Home · Register · Join Upload & Sell

Moderated by: Fred Miranda
Username  

  New fredmiranda.com Mobile Site
  New Feature: SMS Notification alert
  New Feature: Buy & Sell Watchlist
  

FM Forums | Nikon Forum | Join Upload & Sell

  

Archive 2013 · Thinking of D600 to D800? Am I crazy?

  
 
QWK SVT
Offline

Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Thinking of D600 to D800? Am I crazy?


I currently shoot with a D700 and a D600. My lenses are: 16-35VR, 28f/1.8, 24-85VR (travel), Sigma 85f/1.4, 70-200VRII, 300f/4 AF-S and Nikon TC's.

I've recently made the transition from a hobbyist to starting to generate supplemental income with photography, with a plan for it be a self-sustaining venture (income exceeds gear etc. expenses). Most of my photo income is portrait and event, but I've started to dabble in engagement shoots and have my first wedding scheduled for next year. I'm debating replacing my D600 with a D800.

The D700 is great, and isn't going anywhere. Gripped it becomes my action camera; I use the 8fps regularly for sports, and for myself - wildlife and particularly BIF. I love the robust build, and find the AF speed and accuracy to be more trustworthy than the D600 in difficult situations. Enough to make up for the lesser dynamic range and noise profile, when I need to get the shot.

The D600 was originally purchased to be my backup, landscape and travel body, but the dynamic range and noise has me reaching for the D600 a lot more than planned. It has been serving as my primary body, much of the time. I also love the U1 and U2 option and crop-ability of files when needed. The sensor gets cleaned regularly (no real dust problems, just good practice), and produces stunning results. Provided the AF doesn't miss.

I feel less confident about focus accuracy of the D600, and chimp more because of it. I've had the D600 struggle during some darker session and also with an engagement shoot involving an energetic dog. For action, it can't keep up with the D700.

With refurb D800 prices being what they are (and Nikon includes a 1-year warranty to boot), I can easily turn a D600 + $1,000 into a D800. I have a computer that's up to the task - had to previously upgrade for the D600 files, already.

Ergo is obviously better on the D800 (though I will miss the U1/U2), and the larger size and weight don't bother. But it's still basically $1,000 for better AF. I'm comfortable with my lenses, as is. I may rent a 24-70 from time-to-time, but I'm not rushing to buy one.

Am I crazy for thinking of swapping out the D600 for the D800? Who's done just that, and would you do it again?

Thanks in advance for any feedback.



Nov 13, 2013 at 07:17 PM
hijazist
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Thinking of D600 to D800? Am I crazy?


I've done it. Both are great but the D800 has better build and control layout. AF is more snappy especially in low light sports. There's other extra features that you might or might not find useful. I also love the cropping potential with the D800.

On the other hand, the D600 IMO is a more forgiving camera and I liked the ISO performance better on the D600. It's such a great package in a small body.

All things considered the D800 is indeed a better camera so if you can afford it then go for it

Good luck...



Nov 13, 2013 at 07:29 PM
Joseph.
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Thinking of D600 to D800? Am I crazy?


I went from D600 to D800 and I think it's worth it. Pretty much everything is an upgrade from handling to autofocus to resolution. I did miss the D600's u1/u2 settings and lighter weight, but the better overall handling of the D800 made up for it. I now shoot a D4 as my primary body but I wouldn't mind a D800 if I didn't have a D4.


What u get with D800 vs D600:
-Better ergonomics
-magnesium alloy front where the lens mount is
-1/8000
-51 pts AF, snappier system
-More resolution
-top meter bar
-round eyepiece
-viewfinder shutter
-faster flash sync

What you'll miss from the D600
u1/u2
Dual SD (cheaper, more uniform)
Lighter and smaller
Rear LCD meter bar when on LV



Nov 13, 2013 at 07:54 PM
Arka
Offline
• • • • • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Thinking of D600 to D800? Am I crazy?


Unless you need FPS, the D800 may be the last DSLR body you'll ever need to buy. It is a stellar product; you can't go far wrong. I have two, and would never get rid of either one.


