with all these new toys coming out from nikon im looking at jumping into the full frame realm as well.but ive noticed that both prices are seemingly close.i go to the track to take pictures about 2-3 times in the year so thats why im leaning towards the d3,what im wondering tho is whats a good shutter count to consider on buying a used one?
I have one of each. Quite honestly, if I were doing it again I would just save some cashflow and run dual D700s.
I do enjoy my D3, and I like the bigger form factor. It's noticeably more responsive than the D700 (in shutter lag, blackout, and autofocus) and the dual card slots are nice. Sports are probably only about 5-10% of my work, and that's where the advantages are most noticeable. If I did more sports work, I'm sure I would be more appreciative of it.
That said, I use it 3 times as much as my D700 and it looks and sounds sexy
see im quite new to portraits and it was motorsports that really got me started into camera's.second would be scenic since we do stops on weekend drives which i used to do a lot before.d700 was primary choice before but with the price difference and type of shooting that i like to do i started looking more at the d3.really liked the d3s but lets just say its a bit over for my budget lol!!
Really I don't sweat shutter count, there's just too much variance to worry about it. 60K is better than 150K, would I turn down a good deal on a 150K, probably not.
if you want frame rate and possibly higher frame buffer the D3 w/buffer upgrade (2x as many shots in both raw (32-36) and jpg (70+) before hitting the wall). if you want lighter weight smaller size an choice of grip or no grip and less "performance" the D700
I'd recommend the D700 over the D3 because of the built-in sensor cleaning and to a lesser degree the built-in flash (comes in handy occasionally when you don't have the external flash on hand). Add the MB-D10 grip for faster frame rate and longer battery life with 8xAA rechargeable batteries such as Eneloops or Imedions.
However, if it was the D700 vs the D3s then I'd recommend the D3s the better sensor, giving more DR for landscapes. Perhaps wait to see if the D3s prices drop when the D4 and D800 hit the streets in quantity. While you're saving for the D3s a D400 might come out that is more affordable and quite suitable for what you want.
How impatient / keen / desperate are you ?
Shutter replacements are not cheap but I've had pro grade shutters (admittedly Canon) die very young (well under 4,000 operations).
Thought of the d3s as well before also but price range was a bit high for me,but I'm in no rush so I still check its price from time to time.i was actually saving up for a used 70-200 vr1 and can actually get one now anytime but I thought why not save a bit more and go jump in the full frame bandwagon lol!!and with all these people picking up the new bodies I'm constantly and hoping more price reduction and availability.
D3s>D3>D700
When my wife and I came from Nikon we choose the D3 because it was, like Mike said, noticably more responsive with just about everything.
I am getting ready to move to a couple D3s because of the amazing ISO capabilities.
i hope it is as amazing as you think. thats why i skipped the 3Ds (just not enough of an in use difference for me) and now the D4 shows real honest differences overall in a usable body. you're more then half way there unless you get a real barn burner deal.
M635_Guy wrote:
If you can stretch to a D3s, I think that is worth it. The big advantage of the D3 is the buffer for a lot of folks. Personally, I'd get a D700.
I have no experience with the D3, but chose the D700 for the built in flash. Really !!! I use it as a commander for CLS for all the outdoor Senior Portraits I shoot. Granted, you can use a flash on the D3 as a commander, but that adds weight, cost, etc to the process.
sjms wrote:
i hope it is as amazing as you think. thats why i skipped the 3Ds (just not enough of an in use difference for me) and now the D4 shows real honest differences overall in a usable body. you're more then half way there unless you get a real barn burner deal.
I forgot about the buffer upgrade. To me, the enthusiast guy, I don't see enough in the D4 to be worth getting over a used D3s. But what I really want (if I could afford it) would be a real update to the D700. The D800 pushes all the wrong buttons for me.
I found some other D3's that sold for $3000 so $2000 isn't going to cut it. If I do sell mine, it will have 3 extra batteries and a RRS L-bracket with it and everything else that came with it. Problems with paypal in the past so I don't use it.
They're replaceable. 