Purchase Used D300 or new D700 - input ya'll? ;-)

[Cajungaltx]

I've got a D80 - it's working just fine, but I need to pick up a backup camera. I've been borrowing a friends when I needed it - but it's getting a bit frequent, and I'm feeling guilty. *grin*

So, I'm looking at a used D300, which I can pick up for under 1200 - or a new D700....

I'm shooting kids/family/infant/portraits.... with the occasional wedding now and again... and my oldest daughters sporting events year round.

Lenses
Nikon 80-200/2.8 ED (2 Ring)
Sigma 28-70 2.8-4 DG
Sigma 30/1.4 EX DC
Nikon 50/1.8 (loaned to MIL)
Sigma 105/2.8 (loaned to friend)

I honestly don't think I 'need' a D700...but if I'm going to drop 4 digits worth on a camera - I'd like to make the best decision possible.

I would have gotten a D40 - my husband made me get the D80, and I owe him a huge debt of gratitude...cause I'd have been very frustrated very quickly with the D40...

I don't want to do the same thing this time.

The ISO reach in the D700 makes it desirable - but it's been exceptionally rare that I've needed to jack my ISO up really high... but I've had it up a few times.

What do you think? I could upgrade to the D300 now - and in a year or year and a half upgrade again.

[Rson]

Bite the bullet and get the D700.

[zebulus]

Get a D1, youll be so glad you did :)

[c995990]

I guess it really depends on what you are going to use it for.

I got it because of the ISO capabilities and it being a full frame body and I have not regretted it one bit. Buyers remorse on this one did not last very long. :)

[srwatters]

All of your glass seems to be FX compatible, but be warned that you will begin to see the work in a different way once you jump to the FX sized sensor. This may be good (IMHO) or bad depending on the distance to your subject and the amount of detail you like in your images. Personally speaking, for people photography, I prefer the FX format in 35mm body size. You will find that your 28-70mm lens will get less use than your 80-200 if you shoot portraits or children. Your 30mm lens will seem a whole bunch wider that before.

I would vote for the D700, but that's just my way...

Have fun!

[bobcool]

The mere fact you mention the occasional wedding should tip you to the D700. You could keep the 80-200 on the D80 for the better "reach" with the 1.5 crop factor, and put the Siggy 28-70 on the D700 for those wide angle shots. You really don't have a wide angle, but the 28-70 on the full-frame D700 will give you a much larger wide angle than you're used to with the D80. Plus, you'll get some really sweet artsy cake/ring/decorations shots with the smaller DOF the D700 will produce because of the full frame sensor.

I owned a D80, then upgraded to a D300, and then finally a D700. Believe me, you will appreciate the high ISO capability when you encounter a wedding where it's dark and no flash is allowed, like a candlelight ceremony. Just do it, sell the Sigma 30 or something to help offset the higher cost of the D700.

You could also wait until after the new year and see if Nikon releases a D700s or x - maybe the used D700 market will go down in price. Something to think about...

[bgpro611]

Having both I can say you can't go wrong either way. But I was looking at some D-700 ISO 3200 shots from the weekend and man they sure looked good! So the D-700 would most likely be my choice. They are both great cameras and it is nice to have both a DX and a FX body.

[jeffkohn]

Why not get a used D700 and save a bit of cash, but still get the high-ISO performance?

BTW your 30mm is a cropped-camera lens.

[Cajungaltx]

Originally Posted by jeffkohn

Why not get a used D700 and save a bit of cash, but still get the high-ISO performance?

BTW your 30mm is a cropped-camera lens.

Haven't found one yet - HCE, and H-Co Op don't have Used D700's. H Co-Op has a used D300 for 1300 and that's with 19,000 accuations. I can buy a brand new D300S for $1499 through Best Buy.

Kind of high priced for used...

I'm leaning towards a used D300, and then mid year/later next year - picking up a D700. That'll give me a D300 backup, and full frame D700. This will only be my 2nd year in business - and I'm doing any purchases on a cash basis only, no credit. If I can't buy it/pay cash - it ain't happening. ;-)

There are a few other things that are on my 'wish list' that I want, such as pocket wizards, etc... ;-)

I may have to rethink my Christmas gift request from my husband - I told him I wanted something romantic... lol...

Thanks for the info on the 30 mm lens - I figured as much.

[bryanlindsey]

I would get the D300

I blogged about this a while ago: Professional Photography Forum | Technology vs. Skills | Pro Photo Business Forum

[Rson]

Originally Posted by bryanlindsey

I would get the D300

I blogged about this a while ago: Professional Photography Forum | Technology vs. Skills | Pro Photo Business Forum

Try but the Weddings warrant the high ISO that only a full frame sensor can deliver.

[bryanlindsey]

Originally Posted by Rson

Try but the Weddings warrant the high ISO that only a full frame sensor can deliver.

If that's the case, get the D3S. But there are other limiting factors in play.

[srwatters]

Originally Posted by bryanlindsey

I would get the D300

I blogged about this a while ago: Professional Photography Forum | Technology vs. Skills | Pro Photo Business Forum

Looking at her website galleries and knowing her from TPF, I personally believe Donna can take advantage of the D700 just as well as the D300. The additional benefits of FX might also suit her creatively. But that's just a guess...

