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Archive 2013 · Nikon D3s and Nikon D700

SRFast
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p.2 #1 · p.2 #1 · Nikon D3s and Nikon D700

I do an occasional paid shoot and though the majorty of my photography is for personal use & pleasure, I choose a Nikon D3S. I replaced my D3 in 2011 with a new D3S because I wanted a camera with the best feature set and performance because I knew I was going to live with my chocie for many years. Since my purchase the D600, D800/D800E and D4 have hit the market, but I still shoot with the D3S because none of the newer cameras do anything that much better than my D3S - it is the COMPLETE package. If you can afford the D3S without breaking the bank, get it. You won't regret it.

Just my two cents....JL

Edited on Mar 05, 2013 at 09:19 PM · View previous versions

Mar 04, 2013 at 09:50 PM

equestrianguy
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p.2 #2 · p.2 #2 · Nikon D3s and Nikon D700

Will the higher ISO performance get you substantially more photos at the higher ISO's. Honestly if you go through everything you'll notice that you likely aren't going to shoot a crap load of photos at ISO 6400 and above and the photos you typically shoot at those ISO levels aren't meant to be printed at absurd sizes.

There is very little the D700 can't do in terms of wedding photography that the D3s will excel in.

The things you should take into consideration.

Dual card slots.
Better view finder.

The D700 was huge with wedding photographers fora darn good reason. It simply worked.

Mar 04, 2013 at 10:10 PM

M635_Guy
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p.2 #3 · p.2 #3 · Nikon D3s and Nikon D700

Honestly, if it is a pure business decision, I think the D3s is tough to justify unless you're missing shots the half-stop of ISO would get you with a D3s (though I hear a lot of folks say they have a full stop vs. a D700/D3 - whatever), need the higher frame rate, want 2 cards, etc.

Then you've got to think what other gear $2000 gets you. You can get 2 D700's and a nice flash for that money. Or a D700 and a fair bit of lighting equipment. You get the idea.

For that matter, $2000 could be a nice vacation with your wife

But...

If it isn't purely financial, and the money isn't keeping you from other things you need or love, I'd be thrilled to have a D3s.

Mar 05, 2013 at 09:42 AM

Nikon_14
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p.2 #4 · p.2 #4 · Nikon D3s and Nikon D700

M635_Guy wrote:
Then you've got to think what other gear $2000 gets you. You can get 2 D700's and a nice flash for that money.

You mean two D7k's at $600 or $700 each? The going rate for a used D700 is $1,400 to $1,700... even some on the local C/L here listed at $1,900, but they're not going to get that.

Mar 05, 2013 at 10:03 AM

kapytalyst
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p.2 #5 · p.2 #5 · Nikon D3s and Nikon D700

I'm interested to know why you're not considering the d800 for weddings. I hear its a subtle improvement over the d90 you're using now.

Mar 05, 2013 at 10:21 AM

M635_Guy
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p.2 #6 · p.2 #6 · Nikon D3s and Nikon D700

Nikon_14 wrote:
You mean two D7k's at $600 or $700 each? The going rate for a used D700 is $1,400 to $1,700... even some on the local C/L here listed at $1,900, but they're not going to get that.

no - cost of a D3s at $3500 vs. two D700's at ~$1400 and a SB-900

or a $1400 D700 and the remainder of the $3500 for other equipment useful to your business.

(or spend the money just.on a D700 and be done)

Mar 05, 2013 at 10:44 AM

honorerdieu
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p.2 #7 · p.2 #7 · Nikon D3s and Nikon D700

diamondroad wrote:
Damn it BobSam.....I'm looking for someone to tell me to buy it so I can blame them (and the internet) for "convincing me" to buy it. Didn't you read my post..I'm Married!!!!! Can I send you my wife's email address and you can tell her that I need to buy the D3s and that it will make all our brides look like Victoria Secret Models.

Thanks
Steve

Buy it. I will take full blame if you don't like it--but I doubt that will be the case.

Mar 05, 2013 at 11:07 AM

thedruid
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p.2 #8 · p.2 #8 · Nikon D3s and Nikon D700

You can shoot weddings with a D300 and many do, you cannot afford it sorry. There you go feel better now

Mar 05, 2013 at 11:28 AM

Nikon_14
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p.2 #9 · p.2 #9 · Nikon D3s and Nikon D700

kapytalyst wrote:
I'm interested to know why you're not considering the d800 for weddings.

