Used D3 over a used D500?

Same question I asked myself a while back, and ended up going for a D3S.

Ergonomically a joy, beautiful build, truly lovely files (with an edge at high ISO) and generally tremendous value.

But....but....I think the sensible choice is the D500, for AF and cropability.

And then start saving for a 400 2.8, if it's tweety birds you do

ETA If you do go D3, make it an S, they really are better. And might it be worth waiting until Z9 starts shipping to see if D5 prices drop? Best of both worlds there...

Dweeble said:

Same question I asked myself a while back, and ended up going for a D3S.

Ergonomically a joy, beautiful build, truly lovely files (with an edge at high ISO) and generally tremendous value.

But....but....I think the sensible choice is the D500, for AF and cropability.

And then start saving for a 400 2.8, if it's tweety birds you do

ETA If you do go D3, make it an S, they really are better. And might it be worth waiting until Z9 starts shipping to see if D5 prices drop? Best of both worlds there...

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That's a really valuable and sensible piece of advice. Thanks a ton.

Maybe a D3 for stills but for birds I’d definitely suggest a D500. It’s still the best crop camera ever made, AF is terrific and you need the DX reach.

But 400mm for birds just isn’t enough. You need at least 500 so get the Nikon 200-500 or one of the aftermarket superzooms that go to 600. Better yet save up for the Nikon 500 PF, the best long tele out there that you can still comfortably hand hold.

AnyISO said:

I suspect this might have been asked before but I'm unable to track such a thread and hence asking this question.

I shoot wildlife and birds mainly with the 200-500. I currently own the D7200 but wanted to upgrade mainly for the need of a higher FPS - the 6fps of the D7200. Also the wait time for the buffer to empty while shooting bursts is a limiting factor (I shoot 12 bit raw and after about 20 frames, the camera slows down)

Hence my choice was to upgrade to the D500. The D500 (used) is available for about $1000/$1100. While a D3 is available for about half. Its full frame, offers 9fps and the 12mp output more than suffices my needs. Plus the inbuilt vertical grip is an added advantage when it comes to vertical compositions.

Having rented a D500 over a weekend, I was quite bowled over it. However the D3 being a much older model is not available for renting where I live. Hence the question

a) will it be worth spending the extra bucks on a D500 over the D3.

b) What about the autofocus and tracking of a D3 - I found the D500 to be exceptional with group focus tracking (d9) which helped me to nail a lot of shots.

Thanks much in advance for your replies.

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The D500 gives the basic D3 a run for its money. It is a more recent design. But also, to match the "reach" you now get from your 200-500 lens on the D3, you will need a 300-750 lens.


JC
Some cameras, some lenses, some computers

AnyISO said:

...

I shoot wildlife and birds mainly with the 200-500. I currently own the D7200 but wanted to upgrade mainly for the need of a higher FPS - the 6fps of the D7200. Also the wait time for the buffer to empty while shooting bursts is a limiting factor (I shoot 12 bit raw and after about 20 frames, the camera slows down)

Hence my choice was to upgrade to the D500. The D500 (used) is available for about $1000/$1100. While a D3 is available for about half. ...

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Well, you are asking in a DX forum. I did never own a D3, but a D90 with a sensor of the same generation. The sensor of the D500 is vastly better and the AF module is exceptionally good, offering focus points all over the frame. Additionally, the D3 will set you back to 5MP for the DX crop you are used to.

How's D4 or D4s prices? I'd take a D4s over the D500, and I own both.

Also, someone suggested D5 prices dropping when the Z9 comes out. Seeing that you're talking of spending around $1100, when the D5 s drop to $1100, pick me up 2 and I'll give you $1500 each for them.

T O Shooter said:

How's D4 or D4s prices? I'd take a D4s over the D500, and I own both.

Also, someone suggested D5 prices dropping when the Z9 comes out. Seeing that you're talking of spending around $1100, when the D5 s drop to $1100, pick me up 2 and I'll give you $1500 each for them.

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For birds & wildlife with 200-500?

