D700 and Travel question

KJProX

Senior Member
Couldn't find a better spot to ask this, so here it is.

I am going on a trip of of lifetime for me end of April, I'll be going to Tokyo for 11 days to visit my son. Obviously great photo opportunity's.

So here is my dilemma, take the D700 and 28-200 Tamron, Pentex manual 50 1:4 lenses.
Pro's: Love the camera and how to use it, control layout, picture quality.
Cons: big and heavy (Will be around my neck when out and about or in a backpack), can't USB direct into my 2010 Macbook that I planned on taking to off load files( Hate to pull the CF card in and out)

Or take my Sony A58 DSLR and Tamron 28-200, Minolta 50 1:7 lenses.
Pro's: Small, light weight, 20.2 megapixel, higher ISO, SD card works in reader into Macbook
Cons: It is really small in comparison, most all settings are not direct and require two step or menu driven.

So similar lenses and yes I know the Tamron 28-200 is not the greatest lens but for me is a good compromise all around lens. Not concerned about the megapixels difference in the camera's.

So what would you take, who has traveled with a D700 (non professionally)? Just trying to figure what to do, thanks for any advice.
 
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Call_me_Tom

Senior Member
Get a good sling/shoulder strap for the D700, it makes a world of difference. After a few hours of wearing the factory sling around my neck I was ready to throw the D700 in the trash but ordered a sling off of Amazon instead; I'm glad that I did. I never would have thought how much a good sling would change my view on dragging a DSLR around all day but it did.

You can buy a CF to SD card adapter and fill it with a SD WiFi card for your D700 and that'll solve the MacBook issue. I have one of these cards and use it when I'm mobile to text message jpg's out quickly. The SD also fits most laptops and MacBooks and there're readers that will take SD and CF cards that you can plug right into a lightening port. I also have one of these readers and I usually use it on my iPad and post process using Affinity Pro for iOS.

My last bit of advice is, which camera are you willing to lose, break or have stolen?
 

KJProX

Senior Member
Get a good sling/shoulder strap for the D700, it makes a world of difference. After a few hours of wearing the factory sling around my neck I was ready to throw the D700 in the trash but ordered a sling off of Amazon instead; I'm glad that I did. I never would have thought how much a good sling would change my view on dragging a DSLR around all day but it did.

My last bit of advice is, which camera are you willing to lose, break or have stolen?
Thanks for the advice. I have a Rapid Sling type strap, but stopped using it after the button broke off my D200 with it bouncing around on my hip. Maybe I'll try it with the D700 with the strap shorter. I have ordered the CF card adapter, looked like the best way to go.

That last bit I hadn't thought of, I guess I was feeling in Japan I didn't really worry about it getting stolen. Hmm got me thinking now.
 

Call_me_Tom

Senior Member
That last bit I hadn't thought of, I guess I was feeling in Japan I didn't really worry about it getting stolen. Hmm got me thinking now.
You could easily forget your camera in a cab, on the train, bump into something or drop it. I'm speaking from experience with all of those examples.
 

KJProX

Senior Member
Guess I should have concluded this thread.

I took the D700 plus two lenses, I had a great time in Japan and carried my camera almost everywhere with lots of photo opportunities. Now for the carrying part after a few days there I got tired of using my backpack to haul it around. So looked for a sling type camera bag that I'd seen other photographers using. Found one that was the type, size and price I was looking for and can say it was a great way to travel around on the trains with and then not needing a strap on the camera.

I also bought a used a 50mm 1:8 G lens at a cool little camera store, used it one night for some street photo's.
 

Danno

Senior Member
Guess I should have concluded this thread.

I took the D700 plus two lenses, I had a great time in Japan and carried my camera almost everywhere with lots of photo opportunities. Now for the carrying part after a few days there I got tired of using my backpack to haul it around. So looked for a sling type camera bag that I'd seen other photographers using. Found one that was the type, size and price I was looking for and can say it was a great way to travel around on the trains with and then not needing a strap on the camera.

I also bought a used a 50mm 1:8 G lens at a cool little camera store, used it one night for some street photo's.

Glad you had a good trip. I switched over to a messenger bag some time ago and I like it quite a bit. This only problem I have is I still tend to over pack:confused:... Mine is a ThinkTank.

I cannot imagine what a trip to Japan might be like. I am sure it was amazing. The D700 is an outstanding camera.
 

KJProX

Senior Member
Glad you had a good trip. I switched over to a messenger bag some time ago and I like it quite a bit. This only problem I have is I still tend to over pack:confused:... Mine is a ThinkTank.

