Decided to (possibly) go FX! Help?

Fredericko

@racheldistad

I have a D600 and I would highly recommend it. Its ISO performance is a stellar. I would get a brand new though not a refurb so that you will have the full one year warranty in case you encounter the dust problem. I had mine sent to nikon with free shipping and when it came back I never had a dust problem again. I think nikon already fixed this issue. I bought mine last Dec. so I guess the new batch are already "fixed" thus the more reason to buy a new one over a refurb.

Golf007sd

@racheldistad: Ok, my time to chime in on this topic. My recommendation given your type of photography: D800, very nice stable carbon fiber tripod, Nikon 14-24 2.8.

Happy shopping

racheldistad

Hmm. I think I'm going to try both out, in a shop, cause ill never really know unless I try. No? Haha. Leaning toward the d800, though

sevencrossing

Leaning toward the d800, though blockquote>

you are very unlikely to regret buying a D800

racheldistad

Exactly, whereas I know if I got the d600, I would still lust after the d800.. Also, today I am trading in my 35mm for a 50mm slowly looking at lenses first, and saving up each payday for the camera, so I should have (at least) some better lenses by the end of the summer, which is good.

Rx4Photo

I just read your 2nd post of the first page of this thread. If you've held the D800 and really liked it and eventually bought the D600, you'll probably keep a small bit if "wish and want" in your mind for the D800. That's what happened to me after I got a D7000 and then went to a local camera store and held a D700. It took a year and a half but eventually I got the D800 and I DO feel more settled in my mind for getting it..

PB_PM

I agree with this sentiment. Buy the camera you really want, first (if you have the money) rather than buying lower end cameras, and then buying the higher end one later. Doing so is just a waste of money, and can lead to unnecessary frustration.

racheldistad

Indeed, after currently changing lenses etc., it makes me want to buy the d800, especially after holdin it today.. It's a total beast, but I know that I'll regret anything else and I'll enjoy growing into it at least I've reached a conclusion! This threads been fab, thanks

Msmoto

@racheldistad

Excellent decision. Of course, now you will need the glass for the front end.

Some have called this NAS.....Nikon Acquisition Syndrome.....per RCP

You will be amazed by the D800...

Golf007sd

I totally agree in buying things that have that sweet taste in your mouth.....never settle for anything else. Go with your heart....save, plan, then when you are ready: execute!

Cheers

racheldistad

Haha thank you both

Wesley

Yes, fx lenses work on the d3100, it crops them automatically, which is good, as it means I can switch back to dx if I choose to. The problem with the d3100 is I feel limited by the lack of control and the iso isn't the best, which means my photos keep being fairly noisy, I want a flash to see of that makes a difference, if not then I'm tempted by the d800. Although I admit the d7100 is more tempting than the d600 in terms of features.. Hope that makes sense!

Get a used, mint condition D300S or D700. Cheapest way for all the control you want.
For new, I would suggest D7100.
However, I don't understand how the D3100 would be lacking in control for nightscape. You can change shutter/aperture/ISO on the fly with that camera but the high ISO is a legit complaint.

A D3 is and was a good camera. But right now it's obsolete technology.
Both the D4 and D800 offer far superior sensor technology.

Obsolete tech? No, it's a DSLR like a D4/D800.
I don't think most people can tell if a picture was shot with D3 vs D4/D800 so it shouldn't be far superior.

JJ_SO

Depends on the picture, Wesley. If there's enough difficult light situation in, most people will see a difference The newer sensors do have a bigger EV-range.

nikon_jonathanbruce

I'm new here and bought the D7100 last June. Now I'm considering going FX as well, I have discovered my Sigma lens is Full Frame (70-300 DG). In the UK I haves noticed very good deals on both the D610 and D800, and I am pondering trading in my D7100. Would love to know people's opinion on this!

Golf007sd

If you have not taken over 10,000 shots with your D7100, you should really wait. Put the funds toward good FX lenses so that when you do go FF you will have a better understand of how the lens works best for your type of photography.

The D7100 is an exaptional body...master it's use.

sevencrossing

In the UK I haves noticed very good deals on both the D610 and D800,

The D800 is IMHO one of the best cameras in the world
so if you can get a good deal on a D800 that would be my choice
but to fully benefit from a d800 you do need some first class glass (eg Nikon's 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED vr)
if buying a D800 compromises your glass budget then may be the D610
To edit the D800 RAW files a fast computer with something like i7 , 12 GB Ram with 1 or 2 TB of hard drive is nice

TaoTeJared

I'm with @Golf007sd, too many move to FX without the lenses to take advantage of the camera. Build up lenses first, than the body. That is of course unless you can buy FX glass.

Realistically the Sigma 70-300 DG is not a great lens, and you will get no added benefit of moving to FX with it.

sevencrossing

Realistically the Sigma 70-300 DG is not a great lens, and you will get no added benefit of moving to FX with it.

