Nikon D3S or D800e for Photojournalism?

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lewis-dc

New member
I'm currently studying Photojournalism, and i'm looking for something new with more punch to use. I rarely do sports work and focus on more news and street based work instead (Protests/demonstrations among my own photo stories).

I've been reading into points that the raw/jpeg sizes are too large for photojournalists on the D800e compared to the D3s, and the lack of a AA filter for the sensor can cause moire (However many reviews say this is hardly a problem).

I was wondering what you guys think? My main lens i would be using on these is the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 AF DG HSM Art.Thanks.
 
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Deezey

Senior Member
I would go the D3s route. What would those 36mp do for protest shots and such? The D800e is more geared to the studio shooter that has more control over the environment. So more fashion photography while also being a very capable landscape shooter too. Honestly I think the D800 is an amazing camera....but not for what you are looking to do.

D3s will be much faster...around 9fps. Has something like 4 times the battery life. Better at higher ISO...and more manageable file sizes. Also to get every pixel worth out of the D800 series you can't skimp on the glass. But that goes for all cameras really. But you will need the better glass and the better shooting skills to maximize the D800 series and those 36mps.

Only cons I can think of on the D3s is bigger and heavier.
 
Scott Murray

Scott Murray

Senior Member
I would go the D3S as yes the file size would be a killer, but the D800E will have an advantage if a photo needs cropping alot. So it will all depend on how close you want to be and what lenses you currently have.
 
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aroy

Senior Member
If you are just starting then and entry level camera will be a much better (and cheaper) solution. Any 16/24MP camera is good enough for PJ work, and cameras like D3300 cost so little today, that you can afford to ignore the investment once your career takes off and you get a tougher body.

For street shooting the 35mm F1.8DX will be a much better option than the Sigma Art Series, unless you shoot a lot of portraits in low light. The combined cost of D3300 + 18-55 + 35mm will be well below what the Art Series will cost you.
 
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lewis-dc

New member
Thanks for all the input.

I have mainly been looking for second hand D3S' that are out there (Seeming its discontinued due to the D4 series so i've found it difficult to find one that would be new to some extent). To my knowledge it has a shutter actuation of around 300,000. I've seen quite a limited amount of second hand versions with a lowish (Around 100,000 or lower ) actuation on sites such as panamoz, digital rev, london camera exchange and mpb photographic. Do you have any recommendations as to where else i may look for second hand models? Thanks.
 
SkvLTD

SkvLTD

Senior Member
Ebay. You get buyer protection from both them and paypal. Craigslist? You won't have warranty either way, so it's only a matter of having 3k laying around.
 
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hrstrat57

Senior Member
lewis-dc said:
Thanks for all the input.

I have mainly been looking for second hand D3S' that are out there (Seeming its discontinued due to the D4 series so i've found it difficult to find one that would be new to some extent). To my knowledge it has a shutter actuation of around 300,000. I've seen quite a limited amount of second hand versions with a lowish (Around 100,000 or lower ) actuation on sites such as panamoz, digital rev, london camera exchange and mpb photographic. Do you have any recommendations as to where else i may look for second hand models? Thanks.
Click to expand...

I have seen multiple examples on Boston Craigslist.....I believe there is presently a D4 up at a fair price presently....
Not sure where your local is @lewis-dc

Edit:

Yep here it is....
Nikon D4 DSLR with $500 of extras (will accept specific trades)
 
Marcel

Marcel

Happily retired
Staff member
Super Mod
lewis-dc said:
Thanks for all the input.

I have mainly been looking for second hand D3S' that are out there (Seeming its discontinued due to the D4 series so i've found it difficult to find one that would be new to some extent). To my knowledge it has a shutter actuation of around 300,000. I've seen quite a limited amount of second hand versions with a lowish (Around 100,000 or lower ) actuation on sites such as panamoz, digital rev, london camera exchange and mpb photographic. Do you have any recommendations as to where else i may look for second hand models? Thanks.
Click to expand...
Lewis, welcome to Nikonites. Please try to remember that we are a bunch of photographers, some pros and some amateurs, that live all around the globe. When you ask us where you should be buying, you should have preceded your question with your living city. It's kind of difficult to advise when we actually have no clue of where you live.

The only advice I can give you since you're a student is to spend a bit more money on lenses than on the camera. Lenses keep their values way more than the body.

If I was you, I'd seriously consider a D300 which is a pro-Dx body. Since you are studying, it might take time to sell pictures to help you pay for your equipment, so invest wisely in order to be able to survive the fasting years to come.

Good luck.
 
Whiskeyman

Whiskeyman

Senior Member
Why are you limiting yourself to those two cameras?


If you've decided upon the D3, look up Colonial Photo and Hobby in Orlando, Florida on the web. Early last week, they had a beautiful used D3s for sale, and they are a very reputable business.

WM
 
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jay_dean

Senior Member
With the outlets you've mentioned (LCE, MPB etc) i'm guessing you're British based. You'll be hard pressed to find a new D3S, nigh on impossible really. It's still a camera that truly holds a very strong second hand value. The D3 prices are rock bottom, but the D3S is a different story.
MBP is where you'll probably them find most readily, and as cheap as anywhere else you'll see one really. A couple of other places to keep your eye on;
Grays of Westminster (top prices tho),
Grays of Westminster's Second-hand Nikon Equipment | AF, FX, DX, 35mm, manual focus, vintage, Rangefinder, #Nikkor
Harrison Cameras of Sheffield (my local, great place, no D3S' in tho)
Buy Used Cameras - Harrison Cameras
Mifsuds (no D3S here either)
Used Nikon DSLR's
Carmarthen Cameras (again no D3S)
Carmarthen Camera Centre Ltd.
Good luck..
 
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