Second Body

aquarian_light

I'm a portrait shooter, I own a D800E and use it all the time. But more and more people have been asking me to do weddings, I've had to turn them down because I haven't a backup second body. Renting equipment I'm not familiar with and not 100% confident in isn't something I'm keen on risking.
So I'm in the market for a second camera body, I'm thinking a crop sensor or possibly the new 610(that that's a little expensive for me atm.) I've been bouncing around the idea of a D7100 or a used 300s OR keeping my hopes up for the elusive 'D400' OR the new Pentax K-3 (with a convenient adaptor for k mount to f mount that I've read good things about) ORRRR even the new OMD-EM1 (though I'd like to not have to buy new lenses, it is very attractive in other ways I'll get to in a minute.) I'd like the second body to be a stark contrast (photography pun and Ironman pun) to my 800 in the main categories of speed and size. I've tried to take it out to sporting events and wildlife shoots and have been slightly disappointed by the relatively slow FPS and the similarly small buffer, even in crop mode; it is also even with the best strap money can buy a strain on my back and neck after an all day hike. The crop sensored cameras are attractive in the size and speed department, the OMD more so. The Pentax is attractive in its speed (8.8 FPS good golly thats quick) and the legendary Pentax weather sealing for hikes with fairly decent ISO and Noise for indoor weddings. But the OMD also hits 9 FPS and has been submerged in water by Kai on digital rev, yet its sensor is also much smaller( we needn't get into that, we all know the draw backs of a smaller sensor). The D7100 I know would fill the wedding shooter backup needs very well, but not so well in the other areas I want, its really in the realm of a D800 with a smaller sensor as far as the things I find lacking in the D800 (not says the D800 isn't awesome in absolutely every other way, I love it to pieces) The D300s is probably one of my best bets for a wild life and sports camera that will fit my current lenses (that wouldnt break the bank that is, I know the D4 does a million FPS for 2 million consecutive frames, just cant afford one), but it's ISO and noise performance limits it to wedding applications. So anyone who might be able to help me decide would be very much appreciated! I'm definitely currently a little stuck on the decision.

Thanks
~Aquarian

Golf007sd

Not sure where you live, but if you have access to renting a body for your shoots why not do that. When you have a job, rent the camera for a week or two and then be done with it. With the profits from the job, then save up for a second D800.

Now, if that is not an option then, your next body, given that you seek the ISO capabilities of the D800, as well as, close to the same size, the D610 is your best bet. If you are unwilling to wait for the D610, then I would look into getting a used D700....will offer great ISO performance, and fit within the same body style as the D800.

Note the reason I'm making the recommendation with going FX body: you have over looked your access to the controls on the body. The D7100 button (in fact most of the DX's) are quite different, and will require some getting used to. Thus, it is always best to have a second body that has the same function buttons so that your will not have to worry about making a mistake during a shoot.

Best wishes....

aquarian_light

I didn't really give much thought to that, glad you pointed it out. I note the ISO requirements since I have done work as the "second shooter" for several weddings just to save myself the need of having double equip. for backups, and I do very regularly at indoor weddings ad receptions shoot at 5000+ ISO. I leave the camera in manual, set the lens wide open and the shutter as slow as I feel safe for motion blur and camera shake, and leave the ISO on auto up to 6400. I feel very safe using a ISO 6400 file from my D800E, but should something happen to it (its not entirely 'beer proof' as they say) the back up needs to be able to produce at the very least fixable results. I just may have to live with the slower FPS, even with the battery grip the D800 just isn't quick enough for diving touchdowns or buzzing humming birds. A Third camera may be in order then lol

heartyfisher

I think i have mentioned this before but I know a bunch of photographers who have switched from canon and nikon to Fujifilm. Some have bought back into canikon for specific tools like specialist DC lenses and the Nikon CLS system but they are using the Fujifilm as their Main system.. so in your case it may be a good option for your back up system. There are quite a few wedding togs that use the Fujifilm due to the "Fuji colours"

spraynpray

I am surprised by the apparent lack of clarity of thought in your OP that is normally present in your posts. It seems obvious to me that the layout of the D300/s makes it the only choice for you as a 'maybe needed one day' backup body because when body number one has packed up and you have a wedding to shoot, you need a friend in your hand to save your @ss. Other considerations - sports, wildlife, BIF etc.etc. are almost irrelevant.

