Looking at "full frame camera"....Nikon

davetucker

davetucker

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Dave Tucker
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Hi

I am in the market for a new camera, but I am torn between the Nikon D300s & Nikon D700. I already own a D50 & D200. What are the advantages of the D700 & Full Frame. The new camera would be used for weddings and Portrait work. Any advice welcomed,

Of course I could buy neither and splash out on a new Nikon 70-200mm Lens.

Dave
 
Dave, I have a D300 and a D3. The biggest advantage by far of the FX sensor is the high ISO capability. I'm only happy using the D300 up to ISO800 but the D3 will shoot at twice that with little noise evident. The benefits of high ISO performance are not limited to low light shooting. It also means that you can use a smaller aperture for greater depth of fieild while still handholding.

The main advantages of the DX sensor are the extra resolving power of your 12million pixels and the fact that the 51 AF points cover more of the sensor.

In your shoes, shooting weddings and portraits, I's plump for the D700. If you were shooting sport or wildlife, I'd be inclined to go for the D300/s. (all the above are presuming that the ability to record video is not a factor, if it ise then you're looking at either the D90 or D300s)
 
Northern Nikon is right about the ISO. It would offer a significant IQ imrpovement over the D200 but you lose the crop factor, which is no good for your birding, but fine for weddings portraits etc. However, what lenses do you already own? Any full frame? If not then a move to a D700 will be very expensive.

I have a D300 (and an older D50) and I find the D300 very useable up to ISO1600 and perfect up to ISO 800.

If I were to take a stab in the dark, with so many unknow variables I'd say swap the D200 for a used D300 (don't buy the new s variant unless you need the dual slots or video). Using the money saved from not buying a D700, a total saving of about £1500 (that's a used cost and I assume you wouldn't trade you D200 for it as you'd lose a decent crop sensor shooter). Invest that money in some decent fast glass for your weddings and portaits and perhaps an improved flash set up (although I ahve no idea what you already have!)

Cheers

Bruce
 
D300 for birding, I use mine up to ISO3200 no problem, just add a fast zoom 17-55 or 24-70 f2.8, sorted for weddings and portraits.

D300 + 300AF-S f4 + TC17EII at 3200ISO


 
no selling outside the classifieds guys :)
 
drb5 said:
They're rather impressive Martyn!
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Thanks, it is knowing what you are doing, and the limits of high ISO, you still need decent light, but it allows higher shutter speed.

Both of those had one pass on default of Noiseware, here is that same Blue Tit shot without Noiseware (in camera set to low NR).



To the OP if I was only doing Weddings and Portraits my choice would be the D700.
 
I went from a D80 to a D300 for the faster focus and better ISO then i went from the D300 to the D700 and i have never looked back.

The D700 in low light blows the D300 and the equivalent Canon out of the water. I have used 3200 indoors and still have very noise free images.

But it does not have the crop factor. A 24-70 is VERY different on a D700. I have ended up keeping my D300 for now because we went surfing and i could not get the reach that i wanted on my D300 even with a 70-200 lens so on a D700 i would have been miles short..!!!

But i went for the D700 for the low light shots and so i could so full length portraits in a smaller space.

Mac
 
Martyn... said:
Thanks, it is knowing what you are doing, and the limits of high ISO, you still need decent light, but it allows higher shutter speed.

Both of those had one pass on default of Noiseware, here is that same Blue Tit shot without Noiseware (in camera set to low NR).



To the OP if I was only doing Weddings and Portraits my choice would be the D700.
Click to expand...

That's interesting to see. I find that shooting in low light and stage lighting gives intrusive noise over ISO 800 with the D300. That shot certainly shows that results are much better in brighter conditions.
 
NorthernNikon said:
That's interesting to see. I find that shooting in low light and stage lighting gives intrusive noise over ISO 800 with the D300. That shot certainly shows that results are much better in brighter conditions.
Click to expand...

It is, and always will be down to the quality of the light, that was the case with film, and is still the case with digital, a point sometimes overlooked.

With your stage lit stuff, you will have a larger area of darkness I would imagine, that would give noisier images. We used to buy 400ASA black and white film to use because it was grainy :D
 
Martyn... said:
D300 for birding, I use mine up to ISO3200 no problem, just add a fast zoom 17-55 or 24-70 f2.8, sorted for weddings and portraits.

D300 + 300AF-S f4 + TC17EII at 3200ISO


Click to expand...

Martyn,

Excellent images, do you mind if I ask how you captured them and have they been cropped from the original images, the clarity and quality are very good,

Interested to know if you were in a hide and where?

Cheers

Kevin
 
KevD3x said:
Martyn,

Excellent images, do you mind if I ask how you captured them and have they been cropped from the original images, the clarity and quality are very good,

Interested to know if you were in a hide and where?

Cheers

Kevin
Click to expand...

Kevin a lot of info in the original thread I posted here LINK If you want any more info reply to that thread, and I will reply there.

I was in a permanent hide at Belvide (West Midlands Bird Watching Club), slight crop to 5x7, the bird was close, less than 3m.
 
Hi
Thanks to all, my lens's to date are:

1) Nikon 85mm f1.4
2) Sigma 24-70mm f2.8
3) Sigma 70-200mm f2.8
4) Sigma 105mm Macro
5) Sigma 10-20mm

Dave
 
davetucker said:
Hi
Thanks to all, my lens's to date are:

1) Nikon 85mm f1.4
2) Sigma 24-70mm f2.8
3) Sigma 70-200mm f2.8
4) Sigma 105mm Macro
5) Sigma 10-20mm

Dave
Click to expand...

Dave it is down to what you will be shooting the most, if predominately birds / wildlife the D300 is the camera. If it is predominately Weddings, Portraits then the D700 is the one I would opt for.
 
many thanks, will keep the D200 & D50 and use these for general use and wildlife. Will buy the D700 and use this for any potrait work, weddings etc.

Thanks again

Dave
:)
 
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