the centre of the screen - this was not at all noticeable other than with sunlight entering directly.
My money was refunded immediately upon return.
After a lot of pondering since between a secondhand under 6000 shutter count D3X at £1660 and a new UK D750 at £1470, after cashback etc., I have opted for the D750 - having added a grip, another battery, and new SD cards the prices are about the same.
The D3 felt 'natural' to handle as I am used to my D800 with its size and round viewfinder but my head kept saying that the D750 would be the wiser choice technically (and easier to 'move on' if I don't like it).
I have yet to find out !
Good luck with your choice.
 
I still have a D3 and have had a couple of D700's over the years too. The D3 does everything well and has a the dual memory card slots (weird how despite never really having any card issues, I've become paranoid about single card slots now). The AF is nice on the D3 though I've never owned a D700 and D3 at the same time so can't say for sure that it's better than a D700. I never ever felt short changed by the AF on a D700. The D3's integrated grip is nice too, especially if you shoot portrait a bit. Other than that, I can't think of anything the D700 doesn't do equally well and it's much less bulky to cart around.
 
Performance wise the d3 and d700 is similar because of the same sensor. The d3 is very comfortable to handle if shooting for long time and the af seems abit faster in my opinion (just personal opinion). The d700 is great because it have the same layout etc. Handle wise it is smaller (without the grip) and if size matters then d700 is better for that. If you intent to use grip on the d700 it will turn d700 to a much bigger and heavier camera then d3. Also d3 battery last way longer then d700. You need the battery grip and adapter to use d3 battery on the d700. I use my d3 last night to shoot my 1 years old at a birthday party and it haven't let me down. Always in focus and track fast.
 
Thanks all
 
I've had two D3's (still have one of them) and not only is it built like a tank, the AF is spot on and anything below 3200iso is pretty bang on. If you are used to larger bodies with built in vertical grip/shutter then the D3 is what I would go for. The battery life is pretty damn impressive even though one of my batteries is registering as a '3'.

The only gripes I have had is the rubber. They started to 'swell' but had mine replaced, wasn't too dear but for pro bodies I wouldn't really expect this to happen.
 
badboy1984 said:
I had d3 and d700 as backup. I wanted a lighter setup for travel but can also use as backup camera. At the end i sold the d700 and got a fuji. I still use a D3 and all my pro glass. Just shot with my d3 today and it reminds me why it is a legend lol. Can't get a crap shot on the d3. Always in focus and everything is just right.
Click to expand...

Quoted due to fully agreeing with main points.
i've moved with the times & my D3 has been relegated to backup & tbh i feel bad, like i'm doing it a dis service of sorts.
when i got it the D3 was a gamechanger! FX, DR, FPS etc..
5 years or so on it's still great. it just does everything so well (amazingly so if you consider it's age) & its still a solid, dependable workhorse.

no way i'd ever sell it...
 
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