Nikon - Which Direction? D3-7000 in a blink, snap, flash?
Discussion
So far my Nikon experience has been:
F90x and F100
=>
D70
=>
D2x
Lovely bit of kit the '2X - bit of a "brick", but fits my hand like a glove, never let me down and produced some nice images - was secondhand in 2007.
Got the best set of optics this side of a Scottish bar, with beauties like the 85mm f/1.4, the 17-35mm f/2.8, the 70-200mm f/2.8, the 105mm Micro AF-S f/2.8 and the 45mm Ai-P f/2.8, then a couple of SB-800s. So there's no doubt about it the Nikon line will be the one for me.
But I've been holding out for a secondhand D3/D3s for the 2x replacement. To be honest I've not done 250,000 shots in four years, but I love the solid build and every control at my fingertips - just like an F90/100.
Am I being silly? Would I be better of looking at, say, the D7000 for a brand new sensor, latest technology, i.e. jumping from 2005 to 2010 in one easy move. Bank balance is nagging me that I would get a helluvalotta camera for my 2011 money compared to replacing with a secondhand D3(s) brick (waiting for the moment a D4 is announced so that the secondhand D3 price comes good).
What really matters is output - so does the latest sensor and EXPEED 2 with the matrix metering add up to that much more than being built for a warzone?
F90x and F100
=>
D70
=>
D2x
Lovely bit of kit the '2X - bit of a "brick", but fits my hand like a glove, never let me down and produced some nice images - was secondhand in 2007.
Got the best set of optics this side of a Scottish bar, with beauties like the 85mm f/1.4, the 17-35mm f/2.8, the 70-200mm f/2.8, the 105mm Micro AF-S f/2.8 and the 45mm Ai-P f/2.8, then a couple of SB-800s. So there's no doubt about it the Nikon line will be the one for me.
But I've been holding out for a secondhand D3/D3s for the 2x replacement. To be honest I've not done 250,000 shots in four years, but I love the solid build and every control at my fingertips - just like an F90/100.
Am I being silly? Would I be better of looking at, say, the D7000 for a brand new sensor, latest technology, i.e. jumping from 2005 to 2010 in one easy move. Bank balance is nagging me that I would get a helluvalotta camera for my 2011 money compared to replacing with a secondhand D3(s) brick (waiting for the moment a D4 is announced so that the secondhand D3 price comes good).
What really matters is output - so does the latest sensor and EXPEED 2 with the matrix metering add up to that much more than being built for a warzone?
K12beano said:
Hmm! I gotta nice range. DX 10.5 to 400mm with a TC-20. So I am OK for 17-400mm on FX - but very valid point! Then again only the 10.5 is potentially redundant if I go FX - I can flog it to Simpo for some new wedding twists!!! :-)
A kind offer but I already have a 10-20, and not much need for ultrawide stuff 
Making up the 'lost' length with a TC is one thing but you'll kill the max aperture and have more stuff to juggle with. And there's more to it than simply adding up the numbers; the usable range of each lens changes, a bit like having the gears in your car in the wrong ratios. I guess you'd adapt but it's quite irksome at first.
But if you like a 'brick' and the D2X is starting to puff, then a D3 it will have to be, and whatever you get will be such a leap forward you'll be amazed.
Simpo is right, moving D2x to either D3 or D700 will be a huge leap forward. I've done similar now being a loyalish Nikon user for the last 24 years (we'll forget the Mamiya 645 and the very short lived and disfunctional affair with a Mamiya 7).
My last move was from a D2x to a D3. Honestly there is no comparison. The D3 is simply light years ahead in terms of actual output.
I kept the D2x for more wildlife type stuff where the extra reach of the cropped sensor would come in handy but that's all. For all other use I reach for the D3 every time.
I must admit I pulled the trigegr before the D700 became avilable and now if I replaced I would more than likely go with that in stead of the D3 as for a whole day's shooting, it's a heavy old beast.
My personal weighting would be;
If you're doing majority wildlife / sports and the extra reach of the cropped sensor is really useful for you then D300 or the D7000
If you don't need that extra reach, or do some lower light shooting then definitely go full frame with either D700 or D3
Chris
My last move was from a D2x to a D3. Honestly there is no comparison. The D3 is simply light years ahead in terms of actual output.
I kept the D2x for more wildlife type stuff where the extra reach of the cropped sensor would come in handy but that's all. For all other use I reach for the D3 every time.
I must admit I pulled the trigegr before the D700 became avilable and now if I replaced I would more than likely go with that in stead of the D3 as for a whole day's shooting, it's a heavy old beast.
My personal weighting would be;
If you're doing majority wildlife / sports and the extra reach of the cropped sensor is really useful for you then D300 or the D7000
If you don't need that extra reach, or do some lower light shooting then definitely go full frame with either D700 or D3
Chris
CVP said:
If you're doing majority wildlife / sports and the extra reach of the cropped sensor is really useful for you then D300 or the D7000
If you don't need that extra reach, or do some lower light shooting then definitely go full frame with either D700 or D3
^ this is what it comes down toIf you don't need that extra reach, or do some lower light shooting then definitely go full frame with either D700 or D3
Buy a vertical grip for the D300/D700, the MB-D10 is way better than previous grips.
