I have been debating between the D700 and D300 for a couple of months and have gone over the pros and cons of FX vs DX and bottom line is I want both. Unfortunately I can not afford both at the moment. I have decided on the D700 and now I am left with deciding between keeping my D200 or selling and buying a D90 for the better ISO. I have left over SD cards from my D80 days so the cards are not an issue.
My current lens are:
Tamron 17-50mm 2.8
Nikon 28-105mm 3.5-4.5
Nikon 50mm 1.4 AFS
Nikon 70-300mm AFS VR
Nikon 300mm F4 AFS with 1.4 TC
keep the D200 you have! it's a great camera, and you're not really getting THAT much more out of a D90, and you're losing in build-quality and weather-resistance.
Are you happy with your lens setup? Possibly just the D700 and sell some things, like the D200 and some DX lenses... Buy some nice FX lenses...OR
D700, D90. I like that combo. D90 will be nice to take out when you want to shoot quickly and portable... D90 also has video so you can record little clips while taking pics as well. I wasn't a fan of my D200, I loved my D300 when I got it.
I started off with a D80, and then got a D700. I've still got my D80. Won't be selling it. You'll lose money by selling, then buying. Just keep what you've got, and get the D700 if that's what you want.
Chris Langer wrote:
Are you happy with your lens setup? Possibly just the D700 and sell some things, like the D200 and some DX lenses... Buy some nice FX lenses...OR
D700, D90. I like that combo. D90 will be nice to take out when you want to shoot quickly and portable... D90 also has video so you can record little clips while taking pics as well. I wasn't a fan of my D200, I loved my D300 when I got it.
Chris
Hi Chris,
I am happy with my lens setup for now. The 17-50mm is my only DX lens all of the rest are FX. If I need some thing wider on the D700 I will probably pick up another Tokina 19-35mm since I do not shoot a lot of ultra wide. I really like the 28-105mm with macro as a walkaround lens and will use the 50mm 1.4 if I need something faster. I'm starting to lean towards the D90 as it is something my wife could also use with the scene modes.
jonshonda wrote:
I would buy a D700, and please tell me why you need to keep another camera body? If you really don't NEED one, sell the d200
I have been caught twice without a camera because it had been sent in for adjustment. One time wasn't too bad but the other time was spent in the mountains watching all of the Oak trees change colors without a camera to shoot it. When the oaks loose their leaves in the mountains of Arizona one week they are turning colors and then the next week they are gone. That was very frustrating.
I'm not one for a D200 personally. not sure on the D90's? but no doubt get a D700, no question.
i think a D900 will get you better IQ over D200 but maybe i'm wrong. the D90 is Cmos sensor? or are they still CCD like D200? i just know everything since the D300 is Cmos sensors if i'm not mistaken.
i'd assume you'd get better noise handling out of the D90 then the D200. so i'd prob go with a D700 and D90 setup.
With exception of 300mm f4 and possibly 17-50mm, your lens selection is weak. For FX it's even weaker. Buy a used D90, sell D200, and start buying some better lenses. Reasoning: it's lenses that determine what you can photo, when, and how well. You mostly only have f5.6 consumer zooms. Seems like a waste to buy D700 and stick those things on it. And a Tokina 19-35mm on a D700? Gag. Buy a used or refurb D90, start upgrading lenses, and meanwhile refurb/used D700 prices will continue to drop. The prices of lenses tend to not drop much, if at all. Make that work for you, not against you. Putting big money into a camera body and skimping on lenses is the strategy of a beginner.
Kent is completely wrong about the D700. Don't expect used D700 prices to drop much below $1,800 for a long time. Figure at least two to three more years on that one.
Feb 07, 2010 at 11:07 PM
Andre Labonte Offline • • • • • • Upload & Sell: Off
Two23 wrote:
With exception of 300mm f4 and possibly 17-50mm, your lens selection is weak. For FX it's even weaker. Buy a used D90, sell D200, and start buying some better lenses. Reasoning: it's lenses that determine what you can photo, when, and how well. You mostly only have f5.6 consumer zooms. Seems like a waste to buy D700 and stick those things on it. And a Tokina 19-35mm on a D700? Gag. Buy a used or refurb D90, start upgrading lenses, and meanwhile refurb/used D700 prices will continue to drop. The prices of lenses tend to not drop much, if at all. Make that work for you, not against you. Putting big money into a camera body and skimping on lenses is the strategy of a beginner.
It is not lenses alone that determine what you can photograph, when you can photograph and how well. The D3s, just to name the best 35mm camera out there right now, allows you to do things that you simply cannot do with a D90.
Those who think the D700 is going to drop in price are living in fantasyland. I'd be very pleased and pretty much content if I had just three lenses: A 24/1.4, 85/1.4 and 180/2.8, with my little 50/1.8 thrown in there for good measure (all that going along with my D700).
I don't think your lens selection is 'weak', it seams perfectly appropriate for someone that's been shooting DX, prefers lighter zooms and primes, and is looking to upgrade to FX.
I'd just keep the D200, the body is very similar to the D700 which you will like.
And worry about a high quality general purpose zoom for the D700, you could keep the 28-105 f/3.5-4.5 if it's up to your optical standards. There's nothing inherently wrong with slower aperture zooms if they fulfill your needs. The 28-105, 50AFS, & 70-300VR would make a nice travel kit.
