p.1 #1 · Happy Nikon camper with D800 + D600 combo! What's yours and why?
My first DSLR combo was D700 + D300 in 2008. Sharing the same controls, menus, batteries was the big plus that pushed me to go for it. While I was completely happy with D700 the noise level of D300 has been the main reason for not being completely happy with it.
Then in 2011 I decided to get rid of D300 moving to D7000, mostly because of the devil's advocate Trenchmonkey Well, I liked very much D7K but two different batteries, different control placement, etc were a bit disturbing... anyhow my satisfaction level was higher.
Earlier this year, in the very first day when was available I had my D800 replacing D700. As you may guess D800 + D7000 are a better combo, sharing the same battery and some more controls... but the opposite placement of magnifier controls (+ and -) was a PITA for me. Also the problem is that I instantly discovered that D800 includes a D7K (DX mode) and for many months I rarely used my D7000. Also my DX glass start to collect dust
Then recently I decided that apart of the reason to have a backup there is no serious reason to keep the D7000 and I decided to sell it together with the whole DX glass and to add a D600. Today I got it! And is love at the first sight! It seems that now I have the perfect combo for my shooting needs. Some things I like very much for this combo:
a. The IQ and noise performance are very close and Top Notch - Kudos to Nikon!
b. I use the same glass on both - less gear to take on site - wide is wide - narrow DOF is narrow DOF on both camera
c. Both are workhorses - I do not like to have a camera just as a backup
d. They are somehow complementary... one with higher resolution for specific applications... the other smaller, with smaller files, easier to PP, better for street and travel and leisure but very capable for events, gigs and pro use when necessary, alongside with the first
e. They share batteries and some of the cards
f. The viewfinders are almost similar size and equal bright... it was bad to switch D700 with D300 in this regard...
g. Focus confirmation dot is VERY visible, as well the arrows... I'm a sucker for MF glass with lot of old Nikkors, CV's and Zeiss glass on my shelve. D7000 was OK for MFing but not great while D300 was horrible.
h. This combo is quieter... especially D600 is a huge surprise for me in this regard... D700/D300 offered a nice sound that I like but sometimes is very unpractical...
i. PASM wheel of D7K was easy to rotate its position in the bag, creating bad surprises sometimes... Nikon fixed this issue in D600.
j. both cameras shares the same large display
k. both my cameras have Fn programmed to call non CPU menu... very good for a MF sucker like me This was not possible in the past (or at least I did not know if it was available.... )
I know that there are some shortcomings as well... but overall this combo makes me very happy. I never considered that Nikon will push me with both legs in FX camp but here I am and I could not be happier.
I'd like to know your combo and the reason you went for it.
p.1 #3 · Happy Nikon camper with D800 + D600 combo! What's yours and why?
D800+D7000. Only reason for not going D600 is I like the D7000 value and I don't like the D600 price. I will probably move this way eventually but I have an option to buy a mint D700 from my wifes boss who has not even used it ($1,400). I do like cams to align but sometimes cost determines this at least for me. Plus the D700 is nice when you want smaller files. I can see how the D600 would be sweet. It feels good when your gear makes you
p.1 #5 · Happy Nikon camper with D800 + D600 combo! What's yours and why?
Christian, I see your point. Yes, D600 is costly... and in Europe the cost is higher... but for me was helpful to sell the DX glass that covered the difference between D7000 used and D600 new. So more space on the shelve, same money in the pocket for me
p.1 #8 · Happy Nikon camper with D800 + D600 combo! What's yours and why?
Hi Mihai,
I'm still in love with my D700 (after about 260.000 clicks). It's the camera that brought the fun back into digital photography - at least for me. I have and like a D3s as well, but somehow I prefer the D700's ergonomics.
I like the files from these cameras a lot and rarely wish I had 24 or 36 MP.
For sports and concerts I also use a D7000 - a good camera considering it's current price, but for normal photography there's no way to prefer it over the FX-Nikons. The D7000 is pretty quit - very nice for taking pictures during auditions, readings or classical concerts.