+1
You would get much better IQ putting the 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED vr on your D7100
than putting your Sigma on a D800

Photobug

Hi, basically it would be great, if someone, anyone could explain the main pros and cons of both the d600 and d800.. I'm leaning towards saving for the d800, as the price difference between them in the UK isn't that much. I'd like a camera that will age better than my current d3100, meaning I'd like to invest on
Y if its worth it, and a camera that I can have for the next 3/4+ years. I'm also open to lens or other camera body suggestions, any help is appreciated

There are lots of good recommendations for you in the above so I won't repeat any of this but will leave you a few options to consider.

1. A lot of us gave up on the D400 and have moved on to the D7100 (DX) and D600/D610 or D800/D800E. I would NOT wait for that mythical camera. When you get ready to buy, if it's not there, and it won't, then move on and buy the camera you want and get out and take pictures.
2. My suggestion is that you consider the D610, D800, and D800E. Forget the D600. The price has dropped on the D600 and will continue to drop. My local dealer can't sell what he has in stock. If you want to spend time to clean the sensor buy the D600, just remember buying the D600 has a probability that your going to have oil or dust issues on the sensor.
3. Finally, if you are going to Full Frame buy good glass and don't buy cheap glass. If you take the time and read many of the forums here you will learn what is really good and what is good.
4. I just went through an exhaust study of the 24-70mm F2.8 and the 24-120mm F4 lenses. Yes you can save money and get the 24-120mm lens. It's sharp and there are lots of users here. However, when it came to ergonomics, I could shoot vertically faster with the 24-70 than the 24-120 lens. I was lucky that the Nikon representative at an expo let me use both for an hour while I made my decision. The 24-70 and the 70-200mm have the zoom collar in the same position. The 24-120 has the zoom collar pushed to the front of the lens. When I am shooting I want to change lens and continue shooting without having to stop and think where is the zoom ring. Recommendation...spend the extra bucks for the 24-70mm. Yes, I brought home my memory card and compared pictures taken with both lens.

Who every said set aside $5K to spend in the first year was correct. The cost of entry is high but it's worth it.

If that $5K is stretching your budget, then wait for the D7200 in August or September and buy one and again, don't buy cheap lens. You can use full frame lens on the DX body and when you move to full frame your glass will be ready. Any DX lens you have can be used in DX mode on a full frame body. Good luck with your decision process.

Pierre

Do no know if anyone mentioned this but one advantage I enjoy with the D800 vs newer ones is that the CS5 photoshop can understand the D800 nef.

As for lenses I find the Nikkor 24-70 F2.8 to be the lense I endup using 95% of the time. I could not live without it.

sevencrossing

< The 24-70 and the 70-200mm have the zoom collar in the same position. The 24-120 has the zoom collar pushed to the front of the lens. When I am shooting I want to change lens and continue shooting without having to stop and think where is the zoom ring.

A very good point and one you will only discover by trying both lenses

however with the 24 -120 you have to change lenses less often. This is vital for me, as I often work in hostile conditions, were changing lenses is difficult or impossible
As you say, the important thing is, buy good glass and both lenses are good

nikon_jonathanbruce

In the UK I haves noticed very good deals on both the D610 and D800,

The D800 is IMHO one of the best cameras in the world
so if you can get a good deal on a D800 that would be my choice
but to fully benefit from a d800 you do need some first class glass (eg Nikon's 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED vr)
if buying a D800 compromises your glass budget then may be the D610
To edit the D800 RAW files a fast computer with something like i7 , 12 GB Ram with 1 or 2 TB of hard drive is nice

I'm going to trade in both lens and also the D7100. I can hopefully get the 24-85 as well as the nikon 70-300 although not sure whether the 28-300 is a good lens to have on the d800 instead. A friend has that 28-300 on his d4, but he is a Pro. Computer wise I have more than enough power, got a new MacbookPro Retina i7 15" and the New MacPro x8.

haroldp

The D800 may not be the perfect or optimum choice for all possible circumstances, but it is for most of them and is never wrong.
Pro body
15mp DX
36mp FX

. etc.

sevencrossing

A friend has that 28-300 on his d4, but he is a Pro. .

This is a popular combination with Press photographers but the 28 -300 is not going to get the best out of your D800

for up to 200mm the 70 -200 f 4 is probably the cheapest quality option

over 200mm, quality zooms and most primes tend to get expensive

the new 80 -400 is pricy but much cheaper than the 200 -400 f 4

TaoTeJared

I'm going to trade in both lens and also the D7100. I can hopefully get the 24-85 as well as the nikon 70-300 although not sure whether the 28-300 is a good lens to have on the d800 instead. A friend has that 28-300 on his d4, but he is a Pro.

The last vacation I took I personally wished I had the 28-300vr. I'm a working pro and I already had the 24-120vr & 70-200 and couldn't justify buying one $1,100 lens just for one trip. If I wasn't in need of the wider apertures and just wanted one lens, that would be a great one to have. I have seen many Nikon Pros use that lens as their travel lens. The 24-85vr and 70-300vr are good option as well if you don't mind swapping lenses.