Ruekon said:

T O Shooter said:

How's D4 or D4s prices? I'd take a D4s over the D500, and I own both.

Also, someone suggested D5 prices dropping when the Z9 comes out. Seeing that you're talking of spending around $1100, when the D5 s drop to $1100, pick me up 2 and I'll give you $1500 each for them.

Click to expand...

For birds & wildlife with 200-500?

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From the OP

" shoot wildlife and birds mainly with the 200-500." and "a D3 is available for about half. Its full frame, offers 9fps and the 12mp output more than suffices my needs."

He didn't say he needed the crop factor.

T O Shooter said:

He didn't say he needed the crop factor.

Click to expand...

A FF body with a 500mm on it would be like shooting a D500 with a 330mm on it. Totally inadequate for most birds...unless you get extremely lucky.

Blufftonian said:

T O Shooter said:

He didn't say he needed the crop factor.

Click to expand...

A FF body with a 500mm on it would be like shooting a D500 with a 330mm on it. Totally inadequate for most birds...unless you get extremely lucky.

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I don't disagree. But I've shot a lot of birds with a 500 f4VR and a D4/D4s and there's been times that put me too close.

But my answer was based on the parameters the OP set, and if he's fine with a D3, he'd be "finer" still with a D4s.

third option the 7500.

I have extensive time with a 71, 72, 75, 500, D3, D3s, D4, D4s

for sports I never found even the 71 all that lacking in focus. I thought the 7500 operated great, I had no qualms with it except that I needed the lesser noise of the d4 and d4s.

Well, here's my old hamburger shop analogy ... again ...

If you walk into a hamburger place, you are gonna get sold a hamburger.

This is the Pro DX Forum, so, hands down, get the D500. Greater speed, pixel density, auto focus, buffer, customizability ... LOADED ... for Birds (and sports) ... including the DX crop factor for more reach, and the ability to crop more in post with the much greater pixel density of the D500. No way a 15 year old D3 can be as good. A used Big Brother D5 is for sure better, but still less pixel density, and less reach with the same length lens, as well as a much greater hit on the credit card ... still $4K to $5k for a good one. Maybe they will come down some if you wait, but who knows when, and who wants to wait? You could go hungry waiting for a used steak. A nice hot burger right now will be really good!

If the grip is important to you, there are many options for adding one to the D500. My take ... why add the extra weight when trying to track birds (or anything)? ... long lenses are heavy enough (except for the 500pf). But add a double order of fries if you like.

Cheers,

Arnie

--
What we spend on this stuff is equal to the depth of our pockets squared ($²) times what we (j)ustify in our minds as to what we expect to do with our pictures plus (+) the (e)njoyment we experience from using our stuff and sharing the result ... $xxxx=$²(j+e )

Wonderful. Thank you folks for inputs. Appreciate it a lot.

Just some thoughts. The D3 was a camera aimed at the professional photographer, introduced in 2007. That's some 15 years and many camera generations ago. In many respects the D3, while still a very capable camera, is outdated. The D500 profits from a vast array of improvements in all sorts of areas.

Many D3's will have had a long life of hard work and intensive use behind them. Parts may have started to wear out, especially on cameras with a high shutter count. And if something does go wrong, you may expect Nikon to no longer be able to repair the camera or supply all necessary parts. A defect may render your camera unusable instantly, the $ 500 or so you would have spent would be right down the drain. And with cameras this old, that could happen any moment. You might be lucky and get years of problem free use out of a D3, you also might end up with a useless door stop after just a week.

Since any D500 (introduced in 2016) will at least be some 7 years younger than even the very latest D3's, you have a much better chance of getting a really good sample. And if something does break, the D500 is still in Nikon's current line up. Repairs will not be a problem for years to come.

My advice (as a happy D500 owner): go for the D500, it's probably ideal for your planned use and much more risk- and stress free than opting for a D3. If you do want one of the big pro Nikon's, save up money a bit longer and find a good used D4S.

But that's what I would do. I hope the advice you get here will help you come to a decision that you are happy with!

I love the D3, I have a d800 but still find myself reaching for the D3 on a regular basis....