Nov 13, 2013 at 08:06 PM
low325
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Thinking of D600 to D800? Am I crazy?


Arka wrote:
Unless you need FPS, the D800 may be the last DSLR body you'll ever need to buy. It is a stellar product; you can't go far wrong. I have two, and would never get rid of either one.

yep. i'll probably just wait in 5-7 years for the next iteration of the Df.. d800 is king! but if you dont need the d800, the d600 is actually quite the camera so dont feel like youre missing a whole lot.



Nov 13, 2013 at 08:14 PM
Bobat
Offline

Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Thinking of D600 to D800? Am I crazy?


I did it and no regrets. I would think it would be less than $1000 out of pocket for the switch? D600's seem to be going for around $1400, and you should be able to pick up a good used or refurb D800 for $2100 or less.


Nov 13, 2013 at 09:08 PM
rioni
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Thinking of D600 to D800? Am I crazy?


I wish I paid the extra $200 or so for a used D800 a year ago rather than getting the D600 when it first came out. At this point, I'm going to just keep it



Nov 13, 2013 at 09:15 PM
jamesmorophoto
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Thinking of D600 to D800? Am I crazy?


do eeet!


Nov 13, 2013 at 10:04 PM
JimFox
Offline
• • • • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Thinking of D600 to D800? Am I crazy?


Not crazy at all.... buy a D800. I love mine! As much as I loved my D700, I would suggest you sell that to help finance the D800 and then just keep the D600 as the backup to the D800. That's what I am doing now and it works out great.

I truly loved my D700, I always thought that it could never get any better than that.... but the D800 has made me forget totally about the D700, it is sincerely that much better. What is cool, is everything you liked about the D700 except for fps, the D800 improves up.

So buy it and get to shooting with it!

Jim



Nov 13, 2013 at 10:29 PM
Two23
Offline
• • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Thinking of D600 to D800? Am I crazy?


If I were shooting weddings full time, I would probably buy a used D800 (not D800e.) As it is, I shoot less than 12 weddings per year and have stayed with the D7100 after much careful consideration. I'm positive that if I spent the money on a DX lens change plus the D800, none of my customers would ever see the difference and I would not earn any more money. So, I've decided to keep the money in my pocket rather than put it in NIkon's pocket. However, if I were shoot ~25 weddings a year and was easily able to offset the cost, I would definitely reconsider. If I went the D800 route, I would buy two used ones. I will add in your case, for weddings a 24-70mm f2.8 of one brand or another is priority one. You really need a mid range f2.8 zoom. Don't forget to ALWAYS ALWAYS have a back up body too.


Kent in SD



Nov 14, 2013 at 01:04 AM
pr4photos
Online
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Thinking of D600 to D800? Am I crazy?


I have a D700 and a D800. The D600 wasn't an option - it had to to be the D800, so go for it


Nov 14, 2013 at 05:04 AM
Frogfish
Offline
• • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Thinking of D600 to D800? Am I crazy?


I've had the D600, D800, D800E (current) and D3s (current). I had the D600 (as backup) at the same time as the D800, and then the E, and when i sold it it had less than 3,000 actuations on it. It's a very fine camera but if you have an 800 then it's not going to get a look in. You will not regret trading up.


Nov 14, 2013 at 05:19 AM
RLDubbya
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Thinking of D600 to D800? Am I crazy?


I was just going through a decision matrix on whether to buy 600/610 or 800/e for my business. Money is tight, so the 600 was very attractive. Ended up ordering the 800e after 3 days of back-and-forth. Once I pressed "submit" on the cart, I felt no regrets.

One of the things that sold me: in DX mode, with a grip, you can get a sustained 6fps with fast cards on the 800. Yes, that's not d4 speeds. But that just might suffice for what I need. Seems like the 800 is a pretty versatile beast.



Nov 14, 2013 at 07:18 AM





FM Forums | Nikon Forum | Join Upload & Sell

    
 

You are not logged in. Login or Register

Username       Or Reset password



This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.