Should I replace my newly traded-for D800 for a different model?

merlin7734

New member
Hi! I just joined the forum after recently acquiring a D800 in trade for a precision rifle.

When the offer over cash came up, I jumped on it because in the next year of like to go on an African photo safari with my fiancé. It was an impulse decision and I'm starting to regret it because of the slower frame rate.

My question is: what is the chance of losing some cool action shots of say a cheetah or lion taking prey over something with a higher frame rate?

I haven't fully researched the D700 but somewhere I heard it could hit 8fps with a grip? Those go for about $1000-1200 and I would have cash left over if I sold the D800 to cover it. The other option I'm seeing is sell the D800 and get a D3 for around $1600, buying/selling would be a wash in this case.

Lenses would end up being the holy trinity and maybe a set of TCs.

Thanks all! I'm pulling my hair trying to figure out what to do.


Sent from my iPhone 6 Devkit (A1723)
 

crycocyon

Senior Member
Keep in mind that you will most often be shooting close to infinity if the animals are at a distance so the focusing on the D800 in bright sunlight should be able to handle that....certainly a bit faster than a D700, which I also used to have. As far as fps, most of the time you would be looking for the action moment rather than just shooting at 8 fps. Plus, with the D800 you can crop an image a lot and still have incredible resolution so if an animal is far away, you'll still see that detail. I have a D4 and it is extremely rare that I would be shooting at 10 fps, and I've shot action as well. A lot of nature/wildlife photographers shoot with the D800. And for landscapes and portraits the D800 cannot be beat. So unless the lion is coming right at you (and then you would probably be running instead of trying to focus), I think you should be fine with the D800. And if you shoot in DX 1.5x cropped mode on the D800.....with the grip you get 6 fps and without the grip it is 5 fps....at the same resolution.
 

Blacktop

Senior Member
My question is: what is the chance of losing some cool action shots of say a cheetah or lion taking prey over something with a higher frame rate?



These guys hunt mostly at night any way. Too hot for running around chasing stuff in the hot African sun.
 

JackStalk

Senior Member
I mean, I'd probably trade you my D3 for the D800. I'm looking for a D800 as a backup body. I'd even consider trading with you just for your vacation.
 

J-see

Senior Member
I think to get good action shots, the guy behind the cam matters more than the cam itself. If you got a good lens and a cam made this century and know what to do, you should be fine.

They took action shots before they invented buffers.
 

Moab Man

Senior Member
And if you shoot in DX 1.5x cropped mode on the D800.....with the grip you get 6 fps and without the grip it is 5 fps....at the same resolution.

And shooting in crop mode still gives you a heck of a lot of pixels to work with since you were starting with 36 mp. I would stay where you are, grip the camera, and shoot in crop if you're needing fps. Additionally, start taking a lot of photographs. You have a lot of camera on your hands to learn as many here will tell you it's not the camera as much as it is the photographer.
 

merlin7734

New member
Agreed that it's tool behind the lens that has the biggest impact. But while great skill can do more with less, I've always believed that having the right tool for the job is the best idea.

And since this is a once in a lifetime I wanted to make sure I was using that right tool. Up until this deal. All my pictures have been p&s quality with my iPhone and I've got a lot to learn regardless of what I use. Was just looking for that last edge.

You all have given me sound advice. I think I'll keep the D800.


Sent from my iPhone 6 Devkit (A1723)
 

Blacktop

Senior Member
But you did imply he doesn't know how to use it.
I haven't implied anything.

He posted that using the best tool for the job is a good idea, and I agreed with it, as long as one knows how to use said tool. Now, if you are going to break my balls about a simple reply that had absolutely no ill intent whatsoever, then go ahead.
 

merlin7734

New member
I am very new to it. And I've read enough posts about wanting the newest best dSLR and finding out it wasn't the best for what they were actually using the camera for.

I was trying to avoid being 'that guy'.

I've got thick skin so give me all the advice you've got. Heavy handed or otherwise, I'm here to learn.


Sent from my iPhone 6 Devkit (A1723)
 

merlin7734

New member
And I agree that the right tool only works when you know how to use it... But if I'm going to invest the time learning, the right tool will get me closer to my goals than the wrong or less idea one.




Sent from my iPhone 6 Devkit (A1723)
 

Blacktop

Senior Member
And I agree that the right tool only works when you know how to use it... But if I'm going to invest the time learning, the right tool will get me closer to my goals than the wrong or less idea one.




Sent from my iPhone 6 Devkit (A1723)

You came to the right place to learn. Bunch of great people around here.
 
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