Lemme see...

-LH AF problems that Nikon pretends don't exist.
-AF problems caused by Tungsten WB issues (this is a recent development).
-Little to no improvement on high ISO capability over D700.

$400 for a grip?!?!?!?!?

36mp causes more problems than it solves, such as:

-Need to double the shutter speed to avoid shake
-3x more HHD space needed
-3x more memory cards needed
-3x as long to edit images- at 1k to 2k images per wedding, that = lost productivity.
-Mature brides now get to see ALL their wrinkles, skin blemishes, etc.

Mar 05, 2013 at 12:06 PM

diamondroad
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p.2 #10 · p.2 #10 · Nikon D3s and Nikon D700

Thank you Nikon_14....I was just about to say that. I have no desire for the D800 at all.

I've decided, I'm getting a D3s, I'll just have to wit a few extra months to save up the money. It all bioled down to this....I still LOVE photography, it's my only hobby. I don't drink (anymore) I don't smoke...photography is a healthy hobby. March 23rd will be my five year sobriety day....I'm going to treat myself and "allow" myself to spend close to $4000 as a gift.

Thanks for all your input everyone.

Steve

Mar 05, 2013 at 12:16 PM

Eric_M_Klein
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p.2 #11 · p.2 #11 · Nikon D3s and Nikon D700

I shoot as a way to pay for the toys. I sold my D700s after the Japanese earthquake and purchased a D3s. If you want to shoot in low light (no flash) the D4/D3s is a better choice. I also have a D4. The D4 is similar, but the low light auto focus is "significantly" better than the D3s or D700. I also prefer the larger viewfinder on the pro-body. The real question to ask would be, Is the D3s (or D4) going to make the photography experience better to your clients and improve your sales? If you have ever been on a shoot and wished to be able to shoot at ISO 3200++ a D3s and/or D4 would be worthwhile. I would purchase a D4 or D3s used and D3s or D700 as backup then sell your customers on the fact that you have the best equipment in the world and increase your prices to cover the additional expenditures. If you shoot 10-20 events a year, charging and extra $500 to $1000 because you have better equipment should be an easy sell.

Mar 05, 2013 at 12:23 PM

mike-in-ak
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p.2 #12 · p.2 #12 · Nikon D3s and Nikon D700

I recently purchased a very good used D3s. I was looking to be able to shoot fast moving Aurora with a lower shutter speed to freeze the details within the display.

That is the only reason for the purchase.

Now if I can just get the weather to cooperate.

Mar 05, 2013 at 12:38 PM

nick53097
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p.2 #13 · p.2 #13 · Nikon D3s and Nikon D700

I used to shoot weddings with two D700, moved to D3s and never looked back
(Was my best Nikon purchase

Love that camera, my main machine for weddings, dance and sport
D700 will be a perfect second body

Mar 05, 2013 at 02:34 PM

mshi
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p.2 #14 · p.2 #14 · Nikon D3s and Nikon D700

I used to shoot weddings with two D3s in 2010, and downsized to two D700s (without grips) in 2011. My shoulders, back and billfold have felt much more comfortable. With help of today's software solutions, I am able to push ISO to as highs as 12,800 with my D700s without seriously hurting the results.

Mar 05, 2013 at 02:50 PM

equestrianguy
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p.2 #15 · p.2 #15 · Nikon D3s and Nikon D700

To be honest buying a used D3s is a pretty bad investment when you consider the price will only depreciate. I mean if you are going to spend that $4000 on a USED D3s why the heck would you not go for the D4 which is a hell of a lot more Camera.

There is just no means for a photographer to justify that D3s unless they were shooting something that physically required the high frame rate.

+1 on the D800. It's annoying file sizes. I personally like the 24mp on the D600 myself for that reason.

