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Nikon D500 or used D810, D4 or D3s?
- Thread starter nikonD500
- Start date
David Pavlich
Veteran Member
I'm a fan of the D810, but finding a low shutter count model isn't going to be easy. I don't see a lot of them for sale. The D500 sounds like a terrific camera, but I'd give it some time for some of the better known reviewers to give it a go before spending the money. Remember the hiccup that was had with the D750? I would think that Nikon wouldn't allow that again, but unless you're in a big hurry, it would be worth it to wait.
David
What about the D800. I have had some experience on it and it seems exceptionally good, these are going for less than £800 with less than 60k on them as I have just found out. Which may leave me with enough cash to get some f/4 and f/2.8 zoom lenses.
Mark S Abeln
Forum Pro
Great camera, at a good price.
chipmaster
Senior Member
You should post your question on the Nikon DX PRO and FX forum, LOL.
First question will be what are the current camera's not doing for that you hope to get with an upgrade; better focus, better DR, more resolution, or better for the sake of better.
First question will be what are the current camera's not doing for that you hope to get with an upgrade; better focus, better DR, more resolution, or better for the sake of better.
sportyaccordy
Forum Pro
This is like asking, "new SUV, or used sports car, sedan or minivan"
We need something... ANYTHING.... that would indicate what you need out of a camera.
Judging by your SN it seems like you have your mind made up though.
We need something... ANYTHING.... that would indicate what you need out of a camera.
Judging by your SN it seems like you have your mind made up though.
I want more than 5fps as I occasionally shoot action. A high res but if was full-frame I would go lower than my D7100's 24mp. I also want it to be sub-£2000 (this includes the value of my 2 cameras) and if I were switching systems my budget would be slightly greater. Dynamic range is important; however not absolutely essential, it is just that I occasionally like to shoot landscapes. This is why I posted a relatively generic thread in the hope that someone would shine some light on the subject who has used some of the cameras that I mentioned.
It depends on your needs and preferences. These are very different cameras. In rough lines - D500 for birding and sports, d810 for studio and landscape, d4 and d3s for low light and situations when you need to get the shot no matter what.
sportyaccordy
Forum Pro
Doesn't sound like you shoot action often enough to warrant the change.....
D500 is crop & under 20 MP.....
Potential DR aside the lighter, higher res D7100 will be better for getting to and shooting the landscape.
D500 is a very specialized camera.... it's for people who shoot action more than anything else. Sounds like you would be better served by a D750. 6.5 FPS, full frame, smaller, lighter and cheaper than the D500.
As others have said, each of the models you mention serve a different purpose, even different from your 7200. The decision needs to be based on your photographic style and subject matter. While there is a lot of overlap, each is especially strong in specific areas.
Thom Hogan has had a couple of posts recently on deciding which model. Perhaps reviewing the criteria he lays out will help.
Thom Hogan has had a couple of posts recently on deciding which model. Perhaps reviewing the criteria he lays out will help.
You're saying you're 17 years old and want to study photography. You have D700 and D7100 and now you want to buy D4 or something so you would know where you're standing.
I think you're completely of the track. For student, d700 and d7100 are more than capable cameras, and buying d4 nor any from the list will not help you find yourself in photographic sense.
I can recommend you what I was using when I was at your age - Zorki 4 with Jupiter 50mm f2. For what you're trying to accomplish it is much better camera. I'm not trying to diss you, seriously try something analog, completely mechanical, without batteries and lightmeter... this will help you to breathe photography.
sportyaccordy
Forum Pro
I don't think it's fair or reasonable to suggest he suffer the same device you did at his age.....
But a D500 for a kid who doesn't even know what he wants to take pictures of is definitely overkill.
I'm not trying to punish OP so he must use Zorki 4, because of my trauma 
OP is in position where he should be expanding his photographic boundaries, experiment, try something completely different.
What would OP achieve with his purchase of d500? Better AF, frame rate, buffer and other technical things which make it a better camera than d300. But it is minor in his case, still it is dslr, it is still digital etc.
