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Archive 2017 · New d3400?

  
 
GroovyGeek
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · New d3400?


As some of you know, Nikon has decided to drastically lower the cost of the basic D3400 kit to a mere $400. I am contemplating jumping on one for several reasons

First, lugging the D800 around is getting old. At time I do want the flexibility of an SLR but don't need the weight. I would rather not spend big bucks to buy a new set of lenses for a different system, e.g. m4/3.

Second, my wife and I are going to South Africa in a few months. I am not a wildlife shooter and this will be a family trip but I figure that a D3400 with the 80-400 on it and possibly a 1.7tc will be a serviceable solution, albeit a weird looking one.

Finally, the d3400 can make a competent backup body for the almost inevitable eventuality of me frying the D800 somewhere.

Yes, I know of no top LCD, no front command dial, mostly menu driven UI, only one cross sensor, somewhat dim viewfinder, afs lenses only. Anything else that I need to consider?



May 10, 2017 at 12:01 AM
Photozack81
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · New d3400?


It's definitely not my first choice for practically any lens with a TC.

Chance are that'll be a manual focus only combo, AF will probably make you hate life with that one whole cross type sensor.

If you wanted to get into a lighter mirrorless, they make adapters that will let your Nikon glass fit them, but then you're into all the issues that mirrorless offers. Slower focus, lower battery life, etc.

The D3400 weighs about a pound body only.

The D800 weighs about 2 pounds body only.

I really can't justify giving up that much functionality for what is basically a rounding error in carry weight.

Pick a better DX camera (used 7100, 7200, d500 etc) and I'd be more inclined to agree with you.




May 10, 2017 at 01:11 AM
Unclejoe1116
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · New d3400?


I'd look at the D500, D610, or D750... I had a D90 for 6 years, and just upgraded to the D750, and there's hardly any size/weight difference.

In my experience with the D40 (the great-great-great grandfather of the D3400. Seriously. D40 -> D40x/D60 -> D3000 -> D3100 -> D3200 -> D3300) it was too light to be taken seriously. Once I felt the solidness of the D90, I stopped using the D40 entirely. I know Ken Rockwell swears by it, and laughs at anyone who says they need something more, but when you mount a big lens (like an 80-400 with a TC) on something that small, it just won't feel right. (Plus, for reasons I'm not sure he'll be able to comprehend, some people do need more than 6MP for everyday use.)

Plus, I'd be worried about the mount/lens stability on something that small. Less weight/cheaper usually means less strength.



May 10, 2017 at 08:35 AM
Chris Court
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · New d3400?


I had similar thoughts to you (less the SA trip!) about the pros/cons of a backup body, and ended up with a refurb D7200. Very happy so far, and it gets pretty much just as much use as my D810.

C



May 10, 2017 at 08:38 AM
GroovyGeek
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · New d3400?


Thanks for the thoughts

I would never consider the d7xxx or d7xx as alternatives for my needs. The size and weight are indistinguishable, and nowadays a used d800 sell for about the same yet is a far better camera. The d5xxx is just too much money for something that will mostly sit unused and be worthless in 5 years.

To clarify, the d3400 would be an occasional "special needs" camera. The 80-400 combo I mentioned above is obviously awkward, but most of the time I see myself using it only with the kit 18-55 or a set of the f/1.8 primes that I already own.



May 10, 2017 at 08:50 AM
InlawBiker
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · New d3400?


Personally I think it's a good idea, I just wish there were a few more DX lenses.

There isn't a big difference between a D7200 & D800 once you put a FX zoom lens on there, they're both heavy. But a D3x00 is a lot smaller depending on the lens. Maybe the 18-55 is good, I dunno. I really wish Nikon had little 24mm & 40mm pancakes like Canon does, I would buy them both and travel with my old D5100 no problem.

If you already have the 1.8 primes anyway then why not? There is no way to tell a photo taken from a D3400 vs a D7200 after all.






May 10, 2017 at 08:03 PM
Lauchlan Toal
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · New d3400?


The big one for me is that the D3x00 and D5x00 series can fine tune AF. No biggie with the 18-55, but with even f5.6 telephotos that's potentially a major issue. One of the main reasons why I moved from the D5200 to the D610 was because of that.

So if you're using it anything other than slow wide/standard lenses, I'd seriously consider shelling out a bit more for a used D7100 at least. You might get lucky with the D3400, but it's a hassle if it doesn't play nice with your glass.

EDIT: Just read your second comment. Yeah, if it's just with the 80-400 and tc, you could get lucky enough that it focuses properly with that lens. The more fast or tele lenses you add into the mix the lower your odds of all of them working, but with just one that's not a terrible bet. And if it's mostly just used with wider, slow lenses that should be fine. It's a great camera for landscapes and street shooting.



May 10, 2017 at 08:24 PM
GroovyGeek
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · New d3400?


