Wedding Photography (nikon)

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I would like advice please,

Always just gone with my own gut & have got by but am looking for a large investment in to my business, with an upgrade.

As its mainly for wedding photography, i know the ideal camera would be the d3 but that is way out of my price range, unless i want to pay it off for the next 3 years.

So i have been looking at the next best options or so i believed,

The Nikon d300s or d7000......can anyone help me please.

Thanks
 
I own both D300s and a D3.

The D3 is simply streets ahead of the D300s. I've never tried the D700 but I believe it is much closer to the D3.

No idea about the D7000.
 
I would like advice please,

Always just gone with my own gut & have got by but am looking for a large investment in to my business, with an upgrade.

As its mainly for wedding photography, i know the ideal camera would be the d3 but that is way out of my price range, unless i want to pay it off for the next 3 years.

So i have been looking at the next best options or so i believed,

The Nikon d300s or d7000......can anyone help me please.

Thanks

Is there a reason you have overlooked the D700? It's the workhorse of many wedding photographers.
 
Sorry it was an error on my first post, it was meant to read as the d700. I best start looking for deals.

I would have the D5000 as a backup, along with a d300 that i have hired in the past.

Ive got by rather well with the D5000 but i am very limited as i am sure you all know its not ideal.

Thank you all for your help
 
For weddings I don't think you can beat the D700, stunning ISO performance, brilliant autofocus and not too big.

I'm Canon at the mo (and have been all along), and I am waiting to see what the 5D III brings as I don't think the 5D II was enough of an improvement to warrant the upgrade. But I am considering a swap to Nikon as the D700 has the edge on the 5D II imho.
 
Thank you all once again.

If anyone knows company i can find a good bargin...please share :thumbs:
 
Andy_S_T said:
For weddings I don't think you can beat the D700, stunning ISO performance, brilliant autofocus and not too big.

I'm Canon at the mo (and have been all along), and I am waiting to see what the 5D III brings as I don't think the 5D II was enough of an improvement to warrant the upgrade. But I am considering a swap to Nikon as the D700 has the edge on the 5D II imho.

Both the d700 & the 5d11 are at the end of their lifecycles though so it'd be an even more expensive swap.

The d700 is a fantastic camera, but after 3 years and 90 odd weddings over that time mine is starting to show its age
 
.....The d700 is a fantastic camera, but after 3 years and 90 odd weddings over that time mine is starting to show its age

Interesting comment Hugh - In what way is it showing its age? I ask because if I don't get a D3 variant through work, the 'next best' option that I've highlighted is the D700. For use in all weathers and would probably see 230+ shoots per year, rattling off 400-800 shots per day. I know my D2x bodies show their age in terms of how they stack up against more modern sensors but aside from that they run smooth - I just need more ISO so they will go at some point.... :)
 
Interesting comment Hugh - In what way is it showing its age? I ask because if I don't get a D3 variant through work, the 'next best' option that I've highlighted is the D700. For use in all weathers and would probably see 230+ shoots per year, rattling off 400-800 shots per day. I know my D2x bodies show their age in terms of how they stack up against more modern sensors but aside from that they run smooth - I just need more ISO so they will go at some point.... :)
pat how long you had the d2xs and what shutter count they on if you dont mind me asking its nice to see the are built to last.
 
I only tried a D700 once and loved it, although I use a D300s if I could I would have the D700.. It may be worth saving up a bit longer other wise you'll kick yourself.. For weddings I would say the FX and high ISO would be lovely :love:
 
specialman said:
Interesting comment Hugh - In what way is it showing its age? I ask because if I don't get a D3 variant through work, the 'next best' option that I've highlighted is the D700. For use in all weathers and would probably see 230+ shoots per year, rattling off 400-800 shots per day. I know my D2x bodies show their age in terms of how they stack up against more modern sensors but aside from that they run smooth - I just need more ISO so they will go at some point.... :)

It sounds daft but it just seems like it needs alot of tlc now and without it its not going to last another season. All little things like the on off switch is very sticky and the wb/iso/quality buttons on top are getting a bit tired. I know they're all minor but there is alot of them
 
scottthehat said:
give it a wash, and you said 90 odd weddings(thats ruddy good) also whats the shutter count if you dont mind me asking maybe get it serviced.

About 60k shutter count. A service is possibly all it needs - but i think it needs more.
 
pat how long you had the d2xs and what shutter count they on if you dont mind me asking its nice to see the are built to last.

