Full Frame upgrade recommendations wanted

ohkphoto

ohkphoto

Snow White
Bill16 said:
Yes I do know this is digital photography, and I agree that my tablet is far from ideal as a sub for a full blown computer. If my post processing hasn't been decent as you have implied I take most of the blame since I'm just learning and haven't even come close to getting the full benefit out of my PS touch that works on my tablet. As to HF's question, I did answer it though I'm not sure it is the answer he was wanting, and I was slow in posting it because I needed time to think about it before answering. I also decided that if I upgrade my computer, that it would be better to already have my choice of camera so as to have a better idea of what upgrades are needed. I hope this better explains what direction I was wanting to go and why. :) If you have some advice for a different plan that might be better for me, I'd be glad to hear it. I value your more knowledgeable opinion and would appreciate it even if I don't end up following it. :)
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I did not mean to imply that your post processing was sub-par. I did not realize you did not have a computer. So, actually, Bill, you've done this really well.

My camera of choice is still the D3X . . . but even the price for used ones hasn't come down much. So I just have to wait to upgrade. Of the three choices you're looking at, I don't think you can go wrong with any of them. It seems that on ebay the 700's are running around $1000.

It's good that you did not invest in a lot of DX lenses. I didn't either because somewhere down the line I plan to upgrade to FX. So, good luck in your quest. I think your plan is good. . . maybe the right opportunity will present itself, like a great bargain on one of the three, and your decision will be easier.
 
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Bill16

Senior Member
Thank you my friend! I would likely love your camera of choice too, but it's waaaaaaay out of my price range! Lol You maybe right, and I'll luck out on a really great deal on one of my possible choices, but I'm not holding my breath! Lol :D
ohkphoto said:
I did not mean to imply that your post processing was sub-par. I did not realize you did not have a computer. So, actually, Bill, you've done this really well.

My camera of choice is still the D3X . . . but even the price for used ones hasn't come down much. So I just have to wait to upgrade. Of the three choices you're looking at, I don't think you can go wrong with any of them. It seems that on ebay the 700's are running around $1000.

It's good that you did not invest in a lot of DX lenses. I didn't either because somewhere down the line I plan to upgrade to FX. So, good luck in your quest. I think your plan is good. . . maybe the right opportunity will present itself, like a great bargain on one of the three, and your decision will be easier.
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Deezey

Senior Member
Bill. You are really in a pickle here.

The D700 is a fantastic workhorse of a camera! It has proven itself time and time again. It will produce stunning images as long as you do your part. The only negative is not much there for cropping. But I noticed you like the macro shots a lot....so will that matter to you?

The D600 is the new kid on the block. And unfortunately it has had some growing pains. While the sensor is amazing...it still seems to be a coin flip on getting a good one or not. And personally I try not to leave purchases to luck. But then again....you will either need to clean or have your sensor cleaned on any dSLR eventually. How much do you like to get hands on and/or tinker?

Now for the computer issue. Any mid priced box store computer can handle the files from the D700. Let's face it....they are just smaller.

But the D600 should still be doable with the same big box store cheapie computer and a cheap RAM upgrade. You will have issues with stitching images or stacking. And maybe the occasionally large HDR shot. But at most it just may take the computer a few to get it all sorted. By far the slowest would be going from card to computer.....but that's an easy fix with just a second card and some more free time to get back out and shoot.

I would ask yourself do you need the 24mp? Will you be wanting to crop down some? Do you maybe not mind the hassle of getting a lemon and having to clean it a lot? If you don't want or need all that...D700 all the way.

But then again....if you don't mind cleaning a sensor......the D600 would be the winner. If you are lucky to get a good one.....it just plain beats the D700....in some areas not by much....but it still beats it.

