Greetings, I'm currently using a D300s, which I love, but I'm looking to go full frame. My question is, would you go with a used D700 or would you go for the D800? I'm into landscapes and architecture, and travel photography. I like the 700 because it shares batteries and a grip with my D300s. I know it's a great camera. The D800 sounds intriguing, but I'm a little hesitant of the 36 megapixels. Storage and processing of really large RAW files. I don't really care about video. Would just like to hear from some of the users who may have both. What are your thoughts? Regards

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What kind of lenses, memory cards and computer do you presently have?

Tristan

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I have a few DX lenses, primarily use my 17-55 f/2.8. also have a 70-200 f/2.8, 70-300, looking to buy a 14-24 and 24-70 both f/2.8's. Memory cards go from 8gig to 16 gig (multiple of them) would probably get a few 32 gig.

computer is currently a maxed out MacBook Pro with 8gb RAM.

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Your f/2.8 zoom lenses will perform very well on either camera. I have a D700 which is an outstanding camera and I see no compelling reason to change to a D800 at the present time.

On the other hand, if I were to change from DX to FX at this time, I might consider getting a D800. After all, the D700 was released over four years ago. However, if you want to save some money, you should consider a good used D700 and save yourself $1000 or more. Apparently, Nikon might be releasing a lower priced "D600" within the next few months which might be the right camera for you. Likewise, should you decide to get a D800, it would be wise to wait a couple of months, since Nikon apparently still has to fix some AF problems with this model.

If you process D800 files in PS or LR, 8GB RAM might be marginal, 12 or 16GB would be much better.

Tristan

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>If you process D800 files in PS or LR, 8GB RAM might be
>marginal, 12 or 16GB would be much better.

I'm using a 1st generation 27" iMac with an I7 processor and 8 GB of memory. It handles the D800 raw files just fine, as long as I do not try to edit more than 10 images at a time.

Paul

I had a D300 in the past and now have a D700 and D800. First thing I must warn you about your idea of sharing batteries. Back when I got my D700, I never ever used my D300 again. Not even once. So I sold it. If I had gone from the D300 to D800, of course it would have been no different.

Now between these two FX cameras it's a bit different, they are both superb. The D800 is better, not surprisingly, but I still enjoy using my D700 and will be keeping it forever. When I look at my D800 files on the computer, I'm blown away, even straight from the camera. But with a little processing, the D700 can come pretty close in practical use. Case in point: 2 weeks ago, Adorama had a print sale, $5 for each 16x20 print. So I ordered a bunch of them, taken over the last half year. When they came in, I could for the life of me not figure out which ones were taken with the D700 vs. D800. I had to go back to the computer and look at the EXIF.

So, if you must have the latest toys to play with (like I do), go with the D800. If all you want is make good prints and photos, the D700 is plenty good enough, and will remain so for a very long time. I love mine.

Tom
Bay Area Nikonian

http://www.tkphoto.me/

Get a D800 or D800E and dont look back. The D800 is Hands down a better camera in every way, then the D700 IMO.

I've had mine 4ish months , I do a lot of post processing . Coming from the 200 / 300 its been a slow WOW for me . Like you ... the whole different battery , another card choice , big files , New style USB cable , couldn't edit 800 NEF files with my current software was a bit of a turn off .

Once you get lightroom 4 or NX working on the 800 NEF files , its fine . Some of the cheaper FX glass is best , the 50 mm and 85 mm are must have . Till you do ... the DX lenses work.

You end up with SDHC cards because they are about $30 for 32 GB or under . They seem easy to lose . I keep pushing them into my DVD drive on the iMac as the reader is 1/4 " below it . I would get an extra hard drive to store files as the common D300 8GB CF card
needs to be 32 GB now .

The computer slows a bit on HDR conversions and sharpening . I have 8 GBs of ram
really not too bad .I had one file the other day a few layers and post processing filters
258MB one file . That being said , the jpgs aren't bad little 9 - 13 mb files , 39 - 40 MB for raw depending on the compression . I guess the dynamic range is the biggest WOW

Hans K.

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I have decided today to sell my D800 & Buy back a D700-Miss it that much!


Art is the only way to run away without leaving home.



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D800 sure produces some really nice but really large files. Editing those files on my 8GB 27" iMac with NX2 is significantly slower than the raw images out of my D200. But, not unbearably slow. There are other photo editors that will process those NEFs faster (just not fast!).

Being able to store your images on a SDHC card is a really nice feature since the MACs have the SD card Reader built in them. It is nice to be able to just pull the SD out of the camera and stick it into the side of the computer to upload the images.

If you even think that you might want to do video with the DSLR, then the D800 is definitely the way to go. That one feature pushed me over the precipice to buy the D800. I was wanting to buy an FX. The D4 was out of reach and the D700 was a little old, was far as I was concerned. Now the rumor mill has it that Nikon is fixing to come out with a D600, which might be an option.

The D700 is an outstanding camera - even today.

Do you make large prints larger than 16 x 20 often? Do you need the small additional dynamic range boost of the D800/E over the D700? Does the D800/E offer you something the D700 does not? Do you need the ability to bring out more detail from the shadows more so than you your current camera? Do you want the ability to do significant cropping? Do you want or need extreme detail? If you answered yes to one or more of the questions then the D800/E might be the camera for you.


Could you use the extra $800+ dollar difference in price between the D700 and D800/E for something else? Does the D700 offer all the options you want? Are most of your images viewed on the web or on your monitor? Do you typically print photos at less than 16 x 20? One or more yes answers to these suggestion the D700 maybe a better choice.

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I had a D700. Bought a D7000, D700 gone. Bought a D800, D7K gone. Don't worry about what people think if you want the best pictures go with the D800. One thing I will say make sure you have a basket full of "GOOD" lens. It does make a difference.

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I look at it like this: sooner or later you will want the D800. Don't waste your time. Just do it!

Larry Miller, Annapolis, MD
D700/D800
http://www.pbase.com/lmmiller9
http://lmmillerphotography.smugmug.com/

I moved from D300s to D800. I too thought about the D700 but decided to get the camera with newer technology. If I had to make the decision again I would still get the D800 over the D700.

I was a proud owner of d700. Took me a while getting used to d800 but now I am so happy I switched. better dynamic range, much better colors (has larger database to choose from for exposure and color control. No focus issues, love the high resolution though it can be humbling if I am a bit sloppy with camera shake or not focusing the right point - i have to remember "flaws" are high res too.

Love the camera. check out some of the posts here on picture samples

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Thanks to all for your replies. I haven't made a decision yet. Actually, I think I'll start a different post - D600 or D800 ?

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For what its worth I recently ran one of those entitled 'Help deciding' under the D600 forum category. Being new I learned a lot and forum members were very helpful.

Dan

Go D800.
I went from D200 and D300 to D800; I am blown away by the D800s features. The only thing I miss on the D800 is a higher fps but I've adjusted my trigger happy finger to slow down.
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Just posted this under my other post, but thought I would add it here too...

Thanks for the insights. I went to look at both cameras today. They were both nice and will appeal to many different people. For me, I treat most things in life like I do golf. As an avid golfer I am very particular with how golf clubs look when I am looking down at them, but more importanly I am concerned with how clubs feel. How does the ball feel coming off the club head. That is the most important things to me. I play softer balls because they feel better etc etc.

With that said, having a D300's I can honestly say the D800 felt better in my hands. I'm used to buttons being in a certain location after having a D200 and now a 300s. The 600 felt small in my hands (definitely would need a grip), and I absolutely hated the configuration of the controls. Yeah, I'm ruined I guess. But, unless something changes, I'm probably going for the 800.

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