new D700 + grip or 2nd hand D3

blythieboy

blythieboy

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So following on from my previous threads, have got a D2x and D90 and want to get better "low light cold tuesday night" footy photos...have discounted the D7000 and now can't decide whether to go for a new D700 with grip etc to get the 8fps or a 2nd hand D3...it shouldn't be this hard to decide surely..?

TIA :help:

J
 
If its for sports then id say the D3.. its a fantastic camera.. and great for low light fast action..
 
The D3. The D700 is heavier with the grip I believe. Maybe slightly bigger too.

Kev.
 
I'd get a D3 if it were a choice between a new D3 and a new D700+grip but your choice is a 2nd hand D3 against a new D700+grip. The question there changes somewhat....

If you are VAT registered the new one will be even cheaper.
Warranties, 2 years for the new one and ??? for the D3.
Condition?
The D700+grip give the advantage of having the ability to drop the grip and go smaller.
The D700 to grip interface is another location for water ingress and failure.
Battery capacity of the D3 is better without buying a D3 battery and holder for the grip.
 
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Had to answer the question myself. I shoot a lot of frames. Went for the D700 and the peace of mind the warranty brings. I'd have got a new D3 if funds allowed though !
 
trevorbray said:
...... Went for the D700 and the peace of mind the warranty brings.
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Have to agree here - hence why I brought my D700 new instead of used....
 
New D700 for the warranty and also built-in sensor cleaning.
 
blythieboy said:
so my head said D700 with warranty, but my heart said D3...there was only one way to resolve this, disregard both options!

have gone for a new D3s - was that the right decision?, who knows, but it will be fun finding out !

D3s and 24-70mm arrives tomorrow

happy days

J
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Oh Boy, are you gonna be happy. ENJOY
(just a bit envious):)
 
You will be more than happy!! I've got both and boy are you going to have fun! :thumbs: :clap:


Kev.
 
I know its a little too late, but just to chip in for future reference...

If you ever think you will be doing "not serious photography" or in a "risky" situation, I'd suggest a body+grip. The pro bodies are intimidating and attention grabbing in some situations and being able to drop the grip off lowers your profile a fair bit.

For anything else, the D3 is great.
 
Don't know quite what you are showing me there?
 
desantnik said:
Don't know quite what you are showing me there?
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:thinking: An ungripped D700 & a D3..... Haven't a clue why though...

edit:

Prob because of this quote from you: The pro bodies are intimidating and attention grabbing in some situations and being able to drop the grip off lowers your profile a fair bit.
 
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Ok, so, yes, the d700 is smaller than the D3... which is kinda what I was suggesting to start with
 
blythieboy said:
so my head said D700 with warranty, but my heart said D3...there was only one way to resolve this, disregard both options!

have gone for a new D3s - was that the right decision?, who knows, but it will be fun finding out !

D3s and 24-70mm arrives tomorrow

happy days

J
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Go on how happy are you??

To the original question I would have suggested the D700 + Grip rather than the D3 due to the warranty and sensor cleaning options. However, D3S is just magic and I am really please I made that decision back in March, I hope you are equally pleased!!
 
desantnik said:
Ok, so, yes, the d700 is smaller than the D3... which is kinda what I was suggesting to start with
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I was trying to illustrate your point by showing the actual difference in size (although I don't think the two bodies are to scale in that pic).
 
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No, I think the D3 is a bit larger than shown, but anyway its definitely larger and perceived as "big" by the general public... and "big" means expensive even to the uninformed (quite how expensive probably eludes them) and also its perceived as "pro" which can upset all sorts from parents of children in parks to security people at museums etc.

All in all, plenty of reasons to drop the grip and go stealth :D
 
Voice comment recording, dual memory cards, potentially a larger buffer (if you buy the upgrade) and a built in grip with more controls on it (the controls are better spaced on the D3)

But on the other hand, you loose the pop up flash and the sensor cleaning (this is on the D3S).
 
Just because its the second most expensive camera in the Nikon range doesn't mean its the camera for "you".

Its designed for commercial use, with features to help guarantee you get the shot because missing the shot is missing financial reward.

Thats the difference between the top end kit and prosumer kit.

If it doesn't matter to you that a corrupt flash card or the celeb blinking in every 3 of the shots you have taken means you can't put food on the table this week, then thats ok.

The orginal D3 vs D700/grip argument came down to a very small amount of money difference when it was launched. Prices have shifted around now particularly when you compare the recently launched (ie expensive) D3S with the just about to be replaced D700 (ie about as cheap as it will go)
 
Just the single CF.

D3 also feels like it'll stop a tank in its tracks if it runs over it, D700 is a lot less solid.

D3 also has a 100% viewfinder whereas D700 is only about 90% in reality

thesmileyone said:
Does the D700 have CF + SDHC like the D300s or just single CF ?

Other than the dual CF slots none of those advantages seem worth it to me!
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