Elvishefer

But going over ISO 1600 on a D300s is a gamble.

aquarian_light

@Spraynpray the 'other considerations' are about 50% of my considerations. Sure theyre for personal ventures, but one could argue that personal shooting is very much important to keep your professional shooting sharp.

IF I can market myself comfortably as a sports or wildlife photographer that might be extra work for me in the future. At the moment, I can only say I'm a portrait and concert photog. With a back up camera that is ALSO better for action than my 800, I can add sports, wild life and weddings to that list. Where as if I were to just get another 800 I'd only be adding weddings. I have a nice little point and shoot (Pentax MX-1) for a portrait backup/carry around/what I call my 'family dinner camera.' It's not the best PAS but I just love that brass finish... but anyway. IF the camera can add as many topics to my list of capabilities all with one addition that would be the best.

The D300s ISO is certainly what makes me hesitate on it. The 610, and 7100 make me hesitate because they may not be fast enough to call myself a sports photographer. (The fuji also lands here.) The Oly makes me hesitate for entrance cost for body and new lenses. Which makes me kind of lean towards the Pentax K-3. I'll have to wait for some reviews on its ISO performance, but if it's decent, I can just throw my F Mount lenses on with an adaptor and call it a day. Unless the D400 comes out next week and totally trumps it...

PB_PM

How are you going to call yourself a sports photog, if the camera you use cannot even AF your lenses (K-3)?

I doubt the performance of high ISO on K-3 will be noticeably better than the D7100, since it is highly likely that it uses the same sensor.

spraynpray

@aquarian_light: I see your point, and they are also what makes the D300 or the D300s best for you IMHO. They are still in stock in the UK new at bargain prices too.

framer

When it comes to backup, whatever it takes will do. Sticking with any Nikon that WORKS with all your nikkor lenses is a big plus. Chances are it will not be needed. If you start doing a lot of weddings then get an D4. A D300s is a great camera. An older D3 could also make a great backup and do sports shooting.

framer

aquarian_light

I'd agree if D3's werent still going for $2800 o.o take out a mortgage on the car to shell out for that. I tend to bounce back and forth in my head a lot, any option is still on the table really. 300s may be the most suitable decision. just have to limit it to 1600 ISO and keep my 1.8s on it.

PB_PM

Errr, that's why he said a D3, not a D3s.

aquarian_light

notice the apostrophe, signifying plural D3 :P
D3S's are still more than 6 grand

Msmoto

D7100

heartyfisher

From what you have said.. I think the nikon1 may be an option. It has super fast autofocus system and it can use your nikkors adding the reach needed as well for sports. It also has that awesome 400 FPS ! and 15 fps with continuous focusing and subject tracking.

(PS not sure it is the best option for weddings though :-) )
(PPS : get the AW1 and you can add under water photography :-) ! )

Photobug

And another opinion for your consideration.

Option #1 Buy new or refurbished D7100
Option #2 Buy a refurbished D800. I have not seen any D800E's, but they may exist.
Option #3: Buy a new D610, they are due out this month. This goes against my normal recommendations. Typically I like to wait 3 months to see the tech reviews before buying a new model. Not sure you want to wait that long, so it's a gamble.

Good luck, let us know which way you go.

aquarian_light

I've played with the nikon 1 v2, it was a hell of a lot of fun lol but two things, 1 its not so awesome for wedding stuff, maybe as a video camera to put in the back of the ceremony and record a static vantage point while I run around shoot stills. but otherwise probably not my best choice for that. and 2, its still fairly over priced IMO. Even used, $800 is a bit steep for a 2x crop sensor. I'd probably pay $500 for a body only used 1V2, so on that I'm waiting, though when they do drop there's a 99.99999% chance I'll buy one just cause they're so blasted fun to use. throw on a couple of my fmount primes so its not ridiculously mis-balanced and go find something taking 60 frames per second of.