[elliottmm]

Originally Posted by bryanlindsey

I would get the D300

I blogged about this a while ago: Professional Photography Forum | Technology vs. Skills | Pro Photo Business Forum

Bryan, this is funny... I felt the same way... Just recently I upgraded from a D60 to a D300s. I thought I was crazy for telling my self I didn't need the D700.
Besides the $$$ of the D700, I felt that I should master the D300s first before moving on... Great article!

[Cajungaltx]

Originally Posted by srwatters

Looking at her website galleries and knowing her from TPF, I personally believe Donna can take advantage of the D700 just as well as the D300. The additional benefits of FX might also suit her creatively. But that's just a guess...

Scott -

Thanks for the kind words. I've been truly blessed by all of the help/knowledge that people here on TPF, and off the forum have been willing to share with me.

Part of the reason I keep debating is this - if I go full frame - to a D700 - I know that at that point a D80 won't be satisfactory for a 2nd/backup camera. If I take the step up to a D300, then in 6 months pick up a D700, I'll have the D300 as my backup and the D700 as my primary.

Does that make sense?
Thanks,
Donna

[srwatters]

I don't understand your reasoning Donna. Does the D80 make salable images for you now with the glass you have? If the answer is what I think, then tell me why it doesn't make sense as a second camera. Now the D80 images will look different compared to the FX body, but having the D700 will not make one bit of difference in how the DX shots look. Certainly using the D300 as a second body will give you more confidence since those two are prosumer vs the consumer D80, but I don't think it's a deal breaker. Plus I guarantee you will have a learning curve moving to FX, so why not start that now.

Again, just my humble opinion having moved from D70 to D200 to D3 & the H2. YMMV.

[Wes]

Given your needs and the type of shooting you do I would think that you could go either way. However, from a long term investment standpoint, I think that the D700 would serve your needs better and allow you to grow more.

I struggled with the same decision myself earlier this year. I bought my D3 last year because of my need for high ISO capabilities (night time and indoor sports) and kept my D200 as a backup. For MY needs, the D200 was not a suitable backup for the D3 so I sold it. I'm currently without a backup camera but hope to have that remedied soon with the D3s (or maybe a D700 if I cannot swing the D3s). For my needs, it makes sense that both bodies have the same capabilities.

As Scott would say, "YMMV".

[aerosolcheese]

Donna, if the D80 is working just fine for you, and all you need is a backup, then why not pick up a D90? For $800 or so, it's a steal.

[Cajungaltx]

Thanks everyone for your input - I appreciate the feedback/experience of each of you.

I'm going to pick up the D700.

There are a few reasons for this.

1.) I always buy more computer power than I need, because I know, eventually, I'll need more computer power. ;-)

2.) I'm in this (photography business) for the long haul, and while I definitely agree with Bryan that they 'equipment' can't fix lack of skill - I feel that I'm at a point where my camera's ability is frustrating me/causing issues. Even with good glass, low light issues have caused some serious stress at a few shoots because I knew if I got over 400 ISO I was gonna have noise issues.

The D700 definitely exceeds the D300 with the higher ISO if its needed.

It's good to know that everything but my 30 will work on the D700 - especially considering that I realized that my 30 seems to be missing. *sob* I used it at a church event, and THOUGHT it was in my bag...but it doesn't seem to be. I'm checking with the grounds folks to see if they found it....but I'm not holding my breath...

[Redneck]

Good decision.
I own both, the D300 and the D700. The D300 really is an excellent camera, but the D700 is more superior and it will allow you to shoot high ISO without losing image quality.
So when you shoot weddings and sports the D700 is one of the best choices you can make.
Congrats! I know you will love it.

[toverman]

I think you'll be happy with your decision. We're finally getting to the point where digital sensors are maturing and the camera model makes a bigger difference than it used to ... skills are important, and you have those. But even longtime pros have noise to contend with. Stellar high-ISO performance will make your fast glass more useful and valuable.

Don't forget that cropped sensors don't give you further reach, just a limited field of view that gives you the effect of the focal length being longer. I own and regular use DSLRs that are full frame, 1.6x crop and 1.3x crop. You get used to it and think beforehand which body/lens combo will give you the results you want. I don't do the math, I just have gotten used to the subtle differences.

[lhdvies]

Excellent decision Donna-You are going to love it!!!
I have both of them & they are both stellar cams, but the 700 is in a class by itself IMO.

[Jim Victory]

Skills are important but having good equipment makes using those skills easier and less stressful.

I have owned a D300 and shot with a D700 and you will love the latter on many different levels. It is simply a superb camera for the type of work you do.

Congrats!

[Glider]

Donna...Adorama has Nikon factory refurb D700's for $2169. I just got mine, upgrade from my D300. Now, prudence says dispose of the D300 along with the crop sensor lenses (only 2). While I've been shooting Nikon for 50 years and used to be a pro, now it's a hobby. But I'm having a hard time turning loose of the D300--a great camera--and disposing of it also means getting rid of the Nikon 12-24 whcih has become a favorite lens.

[jstevensphoto]

Looks like most of your lens are full-frame, so I would definitely look at the D700. I love mine, but when I switched from APS-C to FF, I had to get several new lens. I love the ability to shoot in low, natural light at high ISO. It's heavy, especially with a fast lens, but small price to pay for outstanding performance. Good luck.