Purchase Used D300 or new D700 - input ya'll? ;-)

[Cajungaltx]

I've got a D80 - it's working just fine, but I need to pick up a backup camera. I've been borrowing a friends when I needed it - but it's getting a bit frequent, and I'm feeling guilty. *grin*

So, I'm looking at a used D300, which I can pick up for under 1200 - or a new D700....

I'm shooting kids/family/infant/portraits.... with the occasional wedding now and again... and my oldest daughters sporting events year round.

Lenses
Nikon 80-200/2.8 ED (2 Ring)
Sigma 28-70 2.8-4 DG
Sigma 30/1.4 EX DC
Nikon 50/1.8 (loaned to MIL)
Sigma 105/2.8 (loaned to friend)

I honestly don't think I 'need' a D700...but if I'm going to drop 4 digits worth on a camera - I'd like to make the best decision possible.

I would have gotten a D40 - my husband made me get the D80, and I owe him a huge debt of gratitude...cause I'd have been very frustrated very quickly with the D40...

I don't want to do the same thing this time.

The ISO reach in the D700 makes it desirable - but it's been exceptionally rare that I've needed to jack my ISO up really high... but I've had it up a few times.

What do you think? I could upgrade to the D300 now - and in a year or year and a half upgrade again.

[Rson]

Bite the bullet and get the D700.

[zebulus]

Get a D1, youll be so glad you did :)

[c995990]

I guess it really depends on what you are going to use it for.

I got it because of the ISO capabilities and it being a full frame body and I have not regretted it one bit. Buyers remorse on this one did not last very long. :)

[srwatters]

All of your glass seems to be FX compatible, but be warned that you will begin to see the work in a different way once you jump to the FX sized sensor. This may be good (IMHO) or bad depending on the distance to your subject and the amount of detail you like in your images. Personally speaking, for people photography, I prefer the FX format in 35mm body size. You will find that your 28-70mm lens will get less use than your 80-200 if you shoot portraits or children. Your 30mm lens will seem a whole bunch wider that before.

I would vote for the D700, but that's just my way...

Have fun!

[bobcool]

The mere fact you mention the occasional wedding should tip you to the D700. You could keep the 80-200 on the D80 for the better "reach" with the 1.5 crop factor, and put the Siggy 28-70 on the D700 for those wide angle shots. You really don't have a wide angle, but the 28-70 on the full-frame D700 will give you a much larger wide angle than you're used to with the D80. Plus, you'll get some really sweet artsy cake/ring/decorations shots with the smaller DOF the D700 will produce because of the full frame sensor.

I owned a D80, then upgraded to a D300, and then finally a D700. Believe me, you will appreciate the high ISO capability when you encounter a wedding where it's dark and no flash is allowed, like a candlelight ceremony. Just do it, sell the Sigma 30 or something to help offset the higher cost of the D700.

You could also wait until after the new year and see if Nikon releases a D700s or x - maybe the used D700 market will go down in price. Something to think about...

[bgpro611]

Having both I can say you can't go wrong either way. But I was looking at some D-700 ISO 3200 shots from the weekend and man they sure looked good! So the D-700 would most likely be my choice. They are both great cameras and it is nice to have both a DX and a FX body.

[jeffkohn]

Why not get a used D700 and save a bit of cash, but still get the high-ISO performance?

BTW your 30mm is a cropped-camera lens.

[Cajungaltx]

Originally Posted by jeffkohn

Why not get a used D700 and save a bit of cash, but still get the high-ISO performance?

BTW your 30mm is a cropped-camera lens.

Haven't found one yet - HCE, and H-Co Op don't have Used D700's. H Co-Op has a used D300 for 1300 and that's with 19,000 accuations. I can buy a brand new D300S for $1499 through Best Buy.

Kind of high priced for used...

I'm leaning towards a used D300, and then mid year/later next year - picking up a D700. That'll give me a D300 backup, and full frame D700. This will only be my 2nd year in business - and I'm doing any purchases on a cash basis only, no credit. If I can't buy it/pay cash - it ain't happening. ;-)

There are a few other things that are on my 'wish list' that I want, such as pocket wizards, etc... ;-)

I may have to rethink my Christmas gift request from my husband - I told him I wanted something romantic... lol...

Thanks for the info on the 30 mm lens - I figured as much.

[bryanlindsey]

I would get the D300

I blogged about this a while ago: Professional Photography Forum | Technology vs. Skills | Pro Photo Business Forum

[Rson]

Originally Posted by bryanlindsey

I would get the D300

I blogged about this a while ago: Professional Photography Forum | Technology vs. Skills | Pro Photo Business Forum

Try but the Weddings warrant the high ISO that only a full frame sensor can deliver.

[bryanlindsey]

Originally Posted by Rson

Try but the Weddings warrant the high ISO that only a full frame sensor can deliver.

If that's the case, get the D3S. But there are other limiting factors in play.

[srwatters]

Originally Posted by bryanlindsey

I would get the D300

I blogged about this a while ago: Professional Photography Forum | Technology vs. Skills | Pro Photo Business Forum

Looking at her website galleries and knowing her from TPF, I personally believe Donna can take advantage of the D700 just as well as the D300. The additional benefits of FX might also suit her creatively. But that's just a guess...

[elliottmm]

Originally Posted by bryanlindsey

I would get the D300

I blogged about this a while ago: Professional Photography Forum | Technology vs. Skills | Pro Photo Business Forum

Bryan, this is funny... I felt the same way... Just recently I upgraded from a D60 to a D300s. I thought I was crazy for telling my self I didn't need the D700.
Besides the $$$ of the D700, I felt that I should master the D300s first before moving on... Great article!

[Cajungaltx]

Originally Posted by srwatters

Looking at her website galleries and knowing her from TPF, I personally believe Donna can take advantage of the D700 just as well as the D300. The additional benefits of FX might also suit her creatively. But that's just a guess...

Scott -

Thanks for the kind words. I've been truly blessed by all of the help/knowledge that people here on TPF, and off the forum have been willing to share with me.

Part of the reason I keep debating is this - if I go full frame - to a D700 - I know that at that point a D80 won't be satisfactory for a 2nd/backup camera. If I take the step up to a D300, then in 6 months pick up a D700, I'll have the D300 as my backup and the D700 as my primary.

Does that make sense?
Thanks,
Donna