I have a related question that is hopefully more sensible. I've owned a D700 for a couple of year with the following lenses (20 f/2.8, 50 f/1.4, 105DC f/2.0, 16-35 f/4). I am very happy with the camera and these lenses but as you can tell, it's lacking at the long end. I am fairly certain I don't want thj fx f/2.8 tele zooms - most are just too large for me and i'm concerned i wont use them frequently enough to be worth the $$. So my options are to wait for f/4 tele zooms or buy a "backup" dx body (probably a d300s or wait for the d400) with smaller dx tele zooms. thoughts?
Should I Buy A D7000, D400 Or A D4, Or Wait For The D800?
(158 posts) (54 voices)-
Posted 1 year ago #
-
mephisto 2061 said:
So my options are to wait for f/4 tele zooms or buy a "backup" dx body (probably a d300s or wait for the d400) with smaller dx tele zooms. thoughts?I also have a D700 and a 16-35 f4, but the lens I use most, is the 24-120 f4, it's even smaller than the fabulous 16-35. I also have the 70-200 f 2.8, which as you say, is heavy, but It does have the advantage of working with the TC-20E III AF-S 2x TeleConverter, something the 70-200 f4 will not do. After using a D700 I think you may find the D300s disappointing. In any case do you really want to carry two bodies and two set of lens ? What about the Nikon 28-300, nearly half the weight of the 70-200 f2.8
D400 v 70-200 f4 ? go for the 70-200 f4, by the time you have bought extra lens for the D400, you will need an assistant to carry all your kit plus you will have the learn and remember another set of buttons/ dials and menus
My back up is a D90 with a 20 -200 but I am pleased to report, since buying the D700, I have never had to use it and hopefully never will
Yes, eventually my D700 will replace the D90 as a spare and a D800 replace the D700
Posted 1 year ago # -
Other than maybe a 70-200mm, there will not be any f/4 tele zooms (People need to wake up and realize how big those would be)- f/4-5.6 variable aperture zooms is what they will be. Rumors on lenses are not very reliable and when they are released is even more in the air. You may end up waiting for 2-5 years.
In my opinion, the 70-300VR is the best cheap fx zoom out there and the IQ is fantastic. You can pick one up and get the 300mm range easily for $400-600 (used/new). The only thing I do not like about the 28-300 is the distortion but it is a good lens as well. When I don't want to take my 70-200 because of size, I grab the 70-300vr every time.
Having the D300, I would wait for the D400 or go the D7000 route if you really want a DX body. At this point, If I were you, I would wait for the D800 and use the D700 as a back-up then. I think you would be disappointed in the IQ coming from the D700.
Posted 1 year ago # -
-
prefocus, like we did in the old days, before auto focus, and that 70-300 vr will keep you very happy.
Posted 1 year ago # -
I am finally about to get into a studio (fingers crossed) and they do a lot of very large size prints. I am wondering if my d700 will be up to an A2 print. that is the only reason I might upgrade, when I have to, and when I can afford to.
Posted 1 year ago # -
It should be fine. Lower the iso the better. Your tweaks in software will cause more problems than the camera.
Posted 1 year ago # -
I love this question, buy now or wait until the next new camera comes out. It's really a philosophical question of one’s values and morals. Tolstoy asked “how much land does a man need?” I ask how many megapixels does a photographer need.
The answer as many as my wife will let me get!
Posted 1 year ago # -
-
Does anyone know when either the D400 or D800 will be released in the UK yet, Im getting really fed up of waiting to update my D5000, which has served me well, but now feel ive surpassed its capabilities!!!!
CAN ANYONE GIVE ME AN ANSWER?? PLEASE???
Posted 1 year ago # -
jj_fubar said:
Does anyone know when ...About a year ago I also got fed up, with waiting for the D700s to upgrade my D90, and bought a D700. As has been said many time before, when (if) the D800 comes out the D700 will still be excellent camera
To answer your question, does any know???? .. No, Not out side of a few people at NikonPosted 1 year ago # -
the real question is: what are you waiting for?
Will the next camera allow you to achieve that which you cannot do with the present camera?
Will you give up the fantatic photos that you cannot go back in time to capture, just because you want to wait?
and then the big kicker: will the next cameramake you a better photographer?
the answwer is NO
however your purchase allows Nikon to stay in business, so wait for the new cameras, but in the meanwhile, support B&H, Adorama and Nikon and get a D90 or D700, and some new lenses that you can use with your new camera.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Yes!
A new D400 or D800 WILL produce better pics than my existing D300s and my D3s!
I don't want to buy a 2-3 year old D3x only to read all about how much better the new D4 is.
Also i very much would like Nikon to stay in this business ( to protect my investment in 2.8f lenses) and not being surpassed by Canon.Posted 1 year ago # -
TravellingSwede said:
Yes!
A new D400 or D800 WILL produce better pics than my existing D300s and my D3s!
I don't want to buy a 2-3 year old D3x only to read all about how much better the new D4 is.
