Indecision and Selling Gear

[LANCE B.]

I'm normally not married to my equipment and don't get hung on making decisions. However, I'm freaking drowning in indecision over selling some of my gear. I love, love my D3s and nothing can replicate it. Problem is, I'm only getting by with the file size as a trade for the clean files at higher ISO's. For my paid work, I shoot mostly product stills for magazines that require a two page spread and iso isn't an issue. The D7000 makes a lot of sense as a stop-gap until the new generation arrives (D4s/x or whatever) and could then be used as a solid backup. With the peak in market conditions, it's the best time to be a seller of pro Nikon gear. I could move the D3S, my 24-70, and 105 vr to free up maximum cash for new gear on the horizon. I don't really use the 24-70 all that often and the 105 (my current product shot lens) is being replaced by the 85 PC/E. So, then do I pick up a D7000 , a 35 1.8, and a 16-85 for general family snapshots, while save the rest for the next pro body iteration? I'm just having a hard time parting with this stuff, especially the D3S. If this post violates forum rules over "feeler" posts, I understand the deletion and apologize up front.

Somebody kick me in the arse and point me in the right direction, please.

[groovyone]

The 12MP isn't enough resolution? What size do you think you'd need to step up to?

[zachary]

Why do you need to upgrade? The D3s is brand new.

This is why I stopped shooting digital. It comes with this inner need to constantly upgrade your body.

[jeffclow]

You have some sweet gear, but I concur - if you were planning to sell it this year, right now would be the time before the new Nikon full frames come out and the D3s drops in value.

The D7000 is a fine piece of equipment, but nowhere near the D3s. And of course it is DX and not FX - which would make your 85mm not quite as useful.

Probably boils down to money and time. If you want to get the best dollar for your used camera, the time is right. But if you want the best Nikon full frame camera money can buy, you already have one that comes darn close to that descriptor.

[LANCE B.]

Both good questions. Editors want us to shoot wide and leave plenty of negative space for copy and cropping. 12 MP is bare minimum these days. The 16MP gets just a tad more but it's really just a stop-gap until a high resolution D800 or D4 arrives and would the be a back up or telephoto setup. Again, the D3s is an incredible tool and extremely versatile. It's just a bit wanting for resolution in the publisher's and editor's eyes. I would love to keep it as a backup and just add the new body but the dollars don't work out.

[zachary]

Originally Posted by LANCE B.

Both good questions. Editors want us to shoot wide and leave plenty of negative space for copy and cropping. 12 MP is bare minimum these days. The 16MP gets just a tad more but it's really just a stop-gap until a high resolution D800 or D4 arrives and would the be a back up or telephoto setup. Again, the D3s is an incredible tool and extremely versatile. It's just a bit wanting for resolution in the publisher's and editor's eyes. I would love to keep it as a backup and just add the new body but the dollars don't work out.

Okay, that I can understand.

If you want crazy resolution, go medium format,lol

[LANCE B.]

Jeff, you've got it exactly. It's why I'm so torn.

The depreciation eats your lunch in bodies and unfortunately, gear matters to some editors/publishers. Some say you have to "look" like a pro. Nonsense but there is some truth to it. I digress....sorry.

[groovyone]

Tough call. I'd probably make due with your current gear until the replacement comes.

[LANCE B.]

Zachary, I agree. MF is still where it's at....I just can't afford it on the peanuts I earn doing this thing.

[shnitz]

I don't feel that this is a feeler post, as you aren't soliciting for someone to buy your stuff. Selling the D3s now makes sense, if you can get close to your asking price for it, as does selling the 24-70 and 105. What do you mean that you're only getting by with the file size? Do you mean that they're too big to deal with, or that they don't have the pixel density/resolution that you want?

Why do you think the D7000 makes a good stopgap? It's a great camera, but the money that you will lose on buying the D7000, 16-85, and 35mm, and then reselling them for a D4s, will heavily offset the money you "make" by selling the D3s right now, as opposed to when the next model comes out. If you want to save money, then sell off your equipment, and plan for the future. Which lens will you be using on a D4s? I would say to get that lens now, even if you get a DX body. Just give up shooting on the wide end for snapshots for a while. The D90, while not as cool as the D7000, has very respectable image quality and is on pretty deep discount right now ($800 vs $1,200).

The problem with using the D7000 as a backup is that it doesn't take the same battery and memory card as a D3, D4, etc.

[LANCE B.]

Thanks, Ariel. I would end up keeping the D7000 as I really should have a backup and could hold off on the new gear until prices start to be discounted. I totally agree that it doesn't make an ideal backup due to cards, batteries, and that it's DX. I'll likely just hold off on the sale as I have so far but the market conditions really spurred my hair-brained noggin to torture myself.

PS. You make a good point about the D90. It's still a great camera.

[LANCE B.]

Ariel, sorry I forgot to answer your other questions. The files can be up-rezzed to meet the larger file size needs but the extra step and interpolation isn't making them happy. I wouldn't sweat it if I wasn't hearing about it. 12 MP perfectly suits most needs. The 85 PC/E is my lens of choice for paid gigs and, like you said, I could just hold out on the wide end. Or pick up a 16-35 that would be useful for the future body. I just want a 14-24, lol.

I know I'm vacillating a ton and that is an indication a move isn't necessary.

[shnitz]

Oh, if you're going to keep it, then by all means. Just work it out, monetarily. You're going to get about $3,500 for your camera right now. A D7000 body, 35mm lens, and 16-85 will set you back $2,000 not including any extra batteries, cards, grip, etc. Is there any feature advantage you want for the D7000, or will the pixel density help you in the office?

How much do you expect the D3s to drop in price in, let's say, a year? It will probably still be above $2,500 so you won't really be saving money by going to the D7000. What you might get is greater pixel density, if you really need it.

[zachary]

Or, or, you COULD, since megapickles are the most important factor here. Sell the D3s, buy a Sony A850:

Sony Digital A850 24.6 MEGAPIXEL WITH BATTERY & CHARGER (CF CARD, MEMORY STICK PRO DUO) , DIGITAL SLR INTERCHANGEABLE LENS CAMERA - KEH.com

And maybe a macro lens?
Minolta Maxxum 50 F2.8 MACRO (55) ENGRAVED 35MM SLR AUTO FOCUS STANDARD ANGLE LENS - KEH.com

Full frame, and 24mp. Its a thought.

[rfortson]

I can't believe 12mp from a D3s isn't enough resolution. I'm not doubting you, but rather the editors that think they need it. Magazines aren't that big compared to large art prints.