Scott - I'm the second owner of both my D2x bodies. One, my main camera that is looking battered these days with scrapes and paint missing, has done 100,000+, and the other has done 40,000 or so and is in pristine nick because it's purely there as a back-up. I've had the high-miler probably two years, the other about 18-months. Both had about 10K on the clock when I got them, the first off fleeabay, the second from ApertureUK.

The back-up only has that amount of shots on because I got them mixed up for a while (doh!!) and the battered one had a few problems; one was an aperture lever issue from being banged around (needed a new mirror box as a result) that happened at 15,000 shots and the other issue was when I dropped it flash-first and broke the hotshoe clean off. Fixation did a great job fitting a new one and the camera and flash worked fine afterwards. My old D200 probably would have suffered similar or worse damage and my old canon D30 (which the D200 replaced) would have used any excuse to fall to bits.... it was hanging together with sheer will power in the end. I would have loved to have known the shutter count!!! :)

I really do love my bodies and one will probably stay as a back-up to whatever body I get next when work put hand in pocket finally. I also like the crop factor for long lenses - pricey 300mm and 400mm lenses just aren't an option for me so aside from TCs, the crop factor is a good alternative. Just wish Nikon would do something like a D2s with the same build, updated AF maybe and a modern sensor like in the D7000.... I would have two right now :)

It sounds daft but it just seems like it needs alot of tlc now and without it its not going to last another season. All little things like the on off switch is very sticky and the wb/iso/quality buttons on top are getting a bit tired. I know they're all minor but there is alot of them

Ha ha - I know what you mean (have had that kind of wear on my old 20/30D canons - workhorses but ropey as hell towards the end). Aside from paint wearing and rubber grips peeling slightly, those D2x bodies of mine are as tight as the day they came out of the box and I NEVER have them serviced.... just a quick blow with a dust remover inside and a wipe on the outside with a damp cloth. I've ditched the LCD screen protectors because they're next to useless outdoors in changing light :)

People would have a heart attack if they saw inside my bag..... baccy, mud, dust, leaves, bit of nature (dead and living) - I have a real menagerie in there. I'm just lazy and at the end of the day, my kits has gone from being something amazingly precious to just something that means a lot but is there to do a job.

I keep meaning to start a D2x/xs owners thread but I fear I'd either be alone, or laughed at (or both) :lol:

Sorry OP for hi-jacking the thread!!! :thumbs:
 
Last edited:
ScottI keep meaning to start a D2x/xs owners thread but I fear I'd either be alone, or laughed at (or both) :lol:

i'd chime in from time to time Pat :)

it would be nice to have somewhere to chat with users of the same camera but what would we ever need to say that hasn't already been talked about when they were curent models :thinking:

i suppose it would still be a good place for people considering buying one to ask questions :thumbs:
 
About 60k shutter count. A service is possibly all it needs - but i think it needs more.
20k a year pritty good, still a baby, its funny really beacuse i have seen some d300/d700 on ebay with like 20k that look ruff as dogs and some with like 60/80k that look like new,
I suppose as its working fine and making you money leave it be.
 
Scott - I'm the second owner of both my D2x bodies. One, my main camera that is looking battered these days with scrapes and paint missing, has done 100,000+, and the other has done 40,000 or so and is in pristine nick because it's purely there as a back-up. I've had the high-miler probably two years, the other about 18-months. Both had about 10K on the clock when I got them, the first off fleeabay, the second from ApertureUK.

The back-up only has that amount of shots on because I got them mixed up for a while (doh!!) and the battered one had a few problems; one was an aperture lever issue from being banged around (needed a new mirror box as a result) that happened at 15,000 shots and the other issue was when I dropped it flash-first and broke the hotshoe clean off. Fixation did a great job fitting a new one and the camera and flash worked fine afterwards. My old D200 probably would have suffered similar or worse damage and my old canon D30 (which the D200 replaced) would have used any excuse to fall to bits.... it was hanging together with sheer will power in the end. I would have loved to have known the shutter count!!! :)

I really do love my bodies and one will probably stay as a back-up to whatever body I get next when work put hand in pocket finally. I also like the crop factor for long lenses - pricey 300mm and 400mm lenses just aren't an option for me so aside from TCs, the crop factor is a good alternative. Just wish Nikon would do something like a D2s with the same build, updated AF maybe and a modern sensor like in the D7000.... I would have two right now :)



Ha ha - I know what you mean (have had that kind of wear on my old 20/30D canons - workhorses but ropey as hell towards the end). Aside from paint wearing and rubber grips peeling slightly, those D2x bodies of mine are as tight as the day they came out of the box and I NEVER have them serviced.... just a quick blow with a dust remover inside and a wipe on the outside with a damp cloth. I've ditched the LCD screen protectors because they're next to useless outdoors in changing light :)

People would have a heart attack if they saw inside my bag..... baccy, mud, dust, leaves, bit of nature (dead and living) - I have a real menagerie in there. I'm just lazy and at the end of the day, my kits has gone from being something amazingly precious to just something that means a lot but is there to do a job.