Good point. You can manually tune AF with a screw inside the housing. I had assumed that this capability is still on the D3400. Can anyone confirm. And since I own only one truly long lens (the 80-400) and no exotics I assume this is not going to be a problem. Never was on the D40, D70, D90, and D200 I used to own.

Lauchlan Toal wrote:
The big one for me is that the D3x00 and D5x00 series can fine tune AF. No biggie with the 18-55, but with even f5.6 telephotos that's potentially a major issue. One of the main reasons why I moved from the D5200 to the D610 was because of that.

So if you're using it anything other than slow wide/standard lenses, I'd seriously consider shelling out a bit more for a used D7100 at least. You might get lucky with the D3400, but it's a hassle if it doesn't play nice with your glass.




May 10, 2017 at 08:30 PM
Lauchlan Toal
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · New d3400?


GroovyGeek wrote:
Good point. You can manually tune AF with a screw inside the housing. I had assumed that this capability is still on the D3400. Can anyone confirm. And since I own only one truly long lens (the 80-400) and no exotics I assume this is not going to be a problem. Never was on the D40, D70, D90, and D200 I used to own.


Interesting, I didn't know that. Looking in my D5200 I don't see any interior screws (mirror locked up, and put down), where is it in your other bodies? It might be somewhere deep in there, but I don't see anything that'd be easy to access.

Even if that is possible it's still not ideal, since you can only tune for one lens at a time. But it might be fine if you know you'll be using one predominantly. And of course you might get lucky and not need any tuning - at 400mm f5.6 you should have enough depth of field at many distances to mask minor errors anyway. And you can always manually tweak focus right before clicking the shutter, or focus on something a little in front of or behind the subject to correct for errors if need be.

So ultimately I'd say the D3400 could work, just be sure to make sure it does work before you use it for anything serious.



May 10, 2017 at 08:42 PM
GroovyGeek
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · New d3400?


It is a set screw right behind th e lens mount, on the lower right side of the mirror box, right next to the front right tip of the mirror (as you look into the box). It is there on my D800, I would be shocked if they removed it on the D3400 since that is how they tune things at the factory. The screw subtly moves the mirror back and forth ensuring that the optical path length to the focus sensor matches that to the image sensor.

Lauchlan Toal wrote:
Interesting, I didn't know that. Looking in my D5200 I don't see any interior screws (mirror locked up, and put down), where is it in your other bodies? It might be somewhere deep in there, but I don't see anything that'd be easy to access.

Even if that is possible it's still not ideal, since you can only tune for one lens at a time. But it might be fine if you know you'll be using one predominantly. And of course you might get lucky and not need any tuning - at 400mm f5.6 you should have enough depth of
...Show more



May 10, 2017 at 08:48 PM
Big Appa
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · New d3400?


In an email ad from Nikon yesterday, they have the D3400 on sale for 499 and comes with 18/55 w vr and the new dx 70/300 non vr. Now there is a light travel kit.

Ed



May 10, 2017 at 09:29 PM
GroovyGeek
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · New d3400?


Big Appa wrote:
In an email ad from Nikon yesterday, they have the D3400 on sale for 499 and comes with 18/55 w vr and the new dx 70/300 non vr. Now there is a light travel kit.

Ed


Yeah, the 70-300 non VR is a weird choice intended by Nikon to be pushed on non-suspecting budget shoppers. Why would you sell an 18-55 with VR but a 70-300 non VR? What they really need is a DX 70-300 VR.



May 10, 2017 at 09:35 PM
Two23
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · New d3400?


I bought a used D3300 for exactly the same reason--travel camera back up for D800E. However, after using it a few times I decided to sell it. The reason was it doesn't have an LCD, and I use that a lot to fine tune exposure. I replaced it with the equally small D5300. That body has an LCD, and the tilting screen is nice when doing macros of small woodland flowers.

I will add that I bought a Sigma 17-50mm f2.8 OS for that camera, mainly because no other lens (except the new Nikon 17-70mm for big $$) seemed very good. I thought about buying the 70-300mm AF-P VR but decided not to. I'm starting to get too many lenses again. What I'd really like is a set of small lenses as I use on my Nikon F3T and Leica IIIc (28/50/90mm). The ideal would be something like 16mm f3.5 or f2.8, 35mm f1.8, 60mm micro, scaled to DX. Nikon does have those last two, but does not offer a small 16mm. They really , really need one but the dumb asses seem to want to give customers to Fuji and their more desirable small lens selection.


Kent in SD



May 10, 2017 at 09:36 PM
GroovyGeek
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · New d3400?


Interesting option. It gets me back to 14 bit uncompressed NEF too (I thin the D3400 tops out at 12-bit compressed). A refurb D5300 can be had for the same $400 from a number of places. However, looking at this if I am going to go for a D5xxx I should really get the D5500 refurb, which is nearly the same size and weight as the D3400, plus swivel LCD, touch screen, but a Toshiba sensor. Plus of course $200. There goes the budget... Sigh, what else is new... Will have to sleep on that.


May 10, 2017 at 09:57 PM
runamuck
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · New d3400?