(And I have used both cameras....but haven't owned either:()






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Ironwood

Senior Member
I was in a similar position to you a few months back Bill. I had the D3100 and wanted to upgrade, I was also looking at full frame, the D600 was what I wanted.
If the dusty sensor issue wasn't an issue, I would probably have one now, but the D7100 came onto the scene and I had the money to go that route, so I jumped.

I did think about a 2nd hand D300/s or D7000 as a stepping stone to a final upgrade to FX, but ended up going new with the D7100, I am happy with my choice and have no regrets.

At the time a 2nd hand D700 was only a couple of hundred less than a D600 here in Australia so I didn't think about going that way much at all.

The way I am looking at my next upgrade, which will be FX this time, the replacement for the D600 will be out, and surely the dusty sensor will be fixed, but by then I might even look a bit higher who knows.

Now at the end of the day, it is your choice, no one else can decide what is best for you.
​Do your research, and buy what you can afford.
 
BackdoorArts

BackdoorArts

Senior Member
Ironwood said:
The way I am looking at my next upgrade, which will be FX this time, the replacement for the D600 will be out, and surely the dusty sensor will be fixed, but by then I might even look a bit higher who knows.
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The D600 is barely a year old, and no replacement for the D700 has emerged, so don't hold your breath. The sensor problem, which is in reality a shutter mechanism issue, has been addressed and corrected via warranty, and likely in current production D600's. Yes, it's a shame that it exists, but it's reared its head in all recent consumer grade Nikons at some level, and can be remedied in home with wet cleanings. I would have no hesitation buying one again, even with my body spending nearly 6 weeks back at the shop over the course of 2 shutter replacements. It's that good!! If you go with a larger retailer, like B&H or Adorama, there's a good chance that stock has moved through and current inventory is recent production (acknowledgement of the issue happened in February, so we're 1/2 year out). If you unfortunately get one with a bad shutter, get it replaced and you've still got a warranted camera. Or, if you prefer, buy a refurb, save some money, and tack on a little to extend the Nikon 90-day warranty to 2 years. 24 MP's is just about perfect, the sensor improvements since the D700 are remarkable, and you can still crop down and get almost the same number of pixels as the D700.

I'm not knocking the D700, but it isold technology. You can get a refurb for under $1600 at Adorama ($1860 with a great 24-85mm lens), and tack on $10 for their VIP membership and you automatically extend the refurb warranties by a year. Sort of a no brainer if you ask me. And your computer should be more than fine with the 24MP files (I can attest that even my latest generation Macbook Pro with 16Gig of RAM coughs occasionally with stacked D800 files).
 
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Bill16

Senior Member
A lot of your points was the reason I decided to put the D600 for consideration. Though you made a very good point I hadn't thought of, and that is the crop issue. Being into macro cropping is often a real need, and so I'm leaning heavily in favor of the D600 for all the points mentioned.
Thank you my friend for your insight! :D
BackdoorHippie said:
The D600 is barely a year old, and no replacement for the D700 has emerged, so don't hold your breath. The sensor problem, which is in reality a shutter mechanism issue, has been addressed and corrected via warranty, and likely in current production D600's. Yes, it's a shame that it exists, but it's reared its head in all recent consumer grade Nikons at some level, and can be remedied in home with wet cleanings. I would have no hesitation buying one again, even with my body spending nearly 6 weeks back at the shop over the course of 2 shutter replacements. It's that good!! If you go with a larger retailer, like B&H or Adorama, there's a good chance that stock has moved through and current inventory is recent production (acknowledgement of the issue happened in February, so we're 1/2 year out). If you unfortunately get one with a bad shutter, get it replaced and you've still got a warranted camera. Or, if you prefer, buy a refurb, save some money, and tack on a little to extend the Nikon 90-day warranty to 2 years. 24 MP's is just about perfect, the sensor improvements since the D700 are remarkable, and you can still crop down and get almost the same number of pixels as the D700.