I keep meaning to start a D2x/xs owners thread but I fear I'd either be alone, or laughed at (or both) :lol:

Sorry OP for hi-jacking the thread!!! :thumbs:
cheers pat,
nice to hear that.
 
About 60k shutter count. A service is possibly all it needs - but i think it needs more.

Mine had to go to Nikon a few weeks ago for a hotshoe repair, and they serviced it at the same time [36k clicks] and its like a new body now, couple of new rubber grippy bits, all the nooks and crannies are clean and internals were cleaned [sensor, screen, etc] so it might be worth talking to technical about it even you opt not to do it in the end Hugh.

I have to admit I love my D700, it really is my workhorse and like Pat, it isn't cossetted, its a tool so gets looked after but not pampered.

However, here is a thing - my original D70s - totally unpampered, to the point that many round here would call 'abuse', now nearly 6 yrs old and being used by teenage daughter for her A-level photography course - absolutely sweet as a nut, every button works as it did when new, all the grips firmly stuck in place, despite this unweather sealed body having been at the mercy of inclement weather on several occasions. Not to mention the trips on to the beach, the bashing around in various handbags when I didn't want to carry a camera bag too, and now the ultimate indignation, being handed around a load of sweaty palmed teenagers to take pictures with, almost daily :lol:
 
I bought a second had Nikon D3 and was told that you cant see the shutter count, is that true?
 
I shoot a pair of d700 nikons & they are a great workhorse for my wedding photography.
 

sorry for being an idiot, I have downloaded the software, but I cant appear to be able to see the shutter count :(

the instructions say After you have downloaded and installed Opanda IExif, right click on your latest picture taken with your DSLR, then choose "View Iexif\GPS\IPTC with IExif". Scroll down until you see "Total Number of Shutter Releases for Camera" and you will get your latest DSLR shutter count value.

but when I right click on my pictures I dont get "view" I've tried in windows explorer, CS4 and LR3. Does it work with RAW?

D
 
me again! I've cracked it and opened up Opanda and did it that way, which worked, but it doesnt show the shutter count, so I'm wondering if that person was correct that you cant see the shutter count for Nikon D3's??

D
 
DEE_000 - if you have a flickr account, upload an image to your photostream and in the xif data, it should show the shuttercount. If you're on a mac, open it in Preview > tools > inspector and in one of the tabbed panels it'll show the shuttercount.
 
grrr, nope I'm afraid it doesnt (see below)

Exif data
Camera Nikon D3
Exposure 0.002 sec (1/640)
Aperture f/8.0
Focal Length 200 mm
ISO Speed 1600
Exposure Bias 0 EV
Flash No Flash
X-Resolution 300 dpi
Y-Resolution 300 dpi
Software Ver.2.02
Date and Time (Modified) 2011:08:28 21:27:00
Exposure Program Manual
Date and Time (Original) 2011:08:27 13:22:46.80+01:00
Date and Time (Digitized) 2011:08:27 13:22:46
Max Aperture Value 5.7
Subject Distance 6.68 m
Metering Mode Spot
Light Source Unknown
Sub Sec Time Original 80
Sub Sec Time Digitized 80
Sensing Method One-chip color area
CFAPattern [Red,Green][Green,Blue]
Custom Rendered Normal
Exposure Mode Manual
White Balance Auto
Digital Zoom Ratio 1
Focal Length In35mm Format 200 mm
Scene Capture Type Standard
Gain Control High gain up
Contrast Normal
Saturation Normal
Sharpness Hard
Subject Distance Range Unknown
Compression JPEG (old-style)
Viewing Conditions Illuminant Type D50
Measurement Observer CIE 1931
Measurement Flare 0.999%
Measurement Illuminant D65
XMPToolkit Adobe XMP Core 4.2-c020 1.124078, Tue Sep 11 2007 23:21:40
Creator Tool Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3.3
Lens 28.0-300.0 mm f/3.5-5.6
Lens ID 165
Image Number 18980
Approximate Focus Distance 6.68
Color Transform YCbCr
Flash Return No return detection
Flash Mode Unknown
Flash Function False
Flash Red Eye Mode False
 
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