GroovyGeek wrote:
Yes, I know of no top LCD, no front command dial, mostly menu driven UI, only one cross sensor, somewhat dim viewfinder, afs lenses only. Anything else that I need to consider?


My N60 when I was starting had ONE AF point. Same as my F4. My N80 had five AF points, bless Nikon's soul. NONE of these were cross-type. So how in hell did I (or anyone else) get any focused photos? Maybe we were just very very lucky? Maybe waving the chicken carcass above the camera appeased the camera gods?



May 10, 2017 at 10:48 PM
GroovyGeek
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · New d3400?


runamuck wrote:
My N60 when I was starting had ONE AF point. Same as my F4. My N80 had five AF points, bless Nikon's soul. NONE of these were cross-type. So how in hell did I (or anyone else) get any focused photos? Maybe we were just very very lucky? Maybe waving the chicken carcass above the camera appeased the camera gods?


Eh, I bet you had to hand-carry your camera to school too, both ways, uphill, in the snow

I ended up buying a "used" D5500 with 3 clicks for $399. Yup, you read that right, three clicks. Same weight and size as the D3400, but with reticulating touchscreen. Not sure if this was a smart move, I tend to bust things and a protruding LCD is sure to catch on something sooner or later. Also added the 18-55 AF-P for another $75, apparently it is a quite capable lens that does the D5500 sensor justice. Maybe some day I add a used 70-300 AF-P VR if I can find it under $300 and make this the go-anywhere kit at right around 2 lbs, less than the weight of a D800 body.

EDIT: wow, the 70-300mm VR AF-P sells grey on ebay for under $200. Holly cow! Must... resist...



May 11, 2017 at 01:14 AM
Two23
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · New d3400?


Not sure why you would spend the money on a d5500 when the D5300 is essentially the same camera. I compared them and ended up buying a used D5300 for not much $$. They go for between $300 and $350 on ebay. Here's DxO comparision :https://www.dxomark.com/Cameras/Compare/Side-by-side/Nikon-D5500-versus-Nikon-D5300___998_919

Do you seen any difference that justifies the extra money for a D5500? Put the savings on a lens or towards a nice travel tripod.


Kent in SD



May 11, 2017 at 06:38 AM
GroovyGeek
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · New d3400?


Smaller and lighter, noticeably so

Two23 wrote:
Not sure why you would spend the money on a d5500 when the D5300 is essentially the same camera. I compared them and ended up buying a used D5300 for not much $$. They go for between $300 and $350 on ebay. Here's DxO comparision :https://www.dxomark.com/Cameras/Compare/Side-by-side/Nikon-D5500-versus-Nikon-D5300___998_919

Do you seen any difference that justifies the extra money for a D5500? Put the savings on a lens or towards a nice travel tripod.

Kent in SD




May 11, 2017 at 08:32 AM
SoundHound
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · New d3400?


I know this is the Nikon forum however for trips such as you describe I would suggest a 24-600mm F2.8 to F4.0 Zeiss lens captive on the Sony RX10 MKIII. Yes just a 1" sensor but still fine results for this stabilized system.

For a faster lens and handier system the shirt pocket Sony RX100 MKV (or III/IV) with its 24/70 F1.8-F2.8 lens when distant wildlife is not to be found.

For my last European trip I took the RX100 MKIII as well as a D3300 with 18-55 and 55-200mm zooms and the Fuji R100s. These last two cameras lived locked in my luggage in the hotel room while I wore the tiny and lightweight RX100 on my belt-everywhere. Both the Sonys have advanced silent shutters too.



May 12, 2017 at 04:02 AM
GroovyGeek
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · New d3400?


Sony makes great sensors and with the Zeiss glass they make a great (albeit pricey) imaging system. Having a second body system is just not practical for me as far as ILC go. I also have a major objection for the ergonomics and menus of ANY Sony camera. The handling and the hard work to get the camera to do what you want it to do is just too much for me. It starts with simple things like the shutter and on/off button not being sufficiently separated, either spatially or in terms of tactile feeling/recess to be able to tell them apart by feel; continues with the ring that is supposed to change aperture or exposure not having positive clicks to tell you how many stops you have changed things by; and ends with too many things being buried too deep in menus. I bought a RX100 a few years back and sold it within after a few short frustrating months. But the images do rock.

SoundHound wrote:
I know this is the Nikon forum however for trips such as you describe I would suggest a 24-600mm F2.8 to F4.0 Zeiss lens captive on the Sony RX10 MKIII. Yes just a 1" sensor but still fine results for this stabilized system.

For a faster lens and handier system the shirt pocket Sony RX100 MKV (or III/IV) with its 24/70 F1.8-F2.8 lens when distant wildlife is not to be found.

For my last European trip I took the RX100 MKIII as well as a D3300 with 18-55 and 55-200mm zooms and the Fuji R100s. These last two cameras lived locked
...Show more




May 12, 2017 at 10:58 AM
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