I am curious to know which pair of cameras would some, if now most would prefer to use to photography weddings etc. I wholeheartedly understand that at the end of the day, the camera is just a tool,but if you had a choice would you prefer the D4/D800 combo or D4/D3S combo and why?
If I had to choose between the two options listed there. I would choose D4/D800. I prefer both bodies to have a similar button layout. Makes moving between the two a lot easier. Downside is now your juggling between three different card formats. Its a pain in the ass. I know because i used to own that combo. Another option would be two D3Ss. That would be cheaper and get the job done.
I was in your shoes in December, already owning a D3s and D3, trying to decide between another D3s or the D800. I picked the D800.
If you're wondering how I feel about my decision, you can check out my for sale post for the D800 over in Buy/Sell.
For weddings, the D800 is just too much to deal with. The file size and read/write speed aren't a good fit for weddings, IMO. After shooting one wedding with my D3s/D800 combo, I want to punch myself in the face. Until Nikon releases a firmware update with some sort of similar file type to Canon's sRAW, I can't recommend the D800 for wedding shooters.
Honestly, unless you shoot a lot of video, or just absolutely HAVE TO HAVE the maximum dynamic range at super high ISO, the D3s is still a much better choice, IMO.
The D3s is virtually equal in every other category, and it's at least $1800 cheaper than a used D4 if you shop smart. Honestly, if you can find a gently used D3, that's still the best value for dollar spent. You can pick up two D3's in great condition for hundreds less than a single D4 will cost you.
No one seems to be considering the d600, but you can get them for $1700 and it is more capable than what most of us have been shooting with for years. Amazing performance for the price and outclasses the d700 that so many people have relied on for years and it isn't getting any love.
The d3, d3s and d600 are the best performance/cost ratio in nikon photography.
I have the D4/D800 combo now, but I was considering selling the D800 to get a D3S as a backup. I love the performance of the D4 so much, that the dynamic range of the D800 means very little IMO.
Last couple of years, I shot with a D3s and D700. Swapped the D700 for a D3 for a bit, but went back to the D700. Mainly because it was easier to carry both bodies when one is smaller.
I tried a D3s and D800 and didn't like that. The buttons are just different enough to slow you down. But the worst part is a D800 is just too many megapixels for weddings. And you always have another decision to make. Which camera for which shot? With a D3s, D4, D700 you never worry/think about that.
Now I've got a D4 and I find myself considering a D800 again, just because of the similar button layout. If you could program that stupid video button to change ISO on the D800 like you can the D4, I think I'd do it.
I would say D4 and D3. We have one D800 and I hate it. Sure, the files are huge, but for wedding work, all that camera does is slow things down. In the end, in albums, on wall prints, even 30x40 prints, it looks no better or worse then a D3 or D700. I would much rather have a cleaner high ISO then the file size
TRReichman wrote:
No one seems to be considering the d600, but you can get them for $1700 and it is more capable than what most of us have been shooting with for years. Amazing performance for the price and outclasses the d700 that so many people have relied on for years and it isn't getting any love.
The d3, d3s and d600 are the best performance/cost ratio in nikon photography.
- trr
The autofocus system in the D600 makes it nothing more than a potential vacation camera for me.
Still rockin' my D700's. Still lovin' the results.
Continuity between bodies (simplicity, practicality) - no thinking about which camera you should use for which photo, which lens is better on this camera or that camera, etc, etc - just two awesome cameras that will perform exactly the same. ISO, file output, cards, controls, feel, etc.
Cost to performance benefit - The D3s is an awesome camera. You could easily get two for a total cost of..maybe $6,000. The D800 and D4 are also awesome cameras, of course, but not enough to warrant the price difference. The combo would be about $9,000, without bargain hunting.
I don't think you can go wrong with any of the cameras you're considering, truthfully. This'd just be my personal preference, for these reasons.
martinezphoto wrote:
The autofocus system in the D600 makes it nothing more than a potential vacation camera for me.
Still rockin' my D700's. Still lovin' the results.
Exactly. I really tried to convince myself I should buy the 600 - but ridiculous AF, small body, known dust/oil issues are stopping me from giving it any love.
TRReichman wrote:
Have you guys tried the d600 AF? Seems rock solid to me.
- trr
It's a D7000 body with a shiny new FX sensor. Very, very little beyond that.
The fact that Nikon VERY obviously intentionally gimped so many features just to make it noticeably different from the D800 is nothing short of insulting to basic intelligence.
And yes, I've tried it. It feels like a toy in my hand.
The AF on the d600 is far superior to the d7000. I've used both and the d600 is great. No on has to use one obviously, but they are spectacular cameras for an incredibly low price with top line image quality. I think they are being unfairly dismissed by many.
I'm now using a pair of D600 and the autofocus has been solid for me plus the image quality is spectacular. My only gripe is that I wish the center top focus point was placed more to the top of the frame. Attach the battery grip and it's solid and no longer "feels like a toy" IMO.
TRReichman wrote:
The AF on the d600 is far superior to the d7000. I've used both and the d600 is great. No on has to use one obviously, but they are spectacular cameras for an incredibly low price with top line image quality. I think they are being unfairly dismissed by many.
- trr
+1 D600 af is very good compared to D7000 af (not bad either for it's price).
