D300 or D700 for £2700?

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loplyg

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Rich
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Hi folks,

A rather interesting mountaineering accident, combined with some savings I've had for a while, means I've got a lump sump to replace my camera gear with.

I'm torn between two choices, I've got both in my WEX basket and swing hourly over which to go for. Just wondering if anybody has any advice!

In the DX corner:
D300S
Nikon 10-24 AF-S
Nikon 18-200 VR
Nikon 70-300 VR

In the FX corner, for the same £:
Nikon D700
Nikon 18-35
Nikon 24-85 2.8

Obviously for the DX I'm able to afford the 70-300 for the odd wildlife and suchlike shot, nice bonus, and I quite like the 18-200 as I just lost one (though I did find it a bit soft).

On FX there is no real 18-200 equivelant but that means I get the 24-85 2.8 which may be sharper? Leaves me with no telephoto though so it'd have to be a lot better to justify the loss in flexibility.

Pfft. Any comments would be welcome, particularly from anybody who's made a similar upgrade. What I'm really wondering is whether the FX with those lenses will offer any better quality, with the obvious exception of in low light scenarios?
 
If you've got £2700 to spend I'd recommend the 300 AFS f/4 and or the older 80-200 f/2.8 rather than the 70-300 VR.
 
i suggest D700+ 24-70 AFS
dont have to cover the distance all you want, make sure first you are using the best lens to make best quality
then you can add a 17-35 one or a 14-24 one to make up the wide angle
 
Forget the 18-200, IQ is just not there.
 
Yep another for the D700 + 24-70 !!

Then 80-200 f2.8 (NOT the push pull version) later, I have this combination and it is simply superb!
 
well, for another zoom lens, i would suggest 70-200 2.8G
they, the 2470 one and the 70200 one are just brilliant!!
and they work together to cover the most range you need
 
I would go for the D700 and 24-70, its a wonderful combination.
 
I have or had both set ups. The D700 and 24-70 were superb. I also has teh 70-200 and loved it on the FX regardless of some criticisms of it.

I also have the D300. I would say I would settle with the 18-200 VR with the D300.

I have sold the D700 and 24-70 along with other pro glass because my wallet is bigger than my talent:crying:

Get the D700 and 24-70. Mine have been gone a week and i'm still depressed that I sold them. You got the money....DO IT!:D
 
i think depends on the photography your doing and the reach.

i have a D300, 24-70, 70-200 great combo di i really need full frame?? motorsport, wildlife etc.

i am Currenty doing alot of portraits etc. D700 ideal

for me i would go

D700 plus the 24-70 ideal combination......

im so jealous i want a d700.... low light, etc.
 
Voyager said:
I like the look of Ken Rockwalls DX 'dream team'
  • Nikon 10-24 AF-S
  • Nikon 35mm f/1.8 AF-S
  • Nikon 55-200 VR
Would probably save you @£500 too!
Click to expand...


If it's just the cheapest lenses possible then buy a selection of Tamron or Sigma entry-level ones, if you're going to spend over a grand on a camera body then it makes sense to put decent glass on it (in this context neither the 55-200 VR, 18-200 VR or 70-300VR count as "decent") otherwise you're wasting your time/money and may as well buy a D3000....
 
Flash In The Pan said:
If you've got £2700 to spend I'd recommend the 300 AFS f/4 and or the older 80-200 f/2.8 rather than the 70-300 VR.
Click to expand...

Normally I'd agree with Graham, and the 300mm f/4 AF-S is an outstanding lens (had one for about 6 years and love it), although given the price of a used 70-200mm f/2.8 VR these days, I'd be more inclined to recommend one of those and a 1.4x Nikon TC.
 
Kaouthia said:
Normally I'd agree with Graham, and the 300mm f/4 AF-S is an outstanding lens (had one for about 6 years and love it), although given the price of a used 70-200mm f/2.8 VR these days, I'd be more inclined to recommend one of those and a 1.4x Nikon TC.
Click to expand...

I had the 70-200 + Nikon 1.4 tc combo and wasn't all that impressed with it, hence why I didn't offer it up as a suggestion, although as you say John, at current prices the combo would make financial sense.
 
Flash In The Pan said:
I had the 70-200 + Nikon 1.4 tc combo and wasn't all that impressed with it
Click to expand...

Was that on a DX or FX body? I can imagine on an FX body it might not be so hot, given the 70-200 VR's claimed issues with FX even without a TC, but would vignetting and edge softness be so bad on a DX body?
 
Flash In The Pan said:
If it's just the cheapest lenses possible then buy a selection of Tamron or Sigma entry-level ones, if you're going to spend over a grand on a camera body then it makes sense to put decent glass on it (in this context neither the 55-200 VR, 18-200 VR or 70-300VR count as "decent") otherwise you're wasting your time/money and may as well buy a D3000....
Click to expand...
It's more what I'd imagine I'd be happy to lug around. But you are right, I'd probably rather stick them on a D90 than bother about a D300 (and I'd be over a grand under loplyg's budget then! :D)
 
Kaouthia said:
Was that on a DX or FX body? I can imagine on an FX body it might not be so hot, given the 70-200 VR's claimed issues with FX even without a TC, but would vignetting and edge softness be so bad on a DX body?
Click to expand...


On the D300...I can't afford an FX camera :( It wasn't edge softness, just a general lack of sharpness
 
Well thanks for the advice folks,

In the end I went for a D700 w/ 16-35 F4 and I bought a second hand 28-200. I figured where IQ matters most for me is in the wide shots, and I will save for a 70-300 Nikon at some point. Not overly concerned about IQ in the mid zoom shots, so the 28-200 will do me fine.

Ordered D700 on ebay yesterday at about 2pm, arrived this morning at 10am! Saved me £150 compared to the major online stores too.

Unfortunately no lens yet though :bonk:
 
Enjoy your purchase and let us know what you think when you get a lens! How much did you pay in the end on ebay?
 
What a dilemma...and one I would love to have.

D700 and 24-70 all the way, go for the best IQ and then build from there.

You lucky man...;)
 
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