I purchased a new D700 last December and didn’t wait for the D800 because the rumors were that it would cost $4000. As an amateur and senior citizen, that was far above my cost justification and the $2700 for the D700 was too, but it was Christmas after all.
Anyway, I’ve only taken 1900 images and have been disappointed with the results. My 4 year old D90 performs just as well. I’m thinking of selling the D700 before the price crashes after the new models come out, but then I’ll probably be just as disappointed with the D600/500. So what to do?
My brother has a Sony “A” something or other and is pushing me to follow suit. However, I have 4 Nikon lenses and 3 are FX so feel a little “stuck” with Nikon.
Btw, I’m new to this forum and am trying to absorb all that you folks are talking about so hopefully I can make a better informed decision next time.
D600 - all speculations here
(279 posts) (72 voices)-
Posted 10 months ago #
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vinopaul22 said:
I purchased a new D700 last December and didn’t wait for the D800 because the rumors were that it would cost $4000. As an amateur and senior citizen, that was far above my cost justification and the $2700 for the D700 was too, but it was Christmas after all.
Anyway, I’ve only taken 1900 images and have been disappointed with the results. My 4 year old D90 performs just as well. I’m thinking of selling the D700 before the price crashes after the new models come out, but then I’ll probably be just as disappointed with the D600/500. So what to do?
My brother has a Sony “A” something or other and is pushing me to follow suit. However, I have 4 Nikon lenses and 3 are FX so feel a little “stuck” with Nikon.
Btw, I’m new to this forum and am trying to absorb all that you folks are talking about so hopefully I can make a better informed decision next time.Eck...haven't heard of anyone disappointed with the D700. As for price it has kind of already crashed. There are slightly used ones to be had around $1800. A D800 isn't much more then you paid if you can recoup what you paid...but it might be a little too late now.
IMO you haven't used the camera much. It sounds like it might be user error because I have never heard anything but great things about the D700. What are you disappointed in?
Posted 10 months ago # -
If you think the D700 isn't better than the D90, you don't know how to use it... seriously.
Posted 10 months ago # -
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@vinopaul22
"Anyway, I’ve only taken 1900 images and have been disappointed with the results. My 4 year old D90 performs just as well."
In some cases, my old D90 performs like my D4. But, it is when I want to do something other than a snapshot, and am working in less than ideal conditions that the D4 performs where the D90 cannot even get started. There are many folks on NRF who will try to help, but maybe, vinopaul22, you could give an example of where the D90 was the same as the D700. And, post a couple of photos in Photo-A-Day. Then we can maybe see what kind of problem you are encountering, if you ask for feedback when the photo is posted.
The D700 is a pro camera, different controls, different feel, and has the capabilities to produce incredibly sharp images. The D90 is more a pro-sumer body, which, can shoot amazing stuff, yet just will not do what a D700 can do as the format is different.
Just let us know how we can help.
But, I would definitely get the issues figured out before looking at a D600 or D800. I doubt either will meet expectations until you have mastered the potential of the D700.
Posted 10 months ago # -
I may be stuck in the '70s when my Minolta SRT102 SLR did everything I wanted with Kodachrome 64. I like using aperture mode on both my D90 and D700, as I did back then, but I can't seem to get real sharp images. I use a single center spot for focusing and it looks great through the view finder, but the image looks a bit off on the PC.
I will post a photo as soon as I figure out how and ask for feed-back.
Thanks to all for any help. I guess I just thought going FF would be automatic perfection.Posted 10 months ago # -
No worries, going to full frame is like shooting film in some ways, but totally different in others (like high ISO/ASA shooting). You have narrower depth of field than you are used to with DX cameras like the D90. I suspect you need to learn to use the AF system better, if you find your photos are always less than sharp on the spot you focused on. We need information, such as what lens you are using, what F stops, ISO etc.
Posted 10 months ago # -
I use mostly the Tamron 28-75 f2.8 and like to shoot f5.6 - f8 as I think that is the lens "sweet spot", sometimes f4 if I want a little bokeh. Also, I recently purchased the Nikon 70-300 f4.5 - 5.6 zoom, that seems to need at least f8 for quality.
So, how the heck do you post photos on the "photo a day"? I don't see a "up load" button to click like most sites.
Thanks again for any help for this old dinosaur.Posted 10 months ago # -
vinopaul22 said:
I use mostly the Tamron 28-75 f2.8 and like to shoot f5.6 - f8 as I think that is the lens "sweet spot", sometimes f4 if I want a little bokeh. Also, I recently purchased the Nikon 70-300 f4.5 - 5.6 zoom, that seems to need at least f8 for quality.So, how the heck do you post photos on the "photo a day"? I don't see a "up load" button to click like most sites.
Thanks again for any help for this old dinosaur.I'm new here, but it seems like you upload it to flickr, and paste the link here
HTH
Posted 10 months ago # -
I copied a few sample photos for the experts here to view and give me feed-back. I think some are very good and some are not quite, but all I have been criticized for.
I have them on my Picasa account.
https://picasaweb.google.com/101341115534350856496/D700SamplePhotos?authkey=Gv1sRgCLPWxvPnpc2WDA#Posted 10 months ago # -
Is that the 70-300 VR or the non-VR version. I have heard not good things about the 70-300 old version. I looked through your pictures. They aren't bad. The focus does seem a bit off on a couple. It could be your white balance mode...the colors looks a little blah to me in most of them.
It looks like you have photoshop CS5...what type of post processing do you do? Do you shoot RAW? Kind of hard to say though...I am sure others might be more help.
I don't think you need a different or more camera though. It looks like you just need to master what you have. IMO you could probably stand to upgrade your glass before you got a new body. Do you have any primes? I would be interested in seeing some pictures with a prime maybe.
