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Nikon d4s or d780 second hand at the same price

Nikon d4s or d780 second hand at the same price

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Vaughan de Grave

Vaughan de Grave

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I shoot a variety of subjects but with a weighting on sports and wildlife. For wildlife the higher resolution of the d780 would be helpful whereas for sports the high framerate of the d4s would be particularly helpful with all considered I'm struggling to make a decision. I've shot on a d3s for the last few years and only found it lacking in resolution and focusing accuracy. My worries with the d780 are wether I could go back to a smaller less well built body and the low frame rate whereas wiith the d4s I worry about the resolution and wether the af system is improved significantly enough over the d3s.
 
Wildlife move faster than humans playing sports but the extra mp would be useful for wildlife you can't get close enough to.
 
Vaughan de Grave said:
I shoot a variety of subjects but with a weighting on sports and wildlife.
Click to expand...
That's exactly what the D500 was built for. The focus system is amazing, and you get a high fps and nearly unlimited buffer with an XQD card, which means you get more subject poses to choose from. It's nice to be able to pick out the best moment.

Are you ruling it out because it's not an FX body, or had you not considered it?

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Last edited:
I love the d500, however, I need exceptional high ISO performance to be able to raise my shutter speed to the required level for BIF and low light sports, I would definately consider one as a second body for wildlife in daylight.
 
I'm going to sound like an elitist and I don't care... you won't get any keepers with the D780. Crop all you want.

The D3-series had slow AF. All cameras did back then when compared to modern cameras.

Honestly save up for a used D5. You won't be sorry...
 
For what you want to shoot, you won't go wrong with a D4s. If you're in the US where you can pick up a used D5 for about a $1000 more than a D4s, maybe a used D5. In Canada the spread is about $2500, and I'm very happy with my D4s anyway.
 
I would get a D4s over a D780 for the same price all day long.
 
Do you crop your D3s photos much? If not, the D4s would be my rec. If you do frequently crop your photos to APS-C size or smaller, a D500 would be my rec. The D780 isn't a sports or wildlife body. If you like the way the D3s feels in your hands, the controls, the ability to switch seamlessly between landscape and portrait orientation, then you might find the D780 a bit frustrating. A D4s or D500 will deliver a user experience more similar to that of the D3s.
 
I agree with TO and Carl. The D4s is hands down the better buy for your stated uses.
 
As has been stated, either a D500 (though you’re right about high iso) or a D4s is the best choice for your uses. I think a D4s will retain value better too
 
D4s is no brainer at $1500 or less - $2000
 
"I need exceptional high ISO performance to be able to raise my shutter speed to the required level for BIF and low light sports, I would definitely consider one as a second body for wildlife in daylight."

Hi!

I agree with the post by JTatyosian:



"Honestly save up for a used D5. You won't be sorry.."

For your stated purpose of low light sports and birds in flight, I'd suggest getting a well cared for used D5.

I have a D4 and a D5.

Haven't used a D4s or D780.

Yes, for many types of shooting, there's not a whole lot to be gained by using a D5 over a D780, D4, or D4s.

But or BIF and low light sports, I have found that the D5's better high ISO performance and especially its better autofocus are clearly superior to the D4/4S

Also, regarding your concerns about resolution, the D5 sensor is 20.7 MP compared the the D4's 16.2 MP





If you find that you are frequently cropping a lot, then a higher resolution sensor on a camera that's designed for sports and wildlife. (e.g. D500, D850) and/or longer gla$$.

Best Regards,

RB

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Last edited:
RBFresno said:
"I need exceptional high ISO performance to be able to raise my shutter speed to the required level for BIF and low light sports, I would definitely consider one as a second body for wildlife in daylight."

Hi!

I agree with the post by JTatyosian:

"Honestly save up for a used D5. You won't be sorry.."

For your stated purpose of low light sports and birds in flight, I'd suggest getting a well cared for used D5.

I have a D4 and a D5.

Haven't used a D4s or D780.

Yes, for many types of shooting, there's not a whole lot to be gained by using a D5 over a D780, D4, or D4s.

But or BIF and low light sports, I have found that the D5's better high ISO performance and especially its better autofocus are clearly superior to the D4/4S

Also, regarding your concerns about resolution, the D5 sensor is 20.7 MP compared the the D4's 16.2 MP





If you find that you are frequently cropping a lot, then a higher resolution sensor on a camera that's designed for sports and wildlife. (e.g. D500, D850) and/or longer gla$$.

Best Regards,

RB
Click to expand...
I bought a pristine used D5 and put it through its paces and ultimately returned it. I couldn't justify the expense for what in my opinion was marginal improvement for my purposes. For me, it would not be worth double the price of a good used D4s.
 
scokill said:
RBFresno said:
"I need exceptional high ISO performance to be able to raise my shutter speed to the required level for BIF and low light sports, I would definitely consider one as a second body for wildlife in daylight."