Also i very much would like Nikon to stay in this business ( to protect my investment in 2.8f lenses) and not being surpassed by Canon.LOL
go for it brother, as you stated, it keeps Nikon in business to protect your investment.
let me put it like this: Ferarri F50 is better than 250GTO, but do most people improve their driving skills or hide behind the new technology. sorry I do not have either,
however, back to the issue at hand:
The original question was: should I buy a D7000, D400, D4 or wait for a D800.
My answer is to that question, is you already have a D3s and D300s, so your answer does not make sense as you already have these cameras, you are not waiting.
I prefer to go out and make memories, and have framed 8x10s on my walls. todays cameras allow me to do this with great ease, and I do not feel pressured to have the latest camera, nor can I afford to change everytime Nikon brings out a new camera.
6mp gives you great 8x10's, it also challenges your skill to work with less light.
to answer your question, yes I do have a 6mp, and I "still" use it in situations where the camera is at risk, and it makes you think to get the shot you want.
I skip one or two generations, glass is of more interest.
so, you are not waiting, you are using what you have while the new cameras are being developed.
Posted 1 year ago # -
casperwb said: ... and then the big kicker: will the next cameramake you a better photographer? the answwer is NO…
casperwb said: ...Ferarri F50 is better than 250GTO, but do most people improve their driving skills or hide behind the new technology....
When someone throws at you arguments that appear to be so ‘common sense’, it is easy to back out of the discussion, if just to avoid the risk to look like a complete idiot, unable to understand the most obvious.
Of course, if you never drove a car of your life, a Ferrari F50 will not make you a better driver, for the most case it would make you a worst one. On the other hand, for the biggest part of my life, I drove crappy cheap cars in which I feared for my life at every curve taken at 60 while I now take them in full confidence at twice that speed with my new BMW. Did that better technology made me a better driver? You can answer either way, depending on the point of view you take. It required far more skills not to kill myself with the crappy but on the other hand; I now can go twice as fast and go where I would have never dared to go before.... And I still have the same brain.
To me, the real question is: With my current skill set and motivation, would I take better images with a camera that is twice better than the one I have now? To this question, the answer is most certainly yes.
Also, if you invest $12000 on a camera, you would most likely be more motivated to make the best out-of it than with a throw-away you purchased at the pharmacy for $200.
A camera is an enabling technology, the more capable it is, the more enabled you are. It is entirely up to to to translate this into "how good am I". The best proof of this is that I am an absolute zero at taking video, because my D700 have none. Would owning a camera with video make me better at video? The question is a bit silly, as the answer is an obvious no, but at least it could if I wanted, while if I keep my D700, I will never be good at video even if I wanted to.
For me, the biggest argument for buying a D700, a D3s or whatever now is that life is short, and for one having the ambition to acquire the best possible skills, a year of experience is not something you throw away just to wait for a potentially better camera. You can wait your entire life for the better one coming next.
And if you do not have this kind of ambition, don't ask the question, just wait....
Posted 1 year ago # -
Spot on Pierre!
It's easier to cook a good meal on a stove than over a camp fire.
Besides, if you, and I do, want to make large size prints, like 23' x 16', the 12 MP of the D3s is simply not enough!
(Yes. I should have bought a D3x but the D3s hype got to me.)
Come on Nikon!Posted 1 year ago # -
TravellingSwede said:... I should have bought a D3x but the D3s hype got to me ...
Two weeks ago, at the botanical garden, there was a man with both cameras, a D3x and a D3s, strapped around his neck and with big lenses as well. I guess both are good enough at what they are best to justify in his eyes owning and carrying both.
Posted 1 year ago # -
It is the middle of July and still no credible leaks. UGH
Posted 1 year ago # -
I personally didnt wait for the D800. This afternoon i went and bought a new D7000 from Roberts up in Indianapolis. I love this camera compared to my D90. Not as good as my D3 but its going to be my primary camera while i send my D3 in for repair and waiting for the D800 to come out :)
Posted 1 year ago # -
I did the same about a month ago and I love the little camera. I figure Ill get rid of it and my 700 when I can either acquire a D4 or a D3x/D3s combo sometime next summer.
Posted 1 year ago # -
I plan to do the same. Right now im in the process of selling a F5 and D90 to help fund the D800 when it comes out. Then after i get the camera in my hands id sell the D3/D7000 to get a second D800. I just got done messing with video with it. I love using my 85mm 1.4G with it. I filmed 2 musicians and i am shocked of the quality (Vs my D90)
Posted 1 year ago # -
Hi all,
The D700 output is much of a D3s and one would thing that won't change, so I'm planing to go to a D800.
It's lighter and more nimble.
My best,
Mike
Posted 1 year ago # -
or should I stop lugging round a ton of equipment and get a P7100 :)
Posted 1 year ago # -
When the D800 does come out, should I hold on for a red one ?
Posted 1 year ago # -
no, hold on for the pink, it hould be out in late 2013 to 2014.
Posted 1 year ago #
Reply »
You must log in to post.
