OK since no one else has asked this so far, I will have to ask this myself. With reminder of my old age due soon and my extolling of virtues of D700 for last 12 months my better half has promised me a D700 and now I am wondering if I should just get D300s instead. Photography is a hobby for me and that is how is it for foreseeable future, reason I would want to upgrade is not really a practical one at all its more about having a new toy I guess, and hopefully improve my photography at the same time. I mostly shoot landscapes, family portraits, and some travel photography when I can.
If you like your hobby, you shouldn't be afraid of spending your money on it. What is more worth that doing what you like to do with the gear you like to have? I think you get what I'm getting to, without saying it.
They have very different features and use fairly different lenses. It's really hard to give advice without knowing more. Given what you shoot, without a stated need for high ISO performance, or a list of FX lenses at your disposal, I would guess that a D300 would be fine, but that is just a guess.
I'd say that if you have the FOV that you want covered by either camera, then it probably does not matter. If you are curious about video get the D300s.
Sorry didn't mention the equipment I already have:
Nikon D80
Nikon FE2
AF Nikkor 50 1:1.8 D
Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 AI
AF-S Nikkor 18-70mm 1:3.5-4.5G ED
AF-S VR Nikkor 70-300mm 1:4.5-5.6G ED
SB-900
Till about 6 months ago all the lenses I had were FX ones (28-105, 18-35, 70-210) not high-end lenses but usable on FX nevertheless as they were bought some time ago for my F80/N80. What I really do like is the view from FE2's viewfinder and from F80 when I had it, big and bright. The reason I want to go with Dx00 body is to be able get AI lenses I can use on both FE2 and and digital body. I like using FE2 but have become impatient in regard to waiting for film to develop before I can see results.
Avi B wrote:
Nah, just keep what you have. Spend the money on a vacation for your honey and yourself
Thanks Avi, yes that is better use of money I think, but have already done two holidays this year and one more might have adverse effect on the relationship, there is only so much time some one can spend with me on holidays .
as a general duty camera i haven't found the d700 wanting in any way (apart from weight, minor issue) and i do prefer the images from the d700 than the d300. i haven't seen any results from the d300s but dont imaging it will compare to the 700. i feel the viewfinder is worth the extra cash alone, just change your d80 and 18-70 for a second hand 24-85 G and your sorted.
If you need the reach of the DX format, or you have to have video (even though it's far less usable than a dedicated camcorder), go for the D300s. Otherwise the D700, if it doesn't put you deep in debt. I'd keep the D80, so you can carry two bodies at the same time, with a wide angle on the D700, and a tele on the D80. But if you need the cash, just sell it.
The D700 isn't an upgrade .. It.s a FX versus your DX camera .. Your moving to a whole new arena !
I shoot wildlife mainly, with a lot of model portfolios .. and wish I'd of replaced my trashed D300 with another one.
I know have a D700 I use mainly for wildlife on a 600mm ......
I shoot the models on a D80 with a beautiful 17-55mm cuz to get a nice lens to shoot models which I do as a hobby ...... would cost 1700 for the ** 24 - 70mm ** and a minimum of 500 for a very nice .. ADEQUATE 3rd party Tamron ..... so with the D80 I.m gettin' 10mp ..... but my 17-55mm on a D700 would be an auto DX crop down to 5mp ....
If you have tons of cash .. make the move and buy new lens that will work on the FX
I've gotten over my NSA
Aug 10, 2009 at 02:12 PM
Andre Labonte Offline • • • • • • Upload & Sell: Off
Sorry didn't mention the equipment I already have:
Nikon D80
Nikon FE2
AF Nikkor 50 1:1.8 D
Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 AI
AF-S Nikkor 18-70mm 1:3.5-4.5G ED
AF-S VR Nikkor 70-300mm 1:4.5-5.6G ED
SB-900
Till about 6 months ago all the lenses I had were FX ones (28-105, 18-35, 70-210) not high-end lenses but usable on FX nevertheless as they were bought some time ago for my F80/N80. What I really do like is the view from FE2's viewfinder and from F80 when I had it, big and bright. The reason I want to go with Dx00 body is to be able get AI lenses I can use on both FE2 and and digital body. I like using FE2 but have become impatient in regard to waiting for film to develop before I can see results.
In light of this, I'd say to go for the D700 and MF primes. You know all of the reasons why the D700 is good, and if you want interchangability with your FE2, but without changing your field of view and working distance when using the same lenses, the FX camera will win.
Also, the D700 is cleaner at higher ISOs where the D300 (and likely the D300s) will start to show noise. I find on my D90 and on the D300 I've used that I get too much noise over ISO 800 when displaying the shots digitally or over 1600 when printing. The D700 ISO 6400 results I've seen printed are nothing short of amazing...
I'd recommed the recent Vivitar 85mm f/1.4 AI, and a Nikon 35mm f/1.4 AI to go with your D700 if you want high quality FE2-compatible glass. I have a feeling that your existing 50mm f/1.8 AF-D will spend a lot of time on your D700. Zoom-wise, the older 28-105mm AF-D or more recent 24-85mm AFS "G" are very capable zooms, but the "G" lens won't work on your FE2 and the 28-105 might need prongs added to the aperture ring to "talk to" your FE2's meter... I'm not 100% sure (maybe others can clarify if you're wondering).
Your case looks more of a wanting a D700 than needing a D700. The D200, D300 and D300S will accommodate your AI lenses.
The D700 is an excellent tool, nobody will deny that but you are talking about using your AI lenses on a digital body. Now, if you are not happy with the DX format, well that is another story.
The D700 is still an expensive camera and the lenses to fit are expensive too (modern lenses) although you could get some bargains with AI lenses.
Give it a good thought unless the wanting is working stronger than the needing.
The D700 is a better camera. I had a D300, and I'm glad I sold it. I love my D700, and plan to have it for a long time. No matter how old it gets, it will always be full frame and always have clean shots through at least ISO 2500.
I think if you want to upgrade the D80 then pickup a D300s. It's a couple of hundred grams lighter than the D700 which is useful and you won't have to change any lenses.
It's a good upgrade and it is just a hobby. I think you should keep it all in perspective. Even buy another flash and a super wide lens will get you better bang for your buck.
Nik
Aug 10, 2009 at 05:53 PM
Andre Labonte Offline • • • • • • Upload & Sell: Off
luminosity wrote:
The D700 is a better camera. I had a D300, and I'm glad I sold it. I love my D700, and plan to have it for a long time. No matter how old it gets, it will always be full frame and always have clean shots through at least ISO 2500.
They are the same camera with the exception of the sensor and consequently the viewfinder. One is FX, the other is DX.
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