Downgrade from Full Frame back to Crop - Who's done it?

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Been thinking about this a lot. Have a D3 with a scattering of FF primes and D300s with a lot of great DX lenses and feel one should really go...

Since I've got the D3 I've not really been out with it a lot and it really isn't a portable camera that I'd want to lug places. D3 is very heavy and am thinking either of selling it completely or swapping it for a D700 and getting rid of the D300s. If it helps, I also have an EPL2 for proper travelling...

Who has done it? And why? Convince me to stay or down grade! :)
 
Well, everything Nikon is about to change, so I'd hold fire just for a few weeks...

However, unless you shoot long lens stuff (aircraft, motorsport, wildlife) I'd suggest you dump the D300 and the DX lenses AND the D3 and either pick up a cheap secondhand D700 or maybe Nikon will have a D800 for you soon.
 
Surely this all depends on whether you want to stay with FF, or would be happy with a crop camera? You have both at the moment, so you should be in a good position to make the decision.
 
I did it recently. From D3 to D700 to D7000 and D300. I'm planning on selling the D300 though in favour of another D700 as I feel having a crop and ff suits me best.
 
I've not let go of my D90 since getting the D700. Originally, I planned to replace the D90 with a D300 (mainly for the viewfinder, and FPS), but have also been thinking about the D7000. I use the D90 more than the D700. And I use the D90 mainly outdoors, and the D700 indoors.
 
I have owned both Nikon and Canon full frame cameras and top end lenses. I sold everything and now only shoot a D5100 with a few primes.

My reason wasn't about getting the best quality though, it used to be.

My reason is purely financial and thinking ahead for the future. I am not a high earner with money to splash, nor am I in the photography business. I am still relatively young, recently married (last May) and now starting my own family.

I wanted something that was still capable of giving me decent results, without costing me too much if it should break or need replacing in future. When I was single and carefree I spent a fortune on camera gear. But now I think if I had a D700 and it broke, these days I would not have the money to replace it. However if my D5100 broke, it won't hurt our financial situation too much to get another :D Same with the lenses, price of replacing a busted 27-70 2.8 compared to replacing my 50 1.8? It's a no contest for me :)
 
I went from D300 to D700 to D90. Finally realised the D90 was all the camera I really needed. I am only a hobbyist and couldn't really aford to have so much cash tied up in the D700 and 24-70 f2.8 . If the truth be known I never really enjoyed using that combo as it was way too big and heavy and uncomfortable to take out for a day, although the results were pleasing. The D90 is the perfect size and weight for me and the pics I'm getting from a humble 18-70 lens seem better than I ever got from my D300 with Tokina / Sigma F2.8 glass.
 
I went from D300 to D700 to D90. Finally realised the D90 was all the camera I really needed. I am only a hobbyist and couldn't really aford to have so much cash tied up in the D700 and 24-70 f2.8 . If the truth be known I never really enjoyed using that combo as it was way too big and heavy and uncomfortable to take out for a day, although the results were pleasing. The D90 is the perfect size and weight for me and the pics I'm getting from a humble 18-70 lens seem better than I ever got from my D300 with Tokina / Sigma F2.8 glass.

Perfectly good reasoning. Professionals use whatever it takes - assuming they can afford it - to get the results they need/want, but none of the pros I've known buy gear just because they can. Most of us are amateurs, and we can please ourselves because we don't have to meet anyone else's expectations. I can't afford FF, and I'm not sure I'd buy a FF camera even if I could. My 30D does everything I want it to, I have other interests, and I don't want to lock up too much money in photography. Others will have their own points of view, which will be equally valid.
 
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