I would like to see a pair of D300/D700-successors with a rugged body construction and a state-of-the-art Live-View system. A swivel-screen a la D5100 would be great, and I would easily trade the (for me useless) ports at the left side for a simple second tripod-socket in-line with the lens axis.
p.1 #9 · Happy Nikon camper with D800 + D600 combo! What's yours and why?
I'm enjoying the D700/D300s combo myself, since button placement, menus. are easy to switch between. and I also use the grips and the EN-EL4a batteries.
p.1 #10 · Happy Nikon camper with D800 + D600 combo! What's yours and why?
I know Caleb!... You're right... but give me some time, plz!
Leighton: Thanks buddy!
Georg: Good to read about your perspective. I know that all Nikon bodies are good! Believe me that I am tempted to get a D70 just because of that 1/500 flash sync feature While all these bodies are great not all can work well in pairs for everyone. For instance I am a fanatic of primes... so shooting with two bodies at a concert or at a corporate event is a must. For me the great value of D800 / D600 consist in the great way they work together for me. For instance I know D4 is a dream camera... as well D3s... but because the size and weight it will be a nightmare to work with a pair at a daylong event...
I agree that a swivel screen would be great... I'd love a small factor FX from Nikon... with less features... no CLS, no focusing motor, no movie feature, no Scene modes, only PASM, but compact, rugged body and of course with F mount... Something to take on street and vacations with a couple of small primes but capable to deliver great IQ... It doesn't cost to dream, isnt't true? ))
p.1 #12 · Happy Nikon camper with D800 + D600 combo! What's yours and why?
Laura, sorry, no deal
Mihai, ergonomics are really important for me - just like a really good finder. The D700 with MB-D10 is close to perfection for my hands and eyes.
Nikon's constant button-layout-changes drive me mad. That's why I would like to see a "matching pair" like the D700/D300 in the Nikon-line-up.
p.1 #15 · Happy Nikon camper with D800 + D600 combo! What's yours and why?
That is super that you like this combo, I have been thinking on doing just the same thing. My problem is selling off my D7k. I hate selling old gear for some reason. But I should finally sell something... because I do want the D600 to compliment my D800.
p.1 #16 · Happy Nikon camper with D800 + D600 combo! What's yours and why?
Mishu01 wrote:
Thank you Andy! Amazing details!... It was 135/2 DC lens or a zoom i.e. 70-200 ?
BTW with your thread about D600 great DR & sensor you played the Devil Advocate's role in favour of this camera... ))
Glad I could "help"
The photo above was taken with the AFS 70-200mm/2.8 VR II from my smallish travel tripod (Gitzo Traveller QR5)
The D600 sensor is such a good sensor that your decision to move from the D7000 to the D600 is for sure a step without regret. Looking forward to the images you are going to share ....
p.1 #17 · Happy Nikon camper with D800 + D600 combo! What's yours and why?
JimFox wrote:
That is super that you like this combo, I have been thinking on doing just the same thing. My problem is selling off my D7k. I hate selling old gear for some reason. But I should finally sell something... because I do want the D600 to compliment my D800.
Jim
Jim, for years I was "shy" and reluctant about selling my gear... but once I started to sell I found this path very helpful. I changed a lot my gear configuration and I moved from f/2.8 zooms to fast primes. No regret at all. Sure, I lost some money buying and selling but at least I discovered what gear is appropriate for me. GLWS your D7000.
Oct 19, 2012 at 03:07 AM
mshi Offline • • • • [X]
p.1 #18 · Happy Nikon camper with D800 + D600 combo! What's yours and why?
Sold D800 because like D800E files better, returned D600 since didn't see much difference from D700 between ISO 6400 and 12800. Currently D4/D800E/D700.
Well, I liked very much D7K but two different batteries, different control placement, etc were a bit disturbing... anyhow my satisfaction level was higher.
)