I'm not knocking the D700, but it isold technology. You can get a refurb for under $1600 at Adorama ($1860 with a great 24-85mm lens), and tack on $10 for their VIP membership and you automatically extend the refurb warranties by a year. Sort of a no brainer if you ask me. And your computer should be more than fine with the 24MP files (I can attest that even my latest generation Macbook Pro with 16Gig of RAM coughs occasionally with stacked D800 files).
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FastGlass

Senior Member
I've read alot of threads that ask this same question. I want to upgrade to full frame but don't know which one. And more so than not the person wanting to upgrade has little to no experiance. Do you think that owning a full frame will get you better photos? I really don't understand the need with most people. Like Horoscope Fish asked. What are you wanting to accomplish by upgrading?
 
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Rick M

Senior Member
I would not trade my D600 for any other model (ok, a D4, yes). For me it is the perfect blend of quality/size/power. Wet cleaned the sensor once and we both lived to shoot again.
 
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Bill16

Senior Member
I answered his question. I think you can find it on page 2. I'm a little surprised you don't know why someone might want to upgrade. Or maybe you think I think it's a fix all and will make me a better photographer overnight? Lol :D
FastGlass said:
I've read alot of threads that ask this same question. I want to upgrade to full frame but don't know which one. And more so than not the person wanting to upgrade has little to no experiance. Do you think that owning a full frame will get you better photos? I really don't understand the need with most people. Like Horoscope Fish asked. What are you wanting to accomplish by upgrading?
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gqtuazon

Gear Head
Like most aspiring photographers, I also shifted from a D80 DX camera to the D700 FX camera after three years of using the D80 and I couldn't be happier. Granted that I didn't know how to use most of the camera features and what they do but I don't think that there is a requirement to upgrade your equipment gradually. As long as you are willing to pay for the higher cost, then why not? We can learn how to use them as we get better with our craft and get to enjoy using the best equipment.

What I have noticed when other people make a suggestion / or recommendation, some based their recommendation on how they would spend their money or possibly based on their financial situation and may not actually for the best interest of the OP.

Of course this is just my perception based on my observation. I am somewhat guilty in that way also.
 
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Rick M

Senior Member
I went from the D3100 to D5100 to D600. I would have saved a lot of money if I had skipped over the D5100 and all the Dx lenses I had bought for it. If Fx is on your brain it's not going to go away.
 
Horoscope Fish

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
Bill16 said:
Now I have a question for you. Do you, or have you owned or used one of these models, and if so what one and what is your opinion about it? :)
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I've been the Department Manager for the Visual Arts department at a college for the last 13 years, so professional photographers with D600's, D700's and D800's are common, as are Canon 5/6D's and yes; I've had numerous opportunities to handle and use all of these cameras.

What's my opinion? Well when you're talking about the flagship products of the best names in the business that's somewhat of a forgone conclusion, really, in my opinion. The point of my questions was to get a better handle on what type of photographer you are and where you are on the continuum so you could arrive at a better decision. Your reply answers that question to my mind and I wish you luck with you purchase; I'm sure you'll be quite happy with whichever of those cameras you decide on.



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Bill16

Senior Member
From the way you wrote this, I have the strong feeling my answer disappointed you. By that I mean I don't think it was what you were hoping to hear, and I failed a test. I honestly wish that wasn't so.
But I thank you very much for this reply and your kindness in trying to help me. :)
Horoscope Fish said:
I've been the Department Manager for the Visual Arts department at a college for the last 13 years, so professional photographers with D600's, D700's and D800's are common, as are Canon 5/6D's and yes; I've had numerous opportunities to handle and use all of these cameras.

What's my opinion? Well when you're talking about the flagship products of the best names in the business that's somewhat of a forgone conclusion, really, in my opinion. The point of my questions was to get a better handle on what type of photographer you are and where you are on the continuum so you could arrive at a better decision. Your reply answers that question to my mind and I wish you luck with you purchase; I'm sure you'll be quite happy with whichever of those cameras you decide on.



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