Zorki, if you get a fine copy, is a fine camera. For that matter it doesn't need to be zorki. Maybe he could get Leica M3, or M4, V Hasselblad, or cheaper alternative MF Yasica etc. OP should broaden his photographic perspective, this is what a pre-study of photography is about, not about having best and newest model in the market.
He will still have his d700 and d7100.
OP is in position where he should be expanding his photographic boundaries, experiment, try something completely different.What would OP achieve with his purchase of d500? Better AF, frame rate, buffer and other technical things which make it a better camera than d300. But it is minor in his case, still it is dslr, it is still digital etc.
Zorki, if you get a fine copy, is a fine camera. For that matter it doesn't need to be zorki. Maybe he could get Leica M3, or M4, V Hasselblad, or cheaper alternative MF Yasica etc. OP should broaden his photographic perspective, this is what a pre-study of photography is about, not about having best and newest model in the market.
He will still have his d700 and d7100.
You shot with a 35mm film SLR because that was the best equipment available to you at the time. My reason behind upgrading as that I want to be able to make some money as a photographer when at university. Buying a camera of the caliber of the D4, D3s, etc. will enable me to carry on using said camera after university when I am on my own and am trying to make it as a pro when I will have much less money than I have at the moment. Furthermore I have used a fully mechanical Halina rangefinder from the 60s and developed the images myself so I am aware of light manipulation, composition, etc. I learnt digital photography on a D3100 and 18-55 kit with a 70-300 AF-D (manual focus only on that camera), which was difficult; however I did produce some good images. I understand that you need to start slow with photography and then develop into faster gear; however I have already done that. And for the record every piece of camera equipment I have I have worked for myself at £5 an hour I haven't been given it to me by my parents as I know that is something that happens a lot in our days.
Thank you for you input.
Do not refer to me as a 'kid' a D500, D4, D3s, D810 and D800 are all financially accessible to me as I work incredibly hard not doing photography to be able to be in the position that I am. I have spoke to pros that have said to me 'how did you do that?' it;s not that I do not know what I want to take photographs of it's that I'm not settled yet. I know what looks good and I know how to get the shot that I want. Granted the money for someone of my age might be better spent on a car but a car doesn't show my greatest passion. Plus in my mind a D3s would be much better at picking up girls than a Citroen Saxo (even though it probably isn't). I just don't know what where my creative flare is at yet.
sportyaccordy
Forum Pro
I think he should keep his camera versatile and cheap to operate. A MF film camera will be anything but that. Honestly he should probably just stick with the cameras he has and use them to figure out what he wants to shoot. He doesn't really have a handle on why he needs a new camera when he has two perfectly good ones.I'm not trying to punish OP so he must use Zorki 4, because of my trauma
What would OP achieve with his purchase of d500? Better AF, frame rate, buffer and other technical things which make it a better camera than d300. But it is minor in his case, still it is dslr, it is still digital etc.
Zorki, if you get a fine copy, is a fine camera. For that matter it doesn't need to be zorki. Maybe he could get Leica M3, or M4, V Hasselblad, or cheaper alternative MF Yasica etc. OP should broaden his photographic perspective, this is what a pre-study of photography is about, not about having best and newest model in the market.
He will still have his d700 and d7100.
Three of us started some triangular argument, don't know why... OP has now made clear about his position. Analog MF can be had for cheap, Kiev copy of V Hassy, and zorki can be had for cheap as a copy of Leica. This is why I suggested Zorki for expanding his photographic experience. This way OP would hold his, as you said and I agree, two perfectly capable cameras. But he's been there, done that with experementing.
To OP, if you are earning a good money right now, and plan to be a pro, I suggest you put money on the side and buy a new camera when you really need it, that is later when you will know what exactly you need.
I wish you good luck, but I'm off now.
To OP, if you are earning a good money right now, and plan to be a pro, I suggest you put money on the side and buy a new camera when you really need it, that is later when you will know what exactly you need.
I wish you good luck, but I'm off now.
sportyaccordy
Forum Pro
Yep... there are pros still shooting with D700s. Pros rarely have the latest and greatest.
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