Hi!

I agree with the post by JTatyosian:

"Honestly save up for a used D5. You won't be sorry.."

For your stated purpose of low light sports and birds in flight, I'd suggest getting a well cared for used D5.

I have a D4 and a D5.

Haven't used a D4s or D780.

Yes, for many types of shooting, there's not a whole lot to be gained by using a D5 over a D780, D4, or D4s.

But or BIF and low light sports, I have found that the D5's better high ISO performance and especially its better autofocus are clearly superior to the D4/4S

Also, regarding your concerns about resolution, the D5 sensor is 20.7 MP compared the the D4's 16.2 MP





If you find that you are frequently cropping a lot, then a higher resolution sensor on a camera that's designed for sports and wildlife. (e.g. D500, D850) and/or longer gla$$.

Best Regards,

RB
Click to expand...
I bought a pristine used D5 and put it through its paces and ultimately returned it. I couldn't justify the expense for what in my opinion was marginal improvement for my purposes. For me, it would not be worth double the price of a good used D4s.
Click to expand...
Hi!



You have a lot of terrific top level sports photos in your gallery with a D4.

I don’t doubt that the D5 might not be worth it for you.

Like most of your excellent examples in your gallery, I also try to use my D4 at ISO 3200 or less.

For some of my particular needs, the D5’s benefit for me was being able to use ISO’s >3200 for BIF, especially since I was often shooting a 500pf/TC 14E III at 700mm f/8.

For most of my other uses, the Difference between my D4 snd D5 would be less significant to insignificant:























I’m not sure that any of the above would have been much better had they been captured with a D5: Adequate light and larger subjects to focus on than flying birds

However the OP specifically mentioned BIF and low light, hence my D5 suggestion.

Budget is certainly more of factor for some more than others. I’ll leave that to the OPs discretion.

Best Regards,



RB

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RBFresno said:
scokill said:
RBFresno said:
"I need exceptional high ISO performance to be able to raise my shutter speed to the required level for BIF and low light sports, I would definitely consider one as a second body for wildlife in daylight."

Hi!

I agree with the post by JTatyosian:

"Honestly save up for a used D5. You won't be sorry.."

For your stated purpose of low light sports and birds in flight, I'd suggest getting a well cared for used D5.

I have a D4 and a D5.

Haven't used a D4s or D780.

Yes, for many types of shooting, there's not a whole lot to be gained by using a D5 over a D780, D4, or D4s.

But or BIF and low light sports, I have found that the D5's better high ISO performance and especially its better autofocus are clearly superior to the D4/4S

Also, regarding your concerns about resolution, the D5 sensor is 20.7 MP compared the the D4's 16.2 MP





If you find that you are frequently cropping a lot, then a higher resolution sensor on a camera that's designed for sports and wildlife. (e.g. D500, D850) and/or longer gla$$.

Best Regards,

RB
Click to expand...
I bought a pristine used D5 and put it through its paces and ultimately returned it. I couldn't justify the expense for what in my opinion was marginal improvement for my purposes. For me, it would not be worth double the price of a good used D4s.
Click to expand...
Hi!

You have a lot of terrific top level sports photos in your gallery with a D4.

I don’t doubt that the D5 might not be worth it for you.

Like most of your excellent examples in your gallery, I also try to use my D4 at ISO 3200 or less.

For some of my particular needs, the D5’s benefit for me was being able to use ISO’s >3200 for BIF, especially since I was often shooting a 500pf/TC 14E III at 700mm f/8.

For most of my other uses, the Difference between my D4 snd D5 would be less significant to insignificant:









I’m not sure that any of the above would have been much better had they been captured with a D5: Adequate light and larger subjects to focus on than flying birds

However the OP specifically mentioned BIF and low light, hence my D5 suggestion.

Budget is certainly more of factor for some more than others. I’ll leave that to the OPs discretion.

Best Regards,

RB
Click to expand...
Those are great photos! Usually more attributable to the person behind the camera vs. gear....all things being equal :) I get what you are saying. The case could be made for sure...especially if one had the budget.
 
D850 combines a lot of the better aspects of both.
 
After evaluating both with separate YouTube comparisons against the D850... I saw the light... will be opting for a slightly used (or refurbished) D850. That 'unfiltered' 46 megapixel sensor being the first camera to score ONE HUNDRED at DXOMark got my attention... and will get my money.

 
For my purposes 7 fps is too slow and 9 fps with the grip renders the buffer far too small otherwise it would definately have been my choice.
 
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