D800, D3s, D3x... can't decide

Davince

Davince

Messages
189
Name
Del
Edit My Images
Yes
I'm banging my head against a wall - can't decide what to get as a replacement 'main' camera so that my D700 can be a backup. I was all set on getting a D800, then at a fashion show where I was really, really struggling with the low light, another tog and I got chatting and he reckoned he'd have a D3s over the D800. Tossing it up though:

I do quite a bit of studio work, so thought D800

I do a fair bit of low-light stuff, so thought D3s

I do some motorsport (mostly for fun, but fun is important, right?!!) so looked at D3x after it was suggested by a third tog...

So... what would you choose and why? D3s/x would have to be second hand, D800 new.
 
I suppose it depends which you shoot more of, or maybe which is more critical, definition/sharpness, low light capability, speed.....
Don't forget the D800E
 
I'd forget the D3X - the D800 will beat it in every way bar size and possibly build. Also the D3x is not great in low light (in fact it is poor imo). The D3S is still the best Nikon DSLR for low light work, but the difference is small between that and the D800 particularly if the output sizes are "typical". If speed is important the D3S will win hands down, if it isn't then the decision is between the marginal gain in low light versus the new tech gains in the D800 ... for studio work the D800 will be nigh on unbeatable when comparing DSLRs
 
PaulButler said:
I'd forget the D3X - the D800 will beat it in every way bar size and possibly build. Also the D3x is not great in low light (in fact it is poor imo). The D3S is still the best Nikon DSLR for low light work, but the difference is small between that and the D800 particularly if the output sizes are "typical". If speed is important the D3S will win hands down, if it isn't then the decision is between the marginal gain in low light versus the new tech gains in the D800 ... for studio work the D800 will be nigh on unbeatable when comparing DSLRs
Click to expand...

That's interesting, person who touted the D3x as a suggestion didn't have a lot to say about low light capability, I guess that's why lol.

it's the tech gains v's low light that are my main consideration I guess - speed wise, I'm not much of a burst shooter anyway - even motorsport I pre-focus, pan, fire off just a couple. Also I will have the D700 which is quicker if speed is really needed? (guess speed AND low light aren't going to be a need tooooo often)

Do you think the low light ability of the D800 really is that marginal to the D3s? I was shooting alongside another tog a few days ago in really, really ropey lighting - he was happily firing away a D4 at 4000 iso and getting great shots, at 2500 my D700 was struggling big time with noise. He reckoned his D3s / D4 were night on match for match at high ISO.
 
You will get good shots at iso 10,000 with the D3s and D4. I have auto iso set to max 12,800 and they are very usable images at that.

Kev.
 
I have a D3S and a D800, which replaced my 2nd D3S.
The D800 gives me great resolution and crop-ability but for a while it felt odd in my hands.
I use the D800 more than I use the D3S as most of my shots come from 'walkabout' photography but if I'm doing more serious stuff like BIF it's the D3S that always gets the shot. In a recent kingfisher shoot I used both cameras but it was the D3S that got the best shots.
If you do studio/landscape type work I would say that the D800 would probably suit your needs best but if you need low light, action and reliability of always being able to shoot inc quick bursts then it has to be the D3S.
I couldn't see me getting rid of my remaining D3S for anything other than a D4.
 
I have D800 and D3s and have had three D700's in my time as a Nikon photographer. Given the choice of just one it would be the D3s every time. Low noise in my images will always be preferable to the option of printing images really big.

The D800 has a fab dynamic range and I think it's a wonderful camera. But the D3s is a better all rounder for me.
 
The D800 has a major Dynamic Range advantage, but the DR advantage quickly drops as the ISO increase once you get to ISO 800 the D3s and the D800 have the same DR.

If you are shooting below ISO 800 most of the time then the D800 is probably worth a look but if you shoot above that the D3s is going to have lower noise and better focusing ability.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top