TaoTeJared

I don't shoot a weddings as a gig but do as a favor to family and close friends. Some other work I do pick up is in churches and similar venues though. I have a D800 (70-200 + flash) as my primary, D300 back-up, and a FujiX100 (35mm equiv) as my second body - mostly for B&W (non flash) stuff. (Although I want to upgrade it to the X100s for the AF speed.) So basically I have a 35 f/2 and a 70-200 which works really well.

Fuji IQ: The fuji is the bee's knees for high ISO IQ - especially so if you like B&W. The AF isn't that bad, but not that great either. The X100s fixes all of that. I don't ever like shooting above 1600 or 3200 at most if I can help it. I personally just shoot JPEG on it as I prefer the NR over the RAW engine in LR. Like I said I mostly just set it on B&W and use the images out of the camera. The fuji jpeg in color can be used to 3200 if minute details aren't the subject and 6400 for B&W. I have tested it extensively for the in-camera settings I like so I have to do almost zero editing with the files. I just love it's file output and don't need to do much editing at all.

Ergonomics: I don't enjoy two dslr bodies and as one always seems to find the flower girls head or smacks into something hard at the wrong time. I have a carabiner on a small cross body strap with the x100 that I clip to a belt loop (or more accurate small piece of velcro that is looped on my belt) to keep it from swinging if I'm moving around a lot. When I'm shooting I leave it un-clipped and it doesn't swing as much.

Why not D300? Honestly the Fuji iso spanks the D300 in the high iso realm. I have/will use it as a B&W only with a 85 f1/8, 50 f1.4, 35 f1.8 on it for more reach and DOF. If I do pre wedding dressing stuff I have been known to have a D800 w/50 on one shoulder (color), D300 w/85 on the other shoulder and the fuji on my neck.

Other thoughts:
-Weddings are the only time I kind of wish I had a 28mm instead of the 35mm equiv. mostly due to the churches in my area are generally quite small and a wider angle is more useful. Nikon's little aps-c body could be a good ticket to punch as well.

-The one thing that is a drawback and bonus for single focal length cameras is that you are not really invested or tempted into another system. For my X100 I bought the camera, two extra batteries, a hood, 2 filters (UV/C. Pol) and a screen protector for the back.

-DX: Shooting from about 20mm - 100mm (FX equiv) just plain sucks. I have always hated shooting in that range on a DX body due to the bad, terrible, or the WTF lenses offered in DX for that range. The DX lenses are either slow, stink at IQ, strong distortion or nikon 17-55 expensive. The only three lenses I shoot on my D300 are the 35mm f1.8, 85mm, and the 70-300vr.

-I have been really watching D700 prices and with the D610, they should drop to about $1,000 in the US. (current prices have been hovering around $1,300.) It shares the same grip and batteries from my D300 so the only cost is the body for me. FX is better DOF and it can shoot at 3200 and beat my X100 easily.

For me in my future, I will probably get the X100s (or maybe an X-pro upgrade - but the focal leaf shutter on the X100 is sweet to have) and get a used D700 as a back up and replace my D300.

With all that said, I prefer to swap lenses on my D800 because of the quality of the files. Last wedding I shot my 28-70 just sat on my camera and I had no need for anything else. The 70-200 was way too long for the small venue.

aquarian_light

@TaoTeJared I do already have a fixed lens 'Advanced P&S" Pentax MX-1, certainly not a Fuji X100 but it holds its own very well. Has a fast 1.8 lens and 16mpx. I use it a lot for outdoor portraits in the woody areas (what very few there are around, I think 2 different parks) when I don't want to carry around my massive 800. Though I haven't yet found the need to use it at an event.
You mention the D700, hadnt looked at that much. Seems that though with the vertical battery grip and crop mode D700 can spit out 8 frames a second, much better than the 800's 4 fps. I just might have to watch the prices on those as well. I've simply grown tired of missing the point in action I wanted cause I hit the shutter button a fraction of a second early and click.....click... actions over. two frames and neither is the moment I wanted. Two frames of a bird before it flies off, two frames of a figure skater one before a jump and one on the land missing the in air shot I wanted... etc etc... 4 FPS just isn't enough. Would certainly help in a wedding situation as well, most notably the kiss. It's one of the few moments in a wedding that I machine gun. and having that extra punch would certainly net me more good frames of those kinds of moments.