D3s to D4 is it worth it

merv

merv

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Have a one year old D3s with few actuations and was thinking of upgrading to the D4. However, trade in value only around £2600 leaving a big leap up to £4900. Is the change in camera worth it? merv:bang:
 
I guess it depends if the features the D4 has over the D3s are both necessary and within your budget? Which only you know. For me the even larger differences D3 to D4 don't stack up for what I shoot. :shrug:
 
i cant see what the point is if youve hardly used the D3S doesnt make sense.
 
If you're not racking up the shots on the D3S is the upgrade worth the money, £2300 is alot to throw about on upgraditis! Think of the lenses you could get!
 
D4 claims better A/F and useable A/F from f8 rather than f5.6, so opens up greater use of converters (though some would say that Nikon's quoted f5.6 max for existing cameras is over-cautious).
I haven't seen a lot of other claims of improvements so balanced against the above you have a D3s which has a greater battery capacity than the D4, superb low-light capability, controls that you are already used to, is probably Nikon's best DSLR to date - and around £2400 in your pocket (I haven't seen any new D4's under £4999).
 
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The d3s is an incredible camera for even the best professional photographers. I say use the money you would spend on the upgrade on some nice glass (or a nice holiday haha) I personally don't see the need to have any better a camera than even a D700 lol
 
gramps said:
D4 claims better A/F and useable A/F from f8 rather than f5.6, so opens up greater use of converters (though some would say that Nikon's quoted f5.6 max for existing cameras is over-cautious).
I haven't seen a lot of other claims of improvements so balanced against the above you have a D3s which has a greater battery capacity than the D4, superb low-light capability, controls that you are already used to, is probably Nikon's best DSLR to date - and around £2400 in your pocket (I haven't seen any new D4's under £4999).
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Digital rev has them for £4,500.
 
All D3s owner,need to upgrade their cameras to an D4.

How else is the price of s/h D3s going to fall,so that I can adford one :D
 
Thanks guys. You seem to be mostly of one mind - don't get sucked into the D4 and keep my money or get some nice glass. I suppose the manufacturers are looking for suckers like me. merv:bang:
 
Merv what was your website again? I've spoke to you a few times in pcworld though haven't seen you in awhile
 
Hi Tony was in PC World last week and saw you coming out only to jump into a grey car as a passenger with some woman! Wife possibly - I hope so. You got away before I could reach you. Have stopped subscribing to Photium as I didnt use it. Will see if it is still there and private message you in case someone thinks this chat is not for a forum. REgards merv:lol:
 
I bought my D3s late January before they were pulled from sale...

I thought long and hard about waiting for a month for the D4. Only plus point was 16MP vs 12MP and AF. The better video, better AF (D3s was even with the 1DIV so I knew it was good enough) even higher ISO, XD card slot did not make it worth the extra £1k for me.

If you do video or are interested in trying it, the D4 would be a better bet but that's all I can think of.
 
The D4 is pants for video unless used in CX crop...I saw some footage of it and I wouldn't want to use it...

Shame that Nikon clearly had video in mind with the D4 but unfortunately for whatever reasons, couldn't make it happen...
 
merv said:
Have a one year old D3s with few actuations and was thinking of upgrading to the D4. However, trade in value only around £2600 leaving a big leap up to £4900. Is the change in camera worth it? merv:bang:
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Please upgrade and sell me the D3S. As your a friend of Tony's and only up the road I am sure you can offer me a good deal on it. :D
 
Phil Young said:
The D4 is pants for video unless used in CX crop...I saw some footage of it and I wouldn't want to use it...
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On the contrary I find it great for Video. I think dismissing it as 'pants' is a bit of an overstatement.

Its superior to the D3s in every way but that still might not be enough to justify buying it as the D3s is still superb. For me it was a d700 upgrade so it was a huge leap.
 
decigallen said:
On the contrary I find it great for Video. I think dismissing it as 'pants' is a bit of an overstatement.

Its superior to the D3s in every way but that still might not be enough to justify buying it as the D3s is still superb. For me it was a d700 upgrade so it was a huge leap.
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I would have to ask what you are used to shooting (video)?

From what I saw it was not broadcast quality and doesn't even compare to the D7000.

It was comparable to taking a still shot wide open on something like a sigma 18-250mm, just lacking detail...
 
Hi Phil I love shooting planes, bikes and cars. If I wanted to shoot video would use a camcorder, not a D4. Mind you I suppose it is a useful add-on for the as and when situations.
merv:lol:
 
merv said:
Hi Phil I love shooting planes, bikes and cars. If I wanted to shoot video would use a camcorder, not a D4. Mind you I suppose it is a useful add-on for the as and when situations.
merv:lol:
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I agree with you, I'm just replying to an earlier post about video and pointing out that the D4 is sub-par.
 
Phil Young said:
I would have to ask what you are used to shooting (video)?

From what I saw it was not broadcast quality and doesn't even compare to the D7000.

It was comparable to taking a still shot wide open on something like a sigma 18-250mm, just lacking detail...
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how on earth mate can you say that the D4 wouldn't shoot better video than a D7K. it has a FULL FRAME 35MM sensor in it of course the video will look better!!!!! cinematic DOF etc. plus better low light ISO etc. Some people on this crack me up.
 
TonyNI said:
how on earth mate can you say that the D4 wouldn't shoot better video than a D7K. it has a FULL FRAME 35MM sensor in it of course the video will look better!!!!! cinematic DOF etc. plus better low light ISO etc. Some people on this crack me up.
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I know in theory it should but...it doesn't.

It has lower noise but at produces a less detailed, rather soft image unless used in CX mode.
 
With Digital Rev at £4500 there is a hell of a range in prices, highest seems to be £5300'ish. Why is Digital Rev so far adrift from the rest? merv:bang:
 
It's based in Hong Kong. They have a sub forum on here who are pretty helpful if you are seriously considering a purchase.
 
TonyNI said:
how on earth mate can you say that the D4 wouldn't shoot better video than a D7K. it has a FULL FRAME 35MM sensor in it of course the video will look better!!!!! cinematic DOF etc. plus better low light ISO etc. Some people on this crack me up.
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"Video picture quality: Honestly speaking, the D4 is disappointing. It could have been the best VDSLR on the market if its full-frame picture quality was as sharp as the 2.7x crop mode. Why Nikon chose to release a camera with a very soft*picture in the full frame mode is a*mystery to me. The 2.7x mode uses a true HD 1920×1080 pixel crop from centre of its large sensor and the picture quality is truly remarkable: sharp and moire- and*aliasing-free with*pleasant colour texture."
 
i reckon you should swap your d3s for 2 d700s, more specifically, my 2 d700's! ;)
 
for backup. but i also have a D800 now, don't need 2 backups (although i have a 4th body too)!!
 
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