All the gear and NO IDEA, help with Camera choice please.

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Adeyb

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That pretty much sums me up, but I get by quite well. I have been taking glamour shots for 10 years now for websites and started with a little digital compact, moving to a DSLR and am now using a Nikon D80. Recently I took a lease on a 1500sq ft light industrial unit and have an awesome studio kitted out with everything I need. Now the weak link in the chain (apart from me!) is the D80, Im shooting 600 frames a day 4 - 5 days a week, the D80 passed its 'normal life shutter count' many moons ago and it's starting to do strange things, I fear it cant take the pace.

Im fortunate enough to say im not 'too constrained' with a budget, but dont want to go silly. I dont know about lenses, but try to shoot at 70mm ish with the 18-135kit lens I have. I went to Calumet the other day and had a chat and felt up a D700 and a D3, the nice guy there reckons I should get a D700 with the 24-70 f2.8 lens. A bit of me wants the D3, I hear they're pretty much the same camera, is it just the looks that makes me like them?
I like the feel of Nikon's, I used a friends Canon the other day and we didnt get on.

Help me please!

Confused of Cheshire
 
Since you are thinking of going from a cropped sensor to full frame remember your FOV will change for your favourite length(70mm)
 
D700 shutter rated to 150,000 actuations, D3 rated to 300,000 actuations.

D700 95% viewfinder, D3 100%

D700 sensor cleaner, D3 none

As a working tool with heavy use, my choice would be the D3.

As a hobbyist my choice would be the D700.

The 24-70 on either is a sound lens choice.
 
Recently Ive been reading that most portraiture is shot at 85mm, would a 24-70 really be the right lens with this in mind? should I be using a prime and just running back and forth as the shots change? sounds like a ballache!
 
daugirdas said:
D700+24-70+70-200 job done
Click to expand...

D3 with its more durable shutter would be the better choice looking at the amount of use the OP is expecting, his style of photography would involve plenty of vertical shooting, so the built in vertical controls would be an advantage.

The two lenses would certainly cover all bases for him.
 
D700 would be my choice for what you need...no justification for the D3's expense. Probably worth getting the MBD-10 battery pack, not just for the electronic output (including the extra shutter release button when in portrait holding) but the prolonged holding will make your hand ache at the end of a shoot with the standard body. D700+MBD-10 still is cheaper than a D3. As for lenses, for my studio and external glamour work I've used 18-200VR (yes, a 'consumer' lens), plus a Sigma 28-70 f/2.8 and Nikon 80-200 f/2.8 all with good results; obviously the 70-200VR f/2.8 falls into that category but that's loadsamoney - my mate has used it successfully on such shoots as well as 'adult' expo events abroad.

Perhaps a 105mm would be worth trying too...not had the opportunity yet!
 
i have a D300, 24-70, 70-200, 85 1.4, 50 1.8 and a few other bits would love to have a D700

its just one of those things, i know i wont be disappointed when i get one but how long does someone have to wait....... aghhhh

just wished money would grow on trees..
 
If you're not constrained by budget, how about a D3X with the same lens. The 24 MP would be a big advantage in a studio if you can afford it.
 
Thanks for the suggestions! as my stuff is for the web a D3x would be overkill!
 
You could always rent a camera from Calumet to try before you buy, they will knock of the rental price if you purchase the camera within a week of hiring it i think, obviously check this out before hand.

Good guys in the manchester branch and a deal can be had, just haggle a little, if they can they normal do.

Rob.
 
remember a lightly used d3 is around 2k, which is about the same as a d700 new +grip.

just thought id throw that in.
 
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