Posted 10 months ago # -
vinopaul22 said:
I copied a few sample photos for the experts here to view and give me feed-back. I think some are very good and some are not quite, but all I have been criticized for.
I have them on my Picasa account.
https://picasaweb.google.com/101341115534350856496/D700SamplePhotos?authkey=Gv1sRgCLPWxvPnpc2WDA#They seem fine to me, there are some minor issues with focus and camera shake, but if you want sharper than this I suggest to start fine tuning your sharpening in post. Criticized in what way? Are the criticizers aware of the existence of dof and oof areas?
I mean your shot of the brick wall for example totally has that blurry right side, which I can imagine can be criticized for that reason.Posted 10 months ago # -
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Bit OT in a D600 rumor thread :)
Thought most the pictures looked ok but with some minure issues with camera and/or subject shake.
The blue bird was moving and shutter at 1/30th wich easily explained that. One of the wall was at 1/125th wich could explain precieved blurrined if tequnice was a bit off. The one with all the baskets I think is a case of to shallow DOF for the subject.
Posted 10 months ago # -
From the looks of things the issues are technique, more than anything else. Beyond that I dont see any glaring issues with your images. To be honest, mid day shooting like the kind you are doing there could be done with a cell phone and it would look similar (depth of field aside). That would easily explain why you think the D700 is no better than the D90, because under those conditions, they are very similar.
With the Tamron, give yourself some latitude, try shooting it at wider apertures sometimes (experiment, try both stopped down and wider apertures). The 70-300mm F4-5-5.6 isn't as good as the modern VR lens, but I think the reviews for it are a little harsh, my own tests put it only slightly behind the modern version in terms of sharpness.
Some quick suggestions, use auto ISO, up to 3200, the D700 rocks in this area. In the light you are shooting in, I doubt it will go over ISO 800, that should deal with any shutter speed problems. Set the minimum shutter speed for auto ISO to 1/125s with the 28-70 and 1/300s with the 70-300, my bet is you will see an improvement right away.
Posted 10 months ago # -
Thanks for the suggestions. I will be more aware of shutter speed and movement. I turned the "VR" off on the 70-300 because I thought I read that sometimes that caused slight blur. Maybe I will experiment more with this in mind.
I know I sort of "kidnapped" this forum and apoligize, and I am still very interested in the D600 details.Posted 10 months ago # -
vinopaul22 said:
Thanks for the suggestions. I will be more aware of shutter speed and movement. I turned the "VR" off on the 70-300 because I thought I read that sometimes that caused slight blur. Maybe I will experiment more with this in mind.
I know I sort of "kidnapped" this forum and apoligize, and I am still very interested in the D600 details.I shot/shoot all my VR lenses with it always on and I haven't ever noticed any negative effects from it. I know people say it, but I honestly haven't ever seen it in 3000+ pictures. I think any negative is negated by the positives of having it on. If you forget to turn it on you get blurry pictures and like I said...leaving it on I haven't seen any negative effects.
Posted 10 months ago # -
vinopaul22 said:
I turned the "VR" off on the 70-300 because I thought I read that sometimes that caused slight blur.Unless you allways use a tripod .I strongly suggest you turn it back On. On all my VR lenes, I have covered over the switch with tape, so I cannot accidentally turn it off
Posted 10 months ago # -
@vinopaul22
While this is the D600 guessing game thread...you have added some questions regarding photos,etc. Let's see some of your photos on PAD.
Posted 10 months ago # -
What are the odds the D600 will contain the D4 sensor or the odds it will contain the old D3X sensor? Nikon must have a lot of those D3x sensors still around since the D3x didn't sell well.
If the D600 contains the D4 sensor it will have good high ISO ability but if it contains the old D3x sensor it will not have good high ISO performance although it will be advertised as having 24 megapixels which makes it look like it has an advantage over comparable cost Cannons.
Anyone reading any hints as to what sensor might be in the D600?
Posted 10 months ago # -
I personally have serious doubts that Nikon is going to reuse a nearly 4 year old sensor in a new body... I would be disappointed if they did actually especially with the performance of newer ones in the noise / dynamic range department. I also don't think they'd throw the same sensor as their flagship D4 in a much lesser model. It has the potential to hurt D4 sales if they do that.
As of now, the rumors say it'll be a new 24.7MP sensor but I suppose we'll have to wait and see.
Posted 10 months ago # -
All indicators say Aptina is developing it
Posted 10 months ago # -
Sounds good. Maybe aptina is producing the D400 sensor also?
Posted 10 months ago # -
@vinopaul22.....before I gave my 70-200 VR away to a friend,I shot with VR on below 1/500... and VR off above 1/500 handheld...on a tripod,I never turned VR on.
Posted 9 months ago # -
R8R said:
So I said to myself, "Self - we're going full frame."I need honest opinions about the viability of the D3 in today's climate. I can pick up a decent used one locally for less than D800.
Or should I sleep on it and wait for the D600?
I currently have a D7000. It's my second one. I lost my first plus a 50mm f/1.8G, a 80-200mm f/2.8 ED, a nice copy of the 18-70mm, a nice old MF Tokina 28mm and a bunch of other gear to United airlines. Only thing I had left was a 50mm f/1.8 AIS and my trusty FG film body.
I've since replaced the D7000 with a kit 18-105mm and a 35mm f/1.8G, both of which I am regretting.
I miss my other lenses and I am on the hunt for better glass, so I though why not just invest in full frame while I'm at it and keep the D7000 body for video and backup.
Looking for low light and fast shooting as a priority, resolution is not crucial. (I shot with 6MP DX up until a little over a year ago...)
So - who uses a D3 daily, and is the new batch of FF bodies worth a jump, or is the D3 still a viable camera for the next few years?
Posted 9 months ago #
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