I cannot imagine what a trip to Japan might be like. I am sure it was amazing. The D700 is an outstanding camera.
Thanks Dan, I only took a Tamron 28-200 walk around lens, I know not the greatest but served the purpose. The other one was an old manual Tamron 35mm f2 that I used for some low light and night street photo's. I bought the 50mm because I didn't have a good Nikon one and the price was good.

Yes the D700 is a great camera, heavy to carry but the output looks fantastic.
 
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Danno

Senior Member
They are heavy, but I think I have decided to keep it as my backup to the Z6 and sell the D7200. There is something special about the color output of the D700, but the body itself is a chunk.

Hope you post some of those shots from your trip.
 

KJProX

Senior Member
Couple of shots Dan.

Japan (234).jpgJapan (162).jpg
 

carguy

Senior Member
Couldn't find a better spot to ask this, so here it is.

I am going on a trip of of lifetime for me end of April, I'll be going to Tokyo for 11 days to visit my son. Obviously great photo opportunity's.

So here is my dilemma, take the D700 and 28-200 Tamron, Pentex manual 50 1:4 lenses.
Pro's: Love the camera and how to use it, control layout, picture quality.
Cons: big and heavy (Will be around my neck when out and about or in a backpack), can't USB direct into my 2010 Macbook that I planned on taking to off load files( Hate to pull the CF card in and out)

Or take my Sony A58 DSLR and Tamron 28-200, Minolta 50 1:7 lenses.
Pro's: Small, light weight, 20.2 megapixel, higher ISO, SD card works in reader into Macbook
Cons: It is really small in comparison, most all settings are not direct and require two step or menu driven.

So similar lenses and yes I know the Tamron 28-70 is not the greatest lens but for me is a good compromise all around lens. Not concerned about the megapixels difference in the camera's.

So what would you take, who has traveled with a D700 (non professionally)? Just trying to figure what to do, thanks for any advice.

i had similar questions in 2012 when we took the two kids to Disney for a week. That was when I found the Black Rapid sport strap. I had my camera at my side every single day and it was effortless. Far superior to a neck strap. Check them out!

Camera Straps
 

Dangerspouse

Senior Member
i had similar questions in 2012 when we took the two kids to Disney for a week. That was when I found the Black Rapid sport strap. I had my camera at my side every single day and it was effortless. Far superior to a neck strap. Check them out!

Camera Straps

I couldn't agree more. I purchased a body strap recently - although not the brand you linked to - and it made an immediate difference. Not only is it more comfortable, but you look like less of a touristy dweeb. Plus if you're into street photography it seems like people are less intimidated when they see you walking around looking relatively normal, as opposed to having an obvious camera around your neck.
 

KJProX

Senior Member
I agree that those type of straps are great and I like mine, but I had a bad experience with it attached to my D200. With the camera moving around at my side the D pad menu/ function button got ripped off and lost. My story and fix of that is in the D200 section.

I'm liking the padded messenger camera bag I got in Japan, just lift the flap take out camera, shoot and put back in. Very protected especially with the bigger f2.8 lenses I have now. I've come to the conclusion that there is no best strap or bag like I had thought, I need different straps and bags depending on the situation.
 

Danno

Senior Member

Thanks for the Shots @KJProX. They look great. Appreciate. I am glad you had a great time. I did see a new rig for carrying the camera you may want to consider. I know you found something, but this looks pretty good. I would get it if it were not for my current build... All gut no butt. It is by Cotton Carrier. It is pretty cool.

https://www.kickstarter.com/project...d&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=4ks.go2.fund
 

KJProX

Senior Member
Thanks Dan! And thanks for the link.

I like that idea, keeps the camera from banging around. Might have to buy one. I like my bag but it is a bit bulky compared to that sling and belt. Gives me something to think about, maybe a way to tether the camera to a pants belt loop when walking with my sling strap.
 

carguy

Senior Member
I agree that those type of straps are great and I like mine, but I had a bad experience with it attached to my D200. With the camera moving around at my side the D pad menu/ function button got ripped off and lost. My story and fix of that is in the D200 section.

I'm liking the padded messenger camera bag I got in Japan, just lift the flap take out camera, shoot and put back in. Very protected especially with the bigger f2.8 lenses I have now. I've come to the conclusion that there is no best strap or bag like I had thought, I need different straps and bags depending on the situation.

Valid points. I believe that is when I lost my OEM rubber eyecup :)

Have you considered the Capture system from Peak Design: https://www.peakdesign.com/products/capture
 
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