clarnibass
Senior Member
Hi
I'm going to get a full frame Nikon camera, the question is only which one... options are used D700, new D800 and used D3s. I wasn't sure what sub-forum to use.
First of all, the prices I write here are local prices converted to $US. These are the prices here and they are different from USA/ebay prices. Buying from USA/ebay is not an option.
the main reason for the upgrade is ISO. I use an f/1.4 lens and very often to use ISO 1600 and above. With my current camera 1600 is usually ok but sometimes not. 3200 is usually very bad and only rarely ok (depends what I shoot). Another is that even 1600-3200 sometimes just doesn't give me enough speed (at f/1.4) and I would really prefer a caemra that could look ok at 6400.
Used D700 advantages are that it's the least expensive and there are more for sale used. It looks sginificantly better than mine at ISO 1600-3200 and sort of ok but not really at ISO 6400. It doesn't have video which is a big disadvantage. Although I rarely need video, I really don't want to give that up completely... A used D700 usually costs around $1,500-$2,000 depends on how old/used and just luck.
New D800 advantages are the higher resolution, which isn't really so important, but it looks like it gives overall better ISO than D700 at same size photos which is good. Also photos at same size as D700 just look better to me. the high resolution will also help with macro which I do (things like tiny screws etc.) but this isn't critical. It has good video. It is new so no wear. Disadvantages are the high resolution (more often not needed), it's new (will lose significantly more if I decide to upgrade in a few years) and I'm not really sure about its ISO. Price new is $3,600-$4,000.
Used D3S just looks best to me in how the photos look. It is also the best for ISO which is the main reason I'm upgrading. It is big and heavier, a disadvntage. Its only advantage to me over the D700 is the ISO (I can tell a difference but not sure it's worth paying double). It's used to might not lose as much if I sell it, but it is so expensive used and is a bit old, so I'm affraid in a few years no one will want it unless I sell it for very cheap... Price used is same as D800 new, $3,600 (if yo uare lucky) or more often a bit over $4,000.
There is another option. A used D700 or even D3S and a new cheaper model, like D3200 or D5100 for video and macro at low ISO. For that the D3200 will better than what I have now which has 18MP. But it is a real PITA to carry two cameras... and getting the used D3S and another camera is really getting to more than I would like to spend (actually the D3S and D800 are already more than I was hoping to spend, but I will if that will get me what I want/need).
Thank you!
I'm going to get a full frame Nikon camera, the question is only which one... options are used D700, new D800 and used D3s. I wasn't sure what sub-forum to use.
First of all, the prices I write here are local prices converted to $US. These are the prices here and they are different from USA/ebay prices. Buying from USA/ebay is not an option.
the main reason for the upgrade is ISO. I use an f/1.4 lens and very often to use ISO 1600 and above. With my current camera 1600 is usually ok but sometimes not. 3200 is usually very bad and only rarely ok (depends what I shoot). Another is that even 1600-3200 sometimes just doesn't give me enough speed (at f/1.4) and I would really prefer a caemra that could look ok at 6400.
Used D700 advantages are that it's the least expensive and there are more for sale used. It looks sginificantly better than mine at ISO 1600-3200 and sort of ok but not really at ISO 6400. It doesn't have video which is a big disadvantage. Although I rarely need video, I really don't want to give that up completely... A used D700 usually costs around $1,500-$2,000 depends on how old/used and just luck.
New D800 advantages are the higher resolution, which isn't really so important, but it looks like it gives overall better ISO than D700 at same size photos which is good. Also photos at same size as D700 just look better to me. the high resolution will also help with macro which I do (things like tiny screws etc.) but this isn't critical. It has good video. It is new so no wear. Disadvantages are the high resolution (more often not needed), it's new (will lose significantly more if I decide to upgrade in a few years) and I'm not really sure about its ISO. Price new is $3,600-$4,000.
Used D3S just looks best to me in how the photos look. It is also the best for ISO which is the main reason I'm upgrading. It is big and heavier, a disadvntage. Its only advantage to me over the D700 is the ISO (I can tell a difference but not sure it's worth paying double). It's used to might not lose as much if I sell it, but it is so expensive used and is a bit old, so I'm affraid in a few years no one will want it unless I sell it for very cheap... Price used is same as D800 new, $3,600 (if yo uare lucky) or more often a bit over $4,000.
There is another option. A used D700 or even D3S and a new cheaper model, like D3200 or D5100 for video and macro at low ISO. For that the D3200 will better than what I have now which has 18MP. But it is a real PITA to carry two cameras... and getting the used D3S and another camera is really getting to more than I would like to spend (actually the D3S and D800 are already more than I was hoping to spend, but I will if that will get me what I want/need).
Thank you!