[shigzeo]

Nikon D200 and 24-70 2,8 (I am spoiled)
 
Ghost house in Cape Breton, Canada. 3 exposures merged in Photomatrix Pro. Not really cleaned up or anything, just merged. I know a lot of people don't like HDR, but I do!
 
Just the link as I don't think this photo (or anyone's non-headphone photos) belong to Headfi.
 

 

[rhythmdevils]

So would it be really dumn to get a D700 right now?  I need a second camera body as a back-up and so I don't have to change lenses all the time.  Can't afford another D3, but a used D700 isn't that bad.
 
But it doesn't seem like a good time for that!  They must be coming out with a D4 or D700x/s sometime soon. 
 
I wonder if the used prices for D700's will drop much when a new one comes out.

 

[bigshot]

If you need a second body, you need it... Unless renting is an option until a new one comes out.

 

[musicmaker]

i got a like-new D700 on CL for a very very good price. I had the same dilemma about a new one coming out. However the timeframe is uncertain and I didnt want to miss taking pictures in the interim. Also even if the 700x/s comes out I think its going to be more expensive that what I can get a new/like-new D700 for now. The D700 does everything I want and more. I couldn't be happier.

 

[musicmaker]

Also what other features do you think a D700x/s or D800 will have. My guess is a megapixel improvement to catch up with the Canon 5d mark II, perhaps hd video and maybe other minor improvements. If they add too much, how can they justify their D3s ?

 

[rhythmdevils]

yeah I don't think a D700s is likely.  I think that by the time a D4 comes out, a D700x would be more likely, a year or so from now when the D3X has been out for a while.  So the D700x would have that same sensor.  They're loosing a lot of sales to 5dmkii owners.  I mean there's lots of ways the D700 is a better camera- build quality, autofocus, color, high ISO.  But the 5D has twice the magapixels and barely has more noise, and it shoots gorgeous cinema quality 1080p video. 
 
Musicmaker, do you mind if I ask how much you paid for your D700?  I'm guessing I'll have to pay around 1700.  I can kiss my LCD2 dreams good bye

 

[rhythmdevils]

Quote:

If you need a second body, you need it... Unless renting is an option until a new one comes out.

yeah I hate renting.  I'd rather buy used, and then just sell it and whatever loss I have will be much less than what I'd pay for renting. 

 

[musicmaker]

My D700 had about 7K actuations, came with a grip and 2 additional batteries and a 4gb Sandisk Extreme. I paid $1775.
 
Quote:

yeah I don't think a D700s is likely.  I think that by the time a D4 comes out, a D700x would be more likely, a year or so from now when the D3X has been out for a while.  So the D700x would have that same sensor.  They're loosing a lot of sales to 5dmkii owners.  I mean there's lots of ways the D700 is a better camera- build quality, autofocus, color, high ISO.  But the 5D has twice the magapixels and barely has more noise, and it shoots gorgeous cinema quality 1080p video. 
 
Musicmaker, do you mind if I ask how much you paid for your D700?  I'm guessing I'll have to pay around 1700.  I can kiss my LCD2 dreams good bye

 

[rhythmdevils]

Quote:

My D700 had about 7K actuations, came with a grip and 2 additional batteries and a 4gb Sandisk Extreme. I paid $1775.
 

 

Nice!  Yeah it looks like around 2k is what they often go for. 

 

[musicmaker]

Also re the 5D MkII it was a camera I considered as I sold my D90 and all lenses I had and started from scratch. The 5D is a great landscape and portrait camera but frankly its AF system is nothing to write home about. The D700 AF system rocks. Also its low light performance is better than the 5D mkII (not night and day better but better). Also video was not a consideration for me. If you've read about focus constraints the 5D has with video, it becomes less appealing. Moreover, I carry a separate video recorder, so. Like I said I have no regrets. Also I love Nikon glass. Expensive but something about them (I have the 24-70mm f2.8 and 85mm 1.8). Planning to get the 14-24 f2.8 and 70-200 f2.8 VRII.

 

[rhythmdevils]

Quote:

Also re the 5D MkII it was a camera I considered as I sold my D90 and all lenses I had and started from scratch. The 5D is a great landscape and portrait camera but frankly its AF system is nothing to write home about. The D700 AF system rocks. Also its low light performance is better than the 5D mkII (not night and day better but better). Also video was not a consideration for me. If you've read about focus constraints the 5D has with video, it becomes less appealing. Moreover, I carry a separate video recorder, so. Like I said I have no regrets. Also I love Nikon glass. Expensive but something about them (I have the 24-70mm f2.8 and 85mm 1.8). Planning to get the 14-24 f2.8 and 70-200 f2.8 VRII.

Yeah I agree completely.  I own a 5dmkii (for video and backup camera) and focusing with it after shooting with the D3 is really frustrating.  I like my D3 so much more than the 5d for photography that I don't even want to use the 5d as a second camera.  But to be fair, it's also the fact that trying to use a nikon and canon at the same time would be nearly impossible for me, with the differences in the menus and controls.  I don't have to think at all when I shoot with my D3, my hands have a life of their own.  Whenever I pick up the Canon I'm always like ok, how do I change ISO again? 
 
High ISO on the 5D is surprisingly good considering it's twice the megapixels.  I'd say it's a half-stop difference or so.  Maybe more, I haven't done tons of comparisons.

 

[musicmaker]

Yes the ISO performance at that megapixel is without doubt an achievement. If only they put a better AF system in it, the 5d mk2 would've been a killer camera and Canon would've eaten Nikon's lunch. I don't use flash much and take a lot of low light portraits etc. That AF system would not have been fun in low light not to mention action photography.

 

[rhythmdevils]

Yeah.  Even just putting aside physical focusing power, the ability to have so many different focusing points with the Nikons is amazing.  Not having to recompose after focusing is great I love taking a picture with the focus point right on someone's face.

 

[lan]

So what does everybody think of the new lenses?

 

[rhythmdevils]

I could care less about dx lenses.  It's nice they have a faster 85mm but Canon has a 1.2 that's been out for some time now and is drop dead gorgeous.  I still think Nikon must not realize who their customer base is.  A LOT of wedding photographers and photo-journalists shoot Nikon and the 85 prime is a studio lens.  Where's the 35 1.2?