Well I have just been into my favourite shop in the whole world and had a handle of the D7000. It's quite nice, if you want something small and dinky and the technology's bang up to date. But I think it too small and fiddly. A nice piece of glass on the front would overwhelm it!
So I am more inclined to carry on saving up for secondhand 3/3s. In other news I was mighty tempted by a 500 f/4 P lens (lovely condition, original case and hood) and a new Think Tank bag. So that's tonight's lottery win blown!!!!
So I am more inclined to carry on saving up for secondhand 3/3s. In other news I was mighty tempted by a 500 f/4 P lens (lovely condition, original case and hood) and a new Think Tank bag. So that's tonight's lottery win blown!!!!
itsnotarace said:
Buy a vertical grip for the D300/D700, the MB-D10 is way better than previous grips.
Mm, I'm not keen on the bolt-on grips. I don't find them particularly solid, but will be watching the '700 pricing. Grays reckon the replacement will be quite soon. D4 a longer wait though.Hold your horses on the Think Tank option.
I've just had to send my Airport Acceleration back under warranty as some major stitching has come undone after 2 years of reasonably hard use. So far it's been relatively painless but let's see how quickly they resolve in terms of fix and my postal costs (NYC - Califormnia fully traceable aint cheap)
So far it's been a great bag but if the warranty is no use then might not be such a good option
Top Tip - stay out of Grays. I'm like a 5 year old in there, nose pressed up against the glass cases "Can I see that one mister?"
I've just had to send my Airport Acceleration back under warranty as some major stitching has come undone after 2 years of reasonably hard use. So far it's been relatively painless but let's see how quickly they resolve in terms of fix and my postal costs (NYC - Califormnia fully traceable aint cheap)
So far it's been a great bag but if the warranty is no use then might not be such a good option
Top Tip - stay out of Grays. I'm like a 5 year old in there, nose pressed up against the glass cases "Can I see that one mister?"
CVP said:
Hold your horses on the Think Tank option.
Ooo-er! You surprise me there! (And I have got Billinghams and "Lurpaks" all over the place - more than you can shake a 500mm stick at, anyway - so I don't *need* a new bag!)CVP said:
Top Tip - stay out of Grays. I'm like a 5 year old in there, nose pressed up against the glass cases "Can I see that one mister?"
Too late!!! Mind you their fish eye (that you can see in the 360 tour on their website) is missing today. Nice 24-70mm, nice 500mm, nice lots of stuff 
Suit you, Sir!itsnotarace said:
You've not tried the MB-D10 then
Ah, now you're quite right, I shouldn't be so dismissive. A free one would be good, otherwise I was thinking of the circa £2k new D700 and MB-D10 cost compared to the prices on the secondhand D3 dropping....I believe it is for as long as you have the bag. It's meant to be a no quibble warranty.
I emailed them a pic of the stitching coming undone and had a response within 48 hours saying send it in and it's either restitch or replacement. It had to go via a trackable service and from me to them in Califormnia it was about $40 and should be there in another day or so. They have not responded to me email about refunding this cost yet. If I'd had to return it to my local dealer I could have dropped it off from work at zero additional cost but they requested I send it directly to them.
To be fair I've given the bag a lot of stick but probably not that much more than my old Lowe Pro that this replaced (bigger) and that stitching is still fine. I do like the functionality of the Think Tank bag and their other kit I have is just fine. Let's see the outcome once the bag lands with them.
Chris
I emailed them a pic of the stitching coming undone and had a response within 48 hours saying send it in and it's either restitch or replacement. It had to go via a trackable service and from me to them in Califormnia it was about $40 and should be there in another day or so. They have not responded to me email about refunding this cost yet. If I'd had to return it to my local dealer I could have dropped it off from work at zero additional cost but they requested I send it directly to them.
To be fair I've given the bag a lot of stick but probably not that much more than my old Lowe Pro that this replaced (bigger) and that stitching is still fine. I do like the functionality of the Think Tank bag and their other kit I have is just fine. Let's see the outcome once the bag lands with them.
Chris
Just to add when I got home last night was a brand new Think Tank bag Fed Ex'd to me. So for a small amount of stitching they went for a complete replacement instead with no complaining from me. I did not push the issue of postage cost as I've had the bag for a while and when I returned it I did not send back the lap top bag or spare dividers. I reckoned that was worth the postage cost.
So thumbs up for Think Tank, it really is a no quibble guarantee that they stand behind. Well done chap. Now just off to email them to say thank you.
So thumbs up for Think Tank, it really is a no quibble guarantee that they stand behind. Well done chap. Now just off to email them to say thank you.
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