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- Pat MacInnes
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**DISCLAIMER - Yes, I know I've done several threads on this before over the years but now I have a green light to what I can have through work** 
What with the new D800 and D4 bodies now in the mix, things have gone a bit complicated in terms of searching for the right FX body....
I have budgeted £2000 for used D3 + £650 for a 16-45mm f/4+ £280 for a 1.7x TC.
I have had my eye on a D3 for ages now, as it is the natural successor to my D2x, albeit with a different sensor format. I like the idea of brilliant build and weather sealing, plus the good compromise between pixels and overall image quality, especially the detail and high ISO capabilities. Also, it's my preferred choice because it has a built-in grip. Of course, a used one is my only option in this respect and depending on condition and shutter usage I'm looking at £1500-£2000, of which no VAT can be reclaimed so the price tags is what the company pays out.
As a cheaper option there's the D700. I don't mind the form factor of the D300/D700 but there's the additional cost of a grip to figure in (let's say £250), especially if I'm going to get fps that equals or betters my current set-up and/or that of the D3. I've been assured that it's a pretty tough camera, although the weather sealing isn't as good as the Dx series. The built-in flash isn't really of worth because I use an SU-800.
With the VAT reclaim, a new one is actually less than most used ones from dealers. Work would be happy too because it's the cheap option, although the remainder could be used to fund a D7000 because I need video functionality.
The D7000 isn't enough of a camera for me to be used on its own, although it could make a good back-up, especially as it carries a useful HD video function and is DX so can give me extra reach from a telephoto now-and-then without loss of pixels.
D3s - this is the kit that is unfortunately, just out of reach. It's looking about £2750 before the VAT is added but it does combine everything the D3 offers with much of what the D7000 offers on the video front, effectively doing the job of two cameras. I could keep a D2x as a spare but I need to do some serious arm-twisting to get the extra spend out of work.
D800 - my head is saying that with its exceptional megapixel count and the video functionality (which looks excellent) this could be the dark horse of the Nikon line-up but I know that 36mp and 4fps just isn't a package that suits me 100 per cent. As I've said elsewhere, 16-20mp but blistering pace would have been spot-on. Before the VAT is added then we're looking at under £1900, which fits the budget, but then I'd need a grip. Even without the grip, I just can't seem to feel comfortable with the idea of a camera that would be more at home in the studio.
D3x and D4 are out of the question.
No-one knows yet when the D400 and the D700 upgrade will arrive so it's pointless thinking about those options.
With Focus 2012 coming up, there may be some form of saving to be had (probably marginal) and there's no telling what stock will be available of used D3 bodies and of the D3s.
Not really sure what route to take TBH....
What with the new D800 and D4 bodies now in the mix, things have gone a bit complicated in terms of searching for the right FX body....
I have budgeted £2000 for used D3 + £650 for a 16-45mm f/4+ £280 for a 1.7x TC.
I have had my eye on a D3 for ages now, as it is the natural successor to my D2x, albeit with a different sensor format. I like the idea of brilliant build and weather sealing, plus the good compromise between pixels and overall image quality, especially the detail and high ISO capabilities. Also, it's my preferred choice because it has a built-in grip. Of course, a used one is my only option in this respect and depending on condition and shutter usage I'm looking at £1500-£2000, of which no VAT can be reclaimed so the price tags is what the company pays out.
As a cheaper option there's the D700. I don't mind the form factor of the D300/D700 but there's the additional cost of a grip to figure in (let's say £250), especially if I'm going to get fps that equals or betters my current set-up and/or that of the D3. I've been assured that it's a pretty tough camera, although the weather sealing isn't as good as the Dx series. The built-in flash isn't really of worth because I use an SU-800.
With the VAT reclaim, a new one is actually less than most used ones from dealers. Work would be happy too because it's the cheap option, although the remainder could be used to fund a D7000 because I need video functionality.
The D7000 isn't enough of a camera for me to be used on its own, although it could make a good back-up, especially as it carries a useful HD video function and is DX so can give me extra reach from a telephoto now-and-then without loss of pixels.
D3s - this is the kit that is unfortunately, just out of reach. It's looking about £2750 before the VAT is added but it does combine everything the D3 offers with much of what the D7000 offers on the video front, effectively doing the job of two cameras. I could keep a D2x as a spare but I need to do some serious arm-twisting to get the extra spend out of work.
D800 - my head is saying that with its exceptional megapixel count and the video functionality (which looks excellent) this could be the dark horse of the Nikon line-up but I know that 36mp and 4fps just isn't a package that suits me 100 per cent. As I've said elsewhere, 16-20mp but blistering pace would have been spot-on. Before the VAT is added then we're looking at under £1900, which fits the budget, but then I'd need a grip. Even without the grip, I just can't seem to feel comfortable with the idea of a camera that would be more at home in the studio.
D3x and D4 are out of the question.
No-one knows yet when the D400 and the D700 upgrade will arrive so it's pointless thinking about those options.
With Focus 2012 coming up, there may be some form of saving to be had (probably marginal) and there's no telling what stock will be available of used D3 bodies and of the D3s.
Not really sure what route to take TBH....
Wonder how long before aftermarket ones are available and at what cost....
The D-3 seems the logical choice.
