Is the D700 a cheaper option than a D4 for Sports Photography? Not For VIDEO..

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Is the D700 a cheaper option than a D4 for Sports Photography? Not For VIDEO..

(9 posts) (8 voices)

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Frosty

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Joined: Jan '12
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Hi Everybody,

Just to start with, I already have a D800 and feel quite fortunate to already have mine considering that some people who ordered theirs a while back are still getting delays. Best of luck guys and gals..

But anyway, on the above topic.

Is a 12mp D700 with a Battery Grip at 8Fps a cheaper and almost similar option to a D4 with 16mp and 10Fps? Comments on this would be great, as I could buy a D4 if stretched, but really, is just the still images of the camera that much an improvement to justify spending 3 times as much?

Or is the buffer, ISO, Dynamic Range etc.. Justify it?

I am not interested in video, as the D800 can do all I require, which is little to none.

Looking forward to comments on this if possible.

Thanks,
Frosty.

Posted 1 year ago #
spraynpray

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If your emphasis is on sport, you should not have bought your D800 - you should have gone straight for the D4. If you look at the PAD thread you will see the D4 is no slouch when it comes to quality (understatement of the month) and is Nikons best sports camera yet.

I don't have one but if I had freedom of choice (oh, and the money), I would pass on the D800 and get the D4.

This is going to be an opinion based thread and that is my 2c.

Good luck resisting the D4!

Posted 1 year ago #
Frosty

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Hi Spraynpray,

I know what the D800 is capable of, as i knew its is mainly for landscape and portrait and thats why i purchased it.

Photography for me is a hobby at the moment, and the sport aspect if just for taking pics for fun, I am aware the D4 is a great camera, having played with one.

But obviously before shelling out 7K on a D4 as opposed to 2.5K for a D700/Grip, It would be nice to hear from people with both a D4 and D700, and advising on this too.

And yes whe the D4 was sitting in front of me, my credit cards were telling me to "go on..., its just money..." hehehe

Thanks for your advice anyway.

Posted 1 year ago #
SkintBrit

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I would suggest if you don't know you need a D4, go for the D3s instead and save yourself a couple of thousand dollars.

Posted 1 year ago #
sevencrossing

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Frosty said:
Photography for me is a hobby at the moment, and the sport aspect if just for taking pics for fun,

I dont have a D4, I do have a D800 and a D700

Hobbies are about fun

If getting the D4 does not stop you buying some nice glass eg the Holy trinity plus the 200-400 zoom, and the 24 mm f1.4

Go for it, get the D4

but if you are going sacrifice glassto pay for the D4 , get the D700 and spend the savings on lenes

Get the genuine MB10 remember batteries are not included and to get 7fps you will need at least one EN-EL4a plus a charger. forget AA batteries they drain too fast

Posted 1 year ago #
PB PM

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The D700 (8FPS w/grip) is great for action shooting, I do bird photography with mine and that taxes even the best cameras. Use 8 AA batteries in the grip and save yourself $400 over the EN-EL4a and charger. I get over 1000 shots on Enloop recharable batteries in the grip.

Posted 1 year ago #
jerl

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I'm curious is anyone can make a comparison: how does the autofocus performance (speed, accuracy, consistancy) compare between the D700 and D3/D3s or the D800 and the D4?

Posted 1 year ago #
msmoto

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Joined: Mar '10
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Well, I cannot say a lot about the D700, but the D4 with the 400mm f/2.8 snaps to focus. Even with the TC14-EII the focus is very quick and it seems to follow well on Continuous servo also. I will try to get an airplane shot up on PAD tomorrow and give the data for the shoot. Today, i made a couple mistakes....sooo....back to the airport we go.

Posted 1 year ago #
Pierre

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Why dont you give your D800 a chance to prove itself at your sport shots? You may be surprised.

And if you really dont like it, I will trade you my D700 :-)

Posted 1 year ago #