Mar 05, 2013 at 11:00 PM

Christian S
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p.2 #16 · p.2 #16 · Nikon D3s and Nikon D700

I shot with a D3s for a year or so. I moved to a D800 and love it. The D800 is right up there with good ISO. 6400 is no problem. Once you learn its personality the whole needing higher shutter issue disappears. I have had zero problems with it. I can shoot football no problem 5FPS with 24mps. I get perfect keepers @1/13sec with the 70-200VRII for still portraits. I thought I would miss the 9FPs the D3s put out but have found 5 is plenty. The D800 has a lot of bang for its buck. The high res and dynamic range kick ass. I do think the D3s is a great work tool, but not for it's current used price unless you use it for making a living. Right now I dont work enough to justify $4000, plus I have drifted away from sports. I was still surprised at how well my first FB game went with the D800. It really felt very close to being like the D3s aside from the buffer and frame rate. File size has not been an issue at all with a modern PC. HD space is cheap. I think most people who poo poo the D800 don't really know it well enough. New very diffrent tools can mess with people who are not into change. It won't be long and the 36mps will be the norm in a D5 body.

Mar 06, 2013 at 12:36 AM

mike-in-ak
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p.2 #17 · p.2 #17 · Nikon D3s and Nikon D700

I never consider cameras to be "investments", they are tools that depreciate. Just like an automobile, once you open the box the resell value goes down. I can't see paying the list price of a new D4 or even paying $4000 for a used D3s. Shop around you can get a good used D3s for less than $3500.

Mar 06, 2013 at 01:47 AM

dougfatheruk
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p.2 #18 · p.2 #18 · Nikon D3s and Nikon D700

I have recently made the move in to semi-professional photography myself, so like you I don't do it full time. Any investment I make has to be calculated so I can get a reasonably quick return.

If your wife has a D700 then you will know that the D90 is simply an old hat DX camera with old sensor technology. I know it's a good workhorse camera but even the D3100 wipes the floor with it in IQ and ISO.

The D700 is in a different league and I really can't see what benefits the D3s is going to give you, other than the main one being 2 card slots which is peace of mind. Your going to get 8fps with the grip, 51-point-af and ISO3200-6400 on the D700 is like ISO 400-800 on the D90.

If cost is a factor I would go for one of two things, a D3 or the newer D7100. The D3 can be had for around 40-50% more than the D700 but fills the gaps in terms of dual card slots and other mega pro features. The D7100 will keep you in DX land and will give you the pro af, good fps, dual card slots and going by the D7000, excellent all round IQ.

I only recent had the same dilemma myself and I am loving the D700, no regrets here, i got is used in the UK for 1000GBP with 1700 clicks, it was like new.

Just my two cents

Mar 06, 2013 at 03:16 AM

rddayton
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p.2 #19 · p.2 #19 · Nikon D3s and Nikon D700

Let me say first of all that I own the D3s. It is without question the finest camera I have ever owned or shot. Fast. Amazing color. Flawless AF system. I can't imagine how the D4 could be any better.

However, there is a caveat. Almost everything I shoot is sports. I shoot a lot of images at ISO 12,800 -- and the D3s is spectacular. However, some noise is acceptable in sports photography. I don't know that the same level of noise would be acceptable for wedding photos.

My advice? Ask yourself this question. Realistically, how often do you need to shoot at those elevated ISO settings. Only you can answer the question about how many really, really dark churches and ceremonies you shoot.

If you don't need the extremely high ISO's, jump on a low mileage D3. It is a spectacular camera. Financially, it is no problem to buy a very low shutter count D3 for $2,000. With the extra $1,500, buy Nikon's 24-70 f/2.8. That makes an amazing wedding rig -- and I think after being on the D90, you will feel like you died and went to heaven. Your results will show a dramatic difference in image quality -- and the jump from the DX to FX on your camera will blow your socks off.

Just my two cents....

Rick

Mar 06, 2013 at 07:02 AM

Nikon_14
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p.2 #20 · p.2 #20 · Nikon D3s and Nikon D700

rddayton wrote:
If you don't need the extremely high ISO's, jump on a low mileage D3.

This is one option... but be aware that:

The D700 has exactly same sensor as D3, and treats signal exactly the same.

The D3's sensor is completely DIY for removing dust. The D700's is self-cleaning.

Ceteris paribus, a used D700 is ~$500 cheaper than a used D3.

Mar 06, 2013 at 07:56 AM

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